19 years and counting....

Don and I celebrated 19 years of wedded bliss on December 4th.  I am so blessed that 19 years ago he chose to spend the rest of his life with me.  Things have not always been perfect, but we have always been a perfect fit.  We are a work in progress.  Hopefully, we are modeling true love to our children so that someday they will have a God honoring marriage.  We are blessed with four amazing children and have come along way since that sweet white house in Dawnville.  I look forward to spending the rest of my life with this sweet man and growing old together.  I love you Don!

Cotillion 2012

It's finally time for Parker's Cotillion.  Both Tyler and Kanon have gone through this invitation only program and Loved it.  Ok..ok.. so I fibbed a little.  Tyler and Kanon both went through because I made them.  It is such a sweet and beneficial program and just maybe a few manners and dance steps may rub off on them in the process.  At least I get to dance with my boys and get an awesome picture.  Next year will be Grayson's turn so Don can dance with his little girl. 

This year Parker actually enjoyed himself.  He is quite the handsome boy and loved dressing up and hanging with his friends.  I think he actually had fun and didn't mind it at all.  The sweet little boys and girls are all dressed up for the annual holly ball and bless their hearts must feel like they are in a fish bowl with all us parents gawking at them.  Us parents are running around snapping pictures of their every move the entire night.  Don says Cotillion is more for me than our kids.  Anyway...It's a fun evening and part of the Breedlove kid rite of passage.

Thanksgiving 2012

Playing catch up with the blog as usual..so lets see everything I have missed.  I'll start with Thanksgiving.  This year we hosted at our house for the family.   It went perfectly and the food and fellowship was amazing.  My sweet husband may just be the best cook ever.  After a wonderful lunch, we had what may have started the first annual cornhole game.  Don was the big winner with whichever kid joined him and If I recall right, my aunt Loretta did pretty good.  Of course the fun began later when Derek began posting on facebook how he and Kanon were the champs...all in good fun!  We smiled and laughed and we continue to miss mom.  Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday of the year...she loved Don's cooking.  But, I find comfort in knowing she had the best thanksgiving of all this year in Heaven.

Amazing kids = wonderful life!

Parker enjoyed a busy two weeks with Y club Junior Assembly and then off to his first Church Youth Retreat.  He had a blast, but my favorite part was that he was ready to stay home for awhile and was maybe a tad bit homesick after the second weekend in a row away.  I love that Parker wants to be so involved in school and Church.  Everybody that meets him loves him and his sweet personality.  Parker was also selected as student of the week for his team at middle school.  All of this makes this mama proud.

Kanon is 16!!! I'm excited, happy and sad all at the same time.  I can't believe this little boy who is full of such funny sayings and full of joy is growing up so fast.  I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.  And Wow what a great kid he is, we are truly blessed to be his parents. Happy birthday Kanon!!!

The picture above is an indicator of how funny, silly and wonderful Kanon is.  This is what we get when we let him design and pick up his own cookie cake.  The cookie design may be ugly, but the saying is right on the money. :)

Grayson was selected Star Student at her school.  I always enjoy going to the sweet little breakfast they have before school to honor these students.  We are very fortunate with a great school that has teachers that love on our children.

And....last but not least Tyler.  No pictures this time, but so proud of the young man he is.  He is so smart and will be heading off to military college very soon or at least that's his plan for now.  I know he will do well in whatever path he chooses.  Now, if I can get through all the graduation invitation ordering and college preparation without crying my eyes out we will be ok.

Halloween 2012

We are almost at that point in our lives where this holiday will look very different for our family as our children are growing up, but this year it was still the fun of enjoying friends and racing from house to house to get enough candy to eat for the next year.  This year some sweet friends invited us to their home in our neighborhood to enjoy drinks and appetizers first before we set out to trick or treat as a group.  Our older boys stayed at home....Kanon and his friend were working on a spanish project while Tyler and Ashley guarded our door and gave out candy to all the youngsters.  Grayson and Parker and friends stayed ahead us most of the night while the adults walked leisurely enjoying one anothers company.  Don't get me wrong, I loved it when all my children were small and it was crazy chaotic, but this year was nice too knowing they were old enough to go as a group and run ahead without us holding their hands.  Makes for a much more relaxing evening.

Check out that full moon!

And this is our life....

From fall fairs to friends weddings to homecoming dances to cotillion and to our first college visit with our oldest, we continue to live out our amazing life.  Although its not been easy on our hearts lately, it is totally worth every second.

Here's to living a life with purpose and intention. For the first time ever, I am excited about the future.

A Tribute to my Mom.....

Neubie Jean Norris
1/25/43-9/30/12

When she smiled at me, I knew she loved me more than words could ever express.  I never doubted, for even one second, how much my mom cared for me.  During her lifetime, she made choices and experienced challenges along her journey, but she loved me and her grandchildren deeply.  She was always patient with my children and took good care of them when they were small, allowing Don and I to work.  For that alone....I am forever grateful! She loved being a grandmother.  She would play games, read to them, cook for them or just listen to their many stories for hours on end.  Each one of them have those memories they will cherish forever.  With her sickness, her last years were very difficult on her and our entire family, but now I finally know she is healed and happy forever.  Though we are saddened and have shed many tears, we know she is rejoicing with our Heavenly Father.  We are not sad for her, but only for ourselves because we will always miss her. Rest in Peace Mom.........