A sweet friends 50th

Celebrating with special friends is always fun. Lane turned the big 50, even though she doesn't look a day over 30. We all had a blast and I enjoy these special friendships that truly have stood the test of time and hardships.

2015 Christmas Season

This was the first Christmas Season without my Dad and I was prepared for it to be the absolute worst. Well... It was wonderful in so many ways. New traditions being made and the love of my family grew stronger. We enjoyed seeing the lighting of the ruins at Barnsley Gardens which is a treasure so close to our home.

This was a relaxed event we enjoyed with sweet friends and their children. We weren't sure what to expect, but I think we can all agree it was something we will definitely do again next year.

The one thing that would have made the evening perfect is if our Tyler had been with us. He was off enjoying his time with friends. 

We went to Monroe to celebrate Christmas with Don's Dad the week before Christmas. This was entertaining to say the least. Christmas lunch at The Golden Corral....need I say more. He is such sweet man though.

Our extended family has definitely gotten smaller, but our immediate family has been strengthened. 

Then....Christmas day arrived! I missed my mom and dad, but I cherish my husband and children. My sweet Kanon was thoughtful and brought tears to my eyes. The others knew about it and had already decided he got THE gift that was going to make me cry. I promise they were tears of joy. I love that my children have sweet memories of mamaw and papaw.

Our children had a blast opening their presents, but I think they are at that age now that just being home and "chillin" as they call it, is the best!

Grayson loved her Harry Potter book from Tyler. This year each of the kids bought for each other and on Chritmas Eve after Church they had a ball exchanging sibling gifts. Another new tradition started as they are getting older.

What a BLESSED Christmas Season!

Thanksgiving and Loss

My hearts so heavy this week as we begin the holiday season with my first thanksgiving celebration without my Dad. I have so much to be grateful for but an emptiness like I have never felt before in my heart. I am trying to hide the tears from my sweet family and remember only the good times of years past. My prayer for this week is..... Help me Lord... Be grateful and love all that I have and not focus on what I have lost. I know my mom and dad are are my angels and will always be with me in my thoughts and memories and those cannot ever be taken away, Amen.

Cross Country and Mud

The big wingfoot classic that Parkers cross country team hosted a few weeks back was a complete mud pit. It had rained off and on for days. So much preparation had gone into the event there was no way to cancel or reschedule. I was miserable as I stood to cheer on Parker and the Hurricanes, but Parker and the other runners didn't seem to be concerned in the least. It was a meet they probably won't forget to soon. 

Now that's dedication!

She's a Teenager finally.....

She's finally 13 and she had been planning a trip to New York for the last year. We had been talking about the things we wanted to see and planning our time in the big city. We thought we would fly, just me and her but somewhere along the way we decided her biggest brother Tyler would probably like to go as well. These two of my children have the most in common even though they are the farthest apart in age. We decided to make this trip the ultimate road trip since Tyler is now 20, he could help me share in the drive. After we decided to drive, we decided to add another city and with both of them being my history buffs... What better place to add than Washington DC. This trip was amazing. It was fast and we walked at least 15 miles a day, but I wouldn't have traded a second of it. 

Rainy Saturday

It was the last Saturday in September three years ago today that I got the call that changed my life. It was rainy much like it is today. Even though the date was the 29th of September and she passed in the early morning hours of the 30th it was this weekend that was the last day I would ever get to hold my moms hand or touch her face. It was her last day here on earth. This year my grief seems almost unbearable even though it's been three years. I guess it's because almost 3 months ago I had to say goodbye again to my dad. The two people on this earth who loved me unconditionally. Even as a grown woman, I still need to hear my parents voices sometimes. Just knowing they are there provides comfort that you are never alone in this world, a comfort that can only come from those two people who taught you how to walk and who heard your first words as a baby, Who held your hand when you were scared or were there to celebrate some of those firsts like learning to drive for the first time. My heart hurts today and it's not anything anyone can understand. Lord, I pray for strength today and this week and the next few months as I celebrate new firsts and traditions without them as the holidays approach. I know they are with you and that someday I will see them again. Until that day, help me to make them proud and help me to continue to move forward. 

More fun....Celebrating our Parker

As the fun continued on our family cruise to Cozumel and the Grand Caymen Island, Parker turned the big 14! He is such a blessing to our family. He makes me laugh and his heart has to be made of gold. I pray he continues to grow stronger in his faith and trusts in Jesus always. Words can't describe how much we love you Parker...