The days seem to fly by and I am amazed that here we are, the end of November and sliding into the holiday season. Didn't we just finish that? So much has happened in the last year and I can barely believe that we are here again. The past week has been incredibly busy and now there are preparations for Thanksgiving. I am trying to do everything as stress free as we can this year... I want to enjoy the holidays completely. Last year was kind of a mess... after getting through it all, we went through finding out about the miscarriage a year ago today, and then spending weeks waiting only to have the D&C in the doctors office in December. I just want GOOD things to remember this holiday season although I am not sure I dare say it out loud! We are about half way done with shopping and as of today I have the Christmas cards made and Christmas newsletter copied and am even getting the envelopes addressed! Tomorrow we are going to have a houseful and I am excited about cooking Thanksgiving dinner! I have so many things to be grateful for. I am constantly amazed when I look at my family. They are such a gift to me. To have my husband and these beautiful children we created sometimes takes my breath away. We are blessed with amazing friends and I am so very grateful for having them in our lives. Life has been crazy as usual with the computer crashing at the video store, kids going every different direction, we got Tiffany's baby shower done and it turned out fantastic and I even got to run away to the temple with Katie last week.... it looks like the next month will be nothing but more running so I better take a deep breath now and hold on tight!!!
Who gave me my fairty tale dreams of love at first sight and happily ever after all while knowing that forever takes lots of work. Who has been my best friend since the moment I looked into his eyes. Who still makes my heart skip a beat. The greatest thing that ever happened in my life was walking into that store that night and meeting him! We have laughed when the world was falling down around us. We have rejoiced in the birth of each of our children. Found joy in the simple things, like watching our kids grow and learn. I have more respect for the man he is than I could have ever imagined and I have loved watching him become that great man! Who is gentle yet strong, who can fix anything...the cars when they break down, plumb in a new laundry room, fix anything I happen to break or try to destroy and yet he can go shopping with me and pick out our girls' clothes, change a diaper without batting and eye, cook us dinner and do the dishes and clean the bathroom for me. If I could ever describe the perfect man, it would be him! May you always know the love I feel for you, and may you always see in yourself the man that I know you to be. Thank you for the most 23+ years... it took me only an instant to know our love would be forever... and it has only grown and grown since then! I love you... for always!
My precious miracle. Words cannot express the feelings I feel for him after all that we went through. The hours spent working so hard to keep this little guy alive... the miracles we have seen were enough to literally move mountains. He has the greatest personality, a sense of humor that keeps us all laughing and something about him that just draws people in. There is nothing better than him walking into a room and just starts laughing! I remember that dark night while waiting for the wings to be defrosted before life flight could take off, I planned his funeral... the darkest night of my life. But there was something about him that showed us he was a fighter and that we shouldn't give up on him! ...Those weeks fighting for his life, wondering how we were going to get through it, yet he always had a smile. He has us all wrapped around his finger and he knows it... he is fearless and funny. His love for others is amazing, he loves so openly and will give people a little wave and blow them a kiss at the oddest times and places... he is the youngest but his personality is the biggest. His siblings are so protective of him... this sweet boy showed them that prayers are answered and miracles are real and love is forever! So many nights I laid awake with him on my chest making sure he was breathing... and I was given the miracle of having the strength to do it! We thought we were done before he came to us... and yet, I cannot imagine what life would have been like without him.. without all that we learned because of him. May you, sweet Nathaniel always have the gift to give love, the power to lift others higher, and the courage to stand for right at all times and in all places... your life is a miracle, your name means Gift from God, you your life is truly a gift from Him... may you continue to bring joy to everyone around you and find joy in making others happy! I love you little man.... you are my gift!
My beautiful little lady who haunted me in my dreams for 3 years before I ever laid eyes on her sweet face with those exotic eyes. The amazingly strong and independent little girl who like the time before she was 4 was riding her bike without training wheels too fast on a dirt road so I told her to slow down so she didn't wreck slammed on the brakes and said "I know, I know, I KNOW my business!" has always shown that she does in fact know her business. Who is determined to do in life exactly what she knows she should do... Who came into this world with a personality strong enough to hold her own in a family with so many strong personalities and adore all of them. Who taught me to go forth courageously through my fears beause when the Lord speaks all will be well! Who everyday puts a smile on my face and makes my heart grow with love beyond what I ever dreamed was possible. This sweet girl is 5 going on 15... she thinks she is one of the big girls and loves to rock out with the best of them. May you always have the humility and the courage to take on life knowing that you know your business... you gave me my dream come true and have been a miracle in my life. I love you baby girl!
My sweet mama's boy who isn't ashamed to tell me that! He taught me more than I could ever express... he stretched my faith and taught me that all things work out in the Lord's way and that we do NOT know best. He too is a keeper of my heart. He always makes sure I am happy and brings me so much joy. He has a sweetness about him that makes me want to cuddle him which is perfect since he still loves to put on his 'cuddly pajamas' and let me squeeze him. I will forever be grateful for the things I learned because of him, of the sacred experience I had the night he was born and for his willingness to love me as if I am perfect... because in his eyes I am. May you be bold enough to share what you believe and to always have the desire to help others succeed. I love you my sweet boy, thank you for being you!
She was the most stunning beautiful baby and I was so excited to have her after 3 bandit boys! I was in awe the first time I laid eyes on her. She has an air of confidence about her that lets people know that she is sure of who she is and what she is here to do in life! She has a strong sense of right and wrong and seems wise beyond her years at times... so grown up. She is a friend to all and another sweet, gentle girl with a mother's heart. Her beauty goes all the way to her soul... her eyes sparkle with her love of life. May you always have joy and see the world as an exciting place where there is always something to learn, and always something to grow and that you will always be willing to serve others that you might have true joy! I love you sweet girl, you are a joy to me!
The 3rd bandit who is all boy. Is it any wonder my rings went missing for years because he put them in a zippered pocket in a pair of overalls he had worn. The most loving, tender hearted sweet boy who is often found just staring at you with a smile on his face, he is such a loving, gentle soul. He loves to cuddle... loves to sit next to me and hold my hand and I am so blessed to be his mom. He too protects my heart. May you always be willing to see beyond yourself so that you can continue to be the example and friend that you are... that you will understand that your weaknesses can make you strong...you are named after strong men and you too will do great things!
One of the original bandit boys.... his beautiful eyes can look into your heart and make you melt. My sweet boy who has always been so protective of family, a peace maker who wants to know that his family is happy. He has brought joy to my life and keeps life interesting with crazy personality. He's always playing practical jokes and always makes us laugh...he is always willing to help out and is a hard worker. He will tease and joke and is so tender hearted that he wants to make sure that you are happy. May you always have the ability to use your sense of humor to carry you through the hard times we all have in life. That you can continue to bring joy to others when the whole world is falling down around them and may you always know that you are loved and cherished as a member of this big crazy family!
My first bandit boy. The son that tried my patience every moment of every day his first several years. I am always amazed that I grew a new heart with the birth of each child and the love I felt for each one was completely overwhelming! I dreamed about Willie for 10 years before my dream came true...and I could only laugh between tears as he covered himself in vaseline, or dumped a gallon of milk, 5 lbs of sugar and red kool aid on the kitchen floor only to put his hands in the bottom of the peanut butter jar while I was cleaning up the other mess...he is a hero of mine... he is so smart and compassionate and loving. He is a young man with much integrity. He uses his talents to help others and is a hard worker. He always knows how to make me smile! May you always have the ability to understand your gifts are from God and only use them to bless the lives of others. I am so thankful to have you as my son!
Candice always poses when the camera comes out.... We love you Candice! And Kailee too!
Do we dare count how many liters of soda we went through???? :)
Beautiful Kassi... and Hey Bummy!
I don't know why I didn't get pictures of everyone... too busy keeping food moving I guess... but it was so fun to have so many out enjoying the day!
Kalli enjoying turkey!!!
Shayne and Kerry guarding the meat! No really Shayne was dishing up the meat...
Shayne and sweet Ella....
Tanner wouldn't let me take pictures of him!
Israel and Tanya came out to share dinner with us too...
Nate took Ella into his room to play... they were playing so cute together and Nate loved sharing with her!
Some of the group enjoying dinner...
Kimi and Garrett....
Sweet Nater's loves the new whipped sweet potato recipe I made this year...
My sweet Bummy...
Kerry's mom and dad came to share Thanksgiving with us too!
