Christmas

What a trying month. I can honestly say that we are emotionally exhausted right now. I AM SO GRATEFUL for my family. Brandon and I have had to lean on each other for support, and our kids have been through so much. I am so happy to know that our trials have brought us closer together as a family. I know that us being together as a family and knowing we are all safe is the only thing I could have ever wanted for Christmas. The only thing. I never realized how much joy my children and husband could bring to my life or how reading them a story before bed could be so comforting to ME. They say that the mother is the rock in the family. My family is my support. Waking up every morning to their smiling faces and kisses reassures me that everything will be OK and that they know I love them. My kids mean the world to me and I am so happy to know they are happy. I never understood a mothers love until I became a mother myself. The only thing I wanted for Christmas is to have my family close and I got exactly what I wanted. I am so grateful for that. The story of the Christmas shoes has always touched mine and Brandon's hearts. Life isn't about you. It's about helping others. If we can instill that into our children, won't the world be a better place? Even if we incorporate that into our lives today... It is one more day we are not feeling sorry for ourselves. When you think about someone else... you don't think of yourself. No matter what religion you are... It revolves around the same thing. Christ. Jesus Christ gave his life up to give us more. To let us make choices whether right or wrong but it is unconditional love that makes him so great. No matter how far away we stray from him, we are always welcome back. Christ gave his life for us. Shouldn't we give ours through service and love? This will truly make us happy. So I challenge everyone this Christmas to do something for someone else. Do it anonymously. . . You don't need someones praise to know how it makes you feel. Maybe you are the person that will make a difference in someones life. Why not take the chance...

The Christmas Shoes
It is almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line tryin' to buy that last gift or two not really in the Christmas mood. Standing right in front of me, was a little boy waiting anxiously pacing round like little boys do. And in his hand he held a pair of shoes. His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe and when it came his time to pay I couldn't believe what I heard him say
"Sir, I want to by these shoes, for my mama, please it's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, sir Daddy said there's not much time you see Moma's been sick for quite awhile and I know these shoes would make her smile and I want her to look beautiful, If Mamma meets Jesus tonight"
He counted pennies for what seemed like years. Then the cashier said, "son, there's not enough here." He searched his pockets frantically then he turned and he looked at me. He said, "Mama always made Christmas good at our house through most years she did without. Tell me sir what am I going to do somehow I've got to buy these Christmas shoes." I just had to help him out, and as I laid the money down I never forgot the look on his face when he said, "Mama's gonna look so great"
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love as he thanked me and ran out. I know that God had sent that little boy my way to remind me just what Christmas is all about.

Hard times make us stronger!

Wow what a week... It has been a whirlwind. I am SO thankful to have family and friends that are supporting us right now. I don't know if we could have made it through this week by ourselves. Long story and don't want to post it public... but finally this weekend we had no stress. None, it was like last week never happened so it was great! We just relaxed with the kids this weekend and played! London is finally walking and I swear kayge grows an inch every couple days. The kids love being together and London just follows Kayge around like his sidekick. Kayge seems really happy to be with us and always tells us he loves us. It is amazing how intuitive a (almost) 3year old can be. They know when they are loved and taken care of and are appreciative. Well to the good stuff! Kayge, London, and I made yummy pumpkin bread this weekend! Kayge loved licking the spatula and loved mixing the eggs in. I was pretending to crack the eggs on his head and he would laugh and laugh. London laughed just because we were! She tends to copy her brother. :) We took the bread over to scottie and brandy's, one of our friends, their son had surgery that day so we thought we would take him something warm to cheer him up! Yesterday I was making neighbor Christmas gifts and Kayge and I were dipping pretzels (Dad was helping by taste testing them!) Kayges job was to do the sprinkles!!! Ha Ha the funniest thing I have ever seen! My kitchen was COVERED in red and green sprinkles. We have been working on his colors because everything to him is blue. So I would ask him to put red on first or green. He was starting to get it and he was very happy with himself. Last night we went for a drive to look at Christmas lights and just to get out. We didn't see anything amazing until we drove down our street to go home and we pulled in our driveway. :) ha ha Brandon did a wonderful job with our lights... I may be a little bias. Sorry :) We put the kids to bed and were going to go to bed but I got this great idea. Brandon had been pickin on me all day throwing snowballs and stuff and the old snow down the shirt trick so I figured a little payback was in store for him. So I told him I wanted to go build a snowman (which I did). So we got all dressed up in our snow gear. Holy Cow we had the fattest ugliest snowman ever made! We gave up and made a awesome slide for the kids (which we of course tested out for safety :).) I think Kayge and London will love it. We were done with that and Brandon got that look in his eyes like he was going to throw a snowball so I ran! and guess what! He tackled me! In the snow! He thought that was pretty funny, which it was. I ran and tackled him and he went face first into the snow. That is probably the only time I will ever take him down so I am going to enjoy my glory. I was laughing so hard. It was a much needed break from life. I am so thankful my husband isn't too cool to go play in the snow with me. :) Well I hope all is well with everyone, again thank you for all the support and love that has been shown.