Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning
Sleepy eyes
Messy Hair
Huge Smiles
Full Stockings
Perfect packages
Memories Made
Dad Silly Stringed
Jesus Laying in the Manger
Family















Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we have begun a tradition of opening presents from Memere and Pappa Lloyd and Auntie Kara and Uncle Scott. The kids look forward to Christmas Eve Mass and then coming home for dinner which we picked up Chinese this year, and then opening presents. They all loved their gifts and look forward to spending their money in fun ways this year. They are all very good at stashing their money away until they think of something they really want. So far they still haven't spent it although if Owen remembered he had it his would be spent. Owen and Luke had matching shirts and we repurposed a dress that we made a long sweater for Anna since two days before I realized she didn't have a Christmas dress. Ben enjoyed opening the toaster oven and getting it all set up for Christmas morning. Thankyou Memere, Pappa Lloyd, Uncle Scott, and Auntie Kara.
We love you!!!


















Ben Graduates

It was a long 18 months, he worked hard and the kids and I sacrificed time away from him, but the smile in the pictures shows just how much he accomplished.







Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Overcoming a Fear

This Advent as I begin a new job and a new season of trying to hear the Holy Spirit in my daily wonderings, I reflect back on overcoming a huge fear.
Over Fall break we took the kids horseback riding, I wasn't worried about it I figured Owen was too small and I could stay back with him.
I figured wrong.
Not only was he big enough to ride, he was also big enough to ride alone.
Here is where the problem of my fear comes in, the kids are all excited because we are all going to go together. Oh yeah!
I have a healthy (or unhealthy) fear of horses (or I should say had). The last time I was near horses, they go to close to me and I started crying much to Ben's dismay. I really hadn't planned on riding, but how do you disappoint your kids, you don't.
So I got on a horse, the biggest horse there, his name was Ceaser. I was scared but not as much as I thought I'd be. I even cantored and I had fun. So much fun I would do it again.
I also proved to myself that I can overcome my fears even those I've had since I was a little child, and really I could have all along. All I had to do was give it to God because there was no way without Him (or my kids desires) that I was getting on a horse.
I got on that horse and I made my kids happy and I learned that everyday I can do new things, I can do hard things, and I can do them well. I might sweat a lot but I do that anyway (something that disgusts my children). 
Enjoy the pictures of that day, I love looking at them, it was a great day!!!






My horses ears, couldn't take a selfie and hold on.



This little boy loved his ride.

Owen and Anna from the rear.

After the fear died down, I did enjoy the views. It was beautiful.