How I Spent My New Years....

We had an amazing week of services leading up to the new years.  We had Pastor Tomas Petes from Concord on Monday, Tuesday we had Matt Bagley, and Wednesday, Cisco preached.  It was very powerful and anointed.  Anyways, on Wednesday night, we had a party after the service, and at 11:59 guess where I was?  In the nursery breastfeeding Gloria-Grace.  I guess that's the perfect way for me to ring in the new year!  I didn't get a kiss, but I gave her one!  

CHRISTMAS AND SANTA

So this year, my kids really got into Santa.  My friend had them over for the day, and had them make their lists and letters, and then took them to the post office to send them.  They got a letter back in the mail from Santa, so they really had fun with it.  

So when Uncle Danny dressed up like Santa on Christmas Eve at my Mom's house, it was icing on their Santa Cake!  Malacai was the only one who didn't dig it.  

Gloria-Grace was held by Uncle Danny all night before he transformed into Santa.  And of course all night he was giving her zerberts.  So we all thought it was hilarious when she sat on his lap as Santa, that the first thing she did was make a zerbert sound...she wasn't fooled by the wig, she knew who was under the disquise!  

Here's some photos of the fun as well as a photo of all of us kids together...first time in a long time we were all under one roof.  

Our Christmas photos

Here's our Christmas Photos, boy what a job that was, getting everyone to look at the same time, and smile at the same time!  Geezzz.... 

 

Malacai's 2nd Bday

Malacai turned 2 on November 16th.  What a sweet child he is.  I am always in awe of him.  I mean I literally sit and watch him for minutes on end. He's so enchanting.  Everything he does is so measured.  I look at him and think he's going to be something so great.  I mean what kid can say and point out every single letter of the alphabet at two without us even teaching him?  And then add on to that the fact that he doesn't talk???  

Anyways, here are some pictures of him turning two, as well as a video we took the day we figured out he knew his letters by sight.  

I love you my sweet boy.

She cut her first tooth today!

Gloria-Grace is such a handful.  She loves to be held, and I get nothing accomplished unless she's being just that!  Here are some fun photos from the day she cut her first tooth!  

Kissable baby feet
The smell of my baby's sweet breath while she lays on my shoulder
The contagious laugh of my 2 year old
That my 5 yo tries to break dance
And that we all find it so funny we laugh so hard we cry
That my 7 yo got to see puppies be born, even though she gagged
My 8 yo loves to sing, and brings me to tears every time I hear her
That after a 14 month fight, we finally were awarded full guardianship of our 15 year old "daughter"
And that because she's finally home, loved, secure, and happy, she hasn't cut herself in months, and never feels suicidal anymore
That my husband still desires me and calls me beautiful even when I have spit up on my shoulder, boogers on my hip, a breast milk saturated bra, and maternity undies on.
A 4 slice toaster, because I can never just make a piece of toast for myself
For my Keurig, because nothing says relief like a hot cup of coffee/tea freshly brewed
The freedom to homeschool my children and great living books to read when we snuggle together
For a roof over my head, and a beautiful one at that
For a wonderful Mother and Father who raised the 8 of us to want to model them
That my sisters are more then sisters, they are my best friends
For 3 sets of grandparents that adore our children
And a Savior who cared enough to give all of this to me
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