All I want for Christmas!

Many of you know that the only thing I want is to be with my kids. To be with all of them at once is Heaven! And I do mean that! I finally got my wish for Thanksgiving. We spent a week in Washington D.C. with Brandie and her family and then drove down to N.C. to spend the Thanksgiving week with Lance and his family. Tiffany's family met us there. What a perfect moment to have all my babies under one roof at one time. I took over 350 pictures, I tried to pick just a few, man they were all so good.
Our trip to D.C was incredible. Rick had never been there so all the sights and experiences were new and fresh. Of course it is an awesome place that is full of history and makes you proud to be an American. We saw all of the monuments, got a personal tour of the pentagon with Josh, Arlington, Mt. Vernon, the Smithsonian, Gettysburg, Mananas, D.C. temple and so much more. We were so fortunate to be in the right places at the right times. At Mt. Vernon in George Washington's home we were there the day after they brought the original painting of George Washington kneeling in prayer. It was huge and incredible. They told us that Arnold brought it there himself. When we went to Gettysburg, it was Remembrance Day. The day they reenact the Gettysburg Address. Hundreds even thousand of people dressed in period costume were there. A big parade then battalions march to the drums and fife on the fields. The lined up, the North and the South. In grey and blue. It was a sight to see and we got to witness it from the warmth of our car. We went to the Smithsonian American History museum the day it opened after being closed for many years, they greeted us with flag pins, people dressed in character (George and Martha Washington, soldiers, Jefferson) and we saw "the Star Spangled Banner". The original flag that flew over the fort during the civil war. Unbelievable.
Thanksgiving day was the best. Brooke outdid herself. The food was delicious and we ate all day. Everyone was is such good spirits and happy to just be together. We ventured out to McDonald's, the movie, and the mall to ride the carousel. The kids were so good. We had no glitches what so ever. Rick and I got to babysit all 5 girls one night while the big kids went to dinner. That was heaven. There was not a minute that you couldn't reach out for a hug or a kiss from anyone and they were all so willing. Saying good bye was the hardest. Especially when you don't have a "see you in..." date to look forward too. This was definitely the best gift I could ever have received. So I thank Rick for taking me, and all my kids for arranging everything and all the entertainment. But best of all, thanks to my "five little girls" for loves and kisses and the frosting on the cake. Somebody up there loves me to bless me with all of this.

Happy Thanksgiving

After reading a sincere post on Wendy's Blog, I wanted to take her example and post the things I am thankful for.
We are so fortunate to be able to take a trip to Washington D.C. and then on to North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with ALL my kids. Yes we will all be in one place at a time (still hoping big Rickey will make it)!. Most of my loved ones and friends can tell you that my kids are the most important things in my life. Yes they are my biggest blessing and I am ever indebted to my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with them. I can't imagine a day without them or talking to them, knowing they are always there for me. I know that I am truly lucky that I talk to them each day. (Sometimes more than once a day) I am so proud of them and all they have accomplished, the spouses they have chosen, and the character each one has developed. This all leads to the biggest JOYS in my life, my five granddaughters! They make my life worth enduring. They are the frosting on my cake! And I love the frosting.
I am thankful for Rick, though he is probably is the last to know that. He has stuck by me when most people would have run by now. I thank him for letting me do the things I love the most, be with my family.
Thank you to my parents who are my idols. Never before has there been two people as perfect as they are. They have given me so much and been so supportive. They have been my safety net, confidants, and advisers through so many trials. I love them greatly. Thanks to them I have two awesome brothers and a sister that is absolutely priceless. I also love my nieces and nephews and my awesome in-laws.
Without sounding to much like a testimony, I am really very thankful to my brother Jesus Christ for all the blessing in my life. I thank him for loving me first and being with me always.
Thanks to all those who read this...for letting me be me.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Hey look what we woke up to. Beautiful white stuff. Usually I am excited for the first snow of the season, but I am not sure I am ready this year. We have had such a wonderful summer and splendid fall that the cold is not as appealing. Well everything changes...like the new president. I think we should all be praying for him and the country. We sure need it. Well just because it's cold outside doesn't mean its cold in our hearts...lame.

Happy Halloween 2008

Happy (or should we say Scary) Halloween to all our ghoul friends and frightening family. As usual, I was a witch. However, I didn't do the scary thing, I look that way most days so I went for the upper high class witch. I was so lucky to have Little Rickey all day. We carved a pumpkin, dressed up, and did the Trick or Treat thing. Honey and Papa had an impromptu party, because Curt's family and I showed up for treats. Take a look at the cute black cat, witches, and mad scientist. Share your spooks with me.