A sunny JANUARY day

     It is beautiful outside right now. I just got done talking to my Aunt Leah on the phone. She is a big encouragement to me. We went to church today and then went and got subs at Firehouse Subs. That is something we like to do with the kids on Sundays. Holden and Tanner love to get ham sandwiches and pick out their chips. Billy went home to work on a paper and I took to the boys to tuscawilla park to play. It is 65 degrees out and sunny. Absolutely gorgeous. I am thankful for my boys. The message at church was awesome. It was about setting goals and trusting in God's power to help you achieve those goals. I am praying for Billy in school and as his wife  I want him to succeed. I am here to help my family in all ways possible. I made a big pot of chicken and yellow rice and sitting outside with Tanner about to wake up Holden from his nap. My boys are so different. I love their little personalities. When we went to the park Tanner was playing make believe with his toys and pretending he was in a fort. He was so cute playing by himself most of the time and making up things. Holden was everywhere and making friends with 8 and 9 year olds and doing whatever it is they were doing. He pretty much was ruling the park and being fiercely independent for just turning 2. He is brave and wild. I love it! They have amazing strengths these 2 boys and both unique in their own ways. I have challenges I face daily when parenting them. God is there to hold me and see me through. I am thankful for the new book I am working out of and reading. It is called Reading the Bible for Life.

Rainy, Chilly Afternoon

     It is raining. Holden is asleep. Tanner is watching a movie. I am relaxing. I went to the meeting last night. I picked up Katie C. and we went for coffee. I took her home and then stayed up late and Holden woke me up at 6 A.M. calling "MOMMY""MOMMY" over and over. I am tired but I was glad to get up early and have coffee and juice with my Holden boy and read my Bible. I am in the habit lately of reading my Bible for 15 minutes everyday. I get so filled up and encouraged when I stay in God's word. We also have a sweet Veggie Tales devotional that Aunt Elaine got the boys last Christmas that I read with the boys every morning. It has been a great two weeks back into our routine after the Holidays. Tanner is loving school and Holden is enjoying hanging with mommy at the gym, Mops, running errands or  going to the park. I took Holden to get a haircut today and he had a fit. He has been several times and never minded and now all of a sudden he acted CRAZY today so we left with his shaggy hair still in tact. :) He will have to get it cut eventually or maybe we will just start going for the Tarzan look. He is waking up now so I guess my Blog time is over for now. Just a couple January pictures of these sweet beautiful boys.

Christmas and New Year's

What a beautiful Christmas we had. We kicked off Christmas week with a day at Disney. SO fun!! I love Disney with my boys. Then we had our traditional Christmas Eve in Lakeland with all our family on my side. My Aunt Leah and her family were here and it was so nice spending time with them. We ate tons of great food and did a tribute to my Grannie Janet. My sister bought a new house this year and it was fun helping her celebrate her first Christmas there. Christmas morning was so magical seeing the kids run out and see what Santa brought. We made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast and hung out and ate in our PJ's. It has also been so much fun this year with our Scout elves too. Clyde and Roland and their pet Reindeer Dexter. Tanner loved coming out each morning to see where they were and what they were up to. Then Christmas afternoon it was off to Meme and Grampys house for our traditional Christmas dinner and presents over there. My mother in law works hard on having such a nice Christmas for us. She is an awesome cook and the house always looks so wonderful with her beautiful tree and Christmas dishes. The kids had so much fun and we are so thankful to be kicking off another year. 5 and 2 are such fun busy ages. Our church had a beautiful Christmas service on Tuesday night before Christmas and I loved singing and worshipping our KING!! Tanner was so sweet in his Christmas performance at St. Paul's too. Complete in his Frosty sweater. (OF COURSE) I am so thankful for all God is doing and going to do in 2015. I have so many things I am turning over to him and so so many things I am praising him for. Happy New Year!!