Je t'aime Aunt Marie!

My Aunt Marie passed away last night but I can't help but to feel relieved. The picture above is from this summer and she was just not happy where she was. She was ready to move on then. Don't get me wrong, although her body was failing, her mind was sharper than ever. She was cracking us up during our visit with her. I will always remember her as a strong, independent woman who ALWAYS said what was on her mind.....in her gruff, French accent! :) She is my Grandma Frenchie's cousin but we called her Aunt Marie. She treated my mom and aunties as if they were her own children. A selfless woman who is definitely creating some laughter in the heavens above. Je t'aime Aunt Marie and we will see you again.

Christmas 2010

No big surprise that this post has a ton of pictures. We had a very Merry Christmas and it wasn't because of what was under the tree. We had family time and that was the best gift ever!! This picture would've been so cute if we weren't staring into the sun....duh! :)

A family picture on Christmas day....we lasted about 30 seconds outside before we hurried back into the heat of the house! Brrrr...

Nana bought Trinity "Just Dance 2" for the Wii and had a blast dancing to the songs. Oh yeah....I posted the video on facebook....sure did! :)

My sister and I displaying our new sweaters. My mom did so good picking them out....this year. I mean she does a great job every year. :) Love you mom!!

Me and the 2 lovely girls I call sisters. :)I always love hanging with them. By the way...I am still taller than Jessica, she just has some massive boots on. Had to put that on the record. :)

Me and the hubby....it's got to be Christmas cause I actually got him to smile in a picture with me!! haha

Twin cousins....after opening their gifts, they headed outside to try out Stephen's new soccer stuff.

My family....I love them so much....almost as much as I love taking pictures next to rocks apparently. :)

Christmas morning before the unwrapping began....I guess it wouldn't be a post from me if it wasn't random and all over the place. :) Sorry...I'm a little overwhelmed....so many special pictures. Maybe I should post them and leave out my words. :)

I apologize if the picture of me with no make-up scared you. This is "did the kids really wake up at 6:30am to open presents picture." We used to have a don't come out of your room before 7am rule but since Kendall (7mos old) doesn't understand that rule....it was void for everyone else. :)

Now that's a griddle!!! My hubby loves to make pancakes and his poor old griddle has bit the dust. My sister and BIL bought him a HUGE new one. Too bad I'm the one that usually ends up cleaning up the pancake mess...sheesh.

Excited to see their stockings...

Cousins.....

We headed to Katy, Texas for Christmas and stayed with the Streets. It was great to be around family. We always have lots of laughs, great food and build memories that we will have forever. Christmas eve my mom and sister, Mill and I were able to do some last minute shopping like we always do. Kendall even got her ears pierced. It was hard to see her cry! :( Of course she got over it and was back to her adorable smiling self. Christmas day went by so fast as usual....we exhanged gifts, ate yummy food, took lots of pictures and laughed a ton watching my mom dance to the wii game. Christmas night Gene and I took on my sister and BIL in dominoes. Can you say VICTORY!!! :) Yes....I'm still competitive when it comes to dominoes. :) We are back home, safe and sound and looking forward to another week off. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!!

December Happenings

Since we will be spending Christmas in Houston, we decided to open gifts with the kids early so we didn't have to pack them up twice. I love spending time with my family but it was nice exchanging gifts with just the 5 of us.

Of course Logan had to get something involving sports.....he was thrilled to get the Madden 11 game along with a commemorative Super Bowl football. It is being hosted in Dallas this year!!

One of Trinity's favorite gifts was her Justin Bieber t-shirt. She definitely has BIEBER FEVER!! :)

I was kind of lazy this year and didn't put tree #2 up in the front room. Logan's room and the front room have big windows and I always put a tree up in each room. It looks really pretty when the lights are on. Oh well...my house looked a little lopsided this year. :)

The kids are glad to have a break from school and I am also enjoying some time away from work. They each had a Christmas party with their class and enjoyed arts and crafts and yummy, festive treats.

Kansas and her friends doing their Christmas puzzle...not sure why my camera is taking such blurry pictures. I'm quite sure it can't be user error. :)
Trinity making a Gingerbread man....he sure looks yummy.

Like I said before, it is nice to be on a little break but it never seems like there is a dull moment. Our pipes in our bathroom busted and then Jersey (our female puppy) headbutted me on accident and busted my lip. I would show you a pretty picture of it but I thought I would spare you all. Needless to say, Ive been on a yogurt and smoothie diet since. I will say that I am so very thankful to our friends that stepped up to help us. Our neighbors Rick and Angie always are there when we need them. Rick helped Gene get the pipes going and Angie put her nurse hat on and helped me deal with my lip.....even taking me to see one of her ER doc friends. He checked on my lip outside of the ER so I didn't even have to go in! Too bad he said I should've had stitches if I would have taken my stubborn self in earlier! Oh well...life goes on. :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with their family. If your family isn't close, I hope you are blessed to have wonderful friends around.

JESUS is the reason for the season!!!

Relearning the ABC's

Below is one of the devotionals that I received from my Aunt Gloria and Uncle Glen. I love it how many times I feel like they were written just for me.

Tuesday, December 14
Spiritual ABCs
Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character.Romans 5:3-4
Recommended ReadingJames 1:2-8
Most of us learn our ABCs before we ever darken a schoolroom door. We have little songs, puzzles, and books that teach us the alphabet. But what about our spiritual ABCs? How long before we learn that Adversity Builds Character?
Today you have already had, or will have, a problem. Few days in life are trouble-free. Most of our problems are minor irritants, but maybe you're going through a crisis just now. In any case, God is more concerned about building your character than solving your problems, though He can do both.
Every trial is an unfolding lesson that draws us nearer to Him. Every failure teaches us faith. Every hurt nudges us toward holiness. Every disappointment becomes His appointment as He works all things for our advancement. Our struggles can be Christ's schoolroom where we learn the spiritual ABCs that stand us in good stead for the future.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience and makes us mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Read-Thru-the-Bible1 John 4:1-2 John 1:13

Coast to Coast I love these people the most

Although I am fortunate to spend Christmas with my husband, kids, parents and sisters, I still wish I could have ALL of my family around. I have my side of the family on one coast, California and Gene's side of the family is on the east coast, New Jersey. Above is a picture of some, just some of my Cali family. I wish I could have been at that Christmas party. My cousins turned the kitchen into a dance floor. :) That's just how we do it in our family...have fun or go home! :)

My cousin Brooke is prego with Ethan, my soon to be great cousin. Brooke's husband, Owen and her brother, Derek (my cousin) are both in Iraq. We are praying for their safe return and a safe delivery for Brooke and baby Ethan!
Even though I will not be with everyone, I want all my family to know how much I love them and cherish them!
Merry Christmas Y'all!!!