1 year

*Before I start my post I wanted to ask that everyone keeps my sister-in-law, Desiree in their prayers for she lost her fiancee, Russell, to a car accident on April 5th. They were to have been married April 19th. It is so heartbreaking. We were able to fly to Texas for the funeral last week. It was a hard week, a very sad time for the family. Please just pray that Desiree finds some peace and comfort during this hard time.

My Big 1 year old! Kara's smash cake. Not exactly what I pictured, but still cute!Her Care Bear cake!

She LOVED it!
Happy, messy girl! It was everywhere, we had to wash her down before taking her home. It was even in her diaper, YUCK! About to open her 1st present!


Her Bedtime Bear from Granny and Grandpa.

She really wasn't that into the present opening but in her defense it was past her nap time.

On a happier note, on April 17th, our Kara turned a year old! It amazes me that it's been that long, but then I can't hardly remember life before her. She is a joy to be around for everyone that knows her. How she has blessed my life I can never explain. She is the greatest gift that I've ever received in my life. Watching her grow and learn is always entertaining and fulfilling. I am so thankful for my little girl. I have a few pics to share. Once I get the others I will try to post those too.

Beautiful ending to a sad day

As you may have read it was my son's birthday yesterday. So, of course I was sad and depressed. But I felt a little better when we decided to do the celebrating part of the day. We have made a tradition of having a cake and sending balloons with letters that we plan on doing every year. This year I made cup cakes because I had found some superman cupcake holders and toppings that were really cute. So I made those with the funfetti cake because it has little yellow, red, and blue bits in it. Next, we went and got the balloons blown up and found another balloon to add to the three we had. They had a superman one that said, "Happy Birthday" on it. I was very excited to get it. It had been a cloudy day, so I was kind of bummed that the pictures wouldn't come out too great, but something amazing happened. We went down to the marina to let them go and the clouds opened up and the sun shined so bright. It was beautiful. Then as soon as the balloons were almost out of sight the clouds starting closing back in. I truly feel that it was some kind of sign saying Conner was getting the balloons we sent him. It was a very sad but tender moment for us all as tears ran down our faces. So today I have to say I am thankful for things that bring warmth, weather it's a hug from a loved one, a nice cozy fire, a smile, or just the sun shining down at the right time.

So sweet!

I adore this picture! It was funny! I looked over and they were all piled up like this. I was happy to have my camera in hand. The little one on the top is our friends daughter Jordin, age 3. My husband, just another kid at play. So I have to catch myself up again on being thankful because last time I tried to post my computer when wacky again. So here goes:

November 11th: I am thankful for childlike qualities in both myself and other adults.

November 12th: I am thankful for our armed forces, without them we wouldn't be safe and free. Thanks to all who serve I include firemen and police in this also.

November 13th: I am thankful for schools and teachers that give our children the ability to learn and knowledge to get them through life a little easier.

She loves birthdays!

Now aren't these pics sweet? She has always loved her birthday. At the age of two she would walk around saying my birthday is bembmer seventh. It was too cute!!

Crazy fights!

Birthday party tomorrow!

Tomorrow we are having Maddy's birthday party at the park. I rented a bouncy boxing ring that everyone is very excited about. I am jealous that I will be unable to participate in the fun, but oh well. I will be the photographer for sure. So I will try to get some pics posted tomorrow night, that is if I have enough energy left after all the festivities. I didn't write what I was thankful for yesterday so let me say my pets. They provide me with so much enjoyment and I adore them. Today I feel thankful for nature. The breeze, the birds chirping, the sunshine, all of it. It is a wonderful and beautiful sight everyday. What a beautiful world God has created for us.