Priceless times

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy my Nieces.
They bring so much Joy to my heart.

This is my Grandma Nell and My Mom . My Grandma Nell has Alzheimer's and has no idea who I am when she visits. Right before I took this picture my Grandma looked up and reconized me and just laughed and said "I know who you are, gosh it's been so long since I saw you last" for just a second she remembered who I was, it was a great moment.
My kids love every min. they get to spend with their cousins. It is always so hard to see them leave. The kids really took the "goodbye" hard this time. As they get older I think they understand time a little better, and that isn't always easy. They miss there cousins when they are gone, so do I.

The Nutcracker Ballet

Our friend Basha blessed us with 3 tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet. My Sister Sara joined Madi & I for an evening of ballet. It was fantastic!

Saying goodbye to Grandpa Rodney

Grandpa Rodney came to town to say goodbye before he moved to Virgina. It was a short visit because he had to hit the wide open road set before him. Before he left we had the privilege of going out to eat with him and some of our family (Grandpa Bobby - aka Pop, Aunt Darilyn, Cousin Christina, Uncle Ron, My Sister Nina and her Girls Nevaeh & Char Char). As we said our goodbyes Grandpa handed out some special gifts to the kids. He got each little one a recorder (it's an instrument Nina and I played in elementary school. Nina still rocks at it!) but Jacob didn't get one.....but don't feel sorry for him, Jacob got a very special guitar. He was so stoked! I loved the look on his face when he saw his gift and realized it was for him....priceless! All the kids loved their new presents from Grandpa.

Thanksgiving With Our Fain Family

Look at all that yummy food. Great job Ladies! Trenton found another person to wrap arround his finger.

Lisa & Trenton - Buddies for lifeWho knows what Uncle Jeff is saying...something funny I'm sure

Jacob & our Cousin Adam - two peas in a pod My Mom making Corn Casserole. It was so yummy!!!!

Thanksgiving with the Lanier's

This Sat. all of Johns family gathered at His Mom & Dads to celebrate Thanksgiving. We started the night off by going around the large dinning room table and each person had a turn to say what they were thankful for. There was laughter and tears as we all shared our praise reports and things we were thankful for. We all marveled at how good God has been to us (even in the midst of storms). It was the perfect way to start an evening. I think we all could agree that this was the best Thanksgiving ever. John and I are so thankful to be home with Family this year. We had such a blessed time.

Oh how could i forget....the food was incredible! My favorite was the stuffed mushrooms and green beans - they were so yummy!!!! Good times!

John and his adorable nieces

Beautiful white-haired Grandma D & Mama Rose

Mama Rose teaching her

favorite little students

Johns sister Sara's Family w/

Grandma D

Madi loves helping her little cousins. In this picture she's helping feed her cousin Serenity.

Part of our Motley Crew

(Kenny, Erin, Dad/Ken, Grandpa Smokey & Grandma Cappy)

Everything Has Its Time

Ecclesiastes 3
To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

Kung Fu Panda & Papa

Trenton & Jacob took Papa down (but just for the record...Papa started it)
This is why we can't watch Kung Fu Panda at our house anymore...

Papa got a kick out of his Grandkids calling him Master

Trenton is bowing to Papa (you would have to see the movie to understand)

Game Night/Date Night

My Hubby is a die hard Bulldog Fan and over the years I have become one also....why fight it. John watches every game that he possible can & I've learned to live with it :) Well last night we got the privilege of going to the stadium to watch the game...what fun! Friends of ours got John Bulldog tickets for his birthday and he took me as his guest (as if he had another option...hehehe!) We both had been looking forward to this night for over a month now. Him for the game and me...well to be honest...I was just glad to go anywhere with my Hubby alone, no children = date night! It was a lot of fun, even though the Dogs did terrible. O well maybe next year. Go Dogs Go!

playing catch up

My friends Stacy, Heather and I used to try to go out to lunch after church as often as our schedules (& Hubby's) would allow. Sometimes our daughters would join us. It was great fun! I missed that a lot and I know Madi did also. Since we have been home we have tried several times to do that again but it never seemed to work out, until this last Sunday.

We picked up right where we left off. The only change now is that our girls are now older & maturer (especially Katie) & Heather has added a new addition Lem-Lem. She is such a doll.

Madi was so thrilled to see Grace again. They were so cute together (holding hands and giggling). I was glad to see them click just like before. As they saying goes...B.F.F (Best Friends Forever)!

Harvest Party

Yesterday was a fun filled day! The kids and I got up and did some school then headed to show Grandma Rose our costumes. After that we were off to our local Mall for an annual Trick or Treat at all the mall stores. We have never done that before but My Sister In-Law Sara invited us to go with her, Serenity (our Niece) and Johns Dad Ken. The kids had a good time looking at all the different costumes that the little kids were wearing. our favorite was a little girl dressed up as Dori from Nemo, she was so cute! Right before we left we got to enjoy a little bit of time with Caitlin, Kenny & Erin. Good times!

at 6ish we headed to C.C.F for a Harvest Party. The kids had a blast putting their costumes together. This year the theme was Biblical costumes, but you come as what ever you wanted to. Jacob went as an Army soldier (he was in Gods Army), Madison was a SWAT officer (In loving memory of our Uncle Bruce Fain), and Trenton went as "The Full Armor Of God", I went as a 80's chick (so did Angela) and John went as Himself - a Bulldog fan. They had us each go into tribes and we competed in different races and event. We were in the Tribe of "Simeon" along with Jerry, Vicky, Jason, Sara (my Sister) and my Mom & Dad. It was a lot of fun (except for the minor injuries).