Snow Tubing

What a perfect way to celebrate all the beautiful snow!!!

Christmas Unwrapped

This year we added another stocking to our growing collection. Even though Isaiah is still small, he has already shown some interest in digger trucks, cars, trains, etc., so I was excited to find digger truck fabric to use to make his stocking.

This Christmas was different from others that we have had in the past. We focused on giving and being happy with what we already have. Most of the gifts where either passed on to us by others or they were homemade. Niah made rag dolls for her sisters (actually they are still being made!), and she made ornaments for Daddy and Isaiah. Aliya "decorationed" socks for everyone. I absolutely love my wildly creative and ORIGINAL socks!!! Kiahna made bath salts for everyone--that was a messy project!!! Isaiah just gave everyone some love and joy--it's what he gives best!!!

This year I had the opportunity to give a very special gift to my children. Many Christmases ago my parents built my older sister and I a horse stable along with accessories like water troughs, fence sections, and jumping poles. We also received several horses to use with the stable. It was a Christmas that I will never forget! A few months ago, I had mentioned to my mom that I would like to give something like that to the girls for Christmas this year. I was excited when she said that she thought they might still actually have it packed away.

I was THRILLED when she called a few days later to confirm that they did have it! After checking with my sister to make sure it was okay with her, my parents said that I could pass this gift on to my kids. When the girls opened up this very special gift, it was like I was opening up the gift all over again just like I did many years ago. This Christmas will go down in history as being one of my favorites.

This Christmas also will be a history maker because we had SNOW and lots of it! It started snowing pretty hard Christmas Eve--it made for a wonderful birthday present! By Christmas morning, we had about 14 inches. After the girls opened up their presents, they convinced Daddy to take them outside to play while I finished making Christmas dinner.

They had a great time! Daddy took them on a exploring adventure through the woods. I got many reports of all the WILD life that they saw. I'm not sure how much of it was real...but it was REALLY exciting none-the-less!!! This Christmas will go down in history as being one of my favorites.

Christmas Skating Party

Today we had our school Christmas party. They wanted to go "ice skating"--more commonly known as ROLLER skating. We had a blast!!! Niah and Aliya were able to skate by themselves. Kiahna had a pretty good handle of her skates as long as she was on the carpet; otherwise, she needed some help to skate around the rink.

Isaiah loved watching his sisters skate, but after a while, he began getting upset because he couldn't walk out on the rink with them. Niah checked to see if they had any baby skates (which they did!), and so we had Isaiah try them on. He actually didn't do too bad!

I really enjoy taking the girls out for special school parties and activities--I know they enjoy it, too! We had so much fun skating that we decided we should try to do it at least once a month.

Our Newest Addition

Keeping it short and sweet, this is our NEW VAN!!! We are excited! We now can all go together in one vehicle! This is a big blessing to us--those of you who know us, know the story already. We couldn't be more thrilled.

Isaiah--10 Months Old

It's hard for me to believe that in 2 more months, Isaiah will be a year old. He continues to be a BIG joy in our lives...and each day he continues to grow BIGGER!!!

Isaiah is very proud of his new abilities. He walks now. Yes...that's right. He is walking. He is still a little shy about it, though. He doesn't really want anyone making a big fuss about it. His best walking times are those when he thinks he is doing it alone or unwatched. If he thinks someone is watching him, he stops and just crawls.

Isaiah continues to put EVERYTHING in his mouth! He loves to eat and nimble on ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING! I was hoping that this phase would end as soon as we began introducing him to real food, but no. He does enjoy his new food (brown rice, sweet potatoes, avocados, wheat porridge, and oatmeal), but he's not quite ready to let go of his old favorites (leaves, lint, bugs, tinsel, sticks, foam, toilet paper, paper, crayons, etc).

TJ and I both thought that we were going to have a lot of trouble with Isaiah getting into the Christmas tree, but he hasn't really bothered the tree at all! I think it's because the tree "pokes" him, and he just leaves it alone.

It's hard to believe that last year at this time, we were still getting things ready for him to join us. We were constantly thinking about him, wondering what he was going to be like and how our lives were going to change. Now I can't imagine him NOT being with us!!! He is such a special part of our lives!!!

Aliya's Turns 7

Such a beautiful girl...

We have been celebrating Aliya's Birthday for the past week! First we had a little celebration in Arkansas while we were on Thanksgiving break. Yesterday we had a little party at the Ogilbee's house--so sweet!!! Then earlier today we met Daddy for lunch at Aliya's favorite place--Chinese, of course! Finally, we topped of the already-fabulous day by decorating for Christmas.

Aliya is now ready to BE more grown up. She is realizing that she is no longer a little kid--I guess I'm having to realize that, too! She still "plays" but she is also interested in more of the grown-up activities.

No matter how old she gets, she will always be my little Chunkie Love. I am so thankful and blessed to be her mother!

P.S. Even after all these years, I still can not resist kissing those cheeks!!!