~WE LOOK LIKE POPPY~

The kids put this fuzzy bracelet thing in their mouth and they thought they were so funy they couldn't stop laughting. Brinlyn said "I look like Poppy". We had a pretty good laugh at that and of course I got pictures!! Drake couldn't miss his turn since he has to do everything Brinlyn does. (I know Yikes right!!)

~VALENTINES DAY~

The day started off with Basketball games, which is usual for our Saturday mornings. Then my friend Janie and I went to the mall to the MAC makeup store for full face makeovers. It was so much fun and then we went shopping for a couple of hours (with no kids). We met our hubby's at Maggiano's for Dinner and had a GREAT time visiting and spending time together. It was a nice Valentines Day this year. Much better than last year!!!!

~IN LOVING MEMORY~

Well, I have been sitting here playing on the computer and trying to decide what I want to say for an hour now so I guess here it goes. I am remembering so much pain that we had this time last year... but it's hard not to. Chad passed away a year ago tonight and I am having a hard time. I have been trying to remember the good and to be positive like some people say but it isn't working. I miss my parent and Sheena and Angela so much right now I can't stand it and I wish we were all together. Vanessa and I will go the the cemetery tomorrow and put some flowers on his grave. I am so grateful I have her to go do that with!! At least we have each other.

Chad and I got the opportunity in the last months of his life to build a relationship that I am so grateful for!! I stay up late and he worked nights so he would call me or I would call him because we knew each other was up. He was dealing with a lot and had a lot of pain and I am so grateful that I was able to be there for him. That means so much to me now and I appreciate that opportunity to grow closer to him. To help and love him!! He was a wonderful man and good father who loved his kids. He was a great big brother and I have many fond memories of our childhood!! I will never forget his loud, boisterous, throw your head back, laugh and his big smile. I have a million memories running thought my mind and they are good, but it still hurts. Chad is never far from my thoughts and I know he is looking down at us worrying and caring for us. I can't wait to see him again someday and I know that will happen. Chad loved the Lord, and church was so important in his life. Our family is broken, battered, and bruised without you Chad, but we will continue on and you are never far from our thoughts. They say time heals....I suppose it has gotten a bit better... but we will see. Till we meet again big brother, I love you!! Here is our most recent and our last family picture we will have as a whole family. It has become very precious to me and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. It was taken in the summer of 2007. I don't know if you know this but if you click in these pictures they will get bigger.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL~

This last weekend was Chad's son, Michael's birthday. He turned 5. As you can see he really likes Spider Man and he likes Star Wars too. He is such a funny little guy and so full of energy. Shanally and Autumn had a Valentine dance at their school this last weekend also. I guess they had a great time and looked pretty cute too. We always love when we get a chance to see them, all the kids love to play together!!! We love you guys!!! The first picture is Michael, the second is Shanally, and the 3rd one is Autumn:)

~COWGIRL~

Tom took the kids to Big R this weekend and he got Macazlyn dressed up in chaps and a rope and then he sent me this picture. I just thought it was cute and soooooo Macazlyn!! She got home and asked me why she doesn't have any chaps? (She does have a rope, thanks to her Poppy)

~BARBIE BEWARE~

The girls took their barbies to the basketball game and Drake got ahold of them. As you can see, I would have to say... poor barbies! He was smashing them together like he was playing with his monster trucks, and the look on his face speaks volumes!!!

~BASKETBALL~

Hunter is almost done with his first basketball season with his Parker Hawks team. He has had a lot of fun and done great and learned a lot. The team has only lost 3 games (I don't know how many they have played) and we are playing our last game this weekend. (I think) There might be one more after this weekend. He is still playing Parks and Rec for Elizabeth and Macazlyn is playing Parks and Rec too, that doesn't end for a little while yet. Anyway, Hunter is #55 because he wanted to have Tom's #. I am amazed every day at how tall he is. I can't believe my 9 year old is catchin' up to me so fast!! Tom was asked to keep the books at the game and Drake was his helper. Well... that is, as much as a 2 year old can help. This was the day that he wouldn't take his hat off. He took a nap in it, as seen in the last blog, and we had to wear it the rest of the day and to the game! Vanessa and Ben have been able to come to a couple of games, that has been so nice!! Drake had to have a cuddle moment with Vanessa, but just for a little while!! The picture of Hunter (#55) out on the court is grainy but it is all I had. We are so pround of him and the job he has done this basketball season!!

~CUTE STUFF~

Ok Carie, I couldn't find white daisy's so I used yellow but I think I like it. And here are my blocks. I know you have some pic's of them but I just wanted to show you. The bears are my Me To You bears that I got when I was in England. They are so cute and so Angela, that picture if for you!! I haven't blogged much lately cause my camera is still broken. Tom brings his home sometimes so I can snap a few pics. I know I don't always have to put a pic but lately I just haven't had much to say :) Drake loves this hat at at nap time today he wouldn't take it off. So I snapped a pic of him sleeping in it. Silly little guy!!