Yes there is a Santa Clause.....

Here are the new pictures of my darlings with Santa......I also bought an Elf on the Shelf this year to read to the grand kids.  We have not thoroughly instituted it yet.  I am sure we will over the years to come.

Hudson's Gee Gee made him this Elf on the Shelf.  I thought it was so cute.

My yummy Wyatt starting to smile.

The Oklahoma crew that are Texas bound on January 7th!  Finley, Carter, and Riley- so very precious.

Happy 1st Christmas Baby Wyatt

Hudson - so funny and classic- he says Ho! Ho! Ho! and usually loves Santa

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished......
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.    Francis Pharcellus Church

Count Your Blessings,  Bella

The Holiday Season

We have had so much fun and it is not even the 25th!  First off was the fabulous Google party.  They had it downtown at the Stephen F Austin. Kirk and I decided to stay there and make a weekend of it.  The food was fabulous and Kirk even danced quite a bit with me.  They had  a fabulous band, the Spazmatics.  Come to find out they are one of my counselor's at school favorite band.  I loved them too and think I will now be a "groupie" with her.  We then went down to west 6th ( where the older crowd hangs out apparently).  I even had a " pickle shot. "  We did manage to make it back to the hotel and had breakfast with Kelcie and Casey, our Google friends.  Oh and I did win a camera this year.  So all my pretty pictures are now coming from that camera. 

Kirk and Lynn at the Google Party

We also had some parties at school.  School seemed extra long this year before the holidays as I was sick and my other AP was sick.  Sonya, my principal was also sick in December.  So hopefully we will all come back strong.  We have to be back January 3rd and 4th.   I will just be coming back from San Antonio as Brooke is set to give birth on December 27th.  We cannot wait for baby Caleb to get here.  Kirk and I got to keep Hudson this weekend and we had a fabulous time!  He loves his pops.  We went in the grocery store and Kirk went on another aisle and he screamed Pops until he returned.  You should have seen the smile on Kirk's face.  We also took him to Waco to see Kirk's mom and brother.  He did okay on the short trip to Waco, but prefers his Pops over every one. Abbey, Justin and baby Wyatt also went with us.  Mom really enjoyed seeing 2 of her 3 great grandsons.  Such a celebration!

Pops and The Hudson

Just love this little man!

Mom is always a character and never wants her picture taken.  This is her Texas blanket!

Such a sweet little family!

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown

Such a Blessing to have Kirk's mom and my parents get to know my grandchildren.

Count Your Blessings, Bella



Texas Bound

We made the trek to Oklahoma the first week in December to see Jeremy, Luci, and the babies.  Abbey, Justin, and Wyatt went as well.  We had some great family time.  A highlight was taking everyone to see the Guardian.  Carter, Wyatt, and Finley made it through.  Riley had to go with her daddy to the comic store.  I also brought some crafts for the kids.  Finley is getting to be such a great age.  Abbey always loved crafts when she was growing up and she is no different as an adult.  She had a good time as well.  We did stop in momses and pappa's house on the way up.  I got to see my sister and of course the highlight for momses and pappa was seeing baby Wyatt.  The big news though is this:  Jeremy and Luci are moving to Dallas.  They bought a new house by White Rock Lake.  Kirk and I could not be more excited.  All of our babies will now be in Texas and within driving distance.  We have had some great memories in  Oklahoma and will miss Luci's large extended family, but I am excited for them as they undertake their new adventure with their family.  Please pray all goes well for them through the move.  They should be in Dallas by early January.
Welcome home sweet babies!

The coolest Stroller I have ever seen.  Riley is in the stroller- Finley and Carter have  a skate board to stand on.  Kirk even liked pushing it through the mall.

Sweet Family

Craft Time

Gingerbread House

Beautiful

I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world,
the best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is
a fortune to any man to come here - Alamo hero Davey Crockett

Count Your Blessings, Y'all

Bella

Thunder Up

The first week in December , Kirk and I got to use Jeremy's floor tickets for the Thunder game.  It was an awesome experience.  I never had any idea these professional basketball players are so huge.  It was such a treat and Kirk enjoyed it so much.  Here are some picture from the fun, fun, night.  Thanks again, Jeremy!

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Two Weddings

We had two weddings this fall.  My best friend Mary's son got married. Jeff is my Godchild and I have watched as he has grown into a wonderful man.   Jeff and Tara had a true beautiful wedding near San Antonio.  Kirk and I enjoyed the wedding and seeing some great friends from Plano.

Ready for the wedding

Jeff and Tara

My great friend Mary- she helped me become a strong momma

Over thanksgiving, my friend Debra married a wonderful man, Nick.  It was such a joy to see her daughter and her grand baby.  Renee and Brooke cheered together for 6 years and now are having babies together.

Ready for dancing

The beautiful bride

We wish these two couples may blessings in their marriage:

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Needless to say- Kirk and I love weddings and always have an awesome time.  It is one of the few times he will dance with me.  I am thinking about giving him dancing lessons for Christmas- won't he love that!

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Trust in God

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 

― Corrie Ten Boom

I have been watching the elementary shooting coverage and am so overcome with grief.  I have such honor for the school administrators and teachers who saved the lives of many students by following their safety plan.  We just had a lock down drill at my school as we  practice our safety plan monthly.  I always become a little teary eyed as I practice these procedures.  My job first and foremost is to keep my school safe.  It is a huge responsibility that school officials take on. The principal who perished was doing her job and following the safety plan for her school.  She is a hero.  The teachers which read to their students, got them to safety, and told them they were loved are heroes as well.  There are no explanations for what happened.  There is no way to make sense of any of this.  In times like these I turn to God for comfort and clarification.  My childhood friend Annette wrote a beautiful blog this morning about time and to not put off your relationship with God and those you love.  Reach out to those you love today.

I pray for peace for the families who lost a loved one.  I pray for the children and town that will rebound from this tragedy.  I pray for all teachers that have to go back to work Monday and teach our children.  I pray for you that you will take the time to reach out to your family or friend and tell them you love them.  Most importantly, I pray you take time from this busy holiday season to spend time with those you love and give thanks for the many blessings in your life.  You never know what tomorrow brings.

Bella

Thanksgiving 2012

We had Thanksgiving in Austin this year as Abbey had the baby the Monday before Thanksgiving.  It was rather quiet this year - we only had 11 people.  My parents came in as well as Justin's family.  We have lots to be thankful for- health, jobs, family and so far two precious blessings to our family this year- Riley and Wyatt.  Brooke is due in December



Wyatt Darin



Riley Hope



  



 

Kirk and I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and beautiful.  We took some time to give thanks for the many blessings of this year.  For those that could not be with us- know you were missed.  We hope to have the whole family together next year.  All are welcome! 

Love this quote:

It does not matter what your circumstances are; the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change. The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart. Entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the Lord.”

― Francis Frangipane

Love these pictures and this family:

Momses meeting Wyatt

Pappa meeting Wyatt

The men folk frying the turkey- apparently it takes lots of beer

Abbey and Nonna

Hudson was a fan of the Thanksgiving Feast

Justin and Connor

Bella and Hudson praying a prayer of Thanksgiving

Hudson loves the baby toys!  Notice the boots- he is obsessed about them.



 “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”

Count Your Blessings,  Bella