After Holiday Pictures/Post

My Family...so blessed to add our new son lil' J

Well we made it through Christmas and the New Year. It was actually pretty smooth. I had my shopping done before Christmas Eve (miracles can happen!) ALL my kids were with us this year along with their significant others. We went to an awesome Christmas Eve church service.

My boys gettin' down to the Christmas songs

Family + Beautiful Girlfriends

Next stop was my brother & sis-in-law's for dinner and a gift exchange.

The older kids exchanged gift cards (white elephant style where they picked numbers, then blindly picked cards and could steal from each other.) it's always so much fun.

This was a pic I took at my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary...we had it put on Canvas.

Then my competitive family headed outside for a basketball game. They peeled the layers of dressy clothes off as the sweat began to build. We take our sports seriously. I loved that the girlfriends joined right in. You better be ready for adventures in this family!

Elijah trying to dribble around his big (little) sister;)

We got home by 11:00 p.m. and all the kids stayed the night. We had hot chocolate, popcorn and watched Elf. Then it was present opening chaos first thing in the morning before every body headed off to make the rounds to other family members houses.

And this is my heart!

This was seriously one of the most special Christmas's we've had in a LONG time. ALL the kids together makes my mama heart soar. Yes...I'm SO BLESSED!

Natascha's 23 Today!

Today my step-daughter Natascha, turns 23. Taschy's always been cute, bubbly, and fun loving. As the only girl growing up with 5 brother's, she learned to hold her own. She always maintained a big sister, 'I'm in charge attitude' which helped keep the boys in line & I'm sure helped her keep her sanity!lol

She learned patience from the hours she had to sit on the baseball field, basketball courts & football fields, watching her brothers games.

She played soccer & softball when she was younger, but found that she truly loved cheerleading. She was always tiny, which gave her the opportunity for the prime 'showcase' position. It was perfect for her & suited her spirited, BIG personality. She was a flyer. She was lifted, balanced on wobbly young arms & thrown...sometimes dropped, all the while maintaining a smile. Year after year her cheer squad placed 1st at the Pop Warner Competitions.

As amazing as she was at cheering, she's even more incredible as a daughter & sister. No matter what's going on in her day, she'll drop everything if her family needs her. She is such a giving, caring, loving person.

During junior high & high school she became involved with her church youth group. This was when she fell in Love with the Lord & her husband, Jeremy.

Natascha & Jeremy

She began to set an example for her siblings. Showing through her words & actions what is truly important in this life. She was determined to make sure her brothers didn't travel down the wrong paths. Once again showing her incredible ability to lead & serve.

Today on her special day, I celebrate the amazing, beautiful, special young lady she is. I thank the Lord for blessing our family with her. She is a true gift to each one of us!

Happy Birthday Taschy...We love you!

 

Daddy's Princess

Our little girl growing up...marrying the love of her life!

Happy 17th Birthday Adam

I've been lucky enough to be a part of my step-son Adam's life for the past 14 years. To say that he is full of life would be an understatement. From the moment I met this little, bounding ball of energy, I felt a special bond. He ran up to me (having no idea who I was) on the football field, plopped himself right in my lap and asked me for food. Smiling, I handed him some candy, his eyes lit up, he began to ask all the questions that a three year old is capable of asking.


He has brought incredible laughter & joy to our family. He isn't afraid to do anything, climb anything, ask anything or make a fool of himself...much to his 4 brothers delight. They would tell him to make crazy noises at people in restaurants, walk up & stair directly into peoples faces without saying a word, all while 'the brothers' would laugh hysterically at their response. His extra energy would annoy us at times because he didn't always understand how to turn it off.

attacking his dad at the beach after he told him to stop!lol!


being a nerd to get a laugh...

and yes...always the faces!

But that's our Adam! Our lives have forever been filled with excitement, fun and yes sometimes annoyance...but most of all love and laughter. He is the most giving and generous member of the family, giving away his last dollar, cookie, candy or whatever, just to make someone happy.

My hubby & his boys (Dillon & Adam) Easter 2011

So Happy 17th Birthday to my lil' Addy Boy...I love you, and we feel so blessed to have you for a son!

Easter 2011 (missing Josh & Natascha)

Adam & his girlfriend Carla

adam running for the end zone!