Saying Good-Bye To Christmas 09'!

Ok, I LOVE Christmas and admittedly I am sad to see the season come to an end.  Don't get me wrong, I love the New Year and going into a new season, but my family knows Christmas is mom's favorite!  I also must confess that all through the year I am thinking about how to decorate, shop and plan a party for Christmas!  Don't judge me...blame it on a great childhood of wonderful holiday memories :-).  Hopefully when my kids are adults they will have the same love and not be scarred by my obsession.  Atleast I'm not making us all wear snowman sweaters...not yet anyway :-)!  LOL!

P.S.  We had a FABULOUS Christmas 09'.  The green tree with silver trimmings was our family tree upstairs and the white tree was our Child Care family tree downstairs.

Our Annual Dinner with Grandma & Grandpa Decker

For the past six years we have gotten together with our former neighbors for dinner at Applebee's in December.  It began as being a Christmas/ Birthday dinner for Jayson whom won the hearts of the Deckers' while playing outside and helping Grandma Mary Lou pull weeds in her garden.  He was seven years old and had such a strong love and attachment to Grandma Mary Lou.  Now we celebrate our friendship, both Jayson and Dad's birthday's and have even added a girls (mine and Bre's) birthday celebration at Dairy Queen every July, since moving apart from eachother.  Twice a year we look forward to seeing them and enjoy catching up, sharing stories and seeing how the kids have grown.  They are a blessing to us and we consider them our family.  They encourage Jason and I and truly love our kids.

  It doesn't get any better than that.

Jayson's Trip to Denver

Last week Jayson took a little four day vacation to visit his buddy Will, who moved to Denver at the end of the Summer!  After having a birthday, turning thirteen and making the honor roll first quarter, we thought what a great gift it would be to send him to have some fun with a fantastic family!  Fun, is an understatement!  He had a blast!  After flying for the first time by himself (many compliments from the Flight Attendants on what a great kid he is!), he was greeted by his buddy and off to play basketball they went.  Jayson was invited to play in Will's Tournament.  It was a neat experience for him to play with a group of kids and coach he had just met.  When they weren't playing hoops, they were playing Paintball, site seeing in the mountains and the one thing boys like to do, just hang!

He had a terrific time and has already asked when he can return.  We are very thankful to The Bower Family for opening their home and showing our boy a great time!  It's so good to know and have great friends!

It's Official, He's a TEENAGER!

Yesterday, we celebrated Jayson's 13th birthday!  What a great kid we have been blessed with!  He started his morning with toilet paper all over his room...compliments of his sister of course!  It was awesome and he was quite pleased being "TP'd" on his birthday until he had to clean it up before bedtime.  After all the pictures "mom" took before heading off to school, he went on to have a fun day!  Dad, took care of those size 11 feet with a pair of new basketball shoes and Bryana made sure to have him looking good in a shirt, hat and sunglasses!  Many gifts and birthday wishes! 

At the end of the day I asked Jayson what he liked most about his birthday and he said he cherished his new ring the most.  {We (mom & dad) gave him a silver "purity" ring that has God Is Love written on it.  The ring is to be a reminder to resist the temptations of this world and being a teen and to stay close to God in every circumstance.  To keep his mind, heart and body pure for God's purpose.} Besides the fact that dad told him he looked more like a man wearing it, he said it makes him feel like he is being responsible and able to make the right choices. WOW!  Needless to say, we are very proud of the young man Jayson has become and look forward to all He has for Jayson's future.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYSON!

You are loved!