the greatest gift

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday! By all means the best gift we have been given even before we knew it was ours.

I hope that you'll embrace the moment in between egg hunts, candy munching, cooking, getting ready for the day, dealing with church traffic and sugar highs from little ones. that really being present in what the day is will fill your year with a whole new meaning....we haven been gift such a precious gift.

Happy Early Resurrection Sunday!

Move over Chocolate Bunny!

This is the first time I have ever seen this.
I must say that I LOVE it!
With all the commercialism of the holiday this really does make a statement.
However, eating a chocolate bunny does seem a bit more appealing than eating the cross.

But in all seriousness, it is kinda cool to see.....what a statement in the chocolate world in my eyes!

Happy New Year's Eve 2010

As 2010 comes to an end, there is so much to be thankful for.

My husband taking a great new job with a previous employer.

Almost finishing seven years of marriage...I can't believe we will hit the 8 year mark soon.

Our children who delight our world. It is often the laughter and the wonder that gets us through on some days.

Our families that add that extra special something just when you need it. We thank you!

Our health...even though we had a HUGE scare tonight with a crash of a window pane and some blood. No trip to the ER needed but hopefully some little children learned running in the house is a NO! NO! Praises Campbell only got a few cuts and scrapes.

That recovery has continued to go well for me from my 2009-2010 surgeries. I really am very thankful for those that cared & prayed for me.

For the education my children are getting from the preschool they adore.

For a house to call home and friends to call dear.

2010 has not been the easiest of years and while it is minutes from being over here in Texas. It is still a year filled with memories of hopes and dreams.

May God bless you as you end 2010 and find yourself walking with Him in 2011!

Christmas Eve pasts

Oh it's fun to look on the past.

A Texas Christmas eve pre children 2005...we were expecting.

Lance putting together Campbell's wagon to place under the tree. Christmas eve 2006

Papa meeting his Grandson for the very first time. Christmas Eve 2007



Santa had just arrived & escaped a picture. Christmas Eve 2008




Hugs on this Christmas eve 2009.






Happy Christmas Eve 2010 to all!

The Reason

It's hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Not to get carried away with all the gatherings, must have photo opportunities, gift buying and Santa this & Santa that. I know. Why...because I am guilty of it. I admit it. I have two little ones and while we talk of Jesus and his coming, it is VERY easy to get caught up in the Santa excitement. After all they are only little and BELIEVE in that for so long. My hope is that they will NEVER forget to BELIEVE in the real reason for the season. My goal is to enable them to know the beauty of this little life that grew to a man that died for them. For me. For you. For that stranger neither of us knows.

I came across this song while visiting my friend Esther's blog. I was busy wrapping gifts and humming "here comes Santa Claus" when I felt like I needed a break. I didn't go straight to bloggy world. I OF COURSE went to Facebook world and saw her update on her nativity days. I clicked on over and while reading her sweet post music was playing. I left a comment and still music played. I enjoyed the music so I went back to wrapping and throwing away my scraps of paper when a certain song came on. I don't believe I had ever heard it before so it made me stop. Then. Then it made me cry.

Give it a listen and I hope that it reminds your heart about the REASON of this season. Simply click on the name below.

Roxanne Paul

My favoirte little "feasters"

So every year the kids school holds a Thanksgiving feast. Last year I was in the hospital recovering from a BIG surgery so I missed it. This year however, feeling GREAT and with two in school. This mommy got double the feast days. One right after the other. I LOVED it!

Who's this turkey??? Ha! Ha! This was a turkey that each child at Campbell's class got to take home....Ours is still on the mantel....we call him Fred.

Travis had his feast on Thursday and it was really exciting to see all the wee little ones.

I think he really was very thankful for his "something or other" free cupcake as someone in his class is sadly allergic to everything.

Campbell had her feast on Friday before the Thanksgiving break and the "big" kids got to sing and preform. It was so fun to see her sing...she loves too.

Campbell enjoying a very rare juice drink.

Enjoy every moment....that might be my new motto.

Thank you

Thank you Little Miss Baker

And thank your Mr. Clean

Mommy and Daddy are so very "thankful" for each of you!

wordless wednesday with some words.

My Pilgrim girl from November 4 years ago.

The Lion and the Mermaid!

So for Halloween this year the kids were The Lion and the Mermaid.

However, my little Lion did NOT like having whiskers on his face...it was a struggle to get them on as you can see from the markings of these imperfect whiskers.

He was heard roaring about these whiskers for at least three houses
into the trick or treating experience.

They had a lot of fun and we went to a lot more houses than I expected.
ESPECIALLY seeing that Campbell was just getting over being sick and Travis too.

Nana was in town and she loved seeing them all dressed up

and shouting "trick or treat", "happy Halloween" "spooky!" and "thank you" to people along our journey to candy filled pumpkins.

We hope your candy filled holiday was enjoyable and that you got the one treat you were hoping for. Ours was Lollipops....they were SO excited when they got a lollipop in their buckets.
Yep, pretty simple but apparently lollipops rule!!

A parade...

A parade can leave you feeling worn out and hot!

But making it to the end....can be SO rewarding....otter pop style!

Happy New Year!!!

Wishing you and your family all the blessings and joy that life can offer in 2010!

Make it a great year, one to look back on and say "I accomplished that...." or "I am so glad that..."

Don't let your year be reflected back on as "I wish I would have...." or "I never even tried..."

Life is meant to live even in the toughest of times. Let God help you make each day a better place for you while you do so for another!

So in 2010, live a little more.
To be cheesy for a moment.....Rock n Roll again in 2010!

Enjoy your year,
The Clubhouse.

wordless wednesday

for more wordless wednesday please click here.

The Lion and the Zebra....

Happy Halloween!

Happy Mother's Day.

Your treat is in here mommy. I promise it is. Ooops! I wasn't suppose to tell.