{Christmas}....is on it's way. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St.Nicholas soon will be there. The tree is decorated, all 15 feet of it, the top of the lights burned out but half a lit tree looks beautiful. The Nativity reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas and the little mans eyes lite up when he talks about baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Christmas cards are showing up here and there, and I love getting them and seeing everyone's beautiful families. It's important, this time of year OPEN up your HEARTS and embrace the season. The Season for BELIEVING....

{My BOYS}....the melt my heart, I love them with all my heart. They are what I wake up for everyday. I don't always show it and sometimes after long days of trying to keep everyone happy, I just tear up and get emotional because I know in my heart I could be doing better as a mother. The age gap between my boys has been really hard this year. With Jaden almost going to be 18 and Jaxen just 6, they don't have a lot in common. What Jaxen wants to do Jaden thinks is lame and what Jaden wants to do Jaxen is not old enough or big enough to do.  However, these 2 crazies made me a MOM....they are my biggest and best accomplishments, my joy, my insanity, my kisses, my teacher and my future. Everything I do is with them on my mind. I love you doesn't really capture how my heart really feels. So instead of beating myself up everyday about doing better and being more, I am just gonna start doing better, slow down, not work so much, let their be a few crumbs on the counter and floor, play a game of Crazy 8's, enjoy my kids because in 6 months my oldest, cutest, smartest, happiest boy turns eighteen and my heart beats extra fast when I think about it and a little tear forms in the corner of my eye. Don't BLINK people it happens....they grow up and will soon be gone, and deep down I am nowhere near ready to let go. Life happens, it moves fast and looking back I could change a lot of things but looking forward I am proud of things I have accomplished. May we all enjoy this MAGICAL Holiday Season, and yes I might be a little bit biased but it just don't get any better than this....

{THIS}.....has been on my mind a lot lately. It has been nearly 7 months since the plane Brad was learning to fly went down. Many things have changed for the family, immediate and extended in that long 7 months. I miss this guy, I'm not gonna lie. We were buds, even though we didn't get to see each other a lot over the last few years, we were close. We were 18 years of doing almost everything together, we were the best of cousins, being only one month apart in age and living just down the block from each other. I now feel pain for his family almost every day, I feel pain. I love his wife Camille and am so proud of how she is handling the situation. It is tough, the kids struggle, they miss their dad and the life they used to have. Why is it that we take so many things in this life for granted, I have so much to be thankful for and I am truly blessed, but we always want more. Why is it ? Human Nature I suppose. This holiday season is going to be tough for the family and his kiddos, I wish I could do more, every day I wish I could do more. I pray for them, I think about them and I love them. May this Holiday Season bring peace to this family and to what once was. Let's try to be satisfied with what we have been given and not what we don't have. I miss you Brad, every day I miss you. I drive by your house often just to see if maybe it was all just a bad dream We love you and hope that you continue looking over those that you love.  Miss you....

{This little man of mine}....he has my heart, all of it. He is bit complicated and pushes my buttons, all of them about 3 times a day. He is smart and loves school,  he reads about 80 minutes every night. He informed me tonight that he is going to be an author and then turn his books into movies and be a producer. SHOOT for the stars little man. He is intense, everything he does is a competition. The latest is being the first kid to school, before the doors are even unlocked. He wants to be the first one at the door and boy if someone beats him there he does the 100 yard dash to get to the door. He sets his own alarm on his ipod and gets himself up every morning.  He loves all of Jaden's friend, especially Keat, if the weather is nice he gives Keatdog a call for a game of wiffle ball. It usually ends in tears and Jax gets mad and has to apologize for being rude. His cute chocolate brown eyes and splatter of freckles melt my heart. Life is good....

{Homecoming Dance 2014}....was pretty fun for this cute boy of mine. He had a date with Morgan Stubbs and she looked super cute and was really nice. These kids nowdays struggle with dating and spending money on dates, they would rather just text or talk through social media. It always makes my heart happy when I see these kids all done up and ready to go and have a little fun. Life is good.













They spent a good portion of their day at Kannarraville Falls, where they hiked and played in the water. They took their dates to Rusty's, a little steakhouse up the mountain. Jaded was thinking more like the dollar menu at Wendy's on the old pocketbook would be a little better. They had fun.

{When the rain pours down}.....GO "scootin".  It' s raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring. He went to bed and bonked his head and couldn't get up in the morning. The little man has been loving the rain and the puddles. We found the perfect spot on top of the parking garage to jump puddles and get wet. He makes me laugh with all of his boundless energy and personality.

{First Grade}....showed up a little to soon for me. The little man was a little bit excited because he really likes to learn and read, but the long days at school and the early mornings  have been difficult for him to get used to. I am not going to lie, I miss my little side-kick, bossing me around all day. My days have felt a little empty and lonely. He has Mrs. Spring this year for a teacher and he seems to like her. I know little man that once you get used to this all day thing you will be a champ....love ya.





I don't dare ask him if he is KING of the playground, but I have a feeling he is.





Use your brain and work hard little man, for one day you will do great things.