Engaged

Congratulations Brooke & Alex on their engagement!

Together for four years, committed to each other, they made it official and Alex asked Brooke to marry him. Brooke cried happy tears.

She said they plan to wait until she is 20 years old to graduate, get into college and get a place together first.

They are young. I would far rather have a young man know he loves and wants to be with my daughter than for him to be older and like a dry leaf that blows in any direction the wind blows and remain uncommitted after so many years. He loves her, he knows it and he wants his life with her.

Congratulations.

Christmas '17

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a rocking horse at her house, kept behind the curtain. All of us grands grew up with it and it just became a part of my memory of my childhood.

I wanted the same for Sofia. Hers, a well-built, sturdy yet plush long-eared bunny. 

Aunt Brooke and Sofia ... 

Chubbilicous Snugglicious in one of her two cute Christmas-themed outfits she wore Christmas day. This one was from me ...

Great Grammy and Sofia Christmas Eve ...

Brooke, Sofia and Alex as they were zipping out the door to his families for Christmas.

I woke up jingling the bells in tradition. If fact, I've done this every single year for my girls. Brooke and I had a wonderful morning together and she thanked me for another successful Christmas and most likely her last Christmas at home. I love the girls having fond Christmas morning memories.

Mariah said today she realized she missed the tradition of waking up to jingle bells. It's a good thing because in her stocking was a set of jingle bells for her home and tradition for Sofia. I loved seeing the smile on her face when she realized Momma remembered.

Merry Christmas,
xo

A Sparkle On My Hand

I saw a sparkle on my hand and as I looked closer, I realized it was far greater than I ever imagined. It was the sparkle from one of my greatest joys in life and perfect love at Christmas.

A real love.

   A true love.

And suddenly, this sparkle so pure and wonderful became so beautiful in my eyes. She is everything that is good and perfect. She is my heart, my joy, my laughter, my hopes, and countless snuggles, kisses and prayers.

This Christmas, I did get a sparkle on my hands and it is absolutely perfect.

It is the sparkle of slobber from my laughingly most perfect granddaughter, whom I love.

Merry 1st Christmas, my Sofia.

Home Alone 2 Themed Family Movie/Dinner Night

It was fun having a Home Alone 2 themed family movie/dinner night. 

A giant pot of pasta, french bread baguette, a delicious salad, spicy vanilla egg nog (SUPER YUM!), and a selection of desserts to choose from to complement the Christmas decor  set the stage for dinner and watching a fun Christmas movie together. 

Baby Claus was the star of the show.

I love having my kids together. Everyone happy, laughter, and conversations flowing in all directions. 

The stage set for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT coming soon.

And always lots of photos! Great Papa, sweet Sofia and me ...

4 Generations

Sofia ...

Mariah ...

Grandmomma ...

Great Grammy ...  

Great Grammy & Papa

I warned them, Sofia is much bigger in person than she looks in photos.

They were stunned! At a healthy 18 lbs., minutes after Grammy was standing up holding her, Sofia had slipped down to her waist. I pointed it out how Sofia was getting lower and lower and Grammy laughingly said how heavy she was.

Papa held, played with and read to Sofia for hours and couldn't get over what a mini-me she is of her mommy.

Sofia in all her sweetness overload is the twinkle in everyone's eyes.

Papa flew Sofia for the first time, just like he did her mommy when she was a baby ...

Oh Sofia, you are so loved!

She is the perfect addition to our family. xo

Seven Years Later

Yesterday was our seven years later after Keith's suicide. The aftermath was tremendous and I thank God it is seven years later.

We learned that it is important to do special things on December 19th. Not in memory of this date; rather, to have something to look forward to as a happy distraction.

On our one year later I took Brooke for her first massage. We did a mommy/daughter massage and I remember Brooke's massage therapist laughing because Brooke had a constant giant smile on her face, she loved being massaged so much. She was only eleven years old then.

Brooke has been so happy lately. We were in a fun conversation and as her mom I plug in to her and still must ask, "How are you doing today?"

She shared she woke up thinking about it, played a song in memory of him, then shifted her focus to excitedly packing because she was heading to a ski resort! Brooke, learning taking snowboard lessons, hot chocolate by a fireplace and an indoor pool. You would have to know her to understand how out of character outdoor lessons is for her.

I have to mention Max went to see Santa this week.

This is Max one year ago ...

Brooke obviously loves to dress up, now so must Max. It's hard to tell in his photo with Santa this year, but Max has a reindeer costume strapped to him. 

He best get used to it, his momma loves to dress up!

It's time to get off my laptop, it's Christmastime and I have a day filled with Christmas excitement and toasting celebrations!