I'm a BIG Girl Now

I love having little girls. I love everything that goes along with having girls.......the bows, the clothes, the toys, the dolls, the pink, the purple! And sometimes even the drama (it's cute right now, but I'm sure I will feel differently down the road).

I especially LOVE piggies and can't wait until my girls have hair long enough for them. For those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile will remember this post.

Well, Molly is all grown up! Look at those cute little piggies

Also, in the last few weeks, she has mastered the art of walking. This past week at Grandma and Grandpa's she was really putting on a show. Now I'm really going to have to keep an eye on her!

Merry Christmas

Elley the Photographer

Elley wanted to try using the camera. I was trying to teach her to make sure you could see everyone right in the middle of the screen. She did a pretty good job, and now all she wants to do is take pictures...(thank goodness for digital!!!) Every time I take a pictures of anything she says, "Okay momma, my turn!"

A Small Gift, A Big Christmas Miracle

Most of you that read my blog, know that my mom died a little over 3 years ago, September 8th 2006.

I want to share a story of a Christmas Miracle that happened to me that year!

Christmas Eve, Adam and I packed a few things in an over night bag and headed down south to stay with my brother and his family for a few days. I was excited! One, because I LOVE my brother Craig and his family, and Two, because my dad was going to be there and I hadn't seen him since the funeral.

Christmas Eve was fun......with food, good company and a great holiday spirit. Although, there was something missing. If any of you have ever lost someone who is one of the most important persons in your lives, you know what I'm talking about. Holidays are hard, especially the firsts ones.

Christmas morning was fun! My brother and his wife have 3 kids so, the wrapping paper was everywhere. The ripping, the laughter, the fun...who wouldn't love Christmas? In the midst of all this Christmas fun, my sister-in-law Lori handed my a present and said, "this is from your mom." I was a little confused but a warmth filled my heart as Lori said, "just open it." I had a million thoughts running through my head as I unwrapped this gift. When I finally got it open, I saw a wall decoration that I loved. It was something I would of bought for myself and it matched other decor in my house. I looked at Lori, still a little confused and she told me the story.

That summer, my mom and dad had gone on one big road trip visiting friends and family. From California, to Utah, to Idaho, to Washington, to Canada, and back down again. It was so good seeing her that summer. Her Chemo was done and she had a new outlook on life. I remember calling in sick to my job one Saturday while they were visiting Adam and I, and we went to garage sales all day long. It was one of the best times I had ever had with her. I still remember getting excited and laughing as we found another sale, and another sale, and another sale. I also remember the looks we got from Adam and my dad as we unloaded all of our treasures from that day.

After staying with us for a week, they went down south to stay with my brother and his family. While shopping with my sister-in-law Lori one day, my mom found this wall decoration and thought that I would love it. So, she got it and asked Lori to keep it at her house. That way she wouldn't have to mail it to me in case we didn't all get together for the hoildays.

After Lori shared that story with me, the gift had so much more meaning. The fact that it was from my mom, who had just died 4 months earlier, the fact that it was exactly what I would of wanted, and the fact that it said LOVE. I like to think that that was a BIG Christmas Miracle. It didn't happen by chance, nor was it a coincidence. It was her way of saying, "My dear sweet Keely, I know that's it hard to have me gone, especially around the holidays, but I am thinking about you, and I'm with you, and most of all I LOVE you!

Every time I see that wall decoration I obviously think of her, but I also think about the tender mercies of the Lord. Who, without Him, I would not be able to see my mother again. That is why I celebrate Christmas, because He was born and made all things possible.

Something That Made Me Laugh

My dad called me yesterday to tell me that he was sending a doll house that he had made for Elley in the mail. Originally, he and Judy were going to drive it here but the weather and time of year made it so that wouldn't be possible.

Later that night, when Adam got home, I was telling him about the conversation I had had with my dad. We were all in the car so I had to be careful of what I said because Elley catches onto everything. Lately we have started spelling words so she wouldn't know what we were saying.

Keely: "My dad called this afternoon and said that he was going to mail the H-O-U-S-E and it should be here Friday."

Adam: "Wow, that's sure nice of him!"

Keely: "I know, I guess he and Judy were going to drive it here but the weather is so bad right now."

Elley from the backseat: "Momma, Grandpa and Nana Judy are gonna S-O-T to my house?"

O Christams Tree

Daddy and Molly picking out the perfect tree, while Elley and Ella play in the background

Here it is, the one we picked

waiting for dad to put on the lights so Elley and I can put on the ornaments


Elley unwrapping all of our ornaments. A surprised gasp every time..."look mom, Santa!"

Isn't it beautiful?

Family Pictures 2009

My amazing friend Melinda has taken family pictures for us 3 times now. Last November, in March for my dad's wedding, and now this year. I think she's got a beautiful talent for taking and editing pictures. I've never been disappointed with what she comes up with. Here are a few of my very favorites and why I like them.

I love this family picture because we are all smiling and all looking one one direction.

How could you not LOVE this picture....this girl is the sunshine in my day!

I love Elley's smile. She's got a huge leaf in her hand and she was hiding her face behind it. She was playing peek a boo with Melinda and Melinda was able to capture the "here I am smile."

I too love this family picture....1. because of the smiles, and 2. because of Molly's look. At this point Melinda was on her back, kind of in a half sit up position, and her legs were up in the air (if you can picture that) It was very entertaining. I just love how Molly is looking like, "what on earth are you doing....am I suppose to smile or laugh at that?"

Daddy and his girls

I love this one because this is my life.....perfect! Maybe not a perfect picture, or a perfect moment. But a perfect little smile that melts my heart while chaos is all around

Me and My girls

This was the story of the photo shoot! I like to pretend that Molly has enough hair for a clip. (she has a lot more than her sister did at this age)

And this is another picture of my life. Tea parties with 2 of the most important girls in my life!