My mom, my hero....

My mom is very special to me and has become my hero over the last year and a half or so. She has battled breast cancer and has won!! We are so grateful for God's love to her and to all of us. It is certainly not easy to see your mom go through something like this. There have been many ups and downs in our relationship but mom, I want you to know that you are extremely special to me and that I love you so very much and you are my hero!

My Daddy....

For those of you that know my dad, you know he holds a very special place in my heart. He was truly my first love and I thank my God daily for the love he has shown me and continues to show me daily. This is a tribute to him since he has been bummed there have not been many pics of him on this site ;p I love you daddy and am so grateful to have had the honor and pleasure of being called your daughter!

A Special Treat

The other night at work during some downtime, I found the cutest recipe to make strawberry mice. I decided to make them for the kids this week as a special fun treat. They were not allowed to come in the kitchen when I was making them and they had no clue what the special treat was. Obviously, the body of the mouse is a strawberry, the ears are slivered almonds, the eyes are mini chocolate chips, the nose is chocolate frosting, and the tail was a fruit roll-up cut in a small thin piece. When I brought out the strawberry mice, the kids cheered with delight at the fun surprise that was in front of them. For those of you that have kids, enjoy these pics and try it for your family too. I guarantee everyone in the family will love it! Dave was able to have one as well and loved it too. He said I was "such an awesome mom" :) Thank you God for the little things that we can love and share as a family!

Beach Time!!!

On Saturday August 12th, we decided to take the kids to the beach. Since they were gone most of the summer we weren't really able to enjoy this favorite past time that we all love so much. Our kids have always been beach kids. We love the fact that they love the beach so much especially since it is one of Dave and my favorite places to go. We spent most of the day there and then came home and just enjoyed relaxing as a family before heading over to our friend's house to watch UFC. We thank God daily for His awesome creation.

Dancing with Cinderella

On Thursday last week Kira had asked me to play the "Cinderella" song for her. I almost had forgotten the song she was talking about and then I remembered....
Steven Curtis Chapman and the song he had written for his daughter. Unfortunately the Chapman family had experienced a tragic accident a few months ago when the eldest son was leaving the house in the family's SUV and had not seen his little sister behind him playing in the driveway. Their young daughter was killed that day. The story itself completely breaks my heart and the song brings tears to Dave and my eyes everytime we listen to it.
Kira was listening to the song and said to me that she had wanted to ask daddy to dance with her when he came home from work to this song. I said ok and so she did and daddy and her danced so beautifully. It brought tears to my eyes at the thought of a wedding that would happen one day and Kira and her daddy dancing to that song. Here are the words - some of the most beautiful words/music to be created. Our prayers continue to be with the Chapman family during their times of sorrow.

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Kira's New Haircut

A few days after we got home from vacation, we decided to let Kira spend the night at a friends house. It was her very first sleepover with her friend Courtney and since she lives right across the street we thought it would be a great time to let her try it. Well, we thought all was well until of course, there comes a knock on the door the next morning from my friend and Courtney's mom Sherri. It seems that Kira and her friend decided to play hairdresser and lo and behold Courtney had cut Kira's hair pretty short. Poor Sherri, she was mortified that her daughter did this. Thank goodness that Kira did not cut Courtney's hair and for those of you that know the story, it is probably because last year when Kira decided to cut her own hair, she got in trouble (big time) for it. My guess is that she remembered that day and decided not to do it which I must say I was very proud of. Andrew, being the typical big brother he is put fear in Kira when he said they were going to cut it as short as his. She cried and said momma, I don't want to look like a boy -- for sure Andrew got a little scolding after that one (even though I must admit, it was a little funny). All in all, it has worked out since we were planning to cut Kira's hair anyway to rid it of the chlorine/sun damage from all summer. It just was a good amount shorter than what we had first thought. Here is a pic of her just last week after her new haircut and if I must say so myself, I do have the most beautiful daughter there ever could be :)

More Fun Pics from Vacation