Nine years. I don’t write here as much as I used to. I wish I was a real writer and could say all that I think about. But today, I want to write and say, nine years, wow. It’s yesterday, it’s forever ago. The day is burned in my memory and I can recreate it in a minute. I love that that day is so tied to the Masters, and hearing the trademarked CBS commercials and music, take me back there. They will always. You humor me by letting me re-tell you the story of your birth every spring. I know soon you’ll want me to stop, you’ll groan, but so far, you sigh and lean in and let me talk.

Recently, I’m seeing you grow and change in ways that are amazing. You are growing up and it is fun to watch and be a part of. You are so smart. You are so funny. There is nothing I like more than the sound of your laugh. I live to see you smile. I hope you understand some day why we are so hard on you. We know you will do great things and be amazing – we have the hardest job of getting you there. I love to see you figure out your sense of style, fall in love with a good book or new author. Make new friends.

I am still in awe of the boy that made me a momma and me and your dad a family. I know I always will be. I do miss that little guy, but you, you at nine, are so neat. The hugs you give, hearing you explaining something to your little brother all show me how you are growing up. Thanks for being our guy. Continue to grow and spread those wings. I will be here always to help you along the way.

Love, your momma

July 2011

October 2011

November 2011

It was a book of highlights from 2011, I forced myself to focus on some of the highlights of the last year and it showed me, that we, as a family, have much to be grateful for and I am so glad to be spending these days – the ins and the outs of each day – with these nut jobs.

I hope the recipient liked it too!

So fun! Try it with your kids tonight!

Everyone got in on the action, looking for prime spots, hanging their favorite ornaments, smiling at the memories each ornament brings.

All of it makes me smile, and enjoy the family time and memories we are making.

We all worked hard, until we had the most beautiful tree, we ever did see, at least for this year. Well, almost all of us..

Kay did what she does best. Hope you are each slowing down and enjoying the holidays!

Getting the old house set to sell was hard, packing up was hard, finding a new place was hard and we looked around every curve for the right one. I know I have thanked J for hanging in there with me through all of this, but I am not sure anyone can know how hard it was for each of us. We fought each step, at times each other, but when I see this joy and happiness, I know it was all worth it. We made the right choices, we are coming out on the other side and I know, each of us is better and happier for it. I know how lucky I am and I love to see how happy each of my boys are – in even doing the simplest task around here, we are finding joy.

These smiles tell me, we are doing something right. And I am grateful.

We just did a family Thanksgiving dinner this year, since we are still getting settled and unpacked in the new house. It was nice, with no pressure and I only made dishes I knew we’d like to have as leftovers. We got our usual Honey Baked ham and I added The Pioneer Woman’s Sweet Potatoes, Ultimate Green Beans, and Slow cooker Mashed potatoes. I also added in stuffing, corn, cinnamon apples, and rolls.

The Ultimate Green Beans was a new recipe to me, as I was looking for something other than the traditional green bean casseroles that you see every holiday. I am not a fan of that one. This one was delicious and pretty easy to make – it is all made on the stove top, so great if you are running out of over room and the green beans are steamed and with the kick of red pepper flakes you can make it as spicy (or not) as you like. Perfect addition.

I like to begin the holidays with The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls. This is my second year making them and I think I keep getting better at it. Thankfully I have my niece to help me – this would be hard to make alone. This is a huge recipe so we are able to share the love with local friends, which is a nice way to say thanks for being my friend this year!

So that was it, a nice low key weekend, with a lovely meal and lots of leftovers to munch on as we continued to organize and unpack. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

I love getting back to the beach and sticking my toes in the sand for the first time. There is just something about relaxing on the beach with my book, and the sound of the waves that I look forward to so much each year.

14 days!

In 15 days we’ll get to spend lots of quality time with these people:

These 2 clearly don’t get along and can’t stand spending time together.

But I seriously love seeing them grow up together with these annual snap shots I get of their friendship. My heart grows with each one!

Man I hope they’ll be friends forever!