Christmas time...

A friend of mine posted this on facebook... thought it was very touching:

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.

As Christmas gets closer, I pray we all remember the TRUE meaning of this celebration, this holiday, this day unlike any other.

The BIG DAY

There used to be a time in my life where fear ruled me: any type of fear... fear of something happening to Sheldon; fear of something happening to my kids; fear of someone hurting someone in my family.. JUST PLAIN F-E-A-R. You name it, I at some point had worried about it in some fashion or another.

Thank you Heavenly Father for revealing in my life the TRUTH that .. "There is NO FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out all fear" 1 John 4:18. There is no fear here. You reign in my heart and in my life. As I go through this life, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will FEAR NO EVIL.. for you are with me" Psalm 23:4. Every step, every thought, every word, surrendered to your will.

That is how I can watch my little boy walk into surgery

and have no fear in my heart. I trust in you completely. I know what your word says about you watching over us and that you never sleep or slumber... and most of all HOW MUCH YOU LOVE ME... AND BRANDON.

Up and going EARLY..

Tomorrow is a BIG day for our little guy. Brandon gets his tonsils and adenoids out. He's excited about ice cream and popscicles.. and mommy is excited that he will be able to BREATHE.. get TONS OF AIR in his little lungs =0) Daddy can't take tomorrow off, so it's just me and Brandon, and Susie (my adopted mom..lol!) is going to come over and watch Hollynd. Pray all goes well with lil miss, she LOVES her Susie, so I think everything will be just fine.. it's more a mommy thing I guess!!!
My handsome little Indian for Thanksgiving =0)

The little things =0)

Brandon made this in pre-k with his handprint.. it says:
This isn't just a turkey
As anyone can see
I made it with my hand
which is a part of me
It comes with lots of love
especially to say
I hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day

A sweet little smile =0)

My boys... all snuggling under blankets watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.. oh so much to be thankful for

Our little miracle ;0)

What I've REALLY learned...

Sharing my heart on this one... wearing it oh.. pretty much on my sleeve...

What I've learned...
1. The REAL definition of mommy and daddy is not a "GENETIC" or "BIOLOGICAL" term..

2. The REAL word daddy does not always mean you got someone pregnant.

3. The REAL word mommy does not always mean you came from my tummy.

4. REALLY you can love a child with all of your heart and soul without any "GENETIC" or "BIOLOGICAL" connection.. they steal your heart before they even come into our world.

5. Every little girl REALLY wants to be "Daddy's little girl"... even if she is a "tomboy" when she is little or even at the age of 38 years old, and thank you Lord for giving me a husband who REALLY understands this.

6. The REAL connection between mommy and daddy and baby ... can easily be seen when they look in each other's eyes.

7. I REALLY can't imagine life without my daughter...

Thank you Heavenly father for REALLY teaching me all about the way that you love us...

Grandpa from Arizona =0)

We had a very blessed visit with Sheldon's Dad and his Aunt Kitty.. WAY too short, but full of lots of love! His Dad is just the most doting and adoring Grandpa you could ever ask for... he steals my heart when I see how gentle and patient he is with the kids.

Grandpa and Hollynd

Aunt Kitty and Hollynd

Grandpa and Brandon chatting

ALL of us together =0)

***PRAYER REQUEST***

Tonight my cousin's little 3 month old son Owen Jackson was flown to OSF in Peoria with serious RSV. He has a twin sister named Jaylyn Christine ...oh yes.. the Christine is after me.. that's my middle name ;0) Please pray for our little Owen who just hit 9 pounds!! He was born 4 lbs. 11 oz. and his sister was 5 lbs.1 oz.on August 10th when they came into this world. His sister just hit 12 lbs!! They are growing SO FAST and getting bigger.. FINALLY!! Owen has had some battles already because of being so tiny when he was born, so please keep him, his momma and the WHOLE family in your prayers. Children are such a gift from God, and Owen is in the best medical hands possible in Peoria, and in the safest place in the world, which is God's hands!
Owen Jackson Ross (the day he was born... soooooo stinkin tiny)

Katrina and Owen (maybe this shows a little better how SMALL this little guy was)
H-A-N-D-S-O-M-E!
Owen and his twin sister Jaylyn

Please pray for that peace that passes ALL UNDERSTANDING.. as parents we all know how hard it is when it's our babies that are sick! Pray for Katrina and the rest of the family to draw close to God and find His COMFORT, His PEACE, His LOVE, and His Rest... AND OF COURSE... His HEALING =0) Thanks in advance for the prayers everybody!