Giving thanks....

This year we had Thanksgiving at Rich's parents in Gallatin, Tennessee. Here we all are. Izabelle and Trae spent the holiday with their dad.



Jon Paul loves his aunt Sherri!



Britney and Mattie building gingerbread houses..actually Mattie was just eating the candies..

Jon Paul 6 months today...and ready to go to Yaya's!!!!

Jon Paul and daddy "turkey gazing".

Yaya and BoB the turkey carver.

Dad and BoB the turkey carver.

The feast! Turkey, potato casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, pistachio pudding, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Oh and let's not forget the pumpkin pie! Mmmmmm.......

Britney and Mattie putting a 300 piece puzzle together. Do you know difficult that is when a certain 3 year old keeps taking bag fulls of pieces and pretends that she has cat poop? Mattie came to the table and said, "I have cat poop." I was thankful to find puzzle pieces inside the bags..and not the stinky stuff.

Happy Halloween?

Our street has been usually quiet tonight..until now. The trick-or-treaters just came out. It is very dark though..I can only see one porch light lit..I don't think many families are participating this year. We aren't. We went to trunk-or-treat at 3:30p-4:30p today at our church. Izabelle dressed up as St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Mattie was an angel.

Ciao!

Looking Your Best

I am going to help Izzy's girl scout troop earn their Looking Your Best badge tomorrow..well actually today. I made 6 of these little books..the girls will have room in them to write down health tips, fashion tips, hygiene tips, nutrition tips, daily personal hygiene routine and weekly personal hygiene routine. I have lots planned..I hope I can fit it all in 1 1/2 hours.

I signed up to be the troops co-leader..they were in desparate need of one. I told the troop leader that I wasn't able to give 100% but I would do what I could..she gladly accepted. So wish me luck..this is a first for me.

Happy Sunday!

I'm on a roll..

I am really trying to fit blogging into my crazy, busy schedule. Are you still there? I am thinking that I might have lost a lot of my readers..

First photo/taken in Springhill, Tn: Mattie @ 3

The following photos are from this past weekend. Rich's little brother and his girlfriend were here visiting from California. It was the first time that Mattie and Jon Paul met him. He is their Godfather. Rich & Randy's father stood in as proxy during their baptisms.

Photo #3: Rich helping his grandmother down the stairs..she will be 98 next month!

Yaya, Dad, Rashel, Randy, Rich(above)/Jill(below), Mattie, Gram, Trae & Jon Paul

**More funny stuff from Mattie~cakes** You know the big rubberbands that the postman will use to hang a package on your mailbox? Well Mattie found one laying around the house and she laid it across the top of her lip (under her nose and above her top lip). Then she said, "I am a grandfather!" Too funny!!!!

Hi

Are you still there? My apologies for being the world's worst Blogger. I thought I would share a few photos with you and hopefully have more for you very soon!

Izabelle is in 6th grade this year. Isn't she just beautiful?


Trae is a Senior this year..I still can't believe it. The time has come..I have to let him grow up and become a man..but it hurts..why does it hurt so bad?

Mattie..our little energizer bunny. She has such a big personality..she is always crackin' me up! Just yesterday she said, "Mommy, your boobs are in the floor." I said, "What?" Again she said, "Your boobs are in the floor." I looked down in the floor (laundry room floor) and there laid my bra. I nearly peed my pants! She is a hoot :o)

..and our newest addition..Jon Paul. He is about 2 months in these photos. He is my smiling blue-eyed chunky baby. I really think that his eyes are going to stay blue! They are so beautiful. I love, love, love his sweet snuggles :o)

'Till next time..

September 11, 2001 ~Where where you?

Tuesday morning. Trae was already at school and Izabelle was at daycare. I was on I-40 West bound..heading to work. I was listening the radio when I heard about a plane (the first plane) crashing into one of the towers. I remembering wondering..how in the world can someone accidently hit a tall building like that? I thought it was just a horrible accident. Then right before I arrived at work the second plane had hit. I remember sitting with the office staff watching the television..completely stunned. I was extremely upset and my heart was broken. I cried off and on throughout the day and we listened to Lee Greenwood sing Proud To Be An American through the speakers of the radio that my office manager and I shared. I remember talking to my grandmother about what had happend that morning during my lunch break..who would have thought it would be the last conversation that I would have with her? She passed away September 26, 2001.

~4 weeks~

6/23/09

6/18/09 First nap in his swing!

I hope you all are having a beautiful day!

3 weeks

Izabelle holding Jon Paul at 3 weeks (6/16/09). She is ready for another baby..'cause she says this time passes so quickly. She remembers holding Mattie at this age..and she said it went by too fast. She is going to be such a wonderful mother :o)



Photo taken: 6/17/09
Mattie holding Jon Paul with Rich assisting..so sweet!

More of Jon Paul

Two weeks

One week

Thursday, May 28th

Our Hugs & Kisses security bands.

More later..typing with one hand.

God gave us another beautiful angel...

Jon Paul McCabe LaFaye
8:35 am
5/26/09
6 lbs. 8 oz.
19 inches

*Rainbow Bridge*

Sylvester Packer entered the {Rainbow Bridge} on April 1, 2009. The Packer household on Albrecht Lane has not been the same without you. Kyle is away at basic training and he has no idea at this point. But when he returns home he will find a beautiful urn with your ashes and your sweet little paw prints that your mother picked out. Originally you had been without a home and we think that an angel must have sent you to the Packer house (about three years ago)..you had many medical issues and the angel knew that you would be in good hands with your new parents. You were well known at the veterinarian and loved by all. You couldn't have been sent to a more loving family that made you as comfortable as possible until it was your time to leave. Soon there will be a special garden in your memory in the same area that you enjoyed laying near the house. Ernie, Cherry & Kyle sends you hugs and kisses!

****************************************

~Rainbow Bridge~

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content; except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

More photos...from today

There was a professional photographer that came to the church today at 2:00pm for the PREP students that are taking their first communion tonight. So I asked the PREP coordinator and he said that it would be fine if Izabelle came to take individual photos this afternoon. So since Izabelle was all dressed up again..I took her to the garden again..and I also took her to the confession/reconciliation room to take more pictures. We will have to wait 6 weeks before we see the ones taken today by the photographer..I will share them then.

33 weeks

Photo taken: 4-17-09
Just about 5 more weeks..yippee :0)

Have a great weekend!

As I promised...

..more pictures from Izabelle's First Communion.
First photo: Trae, me (32 weeks with Jon Paul), Izabelle, Mattie and Rich
I was so exhausted by the end of the evening..but seeing my baby girl taking eucharist for the first time was so worth it! Rich made it just in time..bless his heart..business is so slow..but he still has to put in so many hours.


My mother and her husband and Izabelle.


Yaya and Izabelle. Yaya made Izabelle's veil, altered the dress and curled and fixed Izabelle's hair. Thanks again!

Izabelle and Ms. Kimberly (her sponsor).

Izabelle had just received the eucharist in her hands. Helen was the eucharistic minister that gave it..she is such a sweet lady. I just love her!

Izabelle waiting for the eucharist..she spotted me with the camera. She is so excited..can you tell?

Fr. Steve preparing the eucharist at the altar.

Fr. Steve, Fr. Theo and Deacon Hans

Photo taken outside in the courtyard before the ceremony. Isn't she just breath-taking? I love her so much!

Easter Sunday..after 11:00am Mass in the prayer garden.