BUSY December!

I always find it hard to keep up with posting during November and December. I always fall behind. WE have so many functions and birthdays during these last two months of the year.

We had a wonderful but different Christmas this year. With my husband in Mexico and my baby brother in West Virginia, things felt a little "off" or "strange" this year. Nonetheless, we had a warm, cozy time of breaking bread with loved ones here and opening lovingly wrapped packages. Then of course there was plenty of laughter! You can't have my son Josh, his cousin Josh, and my youngest son Shane in a room together without loads of antics and laughter. That was all on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day was spent with my parents in their home. Nora, a friend from church joined us for another delicious meal which started off with my father reading an account of the birth of Christ from the gospel of Matthew. Then we watched family videos starting back in November from my birthday, Thanksgiving, Shane's birthday, mine and Agustin's anniversary. November and December sure are busy months at our house. It seems we have so many things to celebrate! But culminating our year by celebrating the birth of our Saviour is top of the list!
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Here are some photos from Shane's 13th birthday on Dec. 5th. I'll post Christmas photos soon.

Happy Thirteenth Shane!

Opening Birthday Gifts!

Oh what after dinner fun! Watching videos on You Tube which gross you out. I recall this one showing a woman popping/draining a boil on her husband's back! Now who would think to video and upload something like that? Now WHO would think it's fun watching something like that? You're looking at the three of them!

Grandma & Shane eyeing her homemade chicken and dumplings he requested fir his

birthday meal.

Shane also requested corn on the cob!

Grandma made the cake Shane requested for his birthday. Weight Watcher's orange diet soda cake topped with mandarin oranges!

In Children's Church

The embarrassing "Mom kisses son in front of people" kiss.

"Now look here woman!"

We do share lots of laughter when together. I love this kid.

In church

What Delilah does for several minutes each time Shane or Agustin leave home. So cute.

Agustin's gift to Shane-a trip to the shooting range!

There's nothing quite like a boy and his dog! Shane telling Delilah goodbye before heading off to shoot stuff.

The Night My Life Changed Forever!

Monday was a most wonderful day spent with my hubby. It was, after all, our 24th wedding anniversary! Where have those years gone though? I still can't believe it has been 24 years since I stepped into that crowded living room in Queretaro, Qro., Mexico and first laid eyes on Agustin. The occasion for my visit was a birthday party for his younger brother Elias. My American neighbor, Larry, had told me about Agustin. I smile now as I recall his description of him. "It's a wonderful Christian family and Agustin seems like a nice young man. He's tall for a Mexican!" I remember asking Larry if this Agustin was good looking. Larry's response was that I would have to judge that for myself later at the party. He was more into Agustin's sister than he was into Agustin! LOL Alrighty then, I'd go with him, meet the family and this Agustin guy, and enjoy the free homemade traditional Mexican food! No harm in that, right?

Well that's the night my life changed forever!

More to come later!

In the photos below, Agustin and I at our private reception after the Civil ceremony. Then a picture of my little niece Jackie and Agustin's little sister Berenice leading us out of the small church where our Religious ceremony took place. In Mexico, the church does not recognize a marriage performed by the state, nor does the state recognize the church marriage. So I like to say that although I've never divorced, I have been married TWICE!

THIRTEEN YEARS...How can it be?

Today, Sunday, is my youngest son's 13th birthday. Don't ask me where the years have gone because I have no idea! What I do know though, is that God sent this child to us just when we needed it most! Our first and only child, Joshua, was ten years old when we found out we were going to have an addition to our little family. I was thirty-six! We had arrived at the point where it was so easy to just pick up and go anywhere. We hadn't used car seats, diaper bags, diapers, formula, wipees, binkies for several years now. Anytime we wanted to jaunt off to a restaurant, store, or to visit friends, our only prep was to notify Josh to jump into the car and buckle up. Boy, did things change after the birth of our Shane! It seemed to take forever to go anywhere! Well, at least the preparation to go seemed to take forever! You know exactly what I'm talking about. "Where's the diaper bag?" " Did you make a fresh bottle?" " Does he have his binkie?" "Should I feed him first?" etc. Of course, I'm not complaining! He has been such a blessing not only to us but to many others. Always a lovable, affectionate type and a great cuddler; even as a baby, he had an infectious laugh which he still has today.
Let me tell you a few things I love about this kid! At thirteen, he is still affectionate and loving; very considerate. He enjoys surprising his dad and I with fully prepared breakfasts. Without being told, he bathes our dog weekly. He cleans up all the dog-poop in the yard twice a week. He is consistent with his trash duties. He is a very good student. Shane has great comprehension. He's a gentle giant! He ministers by serving in our Children's Church. I could go on and on, but instead, I'll post some photos!

Shane shows off his Captain's award from Patch the Pirate Club- 2nd year in a row.

Josh and Agustin visit newborn Shane in nursery while I was recuperating from the C-section.

Agustin and I during Shane's dedication service.

a Proud Grandpa during the dedication service.

For my baby shower, my dad painted the little baskets by hand. We filled them with homemade chocolates as favor.



My first time to lay eyes on my little blessing. He was blowing bubbles!!

Dr. Bruce Shephard visits us in the hospital the day after he performed the C-section.






Me at 9 months,

Our first ultra-sound of baby Shane!

Thanks for indulging me!

Here's a video clip of Shane's birthday last year. We were so happy to have my nieces and nephew (Josh & Naomy, Jewel, and Jackie and her girlies) with us. Notice Jackie's baby bump. This was before the arrival of little Lexi. I love how much fun the 3 siblings have singing together - breaking out in a multi-cultural celebration!!! Poor Shane was not into it! He had a friend stay over the night before and hadn't slept!!!