Christmas Joy!

Merry Christmas One and all! I love this time of year and this year did not disappoint. I loved every thing about it. (OK so I would have liked having Matt and Jenny at my house Christmas Eve, but Jenny took video of their cute family so I didn't feel left out.) I love love love my family.
Christmas Eve we spent the day out in the snow. Playing in the field, and sledding off the back of the hill. Later that night we all spent an hour in the dark trying to find Steve's lost phone as we retraced our steps up and down the hill behind our home and out in the field. No phone was found as of right now.
Camie and Lynn invited us over Christmas Eve to sing song around the piano. We ate monkey bread. (yum yum). Then on Christmas we had so much fun as older children value their sleep we woke up late about 7:30 I think. We had so much fun opening presents.Then off to Royd and Natalie's house. We ate such good food, first a fun breakfast of green pancakes with red berries and whip cream. Then later a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Thank you so much Darringtons for such a fun day! It has been so nice to have Royd's family here in Enterprise.
Christmas with older children is different not better or worse; it's just different. Girls that get excited for underwear (yes Met the kind that give you bad dreams and don't have Disney prints on them!) Jeremy has to have bigger shoes than anyone else in the family. All wanting to reclaim the excitement of childhood. When PJ elf is one of the most exciting things that happen. A new story from Grandmother Darrington. An old story from Erica delivered in grand dramatic fashion with audience participation. The love and thought that every child has had as they exchange gifts with their brothers and sisters. I love the gratitude shown for the Christmas presents.
This year Christmas was truly a joy and I was filled with love, not just for my own children and husband, but for my brothers and sisters, our parents, nieces and nephews, cousins and even my aunts and uncles. Oh the Joy!

Trace McCoy

I never thought I could love anything as much as I've loved being a mom. I have to admit being a grandmother comes closer than anything! (And I've been on a cruise and seen and did some cool things) I love Trace so much. I love his beautiful blue eyes, his funny faces, his cute hands and his feet. (that his mom can't find shoes for) I love his curly blond hair. I love when he holds my hand. I love when you come in the house and he is so excited to see you and he says "Hi ya". I love when he tips his head into you and makes that Ahhh sound. I love when he jabbers in the phone. I love to bathe him. I love to read stories with him. Every chance I get to spend time with him is fun for me. I love being a grandma! Jenny thanks for being so good to me with Trace.

Happy Birthday Jenny

Happy Birthday Jenny Marie Pickering! Jenny is turning 25 on the 9th of December. I hope you have a great birthday this month. I hope you know how grateful I am for you. I'm so glad that you are ours. May your birthday bring you joy and happiness. I love that little boy of yours and I am so excited about our little girl. Thank you for loving Matt so much, you are such a good mom and wife. Thank you so much for all you do for me. I love coming to your home. I love you. Love MOM

Who is this guy in my bed?

So, Who is this guy in my bed? Sunday Eric gets a wild hair to get rid of some hair, Facial hair that is. Now I know normally this isn't that big of a deal, but you have to remember I have children that have never seen this guys face bare. So that makes it an awful long time for me also. He just shaves his whole face then comes out of the bathroom like it's just another day. I don't see him first, but I do hear Kenni scream. (She's one that has never seen him with a bare face.) Then I have to check out what all the commotion is. Jeremy seems to take all of this change with out any concern. I have to admit I'm a little taken back, who is this guy? Oh I think he looks familiar, yes it has to be the guy I married. We sent a text pic to Latara and Erica, and after church there is more screams on a voicemail from Latara (she's another that hasn't seen her dad's face) and a text from Erica that starts Holy Moly. As we go through out the day I have to keep checking this guy out. I want to touch his face every chance I get. I don't realize how much I'm touching his face, about the only thing that keeps me from touching his face is not to look at him. I find myself mesmerised by this new look.

It's True, I'm Guilty

It's true, I'm guilty of living through my kids. When I first think about this Erica is the one that comes to mind. I thrilled at every volleyball game and loved every basketball moment. It was as if I knew what was going on in her mind, and of course brought back many fun and exciting memories of playing the games myself. My kids have always been able to achieve more than I ever dreamed was in my grasp. I'm grateful for that. In fact that brings me to my next example. When Matt was heading off to Kindergarten I got him dressed. He put on his cute little back pack and after a few words about "being careful when he needed to cross the busy street". I watched him climb on his bike and head off to school with out even a thought that there might be something to be afraid of. Oh the joy that gave his mom as I remember still every pair of shoes I wore in grade school, because I kept my head down so no one would talk to me. Yea I was living through him and plenty proud of it. Which brings me to Steven and his character I've found myself living through. Steven has the heart of a champion! always has, he ran with all his might. He wrestled with all his heart. Served a mission. I really believe Steven can do anything he puts his mind too. Oh I wish I would have known that as a kid. I've danced a hundred dances as Latara and Kenni leapt and twirled and pounded out a drill team routine. Had my finest performances as my girls have stood on stage, rode floats, performed in pageants, and been the girl that gets to wear the crown, or be the winner. Latara is my daughter that has been tagged the most by her mom, I love it when people who don't even know her know that I'm her mom. I've had hundreds of conversation as I've stood back and watched Kenni talk her "friend talk". Wished I was the one that was making the smile on someones face as Tara wheeled her witty humor around. Then there is Jeremy who does well in school, understands math and is kind, good, and has no desire to get in trouble. My boys have all been good workers and honest. My children make me happy they each share many of the characteristics that I've pointed out. Yeah I'm guilty I've lived my life through my kids, and oh what a great life it has been. Thanks kids for being such great examples to me.

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to be a blogger, maybe I should say a half blogger. Erica is my editor and layout woman. I'm hoping this will be a good way to stay in touch with all my family and friends. I've been a reader for many months now.
This is me and my cute husband of just twenty five years, I still think he is the cutest man that ever walked on the earth. I love him so much! He really is my best friend. We have six really great kids, Matt, Erica Jo, Steven, Latara, Kenni K, and Jeremy. The first four borned in five years. They have only known one home, The house that Eric and I moved into when we were first married.