I miss them -

As I am sure many others are doing on this last day of 2008 - I woke up this morning thinking about all the things that have happened this year - as well as reflecting on the changes that have taken place the past 15 years & thru them all God has been in the mist.

• 3 of my grandparents have gone on to be with the Lord - Grandpa Hughes in 1994, Grandma Mag in 2000 & Grandma Emma in 2008. I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't miss them. They were such a vital part of my life. Grandma/pa Hughes were married for over 50 years & I don't ever recall them speaking a harsh word to each other. The love they had for their children and grand-children was such a blessing.
• Chance having enchaplitas in December 2001. Every year on 12/5, when I look at him I am humbled and on my knees not only recalling seeing "my baby" of 9 years on the ground in convulsions, on the ride to the hospital in a siren screaming ambulance w/ his heart stopping twice, in WRMC when the doctors telling us they don't think he will make it & angel flight from Ar Children's Hospital was on the way to get him, the flight crew arriving, them taking me in to see him before he left, being given the clothes that were cut off of him - being pushed out the door because even with all the tubes everywhere on him & the medicine that was enough for 3 grown men still wouldn't stop the seizures they had to use the paddles again, on the angel flight his heart stopping, FINALLY arriving in Little Rock, being taken into his room and seeing him on life support... Staying at ACH for a week while he fought to live...the love, support and prayers of our family, friends and community and the grace of God in hearing our pleas and allowing Chance to live.
• Momma being diagnoised with "Small Cell Lung Cancer" on 7/18/05 being given months to live - my telling the doctors - "No one knows that but God" her living in Houston, Texas for 6 months under going extensive chemo. and radiation at MD Anderson. 12/31/08 God continues to answer our prayers and allowing momma to be here with us. She is such a source of inspiration to all those around her in her determation and in her Faith.
• Tana & Kyla both graduating and moving out on their own. We miss them not being a part of our day-to-day life but are proud of them. We pray that God protect them and they have a burning desire to know him and lead their lives for him.
• Kapriel being born on 4/12/02 & oh my the blessings we have been given from this little brown eyed beauty. Thank you God for your goodness!
• Adopting 2 separate sibling groups set of 2 in 2001 and set of 3 in 2006. With them we have been blessed with many blessings as well as many challenges. They are proof of just how much a child needs love, nuturing and the basics of life and what can happen when these needs aren't met. We pray daily for them.
• Jeff & I are coming up on 23 years of marriage - it's hard to believe that my high school sweetheart is STILL the man of my dreams. God has given me such a blessing and I praise him for this amazing life he has given me.

WOW-See reflecting & changes just all part of life...I am excited about 2009 & look forward to all that the new year will have to offer. May God bless you and yours & may the upcoming year be exactly what you hope it will be!

EEL SOUP

Yep, Thats right --- Tonight for supper Jeff made us "EEL SOUP" needless to say as much as I love my precious husband - when it came time for this meal - I just wasn't hungry... Sorry honey but there is just no way... The kids on the other hand loved it - Need I say more...

A girl & her pap-paw

My husband is a military man of 16 years - worked in heavy duty construction for several years and has been Transportation Supervisor for 12 years and can be as "tough as they come" but when it comes to his grand-daughter he turns to mush!!! She had him wrapped around her pinky the minute she was placed into his arms. Jeff was even the one that came up with the name "Kapriel" [pronounced cap-re-l] & her middle name is McKenzie. She follows him around and anytime he is in the kitchen cooking she is there right along beside him - "helping" I know his gentle love and patience will help her grow into a Godly woman someday. She so adores her pap-paw and what a blessing that is.

HOME-MADE ..... ????

PIZZA is a HUGE hit at our house!!! The kids love it when Jeff makes it!!! Their favorite is CHEESE - the more - the happier they are!!!
Here is Jeff after he just took one out of the oven! Jeff loves to watch cooking shows, reads cookbooks constantly and we never know what he is going to make!

Cancer Changes Everything...

We praise God that momma was here to celebrate Christmas with us again this year & we were blessed to be able to do it in their home. For the past 3 Christmas' she has been in the hospital. Momma's Cancer has certainly changed everything for our family but one thing it can not take from us is the love that we have for each other. It brought such joy to my heart to be able to watch her yesterday as she sat in her chair and looked around at everyone there. It was easy to see that her cup runneth over. Jeff & Daddy made our Annual Christmas morning breakfast & although it "wasn't the same as momma's" it was just as good! We all exchanged gifts but I think the best present for each of us was just to be there in my parents home, with them & being blessed! Thank you God for your mercy and for your understanding - we give you the honor and the glory for blessing us with such a special Christmas. We know our hope lies in you.

35 years of...

What has now become a "Christmas Tradition" actually started 35 years ago this December when I was in the 5th grade and wanted to get my brother something for Christmas. Now being a 10 year old I didn't have alot in the way of spending money so I figured my baby brother would love something that was a cookie and had chocolate so I decided to make him a batch of

"No Bake Oatmeal Cookies" Well...Every Christmas since I have baked him a batch of these cookies and they are the first thing he expects in the way of a gift! :) It is such a blessing to see the little boy that was once my "bubby" still enjoy eating these cookies! Merry Christmas Bub - you are still my hero!

SANTA Couldn't WAIT

Jeff has been hinting for several days that he needed a "Crock Pot" for a Christmas dinner that we were going to! I kept trying to put him off - knowing that Santa had already put one under the tree for him. Well, Nothing would do him but to go to Wal-Mart so I gave in and let him open one...

Here it is - the Crock-Pot. I know some may think that it is a little strange that Santa left one but dear hubby does all the cooking in our family - I'm sure Santa just knew that!!! :) The funny think is since "dad got to open one" all the kids thought they should get to as well! haha Sorry kids, but Santa said NO!!!

We've LOST

Wednesday night - Kapriel's front tooth was "wiggly" Thursday Morning at the dental office for our 6 month check up Dr. Triplett said if she would eat an apple it would come on out..

Well, Instead of eatting an apple - Kap bit into her sandwich at lunch and swallowed the sandwich bite and the TOOTH!!!

She was so concerned that the "Tooth Fairy" wouldn't come since she didn't have the tooth to put under her pillow --- But that 'ole tooth fairy made a stop that night & left her a shinny new quarter anyway!!!

Cookie Pizza

This is her Cookie Pizza when it was finished! Good Job Kapriel!

Putting the ingredients on - She choose mini marshmellows, gummy bears, green/red M&M's! We spread peanut butter on top of the choc. chip cookie before she put the "goodies" on it!

Getting the box ready to put the pizza in - we bought the box from Hawgtown, cut up pieces of Christmas Scrapbooking Paper, Kapriel glued them on! She loved doing it & it looked so cute!

Headband w/ Bow for Sale - $5.00

I made 100 of these headband w/ flower bows & have about 30-40 left - I am selling them for only $5.00. These are selling at boutique stores and etsy for between $15.00 - $21.00. They make wonderful Christmas presents, birthday presents or just because! All little girls look so adorable in them. If you are interested in seeing them - please email me at tgraves@windstream.net, post a comment here or call me at 479-871-9146. I have many different colors to choose from!

Silly SUNDAY

Today was an awesome day - all 8 of my kids were at the house + my grand-daughter. It was so nice to spend time with all of them. Kyla brought her 4 legged boys - Chuy & Sam to meet their new cousin Harper Grace. Jeff made a wonder dinner of your choice - home made beef stew with huge chunks of meat or thick pork chops, with a salad, corn & mashed potatoes. I wish I would have taken a photo - it was all so good! I made my Carmel/Cinnamon Apple Delight and it was scooped out of the pan in a hurry! It is soooo easy to make and there is never any left!!!

We are continuing to get to know Harper - she is just exactly what I wanted - a cuddle doggy! She follows me from room to room and when I sit down she jumps up on my lap! One of my hands has to be on her at all times or she will take her little head and put it under my hand and push it up! I AM TOTALLY LOVING IT!!! I told Jeff this is the best Christmas present that I have ever gotten from him -

Momma is still in the hosptial - they aren't sure what exactly is wrong with her. Please join me in prayer that he will once again provide us with another miracle. He is so good and I give him all the glory, the honor and the praise for his goodness.

It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Introducing HARPER GRACE!!! She is bichon & my Christmas present from Jeff!!! She is such a soft cotton ball! We went shopping for her today - I mean a girl has to have all of the latest fashion right? She got 4 new dresses, 3 hair bows, a new pink/white collar and of course pink polish for those paws!!!! I bought her glass Sundae dishes for her food and water bowl which I am going to decorate with jews, tulle and ribbon!!! I mean a girl can't have to much BLING right!! She has been in my lap ever since we brought her home - I am in love!!! Merry-Merry Christmas to me!!!

My Daughter's - Daughter

Even tho I have been a "G.G" [Groovy Grandma] for 6 years - it is still sometimes hard to believe! I mean it seems like only yesterday that Tana was 6 years old! Kapriel has so
many of Tana's facial expressions & personality that I am constantly telling her " You act just like your momma" - We are so blessed that Tana lets her spend each weekend with us! I understand that saying now "If I knew grandchildren were so much fun - I would have had them first" haha... Kapriel loves to do arts/crafts with me, work in the flower garden! She is so precious and Jeff and I definately enjoy spoiling her to the max when we have her with us! I honestly think that "Pap-Paw" is worse than I am! In this photo you can see how much they look alike - she even has all those freckles on her little face that Tana does! Thank you heavenly Father for allowing me the gift of being a mother and the blessings of being a "G.G"

"Baby Brother" No More

Looking back thru the Thanksgiving photos I got quite a chuckle from this photo - these are my 3 oldest children - Tana Lynn [26], Kyla Nicole [22] & Chance Brentin [16]. I remember the day we brought "baby brother" home from the hospital the girls were soooo excited. They thought he was the grandest thing on Earth and if he even so much as started to cry one of them rushed to pick him up. Needless to say he quickly became very spoilt. I think they have started to realize that "baby brother" isn't really such a baby anymore - in this photo they are both having to stand on their tip-toes to give him a kiss! He loves his sisters & enjoys to this day all the attention that he gets from them. I'm so lucky to have these 3 awesome kids - Thank you God for the blessings!

MY GIRLS - MY WORLD

Here is a photo of all "my girls" - Each different and unique! Each loved & my prize blessing!