Thankful Thursday

Today I am very thankful for two very kind souls.... Shuazy and Jac!!!!! Happy Birthday to You!!!!

Thank you for the beautiful role you play in my life and for sharing yourself with me! I am very blessed to have both of you in my life.

Happy Christmas Eve Day!!!!

Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, Not even a mouse The stockings were hung by The chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled All snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plumbs Danced in their heads. And Mama in her kerchief, And I in my cap Had just settled our brains For a long winter's nap When out on the roof There arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed To see what was the matter. I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutter, And through back the sash. The moon on the breast Of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of midday To the objects below, When, what to my wandering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, So lively and quick, I knew in a moment It must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles, His courses they came, And he whistles and shouted And called then be name: NOW DASHER! NOW DANCER! NOW PRANCER AND VIXON! ON COMET! ON CUPID! ON DONNER AND BLITZEN! To The Top Of The Stairs! To The Top Of The Wall! Now Dash Away! Dash Away All! As dry leaves that before The wild hurricane fly When they meet with an obstacle Mount to the sky So up to the house-top The courses they flew With a sleigh full of toys' And St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing Of each little hoof. As I drew in my head And was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas Came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, From his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished With ashes ands soot. A bundle of toys he had Flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler Just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth Was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin Was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe He held tight in his teeth And the smoke it encircled His head like a wreath. He had a broad face And a little round belly, That shook when he laughed Like a bowl of jelly. He was chubby and plump, A right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye And a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread He sprang to his sleigh, To his team gave a whistle, And away they all fly Like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, Ere he drove out of sight: HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! _______________________________

The Spirit of Christmas

I don't think I have ever appreciated a christmas tree more than I did this year! We actually hadn't bought a tree yet and were debating on whether we even should. Money has been tight and Matt has been working whatever is left of his hinder off :)

Well, a couple of nights ago a very generous couple of christmas angels delivered a beautiful christmas tree to our front door. What an amazing suprise!!!!!

We made Sunday a family day and decorated the tree, listened to christmas music, baked some cookies, and I even decided to make a delicious recipe that I had borrowed from Pam... cheesy chicken tortilla soup! It was a very special day and I thank everyone who added to it, from the bottom of my heart!!!!

the beautiful giving tree

Brody enjoying his new ornament from Grandpa GG,

with cookie in hand :)
Decorating the tree

and then of course Brody wanting to take all of the ornaments off the tree so that he can look at all of them again :)
Thank you mom and dad for your continuous love and generosity. What would we do without your sweet sweet souls.

Thankful Thursday

(okay so we need to update this pic :) )

Today I am thankful for.... Sisterhood!

"There's a special kind of freedom sisters enjoy. Freedom to share innermost thoughts, to ask a favor, to show their true feelings. The freedom to simply be themselves."

Author Unknown

Ring a Ding Ding

So I just thought I would let all of you know that for some odd reason my cell phone isn't working. I don't have any service and cannot receive phone calls. It has actually been kind of peaceful but at the same time quite frustrating. How in the world did we ever get by without cell phones :) I was on the phone with a customer service rep for about half an hour yesterday and was eventually informed that I would need to go into a store to get it resolved.

Anyway, you can leave a message and I can check the messages from my home phone but just know that I'm not ignoring ya :)

Hope you are all having a beautiful day!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Okay so my sis began a wellness wednesday post that really inspired me. I really wanted to jump on the bandwagon but I feel that I am completely exhausted on every level that I don't have the energy to put into it. Being thankful comes a whole lot easier to me, these days especially, so I decided I would join momma with her thankful thursdays! So here goes....

Today I am Thankful for one of my very best friends....

Kari Kellenaers Gottschling!

She has been such a loyal friend since 5th Grade

and though we don't see each other very often

I know that know matter what is going on in her life, or mine,

she will always be there for me when I need her!

Thank You Kari Lou for your loyalty, honesty, for all your advice, care and concern, and especially for your treasured friendship.

Happy Birthday Bagonia I hope you had a beautiful day!!!!!!!

I'm sorry that I didn't call you today :(

Baby Presley Timmons

Welcome to the world sweet little Presley LaRen

7lb 7oz

20 inches

We love you sweet pea!!!!

Congrats Mandy and Scott!

The four-some at our best :)

Thanks girls, for your loyal friendship!!!!!

Tribute to Baby "boy" Feigy

The metamorphosis of the butterfly is a powerful symbol in so many ways for us when we are grieving. They are the beautiful tiny spark of life that came to us, lighted in our lives for a too brief moment before fluttering away. They are the hope that the transformation that loss brings into our life, can result in something different, something beautiful. We may not be the same at the end of our journey, but we have grown, we are able to see things that we could not before. They are the hope that we may swallow that butterfly soul searching for us, and hold a baby in our bodies and in our arms once more.

"All our Hopes and Dreams, now carried on Butterfly wings..."

"As a butterfly graces our lives with one moment's fragile beauty, so too has your baby's presence blessed you, and those that surround you with his short life, and unique spirit. May you find peace, and joy with each butterfly that passes, knowing that your baby lives on in the hearts of all he touched."

I love you guys!!!!!

You Say it's Your Birthday, It's My Birthday Too!!!!

Gemela

A friend for life I always knew,

Look at us now, how time flew.

Barbie and the Rockers, playing house

Spying on our sisters, quiet as a mouse.

Skateborading down hills, flying off swings

what wonderful memories pain can bring.

Dressing the same, we are such a great team

A huge eyeball did you say you dream?

Laughing so hard, getting beaten with socks

I get folded in the hide-a-bed and somehow it locks.

Dances, boyfriends, fighting over the phone

Drivers Ed, you hit a cone!

Getting our license, you got a better score

but flunking that permit test we can never ignore!

Driving like a granny, very opposite of me

Somethings in life we never did agree :)

Forgotten hammer, what do we do?

spankings, hmmm.... we have had a few.

Getting older, sharing a room

Jon Bon Jovi was my doom!

Meeting new people, having a blast

then you wore that big purple cast.

California and Mexico, all the places we should go

Falling off stools, tires blow outs, with our luck you never know!

Volleyball every Thursday nights

Play until there are no lights.

Cover for me, I'll cover for you

I get caught, what else is new!

Hard Core, Corona, even a Bud Light

head in the toilet, what a great sight!

So many good times, You are a true best friend

with great thanks to you I send!

You have helped me through so many things

with the care your heart always brings.

I want you to know, I will always be here

I know our souls will forever stay near.

Britt,

I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day

as you have meant, dear sister of mine, to me along the way!

I love you sooooo very much and cherish the memories we have made through our journey together in this crazy life.

Thank you for all that you bring to my world I am truly blessed to have such an amazing twin sister!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Day 2 of the 3-Day

The mini cheering section

Great Job Team Juanita....

Only two more miles to go!!!!!!
"I am walking for my girls"
more of the cheering squad
Grandpa responded with this in a prior post. It touched me so much and I thought it deserved it's own post. Thank you for sharing Grandpa!

Grandma was such an unassuming little lady, living her life in what she considered a small way doing what she could and never looking for accolades. In the 10 years since her death I think she must be dumbfounded at all the notoriety she has received each year in the past 3 years as family members have labored to keep her memory alive. In a small way she has become famous because of the signs with her picture on them studding the 60 mile walk for the last 3 years. As I sit or stand on the curb cheering the walkers on I hear people say "Oh I remember that sign from last year" or they say "Oh, I remember that name "Juanita" from last year". And each year for 3 years in a row our family has had 2 family members walking 60 miles in three days in Juanita's name. In that way she is not forgotten. And each year our two walkers have each exceeded the dollar amount they pledged to raise. Three years ago it was 2 of my granddaughters, Cory Decker and Jessamyn Rundio who walked and exceeded their dollar pledge and the last 2 years it has been Kenneth Grove and Kimberly Turgesen my son and daugher who have exceeded their pledge each year totaling in excess of $5,000 in 2 years time toward a cure for breast cancer. And members of the Grove and Turgesen family line the streets to cheer them on. Even our new born babies are there in their carriers to hear the cheers for their great grandma who will not be forgotten even by them as this story is told to them down through the years. I am exceedingly proud of my family. They say there will be no tears in Heaven but I could almost bet that Grandma Juanita is shedding a few tears of happiness as she looks down on the scene.
~Grandpa GG

Team Juanita's Kids

Mom and Uncle Kenny are getting ready to embark, once again, on this amazing 60 mile walk to help find a cure for breast cancer.

The opening ceremony begins on Friday at 6:15am at Freestone Park! It is such an extremely touching opening AND closing ceremony so if you have never been you should come and see what it is all about.

My grandma Juanita Pearl Grove has truly been such a motivation for all of us participating in this event, whether walking, donating money, helping at garage sales, encouraging, etc. She was a breast cancer survivor and one truly amazing woman. ( I miss you Grandma) The fact that she is such a big part of this walk is so special. Not only is it honoring her, but it helps allow her family to have a brighter future with the possibility of a world without breast cancer.

Thank you Uncle Kenny and Mom for your incredible effort toward this cause, for your extreme determination and committment to something so amazing. I am so proud of both of you for not only taking this on last year but for taking it on again a second year. It means so much to me.

Together they raised more than $5,000.00 and I know that it wasn't easy.

I love you both and will be right along side of you wherever I am able.
I love you guys soooo much!!!!

Good Luck!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Welcome to the world little Elandro

Congratulations Rae and Hector on your new little addition to the family! We are sooooo excited for you and this amazing journey you have ahead of you. Can't wait to see the little guy!

Rachel you are a trooper for all that you have endured!

You are already a beautiful mother

and I am so proud of you!!!

Love You Guys!

Do They Resemble EachOther?

I was going through a box of old pictures and found this one of Brodes. It made me think of the one of Wyatt that Britt had posted. What do you think, are they going to look anything alike?

We Love You Papa

We are thinking of you Papa and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Praying for a quick recovery and looking forward to playing with you soon! :)
I love you Dad!

It's Been A Whole Year!!!!

So, Brody is not the only one who has recently turned one! Uptown Girls Downtown Boys celebrated it's one year birthday party on Saturday to launch it's newest project.... girly birthday parties. Elizabeth, Amanda and myself spent the past three days rearranging the whole back half of the shop. (with a whole lotta help from the hubby's) We were really nervous as to how everything was going to pull together but in the end we were really proud of our store!!!!

We had a wonderful day and the kids loved it. So wish us luck on our new adventure and if you know of any little girl out there that is looking for a place to have her birthday party, send her our way :)

We took out the play area and put in three vanity's for the girls to get their hair done. (does the middle vanity look familiar auntie karen? Mom painted it white and switched out the drawer knobs, it looked amazing! Thanks Mom!

Some of the Princess's

We also put in three new fun stations where kids can make thier own lip gloss, shimmer lotion and fairy dust. This is Lexy posing in front of the shimmer lotion.

Blakey Boy and Kenadie playing in the bubbles
and the crew(missing a few )
Thanks for getting these pics Pam, so glad someone brought a camera!!! and Thanks Gramps for the lovely "birthday presents." I believe you are one of the most thoughtful human beings on the planet. What would we do with out your tremendous heart! Oh yes, and thank you Feigy's for your time and effort to print our shirts and pick up that darn cotton candy machine. What a lifesaver. Thank you all for stopping by and sharing your support it meant a lot! Wow, what would I do with our my friends and family!!!!! Love you guys.

Beautiful Morning

As the mornings have gotten cooler, playing out back has been a favorite morning ritual for this little guy. It has been so nice for me to sit outside with my coffee and see Brody at his finest.

Doing some yard work...

Playing with toys, of course "balls"

Making a few phone calls...

Exploring the backyard...

Happy Birthday Beautiful Sisters

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday sweet sisters, Happy Birthday to you!!!!

Okay so I have been unable to download pictures for several days. I tried today and got one, Cass, but when trying to download Amanda's it wouldn't work again. I will add her pic when I am able again.

Happy birthday beautiful women. I love you both so very much and treasure the role you play in my life. Hope you have a day as beautiful as you are!

Gratitude

"You've got to get up in the morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart."~ Carole King

I know that the past several posts have been quotes but when I read this one it just stayed with me. I some how signed up to receive a "great quote to start your day on a positive note" each morning by email and this one arrived a few days ago. Beside the fact that I have a CD of Carol Kings that takes me back to the music that I grew up listening to, so receiving a quote from one of her songs was an added bonus.
It seems that sometimes life gets so busy that the kind acts done out of love for those close to us often get pushed to the side. We get caught up in our own problems and situations that the love in our hearts isn't alway shown. This is how I have been feeling a little lately. My heart is overwhelmed with greatfulness for all of you and for all your support, love, concern, care and kindness. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful people. I recognize that during times of difficulty I tend to close up and shut people out. Right or wrong, I guess it's just my way of handling things. Tonight I am comforted by all of you and feel compelled to share the gratitude and love in my heart.

Cleansing the "Colored Lens"

"Ordinary people and ordinary events have surprisingly little effect on our happiness and peace until we add our highly personal interpretation to what just happened. Once we do this, we become victims of our own perceptions and believe that what we ourselves are doing to the world, the world is doing to us."

It seems that this last bout of sickness has really pushed me to think about steps toward change. Change that brings about a healthier life style and a healthier Cory. I have been reading "The Little Book of Letting Go" as most of you know this is an area that I really struggle with.
How is it that our minds get stuffed with so many thoughts, so many voices from the past, so many regrets, fears, memories that we create roadblocks to happiness without even realizing it?
"Once we think a thought that thought becomes the lens through which we see the world. Of all the things out there, this thought determines what we select and what we overlook."
Today I take steps toward identifying those negative thoughts that color my lens and I take steps toward learning to "free" my mind.

One Day At A Time

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.--R. W. Emerson

My Little Stud Muffin

Nonnie was babysitting the little guy while I was working at the shop. I ordered these little green pants for him at market over six months ago. Anyway they finally came in. I couldn't resist trying them on him! He looked soooo cute I really couldn't stop looking at him and smiling. Just thought I would share. :)

A Spontanious Night with the Ladies

Me, Elizabeth,Amanda,Misty

Okay so I have to start by saying this never happens!!!! None of these girls are drinkers, in fact I don't believe that I have ever even seen Amanda drink. It just so happens that she visited The Keg (a delicious restaurant in chandler) a few days ago and came across the "martini." Sound familiar Jamie????? It seems a little odd that of all the drinks that taste good to those of you that don't like the taste of liquor, it is a martini!!! Anyway Amanda lit a fire under the girls and decided we needed to get out, away from the hubby's, children, and every other responsibility we had that night. It was time to let loose. We ended up going to TGIF. I really don't think I have laughed that hard in a quite some time!

Thanks ladies it was much needed!!!!

Happy 11 months my little busy bee!

Today my little boy turns 11 months old. I think to myself, "where in the world did the time go?" It seems like just a few months ago I was lying on the couch with him asleep on my belly. If only he fell asleep that quickly and easily these days...

He is such a busy boy. Wanting to explore everything his world has to offer him. I can't really blame him for being curious, it just makes his momma work all that harder :)

Brodes continues to LOVE music. He will hear a tune and it'll send him into a little jivin bug. His hip action would have put Elvis out of business.:)

He loves to take in his environment. Looking around, testing things out, joining in with the others. He is also becoming such an independent little guy. He used to cling to me when he would find himself in a new environment or around new people. Now, we can go somewhere and he is perfectly content on his own. We met Auntie Jess, Asher, Journey, Allison, Noah and Hayden at the mall this morning to play in the kids area. This was Brody's first visit to the little playground so I was interested to see how he would do. Immediately he was on the go without even looking back to see where momma was. It was fun to watch him and I can say that it actually makes me relax a little bit knowing that he isn't going to freak out if I am not around. Of course there will be those times but I am beginning to realize that with his independence comes more independence for me.... Yay!!!

Another "first"... he has officially learned to drink through a straw. Yesterday I let him have some of Matt's strawberry shake, thinking he wasn't going to be able to get any through the straw anyway. Well, he proved me wrong!

He is walking all over the place, rarely ever crawling now. His new favorite word is "hot." When he is in his highchair and we put his food on his tray he will say "hot". He'll walk up to Daddy or Mommy's cup of coffee and say "hot." Most often "hot" is used when we get into the car. Poor little guy that carseat really does get hot!

I think his favorite things are balls and anything that makes noise or plays music. He loves his little bug house that Nonnie gave him but is most interested in the bugs when Asher is playing with them.:) (of course)

He loves water and is absolutely thrilled to be outside. He now wakes up and reaches for any door that will take him outside. He'll cry when mommy says, "it's too hot baby." Perhaps this is why the car rides are getting much easier. When I ask him if he wants to go bye bye he starts waving his arm and heads for the door. He is truly delighted to get out of the house these days. I guess this means more growth for me as I am such a hermit! :)

Oh the ways motherhood challenges us!

Daddy Son Outing

While I was sick, Matt decided he would take little Brodes on an outing to give me some healing time. Where did he take him you ask???? Brass Pro Shop of course :) Matt couldn't resist this new hunting beanie he found on sale for $3.99! (by the looks of it I really can't imagine why it would be on sale...)

Anyway, Brodes got to be the one to break it in before the big hunting trip this October. If you ask me, it just made me start thinking about Halloween.

What in the world is brody going to be this year??????

whoever said "dog" was man's best friend?