"Isle of Palm, SC" Summer Vacation June 2009

Last summer, the family was blessed to spend a week with some of the extended Harris family members. We rented a house on the beach for a week, and it was truly a beautiful time spent with family. Memories made, laughter shared with one another and even some "awkward" moments in which some of us learned a great deal from one another and have been forever changed.

The transition for me and the girls over the past couple years, although difficult for me, I feel have been less difficult for the girls. I have the Pendergraft family to thank for that, and because of their love and commitment to me and my girls, I am forever grateful. The Flander's family was a part of this week in addition to a brief visit from Gaga! The girls had an amazing time and are hoping for another trip this year.

Dale and Emily too were a part of this trip and a big part of my new growing family. It was so wonderful to watch everyone spend time together and although many of us have differences and opinions, we made attempts to all blend and enjoy having the time to be together. Especially in times like these and working as hard as I have been, it was nice to shut the world away and watch the kids.......looking towards the future and what we have to look forward to, what we have the power and wisdom to change........ a chance to forgive and move forward.

.......................And the wonder of it all

Florida "Spring Break"

Sun 2009

Another family vacation in sunny Florida for me and the girls.......these photos are from last spring break (April) when I went to see the family in Florida. I can't believe how long it has been since I have been on this blog!!!! Shame on me I know, but I will do better!!! I got a MAC last year and it is wonderful what I can do with photos now. My next step is a new camera, I just need to start saving for the one I want!!!

The girls are always amazing to watch together. Lily and Anna love being with their cousins so much. For the most part they all get along well with one another!!!! The older ones are complete goofballs and think everything is soooo funny!!! It's a little weird to watch the older ones growing older.....oh what the years to come have in store for Patty and I!!!!!

....Spending time with my Beauties!!!

...well where do I start with life these past few weeks. I guess to start off on a sad note, Lily and Anna's granfather passed away this past Saturday. Although he is in a much better place and out of pain, it was a hard reality to face, that he was gone. The funeral was Wednesday and was truly amazing. The church was filled (the same church Ken and I were married in to boot), so many people loved him. He was a wonderful man and I feel blessed that I was loved by him. Lily took the news pretty hard, she will still ask me every morning, "did Grandad really die and go to heaven?" She loved him sooo much....

The winter moves on, but we actually had some snow to enjoy this past week as well. Of course school was cancelled, Charlotte does not know what to do when snow falls. We had about 3 inches and was a lot of fun to play in....that is until we couldn't feel our faces or hands anymore from throwing snow balls at eachother.

The girls continue to amaze me everyday. Lily is growing into her own little person. Still struggling with school, partly because she is up at 6am!!! But likes to learn her way and her teacher is also one that needs to retire!! She has taught for 20 years and seems to be a little burned out. But I am trying to do more at home when I have the energy at night. Anna grows everyday and is so easy to love. She is a very intense thing.....lord help us when she doesn't get what she wants, but we love her!!!

......and the wonder of it all!!!

Well....its 2009!!! What a year, I must admit. I am looking forward to a bright new year and making it a great one! This year was tough, I didn't get the girls until Christmas day afternoon. Dale, Emily and I went to go see the movie "Marley and Me". was very good, and a tear jerker. Christmas night was great. The girls ripped through their presents like crazy kids, but they were very happy thats for sure. Lily of course loved her Hannah Montana "Steppin Stage" and plays with it constantly. Grammy was a huge winner with all of her Hannah Montana Barbie Dolls, Auntie P too.

We spent New Years Eve with Emily's mother and had a great time also....Dales dad came by for a visit as well. Lily is now convinced that he is the Real Santa!!! The crew decided to go ice skating downtown on one of the coldest nights, but it brought back great memories for me when I used to skate as a kid. My birthday was spent at Chuck E Cheeses.....I know, hilarious!!! I was sick and had no energy for anything else, but the girls had a blast!

I hope this New Year brings everyone much happiness and joy. I know that I plan to make the most of this year and remember the things in my life that I feel blessed for.

......and the wonder of it all

Introducing.......Jake!!!!

I know....some are thinking I have lost my mind. Just when I thought I couldn't put any more on my plate, or have any more responsibilities....I get a puppy for the girls!!!!

But, I can honestly say, I think it's been good for the girls. Lily and Anna are so good with Jake and so gentle. We had Duke and Annabell already when they were born, with Jake, they get to watch him grow and have responsibility in caring for him. Lily actually takes him outside to go potty (with me prompting her to do so, but she does it). Lily came with me to the breeder and got to see Jake's mommy and daddy, and the brother and sister he was leaving behind. I have never seen so many dachshunds in my life!!!

I have really missed Duke and Annabell, but I didn't want a puppy in the house I was renting. Now that I own my home, I felt it was time and I really wanted the girls to have him before Christmas. Lily came up with the name, with a little help from me. Jake Delhomme is our quarterback for the Carolina Panthers (which are having a killer season by the way), and Jake Long is the defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins (Dales team)...so with that.....Jake it is!!!!! Will keep you all posted, but I did forget about the puppy stage, potty training and that sad puppy cry!!! He loves to sleep with us, I put him with Lily first and she actually falls asleep faster now. Then when I go to bed, I take him in with me. Lily is a rough sleeper and Jake is just too little to handle himself in her bed. Right now he only weighs 2.2 pounds. we've had him at the vet and he is in excellent health....yay for us!!!!

.....and the wonder of it all

Here comes Christmas!!!!!

It's Christmas time!!!!! The girls have been havin a blast gettn ready for Santa, Lily was very into decorating the tree, where each ornament went and how many lights had to be on the tree. Was too cute to watch her, and she was so proud when we were all done. This year I had one of Lily's friends over to decorate sugar cookies. A favorite tradition of mine growing up. Lily and Anna helped roll out and cut the cookies the night before. Lily and her friend Cayleigh decorated the cookies the next day, while Anna slept. No way I could do that with Anna up, she'd want to lick all the frosting and eat all the cookies!!!!

Also some random recent photos of Lily and Anna with their Godmommy Katrina and their Grammy during her visit here for Thanksgiving. Lily and Anna are growing up so fast. It's hard not being with them every day, but overall, I think the girls and I are doing great and adjusting to our new life and new traditions.

This Christmas will be very hard for me due to the girls being with Ken on Christmas Eve. Can not even imagine not having them here waking up Christmas morning so eager to see what Santa has left. Lily's Gaga cheared me up a little with giving me "the Elf on the Shelf". Lily's aunt Mimi bought the last one at the "Buttercup" and passed it down to me. If you dont know what it is....a small red little elf that appears in your home during the holidays. He magically disappears every night to report to Santa how the children's behavior has been and if they have been "naughty or nice"....he then magically appears again some place different the next day... Anyway, Lily is so into this and has named the elf Nick. I love this age and how they truly believe in all the magic of Christmas. Every morning she is here with me she runs around trying to find Nick and where he landed when he "flew" back from the North Pole. A great family tradition and one you can get I think through Amazon (The Elf on the Shelf).

.....and the wonder of it all

Thanksgiving in Lenoir.....

Lily, Anna, Grammy, Dale and myself all traveled to Lenoir, NC to spend Thanksgiving with the Pendergrafts (Ken's sister Katy and her family). It was one of the most beautiful days, all the cousins and uncles were outside throwing the football to one another. I can honestly say that I had an emotional moment watching from the backyard. It was almost something you see in a movie and walk away knowing how much everyone truly loved eachother and were thankful for all the good things they have in their life.

I for one, was sure thankful for my beautiful little girls, having my mother in for a great visit, and most of all still feeling a part of the girl's family, even though Ken and I are not together, I love his family and had hoped I would maintain some kind of connection with them. Charles and Katy have been wonderful and I will be forever grateful for them opening their home to me and my new life to continue to be involved and love Lily and Anna.

Some of these photos capture the day; me and the girls, Lily with her cousin Sara and Lily with her Grammy and Gaga.

Great day and one I know I will remember for some time.

......and the wonder of it all