Holiday Rush

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I have a few more things I need to do before I can scratch them off my "to-do list". I need to buy Christmas dresses for Joslyn and Allison, I have no idea why I waited until the day of to buy their dresses. I really don't think the PX even has a selection of Christmas dresses anymore. Thursday is laundry day (Tuesdays were my laundry days but since Philip came home we began doing laundry on Thursdays. I'm not sure why or how this happened).So tomorrow morning I'm doing laundry and everyone in this house gets involved with helping on laundry day. Joslyn and Allison seperate their clothes. Tops in one pile, bottoms in another pile and whites in a different pile. I need someone to help me carry all loads of laundry to the basement. Bath towels, all bed sheets, our clothes and baby's clothes. I do about 10 loads of laundry once a week. However having 6 washing machines and 6 dryers to myself makes laundry day a lot eaiser and faster! I really shouldn't complain about doing laundry. Having dirty laundry means my kids are busy at school and busy at playing! I should count my blessings! After all laundry is done its time to fold/hang-up everything. Thank goodness Philip is home now. He gets to take care of Moriah while the girls and I are running up and down the stairs and folding/hanging up laundry.


After laundry is done or while its in the dryer I need to make my Mom's famous Chocolate Cheese Cake. We are going to track Santa Claus online tomorrow as well. Tomorrow evening our family is meeting some friends at the church on post for Christmas Eve service. After the service we are going to another family friend's house for some Christmas Eve fun! Joslyn and Allison are excited because their best friends will be there too. Have a Wonderful Christmas Eve!!

Christmas Season!

Last Christmas was a really lonely Christmas for Joslyn, Allison and I. I was not much in the Christmas spirit. You see last year was the very first time I had Christmas without my parents. Joslyn, Allison and I were only able to to see my parents via webcam (which is better than not seeing my parents at all, so I really should not complain). Last Christmas Moriah was just a little bump in my belly and Philip was in Iraq. I am thankful Joslyn, Allison and I had each other.
This Christmas Season is and will be so much better than last year. Philip and Moriah are both here with us. The only blessing that could make this Christmas better would be having my parents here with us!

My Amazing Grandma

My Grandma was a wonderful woman. I love her so much and I will miss her so much. I am so excited about seeing her in heaven again. I Am so thankful that I was able to see my Grandma one last time. I was able to kiss her and talk with her. I am also thankful that my Grandma was able to meet Moriah and hold her before she went to her heavenly home! I will always remember what my Grandma said to me the last time I saw her. She said, "I am proud of you". I love you Grandma! See you soon!

Pre Funeral Planning

My Mom, Dad and I went to Lewis Funeral Home to pre plan my Dad's funeral. I would suggest everyone do this with their parents. Since my Dad was with us, he was able to decide what he wanted at his funeral. When God calls my Dad home, my family and I won't have to stress over planning and paying for a funeral. Everything has been taken care of and we can grieve without any stress. We joked and laughed most of the time we were there. I am very glad we did this and glad my Dad was there too.

They Call The Wind Mariah

I found the song with my baby girl's name in it! I'm going to buy this CD and Im going to sing it to her all the time!





They Call The Wind Mariah

Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria

Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire Joe,
And they call the wind Maria

Maria blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a’flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dying

Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria

Before I knew Maria’s name
And heard her wail and whinin’
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shinin’

But then one day I left my girl
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost, so gone and lost
Not even God can find me

Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria

Out here they got a name for rain
For wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no word but lonely

And I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Maria blow my love to me
I need my girl beside me

Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria

Maria
Maria!
Blow my love to me

Me and My Daddy!

I'm so thankful for every moment I get to spend time with my Dad. Today my Dad was my "shopping buddy". First we had lunch at Subway. Then we made our way to North Star Mall. My Dad helped me out with Moriah (Joslyn and Allison are back with their Dad this week). While I went into the different stores and tried clothes on, my Dad would sit on the benches with Moriah. One store I went into (Victoria's Secret) I spent way to much time(and money). I came out and saw my Dad holding Moriah. He was a little upset, "What took you so long? Here take her! I had one heck of a time trying to get her out of the stroller, but I finally figured it out"! Then we were on our way. My Dad and I went to the Cheese Cake Factory before we left the mall. We stopped at HEB Grocery Store and headed home. Now I'm back to laundry.

Build-A-Bear!

A few days ago I took the girls to Bulid-A-Bear. They had such a great time and a fun experience! Joslyn and Allison picked out cute outfits for their bears, named their bears, they have bear birth certificates, and the bears even have their very own "paws"port! Moriah and I enjoyed watching the girls have a wondeful time. Joslyn and Allison love thier bears so much. Fun! Fun! Fun!






Allison named her bear, Miley (after Hannah Montana)
Joslyn named her Bunny, Jennifer

Having Fun!

My BFF and I went to a birthday party Saturday night! I had a blast! But I stayed out WAY too late 2:30am. However I made it to church the next morning and I was even early to church!!
NOEMI & DENISE


Sunday I went to church, it was so good to be back at St. Paul. I missed it so much! Yesterday I went with my mother-in-law to Breakfast Prayer at her pastors house. Paula, the pastor's wife, hosts a Breakfast Prayer group at her home every Monday morning. Women of the congregation gather at Paula's home and pray the prayers that are on there hearts! There was a lot of praying! Then I went back to my in-laws house where Philip tracked me down on the phone. We were able to get on the web cam at my in-laws house with Philip. He was able to see Moriah in action! Today I didn't do much, just laundry and laid out in the sun- I'm working on my tan!
UNCLE FRANK & MORIAH

Independence Day 2009

My long time, good friend, Todd is engaged. His wedding is in August. Their Couples Shower was on the 4th of July. I was able to see and visit with so many of my really good friends at the shower. Everyone was so excited to see Moriah and I. Joslyn and Allison are with their Dad this week so everyone is really looking forward to seeing the girls next Sunday! I'm just so glad to be back in Texas with family and friends!

Finally! The Spa!

Today Joslyn and Allison's father came and picked them up and will have the girls at his house for the next week. The girl's were very happy to see their dad and half sister, Nessa. After Jason came to pick the girls up my best friend Noemi came and picked me up. My mom took care of Moriah for me. Noemi and I had lunch together, and then we went to the Spa and had a manicure and pedicure! I was so happy! I have gone a entire year without a manicure or pedicure. It is extremely expensive in Germany. Then we went shopping. It was so nice to go shopping again with Noemi. After an afternoon of shopping we went out to eat for dinner with Philip's parents and my parents. What a wonderful day of relaxing and fun shopping!

Summer Night Swimming!

Joslyn and Allison just could not wait another day to go swimming so last night we went to Grandma Norma's house and the girl's went for a little swim. My mom went with us and got in the pool too. They had a good time and the girl's are looking forward to swimming a lot more through out the summer!

TEXAS!

We finally made it back to Texas after living in Germany for about 1 year!! What an adventure...the girls and I flew ALL day Monday. We left our home in Germany at 6am Monday morning and didn't get to San Antonio until 10:30pm Monday night! We were greeted by some of our "Fan Club" in the San Antonio Airport. Philip's parents, Norma and David, Philip's Grandpa and his wife, Philip's brother, Frank and my parents! Moriah was given a gold bracelet with her name engraved on it and on the inside of the bracelet it is engraved "From GGPA 4-16-09" (GGPA-Great Grandpa). Such a spoiled little princess already!
MORIAH'S FIRST PLANE RIDE

PUTTING ON HER NEW BRACELET

Tuesday the girls and I went to WAL-MART for the first time in 1 year! I almost lost my mind. The girls and I were going crazy and wanted to buy so many clothes! I controlled myself and only spent $100. Later Tuesday night we met up with our good friends, Tom and Sue Carter as well as my best friend Noemi and her son Nathan and we all ate dinner at Chris Madrid's. We had good American hamburgers. It was so delicious!
JOSLYN, NATHAN, ALLISON AT CHRIS MADRID'S


Today I went to the Social Security Office and finally applied for Moriah's social security number. Then my mom, the girls and I all did more shopping! We are just having a blast in Texas!!

Carnival and Movie

Yesterday the girls and I went back to the Carnival one last time. We didn't stay very long because it began to rain and it was cold.
The girls are deciding on which chocolate covered fruit they want...so many choices!


After the Carnival the girls and I went to the movies to see "UP". It just came out in our theater over here! It was a very cute movie!! We all enjoyed it!

New Summer Hair Style & Party!

Today Joslyn had a hair appointment. I had 3 inches cut off the bottom and long layers throughout her hair. She loves it! Joslyn says it feels much better and she was looking at her reflection everywhere we went today!

The Back - Before Haircut
The Front - Before Haircut

The Back - After Haircut

The Front - After Haircut

After Joslyn's hair appointment we went to our neighbor's Princess Birthday Party. Elizabeth turned 4 years old!

German Strawberries!!

This morning the girls and I joined a group from the Chapel and went out to a strawberry field to pick strawberries. Joslyn and Allison brought a basket and bucket to fill with strawberries. Allison was in heaven (she LOVES strawberries)!! Allison filled her bucket to the brim with strawberries! The girls had so much fun finding nice, red, plump, fat, strawberries and then picking them. After we picked strawberries we went to lunch with the group. The restaurant had a play ground where the kids could play while we waited for our food. It was fun! Now I have sooo many strawberries...I need to look up strawberry recipes!

The Patriarchs

Today I began my 2nd week of Beth Moore's bible study The Patriarchs! I'm extremely happy to be involved in a Beth Moore bible study, even if I have done this study before. I enjoy the fellowship and digging in deep in God's Word with the women at the chapel! Moriah attends the bible study with me while Joslyn and Allison attend Character Camp at the chapel. They played games, made a book about God's creation and had snacks! We all look forward to Wednesday mornings!