Merry Christmas Ashlei

Jace and I decided to ride with Grandpa and see Ashlei while Grandpa was seeing Grandma. Today is the 26th of December - Grandma was buried exactly 12 years ago.

This is the first Christmas we have spent without Ashlei and though yesterday was wonderful, I think we all had Ashlei on our minds. We didn't talk much about her, but I think she was there. These pictures are of Jace placing some flowers next to his Mama's grave.

We love you Ashlei! We think of you everyday! We miss you!

P.S. - And Ashlei, don't worry...Jace knows exactly who you are!

Any Comments...?

Sssssoooooooooo, I've had a blog for awhile and....I have no comments. Does anyone know I have it? Does anyone have anything to say? Hhmmm!

Christmas Time Blues :'(

I promised I would not be one of those "crazy people" who get all depressed at Christmas time... Well, here I am. Its not as bad of an episode as it could be, I guess. I have a job - I'm helping my Grandpa, my bills are paid; early, my animals are fed and healthy. I just don't have much money for much else - like Christmas gifts!

I feel like such a looser for not being able to get any gifts for anyone. My sisters and I did get together and got mom and dad a gift (woops...! Almost let it slip...again)!

I think when I start getting paid from Grandpa I'll start to feel better. Plus I'll be starting to take some college classes at Angelina in Jasper...that'll help feel like I'm making progress. And that's a FINALLY on that.

I don't have many regrets. In my opinion, what's the point of having htem? You can't change the past and YOU (or I) made the choice, so man up and stand by them - and I have, thus far. The two regrets that I still hold on to (one of those "I shoulda listened to the parentals") is:

1) I wish I would've finished the last two years of softball in High School. I lettered my freshman and sophomore year on the Varsity and quit. I will say the coach kinda sucked and really showed favorites, but my junior and senior year there was a new coach...an AWESOME coach!! And he BEGGED me to play. Said I could be just the pinch-hitter and not have to run the bases or play the field!! What was wrong with me?! I don't know...okay, regret #1.

and 2) not started college the fall following graduation! I will have to say that my counselor SUCKED big ones, my parents had no clue the steps it would take to get me on that road, as far as SAT/ACTs, etc., and I, certainly, had NO CLUE...

...Anyway, #1...can't do anything about it. I got my letter and moved on. #2...we're fixing. I little late, but fixing it...

Already feeling better. Watching Teen Mom on MTV, about to go see my Grandpa and eat some fish - I'll be ok!

Jace & Santa Clause

I have never seen a kid who LOVED Santa Claus as much as he does!!!

Our branch had their annual Christmas party on the 12th and Santa always comes.

When he saw him coming across the grass he grabbed me by the hand and headed in his direction. He was so ready to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas.

He just couldn't stop smiling!!!

"Paw Paw Neneth" & "Hobo"

Grandpa with a great-grandson, Lindon.

A "big" change has happened in our family...well, a change, none the less.

Since I am still out of work (I've not really been putting forth 100% either to find it), I have been hired on part time to help my Grandpa with his ADLs.

He is doing so much better - emtotionally, physically and so on.

For the past couple of days I've had Jace over at my home and he's come with me to help take care of Paw Paw Neneth. He LOVES him sooooo much. How does a little boy learn to love someone he hardly knows?!

Our little Jace is so special!! He has so much love in his heart for everyone he meets and hasn't met. He is so intune with other's feelings. He is constantly wrapping his arms around my neck and planting his sweet little lips on my cheek and letting me know he loves me!

Jace and I were in the little entrance area at the Wal-Mart in Woodville and out of the blue he said, "Auntie Em, Stanley's in Heaven, huh?" (Stanley was Megan's cockateil who recently passed away.) I said, "Yeah, buddy. He's in Heaven." He looked at me and said, "In Heaven with Mama?" What do you say to that?! All I could think of was, "Yep, with Mama. What are they doing?" And he said, "Stanley's flying around up in the trees and Mama is working hard. She's working with Jesus."

Holy cow, Jace? How often has your Mama come to see in while you sleep or while your playing quietly? What does she tell you? Jace, your Mama was given a blessing a few days before she died by Marky and it told her that you would know who she is and would love her! You know who your sweet Mama is and you love her so much!! I hope you have all kinds of memories of her! I pray your daddy will return to the Gospel and will take you to the Temple to be sealed with your Mama for all eternity!! She wanted that so bad, Jace!

She wanted you so bad and when you finally came she was so happy! Cancer and all, your little sweet spirit made her day.

Jace...Hobo...remember who you are and that your Mama is not here physically, she is always with you. Heavenly Father loves you and He wants nothing but the best for you. Jace, you are so special to me - your my Hobo! My little helper! I love you so much!

Santa Claus & Christmas Light!

So this is this years tree!! My old star (plus all my lights) did not work this year. I got this new BEAUTIFUL star and some more lights and my tree went up and it is gorgeous. My tree has always been simple; lights and red and white candy canes, but this year I decided to change it up a bit. This year I put up different color/flavored candy canes and I have put the stockings on the tree.

I know its kinda goofy, but since I don't have kids, I have stockings for my animals...some of them. My horses (Lucky Joe, Aurora, Pearl and Scarlett) and my dogs (Kaysi and Daisy) have one. I LOVE my tree this year!!

Here are a few pictures of this snow we got this year...two years in a row!!!

This view from my bedroom window looking over Bro. Slagle's garden and toward the road.

Some of Bro. Slagle's bushes that held the snow really well!

View from my front steps looking over Bro. Slagle's blackberry bushs.

Another pretty picture looking over Bro. Slagle's garden and toward the road.

'Tis The Season!

I'm so happy that the Christmas season is here!! It seems that the more humble they are, they better they are. I am so thankful I have a knowledge of the "Reason For The Season."

The tree is up, the decorations are out, the stockings are hung, and the Christmas candles are lit!! *Sniff* "Aaaahhhhh...!!!"

Santa...we're waiting!

Can We Fix It?... Yes, We Can!!

So Jace was hearing "the guys" working on the bridge earlier today and I promised him that before his nap and after they went home we would go see "Scoop" and the rest of the tractors. We got half way and quickly turned around to get my camera so I could totally capture these photos.

Here's Jace telling me how tall Scoop is...

Sitting in the seat all by himself
Very proud to be touching the big tractors

"Auntie Em, this tractor is cold..."

"Auntie Em, I LOVE these scoops!!"

He thought it was pretty cool that the scoop was bigger than he was!

He especially loved this Scoop

It took some convincing, but he learned that this scoop was actually a grator

Most of these little "poses" were his idea... He loved climbing all over the equipment!! Can we say 'All Boy!!'