Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas together surrounded by our family and friends.  We had Candle Light Service at our church before heading to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had a great time with our family laughing, eating, sharing gifts with each other. One of the greatest gifts was the safe arrival of my niece and her husband driving in that evening from California through the down-pour! We are so happy to have them here for a little bit.

Christmas morning we woke up to share a few gifts from each other. Anthony was so sweet to Isabella. He carried on a tradition that a friend helped Daddy start last year, getting Isabella a charm for her bracelet. Daddy picked a special little ladybug for his little lady and this year Anthony choose a cute little turtle because he thought it was the best charm for her.

After the gifts, it was time to play! Isabella thought that if Anthony could play basketball on his new goal then she could show him a few moves of her own!

 

Well, it was a different kind of Christmas this year mixed lots of feelings and some of the old things we did with Daddy and some of new things just for the three of us. God proved His love for us by the strength, love and hope that he filled us with each day. We HOPE you had a wonderful time and wish you well in 2011.

Merry Christmas!

We want to wish each of you and your families a very merry Christmas!
Thank you for your continued prayers for us as we walk this journey as a family of three. Even though we continue to miss daddy very much each day we are able to walk with such strength. We give God the glory for all He has provided-including our family and friends like you!

Like Father, Like Son...

Skeet Shoot 2010
Anthony
with Byron Frankland

Skeet Shoot 2007

Daddy

Daddy really enjoyed Skeet Shooting and helped get a Men's Tournament started a few years back through our church, TABC. (I love this picture of Dario, so focused.)
This year my dad invited Anthony to come along and he had a blast! Our friend, Bryon helped Anthony with his one shot. Anthony tells the story that he hit the target. I don't know if this is true but I love the idea that Anthony participated in something that his daddy had a hand in and enoyed so much.

New Smile!

Anthony pulled his first tooth out tonight all by himself!

Look at that smile!

Wasp Sting

Okay so it finally happened...Anthony went through most of this summer being so very afraid of getting stung by a wasp. He was a little obsessed and we saw quite a few wasps but nothing happened all summer . Until today...poor thing was just going out the back door at Grandma's House to see his Grandpa in the garden when all of a sudden a wasp swooped down and tagged Anthony on the hand. Now Anthony does not cry much at all, not a real, sad, hurtful cry, so I knew something really happened. He was just outside the window and I could see him start to run inside calling for me. I grabbed what I needed to care for him and was able to get him to calm down some but the best part of the story is what Isabella did...

She was so concerned for her big brother. She has not heard him cry like that but just a handful of times. While in Grandma's arms she started babbling something, leaning in to get closer to her brother she was able to put her hand on his shoulder and then started patting him. Patting our backs is how she hugs and tells us she loves us. She does this with me, Anthony and Grandma and Grandpa when we first pick her up in the mornings, after naps or at the end of a long day. So to see her do this to Anthony when he was hurting was so very sweet. It made Anthony smile, a great smile, through those big tears.

Later tonight when Anthony and I were driving back from a meeting at Bo's Place we were talking about his wasp sting and what Isabella did for him. He said that she made him smile and it made his heart feel special!

These two kiddoss are such a blessing in my life and I pray they will be the kind of siblings that are there for each other, to care and love on each other all the time. I hate that Anthony got stung by a wasp today but I'm thankful to see such a sweet expression of love. God is so good to give us just what we need at the just the right time. Keep your eyes open and you will see too.

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday...

When I asked Anthony what he wanted to do to celebrate Daddy's birthday the very first thing he said was he wanted to go to the ice cream shop next to the Game Stop where we went with Daddy. Now mind you the story he is thinking about happened about 3 years ago. Wow! What a memory this kiddo has!!

Since that is what Anthony wanted to do for his Daddy's birthday...that's what we did.

First, we went to Texas Roadhouse...one of Daddy's favorite restaurants and enjoyed Ribeye Steak...Daddy's favorite meat! (Isa stuck with just the green beans!) Then we headed over to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop and Anthony ordered Coffee Ice Cream because that is what Daddy liked. :) Finally, our night ended at Game Stop. Anthony sweet talked me into a fishing game for his Xbox because his favorite memory of Daddy was that he played games with Anthony. How can you resist that? So, that was our evening. I think we had a great family day, remembering Daddy and spending time together.

We have had many family and friends send us emails, texts, phone calls and other messages throughout today letting us know that they are keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. Please know how much we appreciate it. I believe it has truly made a difference throughout this special day.

 Daddy's favorite verse (well at least one of them!) 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ~Philippians 4:13

That is the strength that gets me through each day, stronger than the last.

Remembering Dario's Birthday