Merry Christmas !

What a wonderful day it has been. All my children were home and under my roof. Always makes me feel so good. I cherish every time we can all gather like this. Christmas was big and good. Such fun watching the grands open presents and all the excited squeals...even from the grands. hehe. we filled up on our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of belgian waffles and traditional dinner of chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and cream gravy. Pumpkin pies of course!

Matt and Mandy were suppose to get here last night in time for the Christmas eve service but hit the bad weather in Dallas and had to reroute away from I-2o. They had to drive 20 mph and still slid off the highway into a snow drift and got stuck. Some good Samaritans used their tractor to pull them out and off they went again. Finally they stopped in Stephenville for the night. Hated to not have the for the eve but so glad they made it here today safe.

The day was fun and can't wait for a week of all my kids, hanging out playing games, watching movies, and relaxing!

Hope all had a wonderful Christmas with family. I pray you took time to remember the reason we celebrate. Jesus is the greatest Gift of all.

Love to all...

Tis the Season for...SNOW!

I have turned over a new leaf this year. Once upon a time, when the kids were growing up, I always had my Christmas trees and decorations up on December 1st. But over the last ten years it rarely happens. Once I get busy with church decorations and all the parties and working, I can't find the time or the energy to get 'er done.

This year, I started my shopping well before Thanksgiving and had it almost finished before December ever arrived. I guess that's what motivated me. I had all the gifts sorted in the dining room and the kids were coming over that evening for dinner, so I decided to wrap the presents...imagine that! Which in turn motivated me to put up the decorations, which in turn, put me in a great frame of mind and turned on my Christmas spirit! I am actually enjoying the season this year. Usually I trudge through it. I enjoy it, but something is always lacking. Can't explain it

We had an awesome retreat in where we were reminded of the love of God towards us. Ever since, every time we sing about His love in worship, or I read something focusing on His love for us, my heart seems to be lifted and reminded and built up. Maybe this has re focused my heart towards the meaning of the season. My heart feels good right now.

The season so far is going well, then this morning I woke to the most beautiful snow! It's as if He sent His love message one more time.
I have been longing for snow...

What a Wonderful Life!

Oh My Goodness! I am blessed!

Living Loved!

Just got back last night from a wonderful weekend at Miller Ranch Retreat Center. It was our annual Fall ladies retreat at SAF. Our theme was Live Loud, Laugh Often, Love Much! And that we did! It was a weekend filled with laughter, soooo much laughter, being reminded how intentional we need to be with our relationships, and how well we are loved by God and when we grasp hold of that perfect love we love others well. We love well when we continue to dip into the "loving well." Beth Moore, via video sessions spoke to us on the subject of loving well, and of course it was filled with her distinct humor. She was hilarious and inspiring. Such a good time of teaching.

The laughter was shared through dramas, skits, games, line dancing to the "Hip Hop Hoedown" (should seen all us older ladies giving that one a whirl), and the most hilarious Talent (of course that part of it was inspiring, thank the Lord for them) or Lack-there-of Talent Show. Oh Goodness Me it was such fun!

The weather was so perfect and the grounds was filled with His presence. A very special time of communion at the foot of the cross was shared together Sunday morning at sunrise. The Lord was so good to send each one of us a special word. Good times with old friends and making new friends.

The Lord provided me with so many special ladies to gather around me and help put it together and hold me up in prayer. I am so grateful to them and Him. Through the experience of working hand in hand with them, God has taught me a great lesson about His love and His purpose for me and for others.

The entire weekend was filled with such memorable and inspiring glimpses of God's heart and messages to all of us. Lives were changed and healed and set on course.

I am so grateful for your grace sweet Jesus. Your love overwhelms me.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday sweetheart! Today is my sweetie's 51st birthday. My how the years have rolled on by. Seems like yesterday I spied that tall, blonde, handsome boy crossing the street in front of Odessa High School. I fell instantly for that charming smile that cause your eyes to almost disappear. I am proud to be your wife and have spent 34 years of my life with you. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

It was love at first sight and I still love you more than you'll ever know.

The best is yet to be...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

28 years ago today, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl i had ever laid eyes on. I could'nt believe she was mine. I remember thinking where did that dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin come from? I have fair skinned, blue eyed, blond babies! I had never considered the notion that this child would look entirely different than Landon. And oh how I wanted a girl! I was afraid to say it out loud for fear it wouldn't happen, but oh how I wanted my own little girl, and there she was, beautiful and perfect.

You see just six months before I became so very ill and almost a week into it, half dead, the dr determined I had a ruptured appendix. It had been ruptured for about three days and after ten days in the hospital where poison was being drained out of my system, and drugs going in, and a prognosis of "we don't know how this baby will be affected", I came home to wait and pray.

It was a long six months, but God showed up and she was born without incident and perfect and beautiful. I praise Him forever!

My sweet Jo, I knew the moment I met you, you were very special. I sensed God had his hand on your life and would use you in countless ways in your life. I have so many memories of Him doing just that and could tell countless ways you have touched others and touched the heart of God. You have brought such joy to my life. You are the most beautiful person inside and out that I have every known. You inspire me. And now you are a mother and you have experienced just a taste of the joy this new life will bring to your life. I love you more than life itself and thank God for the opportunity to be your mom.

Happy Birthday baby girl! Marme loves you!

Baby Time!

Lennon has been out of town for a few days and since Christal had worship practice, we got to keep addie on Thursday evening. She is such a doll! She toddles everywhere and talks so much! Just so sweet! I was able to twist Christal's arm to stay the night. That was really nice and we got them both for a few more hours. Mamo and Pa really had a good play time with her.

Landon & Sarah are gone for the weekend for some much needed get-a-way-relax-and-be-alone-time! Well, the only way that is gonna happen with two little ones is to leave those two little ones with mamo and pa!!! It has really been amazing. I had plans last night...pa kept them, I had a shower to do today...pa kept them. Pa is amazing. He has been right here with them and me, helping out without hesitation. He has even changed MULTIPLE dirty diapers!! I know...AMAZING! Now that may not seem big to this generation of dads who seem to be more involved with this area of childrearing, but believe me when I say I am quite sure this may be a first for him. What is not a first for him is his patience and endurance with kids. Mine on the other hand was wearing a little thin when I was bathing babies in the kitchen sink, hoping it would be a little easier to wash ellie's hair with the sprayer. She has a new fear of hairwashing. She has never liked it, and i don't know how long she has been this fearful, but she screams blood curdling screams from beginning to end, that would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. It didn't help. I finally hollered to pa for help. I couldn't hold her in the sink! We switched off babies and he began to talk to her so calm and soothing. He got her to sit back down, began to spray her lightly and let her play with it, and before long, after much coaxing she was half giggling and explaining to him how she would lay her head back and needed a wash cloth to hold over her eyes. She let him finish rinsing the shampoo out of hair. She then stood up proudly, giggling, "I did it!" Of course we gave her unending praise, and we praised Jesus too! I dubbed him the now hair washer.

Last night we put gray in the baby bed in the guest room and ellie slept with us. she did pretty good, but the sleep for us wasn't the greatest, not bad though. Tonight I decided to try them both in the same room. Dare I? I did. They both layed right down without a peep and went sound to sleep. Now if it just lasts all night. If not, mamo and pa's bed is big enough for us all!

I cannot believe little michael is a month old already! Where has this last month gone?! I just really need to hold him so bad! Next week is Jo's birthday (28) and we of course will run down there for a couple of days. I can't wait! I miss them all so much.

It is such a nice problem to try to figure out how to spread out our time and love amongest all our little darlings!

Sweet Feet! Sweet Baby!

Fresh bathed baby...he is always sooo relaxed! He slept for 5 hours afterward! If we could just get that turned around to night time. I really believe he gets prettier every day!

He really likes his big bed in the nursery and napping on his belly! That's when he'll sleep the longest.

What bright eyes...he seems to be looking at the world around him. His eyes are deep...

Just 2 more days...I really don't know if I can stand to leave little munchkin man behind...

More Visitors!

Baby Michael had a few more visitors yesterday...

Uncle Ricky came from Corpus and had dinner with us and checked out his new nephew.

Nanny and PaPaw came too and spent the night.

They all thought he was pretty sweet!

Stolen Pics & Stolen Moments...

mamo's first time to really snuggle with her little munchkin...
very emotional...

time with mamo and pa...so relieved your here safe with us...


So handsome...

A Wonderful Weekend!

It was a wonderful weekend. Baby Michael's uncles Landon, Mattie, and aunt Mush came to see him. They swooned and smooched all over him. They were quite smitten as well. Pa came in for just a little while as well, and tia Toni and uncle Bubba and PePaw came to see him. Wow, he had alot of good surprises! The last of the bunch just hit the road and it's back to daddy, mommy, and mamo!

Baby Michael is getting the swing of things a little better, although he has had some colic. Mamo walked and prayed over him this morning. He calmed and slept for quite awhile.

I have to say, one of the hardest emotions I find myself dealing with right now is watching my baby girl feel helpless and sad when she can't help her precious baby not hurt. Although I find myself telling her it's okay and almost all babies have tummy aches and cry like this, I go spiraling back almost 30 years to those hard days of colic babies and how helpless and overwhelmed I felt when I could do nothing to help Landon feel better. I still remember so well how inadequate I felt as a young mother and those feelings are fresh when your child is feeling the same way. I do know how she feels but that doesn't help her right now. This I do know sweet Jo, you are the best mommy for little michael, he loves you so much, and as I watch, he quiets when you take him and whisper in his ear...michael...it's alright...mommy's here...it's okay. Precious moments. Your tears are the love of a mommy.

I got a few shots of Mattie & Mush with baby Michael before they left. And here he is with his great Pepaw! Landon just wasn't here long enough for me to chase him down with my trusty camera. I'll get him soon.

A new week is beginning...the second week of baby Michael's life.

We're settling in...

Michael David Looking so Sweet...

As I post this he is creeping up on 2 days old! He is doing very well, and looking more handsome every day. Still dealing with a bit of respiratory problems, but it's getting better. He has to breath harder than normal and it exhausts him, so he sleeps alot and it doesn't leave him with enough energy to suck much, so he's not real interested in nursing, or the bottle either for that matter. But every feeding time he makes progress.

He is such a sweet cuddler...

Here are a few new pics for today, and as you can see, he is settling in very nicely to bloggerville!

A Few Sweet Moments...

He's Here!

It was a long, quiet, day...

Until the big moment arrived, and then drama began. baby boy tried real hard, mama tried real hard, but it was just too much on baby boy and with mamo standing off to the side, praying with all her might, through massive tears, the decision was abruptly made to whisk my baby girl off to the OR for an emergency c-section so that baby boy would arrive safely into our lives.

As we waited so impatiently, through a flood of tears and emotions, outside the OR doors, jo's nurse, chellee, pushed quickly through the doors, and through tears, told us he had arrived, screaming and crying, safe. mama and baby boy were doing fine. he was a VERY big boy. she was surprised and so were we. dr had estimated 7 1/2 to 8 lb baby. baby boy surprised us all at 9 lb. 1 oz., and 21 1/2 inches long.

I finally got to hold them both and I was much better. I was sad to not be there physically when he was born, although my heart never left her side. It was a time I had looked so forward to experiencing with my baby girl. I was sorry she had to go through all she did and didn't get to experience natural childbirth. I wanted to take her place. But God had it under control. I'm so thankful he is here, safe, and in his mama and daddy's arms. So very thankful.

Michael's face was shining when he came out to tell us and show us pictures. I could definitely tell by his face that he was a different man than a few minutes before. he was a daddy and he was in love. My how a baby changes your life instantly. He is going to be the best daddy ever. Thank you Lord for such a wonderful, perfect mate for my girl.

We don't have an official name...yet. But i'm sure today a decision will be made and I'll post when it's official.

Congratulations Kotze family. Welcome to a brand new world.

Welcome to the greatest adventure you'll ever experience.

Just a little while...

and I'll be a mamo again! We're in San Antonio. We came last night. Today Jo and I made an HEB run and bought a basket load of groceries, came home and made tuna fish sandwiches like we had when they were kids and I had when I was a kid. They were so delicious!

We made some last touches to the nursery, liking hanging the wall hanging up, "Let him sleep for when he wakes he'll...move moutains." Looks so cute. We just hung the canvas hangings that match her bedding and a few other random things, and pa and daddy went and got a glider rocker and put it together. It now sits in the corner of the nursery waiting to do it's job.

We cooked dinner and just finished eating and cleaning that up. Everyone is getting their showers and we'll probably "try" to get a good nights sleep. 7:00 am in the morning we'll be at the hospital, if not before, and this long awaited baby boy we'll soon be in our arms. I still find it hard to imagine my baby girl having a baby. I think she's a wee bit nervous and anxious.

Lord, I pray for this birth to be smooth and quick, for Jo's nerves to be calm, and mamo's too! Bring baby boy into this world safe and healthy. Keep your hand on them both. Bless this new family. Let Your presence be in the room and with Michael too. We are so very thankful and blessed...

Snuggle Time's Comin...

The surburban is full, and loaded with various items, my suitcase and overnight bag have been packed for 4 days, work is caught up through the end of the month, and I am set on GO! So come on little baby boy, mamo is getting impatient to meet you and snuggle and rock my precious new grandbaby boy!

Soon...very, very soon.

Will it be tonight?

Happy 32 years!

We met 34 1/2 years ago. The first time I saw him it was the first day of school, my first day in high school. He was walking across the street in front of the front steps of Odessa high school. His blong hair was blowing and his sweet smile was shining as he said hi to everyone he passed. It seemed like he was walking in slow motion. I was smitten. Totally! I was instantly in love and a couple of months later on another such encounter I felt in my heart I would marry him one day. We didn't begin to date until March of that year. It was our sophomore year and we married 2 months after we graduated high school and a month after my 18th birthday.

32 years ago today I married my sweetheart, my best friend. How that much time has passed I cannot fathom. I love him more today than even then. We have been blessed beyond more than we deserve. Life is precious.

I love you baby.

Happy Freedom Day!

Yesterday we drove to Odessa to have a 50th birthday party with friends we went to high school with. We celebrated all turning 50 this year. There were about 20 of us. Just a nice time.

We also spent a few hours with my daddy, who is doing exceptionally well. I was very pleased. Then spent the night with mama and dad. Had breakfast with them this morning, went and spent some more time with daddy, headed home. Went straight to landon, sarah, and babies and had a great cookout of kabobs and icecream with them and lennon, christal and addie. When it got dark and the fireworks got going we drove over close to them and parked in a parking lot and got out with the babies on pa and daddy's shoulders, with doc in tow, we watched ellie with utter glee as she watched the fireworks, assigning every one to each of us. "That one your's pa! That one's for you mamo! That's your's mommy and your's daddy! That ones for gray-gray! Oh look at that one! Oh Oh Oh!" Stuff like this is so much bigger through her eyes! Love it!

I don't know of a better day. Spent time with my parents, my kids, grandbabies, honey, and had a wonderful meal and fantastic fireworks. Just an all around glorious day of freedom!

Thank you to all the brave men and women who fought and died that we may have days just like today.

God shed your grace on this land...

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads in my life! We had a wonderful day at church this morning, with a "Dadisms" tag team message by Landon, Lennon, Heath and Andrew. Totally awesome! They all did such a fantastic job. Also a couple of really cute videos for dads, one by all the kids to their dads. Sweet. Concluded with a time of prayer over all the men. Always love that.

Afterward we came back to the house and we had a feast of chicken and cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, guacomole and fresh made salsa. And of course warm brownies with ice cream. All the kids were in since we had a beautiful baby shower for Jo. Such a sweet time...

Here lately I catch myself sitting and soaking in the sights and sounds of my house full of kids and grandkids. I savor every moment. I was sitting in the living room Friday night listening to landon, kylah, and matt sitting at the kitchen table laughing at each others antics as they chowed down on taco villa burritos brought back by landon. Those three been best friends a long, long time... It was so good.

Then by the next night the house was filled with their spouses and grandbabies. Then today, lennon and christal and addie joined us. i just love it, the bigger my family grows the better I like it. I can't wait to see 8 or 10 little babies running through my house.

And none of this would be possible without daddies! Thanks dads for all the joy you give us. I love you all.

I love my daddies today too! Wish I could have been with them.

Happy Mother's Day!

What an incredible day! Just the notion of it, a day for us! Jo & Michael came in and it was so good to have my girl with me. Her little belly is so big baby! I love it! I watched her when she wasn't looking...thinking how, although she is 27, this would be the last mother's day that she would be my little girl. Next mother's day she will be a mommy herself and her focus and life will be forever changed. She will be such a great mama. Yes, baby girl, you're ready and you will be. Certainly if the young, half-witted, self centered woman that I was could do this, you, so full of wisdom, beauty, patience,goodness and grace will be incredible!

While getting ready for service this morning I was praying and thanking God for my life, this life, He so richly blessed me with. Thanking Him for allowing me in all my ignorance and young mother mistakes and inabilities to have such wonderful children. Children that gave me more children, and together...more children. Life is precious, life is sweet! God is good...good to me. I am so thankful. This is the blessing for me on Mother's Day. I couldn't ask for anything more. If life ended tomorrow, I would live through eternity with all of them.

The only sadness today was not having Landon, Sarah, Ellie, Grayson, Mattie & Mandy with me. I was sad every time I thought of them. I know they had great days with the girls' families and I'm thankful they had today with them. I will see the babies and Landon & Sarah tomorrow, but Mattie & Mandy...soon babies, soon. I miss you so much.

Addie had her first ride on the bucky horse and liked it quite well...

But this little ride proved to be her favorite...

Such a cutie pie!

We had a wonderful cookout with steaks and sausage, beans, pea salad, potato salad baked sweet potatoes, strawberry pie and peanut butter banana pie! Jo & Michael, Lennon, Christal and Addie, Nanny & Papaw, Wesley & Toni and me and David enjoyed the food and time together so much. The greatest part of the day...The men got up from the table and all of them....ALL OF THEM...David, Papaw, Michael, Wesley, & Lennon cleaned the entire kitchen!!! I took a picture that I will try to post. It was a miracle! That made the top of the list for the perfect day!

I pray all my sweet mama friends had as incredible day as each of you are! I love you all!