GIVING THANKS!

A Whole Lot'a Family

It's been a super long time since my family has been in the same house.  Unfortunately not everyone was there, but there were many gathered rather tightly in my home this Thanksgiving season.  Lets see.  There was my sister Dawn and her son Alex, both in from Texas.  Then there was Kristy in from Idaho, Michael, Melissa and their baby boy Austen from Utah,  Mom and step-dad Bob from Arizona.  Finally and most importantly to me, my babygirl Jessica and grandson Ryker.  Oh how I wish Josh would've been here but he is at that "I can't stand to leave my girlfriend" stage that many of us can relate to from when we were teenagers. 

The Fam Bam 2012

 I was thankful to share such a special day with many special people whom I love so dearly.  Life is so short and I think it's important, no matter how chaotic it can seem, to spend as much time with our families and friends as often as the opportunity presents itself.  It was almost the perfect day for Pete and I...would have been great to have had Josh, Kassi, Samantha and her family here too.  Maybe someday it'll happen. 

I have been so blessed by God and I have so very much to be thankful for.  I hope I never take for granted any of the many blessings in my life.  Thank you Lord, for these, my loved ones.  Bless them and keep them safe in your arms, anointed with your love and guided by your light.  Amen

Dawn, Michael, Mom, Kristy, yours truly

 

 

 

Bunch of turkeys waiting to dig in.

Welcome Little Ryker

The new Starkey Family

Oma and Ryker

Beautiful baby boy

touchdown

the proud new mama

Our new gift from Heaven

He's finally arrived!  My grandson Ryker James Starkey was born on February 26, 2011 at 8:35 am.  He's a healthy beautiful baby boy weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz.  19 in. long.  I couldn't be more proud!  Jessica did an amazing  job bringing him into this world.  I admire her for her strength and grace. My babygirl is now a mama...
Pete and I feel so blessed to have yet another precious grandchild added to our lives.  Welcome Ryker, may God bless you and keep you.  We love you!

Oh the Joy!

There's nothing better than starting the new year out with visiting the kids.

Our trip started with an early morning departure from Vegas to Boise.  Pete and I got up before the birds, filled up our coffee mugs and jumped in the car.  Boise bound!
When we arrived, 11 hours later, we went to Jessica and Nicks place.  Oh my babygirl looks so dang cute with that pregnant little belly!

All was going well and we decided to head our for some much needed dinner.  Red Robin was the vote and off we went.  After enjoying a delicious meal and conversation, my dear son-in-law excused himself to the restroom.  No biggee right?  Well, it wouldn't have been except for he really went to the waitress and told her it was Pete's birthday.  Pete's birthday isn't until AUGUST!  So after a few minutes here comes the gang of Red Robin employees singing and clapping and they kindly place a sundae in front of my ever so red faced husband.  Nick, "poppa's" gonna get you!!

Day 1:  The Baby Shower
What a great day!  Many of Jessica's friends and family gathered around her to celebrate the upcoming birth of baby Ryker.  I was in heaven watching my daughter glow with that soon-to-be mom excitement.  I know that she is going to be an amazing mother.  I'm so very very proud of her.  While we celebrated, Josh and Pete played round after round of Pool in the clubhouse game room.  That boy of mine is a gem.  He too makes me very proud.  Josh has a quick wit and an impressive imagination.  He shows that through his amazing talent in movie making.  Tune into YOUTUBE and look for JOSHYBOY013 and you'll see what I mean.

Day 2: On the road again to Cottonwood, ID
Again we're back in the car, this time headed further up north to Pete's hometown, Cottonwood, population 1,005.  Yep, it's a small town alright, but it's beautiful up there and did I mention... COLD!?!  We spent the day and night visiting with Pete's mom and a handful of his 9 siblings.  Pete is 10th of 11 kids.  His brother Dan passed away 3 yrs ago.  I wish I could have met him too.

Day 3: On the road again for another 2 hrs to get to Colfax, WA
Here we arrive to see Samantha and her little family.  We are introduced to new baby girl Maybelle, the newest addition to the family.  Lil' man Buckley is asleep when we get there but wakes shortly after our arrival.  What a great time we had with Charlie, Samantha and the precious grandkids.  Samantha and Charlie are awesome parents, we couldn't be more proud.

Day 4: Sweet Kassi arrives at Sam's house
Alas! The trip wouldn't be complete without seeing ALL our kids.  The house is full, the laughter is loud and the love is strong.  Pete and I played and fed and diaper changed and bounced and carried those two little babies as much as we could.  We wanted to take advantage of each moment best we could.

Day 5: Back down the hill to Lewiston
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  After saying our goodbyes to Charlie, Samantha and the babies, Kassi, Pete and I jumped back in the car for an hour drive to Lewiston to drop Kassi off.  But not before doing some shopping!  We found Kassi a beautiful dress for our wedding in May.  Kassi, Sam and Jess are going to be our Bridesmaids (more about that at another time).  After shopping and lunch we sorrowfully said goodbye to Kassi and it was off to Cottonwood again where we stayed the night to rest up for our trip back down the mountain to Boise the next day.

Day 6: Boise bound...AGAIN

My babygirl and my main man

Love that belly

Chica and Chico

Opa meets Belle

Opa bonds with Buck

Worn out Oma snuggles with Buck

Precious baby Belle

His "favorite youngest daughter" Kassi

On our way down the mountain we stopped to see Denice (my bff).  Then it's onward to Boise.  We make a quick visit to see Josh, then Jess, then back to hotel.  Next day it's back to Vegas we go.  Wooooweeee....what a week!  What a blessed blessed week!

Blending Families, Creating New Beginnings

Summer 2010: The kids visit Vegas

Pete and I were so blessed this summer to spend time with our kids. His daughter Kassi was the first to arrive. Kassi is Pete's youngest of 2 daughters. Samantha, the oldest was not able to join us...she's pregnant with baby #2!! We had such a nice time visiting with Kassi one on one while we awaited the arrival of Jessica and Josh just days after Kassi. The kids had never met before but we knew they'd get along just fine. And...they did.

Jess and Josh arrived on August 9th. Joshua's first time in Vegas, Jessica's second time (she'd visited with her dad and step-mom a few years back) Kassi had been out several times in the past 7 years because of Pete living here for that time.

We took the kids out to all kinds of places, they rode rides, visited exhibits, bowled and saw the strip at night. A good time was had by all, despite the 100+ degree temperatures.

I'm so happy that we were able to spend that time with the kids, it made my summer!!!

Customize a photo album

Spring Vacation

Memories Made That Last Forever

I just spent 11 awesome days with the man who holds the key to my heart. Pete and I had a great time in Las Vegas. My honey got us tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel and we had a blast. A while back I'd mentioned to him how much I'd love to see that show someday, it was on my "bucket list"...sooooo, what does he do? We had great seats, 8th row from the stage. I was in awe the whole time, I LOVED it.

From Vegas we flew back to Boise and drove up north and spent a few days there to visit his two daughters and grandson and all of Pete's family. I had a great time getting aquainted with them all. Everyone was so kind and loving and they made me feel right at home. Pete's daughters are not only beautiful but sweet and kind and funny, I feel we hit it off just fine. Buckley, the grandson is a ham. That baby is the most smiley baby one ever did see. All in all the trip was too good to ever forget.

I am so extremely happy right now. I can't imagine entrusting my heart to a better human being. The way Pete loves me is like no other love I've ever known before. I truly cannot find words to describe what I feel when I'm with him. We just fit. We just do.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

My Children, My Gift

Christmas is the most beautiful of holidays, in my opionion. It's not about the gifts, the ribbons, the trees, and all that sparkles...that's all good and pretty. It helps set the mood and highlight the upcoming event. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It's about remembering the gift He gave to us all. Not only is He the ultimate gift, His grace blesses us with other such awesome gifts...our children. Sometimes our children are brought forth by birth, others by the gift of adoption, and others by parent-like relationships with children we surround ourselves with. No matter how our children come to us we can all be part of a child's life. In my case I have two wonderful children that I adore and cherish. I'm so thankful that I was able to spend the Christmas day with them. Of all the gifts I could receive there is nothing that compares to the gift of having my children with me, happy and healthy. Those two kiddos make me laugh and make me blessed to be a mom.

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas. I hope you were able to share this time with friends and family. I hope you laughed, rejoiced and created memories to last forever. I know some of you have suffered a loss of someone special, some suffered with an illness, some got hurt in a most painful way and this may not have been the best of times for you. Hold on to hope, be strong, and if you have faith in God keep close to His side...things will look up. God bless you all.

IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Every year we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, a day to highlight our blessings. We stop and reflect on the things we are thankful for. I really think it's important to do that everyday. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day stresses and drama that we sometimes forget to stop and focus on the wonderful things that surround us. As a Christian I know that daily I am blessed. All I have to do is look around me and there are signs and wonders everywhere. The simple fact that I am ABLE to see them is a blessing in and of itself. The sheer fact that I wake up to another day is a blessing. I am thankful for so many things in my life and for the many people that love me and support me. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for my children. I'm thankful that they are alive and well, happy and healthy. Look around and count your blessings, you'd be amazed at what you come up with.

This Thanksgiving was spent at Tom and Patty's house. I was blessed again to be amongst friends that love me and my children whom I adore.

Christmas

This year for Christmas Josh and I were in our own place as opposed to last year when we were staying at Jim and Christine's house. We decorated our apartment the day after Thanksgiving and it turned out really nice. I love decorating for Christmas and Josh loves to do all the lights. On Christmas Eve I spent the evening with my sisters at my dad's house. We had a delicious dinner that was prepared by my step-mom, Susana, we exchanged gifts and we took lots of pictures. Later that evening Joshua and I went home and straight to bed. Christmas morning Jessica and her fiance Wes came over to spend the day with us. I love being with my two precious children no matter what the occasion. We are extra blessed now with Wes joining in family functions. Wes proposed to Jessica on December 20th at the Idaho Botanical Gardens...how romantic. Jessica hasn't set a date yet but looks like it might be September 2009.
I went back to work today after having taken the week off for Christmas. It is always so hard to go back to work after taking a vacation. Ugh!