Rain!

Guess who is enjoying her new raincoat and umbrella?

Every morning, Laura eagerly checks out the weather to see if she'll need her rain gear. : )

The rain we got here, gave our friends in VA snow.

I guess we'll have to settle for some snowmen artwork.

Happy Ampuversary! - Jan 6 Symes Amputation

Jan 6th marked one year since Laura's surgery. A friend posted "Happy Ampuversary".  Well, why not?  I think of the surgery as a positive thing. So, Happy Ampuversary it is!

W/o the sugery, Laura would not be walking, skipping, jumping or running!

I thank God for Laura, and her story!

Here she is walking/running back in July of 2010.

Nothing ever stopped this gal! And here she is now!

Nov 2011

You go girl!!

Growing, growing, GROWING!

All 3 kids are growing like crazy! This one, however, requires some added height onto her prosthetic leg when she grows! Seriously? 2 inches in just 4 1/2 months?!

 No wonder her right shoe won't stay on! I think her prosthetic foot must have shrunk!

43 1/2 lbs minus a 3 lb leg minus some clothes and shoes = 39 lbs! 

Here we are waiting for Mr. Scott. He added as much height as he could and ordered a larger foot, cover and metal piece to add more length. What a silly girl!

P.S. Girl, I'm glad your hair is growing too! That sure was some haircut you had! Lol!

Love, Mom : )

Happy New Year!

When you're in the military, you tend to make your own family with the friends stationed w/ you. These kids feel like family to me!

Here's a picture of our second oldest kids from about 8 years ago. Lol!

Our Happy New Year kiss! We've been together almost 20 years. I think we've missed 3 or 4 New Years kisses durring that time. I love you, Patrick!

 The 3 little ones put themselves to bed. : ) Happy New Year!

Christmas Day 2011

Every morning, Laura pulled a loop off the paper chain to help count down the days. This picture was taken 3 days before Christmas.

Laura was a little scared to come down the stairs. She thought Santa might still be here.

Love these kids!

She was so excited!

Sometimes we exchange silly gifts!

I bought this print in Okinawa and finally got it framed!

Can you believe I actually won this game from the PX?!

The boys were so thrilled!!

The aftermath!

Ok, Daisy wasn't there. But if she had been, she would have curled herself up next to baby Jesus and protected him with all she has.

What would you do if you got a new car? Why, pick up your best friend and go for a whirl, dah!

What a difference a year makes!

 Christmas 2010

Our first Christmas together as a family.

 And here we are, one year later.

Laura talking up a storm. Hard to believe how far she's come. I get all teary eyed looking at these pictures.

Christmas Tree

                                               O Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
  How are thy leaves so verdant!
  O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
  How are thy leaves so verdant!

  Not only in the summertime,
  But even in winter is thy prime.
  O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
  How are thy leaves so verdant!

   O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
  Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
  O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
  Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

  For every year the Christmas tree,
  Brings to us all both joy and glee.
  O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
  Much pleasure doth thou bring me!