Happy Birthday Mom

Today is not only the last day of the year...it is also my Mom's birthday!

We now refer to her as MiMi. We all took MiMi out to one of her favorite restaurants in town for lunch. It also happens to be one of my favorites as well. Then we invited her back here for birthday cupcakes which Jackson lovingly made and decorated.

Here is Jackson helping me whip up the icing this morning.

recognize those pjs?

yummy!!!

The finished product with MiMi's presents:

Notice the top row of cupcakes spells "M i M i".

MiMi with Emma before blowing out her candles.

And with Jackson while she reads the card that he picked out for her...

It's time to sing.

Good thing MiMi had three helpers to assist in blowing out all 13 candles.

MiMi, we love you so much. You bring us so much happiness and love on a daily basis! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday and New Year's Eve

Today is my Mom's birthday!

Happy Birthday MiMi!!!!

The boys and I met my mom and sister for lunch to start the celebration! I tried to get a few pitcures to capture this day, but the boys had other plans! The photo below is the best one of all three of them.

They were "horsing around" so much that MiMi gave in and they all made a silly face!

After lunch, I had Jack take a photo of all three of us...he is

a pretty good photographer to be five years old.
Where has 2008 gone? It seems like it just started, but when I reflect on this year, I realize that so much has occurred! There are two major things that happened to our family in 2008. The first is that we decided to pursue international adoption. We chose to adopt from Russia and our application was submitted to our agency on March 6th. What a great feeling!!! For about a year and a half, adoption and having a little girl in our family seemed like just a dream. Then one day, the Lord spoke to us, and we realized that our little girl didn't have to be just a dream!!! The second is the heartbreaking loss of my father on April 21st - just six days after my 34th birthday! The last time I saw my dad was on my birthday! It's hard to believe that we are on the brink of a new year starting - a year in which my father will not be here with us. We miss you daddy and think about you every day!!!

MiMi, Brendan and PaPa - Easter 2002

I pray that each of you find faith, peace, health and good fortune in 2009!