Brina's Birthday

I had the best time surprising Brina this year. She has been showing an interest in cake making and so I asked her mother and sister if they would love to go in thirds for cake classes. They did and she was very happy. I have enjoyed her texted photos of her creations in class and hope she enjoys those delish treats in the years to come.








Renee even had a Remy birthday gift she hadn't been able to give him.








I had to capture this little girl, Renee and Sabrina's neice, with her beloved Pinocchio. Story is, she adores him and had wanted a real Pinocchio for Christmas. Her father found this little guy on ebay and now he lives in her home. :) Isn't that sweet?





These four have been growing up together for years. Such dear friends.





Happy Birthday Sabrina!

Mikey is THREE!

Sabrina and her two fast growing boys were in town for Mikey's 3rd Birthday! It doesn't seem possible! I remember the days and nights we stayed up waiting for him to come OUT! LOL! Your a big boy Mikey! Enjoy being three!

Uncle Matt has to get that belly!

Tucker was so big this time! :) I kicked him over a few times for walking. I don't care what his mama thinks...they need to stay younger longer!

Brina eating up that sweet boy! :) What else is a mama to do?

Remy says that Tucker is still acceptable...although Mikey hasn't been for some time now. HA HA!

Eli was able to spend some time with his best girl. :)

Odds and Ends of Our Lives, Lately...

It is Christmas Time!

And I am so darn happy!

Friday marked our Christmas Break from formal homeschooling. We have until the New Year to enjoy our days the way we choose. LOVE IT!

Brina and the boys came for a visit, please be in prayer for her as she takes on the huge tasks that the Lord has put before her. Pray for her strength!

I always get a photo of Matthew and Tucker, I have since he was born. :) Here is the newest one.

Here he is pulling up on my legs as I sit on the couch. :) He is MOBILE!

This little crawling fool can go anywhere he pleases, and believe me, he does!

We made Ginger Bread Men with Brina, Renee, and the children. We had a blast! And Logan stayed the night as Matthew helped him with a Science Fair project he had.

Here is a photo of Mikey decorating his Ginger Bread Man. :)

Remy and I made this Dolphin this past week. Matthew made up a pattern for it because of course Remy doesn't want to make what is in the book. Our daddy is GOOD like that! Hee hee!

I am thinking that Matthew and I should write a felt craft book together! :)

Eli and Remy are in a homeschool craft swap online. Eli's swap came in the mail last week. Isn't this the best Santa puppet ever?

We had our Christmas get together with Renee and her family. Sabrina gave the boys these super cool "TRANSFORMER" jammies! And now Aunt Brina ROCKS OUT in their opinion! :) But she always has. :)

I kept forgetting my camera lately. BUT I know I can snatch some photos from some pals...if I remember!

Be on the look out for Christmas Break fun!

Our Tucker...Happy First Birthday

Most of my long time readers here will know that Sabrina is my GIRL! She and I became fast friends during her first pregnancy. I have helped her bring both of her children into the world. I am blessed to have those moments.

She has always done her births her way. She has went against family and friends to have the births she believes her babies deserve. But she has not had easy births. Her first with Mikey ended with a section after days of labor. The little stinker decided to be posterior. His mama was so strong. Some of those moments in her labor still haunt me. I always will remember the sting of one of my favorite clients not getting the birth she so desired. :(

Life moved on and Mikey grew and grew. And soon Tucker was on his way. By this time Sabrina and I was as close as I had ever been to anyone. She was my sister, friend, and mother when needed. :)

She informed me of her desires for her second birth. It took me a moment but I fully accepted them and set forth on the path to help her reach them. Tucker's labor was WONDERFUL! I saw her work so hard and not give up. I was very proud of her. And then she pushed...pushing was hard. Tucker was born and due to an infection he was not perking up.

He was the first baby to scare me this way.

He was treated for the infection and a Sabrina dealt with so much in those first weeks. My heart has always broken for her...thinking of the lost time she had missed with him. That chic was a machine...the things she did and endured...I will never understand. It was a mother's fierce love that drew her on when things were so hard.

I was very emotional today. He turned one around lunch time. The events of those early days and weeks do haunt me.

I love you Tucker! Aunt Eta will always remember what you taught me. You were a test for me. And the answers have taken me a year to sort through. I am grateful for your presence and I love you dearly! I marvel over each smile and each new thing you do. You are a delight to me. And even though blood seperates us...I am your Auntie never the less. You and your brother mean so much to me. I miss you so much when you are away from me. And I can't get enough time with you when you are here. :)

Now that your a mobile crazy boy I want you to give them all heck! :) If your unsure on how to go about such a task...just ask Mikey. He is the pro! Hee hee!

Grow strong and well little boy. I couldn't love you more if you were my own child. I will be here to help mama raise you!

And I will always be watchful for the next baby who decides to scare me so. Thankyou for the training little guy.

Look how BIG Tucker is now!!!

I had the pleasure of loving on my little Brina babies one weekend at the end of October. :) Mikey was delicious! He wants to go with me everywhere and he grabs me and hugs me with sweet kisses! It is neat for me because I am not around blood family. Sabrina has given me aunt-hood. She has given me a sweet gift. I have watched her children grow and she has allowed me a deep connection with both of them. Thankyou dear friend! :) Your more family than you can ever know!

Tucker is EVERYWHERE! He has the bluest eyes and he is so observant!

Now you tell me...isn't that cuteness in a handbasket?