Eight is great!

December 31st I became a little older....I became the mother of an 8 year old! It seems so old. This year her birthday fell on a Saturday so we party hard on her actual day. We had a house full of family. Some drove for hours to be here, which means the world to this momma's heart. I feel so bad for her having a birthday so close to Christmas. I hope that she always feels special especially on her birthday.

That night my parents and my brother's family joined us for our New Year's Eve tradition of going to Chuck E Cheese. I got not one picture. What is wrong with me this year? I have not been in the picture taking mood I guess! We had a really great time as always but by midnight I was extremely tired!


On a different day, Mia and I got to continue our new tradition of a birthday girl's day. She looks forward to it all year. We go to Starbucks, shopping at Justice, and her pick for lunch which both years has been Ruby Tuesday. I love that she has things to look forward to. It's fun to spend the day with just her. I hope that it is something that we can continue forever.





These were Mia's birthday treats to take to her class when school was back in session. She was really excited about them and I think they turned out really cute!

It's D Day....

Today is the day. Once so highly anticipated turned much dreaded. Today had been McOlsen's expected due date. I have thought of this day with much sorrow ever since that horrible morning in August. Those that were expecting babies the same time as me have started having their babies.

Is it possible to be so truly heartbroken and yet so blessed at one time? I am the mom of the most precious angel ever. My son had the privilege of meeting his Savior 100% pure and sinless. He will never know the hurts and pains of this world. And yet the earthly side of me wants him here. To know the fun he would have had with his siblings. To learn to swim or ride a bike. To eat his first birthday cake and lick an ice cream cone. I would have loved to know him and his personality. To hear his laugh and even his cry.

My hope after today is that I can move towards the time when I feel much more blessed and a lot less hurt.



There's no footprint too small to not leave an imprint on this earth.........

Christmas...It's never too late!

It's January and I am finally getting around to posting about our Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at Matt's parents in Tulsa then headed for a late night drive to my parents house. I wish I would have taken a picture of our vehicle. We were so loaded that the beverly hillbillies have nothing on us. I believe at one point I suggested putting the kids in the car and then putting presents and luggage all around them. Some of my favorite memories are the same thing year after year! We got to my parent's around midnight then proceeded to stay up talking in the the morning until we couldn't stay awake any longer. Christmas morning included the usual stockings, presents, food, oh the tradition of fondue, and more food. Matt had taken off time from work so we ended up staying most of the week. It was nice and relaxing. I even got to play a game of bunko with my mom and the ladies from her church. We missed our McOlsen but know the celebration he was experiencing is like nothing we can ever imagine.





Karber tradition of Christmas fondue. Tilt your head to get the full effect :)


Another one of our traditions is to make Jesus a birthday cake.


I had to throw this one in. Maxi had his Christmas program at preschool. He had a special guest in the audience!