Then and Now...I'M THANKFUL!!!! ILY

From boys to men...no words to say how much I love these two.

Happy Birthday Evan!! Thanks for being a great friend!

Chase and Tyler play some Hoops!

Basketball season..almost over!

Saturday mornings at YBA. Chase was the ref for some of Ty's games.

Chase was the ref for some of Nolan's games...

~**Welcome 2011**~

January 1...Today is a day where people look back at the year that has gone by as well as the year that is ahead. Looking back, this has been one of my toughest years parenting yet. I've had some challenging years in my life. But this year was 100% out of my control. I have seen God's hand in it all. This is not to say that I did not question the events that took place but I know it all happens for a reason and it just makes our faith stronger. I have had great moments and horrendous moments that I thought I could not bare. I've not felt more helpless in my life but from the outside of it all, I think that is real life.It makes us stronger :) There are highs and lows and just days in between......being thankful for each. We had wonderful times in our car,
at the ball fields, at our dining room table and the beach.I've gotten to know our kids better-----through laughter and tears with each of them for many different reasons. Learning that I am stronger than I thought. And I thought I was pretty strong!! I realized...yet again..that I did not handle situations the way that I thought I might---shocking, I know!!! Realizing that God has his hand on me at all times!!!! I MUST TRUST!! MORE OF HIM, LESS OF ME!!!
Our family is starting 2011 with a fresh start in a new house. I've told them that the sun will rise tomorrow and God gives us a clean start. We are looking forward to another wonderful year of blessing others--that is the mission of our family---Helping others in whatever way we can, to show them Jesus. Treat others the way you want to be treated--that should not be too hard!
~GOD IS LOVE~

Christmas with the Cumbus'

We actually had Christmas with the Cumbus' before Christmas. We had a great time. We had a very yummy dinner and then we had a gift exchange. They invited my parents, which was very nice! We like having everyone together in one place.

Poppy is ready to start...
John's nephew got a puppy for Christmas from a family member BUT didn't clear it with Meme and Poppy---which is who Cole lives with. She is SO cute and was the focus of the evening.

Our kids wants a puppy so bad but we are not home enough. Tyler got some nice shirts and money for their skiing trip.

Caitlin got a beautiful jewelry box and money for the trip.

They are not wanting to keep this puppy. If you know of someone who would give her a good home...let us know!

Holiday Basketball Tournaments

Chase had a tournament before Christmas in Starke.......

and a tournament after Christmas in St. Augustine!

Chase had good games. He scored 14 in the last game!! WAY TO GO!!! :)

More Holiday Memories....

Celena and I have tried to make special moments for our families. We like to do our gift giving either before or after Christmas. Even though we spend the holidays together, that is what we like to do. It makes it special.
Here is John assisting Tyler on the new Ripstix....

Nolan falling off the Ripstix :)........

Nolan and Haley got a ping-pong table for Christmas....there were some serious games going on..

Uncle Ryan and Caitlin

Chase and Uncle Ryan

Evan and Uncle Greg (aka...the champion)

LOOK at these kids........................

Tyler got a marshmellow gun....

Nolan and his new Keystone Hat...

Chase with a Hurley shirt and hat..

Cait with an Aero shirt and nail dryer....

Bug with a new Keystone shirt...

Loading the ammo.....

Tyler is surrendering to the marshmellows...

Our Kids love AERO!

Chase got a nicce leather jacket. It looks really good on him.

Holiday lovin'........

Shooting the photographer???? Not very nice, Haley-bug :)

Partners in crime....

Aunt Renee with her 'babies'!!!

Merry Christmas to All!!

We are very blessed! I loved this picture of our tree in our new home. We are so excited to have our family over in OUR house. I do love this house and I am ready to make memories here with all of our friends and family. These next pictures were taken by a very hyper Caitlin--pre-presents! She was jumping around acting crazy!

She is CRAAAAZY!!!!

They are so cute....ready to open some gifts.

Tyler is very excited about getting this toy. It is a plastic ball that you put a water balloon in and you set a timer that will bust the balloon. Looks like lots of fun!

FINALLY>>>> I found a pair of boots for her! :)

Ty loves his pj's.

She wanted a memory foam pillow so badly!

My honey surprised me with a small camera that I wanted. I have my big camera but there are times and certain places that I don't want to take it and now I don't have too!

Ty is very excited about getting this sweater. He looks so handsome dressed up.

This is the shirt that Tyler picked out for his dad.

Sis picked out a Hollister jacket for Chasey!

John got me a new watch. It looks so pretty with my rings. It matches so perfectly. The scarf is from Cait.:) LOVE IT!!!

I did get another wonderful gift. Here is the story that leads up to it. When we were moving, I was carrying stuff into our new house and one of my jewelry box drawers fell out!!!!!!!!!!!!I had earrings SCATTERED EVERYWHERE. It would have be ok if the front yard had been kept up. There were SO MANY leaves. So, I immediately got on my hands and knees collecting up my earrings. It was then that I realized that the pair of earrings that John had bought me in the Dominican on our honeymoon were in that drawer. I had one of them. I started to cry and to look frantically!!Of all the drawers to fall out....... Well, we never found it. It was our work day and John starting raking-----not even thinking. I told him that it was ok. He raked a total of 40 LEAF BAGS FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not even kidding! It was insane how much work that was. It was the next day and he was picking them up. John said that the 'little voice' in his head told him to go over where I dropped it and look again. He had already bagged the leaves in that part of the driveway but he went anyway. So he bent over and moved the leaves and found a little white stud. So he went back over to continue with the pile he was working on. The 'voice' was still saying go back over again. He went back to the area where I was and moved some leaves.....AND THERE IT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He thought to himself....This is not possible!!!! But it was!!!! He told Chase and he did not believe it! God is good!!!!!!!!! To have a tiny turquoise stud earring be in the EXACT spot that he bend over to look for it after 40 bags deep and MANY cars driving in the driveway--- This is my GODWINK!!! I'm glad that John was obedient to the voice of God. If you have not read...When God Winks at You, you really should.

These are the shoes that are going to help my babe run a marathon in record time. :)

I loved this from Kirklands......

This was a sign that Chase really wanted!

Sis needed this make-up mirror for her new room.

Tyler and the family got a gigantic telescope. We are blessed.

Is Chase an old man........memory foam topper, coffee, slippers?

G and Pa unwrapping a new camera...with a dork behind them!

Chase's shoes had to be ordered so he got a picture of them instead.

G and Pa got a book signed by Bobby Bowden.

G and Pa got Ty a new fishing pole! He is so excited about going to the Akridge's to go fishing.

Sis was very excited to get a hot pink chair from G and Pa.

Nerds for a NERD!!

The kids with all of their LOOT..................

We took our annual morning trip to the Akridge's. I love this picture!

Tyler wanted to try out his new pole. Nolan was just hanging out!

My precious nephew.......Who LOVES to take pictures....NOT!!! :) Just chattin'............enjoying each other!

Words of wisdom..for sure!!!Christmas lunch.....More family fun!! I was soooo glad that my brothers were able to come with their wives. Sometimes we can't be together but not this year! However, they did escape my camera..not sure how that happened!

Chason was having fun with our ladder golf game!

The cutest pool girl EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chason was very interested with the noises that the truck made!! A toy for G's house.....

G got a beautiful heart necklace!

We would like to thank everyone who made our holidays special! We LOVE spending time with you all. You make our 'everydays' so wonderful! God is amazing and we are overwhelemed with his grace and goodness! We love you all!