Christmas's Past...

From baby dolls, to tinker toys, puzzles, art sets, books, jewelry boxes, magic kits, skateboards, scooters, stereo's, and all the things little boys and girls love under the Christmas tree. The one thing that never changes are the happy memories left behind that we share with each other. 
I hope our children will always remember how much we love them and all those special memories we have to share....I am blessed and grateful for all my many photos to help me remember, lol

Merry Christmas children

I love you like crazy, to the moon and back, forever and a day.....

Was it enough?

Lately, I have been doing a lot of reflecting about my life and those of my children. About my testimony, how I used to ask to no one in particular what I was I meant for in this life? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is my purpose?
When I had the opportunity to hear the missionaries from the Church of  Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I just knew this is where all those answers were going to be answered. I had this amazing burning feeling in my heart and as the feeling of peace washed over me as they were explaining to me about families be SEALED TOGETHER FOREVER was the clincher for me. I knew it, to the very deep core of  my soul, that I wanted that for my children, for my family. I wanted them to know that they had a purpose in life, to love, and return to Heavenly Father.

I have had the unfortunate experience to grow up in a family where there was abuse and love not readily given. But you know I never would have asked those questions about life if I hadn't gone through those experiences. I would have not known what I did when I heard from the missionaries that that is what I was looking for. I was looking for my place in the world. I was looking for a change, to be a better mother, person, woman in my life.I wanted something better for me and my family. And I wonder....WAS IT ENOUGH???
Did I share my love of my Savior to my children, did I share my testimony enough, did I teach them what I was meant to as a woman of God, a daughter of God, so that they would remember who they are.
I pray it was and if not, I pray Heavenly Father forgives me. My heart aches when my children are in pain, when they don't live the gospel principles, when they don't share their own testimonies in their own lives. I pray fervently that one day ALL my children will find their testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel for themselves the way I did.

What a Year Our Family Has Had...

We were able to attend Solee's baptism, it was so special to be there for this beautiful girl. We love her so much, she has such a sweet, humble, caring spirit. Feels like it was years ago all ready. It seems that is how time is these days...it just keeps on moving.

We were also able to attend Sloane's 2nd Birthday! She is a doll, so sweet! We have some pretty special people raising these amazing children, we love them dearly. Sloane is such a lucky little girl, who has three big brothers who love her so much.

Lucas also turned two this year. He is in Texas with his mom and dad, and his Uncle Christopher and Aunt Emily and recently a new cousin, Cam to join in the fun.

Our son Christopher and his awesome wife Emily welcomed their daughter Cam. She is cute little monkey, who I think we can see is going to be "VERY" into cars like mom and dad.

Our amazing daughter Juanita and her husband welcomed their first child, a sweet, special little girl, Ani. We are loving having at least one grand baby close by to spoil.

Tiffany and Kevin's wonderful little boy, Conner turned one just today. I was in Delaware this time last year, what a difference a year makes. Conner is so funny, and I miss him like crazy.

Liana and her husband James and her kiddos were able to take a vacation to Arizona while we got pummeled with snow. Sad they weren't able to stop by for a visit on their way home.
Temperance is already 7 months old, like I said before...time is just getting away from us.

I love our family so much and wish we all lived in the same State, but what Grandma doesn't wish that?...

November Grateful/Photo Challenge

First day...take photo of self. Yep,that is me. I like the black and white and I used a higher ISO for fun.
November usually has a tendency to bring out our more grateful sides. So along with this photo challenge, a grateful journal will follow.

We have some incredible blessings in our lives of late with the arrival of three grand daughters. They and their momma's are happy and healthy and thriving. I am so grateful for our wonderful family. I am grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with these amazing children in my life.

And two more makes ELEVEN!

 Cam came into the world on November 4th, and she really is so cute with her little pal. Christopher and Emily are so awesome and Cam is going to have so much fun with parents like them. We are so happy for our son and his wife whom we love so much.

On November 20th Ani joined our family which makes eleven grandchildren for our family. She is truly a special Angel and we couldn't be happier for Juanita and Eric. They both have so to much to teach her and she has much to teach them. She is already becoming a "daddy's girl." boy is dad in trouble...

We are so blessed that everyone is happy and healthy and doing well. I am so grateful for my family. I love and cherish them with all my heart. And all these grandchildren melt my heart. 

Life is a changin'

 I have graduated with my Associates! I am so proud of my self right now. I was so afraid to go back to school, but I did it and I am so happy I did.  I accomplished something that I thought I couldn't do.

 Juanita talked me into doing my first ever 5k. Thank you for that daughter, it let me know that I have to get healthy and do what I can to get in shape, eat better, and just to take care of my self.

 Threw a baby shower for Juanita and Eric! It was so much fun. I had help from Eric's amazing family, thank you. Family and friends are always welcome in our home. I am so happy for Juanita and Eric. Ani is going to be such a blessing in their lives.

 I had a great time interning at the Guardian ad Litem's office in Salt Lake City. Though the subject matter tears at my heart, it is amazing that this organization exists to help children who have been abused. I worked with some pretty awesome people, and I so grateful to them for teaching me and helping me to grow.

We had family come from out of town, Colorado, and Idaho for a Wedding. It was great to see some old and new faces in our family. I am happy we had the room to accommodate our ever growing family.

Life changes so fast, they say in a blink of an eye, but I think it moves faster these days. I can't believe it is September already and that Emily and Juanita are having their little girls next month. And Temperance is 5 months old! Oh boy I think we really need to take a trip to Idaho soon.

I can't wait to see what the next few months have to bring to our family...stay tuned.

Year of the GIRLS!

 

Our daughter Liana had Temperance in April. We haven't seen her yet, and we really hope to see her soon. It is so hard when family lives far from you. We love and miss them so much. 

 Juanita is due in late October. And Eric and Juanita have already picked out a name, Anita Kathleen Atencio...I am honored and was overcome with emotion when they told us. Juanita is so beautiful! And we can't wait to meet Ani (pronounced Annie).

Emily is due in early October. Emily and our son Christopher are still playing with names. We are so excited for our family!

Girls, boys it doesn't matter...grand-babies are AWESOME either way! We are so blessed, our family is growing by leaps and bounds and we couldn't be happier. We can't wait for our beautiful grand daughters that will be joining our family this year.

It's a GIRL!

My first little girl is having a GIRL! And we couldn't be more happy for our girl. Juanita is going to be an amazing mom. When Juanita and Eric bit into their cupcakes and revealed PINK icing inside. Because you cannot see my reaction because I was behind the lens. I am screaming...I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT! While jumping up and down I was so excited...I just had this feeling, I always have.
I knew what I was having while pregnant and even now with my own children....

I am excited to go shopping for cute little girl outfits, etc...Don't worry Juanita I won't go overboard, and I know, no princess stuff or over the top girly. We need to set a date for some shopping, what about next Friday?

Mother's Day

Free picture collage generated with Smilebox

I LOVE BEING A MOM!

 Andrea was born in Phoenix, she was my tiniest baby, weighing in about six pounds. I was so afraid to hold her, I thought I would break her. She has my Grandmothers name as her middle name, Steffany. 

 That is me with my girls, Tiffany and Liana, in Salem, Oregon.

 Look at us.....I think the year was '93 or '94.

 Krysia and I getting ready to leave to the hospital two days after she was born. She was so tiny...and such a good baby, she slept through the night the second week we were home. Gotta love her for that alone...haha

 

                         Juanita took this photo which is why she is not in the photo. California style....

                              Krysia and I at the Falls up at Provo Canyon. It was a gorgeous day!

    That's Christopher and I. We were at the hospital because he had jaundiced. 

Look at all that hair!

                              At the park at the apartment complex in San Jose, California.

                             One of our many road trips. Again, Juanita is taking this photo,

                 she wanted to sit in front and Krysia as you can see really wanted her mommy.

 Juanita, Tiffany, Liana, Andrea, Christopher and the baby of the family, Krysia. 

Let me think...this photo was taken at Olan Mills in Salem, Oregon in 1988, the year Krysia was born. 

Look how little and young they were.

Christmas 2000, Orem Utah. The girls were being silly and Christopher was like, "huh, what's happening?" They all are so funny and can make me laugh. But the best thing about them is that I can call them my children. I have been blessed....I love each and everyone of them dearly and with all of my heart. I loved being pregnant, I loved holding them, reading to them, playing games with them, taking naps with them, talking with them, baking, shopping for them.
I love them to the moon and back, I love them every day and every night, I love them tons, I love them forever and ever....
I love them for how different they are, for how they teach me, for their sense of humor, their tender hearts, and their ability to love one another. 
I LOVE BEING A MOM! I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING ABOUT ANY OF IT!