{811-921}

joy cometh
fruit of the spirit
plus sign language
multi colored pen pack for 2012
yummy new snacks
and questions about 144,000
radiate that joy
2nd annual retreat
homework or not
fellowship

sisters snuggling together
calling a bunk bed:
"theirs"
reading 3 little pigs
over and over and over again
with voices
knowing their love firsthand
seeing it bloom and grow
and knowing how much it will bless them
their whole entire lives

my own three sisters
source of so much joy
looking back - memories, stories
same laugh, smiles, same heart
being present
and moving forward
but always staying the same
straightening hair together
and sharing makeup, clothes, fashion advice
and lots of love and hugs

a quick day trip to chico, a girls day out
a thanksgiving feast, with the company and the food
and a quick trip to bozeman
leaving with packages stowed on our laps
and 3 boxes of trees
turkey leftovers
wrapping little presents, like mom did for us (minus silkies)
TSA unwrapping most (playdough needs to be claimed!)
a mini dance party

the ranch and its sprawling miles
loading firewood while the girls danced on the truck bed
in pink princess dresses
taking turns stacking kindling
and spotting coyotes
the weathered corrals
and many stories of the past
tossing cake to hungry cows
feeding the "pet" who sticks her head in the window
and Spencer scratches her back

that same shy smile
raising daughters
teaching them how to dribble a ball
cheering them both as they practice in plastic princess high heels
still quiet, always calm, always has a plan
watching a Tudors together
assembly line of envelopes for paychecks
the perfect dinner salad overflowing, always
coffee brewed fresh
for a hardworking man

that same man making a path for our double wide stroller in packed security lines
and traveling with two small children with a smile on
taking our family to the beautiful beach
where the girls played in the sand
the waves tickling their toes
then to the pool, diving underwater and blowing bubbles
and back to the beach, to soak up the sunshine some more
bedtime snacks of ice cream in waffle cones -- sprinkles too
a breathtaking beachside wedding with a gorgeous bride, and the best friend in the world
and the topper?  beach volleyball -- and for two old mamas we played pretty dang good

a Christmas holiday full of blessings
an evening with two excited girls
playing with corrals and new horses
and their grandparents who love them so
checking out the ranch Christmas lights
a drive to make it to the candlelight service
sitting next to Grandma, snuggling the girls
baby Betsy snoozing through church
Reese playing with the same nativity I had played with for years
a house full of love, another generation busy being Christmas elves

Christmas day, an early morning to serve
sharing joy while preparing meals
passing out blankets and towels,
stockings filled with goodies
and more than enough help to run things smoothly
a quiet church service --
except for Reese.  :)
appetizers and lettuce wraps
7 come 11, and the most powerful number in the world
3 fancy girls watching Inspector Gadget and snuggling

Cousins playing peacefully,
not yet making up videos and playing war
while the sweetest babe sleeps in someone's arms
swimming, shopping trips,
golf on Christmas day
family pictures
...and a long trip home
stomach bugs and stalling cars
but a mean game of words with friends together
{I won}

ringing in the new year in style
my sweet journal with my 12 habits
lots of goals to work towards
and a whole lot of to-dos getting crossed off the list
organizations, budgets, appointments, and declutter
cleaning up Christmas decor while the girls keep singing
"Deck the hallways"
taking down outside lights
 in a tshirt...
... in January