"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you."

Last night after I tucked the kids into bed, I went downstairs to fold some laundry. When I came back upstairs to put it all away I heard sniffles coming from Kaci's room. When I asked her what she was crying about she answered, "What I always cry about mom!" This could only mean one thing....DIABETES!

I hate that word- every letter in it! I also hate the words: pancreas, insulin, carbohydrates, glucose meter, needles, high, low, ketones and so many more!

So, I laid down by her and she continued to talk. She told me all she wanted for Christmas (other than her hot pink laptop :) was for her diabetes to go away. I told her that was much too big of a wish for Santa and the elves. She told me that she really already knew that but she has been wishing on lots of stars every night. She told me that, in fact, she had just wished on a star before I came into her room. Kaci has a huge window in her room- but the blinds were drawn shut- so I asked her if she had gotten up to look out the window. She replied with, " No mom! I don't have to see the star to wish on it. I know there are millions of them up in the sky!" It breaks my heart.

There are a million stars up in that sky....there are also a million things I would do if I could just make her diabetes go away. Maybe a million and one....there is nothing I wouldn't do to change it for her. But for now- there is nothing I can do. Mothers are supposed to be able to fix the problems....the fact that I can't fix this for her is a hard "pill" to swallow.

Lots of times when I wake up and grab "Kaci's bag" in the morning to check her sugar, "the pill" gets stuck in my throat. If her blood sugar and mood are good- often times "the pill" goes down. But, if the blood sugar is high or low- or she is not in the mood for her morning shot- "the pill" will stay lodged in my throat all day!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree....

Many people have beautiful Christmas trees. Trees that are decorated with glass ornaments and fruit. Trees that match their home decor and look like they belong in the middle of Macy's Department store. Trees that look like they were organized and decorated by perfect grown up hands.
We, on the other hand, have a tree that it not only appealing to the eye, but brings back special memories as each ornament is hung. Here are a few of my favorite ornaments off of our tree.

This marks Kaci's first Christmas in 2001.
Bailey made this ornament in Kindergarten this year for Clint and I.

This is Roxy Reindeer. A portion of her proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It will be our memory of July 28th, 2009.

This marks Bailey's first Christmas 2004.

Kaci and Bailey bought this ornament for Clint this year since UT is going to the National Championship and Clint will be there to see them go all the way!!!

I helped Bailey make this ornament when he was just 2 years old. It is his footprint and handprints.

This was Bailey's souvenir from ICE at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas. We went and saw it this year with Uncle Chad.

Kaci was invited to a Christmas brunch and ornament exchange this year by her good friend Grayson. This was the ornament she walked away with! Perfect for her!!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house.....

Here are the kids by Papa's nativity scene 2009. It has become Christmas tradition to take their pictures by it (with the same pose every year!) Below is last year's picture. Fun to see how the kiddos change in one year!

Kaci and Bailey 2008
It was so cold when we got home from Grandma Dee and Papa's house, but the kids had to put our the reindeer food! Here are a few pictures of them running around the yard. They aren't very good! (the photographer was freezing too!)

Look at Bailey go!!!

I love this one of Kaci! I certainly caught her in action!

Making a list...checking it twice...gonna' find out whose naughty or nice...

Santa on his way to Grandma Dee and PaPa's house!

Santa stopped by Grandma Dee and PaPa's house last week to check on her grandchildren, Kaci and Bailey. He wanted to see if she had enough presents for them. Grandma told him yes. Santa then told Grandma Dee that he will deliver even more presents to Bailey and Kaci for Christmas.

He also wanted to make sure that the presents he would be bringing were different than what Grandma Dee was getting. They checked their list twice to be sure. It is going to be one of the best Christmas' ever!

Dear Santa,

"The little lights aren't twinkling Clark!"

Every year we go to a great little cul-de-sac over by Grandma Dee and PaPa's house to enjoy all of their "Christmas Spirit!" The whole cul-de-sac participates in decorating their house with as many lights and holiday yard ornaments as they can. We made it even more fun by letting the kids go in the pajamas since we were staying the night at Grandma Dee and Papa's house anyway!

Each yard also contains a page from the story, "Twas The Night Before Christmas."
This yard even had a miniature train that ran the whole length of their yard.

Here is Kaci standing by the snow machine with her hot cocoa!

WOW! It was snowing on Bailey too!

This house was my favorite! It was the gingerbread house! The picture just doesn't do it justice. It was gorgeous!!

Here is a shot of the whole cul-de-sac. It is really amazing!

Reading the last page of the night before Christmas with Grandma Dee.

"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." Mary Ellen Chase

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display-so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.

Brunch...the combination of breakfast and lunch!

Today- Kaci's friend, Grayson invited her over for a Holiday brunch and ornament exchange. What a great idea and a perfect way to start the holiday break.

Mrs. Tracy (Grayson's mom) had all the fixings; pancakes, biscuits, gravy, bacon, eggs, fruit, muffins, eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice! It was delicious!

The girls didn't waste anytime getting started on their plates!

They even got to eat on the china at the big "fancy" table. After they finished eating they headed upstairs to play for a bit and then had the ornament exchange. It gave me a brief moment to run to the Outlet mall to pick up a few things I have had my eyes on. Kaci ended up with Adi's ornament....a precious Barbie Hallmark ornament. It is beautiful and so perfect for Kaci. What a great morning!

Here are Adi, Kaci and Grayson! What a cute group of girls. After the party Kaci and I came home for a bit- then met Grandma Dee for a late lunch and "drinkie poo!" at Chilis. YUM-O!

Then we finished up the day with a little more shopping!

On a side.....Clint and Bailey had a boys day today. They went with Papa and Clint's high school friend, Brice and his son, Cooper to the Brenham Cubs play off game at the UT stadium. They lost but put up a good fight- or so I hear. Today was really nice day!

Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold! Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

Kaci and Bailey all dressed and ready for pajama day!
Bailey and "pin the carrot on the snowman"

Making a stocking decoration.

Here is the whole Kindergarten Gang! Let the Holiday Break begin!!!

A thing of beauty is a joy forever- John Keats

This afternoon we met Jessica, Romy and Reese at the mall to exchange our Christmas gifts before things get too crazy with the holiday rush! The kids always have so much fun together. Kaci and Romy are quite the pair and we are prearranging the wedding for Bailey and Reese as I type this entry! :) We LOVE the Walkers!!!

The kids all enjoyed opening their gifts!
Kaci and Romy had fun on the pink bus!

Bailey loved the blue racecar!

-And Reese liked having the yellow and green truck all to herself!

(well, she had to share it with the bear)

After we exchanged gifts- Jessica surprised us with a trip to Build A Bear!! These kids are rotten- I tell YOU!!! Thank you Jessica! We love you!!

Leovelia Aysien / December 9,1915- December 15, 2009

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support-
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time-
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON-

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Thank you for being a part of my life, Nanny!
You were a REASON, a SEASON and a LIFETIME to me~

I love you, Nanny!
PaPa is so happy to have you back!

The family is one of nature's masterpieces.-George Santayana

This past weekend, Amber let me take some family pictures for them to send out on their Christmas cards this year. I think they turned out great! Here are a few of my favorites!

"Differences challenge assumptions."

So...remember the JDRF Boo Walk to Cure Diabetes back on October 31st??- Well, we had a great time at this event and Kaci's Team- "The Honey, Rufus and Kaci Team" raised $1,575.00!!

We thought the whole experience couldn't be topped until we went the the JDRF BOO AWARDS today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. What a great awards show and get together these wonderful ladies put together. When we arrived at the hotel we went straight up the escalator to the Texas Room where we found our name badges and got ready to go inside. As we were having our names checked off the list- one of the ladies noticed Kaci had a little friend crawling on her shoulder- it was a ladybug! (for those of you who have read my August 3rd entry- you know how special this was to us!) WOW! What are the chances? I wanted to bring it home with us to be our pet- but after crawling on my finger for just a second it decided to fly up to the ceiling. I think it's job was done- it had brought Kaci good luck!!

We found a table, got some snacks and a drink and the awards began!

Kaci was called to the stage with all of the other children who have Type 1 Diabetes and was given a very special "giving band" bracelet! (Hmmmm....notice the poster on the podium?? It sure does look familiar!)

Then she was called to the stage to receive an award for her fundraising efforts in raising over $1,000.00 for research. This was a really pretty crystal award!

Bailey and Clint had lots of fun watching the big screen tv together.

Me and Kaci enjoyed it too!

Next Bailey was called to the stage to receive the "Helping Hand Award." This award was given to all of the children who have brothers or sisters with Type 1 Diabetes. He was given a very special bracelet to wear as well. He was so excited!! I thought it was wonderful that they recognized these children in this way.

Last, but not least, Kaci was given an award for her poster entry! She won FIRST place and her poster was located on the front podium the whole entire award ceremony! At last- she got her poster back! I had to twist her arm to leave it on walk day to be judged- and it is a good thing she decided to leave it!! Bailey is holding the awesome "sneaker" award she received for this accomplishement! It was a great day!!

On our way out- we had to stop and check out these cool Ginger bread houses. There was one made to look like the UT tower and one to look like the hotel.

My favorite was the Capital!