Well, two years ago today, I lost my dad at the age of 82. He was one of the strongest and most honorable men I've ever known. He taught me so much about life and love. He enjoyed having a good ol' belly laugh more than anybody. He was extremely intelligent and well-read and was always up for an intellectual challenge. Through his example, I learned what it means to love someone with all your heart and soul. He provided excellent care for my mom and brother in their final days and was the most selfless person I've ever come across. I miss him dearly, but I know his presence is still with me in many ways.
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of Dad.
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Of course, my husband's dad, as you might recall, passed away in October. I think because I had walked the same road, I was able to be strong for my husband and give him comfort. I understood some of the emotions he experienced and I let him know that he wasn't alone...I got it. It brought us much closer together. Grief is a funny thing. Sometimes, you feel like you really have a handle on it, then you'll hear a song on the radio, or look at an old photograph, and it all comes back to you. You can either accept it for what it is, or allow it to destroy you. I've said before that if it weren't for my faith, I'd probably lose it. My faith in God is what's kept me grounded, comforted, and able to reach out to others who are grieving.Over this past year, I have seen God really working in my life. He's given me a sense of self-assurance that I can't describe. I suppose I just feel very centered right now and so very thankful for how far I've come. I know that God has big plans for my life in the coming year as a wife, mother, sister, friend, and as a Christian. I intend to make more memories than my heart and mind can handle. I want to be fervent about exercising because it's so good for the body and soul. Nothing clears my mind more than going for a run or a brisk walk. I want to be a better example of what it is to be compassionate and empathetic. There are so many hurting people in this world and, sometimes, all it takes is one outstretched hand to make a difference.
So, as you can see, my journey this past year is really only the beginning. I can hardly wait to see what 2009 has in store for me! I wish you all the best in the New Year, and I'm so looking forward to getting to know all of you better!
Here's the girls with their goodies and the paper crowns that were, also, inside. 
On Christmas Eve, we attended services at our church and hardly an empty seat was found in our worship center. The music and sermon were awesome!
Chris took this one...turned out a little too dark...thanks, hon! :)
Christmas morning, around 8 AM, Abby bounded into our bedroom proclaiming, "It's Christmas!!!" So, Chris and I hopped out of bed, got Brittany, and downstairs we all went.
Brittany opening her gift from her boyfriend, Steven. It's a Build-A-Bear that had a star and diamond necklace around it's neck. She thought it was 
Not a smidgen of makeup is adorning my face! Sorry for the scare! Brittany gave me a very pretty necklace that I just love...it goes with anything!
Abby was thrilled with her "puffy" coat! 
Brittany FINALLY got the first "Twilight" book...a gift from Abby. She was ecstatic!
She's giving Abby a hug...something I don't see often enough. 
Chris opening the Dallas cowboys blanket I made for him...a huge hit!
I made one for Brittany...
And Abby, too...she's showing off her new lime green digital camera (her blanket is on her lap). 
Yes, Brittany got the same camera! 
Here's a vanity plate I designed for Brittany's car with her nickname on it.
My mother-in-law the day after Christmas. My brother-in-law is a 
My mother-in-law gave me another beautiful necklace.
Brittany got a nice scarf and gloves set from my mother-in-law, among several other things.
Bella was excited, too!!!
Chris got a 
Here's my brother-in-law, who 
Sitting down for our day-after-Christmas dinner. The guy on the right is a close family friend, Russel.
Now, the big thing that happened on Christmas Day is after the girls, Chris, and I opened all our gifts, Chris told us to sit tight that he had one more thing for us. So, he ran down to the basement and came back with an envelope that he handed to me. It stated that he knows how much making memories as a family means to me...so, he's taking us on a four day ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado during Spring Break in early April!!! I mean, the tears started pouring! I was completely blown away! FINALLY, we'll get to see some snow! Then, he ran off, again, and came back with three boxes, one for me and one for each of the girls. We opened them up to find ski jackets that he'd picked out all on his own! We love them! 
On Christmas, after we opened our presents, we decided to go for a walk at Little Mulberry Park, which is very close to where we live. The scenery is always so pretty and it was almost a summertime day...lots of people were walking in shorts and tank tops! Isn't that unreal???
Here she is posing by the lake at the park. I had to hold her back from taking a leap right into the water...it was sure warm enough for a quick dip. 
The day after Christmas, we headed to 
Stella's traveling down foggy Little Mountain, just outside of 
Finally, we arrived at my mother-in-law's house! Stella couldn't wait to get out of the car and meet everyone!
Stella, Chris, and I stayed in my mother-in-law's moms' wing of the house. Whew, that's a mouthful! We called her Grandma Vining and she passed away several years ago at the ripe old age of 87. She was a wonderful person and a lot of fun to be around! Stella is posing by Grandma 
My father-in-law was always a huge train buff. He collected Lionel trains for a number of years. When they moved to this house in South Carolina, he built a train room, along with the help of my mother-in-law's artistic abilities. This shows you just a portion of his display. I often said they could have charged admission for people to come in and see it. 
Here's some of his train collection that hangs on the wall of his train room. 
Stella had to get right in the mix of things. See her peeking out from behind the train?
Here she is by the train depot...
And by a farmhouse.
Before I knew what happened, Stella decided to make like Superman and fly over the big metropolis. She's much more daring than I am!
She insisted on doing a little hiking up the side of a mountain. I was beginning to think she'd never run out of energy! 
Shortly before we left, I took Stella out in the backyard for a little fresh air and a look of the lake. Yesterday, it was foggy all day long, so I didn't get the chance to take her out and show her around.
Here she is in front of the dock that my father-in-law and brother-in-law built together several years back.
This is the view my mother-in-law gets to see everyday. She lives right on Lake Murray, which is a huge lake in South Carolina. We have so much fun in the summer going boating and tubing! The sunsets are breathtaking!
Stella, being the adventurous girl that she is, just had to climb a tree! Talk about some skill! She didn't fall off one time!
This is the back view of my mother-in-law's house, the side that faces Lake Murray.
Stella posing on a little bridge my mother-in-law set out to cross a little stream they constructed.
When Stella saw this alligator, she tried to run for the hills...UNTIL I told her that it wasn't real! She really can be a big ol' chicken sometimes.
We returned from South Carolina about an hour and a half ago. So, as you can see, Stella has been one busy girl, especially these past few days. She's pooped, but as they say, "There's no rest for the weary." Tomorrow, I will bid Stella a fond farewell and send her on her way to my buddy, 