In the Arms of God!

Dear Ashley,

Four years ago today you entered this world my darling baby girl. I've never been as overcome with emotions as the day you were born. If I could of made time stand still and held you forever I would of never put you down. But God had other plans for you never to have to suffer in this world. I can not put into words the desperation I felt having to leave the hospital without you. I stood looking out the window crying to God...why? There below my window was the statue that has probably stood since the hospital was built but for me, it was put there JUST for me. Jesus standing with his arms stretched out. I gave you my little girl up before I got the chance to even know you. I know that you were laid directly into His arms and you have no pain! Just know, you will NEVER be forgotten and we all miss you! Love Mom

Christmas Traditions

This year has been quite a challenging year in the Belyeu home! The housing industry has dropped and work for Mike has been quite scarce! So this year for Christmas we have decided to return to our roots. My mom always decorates her house from corner to corner with Christmas cheer and it is the one time of the year she bakes (she hates it, must be where I get that from). It has never been about endulging in presents it has been the family time. I am so blessed to have been given such a gift as my wonderful husband Mike. God really knew what he was doing! Mike and I have decided this year to minimize gift giving this year and concentrate more on what lasts, making mememories! We have noticed how much our kids from the oldest down just really want to be with us and value our time! So, the house is decorated as you will see in some pictures. We will start some baking together but, then it is on to entertaining! Natalie told me yesterday she doesn't know Christmas music (bless her heart) so that will be a job for Daddy and Mackenzie to get busy on so we can go caroling. Christmas is about so much more than gifting, take the time to spend loving your families and spending time with them. I would love for friends to share with me some of the traditions they do at Christmas!

Summer is fun....

I love summer and just relaxing with the kids....they make me laugh when, I don't wanna kill them. LOL!

The many faces of my girls.....

Just gotta love summer days! Nothing really is expected but oh the way kids find to entertain themselves! : ) Mackenzie and Natalie love playing school using their imagination with pretend pupils and field trips. So funny! While Jacob was home for Josh's graduation he taught Mackenzie the wonderful monkey lips face she is making! Ewww gross!

Josh's Graduation is over....

I am exhausted, but I have my first high school graduate! Joshua is on to college in the Fall! It was a great week but crazy busy. There was so much family here I felt like a chicken with my head cut off. I was trying to see everyone and still get everything ready and done for Graduation and Josh's Party the next day! It was a great weekend with old friends and family!

He's Back.....

My baby boy is back for Josh's graduation! Wow, what a hug I got from him. I miss cuddling with him and yes he likes to cuddle even at 6'4" and 225lbs! Don't laugh, you are just jealous! : ) I am hoping that this week is filled with great memories to last because it looks like Jacob won't be here to visit this summer he has a summer job lined up and lots of football! He is being sought after as a junior from Division One schools even though he lives in a small town in Ohio! I am a very proud momma but I mourn the fact that I can not watch him play football anymore!

Thanks Bubba....

Thank goodness for Josh who loves his baby sister and was willing to assemble her new trike that is super cool but was a big turn off for mom when she opened the box with all those pieces! Nothing was together!!!! Natalie is ready to ride now she went to the park with daddy on her new bike and didn't want to come home! LOL!

My boy is what??? 18, you have got to be kidding me

Oh my goodness, how can it be..... I think I am more than a little sentimental today. I am sitting here thinking back to all Josh's firsts! He has excelled at so much from; walking at 7 months, learning all his presidents at 4 (thanks Aunt Boochie), memorizing all the books of the Bible just driving to church and back, excelling at ANY sport he participated in (I have the huge case of trophies, plaques and certificates), school has always been a breeze, the drive he has to accomplish and reach his goals, competitiveness that drives him past what he may be capable of!!!!!! I am so proud of the man he has become! I have no idea how to "cut the apron strings" to let him be his own person. But, I know that I will have to start loosening the bow and letting him make decisions for himself and hopefully he will listen to the advice Mom has to offer....I love my boy!

My 3 girls! LOL!

Of course when I planned to take Josh's Senior pictures it soon became a family affair! LOL! Someone might of missed out on something so here is who was in attendance other than my subject and photographer....nevermind we all froze but at least Josh didn't sweat!!!! And yes look at that picture of Natalie she IS getting some hair 2 1/2 yrs later!

Josh's Senior Pictures

I attempted to take Josh's Senior Pictures today! These are just a few. Constructive critism is greatly appreciated!

Easter Day 2009

Posing for Easter Pictures with Joshua Jay is a nightmare! He is such a pain in my butt can't stop haming it up! These were the best we could do!

City Wide Easter Egg Hunt!

This has been a great outreach day to our Edmond community. Our church had the privelage of sponsoring the Egg Hunt for our town! 100,000 eggs! Insane hu! You should of seen the kids. Mackenzie got the opportunity to be on the Praise Team and she loves to sing and dance! This was officially Natalie's first hunt so when she picked up her first egg she squealed and jumped up and down then tried to go sit back down! Mackenzie & Dallas jumped right in telling her to keep going and pick up more! The kids had a blast and so did I! Josh got to perform his High School Human Video in front of all those people, it was AWESOME! Sometimes your kids really impress you and make you proud and this was one of those days! Our God is Alive!

Big brother....

Natalie got such great joy wearing one of Josh's t-shirts to bed last night! When she heard how Mackenzie liked doing it she couldn't get to her Bubba's room fast enough! She is going to miss Josh playing with her at night to unwind, hanging out in his mess he calls a room (but none of the kids seem to mind), wrestling and performing for him. Weekends home from college are going to be priceless....

Bitter Sweet....

I have spent so many years sitting through practices and watching soccer, wrestling, basketball and football as my boys have grown! This is a bitter sweet year for me. Josh is a Senior and is playing his last season of soccer. It seems like yesterday that the boys starting playing soccer on the same team "Big Blue"! Josh has managed to always keep the number "23". They were such a dynamic duo and hard to stop. Now as they have grown just a little (don't you think), I'm pretty sure they can stand their ground pretty well and may be just a little bit intimidating! So goodbye to Josh's last season of soccer, it has been a great ride! You've made me really proud especially when you just played the game and kept your mouth shut! LOL!

Sunday Family Dinner...

I am almost embarrased to say this, but today we decided to have a family meal. We actually sat down at our table and the girls were so excited! Natalie kept saying "we are having a happy family". Mackenzie made the brownies all by herself (from a box of course, since I hate baking) and set the table for everyone. Josh was thrilled with the joy of making himself miserable eating too much! Mike and I enjoyed listening to our kids. How come we don't do this more? I cook most of the time we just don't sit at our table as a family! I am convinced that this is going to become a much more practiced routine in our home. I learned so much! What a great day. Now, I need a Sunday afternoon nap!

God has blessed me!

How did I get so lucky to get two great girls? I am going to learn to be more thankful for the things God has blessed me with! I am going to trap those boys too so I can get pictures of them!

Capture that smile....

Mackenzie was more than thrilled today to purchase her very first Vera Bradley purse with birthday money and the money she has made with her Spa nights! She was just so proud that she bought it herself (and Mom was so glad I didn't have to pay for it)! I just had to capture the smile because when she is a teenager whining about wanting something I can't afford I can bust out the archives and refer back to that SMILE! LOL! It was a great day in Mac's book of life! : )

Gotta love the 80's, temperature that is....

Natalie is so hard to get in and out of the house. She is so stubborn she just loves the outdoors and never wants to go back inside. So everyday we have to have a standoff getting into the van to go anywhere because she wants to play outside! God is chuckling because she comes by stubborness quite honestly!!!! I'm blaming it on Mike! ;-)

Fell short this weekend...

We love soccer why??? Mackenzie's 2000 Academy team played in a Midwest City tournament this weekend and were not able to overcome the cold! I think we may be crazy to play soccer when the wind chill is barely 20 degrees! She has asked her brother Josh to help her to learn how to hip check someone! I have a feeling that Mackenzie's game is about to switch course and it could get ugly for the other team if a 17 year old teaches my sweet little girl to be mean! Better luck next time girls!