The two most amazing gifts...

Three years ago yesterday, we buried my dad. It's not easy, and I don't know if it will ever get easier. Thanksgiving and this time of year is so hard without him; for he is so much of our traditions.

Thanksgiving is happening here in Abilene this year, at my house. Earlier, the living room was full of us all - cousins, aunts, uncles, soon to be fiancees, babies, my sister, and mom...when, here comes my mom with an early Christmas present for my sister and I.

I open up the card and immediately see the words "These last 3 years...." and I know what is coming. I am not ready to relive this, and especially not in front of everyone. As I begin to open the box, I see my dad....

Let me interject here and tell you how my dad LOVED Texas Tech. We buried him in one of his Tech dress shirts with his favorite Tech hat and even played the Fight Song at his funeral......

What I see inside that box is something I'll cherish forever...my mom took all of my dad's Tech clothing and had it made into a blanket for my sister and I. In the middle a "catch" phrase he used to always say to each of us...The tears overflowed, from us all...for he was right there in that room with us all. I look at my son who is taking it all in and I say "Reese...PawPaw" and he starts patting the shirt that has a basketball and says "Mamma...PawPaw".

I will forever and always be wrapped in who my dad is, who he was, and what he is to me....and now, I can wrap my son, my family in that same man...

I know many of you can't even begin to understand what I am talking about - what I feel, the emotions and heartache that are part of each and every day, but thank you. Thank you to those of you who have prayed for me, who have loved on me, told me you were thinking about me, written notes of encouragement, held my hand, given your shoulder, wiped away the tears. Life will never be the same, the hole will always be there, the void will wait for me until each morning comes. But I am loved, and I will make it...and will one day see him again...

I have been given two gifts in my life that are gifts I will never forget - gifts that mean more to me than money could ever buy. The Christmas before my dad died, he went out and bought my mom, me, my sister and each of our husbands a piece of jewelry engraved with a note from him. I was with him when he was looking for my mom - and I told him some things I liked, not even knowing what he was doing. When I opened mine that Christmas morning, I saw that he remembered and that mine was different from anyone's...that is my first favorite gift...the second gift came tonight.

Love you daddy, always and forever.

Britney

I am a huge fan of Bebo Norman - always have been. I don't buy many CD's these days, but I really for some reason was dying to get my hands on his new one. I like so many of the songs, but am captivated by the song "Britney".

A lot of people have heard of the song, and so if you have, feel free to move on. I wanted to know a little more about this song - the reasons behind it, why he wrote it, was it really meant for her...

I was then forwarded a YouTube video of it - it's not Bebo's video, rather someone who took the song and put it to clips of Britney's life. It really is a very moving video.

I do agree with it. I think the public and its fascination with Britney, in part, has caused her downfall.

I can't figure out how to post the YouTube video, so here is the link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Q_wVfGAfA

So it's been awhile.....

My friend, Leslie, has a button on the side of her blog that says something like "30 posts in 30 days" and I thought about trying that, but as you can see, I would've failed miserably. I haven't even posted pictures of my sweet cowboy from Halloween....I know, I know...total slacker!

I'm trying to recall what's been going on since I last blogged and honestly, I can say not a whole lot - which can always be a good thing.

My sister and brother in law moved here last weekend. They are officially Abilenians. They are holed up in an apartment until they find a house and let me tell you I hear their pain on junky houses that are on the market...been there, done that, 5 months ago.

My mom came in town this weekend to help them with some house decisions (my mom is so good at that - she helped Garrett and I too!). So, we had a great weekend of family and mom, which is ALWAYS a great thing. Thanksgiving is going to be at my house this year - and over 25 people are coming...and at first I was nervous, but then realized I am so blessed to be able to have 25 people at my house to have a meal. Our old house would've been crammed packed and I'm so blessed to be able to have a home where we can all spread out and just enjoy our time together. So, on Saturday morning as we were all awake at 6 am due to my sweet son, mom and I start discussing the holidays and we decide to go ahead and decorate for Christmas.....

Ok, I know, a little premature, but think about it...Christmas is the most fabulous time of the year. You get to have your home looking so beautiful for about 5 minutes and then it's time to take it down. So, this year, I will get to enjoy my Christmas decorations for 6 fabulous weeks! I am totally stoked, well, except that Reese thinks the ornaments are balls and is getting lots of spankings for that....

I have always wanted a front window so that my tree could be there and when you drive by at night people could see it. And I'm happy to report, my tree looks amazing in my front window.

So other than that, we've all been sick, Garrett was gone last week for work, and I'm back to not being in love with my job. Life....what a gift! I'm just relishing these days with my 20 month old who continues to amaze me and grow so much everyday.

Here are some pictures of lately...please, enjoy!

My most perfect cowboy at Halloween...."Reese, what does a cowboy say?" "Haw Haw"!

We went to the carnival at church with the DelaGarza's...Yasmine and Rheauna were 'Fifi the poodle". Rheauna learned to walk just that Monday night, so it was fun. Also, neither of the kids (Reese or Yasmine had been allowed to eat popcorn until that night - thanks to my husband). It was a hit....and they shared, pretty well!

I went ahead and tried to get a "photoshoot" for our Christmas cards. It didn't come out as I want, so I think I'll have another one later this week.....but, here are some of the best ones we got!

And, while my mom was here, she wanted a Christmas card with her boys so we had a little photoshoot with the boys. We had been outside dancing around like freaks, trying to get the boys to laugh. After about 80 pictures outside, we came inside but the light was dwindling so the next thing I know, my brother in law picks up a lamp to use like a photographer would use those big crazy lights.....we got a GOOD laugh for a long time about that one!

And for those of you who know my mom, you understand this is so classic Tammy.......

She just didn't understand that she needed to look at me the whole time and we would try to take care of the boys looking at us......here she is laughing because my sister was doing a semi pole dance for the boys just to try to get a smile....you can tell my mom was the only one who thought it was funny!