Four-in-one

 That is four months in one post.
I'm determined to finish out my neglected posting for 2011 before midnight!  I really didn't want to start a new year with the feeling of unfinished journaling.

The last quarter of this year was very full.  Not maybe anymore "busy" than any other particular time or year, but it seemed like it was one of those very full "busy's" that I just survived and pushed forward.  I didn't seem to have anything left in me to be able to blog.

Looking back on this post after I finished it I realized that really it barely touches the surface of our days.  It covers a few of the basics but in my eyes leaves much lacking.  I guess that's what happens when you don't journal the days as they go.

The end of August we very unexpectedly and on very short notice welcomed a young teenage mom and her 6 week old baby into our home.  We didn't know how long it would be for, We weren't concerned with the "how long"

As it turned out, it was only a few short months.  We hope we made a difference.

(This room qualifys for the sign that says "My room was clean yesterday--sorry you missed it".)  It really was...It's a good thing I took a picture tho because the rare times it does get cleaned back up if you blink you could miss it!!

 We'd done some painting in the girl's room when we moved in and then this summer finally got the stripes done on the wall.  I'd been wanting a double/bunk bed but had not been able to get on.  As we were preparing to add to our household, Lynisha said she was wanting to get rid of this one that she had, and it is perfect for our girl's room.  With only a 3 bedroom house, our space is so limited and a double size bunk makes our sleeping space much more suitable without taking up more room space.

3 new babies--all close in age.  Baby girl K in the middle who came to live with us, on the left is my friend's 2nd grandbaby, and on the right is our grandson, Wyatt.

I hope as she grows somehow she will remember she (and her mama) were loved, and filled a special place in our hearts the short time they were here with us.

 Meshayla's 17th birthday.  Lunch with mom & dad at a favorite sandwich spot.


The end of September I got to take both Jana and Laura up to a convention in  ND.  We were gone for a week, and got to spend some time with Dalayna and her family too.  This was the first time Laura had seen the youngest two--and Jessi was only 6 months old when Laura left for Finland!

Kara came with us also.  It's fun to have some pictures of older/youngest siblings together at this stage.
With ones grown & gone and yet having four still at home it's like having two different families.

LtoR--sisters; Laura (3rd) Dalayna (6th) Jana (2nd) and Kara (11th)
Kara and Dalayna--
Dalayna and Wade, Jessi, Barrett & Raya.
It was so sweet to have time with them.

Maybe you remember a couple years ago that I participated in a blog challenge called "mom in the picture". We were challanged to take a picture of ourselves or with someone else every week all year.  I didn't think I could do it, but I did and as much as I have always disliked pictures of myself, I learned a valuable lesson during that year.  I (along with so many others) was always behind the camera.  I have no (or very little) record of myself with my kids for many years.  Even tho I don't come close to every week, I do try to remember to hand the camera off to someone else occasionally.  (sometimes with very comical results....(*rolling eyes*....)!!

In October we spent a weekend with our kids and celebrated Miss Lyrah's 2nd birthday.  The child's plate/cup set was one that I had got for Jeanne when she turned two.  I thought it was fitting to pass it on to Lyrah for her 2nd birthday.

Sunday noon for the potluck we had, Relyssa had made some dessert.  We put candles in it and made it into her birthday "cake"  Birthdays should always be celebrated in some way!  It's hard to believe she's 20!

In an effort to make up a bit for a lack of birthday parties & some special time for the girls, we had a girls party.  Sisters, cousins, Aunties, Moms.  It was a fun time spent at one of our favorite coffee spots.

 I thought the pates were so cute!  I'd love to add some like these to my collection of fun dishes!


Our 5th Grandson, Jaith Edwards was born Oct 16, and I was happy to get to be there (along with Lynisha and Relyssa) when he arrived. I love being able to share the miracle of birth with my daughters.
This is #9--One more to arrive before the end of this year!

 Halloween evening, this crazy group of fine su'thern ladies showed up.  What a hoot they were!


 November--
 Thanksgiving time.  My favorite holiday time.  It's near & dear to my heart.  Lots of special memories and family time over the years.  This year all my kids & families were together except for Jana who was up in Canada for some visits.

 I loved Laura's blog post and pictures on it-- HERE (read from the bottom up)

 We were really happy to get to celebrate Barrett's 2nd birthday while we were all together!

And of course the required picture of everyone.  Too sunny, Too shady, and Too many faces blocked.  Oh well!  There it is--Thanksgiving, 2011.

December--

Kaela's Winter Orchestra Concert
And her D.A.R.E. graduation.
Her essay was one of the 3 picked to be read.

Another precious Grandbaby.
Another birth I got to witness and share.
Ryan and Alishia's first--Bethany Dawn, born Dec 16.

   (Alishia's parents)

Baby B was 2 weeks old when Papa Leon got to meet her for the first time.

Photography compliments of Lynisha.
***************
What a way to end the year!  10 grandbabies! (Where's my birthday chart???)

Oh wait a minute!  We're not quite done celebrating after all!
Christmas vacation brought kids home--Jana and Laura for a week, Lynisha & kids & Relyssa for a weekend.
We got in a bit of fun helping to make a special proposal.
A combination of a gift to Dawn from us, and a ring from Derek.

 On the back side were two more cups with the girl's names on them.  Alas, there were only three, so Wyatt baby only had a treat with his name tag.  I don't suppose he noticed anyway.

And she said yes--and now we are looking forward to adding another daughter-in-law to our family
along with her two sweet little girls who already call us Grammie & Papa :)

Two years ago we spent New Years eve day having a wedding.  Happy Anniversary to our kids- Relyssa and Mark!

And thus we end the year of 2011.  I like what someone said:

The years end is maybe neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on.

Like the hymn says, " Come brothers on and forward."

Our best wishes to you all for a happy and prosperous 2012 from the "J's"