So January has been a fun month. We started it off right with Jadelyn Celebrating her Sweet 16! We haven't had the party yet, but she is definitely enjoying her new laptop!

We always love when visitors come and this month was no exception - Grandma and Grandpa flew down for a long weekend with us. We had a great Friday just hanging out and having fun. We did a little shopping at Grapevine Mills Mall...and tortured Grandpa by driving by the big Bass Pro Shops TWICE but not stopping! Darrell had to work, so when he got home, we went out for some YUMMY Mexican food!

Saturday was a lazy morning because Darrell had to work again - so the girls and I made breakfast for Grandma & Grandpa while we waited for Daddy to get home. Once he got back, we all piled into the truck and headed to the Stockyards. The weather was a bit cool, but we had a good time. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo was in town, so there were a lot of cowboys and cowgirls on horses for the girls to watch. We did the usual picture of the girls on a Longhorn.

Lunch was definitely a hit - we enjoyed All-You-Can-Eat-Ribs at Riskey's in the Stockyards. And I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed that I ate more than Mom & Dad combined! I just love ribs! Jade was a bit sad that she couldn't enjoy them because of her braces, but she did like the steak she got!

My two princesses looking at all the wonderful Build-A-Bear outfits we could buy at the Rainforest Cafe at Grapevine Mills Mall.

McKenna was thrilled with the Sit & Spin that Grandma & Grandpa brought her for her birthday. We were able to celebrate Christmas with them finally too! It was a great weekend and we are so thankful that they come visit us!!

I'm trying to figure out a better way to upload pictures...but for now, this is what you get! I'm also going to start updating this blog more often and earlier in the evening. I always seem to start it after midnight and then wonder why I'm so tired! :)

Sweet 16 & Snow in Fort Worth

Well I don't know why I bother updating this - almost a year later and I still don't have any followers. I guess it's a good way to record some of our memories.

So we had a good Christmas in Oklahoma with Darrell's mom and family. The girls truly love to spend time with family! We live so much closer now, so the traveling stress is a little lighter for us. Everyone had a good Christmas. I got an awesome new camera, so hopefully there will be more pictures that are clear and in focus. I'm going to look into some online album options so it will be easier to share pictures with family. Right now I rely on Facebook and email!!!

I can not believe it, but Jadelyn is 16!! Where does the time go! It seems like just yesterday when I was scared spitless that she wouldn't survive long enough to be born. She was two months early and I was in preterm labor almost the entire 7 months! I spent most of my pregnancy on bed rest just trying to get past each benchmark. Visiting the doctor two to three times a week was the only reason I was allowed to get out of bed. (other than to use the rest room) Each visit brought me one day closer to the prize. After 7 long months, they were unable to stop my labor any longer and my beautiful baby girl was born on January 5th by emergency c-section. It was a close one - we almost lost her several times. Then I had many complications and was unable to see her or visit her as often as I wanted. I was in the hospital for two weeks. The only positive to that was that I got to stay closer to my baby. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life was walking out of that hospital without my baby girl. She was a fighter, though, and was able to come home after just 30 days in the NICU. Seems like yesterday. She has been a true blessing to me and I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming. She is a great big sister and a wonderful daughter...but I also see what a great friend she is to her friends! Everyone is lucky to have her in their lives!

Yesterday we had snow in Fort Worth! The girls loved it - it was fun to see the excitement as they planned to play in the snow. McKenna ran into our bedroom and hollered DADDY DADDY DADDY - IT'S SNOWING, COME SEE!!!

I am proud of both of my girls! They are the light of my life and I thank God every day for them. I am truly a blessed woman!!!