What we take for granted most as children.....

I believe it to be our parent's advise. What I wouldn't give to hear either one of my parents just argue with me on my point of view. My kids are growing so fast, and life is so busy that I find myself needing my parents more and more to talk to. Both of my parents new and understood what unconditional love was, so many say that they love unconditionally; but they just "think" they know what that means. My parents knew, understood and lived UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Through all of my mistakes, and I made plenty, I think I was the one that was expected to always do the opposite of what everyone else wanted me to do; even though I felt like I was doing what they wanted and what I wanted, compromising. I always found that compromise. :) lol
But through it all, no matter what, both of my parents were there for me, they never took their love from me just because they disagreed with my choices; they expressed their opinions and told me what they thought I should do, but didn't hate me when I didn't follow their advice. My parents were the EPITOME of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and I can only pray that I instill and live that with my children as well.
Life is rough, parenting is even tougher; learning from our parents and those trusted who have been there is so valuable that I don't' think we truly realize just how valuable until you don't' have it any longer.
I am a sap, can't help it, both of my parents were; but they both also taught me that there is no weakness in sappy; only strength, love and compassion. <3

Anabel swears Daddy Saved Her Life today ...

We went hiking yesterday on our property and came back and i totally forgot to look at Anabel and change her clothes due to ticks, not even thinking they would be as bad as they were. Today she was in the bathtub and i was in the shower, she yelled at me and said, "Mommy, there's a tick in my bellybutton, oh goodness get it out now."
Well, to make a long story short, after tweezers and witch hazel, I still could not get the darn thing out, and guess what, there were 2 down in there. She has the silliest belly button you've ever seen, it's an outtie in an innie, you can pull it out if you want. I had to get Daddy, who very calmly and sweetly took care of the ticks, talked her through it and got them out.
I've never seen her hug anyone as fast as she immediately hugged her daddy and thanked him. It was cute.
She said they like her and they think she's their home and that next time she is covering herself in bug spray. LOL
Thank the Heavens for Daddies! :)

And the race begins again ......

That's right folks, starting Monday of next week, we will be on the go every night of the week, soccer season starts again and not only is my Husband coaching the girls team and Kaitlyn is joining in this season, but he is also coaching Trystin's team b/c they didn't have a coach and we wanted them to be able to play. So, that means, Monday through Saturday we won't be home before 7 or 8 at night. WOO HOO!!! :)

Savanna and Kaitlyn are also in a program called Girls ON the Run where they practice two days a week jogging to work their way up to a 5k race in May. Then they are both playing Soccer.

Trystin is playing Soccer, Starr is still in Volley ball and Anabel is along for the ride. :)

If our lives were too perfect it just wouldn't be our family! Busy keeps us alive. Blessed to be a family.

Another year another wrinkle :)

Today is a bit empty, I didn't have that first thing in the morning call from my pops wishing me a happy birthday. Funny how electronics have replaced even a happy birthday. Im 32 today and I still protest that I'm too young to have lost both of my idols.
My wonderful husband, kids, family and friends have made my day awesome, how truly blessed I am to have them all.
God bless my loved ones and keys hope year 32 is blessed and stress free.

Amazing how time flies when your having fun ;)

It's funny, how much our family has been threw in such a short time but yet, I wouldn't change any of it. While I may not be where I thought I would be when I was little, or even 5 years ago, but honestly it's my own fairy tale and I love it.
I'm living my own dream one where I have my own choices and life lessons to learn. I have my own beauties to teach me those lessons and while my blood Kay only run threw two of my five, they are all very special to me and I love them so much.
My husband is my rock, I get too upset with him and life at times, but I would not and could not give him up for anything. It's amazing in life to be able to find someone that you can be completely comfortable with, for once in my life I don't have to be anyone else but myself with Colin and I cannot even describe what that is like. My whole life I have tried to make everyone happy, make decisions for them, do what everyone else wanted, and now, at 32 I finally feel grown up. I am my own person and I've found the mozt wonderful partner to go threw life with and raise our children.
Today I am thankful for life and second chances.

Out of Sight, but NOT out of Mind!

I am trying to clean off my work computer before I go on vacation and in my favorites list are two links, one links to the funeral home's page dedicated to my father and the other to his KC Star Obituary page. Man, how hard is that. The picture we used was in front of a Christmas Tree; his very favorite holiday!
While for me, it may be a little easier because I do not live in the KC area anymore and do not have CONSTANT sights and reminders; at the same time it is very difficult. My dad lives on in his children and in his grandchildren, we have his fiber optic christmas tree up in our living room with his glass ornaments on there and a picture of him, when any of us in the house reference that tree, we reference it as "Grandpa's Tree."
I can't tell you how many times I want to pick up the phone and call him for advice, it's almost daily that something happens that I need his input on. Since his death, amazingly, I have put about three things in my life into effect that he always told me to do/not do; and daily I smile and thank him for those choices b/c they were the right answer and the right thing to do. My father was one of the greatest men I have ever known, and while I knew that when he was alive, it is ever more pressed in my life daily as I raise my own children and make decisions for my life.
I miss him every second of every day, Thanksgiving was quiet without him, Christmas will be dreadful without his laugh and santa hat and suspenders. I can't tell you how much of a character he was, if you knew him you know that he never let a minute go by where he didn't make you "lighten up" no matter the circumstance.
I've said it a million times, and I"ll say it again; his cup was ALWAYS half full, that's all he knew.
As I go into Christmas this weekend, it will be with a heavy heart; I will be missing Dad even more than I already do. Holidays are hard, I miss mom every holiday every year and it never gets easier, this year, there will be two spots empty and that is a bit hard to comprehend.
Love the one's who are around because tomorrow is never promised, shoot, tonight is not promised. I need to do a better job of this myself, never forget your place and ALWAYS tell them you LOVE THEM!

December? What? Are you Serious?

And December is here. Wow, it seems like just yesterday I was starting this blog vowing to keep up with it. I should never vow that, my life is too crazy and complicated.

The kids are all doing wonderful. Anabel is in a new preschool, Peace Kids Lutheran Pre School at the Lutheran church just up the road from us, she really likes it. She still has the morning blah's every once in a while where she complains about having to go, but once she gets there she is happy the rest of the day. I have noticed such a huge difference in her since she has started. They have a school curriculum from 9 - 3 and then before 9 and after 3 is just play time. They get to go to the sanctuary and have a lesson and sing about God. One day she told me that she was singing for God but she did not see him so she did not think he heard her. I explained to her that God is all around us and can hear and see everything, but most importantly God is in our hearts and in her heart and when she sings she can feel him there. So the next day she tells me, "mom, i sang my heart out for God and even though i didn't see him, i felt my heart the whole time."  Ugh. that little munchkin, I tell you what!

We are almost set up at ther Berger Homestead for Christmas, Colin and the kids have really worked hard on the lights outside, the kids have put up both the Berger Family Tree as well as Gpa Austin's tree. Now I just need to get my behind in gear and finish the rest of the decorating. It seems time is flying by too quickly.

Wishing you all a Happy December!