Getting back to "normal".

Wow. I can’t believe it’s been over a week since I’ve updated this blog! This is surely some type of record for me!

So much has happened and I don’t even know where to begin. I am trying to upload pictures but my computer is acting a bit like a fool again, so we shall see.

The past week has been sad, horrible, joyful, emotional and happy…….all at the same time. Is that possible?

A few months ago, I told you about this little girl (click here) Rashale. Last week, Rashale suddenly became very sick and was put into PICU on life-support. She fought hard for her life and so many were praying for her. Sadly, Rashale went to be with Jesus last Monday.

The girls and I were devastated. Rashale touched our lives each in a very special and unique way! Hope was especially touched by Rashale and has had the hardest time dealing with this. I have spent many hours just holding her over the past few days. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through with them.

Needless to say, blogging has been hard to come to this past week.

Please pray for Rashale’s mom, I cannot imagine the pain she is feeling every single day. Rashale was a very special girl and God is still using her in mighty ways!

Rashales passing was very hard to deal with in the midst of “Christmas Chaos” as I like to call it, but we managed and were still able to have a really nice Christmas.

I FINALLY got to meet one of my sweet little nephews, his name is Mason. And I enjoyed every single minute I got to be with him. This not being able to be an “aunt” has been killing me between Kris’s brother and my brother! So I was thrilled when they told us they were coming!

Meet Mason (and his mommy Dawn)! Isn’t he the cutest in his little Santa outfit??!!

I wish so badly our family all lived closer together. But, it’s so great to be able to spend time when we can! I still can’t wait to get my hands on Mike’s little boy Asher. He’s a cutie pie too!!!

Keep those pictures coming!

On Christmas Eve we had Kris’s side of the family over for dinner and presents. It was a good time and some yummy food! The girls got some great presents from everyone and will be busy doing all kinds of fun things for a long time!!

Kris and I knew that night would be a LONG night for us……but oh my word, we had NO idea we would be up until 3:30 am doing this:

This doll house……was just about the end of me! I NEVER thought it would take as long as it did. Sorry you have to turn your head to see the pictures!! WEEKS and endless nights we spent on this!! But, for this smile:

It was ALL worth it!

Until…….she informed me that is was NOT the doll house she wanted and that this was:

Oh my word!

That would’ve taken a YEAR to build! She quickly got over her tinsy tiny bit of ungratefulness and so enjoyed playing with this doll house! I hope that one day HopeAnn will have a little girl to pass this on to!

The girls all had a great Christmas morning, and I would love to post all the pictures but like I said, this computer is acting a fool right now and I just don’t have the patience for it!

As soon as we finished up our Christmas morning we packed up everything and headed to Asheville to be with my parents for the rest of the day and weekend.

The girls were SO excited because they finally got their Wii from my mom and dad. They were pumped!!

I am in love with the Wii too. I love that you can knock someone out (boxing), burn calories and have fun……..all at the same time!

And yes, I totally plan on using the Wii to help my girls “work out” their sisterhood frustrations:

“Girls! Get on that Wii and Go knock each other out!”

Ha ha!! Love it!

On Friday my mom and dad graciously took us to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville where we had such a good time!! I could’ve stayed there all day, it was beautiful! I would LOVE for one of my girls to get married there some day.

There will be pictures to come and a whole post on that day! It was awesome!

The girls stayed at mom and dad’s Saturday while Kris and I came home to spend some more time with his brother and wife before they headed back to New York. We went and ate dinner with them at PF Changs and then Kris and I went to the mall to see what kinda deals we could get! It was a great night!

I also was SOOOO happy because while we were in Asheville my sweet friend Cindy sent me a text message telling me she was going to be in Charlotte for a few days and I could come by and see her! It was so good to wrap my arms around that girls’ neck! I’ve missed her soooo much and please, please, please keep praying for Cindy. You can visit her blog (click here) to read about her fight against breast cancer. And if you visit her please leave her a comment and just love on her! She’s so incredible and loves support! And…may I just say she is more beautiful than ever! 😉

It’s been pretty nice having things quite (and clean) around here the past day without the girls! But, They shall return…….=) Tomorrow.

It’s been a busy week and a busy Christmas and I hate to say this, but….I’m very ready to get life back to “normal”. Whatever normal is!

I hope you all had a great Christmas too and I can’t wait to visit all of your blogs and catch up on things!