Walking with the Forbes

The girls where so excited Christmas morning. Our tradition is Daddy wakes up first to go start the fire, dim the lights, set up the camera, and turn on Christmas music. Then I get up fix myself some and we go wake the girls up at 6:00. We open our gifts then head to Jamie's parents for another gift unravel and breakfast by 9 or 10 o'clock. This year we only had one place to go instead of 3. It was relaxing and enjoyable without having to rush. Thank you Jamie for another wonerful happy Christmas.

“And an angel … said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?

“And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

“And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

“And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children. …

“And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

“And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

“And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

“And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (1 Ne. 11:14–21.)

I am so thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement. What a blessing he has been in our lives as we continue to try and follow his examples. I love Him with all my heart and am so thankful for my, Jamie and the girls testimonies. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable
And his cradle was a stall.
(Hymns, no. 205)

We had a great time making clocks and magnet boards. Here is the outcome of 3 hours of painting. Thank you Amber and Audra for hosting the party and thank you my three angel girls for being sweethearts and well behaved with patients.

This Sunday we where able to celebrate the Haacke Christmas tradition of getting together, having the kids act in the nativity seen while reading scriptures, and eating yummy food. This year the spirit was strong as we all sat together bundled in the living room as our family grows with children. We sang Silent Night and shared our favorite Christmas memories. I know our passing loved ones where with us remembering when... Thank you aunt Bonnie for having us all over and keeping the Haacke tradition going and thank you everyone for all the yummy food.

Today I experienced the most humble morning. The girls school have donation boxes at their schools for families in need. This morning Mattee came and asked if she could donate $10.00 to the school donation box. I mentioned to her that it would have to be next week when I could get to the bank (I am a debit card girl). Her response was I don't want to use your money I want to use my money that I have been saving up from the tooth fairy. I mentioned to her that $11.00 was a lot of money. Her amazing response to me was "mom but this is to help a family in need" and before I knew it Mattee and Kelsee each got a sandwich bag and pored all of their dollars and loose change in to it. The joy on their face knowing that they were helping another family or child will be with my heart and mind forever.What a humbling experience we shared. I wrapped my arms around them and cried telling them that their money would bless a families life in need and how proud I was of them. Explaining to them that I had the best children in the world. They have taught and reminded me the love and the spirit of giving. What two wonderful, beautiful daughters I have been blessed with. I know their Oma', Heavenly Father and our Savior are smiling upon them from ear to ear with pride and joy as I am. I love you my three little angels! What a blessing and wonderful example they are for Jamie, I and those around them. I thank the Lord everyday for such a beautiful blessing of three healthy angel daughters in our lives.

Yep we did it again. Every year we do the "Black Friday". It puts us into the Holiday mood. We have a blast and enjoy watching all the wierdo's. This year was more pleasant than usual. It wasn't as cold and the lines...well let's say that the longest line we had to wait in was 30 minutes compared to 2 hours last year. My sweet neice Hailey stayed the night Thursday and babysat the girls Friday while we shopped until we dropped (litteraly). We were able to get the girls' shopping done. Boy does it feel good and the deals where smashing. We even got two free MP3 Players. That day we came home and wrapped all the presents to put under our tree. I love the feeling of being organized. Bring on some more! Thank you Hailey and we love you! You saved us and you are the best.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Jamie came into town and we stayed busy the whole time he was here. First we attented two Thanksgiving dinners. They were both wonderful. I love getting together with our families and sharing happiness and showing our gratitude. I am truely thankful for Jamie and my three beautiful girls. I thank our Lord everyday for blessing me with a wonderful husband and the sacrifices that he makes for our girls and I. He loves us, guides us, protects us and has an uplifting spirit to the four of us and those around him. He has made many sacrifices and changes to his life to better himself and his family. He has a huge heart. I love you Sparky! I am thankful for my three wonderful girls. They make us smile, laugh, cry, and teach us to be a better person. They are our life, pride and joy and we are blessed. I am thankful for our health, our pets, a roof over head, friends, family, the gospel, our blessings, prayer and eachother. I love you my family!!!

We went to Texas Roadhouse for my birthday twice!! My brother Michael and his family took me on my birthday and the Forbes took me a week later. What a treat. The food there is wonderful. I have to say that the rolls are my favorite. I made Audra promise that she would not mention my birthday to the waitress. No way was I going to get up on a saddle. We had a great time. Thank you for making my birthday special without Jamie home. Love you guys!

I have been tagged by Audra...


7 random and or weird facts about Amber -

1. I have a fetish with ears. Whenever I cuddle with Jamie, the girls or my dog I love to play with their ears.

2. I can put my foot behind my head. I know you can only picture it now!

3. I wished I was a veterinarian.

4. I hate water spots left on taps. Argggg!

5. Strangers don't touch my baby!!!!!!! Come on think about all the germs you jerks.

6. I've never had self esteem growing up and still don't. But encourage my children to and tell them everyday how beautiful they are.

7. I would love to live in a cabin with my husband and children surrounded by trees and a small farm. No one around.

I tagg Bonnie, Allison, Tya, Lexi, Missy, Marie and Lissel

The girls and I where all home sick over the weekend but we decided to make it fun and put Avree in Kelsee's build-a-bear box. As you can see Avree got a kick out of it just as much as we did. Kelsee and Mattee also made up some realy cute dances. Kelsee was the teacher and Mattee was the student.

I can't believe that my Mattee is 8 years old. Mattee is my hard head, strong willed, independent, smart and beautiful little girl. She had a wonderful birthday party with her friends and family at our house and then off to build a bear we went. They had a blast. She invited two of her close friends and then cousins. Kelsee brought her friend along also. We always let them bring a friend along to eachothers birthday parties. Happy 8th Birthday Mattee..... I love you with all my heart

Jamie came home for Halloween. What a wonderful time we had. For Halloween Kelsee was a Midnight Fairy, Mattee was the cutest witch in town and Avree was my sweet little lamb. What a change from going to coat weather every Halloween to not even a jacket. What a beautiful night. We enjoyed a wonderful enchilada dinner at my in-laws. It is our Forbes tradition.
The girls enjoyed their dad being home. Sparky we will se you in 3 weeks for Thanksgiving.

Kelsee's BFF mom and I held a little Halloween Party on Friday for them and some of their friends. We played games, made crafts and ate yummy homeade carmel apples. The girls had lots of fun.