Santa's List

I thought this was too cute...I will be showing it to Allegiance in the morning. Bet she will work extra hard to be on the "nice" list!!!

http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/73078-michelleystone/

The Christmas Season (in pictures)

KidStand and Hannah

Hannah got to do something very special this Halloween. She joined up with a dance group for a Christian organization called KidStand. They did performances at our church for a Trunk or Treat event we held. So, she missed out on trick-or-treating, but she had a blast! And she is quite the dancer!!! Unfortunately, she is difficult to see because of the light behind her...

Happy Halloween

Allegiance was Spaghetti and Meatballs for Halloween this year. She was a little nervous about the costume, but she felt much better after everyone made over her! I, personally, think she was adorable!

In this video, she is saying "You're making me hungry..."

Family

This past weekend, my Uncle Bill, Aunt Cheryl, and cousins came for a visit. Okay, they were really here to visit the huge indoor waterpark, but they made some time to come by and have dinner with us. It was great to see them again. Mom and Dustin came down too, which made it even better. Mom did all the cooking and we did all the eating!!!

The "Boys"

Uncle Bill and my cousin Brian

Jenni and Aunt Cheryl

No Hillman family get-together is complete without backrubs!

Allegiance with her cousins, Doran and Thalen

I remember before Grandma passing away talking about how we would still all try to get together. But now that we are here, it does get harder and harder to keep that a reality. Life really gets in the way sometimes. I look forward to being in Heaven when I will have all eternity to spend rekindling old relationships and building them up again...

Until then, I guess I will take what I can get. :-)

The Wii was a real hit with the kiddos! Even Allegiance and Thalen played. And I use the term "played" loosely! Actually, they were pretty good for little four year olds!!!

This was also Hannah's weekend to have the "health baby." She named him Alex for the weekend. If she looks a little tired in the pics or a little absent from them, that's because she spent most of the weekend tending to a hungry, crying little one. Sounds just like real motherhood, right??? She did great though and got a little extra credit in health, but she did definitely decided that it will be a LONG while before she wants kids of her own!!!

Blessed

Do you ever sit back and realize just how lucky you really are?

I don't very often...but I should. I have a great life, really.

I have a wonderful husband who takes me out to eat whenever I don't feel like cooking, who encourages me daily, and who keeps me up to date on all the political stuff that I never would keep up with myself. I have a beautiful thirteen year old who still tells me about her day, kisses me goodnight before she goes to bed, and listens to me when I talk to her. Not to mention the little three year old cutie that brightens my day with her sweet sayings, snuggles with me for bedtime stories, and begs to spend time with me. Seriously, could I be more blessed???

My Hero

Today is my Grandma Hillman's birthday. She is celebrating it in Heaven as she has for the past few years. But as her birthday neared this year, I found myself thinking more and more about her.

In my second grade classroom, we have a star student each week and one of the items on a poster that the students share with the class is their "hero." Well, I made a sample poster to start the school year off. When I got to the part about my hero, it didn't take me long to know who to put...Grandma was so patient. She never complained. She was forgiving. She was giving. She was loving. She had a gentle spirit that never made you feel wrong. She was everything I wish I could be. She was exactly what Jesus wanted her to be. I know for a lot of people "hero" would mean someone who risks their life or someone well-known or famous, but for me it means the person who didn't do things for selfish reasons. It means the grandma who made time for me very summer. It means having a refrigerator and freezer filled with every kind of special treat in a town that didn't even have a grocery store. It means asking blessings before every meal and never letting anyone leave the table hungry. For me a hero is the person that modeled Christ to me. It's the person who was so strong after losing her husband and after moving into a retirement home.
I know any one in our family reading this has a list of their own about the love that Grandma showed to them. She made everyone feel so very special.

Grandma, I love you!!! I can't wait for our reunion in Heaven!

Rockstar Soccer Girl

So, soccer may not exactly be Legi's thing!!! But she does enjoy getting out there. I say anything that promotes team spirit is a good thing, so what if her favorite part about the game is the snack time after? :-)

Now this is more up Allegiance's alley...dancing around in her "twirly" skirt. She is definitely ALL girl!

Recognize this story???

Score for Mom!

Last night was Hannah's Open House. It is crazy to think that she is taking classes this year that will count for high school credit. Even crazier that the teachers last night were talking about the "track" she is on and that she will be able to earn college credit in high school!!! She is growing into such a beautiful young woman, and we are so proud of her, but I am not sure I am okay with it happening so fast!!!

So, about last night. I was tired and a little punchy...we had a quick supper, then Han and I went to Open House and Rich and Legi went to the first soccer meeting. We had to get to Hannah's school by 6 p.m. for parking and we didn't get home until 8 p.m. After working all day, that made for one tired little family.

Anyway, in one of Hannah's classes, the teacher kept looking directly at me. I leaned over and told Hannah that the teacher kept looking at me and was probably thinking to herself that there was no way that I had a 13 year old daughter, I looked WAY to young. Of course, I really figured she was looking at me because my hair was super windblown or I had a piece of supper stuck on my face.

Well, today in Hannah's class, the teacher asked Hannah if I was her real mom! Ha! Okay, it could have nothing to do with age and more to do with the fact that Hannah and I don't really have a lot of the same features. But, hey, I'm going to say that it's because I look so young!!!

Allegiance

Allegiance is growing up so quickly. I hate that we are not around family, so I will do my best to keep you guys informed about her and the rest of my little family ince I guess many of you read my blog (even though I only have ONE friend that ever leaves comments!)

This is Legi with her friend Julianna (JuJu) from her babysitter's. JuJu is Ms. Carmie's little girl. Allegiance loves getting a chance to act as a big sis to this precious 2 year old. They have lots of fun together.

And here is Legi painting. She is quite the little artist!

Answered Prayer #1009

Another one of my prayers has been answered!!! Tonight I got to hear my dear brother's voice on the phone...He is back safely from Iraq. Thank you, God! It was so good to hear him. I know that his time in Iraq was with good purpose, but I prayed every night that God would bring him back safely and now He has. I know that all families are not that lucky, but I thank God that He chose to show favor upon my brother and our family and bring Logan back safely to us.

About the #1009...I'm not really keeping count, but I am more than sure that it has been at least that many, if not many, many more!!!

Back to School

Painting Princesses

Eating Ribs (Legi thought these were really yummy)

We are officially back in school this week...Hannah is in eighth grade and loving it. Allegiance is going to a new person named Carmen who is wonderful! And I am teaching 2nd grade again!!! It has been a LONG week so far, but we are getting back in the swing of things...

Super Cool 8th Grader!!!

Perfect Sisters

My perfect sister holds me tight.
My perfect sister kisses me goodnight.
My perfect sister knows when I’m mad.
My perfect sister helps me when I’m sad.
My perfect sister is so smart.
My perfect sister has my heart.
My perfect sister is good and nice.
My perfect sister holds me at night.
My perfect sister is here to stay.
My perfect sister loves to play.

Praise God for perfect sisters!!!

George the Monkey

Oh, what would I do without my family?!? They are just so entertaining. This is better than some things I've seen on PBS!

In case you don't know, George, the monkey in the video, was given to our dog Liberty a few years ago for Christmas. Since then, he has taken on a mind and personality of his own. Allegiance ha really taken up with him. He can be very rude and obnoxious at times, but I have to say that he can be pretty entertaining. :-)

God is so good!

On the fourth of July while we were waiting around for the fireworks, we hung out in Barnes and Noble for awhile. We sampled many books, and I found out about Brian "Head" Welsh, who used to be a member of the band Korn until he found God. AMAZING story...I have been pretty taken by it since reading excerpts from the book. I have never done drugs nor ever had more money than I knew what to do with like this guy, but I can attest to the wonderful love of God and I think it is pretty awesome what God did in Brian's life!

check out this link on utube to find out more... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU8BF20f8xw

He is also releasing an album on his own, apart from Korn, which will reflect his journey from what he was to who he is now in Christ. But, I listened to a little bit of it, and it is not really the type of music I listen to anymore. So I won't be buying it...but I can say that I am excited to meet Brian in heaven one day!

Seven Great Years!

Here is a sampling of our last 7 years...May God bless us with many, many more!!!

Vacation!

Rich has been on vacation this past week. We stayed close to home and took a little mini-vacation. It was really nice to stay close to home but still get away.

Be sure to check out ALL the new posts:

Rich's Birthday

Wiggle Time

Celebrate Freedom

Allegiance's Wish

Happy Independence Day

Soccer Star

Rich's Birthday

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Dear Daddy!

Happy Brithday to you!!!

How old are you now?

How old are you now?

You get better as you get older!

How old are you now?

Wiggles Time!

We had a great time at the Wiggly Play Center. I say "we" but mostly Allegiance had a great time. But as you can tell by the video and pics, Hannah enjoyed herself too!

Celebrate Freedom

We went to the Celebrate Freedom concert that I posted about previously, but unfortunately it was soooo hot, we only made it for a couple of hours on Friday night. We still had a good time as we always do when we're hanging out as a family. :-)

Nothing like a three year old climbing all over you in 98 degree weather!!!

Hannah with two of the Veggie Tales!
These sticks were too cool. Rich and Hannah were practically experts by the time we left.

Allegiance's Wish

This past weekend we had some friends from Dumas come to visit. Allegiance could not have been happier. I was afraid she might be a little jealous...but instead it just reinforced her wish for a baby brother or sister!!!

She was really good with him and he was such a little sweetie! I have a picture where I have this same expression on my face while I am watching my little brother, Dustin.

Happy Independence Day

From our family to Yours: Happy 4th of July!!!

Chillin' Out

Hannah and Mom
Barbecue Chicken