My Son is a TEENAGER!!

I should have made this post 2 days ago but with Christmas I wasn't on the computer much at all. First of all, I was a little depressed. Secondly, I was still working on my tons of homemade presents. Let me explain.

Matthew was with his dad this year and I didn't get him until the 26th at noon. Stephanie and Jimmy had their precious little ones to have Santa with then they went to her sister-in-laws this year because we weren't having our Christmas until 26th evening. Shan got up early and went over to her dad's to celebrate Christmas with her brother and dad and their family. Eric had to work Christmas eve and the day after so he didn't come in and Dustin had to work Christmas day so it was just Tim and I. I kept looking at my handsome husband thanking him for being there.

I talked to my mom for a few minutes but we were both on the verge of tears (actually I think a meltdown) so we didn't stay on the phone long. We weren't helping each other. She, too, likes having her family and this year my little brother and his wife were going to her family and my other little brother, who is a fireman, had to work so she was like me, childless.

THEN, my family did homemade Christmas gifts this year. I had so much fun doing these. I made everyone blankets (except the girls cause I had extras for them). I made picture frames that were so awesome and crosses with stones on them. I made the guys key holders made of wood with hooks in them (and little stuff on it for whatever they are in to - Texas Tech stuff for Eric and UT stuff for Jimmy). It meant a lot to me to make these with my hands thinking and praying over the person I was making them for.

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Oh, this wasn't really the intent of this post. It was to say that Christmas morning (4:40am to be exact) thirteen years ago I was delivering the best Christmas present I have ever been given. Matthew Brian Bankard was born. I had a very tramatic birth and he (and I actually) almost didn't make it. God had other plans..............................

Matthew has been through a lot and we've had some major challenges but I love that child more than I think he will ever know. He, for this season of time, lives full time with his dad and at times I miss him so much I can hardly stand it. I do get to see him often and stay in constant contact with him. In my divorce it was agreed that we would do joint conservatorship and the kids spent one week with me, then Mike, and so on. Shan couldn't do it for long and chose to live with me full-time. Matt has gone several years longer but we are finding through some of his challenges, that he needs the stability of one home. He chose his dad. I hurt over it but know that God is in control and will watch over Matthew as it is one of my standing and urgent prayers.

I won't go on and on but just want to honor my son, my teenager as he turns 13.

Here are a few random pics of my Matthew! Wish I had my hands easily on some baby pics but these were ones on my computer.

Christmas Tour of Homes 2008

Welcome to our home!!

Now remember, we are Texans. My husband is a hunter. Our snowmen look a little differenct in Texas.

Don't worry - we're keeping an eye on him. He's been told to leave the Buck alone!

My pretty red door really looks good at Christmas. Here's a bright picture so you can get the look.

Here it is with the lights on and no flash so you can really see the lights.

Come Inside................

Right inside the door is the very first nativity scene I owned. My mom got it for me years ago and it continues to be my favorite though I have several. This one is made of terra cotta.

This past weekend I needed a JD/Kenzie fix so they came and spent the night with Papa Tim and KK. JD and I were talking about the nativity and the birth of Christ. I went to pick up Baby Jesus to talk about HIM and JD took it in his hand and said, "oh, HE is so beautiful." I said, "yes, HE is!"
Here is Baby Jesus, and isn't HE beautiful?

My welcome wreath when you walk in.

This is our staircase. I love to wrap it in garland and bows!

Our mantle with our stockings. I love these so much because they go so well in our rustic family room!

Mantle lit up at night.

Here is our Christmas Tree.

Our Christmas tree with lights on/no flash.

Another Nativity Scene in my kitchen/breakfast room.My pencil tree in the kitchen/breakfast room. I love this tree. I get to decorate it however I want. The family tree in the living room has everything on it from many years of collecting. But, this one has my pretty's!!
Well, that's some of my favorites. I'll do phase 2 later with some more goodies!!!!

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

Favorite Christmas........

I've seen this on several blogs so I'm following suit................

1. Fresh or fake Christmas tree:
Definitely fresh. Always! Last year we had just moved into our new house and were spending Christmas at my parents so I only used my pencil tree (which I usually put in the kitchen) for our tree and it was so hard. This year - REAL!!!

2. Favorite Christmas ornament:
I have so many but probably the one my mom gave me while I was in Mississippi for Thanksgiving. It is a frog. It brings back so many memories. I used to draw one particular frog (Fred the Frog) when I was young all the time. I had to draw it for my little brother Chris constantly. I think I even made my mom an ornament out of cardboard of this frog. The ornament my mom gave me at Thanksgiving looks just like Fred.

3. Favorite Christmas song:
Definitely O Holy Night but I also love A Strange Way to Save the World by 4Him.

4. Favorite Christmas tradition:
I guess this takes me back to being a little girl. Every year my brother and I would wake up and have to go wake my parents up, go back to bed and "pretend" to wake up again while my parent's video taped us. We definitely should have won oscars for our performances each year. When I watch them now, I get tickled because it was a performance!!! But, I love it and remember making my kids do it a time or two and it is a memory I cherish.

5. Favorite Christmas gift ever received:
I can think of quite a few but the ultimate favorite was 13 years ago this very Christmas when Matthew Brian Bankard was born at 4:40am. I had a pretty tramatic delivery and I remember when they knocked me out not knowing if my son was alive or not. His name Matthew means "gift from God" and he truly is that to me. I can't believe that child is going to be a teenager!!! Wow! Another that I love is my past, present and future diamond pendant Tim gave me the Christmas of 2005. He wrapped a big box and inside were 4 wrapped boxes. The first one I opened had a piece of paper where he wrote something about our "pasts". The next about our "present" and the next, you guessed it, our "future". Each of the three were written so wonderfully and beautifully, and yes, I bawled. I love my MAN!!! The 4th was a beautiful past, present and future pendant with the three diamonds.

6. Favorite Christmas meal:
Honey Baked Ham, turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, green beans, cranberry and blueberry salads, purple hull peas, and rolls.

7. Favorite Christmas memory:
I would have to say the Christmas of 2003. We knew that my Pepa wouldn't live much longer so I know I remember making sure to enjoy this one with him. We took tons of pictures. I still miss my Pepa at Christmas. He made it very special.

8. Favorite Christmas cookie:
I guess it would be my favorite cookie anyways......sugar cookie!

9. Favorite place to be at Christmas:
I love going to my folks for Christmas. It's like being a kid again! BUT, I'll take anywhere my wonderful Husband and kids are.

10. Favorite Christmas movie:
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - hands down.

TGIF.......

Oh, am I glad it's Friday. What a week. I am so ready to go home and decorate my house for CHRISTmas!!! We have been in our house well over a year now but last year we went to my folks for Christmas, and I didn't do it ALL UP! Can't wait.

I was looking through family pics over this last week (a lot from our Thanksgiving trip) and just laughed at how goofy we are. I love my family. I am blessed beyond measure. Each and everyone of them are the funniest people I know. I have the pleasure and joy of laughing daily!!! Thank You Lord!!!!

These are random. Some have a story - some of just how my crew (who all think I am obsessed with taking pictures) respond when I want to take a picture.















Kenzie LOVES to eat. She is so funny to watch!!!

We love to go to our place in the country!! Bonfires always bring out the fun!!

Grandkids had had enough of pictures. One JD would do good, Kenzie would be looking somewhere else, then the next would be the opposite. I gave up and joined them!!!

Kenzie loves to make anyone smile!

Just a typical response to a camera.

Little too tight there Baby!

JD is in a stage where he just makes goofy faces when you point a camera on him.















Stephanie modeling before the bonfire!











Tim and I have Texans seasons tickets and love to go. Our group even went to New Orleans for the preseason game. Here's Tim high 5ing a Saint that he had just headbutted.












This is how Eric's precious girlfriend met Papa Tim for the first time. Eric wanted me to make sure his dad toned it down and behaved. He shouldn't have requested that. Tim was rednecked to the hilt!!


Now this was supposed to be a lovely Mother-Son picture!


























We always go visit my brother, Bubba at the firestation when we're in MS and Shan took JD's hat!

We always do a hayride at my folks. We tried to do in the day vs. night this time bacause it was so cold at night. Well, it was still cold and this was Shannon keeping warm.

Thanksgiving......

Our family minus a few...............

The SPREAD...............my Dad, Uncle Larry and Mom

We are home from my parents (Olive Branch, MS). We had an absolute blast. I love going there. This time was a little sad though because Tim stayed here to spend Thanksgiving with Dustin and Eric. This is the hard part of blended families. Tim's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. He's not big (at all) on Christmas because of what has happened to it. Anyways, he likes being with family with no expectations of gifts - just each other. I have switched holidays all of my adult life (going Thanksgiving one year then Christmas the next). This was our year to go to my mom and dad's. My three look forward to going to their Nana and Papaw's all year long and now JD who is obsessed with his NANA talks about going all the time. So we went and Tim stayed here. Dustin and Eric have a grandfather that is not in good health so they need to spend all the time they can with him (especially holidays). I do hope one year they will choose to go to my folks with us to make it a perfect Thanksgiving.

I do have to say I enjoyed getting to spend 5 straight days with my kids and grandkids having fun. The Princess, Kenzie, became extremely attached to her KK. She at times wanted me over her mom. Sorry Steph. You are still her one and only Mama. I remember when Stephanie was a baby - she preferred her Nana over her Mama most of the time. At first it hurt my feelings then I grew to love it because I knew she still loved me but how special to have to special grandparent. Stephanie and her Nana are still extremely close. I hope Kenzie and I will be!!!!!! I just enjoyed the heck out of her reaching for me and wanting me to hold her and THAT SMILE. OH, THAT BEAUTIFUL SMILE.

JD, on the other hand is obsessed with his NANA. I love it though. He walks in the room in the morning and sees no one but Nana. Says....."Nana, and runs straight to her." I know JD loves his KK because when Nana is not around, I get that same treatment!!!!

My three...............this picture is my favorite because it's been way too long since I have had one of just Steph, Shan and Matt

How precious family is. How precious grandparents are........parents are.........grandkids are............kids are...........!!!!

Four Generations

I have so many other great pics so I'll keep posting. Most of them have stories so I'll have posts for the next week or so!!!

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!