MERRY CHRISTMAS

And then there were five.

FIVE.

5.

What a difference a year makes.

Nine months ago I never even knew I wanted him. I never realized that I needed him. God apparently did though. Now that Kross is here, we can't imagine our lives without him.

Who would have guessed that Kenidi would ever be a big sister? Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day. It just wasn't in the cards for us - so. I. thought.

We've got three rock stars now. When I look into my rear view mirror in the car these days and see three children in the back seat instead of the usual two, I'm still blown away by it. I'm in shock that I'm a Mom of THREE at this point. Amazing stuff! I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm crippled by gratefulness this Christmas. I'm weak with emotion - raw emotion - regarding how mysterious God works. We are so very blessed.

We are joyfully welcoming our newest rock star this CHRISTmas season...

This is Kross's birth announcement. It couldn't be more fitting in my opinion.

It's 9 minutes after midnight on CHRISTmas day. This "Santa" is behind in her wrapping. I must sign off and finish a few more presents that need placed under the tree before my three rock stars wake in the morning. :) From our home to yours, may this CHRISTmas be your best & most joy-filled CHRISTmas ever. I know without a shadow of a doubt that it is for us. Happy birthday Jesus! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

In him,

Brent, Angie, Brennen, Kenidi & Kross Seaman

A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY

Although we don't own a dog who is producing dog crap in the front or back yard, my day yesterday was just as grand as hers. (above) Mother's Day this year is extra special for me and my awesome family treated it like so. I woke up to my husband clearing the dishwashers, folding towels from the clean laundry and putting them away as well as being serenaded by 2 beautiful children who walked in my bedroom hand in hand with a gift bag and a card for me from their dad and them. They handed it to me at my bedside with smiles. Kenidi especially. She grins from ear to ear anytime there are presents near by. I opened an incredibly wonderful card signed by four as well as a beautiful Mother's Day gift that will replace the watch Kenidi lost of mine last year around this time. I've been without a watch for almost a year now and had finally just begun to get used to it. Now though...I have a beautiful sentiment to wrap around my wrist again which will be a reminder of just how precious time really is. That didn't stop Kenidi Grace from attempting to run off with it yet again though. I practically had to pry the new watch out of her grubby little theif-a-licious fingers in order to get it back. She is a hoot! Like I told Brennen yesterday...I am so proud of the two of them and am so very blessed to be their Mother.

After all of the excitement, we ran to have a late Mother's Day brunch down the street. I stuffed my belly with a custom ordered omelet and a slice of french toast. Yes, I basically had to be rolled out of the restaurant when it came time to leave but I enjoyed every minute of it. It was Mother's Day so I splurged in the food category as so. We came home and vegged out for a bit after that. Brent and Brennen went and washed my car then they came back and we went and picked up my own Mom for some visiting time with her. She stayed over at the house most of the day with us. We ordered in and watched a marathon run of "The Duggars - 19 kids and counting" on TV. We both laughed while watching it all day and were in awe at how one woman can birth 19 kids and still be as sane, calm, soft spoken and passive as their Mother is. I would have done been loooonnnnng gone by #3. LOL! I kept thinking that surely the cameras would pick up a moment where she looses it or even raises her voice just a tad bit to discipline them - but NO! Never! She was as lucid as lucid gets. I admire that woman and feel as though she should be made into a saint. :) Not only does she have 19 kids but they are all home schooled as well. I looked at my Mom and said "she never gets a break." They are with her 24/7. At least some of us get a bit of "me" time when our kids are in school each day. Again...sainthood is calling for her.

All in all...I had a fabulous day with my family and with my own Mom as well. I was missing my Step-Mom and my Mother in law yesterday though. It just felt odd not making the rounds to spend the day with them on Mother's day too as we've always done in the past. My day was almost too "free." I found myself missing the hustle and bustle of traveling around to my 3 moms houses and visiting with them on our most important day of the year. :( Also...just a huge shout out and a thanks to all of my girlfriends who texted me yesterday wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. I have the best friends in the world.

I hope all of you were able to enjoy your Mother's Day festivities to the fullest extent yesterday and that your Monday was a beautiful one today. I'm hunkered down with the kids now trying to determine what we are going to do for dinner. Back to reality today although I could easily go for another omelet with a side of french toast right about now. HA!

Hugs, Angie

LUNCH DATE

As you can see, I have a lunch date today. Kenidi's class has invited their Moms in for a Mother's day lunch. How fun! I'm eager to see what all they've whipped up. I just enjoy seeing her little classmates and watching everyone interact with one another. Each time I spend a day in one of her classes, I am reminded how phenomenal her teachers and aides are that work with her on a daily basis. These special education teachers are nothing short of amazing. Her bus driver and the bus aide are the same way. They all endure so much on a daily basis with these kiddo's and yet they continue to love them like they are their own. We are so blessed by the wonderful people that have always been a part of her life.

I spent the morning out shooting today and boy was it a hot one. The heat index in Naples, Florida has been around 103/104 degrees in recent days. I was sweating like a dirty pig by the time I was finished but boy does photography fuel the soul on days when you are lacking the extra umph! The heat has taken its toll on me recently so I don't go anywhere far from water lately. :) And speaking of that, Brennen's football league has come to a close for the Spring season

I'm grateful that the league is over because I felt so bad for those boys playing out in this Florida heat. It made me a nervous wreck. Therefore, he is done until basketball begins in the Fall again. Kenidi has 3 more weeks of horse therapy and then she is off for the summer too. All of the activities that keep us on the run are coming to an end. We are all very much ready for a summer break for sure. There is a really cool water park close to our house and I'm guessing that we might do a season/summer pass there and spend most of our summer days off there during the week. Kenidi will love it. And then on other days, we'll be vegging by the pool at home and just chillin' together or headed to the beach and catching some gulf waves by the sea shore. Fun stuff!

For now, I'm headed out the door and over to Kenidi's school for the Mother's Day lunch. I hope each of you have a phenomenal weekend and a very relaxing and blessed Mother's Day on Sunday. Hugs...Angie