Merry & Bright

Tis' the season .... Happy Holiday from The Crafts, The Walters, & The Maddens
We hope these pictures of our family put as big a smile on your face as is does our hearts

My sister with Bryce

Brother In Laws

Cousins!

Walters, Maddens, and Crafts

Celebrating Joshua's Bar Mitzvah




My sisters and mom

"Mom, I can crawl"






Saint Nicholas Feast Day


Anxiously Brave

Let's start this post with a story from a friend of mine brilliantly titled "Anxiously Brave."  http://momsgoing.com/2015/10/29/1467/ ... 

While I am fortunate and blessed my children's medical history does not mirror Charlie or Winnie's, my struggle comes in the way of shame in past life events that have proven hard and at times seemingly impossible to let go.  Raygan's story echoes the reality of my anxiousness and panic attacks.  While my anxiety has yet to come to the screeching halt I long for (and seemingly never will due to a medical disorder), day by day I am finding ways to put the shame to rest, live in the present as a loving disciple and faithful servant, finding the courage to let go and let God, and digging deeper into my steadfast Catholic Faith.  As I work on growing my personal relationship with God I can see direct and positive impact on daily encounters that in the past would have proven more difficult.  This is my "Anxiously Brave."

On a similar note and building upon my vocation of being a loving mommy and the desire to provide my children with joyful experiences, I was fortunate to have been gifted tickets to watch the Aggies play Mississippi State where Bryce and Wrig were able to share the experience of their first game together!




Here is a picture of my Batmen for Halloween



Here are a few pictures of Wrigley and Bryce at 6 months.  Can you tell who is who, aside from picture quality being a give away?






For other September and October photos click HERE


Rusty Halo

"Its been a long time coming" .... for some reason I feel like when I'm not posting often that I'm failing in some regard.  As most people tend to, I am my hardest critic.   I am hard on myself because my hope for this blog is that it's our "written" family history and when my children ask "what was our childhood like?" that I can point them here for a smile that will warm their hearts.  We all have rusty halos, meaning we all have things we can improve upon.  When I get down about not posting I remind myself how blessed I am to have opportunities throughout my life that keep me busy making memories that I push technology to the side.  Hence my love hate relationship with photography.  While I love the notion of capturing priceless moments with a lens, I equally feel like moments can easily be missed when you are stuck behind a camera and not able to take it all in without the added pressure of getting a perfect photo.   I will keep attempting a monthly post but don't be surprised when it doesn't happen, it just means I was spending more quality time with my family in front of the lens!  Here are a few moments captured June, July, and August





My Nieces Hannah & Elise, and Nephew Caleb


Monkey Clan (D Monkey, Monkey Dude, Monkey Man, and W Monkey)


My Godson, Will, holding Bryce


My Beautiful Sister Michelle











Jamaica Beach with the Welch's




Time Flies

How have two months already squeaked by since Bryce was born?!  Where does time go?  Wrigley is adjusting like a champ and mommy ... well ... that's another story ;)  Just joshing.  Although its been a difficult two months with recovering from a c section and managing Bryce's acid reflux among many other things, it's been such a blessing.  I seem to have forgotten just how awesome the newborn stage is.  The cooing, the smiling, the faint laughs, bathtime ... just how NEW everything is to them.  I am in amazement of Lord's creation.  Speaking of, I want to brag about Bryce receiving the sacrament of Baptism.  We are overjoyed to welcome him into the Catholic Faith and very proud of him.

Anyway, as much as I'd love to sit here and write a long blog, it would only mean I'm that much more sleep deprived and delirious which nobody ever needs to witness in their lifetime.  I'm one of THOSE when I don't get enough sleep! So I'll cut to the chase and allow your mind to walk you through the past two months with photos and videos.  Click HERE for more on 2015.