name that tune.

I have 3 daughters. 

One is getting ready to start high school. 

Which seems impossible. 

And admittedly I'm a little choked up.

I have some very good & some very harsh memories of that time in my life..

Don't most of us? 

I am so grateful every single day that my kids have different everything than I had. 

And lets face it, the world is harsh. 

Girls are mean. 

Boys live in a crazy mix of ego/image/hormones & culture.

HOWEVER. Some things never change.

like how you aspire for your child to have better than you.....

I'll assume, you've heard the song. 

Just the way you are.

EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it, all I can do is pray that whomever is the one that catches the eye of my daughters this is exactly how they feel about them. 

To love them just exactly the way they are. They are amazing. Their smiles. Their lips. Their laughs. They are so beautiful. Never ask them to change. 

There are days when I just stare at them in awe. I am so blessed to be their momma. I almost can't even type because they feel so differently about themselves than I did. And it is the most precious thing in the world! 

It starts with God. They know Him & He knows them. 

And then there is their Daddy, who adores, loves on them all the time. Jokes. Hugs. Snuggles. He's an amazing Daddy. 

I am so utterly grateful despite all the trial & ERRORS that for almost 15 years I've stayed home & gotten to raise this crew. There are amazing moms that both work & are fabulous moms, and I admire them so much, but this is my task & I belong home. Partially because, lets face it. 5?! And even still despite that, we weighted the cost & options a long time ago...without any help around (like family or hired in) it would be impossible. And I love it. Everyday. Even on the bad days. 

It is a task above all else. Mothering. Its heartbreaking. Rewarding in nothing you can see at the moment. 

Draining in every way. 

I was pregnant or nursing for a decade. 

let that settle in for sec

I miss those little ones so much! But my home & my heart are full! I love my children beyond anything I can describe, all equally but also somehow differently. 

With my eldest almost looking me in the eyes these days...(which is crazy because I'm tall!)

It has brought so much of how little time I've had with her, to teach, model, cherish, encourage, guide...

But the other day a letter came. 

Not an ordinary letter. 

Her acceptance into a very prestigious & amazing high school. She hasn't made her final decision yet, but...

when I read the letter. It all came flooding in....somehow the things I did teach, model, encourage & hopefully cherish were seen. The school took the time to really get to know my girl. Her strengths & what she would offer their school as well as what they can offer her. The most amazing thing to finally see all those things we've tried to pour into her, are there & someone recognized it. Your an amazing person, beautiful just the way you are.

She's so beautiful

And I'll love you everyday.

Going Green for Christmas!

Let's just get out there & say it...this year has been a doozy. However, that's not what goes in a Christmas letter, RIGHT! And when we get right down to it, despite the spite that 08 could bring, we are exceptionally blessed. 

So here's the wrap up....

Our kids have grown (this is nothing new but still seems to amaze all who see them). If your struggling to remember-the final score is 3 girls/2 boys = "Yes, we're done". (We get asked THAT ALOT)

Boston turned one in April at a round 26 lbs. but has since 

slowed down. He walked at 16 months, late but considering he had rolled over & learned to eat with a fork/spoon at the same time (13 mo.) who cares what's normal! He adds more to each of our lives that we could have ever predicted. He's slow on words too (ball, mama,

 dada, moo, gogo, thank you & signs please and more) but makes his wishes known just fine! We call him Chooch. 

Mackenzie turned 12 in Oct and loves all things with 4 legs, measured by "hands". Middle School transition has gone well, as shown by her 4.0 & playing volleyball and basketball. On top of riding 3 days a week. She's incredible & wonderful. 

Abbie is well....have you read Fancy Nancy books? 

They are practically a unauthorized biography!

 In fact that is what she was for Halloween &

 she 

managed to stay "in character" all day! She's a big 

help & loves what Spreckels life has to offer..

..friends, walking to school, riding bikes and the 

ever-lasting play date. She's sweet as pie!

Madeline fondly said like My-Yiyine.  She wakes first, fetches the paper & waits for the fun to begin. She dances and loves to play school although she doesn't like to go. On the lake, she's the first to plunge of the deck with the cutest cannonball you've ever imagined. Going to work with Daddy is her kinda day, although really anything with Daddy is. 

Parker big man on campus. He's in 4th grade, turning 10 in a few weeks & his big news has been braces. So far so good, can't wait to see that smile! He has been swimming this fall, and starts baseball in the spring. However, his new title of "Best Brother in the World"- is without a doubt his greatest quality. He adores & loves his lil bro, just like you'd expect from a boy that prayed for a year & half to get one. Its more precious that plutonium. 

That leaves T&A, no A&T...either way, we look at things as lessons learned & every day is a chance to begin again. God has been faithful and we are full of faith that 09 is gonna ROCK! 

A few other fun highlights are Todd's column in The Monterey Herald & 1645 River Road. Here's the links incase that intrigues you. 

montereyherald.com/toddfisher

1645riverroad.com

From each of the 7, we wish you a fantastic '09 & a truly Merry CHRISTmas. After all in the big picture aren't we all truly blessed?