Nanny Rawlings

Our family is in the midst of losing someone very close to our hearts. Jon's grandmother, Nanny Rawlings, has been in poor health for some time now and recently developed some complications that have lead to the news that her time on earth with us is growing short. Nanny Rawlings is Jon's last living grandparent, one we we able to spend some time with while living in Idaho a few years ago. I first met Nanny when Jon and I were dating and his Dad & Step-Mom flew us out to Idaho for Thanksgiving. Jon had always spoken fondly of her and his late Boppy Rawlings. Many of childhood memories were of them... Bobby's tools, Orchid greenhouses, and tales they told him. We were trying to make arrangements to fly out to Idaho this summer with Shawn & Landon so they could meet their paternal great-grandmother. Unfortunately, God's plans are pointing a different direction. We made sure that Shawn had the chance to speak with Nanny on the phone (she is of amazing mind right now... such a strong woman!)... and we are so thankful that he had that opportunity. Please say a prayer for Jon's grandmother, his father, and his family. We are thinking of you all in Idaho... wishing we could be there in person, but know we are there in heart. We love you... Nanny Rawlings, Dad/Pops, and Carol/Grama Carol.

Ok... after choking through that... on a positive note:

It might be safe to finally say that Shawn is 99.9% potty trained! He's still in pull ups for that rare pee oopsie... but he's been going all on his own for a while now & doing good! Whew. That was tough! Now, before we know it it'll be Red's turn.

Now, for the photos :)

We couldn't think of a better way to ring in the New Year than with some of our best friends...
The Wolfgangs!

Littlest Bestest Buddies.

Shawn, Owen, Riley, Connor, & Landon

Happy New Year!

Jumping Jacks.

Lindsey & sweet baby Connor.

The best of friends.

Goofballs.

Later that night... ringing in the New Year with our Namily!
Kevin & Chris's first Wii experience.

New Year's Day... and our Christmas with the Williams Family.

Delilah's present from Landon.

New Year's Day with the babes.

2010 here we come.

Mr. Mischievous.

Red Fury.

The Hood.

Our world... our loves.

Hailey kisses.

Lego building with the great Nampaw.

Landon, Hailey, & Shawn.
Playtime at The Meiser's.

Putting the baby to bed.
I was sooooo proud of him here... He was so gentle putting this doll in her cradle. For a kiddo who isn't very fond of babies, this was something special.

Nampaw & Namaw Meiser.
From the time Shawn was born you could see him develop this "special" relationships with people. Peeps & him were inseparable. MeMe (my mom) and him had this connection. Aunt Tearsa, Aunt Stef, & Uncle Jon. Grama Carol (he hasn't seen her since he just turned 2 and he talks about her constantly!) And now, Nampaw Meiser.
Landon on the other hand was suchhh a Mommy's boy... and took a little longer to warm up. Then comes Gmaw Lori (Tearsa's mom)... and all of a sudden, this woman who comes to visit every few months (distance issue) was one that he went to immediately... and you could just see the "sparks." Now, Namaw Meiser and him have this bond. If you ask Landon "Do you want to go to Mrs. Meiser/Namaw?" He lights up. If she taps at the window to say "hi"... wham... he's running for her full speed ahead. Its a beautiful thing watching this happen... especially with someone who is so much like a Mom to me.

The 300 piecer... KID, YOUR AMAZING!!

Aunt Tearsa & Shawn's project.

Double Trouble.

Brothers. The best!

Craft time.

The love of an Aunt.

Never fear, Gmaw is here!

Christmas with Gmaw, Aunt Tearsa, and Aunt Sallina.
The Little Drummer Dude.

Sisters & Brothers.

Holdin' on tight.

Monkey in the middle?
Poor Gmaw :)

Sisterly love.

Pj party.

Hair Horror's!!!! AHHHH!

Family time.

Ok, a great photographer (one that I admire muchly) gave me a piece of advice. Do a self portrait. Have it on your site. So... with some reluctance... and realization that there IS a reason I am the one BEHIND the camera... here it is folks.

I'll leave you with this:
Don’t spend your precious time asking “Why isn’t the world a better place?” It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is “How can I make it better?” To that there is an answer. - Leo F. Buscaglia -