The day after....

The day after Thanksgiving hold many family traditions. Putting up the Christmas Tree, of course is the first thing that happens as we prepare for the Christmas Season. Again, this is another first in Maddie's life. We have been trying to prepare her for all that Christmas has to offer. She really is only interested in the Christmas Tree. She ooohs and ahhhs over the Christmas tree at Wal-Mart and the Mall. She has been asking all week for a Christmas Tree at her house. We bought a real tree this year to celebrate Maddie's first Christmas tree. We all pitched in and decorated a beautiful tree with colored lights. She loved hanging the ornaments!

All of us picking out the Tree.

Maddie hanging the first ornament

Decorating....

The finished product!

Another tradition that we started several years ago was baking Christmas cookies. We research new cookie recipes and bake our favorites as well. Some years we have help from Lizzy's friends but this year it was just the Portie girls. What fun....

A good day.... Lots of fun.... Dozens of Delicious cookies to eat.... Yum!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for. Wow! what a difference a year makes. So many things have changed and I have been so blessed this past year.

My mom is finally well and is my "mom" again. This is the 1st Thanksgiving in many years that she was herself and actually helped in the kitchen. I am just so thankful that I have her back in my life. She is such a good mom - I almost forgot how nice it was to have her around. I am thankful that GOD has allowed her more time on this earth and that she can share my life.

This was Maddie's first Thanksgiving and although she was feeling a bit under the weather, she still managed to enjoy herself. She was a big help in the kitchen and provided some much needed assistance with the green been casserole and carrot souffle. She loves to help cook and bake.

I read my Thanksgiving post from last year and remember that feeling that something was missing but I was so thankful for what was to come. GOD was so faithful to us during our journey to Maddie. I had a feeling of indescribable JOY for this Thanksgiving Holiday that all of my beautiful children were with me and were healthy and happy. It is so hard to describe that feeling in words.

As I reflect on this past 12 months, I am most thankful for:

- The gift of motherhood - this is the most important job to me and I love each of my children more than they know. I thank GOD for each one of them and all of the special moments and blessings they bring to my life.

- My mother and father - they do so much for me and my family.

- All of my wonderful and beautiful friends - they enrich my life!

- The many trials that this year has brought and the many triumph's.

- I am Thankful for Clarity and Purpose in my life - sometimes it comes when you least expect it.

- I am thankful that GOD is ever present and has a plan for me and my life.

I hope each of you had a Happy Thanksgiving....

Trick or Treat

Maddie & Halle (Cousin)

Hannah, Maddie, Lizzy, Lilli & Hailey (dressed & ready for the EDS Halloween Dance)

Maddie's First Halloween was so much fun. More fun than I remember Halloween being with Christopher and Lizzy or maybe I am just more "in the moment" than I was when I was much younger.


For about a week before Halloween, Maddie's school had been preparing the class. She learned the three steps to Trick or Treating.... 1) Knock, Knock, Knock (on the door), 2) say Trick or Treat and 3) after the treat is given say Thank You.


She chose her own costume, at her sisters dismay. Lizzy wanted her to be some cute ladybug or princess and Maddie wanted nothing but Minnie Mouse. Her costume was so cute on her and fit her bubbly personality!


Halloween Night, she was ready. Lizzy and her friend Lilli helped Maddie and participated in the festivities.

By the end of the night her bucket was FULL and too heavy for her to carry. After each trip to another house, she would pass her bucket to Nana to hold and look to Poppy to carry her to the next house. We walked and walked - she did not want the night to end.

Good Times....