The Susans and Moustakas's

Avery, Taylor, and Ana sang "star of wonder" at the beginning of there mommy's and daddy's song at church on Sunday and they did fantastic!! The Taylor, Avery, Michael, and Riley Susan with Ana and JUstice

Sooooo Cute!

Adorable!

Christmas with family before Christmas

We had our first Christmas celebration at our house on Sat. My brother sister and me

My very strange family!

some of the gift they recieved!

Snow day

On Friday Ana had a snow day and we decorated cookies and played out in the cold cold snow!

Warren Tree Lighting

A few weeks ago we went a very chilly night to the Warren Tree lighting. We had a lot of fun! We saw the "Christmas Camel," We went Ice skating and Justice said "I never want to go ice skating again mommy". We met Dasher and Prancer, and we went on a horse drawn carriage ride. The best part it was all free!!!!

Isabelle Rose

Isabelle Rose was a clown

She was an Awesome big sister!

On December 7th it will be 5 years since Isabelle Rose went to be with Jesus. I know many of you know what happened, but on this side of Heaven I may never know why. For those of you who don't know our story let me recap. It is healing for me to do this on occasion. 5 years ago my oldest daughter came down with a common child hood illness-croup. She came down with it on a Tuesday and by Thursday her breathing became very labored and I took her to the ER. She stayed in the hospital til early sat morning when they released her. My husband Johnny took her back to the doctors that same day just to make sure that she was really okay. They told us she was fine and everything we were hearing was normal. She was doing better. She was sucking her thumb(she hadnt done that for 4 days because of her breathing), she was playing, and she kept coming up to me in her very raspy voice and saying "I love you mommy" and hugging my waist. We put her to bed that night and kissed and pray with her. As I walked out the door she said again "I yuzs you mommy," and of course I said I love you to Belle. I checked on her at 930 and she was doing great. She opened her eyes and looked up at me and she had her thumb in her mouth cuddled up with her beloved blanket. At 145 I woke up and went into her room to check on her, and she was not responsive. From then on out we did cpr and the ambulance came and we were off to the ER. At 245 they came into to tell us she didnt make it. I knew when I picked her up that she was no longer with us, but I prayed and pleaded that this wasnt the case. She is with the Lord, God in his mercy and grace saved her from the evils of this world. He protected her from suffering and pain. My arms ache to hold her again, to hear her say I yuz you mommy, to hear her sing and watch her dance to her Barney videos. I know that she would be over barney now, but to be able to go back in time to see it again. I cannot wait to see her face again, I have no Idea what Heavens reunion will be like, but I know God doesnt do anything half way.Those days were heavy with grief, but in the midst of all the tears there joy for her. She is dancing and singing and praising GOd in person, I am jealous. Also there are so many people who have blessed our lives. Our church and our family and our great friends have helped to see us through some very hard years. We are forever greatful to so many wonderful people.As the day approaches I spend time looking at pictures and watching videos and thinking about our precious girl. I laugh and I cry...alot. The hurt isn't as bad as it was 5 years ago, but there is a twinge of grief that will always remain as long as I have breath. I struggled with this, I struggle with this.....shouldnt I be okay now? I am okay, but I don't grieve for her, I greive for me and my family and what we don't get to experience with her. I have joy and hope for tomorrow. I have joy and hope for today. I am blessed. My greiving will only last on this earth, and because of our Gracious and perfect Saviour Jesus Christ I will have Joy everlasting in heaven.Why did God take her after only 2 and a half years? He is perfect and Sovereign. His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. Some things God keeps secret. He saved her and comforts me.Isabelle Rose Moustakas, my sweet baby girl, I love you and cant wait to see you again. Happy 5th Heavenly Birthday

Those eyes make me melt!

3rd cousins are AWESOME

We had a lot of fun with our littlest cousins over thanksgiving. Me(duh), Ana, and Laine........They both share the same middle name, Elizabeth

Ana and Cousin Alex....they do not share the same middle name;), but they do share the same head tilt.

Justice and cousin Graham They share the same age - 3

Ana and her babies

Ana was able to meet her 3rd cousing for the first time over thanksgiving. She was more content to hold Laine than play with the boys......cant blame her. Ana was absolutely thrilled the other day when she came home from school to find Erin, Ava, and brand new baby Maddie were over visiting. She sat holding that little pumpkin for at least a Half hour before I was able to pry Maddie out of Ana's hands. Ana sat sooooooo still. I honestly think that was the longest Ana sat sit in a long time.

Bowling

Recently we went bowling with some of Ana's school friends. This was both Justice and Ana's first time. All I was able to get a picture of was Ana and justice. THere were 10 kids and they were wild wild wild. It took most of my energy to just keep the kids out of the lanes. Yikes!!! Thanks to Johnny and the other dad for keeping the kids bowling in their OWN lanes.

Just a side note.....tell me how a kid gets a gutter ball during bumper bowling? I believe it happened twice to one of the other boys!!