Christmas ~ Before, During and After

We have been so busy with the holidays, work, family and recitals. I promise pictures are to come. December 17th Ashleigh had her first recital for her musical theatre class and did SO AWSOME!! I don't like to brag but this family is blessed with some REAL TRUE GOD GIVEN talent and that is a fact! She was so excited that her family was able to take time to share that evening with her, Daddy & Jonathon , Mommy & Lee Roy, Aunt Tina & Henry, Nana Lizzy and Papa Jake(wouldn't have missed it!!!) and Nana & Papa. She sang a solo from Mary Poppins called "Stay Awake" We recorded it so that if you missed it you can see it. My mom signed her up in one class and after the recital the director of the theatre asked to talk to us after. She said to be on the look out for an email and that would explain more.
The email came and it was letting us know that because of the leadership and the extra level of committment, Ashleigh was being promoted early to an advanced class. YEA..YEA!!!

I have been on vacation from work since 12/19 and it has been wonderful!!! I go back to work on Monday 1/05/09.

Christmas Eve was so great. We hosted my family for that night and I couldn't have asked for a more special night. This year in my family we decided that we were only going to by Christmas for the kids. We did just that. Lee Roy and I just got 1 family gift and nothing else...that was the deal!! We got a Wii! AND let me tell ya... we have all been playing since Christmas. I made some beans (Frijoles Borrachos) to eat with our traditional tamales.. mmmm.. YUMMO!!!
Christmas night was nice too, we were all tired of the Tamales and Turkey/Ham thing..so I made something a little different... Meatloaf! With real mashed potatos and a green bean casserole for my Lee Roy. To all we didn't see.. Many Blessings and lots of Love!

Lift UP the Godfrey - Moss Family

Alton Moss, the husband of one of my dearest friend/co-worker Felicia has gone to be with our LORD. Please pray for this family, Alton lost his mother about a month ago and now the family has lost a great man, friend, father and husband. Their youngest is 11, I ask for extra special prayers for her during this time. Lots of love and Blessings!

Whatcha Think? ~ New Look AND sound..

While playing around with blogger I thought WOW wouldn't be great if I could have some music on this thing?? LOVE IT!!!! Then looking at other blogs I found a sight with some cute backgrounds... too FUN!!!

Lee Roy and I put our Christmas stuff up this weekend pictures to come.... Ornaments Making there 1 annual debut...
1. Ornaments by Landen
2. Dallas Cowboy Stuff
3 Old ornaments from Years past :)

Love and Blessings

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA !!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!!!! Today is Jonathon and Ashleigh's grandma's BIRTHDAY!!! (Kyle's Mom)

Our Super Crazy Weekend ~ Flew By!

Friday my angels went to spend the night with my grandmother as usual every other Friday night. This allowed Lee Roy and I to sleep in on Saturday. It was so nice to wake up late and take your time doing stuff.... didn't last long. :) We had TONS to do. We got up and wen to Fiesta cause they have the best(fresh) meats and veggies. My BFF Ellie's birthday was on 12/02 and I only get to see her 1 time a week since we work from home on different days. I invited her over to have mini birthday celebration. She came over with her kids(missed her sis) and we all had such a great time. Ashleigh went to spend the night at her bff's house.
Ellie and Belinda - My Buddies!



Jonathon and Lee Roy had a boys day. They went to Grandaddy's work, they had an open house. Jonathon is fascinated by airplanes and the technology that goes with that. Grandaddy works on airplane engines and Jonathon was SUPER excited when we called and asked if he wanted to go. THANKS GRANDADDY!!
Nana Drue Ash Jonathon & Grandaddy (Lee Roy's Parents)


Sunday we went to the Eismann Center in Richardson to see the Vocal Majority in their Christmas Concert with my parents and Tina & Henry. We hurried home because my grandma was sitting for us and the kids had school work mommy forgot about... :) Oops! That was our CRAZY weekend.

December 2, 2006 ~ A Changed Way of Life....

Today is the 2 year anniversary since my dad had his Accident. As many know Dad was hanging Christmas lights on their home that Saturday afternoon when he fell from a ladder about 17 1/2 feet to land on my sister's car. Over Thanksgiving this year we talked about how God has blessed us and brought us through so much in life but especially in the past 2 years. My mom was recalling walking out to find dad lying there on the driveway motionless and what seemed lifeless. She fell to her knees praying and asking God to not take my dad yet, that she didn't know what to do without him. My sister was also there, she called 911 in such a panic, I still have nightmares from hearing her desperate cries and pleas for help. I got the next phone call, All I remember hearing Tina say was Val hurry come over dad fell and we think he's dead. I was meeting with my photographer for the wedding and I had to obviously cut it short. Lee Roy and I rushed from Hurst to Grapevine in about 7 minutes...seemed like 4 ever!! We didn't know what to expect but we knew we had to keep it together because Mom and Tina got the visual news before we did. I being the oldest daughter had to really keep it together, not only for Tina but for my mom. We got there and the paramedics had just placed dad on the board and told us that they were meeting Care Flite at Grapevine Mustang Stadium because they had NO time to lose .. Dad had to get to a trauma center like NOW!! That was the moment I felt the OMG!! This is for real and dad is in bad shape. My mom and sister were in total shock and could not focus. Lee Roy drove us to to the Stadium as the neighbors stayed and said they would clean up and lock up. As they loaded dad onto the helicopter, Grapevine FD was asking mom questions she couldn't even answer... easy stuff and still couldn't. She was frazzled! The GFD said, He is going to Harris Methodist in DT FT Worth he will be there in about 7 minutes, but it will take you about 30. We watched the chopper take off with our Dad inside and prayed! Lee Roy drove us to the ER at Harris and .... Oh Lord! You know I had not really talked about this in it's entirety?

Lord Bless our family. Keep them safe in your arms always!

Thanksgiving What A True Blessing ~

Well we were not sure if we were going to do anything for thanksgiving this year, so much was going on in our lives that we didn't know what plans to make if any.?. Wasn't too big of a deal if we didn't, it's not about who makes the turkey or any of that a TRUE Thanksgiving is giving thanks for countless blessings in each of our lives. Giving THANKS for the people who make your life better, who are there to help you. Thanks for the warm bed at night and thanks for God allowing you to share it with love of your life. Thanks for the hugs, smiles and kisses from my 2 beautiful children that make me melt all up inside. Thank you for our church family, our BROTHERS & SISTERS in CHRIST who have been just an awsome part of all of our lives. Thankful for grandmas that love to help PACK AND MOVE you 2wice in less than 6 months. Thankful for grandmas, great grandmas and great great grandmas that love to spend time with their grand kids.

Lee Roy worked Thanksgiving and we moved the weekend before (11/22). My mom is in school and took a Bible course in 1 week which happened to be Thanksgiving week.. She only has 3 credit hours to go before she graduates from DBU!! Go MOM!

So Last minute was decided that we would go ahead and just have a little something. At least to get together, eat and watch the game. We worked hard Tuesday and Wednesday to get the new place ready to have company. My mommy & Dad, Tina & Henry&Gavin, my grandmother & great grandmother(who is 84) Jonathon, Ashleigh, Lee Roy(for a little while) and the COOK... ME! ;)

Menu:
Turkey
Honey Baked Ham
Dressing
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean cass (1 for Lee Roy and 1 for the rest of us :) )
Deviled Eggs
Creamy Mashed potatoes
Cranberry Sauce

I impressed myself... It was great. Thank you father for the gift of Family!

V

SHE TURNED 21..... Happy Birthday Tina!!

Kristina is no longer a child, although we ALL can act like one every now and then... right? :) Sunday was her 21st birthday!! As I watched her open the gift Lee Roy and a got her (a pink COACH scarf) I couldn't help but wonder where the time has gone. I watched her eyes still light up as she opened gifts like the 5 year old little girl I remember watching during summer and CHRISTmas breaks. She can drive us all nuts sometimes but it would not be Tina if she didn't. I love you Tina Weena!!!

We went to Red River Saturday to celebrate her birthday. We watched OU stomp on OSU... it was great! Although there is more room in my heart for Texas Tech than OU, I was hoping the BCS standings would come through for the Longhorns }..{ on an OU win .. not quite yet! GO MISSOURI!!

FOOTBALL! FOOTBALL! FOOTBALL!

OMG!! I can't wait for Thursday!! MORE COWBOYS!!!! WOOHOO!! I LOVE FOOTBALL!

I am SO NOT ready to move!! I feel like....

Like I have 20 years of stuff to pack and we have only been here for 5 months. Just when I think I am done with one room... something else comes up. I needed a moving break so last night the school was sponsering a family night at Skate Town in Grapevine. It was so great I took the kids while Lee Roy was at work and just focused on them for a couple of hours. Jonathon got bored with it real quick but stood along the side cheering his lil sister on. Ashleigh does really well. She fell a couple of times but got a ton better before we left. Once I unpack my camera usb plug, I will upload the pics. Watching them yesterday, I can't help but think.. wow I have some really great kids!

Love and Blessings to all!!

WE ARE MOVING...AGAIN! Blessings :)

I know we just moved in June to Euless but we could not pass this up. About 2 weeks ago, one our neighbors (who also works in the office at the apt complex) was packing and moving things and Lee Roy being the NOSEY creature that he is :) ... asked if they were moving. Amy answered yes, my husband and I bought a house in Valley Ranch so we are moving in a week. Well since the very 1st time we moved into this place we expressed interest in being on the first floor. Lee Roy and I both felt that it was important for my dad and great-grandmother to be able to visit at anytime. So... we get excited right?? That weekend Amy moved we asked the office we are the only ones on the list right? We get this apartment on the first floor? NO!! NO???? We asked? The apartment manager had offered it to another person. Like normal humans, Lee Roy and I were a little upset because since June they told us we were the only ones waiting on a 1st floor. I called my mom (as I always do) to let her know what we found out and she kicked me back into reality.. "Val you know who you have on your side, PRAY ABOUT IT" she said. She also let me know not to stress about it, there would be another chance and if was for us it would happen. I calmed down. Lee Roy and I prayed about it and let it go! **remember** This is something new I am trying.. Letting go! :) Friday 11/17, as I worked from home, I was doing just that working, getting ready to shut down for the day when my cell rings and it was Lee Roy. "Baby, what are you doing?" Not much, just wrappn up work, I answered. "Well, HE DIDN'T WANT IT!" He added. I was lost, and because I had no clue what he was talking about, I was a little offended, that this "He" didn't want something :) Lee Roy said again.. and slower this time.. "HE DIDN'T WANT THE APARTMENT" I was like aaaahhhhh ahhhhhhh-ahhhhh OMG are you playing with me??? Tears of joy streamed down my face as I thanked God for once again showing me his favor. I continue to see his works everyday in our lives and am so so thankful!! Everything happened so fast, we had to see the apartment before 3 on Saturday and give them an answer by 3. I called my mom and asked her and dad to come over for 1 to see the apartment but 2 to make sure dad could get in and around ok. I called my grandmother to share our news and she is so awsome.. without any hesitation she said, "JUST TELL ME WHAT TIME TO BE THERE AND WE'LL START PACKING TONIGHT!!!" Mom and dad came over and went in and out all doors and around the apartment to make sure he would be ok. His Van also fit very well in the garage and the ramp was able to let out and he did great! That was all she wrote.... where do we sign?? We move-in 11/22. GOD IS AWSOME!!

Pray for our home

Well things are great when everyone is healthy and we all go about our days and routines as normal. But when one of the kids get sick, the other soon follows and then Lee Roy and then after I am completely tired and out of all possible energy, it is my turn to get sick. Right now it is my Lee Roy that is not feeling so well. As I tell him.."Baby you are getting sick, rest and take care of yourself" I get a lump in my throat as he replies.."I can't I don't have time to get sick" Lord pour your blessings and favor on this house. Take away the illnesses and renew our strength. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving is coming!!

Ok, so I looked at the calendar yesterday and was shocked to see the day most of us in my family wait for ALL year long, is fast approaching!! My honey will have to work until noon and my dad works all day from 10-7. My mom and I have talked about going out to eat and just doing dessert and watchin "The Boyz" at 3. Because we HAVE to watch the game that part of tradition is NOT negotiable in this family!!! :) I could cook thanksgiving dinner at my place. It is on the 3rd floor so we can walk the food off going up and down the stairs...LOL! My mom will be in school that week so I wanted to take the pressure away from her feeling she had to host anything. If I cook, I will do a practice run on the sides, because I want delecious, not just ok at the kitchen table that day... I will let ya'll know how it goes. I was talking to one of my friends yesterday.. Mrs.Moss, she said I could do a practice run and bring the samples to work and they could help me out...LOL I love my girls! :) Always willing to lend a hand(or tummy) :)

Let Go and Let GOD! Peace be unto us all!

Sunday 11*09*08: Yesterday was a special day in our family. My best friend, my love, my husband was baptized. His parents were able to join us to celebrate this awsome day! After church I asked Lee Roy how he felt and he said he felt like a snake peeling away old skin. He said he felt this big sense of peace over him, he said he truly felt like everything was going to be ok from now on. He said that he felt that he could go through a storm and knowing that he is walking with Jesus, he will overcome it. I love you baby so much and I am SO proud of you and I am blessed to have you in my life everyday!
Pastor Craig had an awsome message yesterday about Peace. There were some issues I had been struggling to let go and "let God". I placed my issues in God's hand and I continue to pray for situation in my life that I just let them go and place them in God's hand to resolve. I cannot force people to love me or my kids. What matters is that I show my kids that they are loved by me and Lee Roy. That they are our gift and they bless our lives each and everyday! We are children of God and we have to live like we are. If I could take an eraser and erase things that have happened, I would!! Because I am a christian, one of our greatest possessions is our ability to forgive and be forgiven. So from this day forward it's gone, no longer will my heart hurt and things that have been said to hurt me and hurt my family... forgiven and forgotten. Lord Forgive ME for I am not perfect,I have done and said things that are not pleasing to you, I have hurt people when I have been hurt and that was wrong. Help me to continue to ONLY count on YOU. You Lord have the ability to change people and hearts, not me.

Must not have anything else to do!

OK, I need to pray for myself because I am having some issues with "stuff" GOD knows my heart and he knows the truth and no matter how much people deny things GOD Knows! I am praying though !! :) EVERYDAY! I stongly believe in "IF HE BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT"

Ashleigh's Picture Day 2008

Where has my little baby girl gone?? As I watched Ash during the shoot I thought to myself... WOW, she is a little lady! It feels like yesterday she was running around the house in a t-shirt, bib and pamper. My mom asked if Ashleigh would like to see about taking a class at LifeSong Studio in Grapevine. When I mentioned it to Ash she was like.."When can I go?" SO.. Ashleigh is taking a musical theatre class at the studio and just loves it. She took these pics for that reason. We wanted to put her in the class just for fun and we soon came to find out these people are in this for real!! So, Ashleigh has been exposed to the performing arts and just is in LOVE!! She auditioned for a solo from the Mary Poppins movie and got it. She makes her mommy SO PROUD, not to mention her Papa Jake. The performance is in December so be on the look out for more info on that. Music is in our blood and it is another thing that connects my family and makes us so close. Here are a couple of pictures of Miss Ashleigh!

Election Day 2008! GO VOTE!

Heavenly Father we are so Thankful for this beautiful day! Lord I ask for your hand to be in this election and over this nation. Father let your WILL be done for this great country and bless those who defend it and SERVE it! Be with our friends and family, I pray that you will guide them to vote with conviction and faith. Lord be with My family, as they go to work and school, Lord protect them in their goings and their comings.. In Jesus' precious and HOLY name I ask,
AMEN!

AAAAhh NOT HAPPY!!!!

Ok so I have been in Training for 3 weeks and have been anxious to post and document the past month in the Russell house. First my password is not working, then it asked me to have it emailed to me to reset. OK, I can do that Right? Uh NO! I had set the other blog to an email address that I no longer have. Ok, so the answer is easy right, just look up how to update the email on your account right? Wrong again! I have been denied access by the customer support DUDES from blogger. FINE! I will create a new one. So all of you who were friends and visitors of rusrodclarklove.blogspot.com....... Welcome to RussellCrew07.blogspot.com!!! I have so many things to write about and now that I have somewhere to put it.. I will be here A LOT MORE!! Just a sneak preview of the topics..
1. Turning 30: 9/24/08
2. The State Fair 2008
3. Talk about adding to the Russell Fam.???? Baby? Maybe?
4. Being a First year Room Mother and NOT being a stay at home MOM
5. Family Pics
6. My new phone: The Instinct By Samsung
7. Ashleigh's Photo Shoot~ Where is my lil baby??
and much, much MORE!!

Lots of Love and Blessings!!

~V~