Me and My 'BFF'

So, everybody needs that special person who helps them through the tough times, laughs with them through the happy times and loves them no matter what, well my dear husband Matthew is certainly all of the above, however in this instance I am talking about my very dear friend Penny, or Penny-Lenny as I like to call her.

Penny and I met when we attended the same church ward in Modesto, California in 1998. We instantly formed a very special friendship that has remained wonderful even though we now live in different states. We are certainly more like sisters than friends.

Just before Christmas, Penny came to Oregon to visit me and meet our little Amelia, even though she was only here for a few days we had blast. We always had similar tastes and would often buy the same clothes or accessories. Well, nothing has changed, we own the same type of cell phone and even our home phones are the same, so maybe I shouldn't have been surprised by what happened during her visit. One evening we decided to put on our comfy PJ's and I couldn't believe it, she came out dressed in exactly the same PJ's as I planned to wear. It turned out we had bought them a year apart neither of us knowing the other one owned a pair.

We had a lot of fun shopping, making candy, looking after Amelia, we even had our photograph taken with Santa (photo to follow on another post). On her last night, Matthew was out of town, so we decided to go out for a drive and look at Christmas lights, we dressed up for the occasion in our matching 'Eeyore' PJ's and Santa hats, just for fun!

Here are just a few of the photo's taken during our time together.


Two beautiful girls...


Going out to see the Christmas lights...



I feel very blessed to have Penny-Lenny in my life and will always be grateful for her friendship.

Santa - are you missing a reindeer?

My best friend Penny came to visit last week and we had been out looking at the Christmas lights whilst wearing our Santa hats, well, I thought that Amelia needed a little festive decoration too, so I placed my 'antler headband' on her head!!



I can hardly believe that it is already Christmas, this year has flown by so quickly. As you can imagine, this is an especially wonderful time for us since we are also celebrating this special season with our own precious gift, Amelia.

We wish all of our family and friends a very happy Christmas and prosperous new year.

Here are a few photo's for you to enjoy!


Amelia poses for the camera in her beautiful Christmas dress



What a happy and blessed family we are



Who needs mistletoe? mummy steals a kiss



Just what is she thinking?



MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Last Thursday was a very sad day for me, after almost three weeks, it was time to drive my mum and step-dad David to the airport and say goodbye for another year or so. Isn't it funny how airports are the happiest places and the saddest places too.

The past few weeks have been fun, we have walked in the local park, visited the Evergreen Aviation Museum, made candy, put up the Christmas tree and decorations including lights on the house, visited Silver Falls State Park, we shopped, and shopped, oh and then shopped a little more! One of David's favorite purchases was an authentic cowboy hat, it really suited him and it was fun to see how excited he was about getting it.

Thanksgiving was a very special holiday this year, my mum helped me make a very tasty dinner, which included all of the 'turkey day' classics as well as a few of my English favorites like Cauliflower Cheese and Yorkshire Puds, Matthew's parents joined us, I was very grateful to be surrounded by those whom I love most and felt very blessed.

Throughout the time she was here, my mum took very good care of me, I hadn't realized how in need of a little extra TLC I was, after being pregnant for 9 months, a c-section and then learning to take care of our new little bundle of joy, it was nice to have someone who wanted to make sure I was okay - thanks mum! (I must mention, Matthew takes great care of me too, it's just different). Both she and David fell madly in love with their new grandaughter Amelia, well how can you not?

If I could, I would have kidnapped my family and kept them here forever, I miss them so much and am so excited that next year I will get to go home to England to visit them and my other family and friends.

Here are a few photo's taken of our time together, I am so grateful for the fun memories I have of their visit. Good times.

It Was Three Years Ago Today...

...that Matthew and I began our lives together as husband and wife. In some ways it seems that time has passed by quickly but in others it seems like we have been together a lifetime.

A lot has happened since then, including moving to Oregon where we are very happy, and of course more recently the birth of our daughter Amelia.


Here is a list of just a few of the things I love about my husband:

- His twinkly blue eyes
- The way he laughs
- How caring he is
- He is a wonderful father
- His work ethic, he takes great pride in everything he does
- He's such a gentleman and always opens the car door for me
- The way he can't hide surprises or wait to give me a gift
- He has the same standards and goals as me
- He loves me just the way I am

There are so many more reasons why I love this man, but it would take a lifetime to name them all. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and am grateful for all that he does. Tonight he surprised me with two dozen red roses, which are beautiful, and a lovely card, what more does a girl need?

Happy Anniversary Matthew, I love you!

A Name and a Blessing

Last Sunday, December 2nd, was a very special day for our family. It was the day that our precious daughter Amelia was blessed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dallas, Oregon. Her daddy gave her the blessing and was joined by Grandpa Rawe and Grandpa Whitaker as well as Brother Duranceau from the Dallas 1st Ward bishopric. She looked so beautiful in her special white dress, which just happened to be called 'sweetpea' a name her Grandpa Rawe calls Amelia, she also wore a pretty white headband and a special pearl and crystal bracelet that I had made especially for her. She was so quiet throughout the blessing and I got a little lump in my throat as I sat and listened to the words Matthew spoke, thinking of how grateful I am to have her as my daughter.

After church we went home and spent time with both sets of grandparents and had dinner together, then we watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional on BYU television.

Here are some photo's of this special occasion.