New pics from my NEW CAMERA! Thought I share some pictures of the kids spent at Alverthorpe. Many of the pictures were taken by E. He is enjoying the camera just as much as mom is.

Had to post this one of S. Doesn't she look like an angel?

My new camera is the NIKON D60. I researched it a little and had it narrowed down between the D90 and D60. The D90 plays video and I was really interested in having the capability of doing that. However, it was pointed out to me that the Ultra Flip costs just $150 and fits into your purse perfectly. The D90 costs about 5oo dollars more than the D60 which definitly helped my decision and might be a bit a more complicated to use. So, I settled on the NIKON D 6o and so far have been very pleased with the results. At the nearby playground E and S decided to ride the tire swing. I was actually able to capture their spins without the pics coming out blurry. Just love it.

More pictures ot come later.
2 1/2 days left of work.....
J

Christmas 2008

Another Christmas has come and gone to be placed into the memory books of our hearts. We had a wonderful holiday spending it with Big B's family. HIs brother, R, from Tennessee and his family spent the week close by and we had a great time. Christmas Eve we took the kids to their place for a swim in the indoor pool at the hotel that they were staying. The kids had a ball and were all tired by the time we headed to home (which was the plan). S fell asleep in the car and went straight into her bed and E headed there after the cookies and milk were placed for Santa to see.

The morning was nice as the kids slept to the wonderful hour of 7:30. After presents, and breakfast I headed to the cemetary and then to visit my mom. Then it was back home to prepare for our guests. Big B's brothers and their families along with his sister A and her daughter, his parents and Marilyn all arrived later for dinner. Santa brought the boys Rockband for the WII and we had a great time attempting to sing, drum and play guitar like the pros.

The day sped by and soon I was thinking how much preparation goes into just one day to have it end too quickly. I felt the same way for our big Christmas party which we held back on the 13th. I anticipated that day for so long and poof...it was over.

All in all it was a great holiday and I'm thankful that we spent it in good health. I missed by baby Katie but the feeling sorry for myself only lasted a few minutes. I was able to pull myself out of the funk before really falling into it and was able to maintain thankfulness for what I do have and what God has given to me the chance to experience.

Now onto some current news about life in general... It's been awhile since my last post so you might not know that I resigned from job. For those of you who see me on FACEBOOK, you all know already. My notice has been given and my last day will be this coming Friday. I have been given the opportunity to be able to work on The Katie Elise Lambert Foundation and help continue the efforts of raising awareness of child safety. I am grateful to be given this chance and hope that my daughter's name will continue to be associated with child safety.

On one final note....I got my new CAMERA!!!! I love, love love it and cannot wait to post the newest pics on here. The ones on this post are from my old camera and after this all will be from the new NIKON> I took it to the park today with the kids and it was so awesome to take pictures of the kids running and playing without them turning out blurry. The weather was unseasonably warm, the bikes were out and we all enjoyed the fresh air.

Time to run and I am wishing everyone peace for the new year.

J

CandleLIghting Ceremony

I thought that I would post a few pictures from the Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting Ceremony which was held on Sunday evening throughout the world. It is the hope of CF that for 24 hours straight, each year on the second Sunday of December, that a continuous wave of light will circle the world in memory of all children who have died too soon. This year's local event was sponsored by a local Foundation, http://luluslullaby.com/index.php. Friends of ours lost their daughter to Suddden Unexplained Death, back in August....she was just 2 years old. It was a wonderful, yet heartbreaking moment to see my friend, R, the mom of one of God's newest angels. To hold another person, another mom, who feels what you feel, who is experiencing the intense grief that only a parent can even begin to understand, is a bittersweet moment that soon will not be forgotten. I want to thank everyone who remembered my angel Katie, on Sunday evening and who offered their thoughts to me on Facebook.

Please let this serve as a reminder, to never, ever, take you children for granted. Remember to hold them, hug them and tell them you love them each and every day..several times a day. Little Olivia passed away in her sleep just a couple of hours after being put to bed. No warning, no signs, nothing. God was ready for another beautiful angel and he chose Olivia to join Him in paradise.

The Big Party!

Today is the day of our Christmas party. I may have mentioned previously that what began as an intimate Christmas get-together has turned itself into a large (lots of people) party. Last night Big B and I began preparing the house to hopefully hold many people. We put up additional tables and chairs, started preparing our bar area...it wil be self serve, and now are basiclaly just keeping our fingers crossed. We have held many parties in our lifetime but usually the larger ones are planned during the summer months so people have the choice to sit outside by the pool or inside in the air conditioning. Nothing this big has been planned before during the winter and I pray that it turns out well and that our friends and families enjoy the company, the food and the Christmas spirit. I know I am really looking forward to seeing some friends whom I haven't seen in quite some time...only on Facebook....and to hang out with my new friends in a non-work atmosphere.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will try to post tonight after it's over.
J