To My Girlfriends

My sister-in-law, Joyce, sent this via email. It was a very touching video and reminded me of how wonderful my friends are. My long distance friends from TCC and my local friends. This is really how girlfriends are. I'm truly blessed to have a wonderful circle of girlfriends. Much love to you all. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Now to read her book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q

xoxo, Marlo

The Knox Family

We had a wonderful Christmas Day and dinner with my in-laws. My mother-in-law, Kathy, makes a killer dinner. She is quite the cook and baker. Like Daniel says, "It's because she does it with love."

















Jim, Marlo, Daniel, Val, Nathaniel, James and Tiffani

Kathy loves to have the family over and to spoil us with food and desserts. She is always surprising us with a special dish. The one thing she makes sure to have are her famous deviled eggs. Everyone loves, loves, loves those.
















Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Butch

We had a great time laughing and messing around. Although, it would have been even more perfect had John, Ligia, Matthew, RJ and Brandon were here. It stinks that they live so far away. I know the holidays just aren't the same for the Knox Family. Not to mention that Jim and Steve miss having their brother around.
















Daniel, Valerie and Nathaniel

It was nice to be able to relax and enjoy a time with our family. The kids love being with Grandma and Grandpa.
















Steve, Joyce, Samantha and Stevie D.


I think this is the first pics I've gotten of the individual families. I just need to get one of John and his family. I'll have to scrapbook or alter something with all the pics.


Thanks for looking.

Now to rest...Happy Sunday!

xoxo, Marlo

Christmas Craziness

These were my Christmas cards this year. And yes, I did get them out. The last 5 years I have made Christmas cards and never sent them out. This time it was a challenge. My friends challenged me to get them sent out BEFORE Christmas. Jim even jumped in and made a bet with me. He would give me a $3000 check if I got them out on time. LOL, he should know better than to add MULAH to the mix. This check was an unexpected surprise...bonus. He had definite plans with it. Well, that pretty little check was ALL MINE. But, first we paid off a bill. The rest was mine to do as I please. Don't worry though, Jim has $100 in his wallet. I was generous!























No, I haven't spent it. Jim and I have had our eyes on a few goodies, so I think we'll spoil ourselves this time around. But, it was fun to take on the challenge and to get my cards out.

Now, if you didn't get a card from me, it's because I didn't have your address. But, one of my plans for 2009 is to get my address book in order so I can send out beautiful handmade cards. Don't laugh! I'm being serious.
















Christmas Eve is always spent at my dad's house, about 1 1/2 hours away from where I live. We get there around 9ish and leave about 2ish. This year my family arrived well after 10 p.m. We attended a Christmas Eve service at church before heading down. We had a wonderful time, a great dinner, tons of laughs and wonderful gifts. My kids look forward to Christmas Eve every year. This year there were 39 of us crammed into dad's little house.


















Every year we play the White Elephant Game. We usually let the kids join in, however this year it was adults only. This is probably the funnest event of the evening. Us adults got a little carried away this year. I won't mention names...(Esther, Kendra, Alex, Erica LOL). It was alot of fun.

Here we are getting ready for the crazy game. There were 21 adults playing.

















Once again the kids were spoiled by all. We were truly blessed to have another great Christmas Eve.
























Christmas time is a bitter sweet time for my family. My mother loved Christmas. She hosted Christmas Eve every year. Dad has kept up that tradition. My mom loved to sing Christmas Carols, especially The 12 Days of Christmas. Her part was, "5 Golden Rings!" Off key of course. Our last Christmas with mom was 1993. She was sick and pretty much laid on the couch while the rest of us took care of things. Mom always made Christmas a special time for us. I'm blessed that my dad and Esther have kept up mom's tradition. Dad and Esther go out of their way to make us all feel that special Christmas spirit and to let us know we are truly loved and appreciated. Although mom isn't here to celebrate with us, her love and spirit continues to feel our hearts and homes.


Merry Christmas Mom!


Merry Christmas to my wonderful family and friends.

XOXO, Marlo

Graduation and the Big 40!!

Just like everyone else, December has been a busy month for us. Seems like it's parties, and parties and more parties. I'm partied out.
December 13th I finally graduated from Azusa Pacific University. It was the longest 18 months of my life, but so worth it. I'm so grateful to have a husband and children that support me and encourage me to follow my dreams. My extended family; dad, brothers, sisters, in-laws, etc., have also been a great support team. I have about a month and a half break from school until I start my master's program, Feb. 2. Whew...another 18 months of intense work. However, I'm looking forward to it.

After graduation, my sister Natalie and her husband Steve, threw me a 40th birthday party. Yup, you read right. THE BIG 40!!! Do I feel 40? Nah, not one bit. My party was an 80's themed party and yes, it was required that we dress. LOL A great time was had by all. I must say, my family all dressed up, even my brothers. It was a nice evening and a nice way to be honored by my family. I am one lucky gal.
Now to finish the Christmas season and get some time to RELAX!

xoxo,

Happy 1st Birthday Nathaniel!!

Happy 1st Birthday Nathaniel!!! It seemed like just yesterday that Nathaniel entered our world and family. The day of his birth was bittersweet. We were excited for his arrival and could hardly wait.

When the time came for him to be born we found out that he was in distress with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. There were times that the doctor wasn't sure how the baby was going to enter the world. The moments leading up to his arrival, the whole family was praying that Nathaniel would be perfectly healthy and breathing. There were times that we thought we'd be coming home without a baby boy to love. I know God heard our prayers. The doctor had to be a little rough with him, but within seconds Nathaniel was breathing and doing well. As Daniel and I rejoiced and watched the nurses take care of him, little did we know that Valerie was not doing so well. She was bleeding profusely, her blood pressure was sky high and according to the doctors we were losing her. Our tears of joy went to tears of fear and confusion. After an emergency surgery, 4 pints of blood, she was finally stabilized, but not out of the woods. Our emotions were all over the place by now. Jim and I thought we'd be taking a baby home and no mommy. We were a mess. The next morning Dr. Roca arrived to check on Valerie. For 12+ hours Valerie was being monitored every 30 minutes. Dr. Roca finally gave us the all clear sign, but not before telling us that he thought we were going to lose her and that she was lucky to be alive. Those are very scarey words for parents to hear.

Today when I think about that day, December 21, 2007, I am so thankful that God heard our cries and prayers. God has always been faithful and merciful to us. Each and everyday I'm so blessed when I hear Val's voice on the phone just to say, "Hi Mom!" I'm even more blessed to have a sweet little guy to call my very own grandson. I have this say, "Who's grandma's favorite boy?" I say that everytime I see him and he just gets a kick out of it. Although, I'm sure he has no clue what I am saying, but he does know that his grandma and grandpa adore him. His first year of life has been a joy to see and be a part of. Jim and I are so blessed that Daniel, Valerie and Nathaniel come up every weekend to visit. They have allowed us to be a huge part of his life and include us in just about everything.

We have enjoyed watching him get his first 4 teeth by 3 months, crawl by 4, and walk by 9 months. He has grown so quickly, yet he's so tiny.

I'm looking forward to watching what his second year will bring.

Happy Birthday to Grandma's Favorite Boy!!! I love you Nathaniel!

xoxo, Grandma

Where do I begin?

The last two months have flown by and I have no clue where they went. Life has been busy, but good. We ended October on a fun note with Nathaniel celebrating his first Halloween. What fun it was to see him in his costume go from door to door with his daddy. After about an hour though, he was pooped out, not to mention his lion mane was very heavy for him.

November was a busy month. We began by celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 16 years. Seems like we were just 22 years old getting married and getting to know eachother. It has really been a wonderful 16 years. I don't think I could have asked for a better husband and soulmate. He is everything I could have wanted and more. What's that saying? "HE COMPLETES ME?" Well, I would have to agree. Jim, completes me.

Two days later we celebrated Valerie's 21st birthday. My goodness where did the time go? It seemed like yesterday she was four years old. It has been a wonderful 21 years. I have to admit, she gave me very little headaches. I think she was a headache around the age 15 and 16. Not to bad though. Today I have to say I'm very proud of the young lady she has become. She has matured so much. I enjoy our ADULT conversations...when did she grow up??? She amazes me everytime I see her. Our relationship has always been great, but now it's a greater blessing and so much more than I would have imagined. We celebrated her birthday with the family at Acapulco's. She was planning on having some drinks. Crazy girl!

A week later it was Jim's 39th birthday. Wow, 39! I remember when he looked like a boy at 21. LOL. Jim never wants anything big for his birthday, usually just dinner and something simple at home. Next year though, he's getting a big shabang.

We celebrated Thanksgiving here at home with the kids and the in-laws. I hadn't cooked Thanksgiving dinner in a few years so it was nice to have the opportunity this year. I actually like staying home on the holidays. I need to start making my own traditions with my kids and grandbaby. Soon.

We took Nathaniel to the park and did a little photo shoot. We wanted some pics for his birthday invites. We had a blast watching him play. I took over a hundred pics. I had the easy part. Poor Daniel had to edit them. Thank goodness he's a professional photo editor. BTW, these ones are not edited. Nathaniel looks so much like my son James. It's unreal how much they are alike.

We finished off November by celebrating my niece Samantha's 16th birthday and my newphew Joshua's 10th birthday. Too many November birthdays. Can you say BROKE!!

I have a ton more to post about, but I'll give your eyes a rest for now. My December has been even crazier that November. I will update soon. Promise.

Thanks for checking in on me...xoxo, Marlo