Thoughts Tonight.....

As I am sitting here I just read a new blog, about a sweet family with three children. They have a little girl that was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer one year ago. My heart goes out to them and I can not even begin to imagine that mother's thoughts, feelings, and fears. I just want to take a minute and thank you Lord for the three precious miracles you have blessed my life with and the fulfillment of my life long dream of being a mommy. I thank you for their health and pray for their future happiness, spouses and salvation. Of course, their salvation most of all. I LOVE them soo very much and my heart overflows with joyfulness, I pray for patience with them and that I can be more like you every day and set that example for my children.

I know I am 2 months behind on my blog but I just feel the need to type tonight..

A Family Christmas..

December 23, we had my side of the family over for an extended family Christmas. What a great start to the next few days. We feasted on a catered fajita meal from Hernandez's, I know not traditional but so good, and no one had to cook! Of Course, except my mom who provided her signature deserts.

Cooper and cousins Payton and Jaxson.

Jaxson enjoying the food.

My cousin Chris and Harper.

My mom and dad.

Aunt Mae Mae and Steven.

Brenan, Blaire, Jason, and Uncle Jodie.

G-Paw..

What a great time everyone had that night. Still so nice to get together and visit.

Harper Kate at one year1

December 21, 2011 our sweet little girl turned one! I can not believe she is one already. What a different dynamic our sweet little girl has added to our family, such a blessing. She is so 'girly" and I love that, but in the same breath she can play with a fire truck with the best of them.

Her one year old pictures. I lOVE this sweet dress from Kelly's Kids!

Playing with Mommy's tea set..

Pretty in Pink.

Her favorite thing in the world....Sucking her thumb!

Harper,
At one year....
You are 28 pounds and 34 inches tall, above the 97th percentile in all three categories..(I can't imagine why?)
You wear a size 4 diaper
Size 24 month clothes and size 5 shoe.
You eat ALL kinds of food, anything you can get your hands on.
You still nurse around three times per day.
You LOVE to suck your thumb.
You stand on your own, and cruise around the house holding on to furniture, but are not walking yet.
You love your brothers and want to be any where they are.
You have the sweetest smile.
You say mama, daddie, and dog..
You have perfected drinking out of a sippy cup.

This as been a great first year. You very rarely have been sick except RSV at around 5 weeks old, in which you handled like a champ. You are a mommy's girl at this time and LOVE to be held. We can not wait to watch you grow up. We love you to the moon and back, and thank God he blessed us with the little person that is you!

The Polar Express...

Sunday, December 18th it was time for the Polar Express. After church that afternoon we headed to the train station in Palestine to ride the train! This was our 4th adventure riding this train. This is one of FAVORITE things to do at Christmas time! I think this is such a great family adventure. Our children love to go.

Waiting to ride the train.

Cooper and I, ready for our adventure.

Very excited!

Our hot chocolate chef.

My 3 sweet kiddos..

She loved looking out the window.

Our hot chocolate chef.

Punching our tickets!

Enjoying their hot chocolate.

Dancing.

Meeting Santa!

"The First Gift Of Christmas". Playing with their bells.

Dancing and singing Christmas carols, on our way back to the station.

Miss Harper Kate turns one!

Saturday, December 17, 2011 was the BIG day Harper Kate's party. We LOVE birthdays here at the Tijerina's, especially first birthdays. I was so excited to get to plan a "girl" party, even though it was just a few days before Christmas. I am a firm believer that pinterest is the best thing since sliced bread, and I was so excited when I found a picture of a nutcracker ballet party on one of my friend's boards. Pink and red with nutcrackers and ballerinas would be the theme for her party.
The Cake....

If you can't tell, this cake is a made by mommy oiginal! Following Hagen's Christmas party on Thursday, this was next on my to do list. So I turned on the coffee and got started, hours later around 3:30 am, Erik appeared out of the bedroom, pink icing was everywhere, I was learning how to make icing flowers on you tube, Christmas carols were blaring and Gordon our elf had turned the milk red....he jsut looked at me, smiled and said "I really think you have lost your mind". I know I am not the next cake boss or cake mama, but I do think the cake turned out pretty well.

The ballerina cake topper.

Red velvet cupcakes...I used my grandmother's recipe, which I must add is the bes red velvet cake recipe on the planet, just ask Erik.

Pink lemonade tea cakes, another pinterest find, these were fabulous! Th platter and most of the other china were my other grandmother's.

Chocolate covered marshmellos....made by daddy;)

These amazing cookies were made by Cookin Cousins in Canton. They actually hand cut the ballerina slippers. They sell these amazing cookies for $14 per dozen, and they tast great as well!

A pinterest find, snowballs..

Pink and pearl gumballs.

The Nutcracker Aunt Blaire gave Harper for her first birthday.

I found this lollipop kit at Party City, very easy to personalize your own.

All of Harper's shoes she wore during her first year.

The pink plate I found at Canton for everyone to sign.

Big brother signing her plate.

We had Crista Couch our photographer come to the party and she did a wonderful job of capturing some great pictures.

Oh....how I want to touch that cake...Cooper before the party.

I love this picture of Harper's ornament.

KK and Harper.

My dad (Pops), Harper and I.

Nanny and Harper.

My grandad (G-paw), Cooper and Payton. I treasure these pictures.

Family picture.

Getting ready for Santa to visit.

Ho Ho Ho ...Happy Birthday Harper!
Santa aka. Bobby was so gracious enough to come make a santa visit for us1
I think he makes a great santa, Mrs. Nancy and Mr. Bobby watch Harper sometime during the week and came to be part of her party.

I'm not scared as long as I have my thumb.

Hmmmm.. Let me see.... Is this not the most classic Santa picture ever?

Ok...this is what I need.

My sweet kids.

Presley would only go see Santa if Cooper went with her! Look at Coop's smile.

Harper opening her doll mommy and daddy gave her.

The doll has a tiny birthmark on her left cheek, just like Harper's.

Blowing out her candle.

Yummy Cake..

What a special day this was that I will always cherish.