Heaven is for real.

For the past several years, Joey's grandma's health has been deteriorating.  She'd been hanging on like a champ, but in November, she really began to take a turn for the worst.

Joey and I were more intentional than ever at going to visit and taking the kids to see her.  One of the last times the kids saw her, Ashton insisted on baking her cookies and taking them to her.

Memaw had not been eating much of anything, but when Ashton brought the cookies, Memaw was ready to eat.  Ashton sat in bed next to her and fed her bite after bite of homemade cookies.

I cherish this picture.  The kids love their Memaw so much and she has been such a large part of their lives.

And I absolutely love this picture of Joey and Memaw.  I think she looks so beautiful.

Over the years, the kids (as well a Joey, as a child) enjoyed expressing their love for their Memaw on woodwork that Pepaw would carve for them in his shop.  I never want to forget these.

Sadly, Memaw passed away on December 1, 2011, just 4 days shy of her 88th birthday.  Although we were confident that she was now with Jesus and no longer suffering, her passing was devastating.  She was such a large part of Joey's life growing up, and then a great part of Ashton and Taylor's lives.  She was giving, selfless, and loved us all with everything she had.

The kids were both dressed so nicely for the funeral.  Memaw would have loved seeing Taylor in his little suit.  (Ashton was just as beautiful, but she wasn't really up for pictures.)

Our Crossfit group sent these beautiful roses for the service.

Joey, my dad, and our friend Ryan served as pall bearers.  The service was beautiful and everything that Memaw deserved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Memaw -

Thank you for welcoming me into your family almost 14 years ago and loving me as if I was your own.  Thank you for loving my children, your "babies", unconditionally.  You cared for them perfectly and spoiled them rotten.

I'm so grateful to have you taking care of my baby in heaven until I get there.  No doubt my sweet baby is being loved on constantly.  Meanwhile, we're doing our best to take care of Pepaw.

We talk about you often and reminisce about all of the wonderful times we shared.  The kids enjoy getting their Highlights magazine in the mail each month.  That's certainly a gift from you that keeps on giving.  You always knew they loved that!

Memaw, we love you dearly and miss you always.  

Harlem Globetrotters.

Back before Christmas, I got a company-wide email offering Harlem Globetrotter tickets at a discounted rate. Taylor is so into basketball these days that I knew this would be a great Christmas present for him.

I purchased the tickets, not really paying attention (or having much choice) about where the seats were, just wanting to get the tickets.

Well, the game was last Thursday and Joey decided to make a father-son outing of the night.  He took Taylor to eat ribs (his favorite) before the game.

I love that smile.

After dinner, they headed to the arena and found their seats... ON THE 10TH ROW!  Joey texted me this pic saying he couldn't believe how great the seats were!

Taylor absolutely loved the game and he and Joey had such a great time.  Taylor has told me all about it... at least 5 times.  It's ok though, I love hearing him get so excited about something.  He loves basketball these days!

12.

It's almost impossible to fathom, but on December 9, 2011, my baby turned 12.

Twelve.

How in the world has it been 12 years since she was born?  12 years since she was too tiny for newborn clothes and I had to go buy preemie clothes.  12 years since she slept in the cradle that Pepaw handmade.  12 years since we had to bounce her on our chests and pat her bottom just to get her to sleep.

Impossible.

But I guess not, since she woke up almost as tall as me and looking more like 18 than 12.

For her birthday, she got one of the Twilight books, and necklace from Taylor, and a box of Swiss Cake Rolls.  I think those might have been her favorite.

Joey had to work on Ashton's birthday, so I took the kids out to dinner to celebrate - Ashton's birthday, not the fact that Joey was at work. LOL.

Ashton chose Olive Garden.  And she even posed for a pic with her brother - which is extremely rare.

After dinner, I had a surprise for Ashton.  She's obsessed with cupcakes these days, so I surprised her with a stop by a cupcake shop.  She was so excited! (Score one for mom!)

No one was surprised when Ashton chose a chocolate-chocolate cupcake.

Nor were we surprised when Taylor chose a vanilla-vanilla cupcake. My children are nothing if not predictable.

We certainly wish daddy could have been there, but we had a great time celebrating anyway.

Daddy didn't miss out on all the festivities, though.  We celebrated with Joey's mom and Pepaw on Sunday, so Joey got in on some cake action.

Ashton, however, has become rather shy in front of the camera... unless I threaten to take back all of her presents.

Then she'll smile!

Happy birthday baby girl.  We love you so very much!