A Turner Christmas

We were privileged to have Laurie/Honey (Bryan's Mom) with us for Christmas this year. So we waited until Madison woke up to open presents which wasn't until about 9 or 9:30. About killed Bryan and I because we were dying to open presents! lol Looking back I know I probably should have treasured her sleeping in because I know the tables will turn on me one day, but I don't see the kid in me leaving anytime soon. :) Madison didn't quite get the hang of opening the presents until towards the end. She kept pulling the paper down instead of off. Silly girl! Personally I was just anxious to open two boxes because I knew what was in them since the beginning of November. My Twilight Saga! For those of you who don't know, it utterly kills me to know I have books just waiting for me to read and not be able to read them, huge bookworm am I. We all got amazing things from each other and our family and ended the evening with some close friends of ours that were without family here. We hope you all had a merry christmas and hope you're enjoying spending time with your family.

Snow!!!

How I love that beautiful smile!!!
Wow! Look at all the snow!!!
Daddy was looking out the upstairs window at her and she was so excited when she realized where he was!
This is when she started realizing just how cold it really was outside!
This is where she called it quits! lol

We woke up Saturday morning to snow all around us. Gotta love the first snow of the season! Since Madison I'm sure didn't remember the last time she was here for snow we decided to take her outside and enjoy it. She of course loved it at first, but as time went on she realized just how cold it really was and came in quick! It was such a delight watching her curious little mind figure out what snow was. She even brought some to me in the kitchen and then ate it right after. How I love this little girl!

Happy Halloween!!!

We attended the Trunk or Treat tonight at the church and had such an amazing time. Madison was actually awake this year! lol We didn't have a specific family theme this year as you can see but we're already planning ahead for next year. Madison was my little diner darling in her poodle skirt attire, I was Elfie from Wicked, and Bryan was a pirate. We also had the pleasure of having Laurie my mother-in-law come with us. It's always so nice having her be apart of family outings with us. When it came time to collect the "goods" aka "candy", it didn't take Madison long to figure out how to get it. At first she was pretty shy about it, then it progressed to pointing at the candy bowl to say she wanted some to just picking out what she wanted and putting it in her basket. When it comes to the good stuff, she'll definitely go the extra mile to figure it out. Ha! So like I said we had a wonderful time and wanted to share it with you. Happy Halloween!

Madisons New Hangout Spot

Madison was playing in our room yesterday with the dogs and I thought it would be fun to sneak in there with the camera to see if I could get some good kodak moments. What I didn't know was where she was playing, in their beds! Ha! So I thought I would post some of my little girls' fun that she had so you could all enjoy. She's growing up so fast.

Mommy In Training

I was sitting at the computer this morning just doing my regular email check up and I suddenly realized that Madison was more quiet then usual. So motherly instincts kicked in and I had to know where she was and what she was doing. Of course the worst possible scenarios were popping up as I jumped up to make sure she was in her room. With her always on the move now, I swear that I can blink and she's gone. So I tried to be quiet as I walked to the door of her room (which is to the back of me from the computer) and I found her cuddling this baby. She was rocking back and forth and kissing this baby so sweetly. I ran and got the camera as quickly as I could so the first picture is of her in her "mommy" element. After I took the first picture I was caught so I got a beautiful smile hence the second picture. It warms my heart to see her be so sweet to this baby, makes me feel like I'm doing a good job after all.

Missing You Always

My gorgeous sisters from left to right, Tara, Kristen and Megan
My sweet sister Megan who is a senior this year. Yikes!
My beautiful sister Kristen who brings the humor in my life
My only brother Robert making one of the sweetest tackles ever!
My wonderful family the day before I left for Germany. Finally got the baby sister Alyssa on here!

Growing up in a big family is an adventure in and of itself, and since I'm the oldest oh the tales I can tell. My siblings have been and always will be my best friends and as we've gotten older our love for each other grows stronger every day. Since I'm halfway around the world, being away from them sometimes becomes unbearable. My sister Megan was Belle in her high school's performance of Beauty and the Beast this past school year and watching her in her element was so amazing. So of course she gives me a copy so I can watch it whenever I want and thats what I did yesterday. As I was watching her sing one of the songs I love the most, I just had one of the moments where reality kicks in that I am so far away and the tears fell like rain. It's true what they say, you never know how much you will miss something till its gone. My sisters are great about keeping me up to date with whats new in their lives, but I still can't help but feel that I wish I was hearing it there instead of here. The hardest for me is when they had a tough day and wanting to be there to hold them and say that everything will be alright.
I know when you marry into the military you're saying that you agree to go wherever they send you, but it still doesn't make it any easier. Some women handle it way better then I do I'm sure. But the one thing that keeps me going is knowing that we're a forever family. I get to not only enjoy this life with them but the next as well. I honestly can't imagine my life without them. So to my family, no matter where I go know that I take you with me in my heart and that I'm missing you always.

Madison's New Kicks

She figured out the velcro really quick! lol

So precious!

We just received a box from Nana Kelly (my mom) today and she had sent Madison her first jellies. Of course looking at them was like a blast from the past and all the good times I had in my first jellies! So I dressed her up all cute and put them on her to see the reaction. It took her a few minutes to get used to them but afterwards she was cruising! Just thought we'd share these kodak moments with you.

We're Counting the Days!

One of Laurie's shirts that she wore when she was here last. This was the first to be unpacked.
Laurie's zip-up sweatshirt. I think Madison was trying to figure it out herself and gave up. :)
Trying on her Honey's boots. She's already trying to grow up on me. AHHH!

This is mommy's headband but she loves to play with it.

We will be having the privilege very soon to have Bryan's mom Laurie come visit us for about 4 months. We are all very excited and Madison decided to take it upon herself to get things ready. In Madison's room, we have a box of Laurie's/Honey's clothes that she wanted to leave behind to wear when she returned. Madison thought she would start unpacking for her. So I had to take pictures of course because it was just too sweet. Enjoy!

We Did It!!

I took this picture and the next the day before. It was so beautiful outside I just had to do it.

Since the batteries in our camera died, Christy and some others took some pictures that day. I borrowed these from Christy so you could at least see something. This is Christy's adorable son Calin and our Madison.

Three of my favorite sisters! From left to right, Regina, Sara, (Me) and Christy.
Bryan and I with our dear friends and escorts for the day, the Robertsons.


So last Saturday the 2nd, our family went to the Frankfurt temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Something I have been dreaming about since I was a young woman. The day couldn't have been more perfect. We asked our temple prep teacher Tyler Robertson and his wife Christy to be our escorts. They were so amazing and we couldn't have imagined our day without them. Regina and Sara, came up to be apart of the sealing and also watch baby Madison until it was her time to join us. The Bishop and his wife along with Bro. Meldrom were also there to show their support and love for our special day. So many beautiful blessings were bestowed upon our family that day, but there is one part I will never forget. When Bryan and I looked into each others eyes as the ceremony was taking place. Bryan had warned me before (jokingly) not to cry but I couldn't help it. In that moment, I saw how much he loved me and I knew that I would have him forever. My heart was overflowing with joy and the spirit was unlike any other. Then Madison was brought to us in her beautiful white gown and little white bow in her hair. She reached out for me and began to cry and wrapped her little arms around me so tight as if to say that she missed me and never wanted me to let go. Words cannot express how much love I have for her and tears were all I had as I held onto her. After all was said and done, I looked at my sweet husband and darling little girl. What a sense of accomplishment I felt. We did it! We're a forever family.

Madison's First Ponytail

So Madison was extremely cooperative today so I could test her hair to see if it was long enough for a ponytail. It turned out so cute I had to share it with all of you!
Looking down you can see how truly small it is!
Since the ponytail worked I thought I would try pigtails. Look at those beautiful baby blues!

Daddy thought it was so cute he had to take a picture with her! Can't blame him!