Addison -- life at 19 and a half...

WHO: Addison Valana Chandler

AGE: 19 1/2

WHEN: past, present, future

WHAT: my daughter, my friend, my sometimes hardhead, occasional headache, always sweetheart!

OCCUPATION: administrative assistant, carhop, family assistant, restaurant counter worker, sitter, missionary, dessert baker, casserole maker, social planner, daughter, favorite grandaughter (her words!), and FRIEND to all.

If I had to describe my daughter, Addison in one one word it would be charitable. Addison is a child of many talents and many traits that make her a joy to be around. I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments and I would like to take this opportunity to say how thankful I am that our Heavenly Father had enough faith in me that he placed this child in our home and allowed me to be her mother. In the 19 1/2 years that Addison has been on this earth she has taught me so many lessons. Some other words that describe her are funny, witty, sly, giving, loving, cautious, courteous, kind, thoughtful, and especially beautiful -- not just on the outside but on the inside as well. She is always thinking of others first, a trait that she was born with and has carried into her adult life. Even though she works hard and is currently working 4 jobs and tutoring on the side making it 5 jobs total she is still not very concerned with monetary things and material things for herself. I cannot tell you the times I have been shocked and so moved by the things she has done for others -- sometimes big things and other times the small things not usually even noticed by others that never brings attention to herself. Now don't get me wrong, the girl is NOT SHY by any means and does like attention in a funny funloving kind of way and is so witty! Never a dull moment when she's around but she NEVER brings attention to herself when she is doing for others. Many times I have been at work and somehow Addison has a gift of knowing when I've had a tough time and she will just show up with a treat of some sort -- and not just for me but enough for the crowd. Usually it's my Diet Mountain Dew craving that is cured with her visit! :) Sometimes it's chocolate or lunch just out of the blue and never asking anything in return. I could name numerous times Addison has paid for things she knew someone else could not afford or just out of the goodness of her heart she gives what she has and trust me she has worked for it. Things did not come easy for my children and being a single mom was tough for me at times. There was so much more I wish I could've done for my children than I was able to do but when I see the example of my daughter, Addison, I am grateful for the challenges we've been faced with and for the lessons she's learned from these experiences. She truly has a heart of gold and has such a compassionate sense about her that is evident in the life she leads. Addison is always busy and if she's not working she is out with friends or socializing with someone somewhere planning what they will do next. She is not home much lately and I miss the times we used to have together when for a short time it was just the two of us...Those times I will treasure forever. For now, though, I am so thankful for Addison and the fine example she is to me and to so many. She has plans of attending college out west this winter and is working really hard towards her goals right now. I have no doubt that she will achieve her dreams and her goals are all within sight. She has the mindset and the determination to do what she will and most importantly she has the right attitude and has her heart in the right place. Addison knows her Heavenly Father and is close to our Savior, Jesus Christ. She has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is evident in the choices she is making. It is Addison who mostly leads our family in family prayer at night -- whether it's just me and her or whether it's the whole family here at once. I am so thankful for Addison and for the example she is to me. I feel so blessed to be Addison's mother. Keep up the great work, Addison! Your shoes will be hard ones to fill someday but hopefully you'll leave them here for me when you leave the nest and I sure hope I can wear them some. They've taken you to some amazing places in your life and I am so proud of you, my daughter and my friend. I love you.

Forever,

Mommy

Summer 2010

Even though the weather is still hot, muggy, and 90+ humid degrees fall is right around the corner -- like next week! And yes, I AM READY! I will gladly welcome cooler weather, different clothes for a cooler season (hopefully a size smaller!), and all the things that come with the fall of the year -- even another year older as of this Thursday. But before getting too excited about the fall and the festivities associated with it, I have let Summer 2010 slip by without blogging about how amazing this summer was. Summer 2010 has been a fun and exciting time at our house and I am a little disappointed in myself for being so slack in the blogging department (partly due to the Facebook craze perhaps?!) but just the same better late than never. Here goes some to the highlights to our 2010 Summer:

1. I was able to travel to Idaho for Leighton's first birthday and it was amazing! I had so much fun with Erika and Jack as well and was so thrilled to be there to spend Leighton's birthday. I didn't know it was possible to love her anymore than I do but I love her more every passing day -- being a grandmother is the GREATEST! AND, Joey and I "inherited" a new member of the family -- "BOBO" that I brought back from Idaho with me -- a 5 month old male Yorkie that we love soooo much! He is Joey's little buddy!

2. Joey and I spending our second anniversary in the mountains of Maggie Valley, North Carolina and the fun time we had while there -- it is such a special place for us! He is the love of my life, my soul mate, my sweetheart, and my very best friend. I love this man with all my heart and soul and look forward to the next one hundred years!

3. We sold our 'lil Mazda sports car and purchased a really FUN JEEP WRANGLER! Which we really LOVE! Joseph had gotten a case of Harley fever and was checking out motorcycles and even though I like them okay, too, I was a bit skeptical and we found the jeep and I believe it cured the fever...we take the top off quite frequently and take it out and we have so much fun. It is a fun toy and we got a great deal on it, too, making it even better! :)

4. Jack, Erika, and Leighton came home to visit last month for about 12 days and it was such an amazing visit. It was the first time the rest of the family had seen Leighton since Thanksgiving last year and we had so much fun with them here. Joey and I enjoyed taking Leighton out and having fun with her while Erika and Jack were able to do some things with family and friends. Leighton is changing so much every day and it was just heavenly having them all here at once. Taking family pictures while they were here was a highlight for me as a mom...all together at once...

We have been so blessed as a family. We have our ups and downs and we are challenged on a daily basis, sometimes by the minute. But we love each other and we have a good time. Joseph is such a blessing in my life -- he is my balance most of the time. He is always the same -- funloving, jolly, happy-go-lucky and doesn't let alot get his feathers ruffled. I don't know what I did to deserve someone as wonderful as him but I am grateful for whatever it was and I will never take him for granted. I am thankful for my children -- all of them and for Leighton and the love she teaches me. She is an amazing little girl and being her grandmother and for Joey being her PaPa brings me so much joy. It has been an exciting summer. I've left alot off I know that's important to me but hopefully touched on some of the major highlights. My next several posts will be about members of the family and will highlight some of their accomplishments.

Summer has been great but Fall 2010 will be greatly welcomed!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Ethan!

Happy Birthday, Ethan! I can't believe you are 22 years old - where has the time gone, son? I am so proud of you and my wish for you is that your 22nd year will bring you many moments of happiness and good health. I wish for you joy and that you find happiness in the things that will bring smiles to your face and that it will be a year filled with laughter and all the things that make you happy. You are an amazing young man and I love you more than words can ever say. Thank you for all the happiness and joy you have brought to my life the past 22 years -- I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent you to me and trusted me with your care. Happy Birthday, son. I love you.

Forever,

Mom :)

Ethan and Addison...

Ethan and Addison were just looking over my last blog post and felt "a little left out" you could say. My kids have always, no matter how old they've become, kept up with each other with such things as counting gifts, counting how many pieces of artwork made in elementary school per each child were pasted to the refrigerator, number of pictures displayed in a new frame of each of them in the house, and the like. They love each other dearly but for some reason enjoy keeping tag on my favoritism, or lack thereof that I try to show. They mean well but it has become quite a game and a way I guess to keep Mom here on her toes. So, the purpose of this post -- to make sure they feel included in the "2009 - year of mine" post. So here goes, kiddos...

2009 was an exceptional year in the lives of Ethan and Addison! Addison graduated from high school in May and was accepted in the colleges she applied for and has decided to attend Midlands Technical College - Airport Campus to study Health Sciences, hoping to be accepted into either the nursing program or dental hygiene program, preferably nursing. She currently serves at Ward Chorister and Young Singe Adult Representative in our ward - and does a great job! She also substitutes in the Primary as a teacher as needed. She worked for Sonic earlier in the year before graduation (best personality for drive through - everyone loved her!) and now she works a couple days a week at Everyday Gourmet.

Ethan also had a great year. He attended Francis Marion University the first half of this year studying Graphic Art. He is a very talented artist and can draw anything! He's pretty amazing with that talent! He also worked this year as a server at Red Bone Alley making many friends there and enjoying his work. Cooking is another talent / hobby he enjoys and it's great when he comes home to visit and makes dinner for us. (His Eggplant Parmesian is my favorite - DELICIOUS!) During the Christmas holidays he also worked part-time at Best Buy both in the store and doing home electronic installations. With his talent also he does some work for Imperial Ink Tatoo Studio in Florence, something I am not happy about but something he chooses to do right now. He spends alot of time with our grandpuppy, Amsterdam, and to watch the two of them together is so entertaining! Ethan is such a kind and gentle person and I'm so thankful he is my son.

They are both GREAT kids, I can't believe they are 21 and almost 19 already -- where did the time go?! There is a joke amongst them, especially the older two (Erika and Ethan) against Addison when they joke about "the time when there were only four stockings hanging on the mantle" referring to before Addison was born. They laugh and tease and joke so much sometimes having me almost believe they're a little jealous of each other but the bottom line is that they love each other to pieces and would go to any length of heaven and earth to help or save the other. Is that not what love is all about. I'm grateful for the love and friendship they share..even on the days they and some of the choices they make drive me absolutely nuts.

So there you go, Addi, and Ethan, hope you took the time to read this post...you asked for it!

Here's to 2010 - let the competition continue! Woo hoo!

2009 - year of mine...

2009 has been an incredible year and one that will forever remain a favorite one of my life. We have been so blessed this year in so many ways and as it comes to an end in just a few short minutes I bid this year farewell with gratefulness in my heart. So much good happened in our family this year -- the sealing of Jack and Erika in the Rexburg, Idaho temple, the birth of our first grandchild, Leighton Valencia Hornsby, the wonderful health of my dear parents and the love they share for each other, the health and happiness of our children and the safety they've been blessed with this year, for our home and the comfort it provides us, for employment this year when our nation is not good financially and so many are without jobs, for so much I am so thankful. I don't know what 2010 has in store for me and my family and I wonder what a year's time will bring. 2009 will be always be a tough one to top in my eyes. Thank you, thank you, Heavenly Father for blessing us so this year. To my family, I love you with all my heart. To my friends, thank you for all the kindness and support this year and for all the happy times. To the heartaches of this year -- I am a stronger person for them. Life is good. It is a journey and I am ready to make the very best of 2010.

Happy New Year!

Christmas with our FaMiLy...

It has truly been the most wonderful time of the year and what an amazing way to end the year. I love the entire season of Christmas beginning with the fall of the year and continuing through the chill of winter into the beautiful holiday season with all its festivities. The very best part is the time we spend with our friends and loved ones and this year was one of the very best. Ours began with everyone being here for Thanksgiving and having so much time together over that holiday. It was tough when Erika, Jack, and Leighton left after Thanksgiving to go back home to Idaho but I've learned that the best way to deal with struggles (and even heartaches) is to get busy and get involved and that is exactly what I did. I got busy trying to make plans and arrangements for Christmas and all the things it entailed. Yes, I believe in all the magic of the Christmas season -- the celebration of our Savior's birth, the lights and sounds of the season, and Santa Claus. This Christmas I wanted all of the above to be included and I believe my family would say it was all covered.

One of the highlights of Christmas and a favorite tradition we have is the Dinkins Christmas Party -- the one with all my dad's brothers and sisters and all their families. It is the Saturday before Christmas every year and each year one of the seven siblings take a turn in planning and preparing for the party. 2009 was our year -- and I think it was a great one! Tiawanna, Byron, Susan, Ginger, and I began making plans so that Daddy would be so proud in front of his brothers and sisters of the party this year. Joey provided music which was fabulous, with the 3 Dinkins' sisters (Ronella, Jane, and Teresa) performing with him for "Blue Christmas" -- it was great! They had a great time and it was fun for everyone. We shared a wonderful potluck meal, shared stories of the past about Grandma and Grandaddy (Tessie and Odell), laughed, played Dirty Santa with our gifts we exchanged, and just had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company. I think Daddy was very happy at how everything turned out and Susan did a fabulous job with the decorating ideas and her finishing touches with the decorations and greenery.

The other highlight we enjoyed before Christmas was going to see the live nativity show called "This Man Called Jesus" in Lexington. The kids and I used to go every year to this and I'd missed it for a few years and was so excited that Joey, Abby, Alex, and I were able to attend this year. I missed the other kids getting to go but it's tough getting everyone's schedule together at times, even at Christmas. This show is so touching and covers the life of Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and resurrection -- it is amazing. Joey was so glad we were able to go.

Addison and her boyfriend, Brian, stayed busy attending many Christmas attractions including the lights at Riverbanks Zoo, the lights at Saluda Shoals Park, and many other local attractions. Addison is alot like me -- she loves all the Christmas lights and Brian was so thoughtful this year taking her to so many different attractions. They had a really nice Christmas together.

This year was really special, too, because Joey was actually off work on Christmas Day! For the past 6 years he's worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and now for the next 6 years he should be off for Christmas -- it was a treat having him with us on Christmas Day and waking up together after Santa came! :)

Santa was really good to our family this year and it seemed everyone got exactly what they'd asked for! Addison got a treadmill and a new Blackberry phone, some clothes and shoes, and some other items. Ethan got some new clothes and a new jacket, a new phone and some other things. (He was especially thrilled to get 18 new pairs of socks -- he hates washing socks! Ha!) He's always so fun and it was wonderful to have him here with us Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Abby got new clothes, too, and two new pairs of Dansko's she'd asked for and was so happy. Alex received new clothes as well and a new football and some other small items. Joey was pretty happy that he received a guitar processor that "Mrs. Clause" had heard him mention a few months ago (I was more excited than him to surprise him with it!!!) and some new clothes, a wallet, and some other little items. And for me, well, I must've been much better than I thought because "Santa" brought me a laptop -- and I was so shocked! He was so good to me! I also received these musical note signs that go on the wall with a saying on them that reads, "Anyone who thinks sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain." Joey and I love to dance in the rain outside so this was especially meaningful. It was such a good Christmas for everyone!

I'd baked and cooked all day Christmas Eve and this was one thing Joey was so excited about -- all the goodies sitting around to munch on over the long weekend with everyone. Sausage Balls, No Bake Fudge Cookies, Banana Bread, Pumpkin Nut Bread, Meatballs, Pigs-n-a-Blanket, and a huge pot of Chili -- just to name a few of the things we had...yes, he was in heaven! Early Christmas morning after waking Erika called and we watched Leighton with her new presents via SKYPE and it was precious! She laughed and played and I was able to almost feel like I was right there -- I just wanted to reach out and touch her hand so bad! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home with the kids and then headed to grandma's house the evening of Christmas Day and it was so fun. We spent some time at the Hornsby's visiting with Mrs. Hornsby's brothers and their spouses and shared some laughs with them. Then we headed to my parents' house to continue with the festivities of the day. Almost all the little ones were there -- Spencer, Andrew, Carson (all in their Carolina/Clemson attire), Will, Maddie, Cole, and Hunter -- we were missing Leighton and it would have been complete. The kids were all so excited about what Santa had brought and playing with their new toys. We enjoyed a wonderful meal Mom had prepared complete with every kind of dessert you could imagine for Christmas. It was just heavenly...Yes, this is what Christmas is made of -- family, love, good food, friendship and fellowship, and the spirit of LOVE abounding -- this is Christmas.

Christmas 2009 has been one of the very best -- we have so much to be grateful for. It was a beautiful season complete with everything Christmas means to me. I so wish every year that this feeling could remain in the hearts of everyone everyday of the year. Voices are kinder, smiles are sweeter, feelings are tender, and the world just seems to be more loving. It is such a beautiful time of year -- not only in the eyes of men but in the hearts of all mankind at Christmas. What a tribute to Jesus Christ, what a great gift to have this kind of love in our hearts for all His children this Christmastime. My hope and prayer is to carry this feeling well into the new year and to try and do all the good I can with all He has blessed me with. Yes, it is the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Christmas 2009 in pictures...

It is the MoSt WoNdErFuL TiMe oF tHe YEAR!

FAMILY! (The Dt. Mountain Dew with the ribbon was a gift Joey brought by to me and surprised me at the Urgent Care one particular day over the holidays when he knew I was having a tough day -- I thought it was pretty special that he attached the cute ribbon and all.)

The biggest gifts do come in the simplest forms when give with the heart!

LAUGHTER!

FRIENDSHIPS!

Love from one generation to the next...

ChLoE...how we love her so!

Sweethearts - Ginger and Shaun ....Forever...

Tiawanna and her 4 grandsons - Spencer, Andrew, Carson, and Hunter -- aren't they precious!

Marshall and Lindsay - more sweethearts...

and Brandon and Jenny -- newest parents this year to Hunter Owen Collins in November!

Ethan -- my son who carries a big part of my heart at all times...

and next we have Joey performing "Blue Christmas" with his back-up singers, Ronella, Teresa, and Jane - the "original Dinkins sisters!" Fun time!

The Kershaw Health Urgent Care Staff who attended the Christmas get-together at BlueFin - another fun time!

my date for the party, Celina West, RN who works with us at the Urgent Care some -- She is a great friend and we had a great time laughing this night and shopping til the stores closed! :)