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! :)

Thankfulness...Fall 2009

Girls' Night Out for Japanese food and to see "NEW MOON!"
Brandon becomes a dad! Congrats Jenny and Brandon!
San Jose' -- a must have when Erika comes to visit!

The kids goofin' off! They're so fun!

Joseph and Valencia - November 2009

Hunter at Thanksgiving - 2009

Bob and Joanne Maxfield with Leighton - Thanksgiving 2009

Scary times at Kreepy Hollow - Haunted Hayride! Halloween 2009

Fall came in with a breeze that seemed in some ways more like a whirlwind speeding it's way through our family and my life so fast! So many things happening all at the same time has made time feel to have passed quicker than ever. October arrived bringing with it birthdays of those very dear and close to my heart and a job transfer to a brand new facility bringing with it much excitement and anticipation. As the month approached the end we enjoyed time as a family including some excitement at a local Halloween attraction, Kreepy Hollow, making fun new memories that carried us right into November. Along with November came another new addition to our family, Brandon and Jenny's baby, Hunter Owen Collins and plans of a highlight of my whole year -- Erika, Jack, Leighton, and the Maxfield family coming to east coast! A trip to Disney World for their entire family included a stop in South Carolina for Thankgiving with us -- Erika's first Thanksgiving at home in South Carolina in 6 years! Thanksgiving at my parents' house (aka "Lana's Cafe") is a glorious time and a feast to behold! And to have the kids here this year made it the best! It has been such a wonderful fall season for our family, and especially for me! I have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful blesssings the Lord has graciouly seen fit to bless me with. For these things I am most thankful -- my family -- my wonderful parents and their good health, my dear sweet husband and the blessing he is to me, my beautiful children (Erika, Ethan, Addison, Abby, Alex, and Jack), my adorable grandaughter Leighton and the joy she is to me, my health, my abilities and the opportunity to have employment that I enjoy where I am able to share myself by helping others, and for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ who have given me all I have. I look so forward to this Christmas season and to make it one that the reason will be remembered in all we do this Christmas season. The birth of our savior Jesus Christ is the most remarkable thing that has ever taken place in the history of the world -- a babe born in a lowly stable who came to this earth to take upon him the sins of the world, to be our Redeemer. As we go into this busy time of year may we all remember Him, take the time to know Him, and try to see Him in all we do and not get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that somehow we miss Him.

Merry Christmas!

Remembering September...

September is always a fun and exciting time for our family and also a very busy time. This September was no exception. We have so many birthdays in our family during the month of September. Now that our family has grown so they are really spread out but September seems to remain the busiest. It’s a great month that we look forward to spending a lot of time together as a family. It begins with Gnger on the 12th, Will on the 15th, Joanne (Jack’s mom), Aunt Ronella, Paulette, and my dear friend Linda Browder on the 21st, my friend, Pua Perreira on the 22nd, ME on the 23rd, Mom on the 27th, and Marshall on the 28th. Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays! Cake and celebrating are what we do best this month! Ha!
Each birthday has been a special one and this year was no exception. For Ginger’s Brithday we surprised her with a party at Lugoff House of Pizza with some of her friends and it was great that she was surprised! She’s always doing so much for others and it’s such a blessing to do something for her -- she’s so sweet. We had a great time.
Will’s Birthday was at San Jose’ as was mine -- this is somewhat a family tradition -- to choose where you want to go for dinner on your special day and we all seem to choose San Jose’! It’s a family thing! Joseph and I actually celebrated several days for my birthday -- he is so sweet. We had a movie and dinner night and went shopping another day. He also took me to the flea market in Charlotte a couple weekends ago and we had a great day together that day. He is so good to me and makes anything fun. We love spending time together…
Mom’s birthday was really fun for everyone, too, I think. Since hers was on a Sunday and she typically cooks we told her she couldn’t cook anything that day for company and that everyone was to come to our house. I cooked and others brought things and we had a wonderful meal and a great time together. Those who could not attend were there in heart. Even Erika, Jack, and Leighton were with us via SKYPE and the web cam. It was so cool!
Jenny and Brandon are expecting their little baby boy in November and Lindsay hosted a wonderful baby shower at their new home on the 26th. It was well attended and they received so many precious gifts for baby Hunter. He is so loved already! The same day of the shower was the Women’s Broadcast and Dinner at the stake center that Ginger and her counselors prepared before the broadcast. They did a great job and it was decorated so beautifully. She is truly amazing and such an example for so many. The broadcast can be viewed on the church’s website which is www.lds.org and is available for viewing. It was a wonderful broadcast.
As for me, I was on call a lot of the month due to the census being low at the hospital. The time off was nice some days but not when pay day rolled around…I am transferring to the new Urgent Care at Elgin which opens tomorrow and I’m excited that I will be working somewhat of a schedule and not having to take so much call time. I will miss my friends and co-workers greatly at the main campus -- they have been so very good to me and I love them like family.
Well, September has come and gone and with it came wonderful memories and experiences. I am grateful to be healthy and strong and to have celebrated my 43rd Birthday (YIKES -- did I just say that!?!) I don’t feel that old, though, at least not most days! Ha! I have so much to be thankful for and I am happy to be spending life with my family and my best friend in the whole world who also happens to be the love of my life and my companion and dear husband, Joseph. He is a jewel. I have also had a lot on my mind this past month and many concerns that I have had to pray about and put a lot of faith in my Heavenly Father about some things. All along, Joey is so patient and kind and always has a hug and an outstretched arm ready to hold me or just let me cry or just be quiet…He is my soul mate and I love him with all my heart. It is hard when sometimes people don’t do as we’d like and our kids make choices that we don’t think are the best or the right ones -- it’s tough to know that it is out of our control sometimes…But I know that the Lord knows my thoughts and the desires of my heart and nothing is impossible with Him. It has been a good month, really it has, and I have so much to be thankful for each second of each day. Without the storms sometimes we could not fully appreciate the sunshine. September has been a month I’ll remember…Here's some photos which tell the story...

Chloe loves Gramma Hornsby!

Happy Birthday, GG!

Ginger's Surprise Party!

Practicing the piano for Primary.

Happy 6th Birthday, Will!

Joseph and I celebrating my birthday...

Addi gave me a beautiful card and a gift certificate for a night out to see "New Moon" when it comes out and dinner. She's so sweet!

with my Daddy -- I'm proud to be the baby girl!

with my sweet sister, Tiawanna

my 2 favorite men

my sandwich and note Joey made me for breakfast before leaving for work...what a sweetheart!

Jenny's shower at Lindsay's

Tiawanna feeling for the baby to move

Relief Society Dinner and Broadcast - Mom and Tiawanna

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Erika and Leighton via SKYPE at Grandmother's party!

Marshall in his Halloween mask -- it was so funny!!!

Singing Happy Birthday to Mom (Grandmother)

4 Generations of Dinkins

Daddy, Byron, Marshall, and Cole

Leighton in South Carolina! 8/26/09 - 9/2/09

Being Leighton's Grandmother (her "MicMic") is one of the greatest blessings I've ever received. It was absolute joy having them with us for the week and being able to spend so much time with Leighton. She is such an angel and has my heart!

As you can see, she loves her PaPa Joey already so much! She laughs at him and with him! :) He calls her all kinds of southern names like Butterbean, Rutabega (not sure if that's spelled right), and all sorts of names! Her smile melts her grandpa's heart...
It was so fun to celebrate at the lake with everyone on Saturday night of their visit. Jack's parents and brother had arrived from Idaho and Jenny's dad and step-mom were visiting from Kentucky also. Thanks to Byron and Susan for such a great cookout and party at the lake to celebrate the Maxfield's visit to South Carolina and to welcome Baby Leighton!


Leighton truly looked like a porcelain doll in her blessing dress, a gift from Grandma and Grandpa Maxfield. What a little princess! She was so sweet and quiet listening to every word her daddy said as he gave her blessing. It was such a special day.

Family + Love = Leighton Valencia Maxfield

You are so loved, Leighton. Your Blessing Day is one MicMic will always cherish.

I love you, angel, and I can't wait to see you again soon.