December 31st. Jake's 8th birthday!

What a day! Heck. What a week!

Today, we buried our Poppa (my dad's dad). I appreciate all of your heartfelt comments and all that love that was coming our way. It was much appreciated.

As we were burying Poppa, we couldn't help but notice a big ol' headstone about 100 yards away and, as a family, had to go down and wish ol' Jakeipoo a very happy 8th birthday. We stood together and thought about what kinds of things he would be into these days. It is hard to imagin Jake any older than four! I suppose it always will be.

But to reflect... I have put together some "old favorites" pictures and a few that are probably new to even some of you ol'timers who have been following Jake's story for years!

Even though Jake only lived to be four, he packed a WHOLE lot of living into those four years!

I give you... Jake's guide to happy living!

If you gotta get chemo.... teach your mom to push your IV pole with you so you can keep on truckin'! And don't forget a couple of trips to Disney World... in ONE summer!

and MAKE SURE you get the grown men to ride the carousel with you!

Get your Pops to ride on a 2' tall mini bike with training wheels on it. And just for kicks, feel the breeze in your 3 sprigs of hair! Sing "Live Like You Were Dying" at the top of your lungs in a parking lot with your brothers.Give lots and lots of big, tight hugs!
Act silly with your friends. Remember it is all about attitude!
Laugh at it all whenever possible!
Remember the wide eyed joy of Christmas morning. and the THRILL of being "home home" with your family! Maybe break a rule or two... with wild abandonment, ride wide open on the beach!
Dream big! No matter the circumstances! Just keep the big picture in mind.Oh what the heck... break another rule! Go swimming whenever possible! Have or give big parties. Life is a celebration. There is ALWAYS something to have a party about! Try new things. Be brave and courageous.
And did I mention laugh a lot with the ones you love?

But most of all... make sure that the ones you love KNOW it! Hug them. Squeeze them! Hold them very close... physically....
and in your heart of hearts!
Because you just never know!
You may be 4 years old or you may be 80 years old...
But one thing is for sure. Your time is coming!

And that is A-OK!

Because if you have lived right, and you know Jesus....
we will all be together again!

Have an inspired and happy 2010~

MO

Dedicated to Poppa.

Hey, this is Jessi posting for Mo. Her Poppa passed away last night, so she's been busy handling the details. Just wanted to post a little "happy", Ellie sings her ABC's.

My Poppa.

This is my Poppa.

He is in the hospital in Little Rock, AR. He is there because there is a wing of this hospital dedicated specifically to patients with multiple myeloma. If you recall, he struggled with this disease back in 2008 and spent the majority of that year in Arkansas, in the hospital. They were able to get it in remission. He enjoyed most of 2009 without any complications whatsoever. However, on a recent follow up appointment, we found out it was back and in full force! The prognosis is bleak!
Poppa understands his time on earth is limited. We all do. The doctors have definitely been forthright in explaining his prognosis. I ask that you pray that Poppa finds peace in knowing that he will soon meet his Maker! He has been a pastor for 57 years, so I know, I know, I know that Poppa will soon be with Jesus! And I hope there are many jewels for his crown, as Poppa has been the reason that many a person will now know eternal life and have a relationship with Jesus. What a tremendous legacy!

This Christmas as I TRIED to make a little tribute speech at our family Christmas to remember Poppa, it dawned on me that I think this is the first Christmas in all my 40 years that I did not spend Christmas Eve with Poppa. He has been a very active and present part of my life since I was born! I am pretty sure this is Poppa's last Christmas. But next year, he will spend it on streets of gold; and with Jake!

Thank you for your prayers for my Poppa. I cannot imagine what it must be like to face your own death. To know it is eminent! Death is part of life. Poppa has had a rich 80 years! I pray that he can go out with his dignity and with a peace that no one can describe and that we all know only One can bring. ( and might I add KNOWING how much he is loved!).

Mo

EleFUN!

Daddy is a ROCK STAR!
I have noticed that as I am "NESTING", it is flowing right over into my sweet baby daddy.
Has anyone else experienced this with their word of the year? More "Peace" in the family? Everyone having more "FUN" or "Play-ing" more? Seeing a "Change" in the entire family dynamic?
I am LOVING seeing my husband playing Elefun with his baby girlies!
Yes. My room is very, very clean. You are getting sleepy. You are not seeing the crap all over the floor. Melanie keeps an extremely clean house!

Mo

2009 Groves Christmas Card

Merrrrrrrry Christmas!

Mo

Om!

In this crazy bustling time of year, it is nice to take time and reflect and find your center! Strike a "downward dog" or the "lotus pose" or even a "half moon pose". (Yes, I DID look those up!)
Don't you EVEN think that a kid's sticker book can't teach your kid a pose or two.
Cuckoo Head looks at the picture and decides she is ready for some yoga herself. Seems the stress of the holidays was just a little too much for her aura!

Here's wishing you a stress-free Christmas Eve and that Santa Claus comes to your house tonight!

Mo

Christmas gowns

Ready for some serious cuteness?
I just could NOT wait until Christmas to see my girlies in their cute gowns!
I mean.. Seriously! So cute!
I am Sooooo lovin' Staci owning a kids' store! I get dibs on the Christmas gowns when they come in, AND I get to get them monogrammed all cute like!
And, Man, I soooooo want to throw away this dingy, nasty princess couch. And when I ask Todd, "Are you SURE they really like it?", all he usually has to do is point in their direction and they are all happily piled up on it. yuck! NOT making the move with us!

Ellie LOVES But-tons. She totally articulates the word, "But-tons"! It is a scream. She can completely dress herself. Socks, shoes, shirt, pants, buckles, zippers, and but-tons! Impressed? I am!
Look at this sweet little angel baby playing all by her lonesome.


And once again, my too baby girls sucking down a couple of bottles. I wonder if they can put them in a fanny pack or something when they go to kindergarten?!
YES, ELLIE. I am talking about YOU!
Same spot. No flash! Love these little photos. They will be going in my Christmas scrapbook.


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having baby girls. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how much JOY they are going to bring us this Christmas. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the entire journey it took for us to get to this very spot. The pain, the love, the laughs, the entire journey.
Wishing you all a whole bunch of joy too! Look back at your lives. Can you see how it has all added up to your being in this very spot where you find yourselves now? Can you see God's perfect timing? Can you find all there is to be grateful for?

Just feeling full of Christmas JOY!

Mo