Exciting Start to Summer!

June 21, 2012 on 9:13 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Summer started with the end of school…and Haley’s Preschool Graduation!  We were so proud to attend Haley’s graduation and celebrate her amazing achievement.    She was so excited to sing us the songs she had practiced, surprise us with her answer to “What I Want to be When I Grow Up”, and have both sets of Grandparents there supporting her.  The smiles that day were priceless…and yes, tears and smiles for me.  I got a little emotional thinking about all these milestones that are adding up to create an incredible childhood- or my answered prayers as I see her life unfold.  Each child got up during the program to announce what they hope to be and Haley’s answer: Someone who works at Disney World!  Right now she dreams of being a Princess there.  I’m pretty sure she thinks they actually live in the castle.  Dream BIG, baby.  Dream BIG!

Haley could not be more excited to start Kindergarten at Lakeland Elementary in the fall.  I took her on a tour of the school- just the two of us.  We got a chance to talk to some of the Kindergarten teachers during their planning period.  Haley told all of them “I will be coming here in August.”  In a be-looking-for-me tone.  It was hilarious and I was so happy to see that she will have no trouble adjusting to life there, and the teachers all agreed.  At night she started praying that October (she forgets which month school starts) will come fast so she can start Kindergarten soon!

About a week after graduation, I was driving around the neighborhoods that surround Garner Lake.  I had noticed a new house had gone on the market- Hayden and I keep close tabs, just in case.  So, I drove by and took a look.  The new house on the market was not something we could afford but I noticed a sign in another yard and pulled a flyer.  Hayden saw it on the desk and we decided it might be something to take a look at.  So, on that Thursday we made an appointment.  We weren’t even half way through the house and Hayden turned (practically with tears in his eyes) and said, “I love it!”  I knew right then he was sold.  I, on the other hand, was a little tougher to sell.  The house is in great shape, but needs a lot of love and some updating.  Mainly, just paint, but with three kids even that is a big task.  That night we went home and talked A LOT!  Friday we put an offer in, Saturday night we had signed a counter offer.  Monday our house was on the market, by the next Saturday we had a contract on our house.  All of this was crazy!!  (Especially because that weekend I had gone to Starkville for a girls weekend- leaving Hayden with showing the house and a sick baby.)  Before we took the first step, we had prayed that if this is house is for us then to let God show us.  I think He did! 

Unfortunately, the contract on our house just fell through, so we may have a short set back (fingers crossed).  Our house is back on the market and the psychotic cleaning has resumed.  I’m planning to keep the kids out of the house as much as possible- swimming, play dates, playing at the park, etc.  We are still praying for the next buyer and hoping they come along soon.  We are comforted that nothing is in our hands and He is in control. Praising Him and laughing with my teammate.  Hayden and I have had such a fun time preparing for a big step.  We have been appreciating each other so much because we’ve both had to really step up and get all of the work done that surround selling a house and moving.  Living on the lake is a dream of ours!

TREY is THREE!

June 21, 2012 on 8:03 am | In Uncategorized | No Comments

 

I figured after our big Disney trip Trey would be fired up about having a Mickey Mouse birthday party.  But, when I asked him if he’d rather have a Mickey party or a Pirate party, he instantly picked Pirate Party.  He didn’t change his mind and told everyone about his Pirate Party.  So, last Friday night, we had an awesome Pirate Party to celebrate my sweet little boy.  I waited till he went to sleep for his nap, then got busy decorating.  Hayden’s parents were in town, Seth, Laura, Ryan, and Caleb were on their way, and my family was coming over.  When he woke up, Trey was SO excited to see the house decorated for him. He kept asking, “is this for me??”  I gave him the grand tour and he was ready to party!  Luckily, Seth was almost here because the kids could hardly wait to see him and go on the treasure hunt. I had outlined a “treasure map” dotted line all around the downstairs and had an X where the hunt for treasure would begin.  Once all the kids were dressed in their pirate gear, Trey led the way with the map and the kids found gold doubloons along the way to finding the big treasure box filled with stickers, more gold coins, and tattoos!  We played pin-the-treasure-on-the-X and had fun playing in the sprinkler Seth got for Trey, as a gift.  Trey was a wild man opening presents and loved everything he got…except the clothes, of course!  He got a basketball goal, a new Spider-man bike, and a camo bag to pack for our trips to Millington.  He was so excited for everyone to sing to him.  Right before we ate cupcakes, we were rounding everyone up and he was running through the house yelling, “It’s time to sing to me, ya’ll!”  Seth was just as excited and sang “Happy Birthday” many times- getting an explosion of giggles from Trey each time.  Haley was right there next to him, trying to get a video on her Leap Pad of her brother’s birthday- so cute!  Haley got Trey a treasure hunt game that we’ve all played several times and we all really like it.  Trey is getting better and being able to play and sit still for a full game now….he’s growing up (tear)!

Having his party on Friday and his actual birthday being on Monday allowed us to celebrate him all weekend!  We rode 4-wheelers in the cove and went out to Millington with the Simons side of the family on Saturday. Sunday we went over to Trey’s friends house, Tripp Phillips, for dinner and s’mores.  Hayden and I always get sentimental when tucking in the kids on the night before their birthdays.  Kissing T-boy for the last time as a two year old is sad…but exciting that he will wake up as  three year old!  He told me he wanted a Disney World party for his real birthday…so I blew up balloons for his breakfast chair, set out a Mickey Mouse plate/cup, then we put a candle in his made-from-scratch chocolate chip banana muffin…my first time with that recipe and it is definitely a do-over!  So good.  Hayden went and ate lunch (and cupcakes) with Trey.  He took him a balloon and made the day really special.  His teachers said that he was raising his arms all day and saying, “Today is my birthday!!”  After school we got to spend some time at the park playing with school friends and getting wet in the mist-ers. We rounded out the day with a bath, dinner on the blue plate, and one more cupcake and song.  I think day one of being 3 was perfect!

Some stats on Trey:
He loves school, his teacher- Miss Gina, and his best girl friend- Stella.  Trey’s favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese.  His favorite restaurants are Chuck E. Cheese and Cracker Barrel.  He loves pretzels, cheese puffs, and “pickles”- which are actually Veggie Tales fruit snacks.  He hardly eats at any meal except for Breakfast.  He wakes up at 6:45am (or earlier) and comes directly to my room to get in bed and snuggle with me.  He is fully potty trained and even wears big boy underwear at night. He is hilarious, especially to Avery. He NEEDS a nap each day and crashes hard. He is rarely quiet.  He is full of energy, asks tons of questions, says my name 500 times per day, and loves to play. His biggest challenge is sitting still (or sitting at all) during dinner.  His favorite color is orange. He likes to watch movies and eat popcorn.  He can’t resist a puddle…or any kind of a mess. He loves to play and/or help Hayden outside. He is all boy.  He is Haley’s best friend, and major aggravator. He sleeps with a tag (normally several blankets or stuffed animals are in his bed). He sucks his two middle fingers for comfort and when falling asleep. He loves to pray.  He is super silly and not only loves to laugh, but makes us laugh too.  We are beyond blessed to have him in our life and I am so glad he is mine!