Happy Birthday, Halley Raye!

"But Jesus said, Allow little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

Someone once asked me if we were trying to "replace Halley and Porter" by trying to have more children.  To that person, let me just say, you can never ever replace your baby.  There is no substitute that will ever take the place of our sweet Halley Raye.  She's the baby that made me a mommy.  Eight years later we miss her just the same, almost more.  The memories fade a bit, her smell, her noises, her baby movements--but the emotions and connection to that little girl will never lessen.  I can't believe it's been 8 years.  It doesn't seem possible.  At times that seems like a different life millions of years ago.  Other times it feels like just yesterday...still so raw.  Because of this little life of 2 month we will never be the same.  We feel a little deeper, hug a little tighter, love a little stronger, think of heaven a little more.  

I received a note in the mail this week.   A friend from high school wrote to say how thankful she was for our children.  Just a short note about how God's provisions in our family were so evident to her.  I couldn't agree more.  God didn't have to give us 3 healthy kids.  He would have still been God and still been good if He hadn't, yet in his mercy and grace he chose to bless us more than we could ever imagine.  Is this God's best for us that Halley died?  I believe it is even though I don't understand it or always like it.  What I do know is that God has gotten glory from her short life and he will continue to use her for His mission.  

Happy Birthday, sweet baby girl.  

The difference having friends make

I just had one of my best days since moving to Grapevine.  A few weeks ago when Nate and I went away for a weekend of goal setting and reviewing 2011 I told him how one of the best things going on in my life was that I was starting to have friends again.  Moving is hard as far as friendships go.  I should know--I moved a ton growing up and that hasn't stopped now that I'm married.  In Temple friendships happened fairly quickly due to the Medical alliance and the family friendly nature of Temple.  After 3 years in Temple we knew our time was coming to an end.  One of my newer friends at that point told me she really didn't want to be my friend because she knew I was leaving.  She said it in jest, but we both knew it was true.  I'm glad she didn't hold true to her word because she is now a close friend.

To move again after only 4 years was hard, but we are slowly making friends again.  I struggle with how to handle my long distance friendships.  There's so many friends and so little time.  I want to hold on, but I also want to dig my roots into where I'm at.  That brings us to today.  Nate sets his alarm for 7am.  He heads out for an early run with his friend.  This makes me smile because he has a friend!  Not that Nate isn't friendly or hasn't had friends, but in the past Nate has been so busy with work that he felt guilty for going out with friends.  It was pretty much work and family for the past 5 years.  I love that he now has guys that he does stuff with and enjoys hanging out with.  These aren't just guys--these are MEN who love God and lead their families.  So...he runs 8 miles with his friend. Comes home and we head out with the kids for family time.  Family time included looking at a steal of a deal couch we found on craigslist.  Then I met my friend for lunch and goodwill shopping.  We have an 80's prom thing coming up that we needed outfits for.  No luck this time, but I enjoyed the time with Denise and goodwill laughing anyway.

We got home and decided to go for a run for ourselves.  It was the first time I'd run with someone else in a long time. We ran 3.7 miles.  What???  The difference a friend can make.   We came back from running and our husbands went to pick up our new couch.  Nate and I like to put our friends to work.  After everything was unloaded and set up Nate and I loaded up the kids and headed to Costco.  Who knew Costco closed at 6pm on Saturday?  So we went to Kroger...ate there (which is weird in itself), let the kids push the kiddie shopping carts around and then headed home.  I'm now snuggled up on the couch with the love of my life.  Good friends, good conversation, good day.

Why am I blogging all this boring stuff?  I never want to forget this "boring" day.  I love my life.

Smith Time

It was long overdue...like 6 years overdue.  After med school, our friends the Smiths moved off to Charleston, SC and we moved in the opposite direction to Temple, TX.  We flew out to Charleston twice and then we met them in Little Rock a few times.  Soooooo finally they got to come visit us.  They now live in Springfield, MO.  It's so nice when someone visits you and sees your life in action.  

We went to Legoland and it was actually more fun than I thought it might be.  The Hogs played in the Cotton Bowl that night---so we decked ourselves out and tried to not get in a fight with all the KState fans that were in town.  

The big kids are Corban (7), Finley (6), Shepherd (5), Piper (4) and Owen (4).

These two are two peas in a pod...so cute together.

Thanks Smiths for making the drive to Texas.  We had a great time.

Arkansas Christmas

Christmas Eve...opening stockings

Brown eyed girls...Marla, Marty and Joy.

Is that Nate or Brooks?  They are looking more and more a like.  (It's Nate btw.)

Joy and Alex

The Grandkids:  Shepherd (5), Owen (4), Bella (4), Sadie (2) and Marley (2).

What a cute family---all grown up.

The girls!!

 The original 4...

Marley looking all cute.

Shepherd giving Grandpa a high five for his new camera.  "Is it Real??"

Off to Chick fil A to see the Binns.

Reagan saved something I gave him 13 years ago...we took a picture and then threw it away.  Freedom.

Best buds...Byron and Owen

We had a great time in Benton.  Our time always flys by and leaves us wanting more.  I'm thankful that it's only a 5 hour drive.  Thanks, Livers, for a wonderful time. 

Christmas in Texas

We made it a tradition last year to visit downtown Grapevine in December, for this is the Christmas Capital of Texas.  The kids love seeing the lights and dancing to the music.  I especially enjoyed hearing these words loudly sung on Main Street:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

This made me laugh...the boys were so concerned...who killed Santa?

 The boys made homemade playdough and were so proud.

Somehow we always hit the neighbor jackpot!  In Temple some of our best friends lived 2 doors down.  We also scored with a neighbor who worked for Oakley and provided us with free sunglasses.  And then there was Linda, who babysat Marley whenever I needed.  Well, Grapevine has not disappointed. Our cul-d-sac here has been just as awesome.  We had Christmas with the next door neighbors.  They are so sweet to our kids...and our kids prefer them over the neighbor kids.  

The kids on Christmas (23rd) morning.  We celebrated early as a family since we would be in Arkansas on Christmas day.

And then onto the Heminway's for more Christmas fun.

Praise God for a reason to celebrate!!!

December...party party party

The boys did great singing at our Church Christmas program.  They're so cute and both get a little stage fright.  

We had several play dates with friends.  Since the boys are so close in age, Shepherd's friends quickly become Owen's friends as well.  Owen has started wearing a Faith uniform every day to be just like Shepherd.

We had several parties at Shcpherd's school.

 I love how Marley captures all the attention of the 4th graders.  They were going around the table saying "Marley say Madison"..."Marley say Alexis".

 Then on to a party at Chuck E. Cheese.  Again...Marley hangs out with the big girls.

 And then on to jumpzone.  party party party.

Shepherd's class Christmas party.  I'm one of the class room mom's so I get to help plan and execute his class parties.  I love watching him in class and interact with his friends.  

 We went to several light shows and journeyed to Bethlehem.  I just love this time of year and the excitement of the birth of our King.