A Date To Target

I don't think that this is very exciting, but I still wanted to share!

Emmy fell asleep on the way home from lunch today, so she had a little power nap and wouldn't go back to sleep when we got home. After I got Addy fed and down for her nap, I decided to get out of the house and run to Target with Emmy. Tim had some studying to do, so it left him with a quiet house!

Emmy and I had the BEST time! I only had 2 things to get, but I LOVE Target and could just walk around all day and look. Anyway, first of all we got one of those carts that has the big red thing hooked onto it for older children to sit in. She always BEGS to ride in it, but with Addy, it's impossible. We took our time and looked at clothes, shoes, baby stuff, etc. I decided to cut through the aisle with the bathroom accessories. Emmy asked to stop when she saw a Cinderella soap dispenser. Usually, I would tell her no and go on...because I'm always in such a "hurry". Today, I stopped and let her hold it. She asked to hold several princess items on the shelf. When I told her it was time to walk on, she said "Thank you so much, Mommy, for letting me hold the princess thing!" It was so sweet! I thought to myself how just the smallest thing made her so happy. I don't know that I've really taken the time to do something that "special" since maybe before Addy was born. After that, we started checking out and she asked for a ring-pop. (It's a tradition that if she's good at Target, she gets a ring-pop when we leave.) We were having so much fun that I decided to get us some popcorn and an icee before we left. She was so excited and picked the blue icee. We shared the snack and just sat on some bar stools looking out the window of Target.



I think that I'm going to try to start getting out of the house with just Emmy more often now. I didn't realize how much things had changed since Addy was born! First of all, it was a piece of cake to be out with just one child. It felt like I was just with a friend! I also noticed how we got to have good conversation, not that you can converse about a lot with a 3 year old, but you get my drift! :-)



One of the main things I realized from out little outing was that I am always in such a hurry! Why? I don't always have to be somewhere, but it seems that every time I'm out with my kids I have to quickly tell Emmy no because "I don't have time", I grab the paper towel in the bathroom for her because "I can do it faster" or won't let her climb in her car seat herself because "it takes too long". Our battles are usually over things like that and today for the first time it clicked. I DON'T HAVE TO ALWAYS BE IN A HURRY. I get sad often because my girls are growing so fast, but really I'm the one rushing them through everything. I hate it that probably for the past 3 years I've been this way and am just now realizing it...

Don't get me wrong, me and Emmy have had some wonderful moments together that I will treasure forever. I also have a wonderful bond with Addy and have had several sweet moments with her, as well. My point is that I want to make sure that I am thoroughly enjoying EVERY second with them. I know that before I know it they will be 16 and driving or 18 and getting tattoos (HEAVEN FORBID!) This time is so precious and I don't want to miss the sweet moments-even if it is running to Target for diapers and wipes...

Thanks for "listening"!

Haley

Life Is A Gift

I told y'all on my blog last night about the baby boy that my Brother and Sister-in-law were adopting. Well, it's official! Here he is...

Brayden Bailey-born January 28. 2009...with his favorite Aunt Haley :-)

Isn't he precious? He's just the tiniest, cutest little thing! I could just eat him up!

Today was such a special day. My cup runeth over. I wish that I could remember everything that was said at Brayden's placement ceremony.

First of all, I want all of you reading to take a moment to thank the Lord for the precious woman who carried this baby. She went against the odds and chose life. That in and of itself is means for applause considering the statistics. I believe that the speaker at the ceremony said that last year 14,000 children were adopted and 1.7 MILLION children were aborted. THAT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY! Thank you, Lord, for Brayden's birth-mom and the first selfless decision she made. Secondly, thank you, Lord, that you laid it on her heart to let her baby have a better life and be adopted by a wonderful couple who will love this little boy to no end. I know what it feels like to have a baby inside of you for nine months. You love them immediately. She loved him so much, that she did the most selfless thing of all and chose to give him a life that she could not.

The counselors at the agency made this day so special for everyone. Andrew and Valerie came in and presented Brayden to us, then told us his name. Brayden is just a name that they like (and the name we had for Addy if she was a boy! ha!) and Bailey is what the birth-mom was calling him. How cool is that? They talked about how Andrew and Valerie were one of the most "popular" couples of women considering adoption. Their story of disappointment was shared with a few stories that I didn't even know about. We all prayed over, loved on, and thanked God for this baby while there. It was awesome! When we left, I told Tim that I wanted to adopt someday. It was such a cool experience... I will try to write more when I feel like I can do this all justice.

Andrew, Valerie and Brayden when they walked in.

We all went to dinner afterward and Tim finally got to hold him.

Emmy kept saying at the ceremony "Where's my baby?" and "I want to see my baby!". It was so cute to see her so excited about him.

I think it's so cool how much I love my niece and nephews. Even the one's on Tim's side, I never knew I would love this much. (No offense, guys! I just thought with my siblings it would be different, but it's not!) I think it must be kind of like being a grandparent-you get to love on them, spoil them rotten, but give them back and not feel like a failure if they don't turn out perfect! Ha! I think that I would do ANYTHING for them. I love them all about as much as I love my own. Gabbie, Zachary, Luke, and Brayden-I love you! You are all so very special to me and your Uncle Tim!

Congratulations Andrew and Valerie! Y'all are going to be awesome parents! I'm already amazed at how calm and cool y'all are with him.

Goodnight!

Haley

From a day of love to Emmy live

*WARNING: This is going to be a very unorganized post with random things going on! And Laurie, just in case I've never said anything, I hope it doesn't bother you that I don't use correct grammar/syntax considering your journalism background! I think about that every time I write! There are also some weird spaces that keep showing up afterI change something. Ugh!! This is annoying, but I'm tired of fixing it! I also didn't proof-read well so if something doesn't make sense, just ask! lol*

Wow! Life has been crazy these past couple of weeks! I'm sorry that I've been a horrible blogger! I will try my best to be better.

Where to begin...

Valentines Day was wonderful! I know that people say that V-Day is a silly holiday, but I think it's great. I love the idea of having a specific day to celebrate love! Life is CRAZY, so to have a time set aside to celebrate who you love, why you love, with the people you love is very special to me.

Tim had to work, so me and the girls went to meet him for lunch. We made him two pictures. One with a heart with Emmy's hand prints that says "My hands will touch your heart" and the other with Addy's footprints that says "I'll leave footprints in your heart". I got him a little cookie cake and we had a heart-shaped pizza for lunch. It was very cute and a very sweet time.

Tim with 2/3 of his Valentine's!

Mommy and Addy

Tim w/ his pictures

Cookie cake

Heart-shaped pizza!

That night, Hannah kept Emmy and Tim and I (plus Addy because we weren't sure how long the wait would be and I'm nursing) went to one of our favorite restaurant's, Carrabba's. When we got there at 8:30, the wait was 3 hours! Fortunately, we waited for a while and kept an eye on the first come, first serve bar area that overlooks the cooks. It was so much fun! We even got free samples! Yummy! We had a very good time and enjoyed having a date night!

Let's not forget the nice new pair of tennis shoes, work-out clothes, (I joined an awesome new women's faith-based gym here recently) and the Blackberry Flip cell-phone Tim got me for V-Day. Although, I just got surprised with the phone today, so I think it's more of an "I love you" gift. I love you too, Babe! You're the best!

Sunday, Tim got his hair cut! PRAISE THE LORD! I've been trying to be a good wife and not say anything because I did'nt want to nag him (I used to have/have a problem with that :-]) or make him think I judged his appearance all the time. Sorry, I don't have a picture! (I know this isn't that important to y'all, but it was monumental to me!)

Hannah turned 18 Monday. I can't believe it! Since I'm her sister, it's bittersweet. I'm sad that she's an "adult", but so excited to see what God has in store for her in the next few years. She and her friends went out with my Dad, Vickie, Thomas and Trish-my brother and his girlfriend. I was so sad that I didn't get to go, but made it up to her by taking her and our BFF, Whitney, to a Japanese Steakhouse Tuesday afternoon for lunch while Tim stayed at home with Emmy. We all had Sushi and I had Filet! Yummy!

Hannah, and her BFF's before their dinner

Sunday night Emmy started acting sick. I knew something wasn't right at about 4:00ish, so I went ahead and let everyone at church know that we wouldn't be there. Tim was gone doing school work at his parents house (where it's quiet) and I was at the house with the girls. That evening, Emmy started throwing up along with other stomach virus symptoms that I won't mention :-(! After that was over with at about 11:00pm, she was still acting sick, but with other symptoms. Monday, she was PITIFUL. All day long she literally laid out on the living room floor on a little pallet that I made her so that she could watch TV. If you know Emmy, you know that in order for her to lay down I need to drug her! Ha! I'm j/k, but seriously, that is SO not Emmy. I was pretty much watching her all day thinking that I was gonna be in the ER that night-if not sooner. Her fever never got that high, but because she was so lethargic, I decided to take her to the doctor Tuesday morning. Her diagnosis? Bronchitis! Who knew??? She wasn't showing hardly any symptoms for that! The doctor said there was wheezing in her lungs and if that hadn't have been there, he would have narrowed it down to a viral infection where I would not have gotten an antibiotic. Thankfully, Emmy is doing much better today. They gave her what's typically known to adults as a Z-PAC, but it's in liquid form. It works miracles! She HATES the taste, though :-(!

I've been having such a hard time with Emmy the past several weeks/months. I truly think that the Lord gave me "Monday" with her to realize how thankful I should be to have a healthy, wild, beautiful, disobedient, fun loving, talkative 3 year old. Some mommy's have sick children and pray for their child to do all of those things-even the frustrating one's.

Some pray to be mommy's in general...

Speaking of that, I got a call from my brother, Andrew, last night. Here is the conversation:

Me: Hello?

Andrew: Hey!

Me: How are you?

Andrew: Good! Are you sitting down?

Me: Well, yes. Why?

Andrew: Well, we just got a call and we are going to be adopting a baby boy!

Me: Oh my goodness! When?

Andrew: Thursday!

Me: THIS Thursday? What in the world?

Andrew: Yep! The birth mother's rights were terminated yesterday. They called a few hours ago.

Me: So, let me get this straight. You got a call a few HOURS ago that there is a baby that you didn't even know existed until a few HOURS ago and now you guys will be his parents on Thursday?

Andrew: Yep! Y'all can come to the placement ceremony in Knoxville on Thursday and meet him!

(We didn't hang up here, but I figured I would just tell you the rest)

Andrew and Valerie are unable to have a biological child on their own due to a condition that Val has. Back in October, a birth-mother chose them to adopt the baby girl she was carrying. They were THRILLED, and so were we, to say the least. When the baby was born, the birth-mom took a couple of days, then decided to parent the baby herself. It was heartbreaking. I know that the past several months have been so very hard considering the nursery was finished, they had little pink clothes, blankets and all things girly. However, because I serve a God who is sovereign, this precious baby boy is about to enter their lives. He knew all along His perfect plan. I am going to get to hold him for the first time in Knoxville tomorrow-I CAN'T WAIT! (I'll post pictures, don't worry!) Thank you, Lord for this gift!

Andrew and Valerie @ their wedding in May '06

Tonight, Emmy was feeling much better so she got to sing in church with her little choir. It was so cute, but I know that she does much better when they're just in the classroom or she's at home. Take a look at my little star!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I'm so glad that during this hectic season, God has had an on-going plan. He knew that good and bad things were going to happen. His plan ALWAYS provides hope, because in the end, I'll be with Him.

We're under the weather...

Just wanted to let y'all know that Tim and I are both sick right now. He went to work today, but came home after lunch because he felt so bad. He seems to be doing a lot worse than me. He's got symptoms of a sinus infection, but is having chest pain when he coughs. Bronchitis? Pneumonia? I'm not sure. He will be going to the doctor tomorrow if he doesn't feel any better! I just think I'm coming down with a sinus infection. Anyway, please pray for us! I'm not usually one to ask for prayer in a way like this, but it's really hard for Mommy and Daddy to be sick and still have to take care of the kids, the house, etc. We have help, but if you know me at all, you know how independent I am. Not to mention the fact that I'm the only one who can feed Addy, so I really am the only one who can fully care for her.

Thank you!
Haley

Sweet Giggles

One of the many reasons why I love being a Mommy...

Weekly tid-bits and a Princess Party!

The most exciting things of the past few weeks...


-My Aunt Bette, my Mom's sister, has FINALLY moved here from Charlotte, NC! She has lived there since I was born. I can't explain how happy I am that she is here! It's almost like having my Mom back. It's just awesome...


-We attended a Travis Cottrell and Beth Moore recording last Sunday night at First Baptist Woodstock in Georgia aka "The God Dome". All I can say is that it was AMAZING. Travis and Beth both have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. We were truly led to the feet of Jesus. I hope that I will be able to attend many more of their concerts/conferences. I am so thankful that we got to be a part of it!


-Tim's school started back and this semester is basically going to kick his booty! Please be in prayer for him. I am so proud to say that he made all A's last semester. It was very tough, but he/we got through it! It would be very easy for me to sit back and be annoyed with the fact that he is having to spend a lot of his time on schoolwork, but God has given me a peace about this. That is how I know that this is what he is supposed to be doing.


-Addy was sick with a stomach bug all day yesterday. It was so sad especially with her being so young. It was very scary. She's fine today, thank the Lord!





And for the grand finale...





-Today, we went to a Princess party! It was Emmy's little friend, Lillie's, 3rd birthday! Meredith, her Mommy, had all the girls dress up as a princess. It was so much fun and the girls were TOO CUTE!

Lillie & Hannah

Lydia, Madison, Lillie, & Addy playing (Addy didn't have a dress :-{, but if you look closely there's a crown on her hat!)

Emmy, Lillie, Lydia, Madison, & Brooklynn

There were many funny moments, but I'll share a few of the cutest from our day...

*Trying to make Emmy's hair curly with a flat iron. I know that it can be done, but I just can't do it! lol She kept saying "But Mommy, I'm already pretty! Why are you doing this?" as I am burning her ear....poor baby. She's learning early that beauty is pain.

*Not knowing where Emmy was and realizing she had snuck upstairs (in a house she had never been to) and found a playroom.

*We tried for what seemed like forever to get the girls all together for the above picture. We snapped it then they scattered. Not two minutes later, I laid Addy on the floor to roll around and all of the girls FLOCKED to her! (Besides Emmy, of course. Her baby sister is no big deal, now! lol) I just thought it was so cool to see how these little girls' mother instincts are already kicking in.

*Emmy telling me that she would "help" Lillie open her presents only to see her start ripping off the paper of one and pretty much opening the whole thing herself!

*Lillie singing "Happy Birthday" to herself.

*Watching videos of Lillie's party last year. I can't believe how much they have grown!

*Since we got home, Emmy keeps telling me "There were 2 Belle's at the party Mommy!" in such a shocked voice!

We really had a great time! Lillie is such a precious little girl and so is her Mommy! Happy Birthday, Lillie! We love you!

Haley

p.s. Just so y'all know, my baby sister is going to be 18 on the 16th. I will probably be suffering from depression from now until then. Time just FLIES, doesn't it?

Answered Prayers

"I'm sure that y'all are sick of me posting e-mails that I get, but I thought that this was a cool story. I researched it before I posted it and from what I have found it is true. After you read this, read this, for another story of answered prayers. I'll post something about the kids in the next couple of days.*

-Haley





Subject: Pam's story

Never hear about this on the news

Pam knows about the pain of considering abortion. More than 21 years ago, she and her husband, Bob, were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in a contaminated food or drink. She entered into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. The doctors "didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue," Pam said.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband, "If you will give us a son, we'll name him 'Timothy,' and we'll make him a preacher." Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and, eventually, gave birth to a health baby boy August 14, 1987.

Pam's youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father's ministry in the Philippines .

He also plays football. Pam's son is Tim Tebow.

Last year, the University of Florida 's star quarterback, became the first sophomore in history to win college football's highest award, the Heisman Trophy. Tim's notoriety and the family's inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women's centers across the country.

She was the keynote speaker at the Oct. 23, 2008, benefit banquet for two Louisville ministries. A Woman's Choice Resource Center offers such services as free pregnancy tests, post-abortion counseling, adoption information, and material support. Necole's Place is a companion ministry that provides support services for women in need.

Several Louisville-area Kentucky Baptist churches and Long Run Baptist Association help support both ministries. A Woman's Choice board chairman, John Schmitt, reported at the banquet that in the 20 years since the resource center opened, 4,500 children have been saved from abortion -- 400 in this year alone.

Speaking of the thousands of lives saved, Pam Tebow said, "That just blows my mind. Every little baby you save matters."