Blessings are Among Us

This Christmas I got involved with my good friends "life team" church group and we adopted a family to help. This mother was in a very abusive relationship and she knew she had to take her 4 girls and leave as fast as she could before she lost her life. She was brave enough to leave but had to leave everything behind. She sacrificed so much for her girls safety and her own. She is living in a women's shelter with the 4 girls currently and will move into her apartment this Friday. She managed to save enough to put a down payment on a 540 square foot, one bedroom apartment.
I got involved and have been able to raise alot of the items needed for this family. We sometimes get caught up in everything that is going on with us and our immediate surroundings and there are so many people out there that need our help. Life is always throwing us curve balls and you never know what circumstance you could be in one day. I hope to subside some of her worries and fear and replace it with Hope and Joy. This is all the Lord's doing and because of him we are able to aid in her recovery. I have experience so much from this and would like to continue this all year. When it comes to children I have a very sensitive heart. They didn't ask for this and I want them to have a happy and have a worry-free childhood. Children are so innocent and sometimes make sacrifices they shouldn't have too. Please remember to give back and no matter the circumstance show them that God is always there.

Hayden is almost 5 months old!

My little angel is almost 5 months old now. Wow, these last few months have really flown by! He is such a good baby and I am blessed to have him. Trae and Austin are still the BEST big brother's in the world. They love Hayden and each other so much and I am grateful for that. Everyone asks me if they are jealous and honestly they haven't been jealous of Hayden for one minute. Hayden is now eating a tiny jar of the 1 baby foods a day. He has had applesauce, sweet potatoes, peaches and squash so far. He loves them all! He is a great eater. He is in size 0-3 months and some 3-6 months clothes. He enjoys attention and smiles at all of his toys! Here is a recent picture from Thanksgiving.

Emmi Loo (without a bow???)

My beautiful little neice! One thing is missing though....a bow for her head. Ash!!!

2008 MDA Stride & Ride

Saturday, January 26th 2008

Grapevine Mills Mall

Stride and Ride for Research, For a Cure, For Hope

As alot of you know, Ashleigh and I lost our half brother Trae in Jan.1999 to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Our brother was such an inspiration to us as well as everyone that knew him. It has been hard not having him here with us and apart of our lives. Ashleigh and I take pride in raising money in memory of Trae every year. We hope that in our lifetime there is a cure for these children with muscular dystrophy. It is possible and we need your help to make this year extra special for us and the memory of our brother. There are thousands of people of all ages affected by a neuromuscular disease, right here in our communities. Funds raised through MDA special events help provide expert medical care at MDA clinics, MDA summer camps for youngsters, repair and purchase of wheelchairs and other equipment, and many more services. MDA also funds hundreds of top scientists worldwide seeking treatments and cures.

So Please, Help For Today...Hope For Tomorrow.

You can help Ashleigh and myself by getting involved. Here is what you can do:

1. Donate to help MDA in their research effort

2. Raise Funds....set a goal for your team and ask everyone you know to help.

Prizes for Raising money!!

$85: 1 minute of research-MDA long sleeve Hero wear t-shirt

$425: 5 minutes of research-MDA Hero-wear t-shirt and event plaque

Team Leader award: The leader of any team raising 50 minutes of research, or $4,250 or more will receive a framed photo of your team, and the above.

Thank you all and God Bless!

Click Here to Donate

https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=40cb9c52-a759-429f-a5f9-fdb18f069b78

Hayden's First Bite Of Cereal

Last night was Hayden's first taste of rice cereal! The big brothers, Trae and Austin wanted to get involved too. I fed him a couple bites and they both fed him two bites each. It was a big deal to all of us. It did surprise me that the boys wanted to be involved in that. I couldn't ask for better boys, they love their brother and each other so much!
Hayden did very well for his first time, he was opening his mouth for it and swallowing pretty good. I held him and fed it to him and we both got a little messy but not too bad. We took pictures but just like the others....I have to get them developed!

"Men are what their mothers made them." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gators Go to The Championship!

Trae's football team beat the Bulldogs on Saturday, 19 to 12. They will go on to play the Red Raiders next Saturday for the Championship game.
The Gators had such a good game yesterday, Trae did an excellent job as Quarterback and scored the first touchdown of the game!!

Austin gets to play next year and says he cannot wait. He said he is going to score mommy a "Cutchdown!!"

All Work and No Play

I have to say this is the hardest thing I have EVER done. Being away from the boys is so hard! It is hard adapting to the fact that someone else is raising them during the day. Hayden is growing and changing daily and last night he was only awake until 7:00 and then he was down for the night. I only got to spend an hour and a half with him and then I had to leave to go grocery shopping so I didn't see Trae and Austin long enough either. Although I am complaining I have to say I love my job. I love the people I work with most of all. If I have to be away from the boys I am glad I am here and not somewhere else.
Hayden is 4 months old now! I cannot believe it, I feel like he was just born last week. He is a perfect angel and loves the attention from his two older brothers. Trae and Austin are sooooooooo good with him. They help me out a lot too.
Trae is in the semi-finals for football and he plays the Bulldogs Saturday at 2:30. It is so fun watching him play because he eats, breathes and sleeps football. His newest thing is collecting football cards.
Austin is doing great other than his allergies. I am going to get him in another gymnastics program since he didn't like soccer too much. Austin says he is ready to play flag football so we will try that next August. He is so funny and just talks and talks.....

Emmi update:
She is so sweet and the most beautiful baby girl! Doing better on the new formula and not as fussy as she used to be (according to Ash). Of course every time I saw her she was a perfect angel.

Turner-side Family Picture

Sad day tomorrow

Tomorrow I return to work....I have been out for almost 5 months now. Leaving Hayden is going to be really hard because I was at home with both Trae and Austin. The hardest part is realizing I only have 3 hours with them in the evenings, if even that. Hayden was very clingy today and would cry every time I put him down. He never does that but today he did for some reason. Austin is excited about going to Parker's house everyday and Trae is looking forward to going over there after school. I just hope Hayden adjusts well.

My goal is to work really hard and get in as many sales as I can to meet my monthly goals. If I do this I will be able to work to 3:00 in the afternoons instead of 5:00. I know if I really put everything into it that it will work out. I just have to give it to God and pray that he will take care of us.

“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 NIV)

Emmi and Ash came over yesterday, here are some pictures we took!

We are getting started with Halloween early this year! A friend and I are taking the kids to Trick or Treat at Frisco Fire Safety Town. I will take pictures and try to get them on a CD so everyone can see. Saturday we have a fall festival on our street so that should be alot of fun for the boys too.

Trae and Austin are football players this year. Trae is a Dallas Cowboys player and Austin is a Georgia Bulldog player!!! Hayden is still in the market for a costume, everything is so big but we might have one that will work. Ash is going by the store today to see if they have one left in a 3 month size.

Happy Halloween!!

Water War!!!!!!!

Last night I was watching an episode with Oprah that I had taped on my DVR. It was about people diagnosed with cancer and given 3-6 months to live. One guy said we all shouldn't worry about the small things, we don't know how much time we have here (of course we hear this all the time but it made me think of how I raise the boys). We should live everyday with great, precious memories.
One of his most precious memories was when he was a child. He wanted to paint his own room the way he wanted it..... his parents let him do it and he did. He painted just about all of his favorite things all over the walls. Sometimes we get so caught up with how things should look and not look. His day was made when they allowed him to express his own creativity in his room.
I am a little uptight when it comes to those things but decided tonight when the boys and I go to brush their teeth I was going to start a water war in the bathroom. So I did......we were all soaked, the bathroom was soaked but we were drenched with laughter! Its just water and was easily cleaned up after the boys went to sleep. They were both shocked that I started it but we all had so much fun doing it. I see its the little things that count.

The boys....to each their own.....

Hayden-

Hayden is almost 4 months old now. He is holding his head up really well, he is reaching out and grabbing his toys, he is smiling and giggling, cooing and imitating sounds that I make. Hayden brings so much joy to my life. When he looks at me with those beautiful eyes and smiles I melt right there. Today we went shopping....me and all 3 boys...Hayden was in his stroller and happy as can be until I was out of his view. When I stepped away I hear him start to whine....as soon as I came back into his view he was smiling again. He is definitely the last chapter in my book...he was the missing piece in our family. Trae and Austin adore him, look after him, play with him and protect him. It was already amazing seeing Trae and Austin together but adding Hayden to the bunch only gave the boys another baby brother to love and cherish. Hayden seems like the child who will learn everything pretty quickly, he seems very loving and eager. He has a gentle soul and is a very happy baby. These past 4 months have flown by, my last baby is growing up so fast. For once, I am content with that. I am content with what I have been blessed with.

Austin-

Austin is a protector, he is strong and bull headed. Austin is the most protective of both of his brothers, he cherishes his relationships and stands up for what he believes in. Austin may not put all of his energy into learning or sports but he puts his energy into people. He loves life and will make the most of everyday. Last night he slept in his football costume (pads and all) because he loved it that much. I am sure it wasn't that comfortable but he loves that costume so much he wasn't about to take it off. Austin loves his family. Austin is almost 5 but he is still my little baby. He needs me to hold him, he sits in my lap, sucks his tongue and loves on me. He loves to feel loved and needed. Now...... he will throw a fit and talk back at times but he will also be the first one to apologize. Tonight, I told Austin when he was a grownup he would have his own house to live in. He told me that he was never going to leave me and our house. He said we all have to be together forever. I told him one day Trae will have his own house and Austin told me that if that was true we would all move to where Trae was. He said we will always be together as a family and wherever anyone moved, we all would follow.

Trae-

Trae is still my sensitive one, I worry about him. He is alot like me and takes alot of things the exact way I do. Trae is a magnet to people, to friends.... to just about everyone. Everyone loves Trae and always talks about Trae and how wonderful he is. I think it is his fun loving, caring spirit. We named him after my brother and I see so many of my brothers characteristics in him. Trae is dependable and I can always count on him to help me. Trae also loves his family and his brothers with all his heart. He is a teacher, he loves teaching Austin and right now he is focused on teaching Austin football. He gets excited to see Austin do new things and praises him on his work. Trae is doing so well in school and loves sports. He knows just about every athlete there is and is determined to one day be in the hall of fame. Trae is successful in everything he does but Trae wants everyone around him to also be successful. Trae is a mommies boy and is always complimenting me and likes to pick out outfits for me to wear. He has good taste so I can't complain!!!

We had such a great weekend.....no one is sick!!! Trae had a football game on Saturday, they won by a point. Austin has refused to play soccer, he doesn't like it. I have tried to get him to finish the season but he isn't budging. I will be signing him back up for gymnastics since he enjoyed that. Next year he will play flag football, he is looking forward to that.
Saturday night Trae spent the night with his friend Cole and Austin had Kasen over to spend the night at our house. Trae and Cole came over early afternoon to play at our house and Trae's friend Ryan came over too. I have to say it was really good. 5 boys (not including Hayden) at the house and it wasn't at all stressful and they barely made a mess. I was able to clean and Paul watched Hayden while I did. We all went to the park and had a blast too. The boys ate dinner, took bathes and when they layed down in the bed they were both asleep within 2 minutes. What a day!

Hayden is doing so well. He is chubby and bald now! Everyone is saying he is a mini-Austin.... He does look like Austin but has some of Trae's features too. He is a big smiler and laughs alot. When he starts cooing he gets so proud of himself. He really thinks he is talking to us. Trae and Austin still worship him. One of our friends from the football team always gives Austin a hard time and says she is taking Hayden home for the night. Austin gets so mad and tells her no! He doesn't like it when anyone else holds Hayden, he is afraid they will take him.

Emmi is still a fussy little thing according to Ash. I have tried to kidnap her for the day but Ash won't let me take her. Thanks, Ash....I am just her Aunt! Hopefully she will outgrow the fussiness soon so they can enjoy her more. I went through it with Trae so I can relate.

We are so excited to see MaMa, Uncle Kenny, Aunt Cheri, Mark and Megan at the end of the month! It has been too long. Hopefully you guys will be able to come out and see Trae play in his football game. He would be so proud! We love you all and can't wait to see you.

Ash, Hayden and I are back from Georgia now. It was a quick, sad trip. The entire family was there except 2 of the grandchildren. Everything was done really well and the family took care of everything. The donation of flowers and plants was like nothing I had ever seen. Hundreds of arrangements and the donation of food and drinks was abundant. Papa isn't doing too well. He seems upset, not talking too much. They were married for 60 years and he had told one of his daughters that everytime he closed his eyes he saw MeMe. It was good to go and be there but my heart hurts for Papa. This is going to be really hard for him. My dad and all the brothers and sisters are trying to help and get him through this best they know how. Thank you all for your prayers. They say that sometimes death isn't the worst thing. In this case it wasn't, MeMe was suffering and now she is peaceful.

MeMe passed away this morning....

My dad called me this morning to let me know MeMe had passed away. She went peacefully in her sleep. It is hard to believe she is gone. I know this is very hard on all the family but especially PaPa. Please keep the family in your prayers.

We are all better now!! Over the horrible sickness and ready for a fun weekend. The boys have their usual games and then on Sunday they are getting their pictures done together. I am really excited about that.

My MeMe is not doing well at all. She has pneumonia in both lungs and the antibiotics are not working. She is on oxygen 100% and in and out of consciousness. They are expecting her to go at any moment. All of her children are there with her so that is a blessing.

I am about to go get Austin from school and take the boys to get their Halloween costumes! I will let you know what they decide to be this year.

Please Pray for my Grandmother, MeMe

My grandmother, MeMe has been in the hospital for about 2 weeks now. I just found this out today. She is not doing well, it is alot of things. My dad didn't specify what exactly. He said she is not expected to make it, they have already brought her back two times. My dad is heartbroken he is so close to his parents and I know this will be very hard on him. Please keep her in your prayers and our family as well.

Our Dreaded Virus Weekend

This weekend was pretty bad. Trae ended up getting sick Saturday night and threw up until the next day at 5:00 PM. Paul came down with it Saturday morning at about 4:00AM and I came down with it Saturday night,almost Sunday morning. So far Hayden and Austin have been ok. I hope it stays that way.
Trae missed playing the Colts in football and also missed his soccer game. Austin had to miss his soccer game because all of us were sick. I had planned on getting my hair done and going shopping for a dining room table but that didn't happen.

On another note, my company had a layoff on Friday. They let go about 20% of our workforce, luckily I wasn't one of them. I do feel for those who lost their jobs because I know the employment is still down and it will be difficult for them to find another job. I pray they do soon.

Such Blessings

For all of you that have children you know what I am talking about. My boys bring me the greatest joy starting every morning when I wake them up for school and they look at me with those tired eyes and just smile. They all wake up happy, even Hayden. When Hayden wakes up he smiles and giggles for most of the morning and here and there throughout the day. One of the greatest gifts in life that I have been given is to wake up every morning and see those smiles. I cannot imagine life without them. I look at my boys and it takes my breath away. They are truly amazing and I cherish every minute I get with them. I hear "I love you" from them at least 10 times a day. I am so thankful for them and my family. Life is short so don't waste one minute. Let those you love know it and work hard for what you believe in.

This morning I got the two older boys off the school. Trae had lost his glasses but I did find them last night (thank goodness!!) He is doing great in school and is getting wonderful reports from his teacher everyday. His friends were very excepting of his glasses so he doesn't mind wearing them anymore. Austin is doing great at school too and never has a bad report. He is learning so much and writing his letter very well now. I am very proud of him! Hayden is 11 pounds now and is still a great baby. His hair has almost completely fallen out so I assume he will be bald for a little while.
I am going back to work the first week in November and feel good about it. I am working with a nanny agency to find someone who will come to the house to watch the boys. I will keep you all updated on that progress!
We are so excited that we get to see MaMa soon!!!

Today has been a really tiring day. We had 3 games today, 2 soccer and 1 football. Trae had his soccer game at 11:45 am and scored 7 goals, he did really well.
Austin had his game at 1:00 pm and showed more interest in the game and actually kicked the ball a couple of times. He might have done better if this certain child on the field hadn't been pushing him and the other boys the entire game. This kid plays on his team and at the last practice pushed, kicked, hit about 4 of the boys. He continued to do it today at the game and when he pushed Austin down and Austin got another kids cleat on his face I had it! I walked over to make sure Austin was ok and then approached the dad and told him he needed to get control of his son and teach him how to act right. Who lets their kid bully other kids? I am sick of parents not teaching their kids manners and letting them conduct themselves in a way that is harmful to other children. I probably shouldn't have said that in front of the whole team but I am sure I was speaking for the other parents too.
Trae had a football game at 5:00 pm and they played a really good team and beat them 20 something to 0. All of the boys are doing so well and it shows!
I am worn out and am ready to go to bed. We have another long day tomorrow with some friends for Cameron's 3 rd bday party!!

Austin has a girlfriend????

Today I took Austin to school and as I was leaving I hear the teacher call out to me, "Austin has a girlfriend." I turned around and went back into the class. The teacher said when Austin walked into the class Bella said, "he is soooo cute!". The teacher said she is always saying that and Bella told the teacher she is going to marry Austin one day. When Austin was asked if he had a girlfriend, he turned around and said, "NO!!!".... Just my mom! I find this so funny because one day this will not be the case and mommy won't be the most important women in his life. I will enjoy it while I can and hope that he puts the girlfriend thing off until he is 25 or so.....

Hayden is 2 1/2 months old

Hayden is growing so fast and starting to get chubby! He is a great baby but is a little spoiled. He tends to throw a good fit in the car seat and will throw one if you put him down when he wants to be held. Pretty funny! He is still in newborn clothes but soon moving into 0-3 months.... He loves to stare at me, especially when he is eating. He is smiling and giggling alot and has even started blowing bubbles with his milk in his mouth. He coos a little and loves the attention of his two older brothers. There isn't any greater joy of having 3 healthy happy boys. Each day is something new and each day another blessing in my life. They are surrounded by family, extended family and friends that love them and make them apart of their lives. They are surrounded by love...that's for sure!

Trae has his glasses now...

Today we went to get Trae's glasses and he was so upset. Not because he didn't like his glasses but because he was afraid the kids at school are going to make fun of him. He got in the car after we picked up his glasses and he just cried, it broke my heart! I talked to the eye doctor and she said if he is responsible and does his eye exercises he can wear contacts soon. She saw how upset he was about the glasses. I told Trae to just give them a chance and he would get used to how they look on him. He wore them and already is adjusting, he says he like them but hopes no one will make fun of him. Kids are so cruel these days and it is really sad. Tomorrow will be his first day to wear them to school. Hayden and I are going to have lunch with him and hopefully he won't have any bad news to report to me about any kids being mean. Otherwise, they have to deal with a very over protective mommy!!!! My worst fear is some mean child convincing my children that they are not good enough, smart enough or cute enough. A confident child starts from the inside out and I have always raised the boys to believe they are perfect in their own eyes, our eyes and God's eyes....