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.