Family Time

A few pictures of the grandparents with my kids!  My parents live 7-8 hours away from us so we cherish the times we get to see them!  

My dad thought Hays' hat was the cutest - and I couldn't agree more!

We love our Pappy and YaYa!

Hays Newborn Pics

As Hays' due date came closer, I called up our favorite photographer, Brooke, and asked her if she would do our newborn pictures of him.  She is so great and so easy to work with!  He was 8 days old in the pictures - these are some of my favorites!

My favorite poses - all cuddled up the fur!

Sister wasn't cooperating too well that day, but we got a few of her kissing him.  I thought they were sweet!

Nothing cuter than a naked baby!!

My super talented friend and neighbor did the blanket for Hays!

Daddy Love!

I never thought I would have a boy!  I am cherishing our mother\son relationship!  

Like I said, Lucy wasn't being very cooperative that day, this was the best family one we got! 

You can find our photographer Brooke on Facebook.  Her page is Crystal Brooke Photography - and tell her we sent you!!

Welcome Mr. Hays Michael

This is our last picture as a family of 3.  My parents were already here but I wanted to put Lucy to bed that night.  We read her books and I told her that she was going to meet her new brother in the morning.  We had lots of love and snuggle time - it was just perfect!    

We were supposed to be at the hospital at 7am for my scheduled induction at 8:30am.  That was just crazy to think about, especially after all that happened when I was in labor with Lucy.  Of course, I didn't sleep a wink.  I don't think I was necessarily nervous, just anxious for everything to unfold.  I honestly think I was more worried about how Lucy was going to handle everything. 

Hays' first picture - born on February 20th at 9:01am.

7 pounds 11 ounces

20 inches long

He was PERFECT!  They wheeled me into recovery and let my family come in right away.  I don't remember too much - I was pretty out if all day! 

One really neat thing that happened was 2 of my SWEET friends, both named Amy, took care of me! Amy on the left emailed me the day before saying she worked everything out to be in the operating room with me!  She was fantastic!  She helped calm my nerves and made everything so much easier!  My friend Amy on the right works nights and she met us as we were coming in.  She helped get us settled in a room and offered to stay and help after the c-section.  Of course I said yes and she got to take care of Hays and give him his first bath!  She also kept him in the nursery one night so this momma could get a little sleep!  I can't thank them enough!

Our first picture as a family of 4!  This was how Lucy looked all day - very confused!  She definitely didn't like seeing me in that hospital bed all hooked up.

Jared and my dad with Hays!

Pappy and YaYa with their GRANDSON!  We are all about girls in our family - my mom kept saying how this boy stuff was all new to her!

Lucy trying to figure it all out!  

Poppa and MiMi meeting Hays for the first time!

GiGi meeting Hays for the first time!

The next morning - Lucy was a little more bright eyed!!  Daddy holding his 2 kids!

My sister Brennan, at 34 weeks pregnant flew in to meet Hays - meant the world to me!

Uncle Chris and Aunt Erin meeting Hays!

Getting some snuggles from Daddy!

McCaleb Cousins (minus Easton)

He's looking studly and ready to go home!

We FINALLY got to come home!  Loving our new fam of 4!

Lucy Day

I'm playing MAJOR catch up on the blog!  So sorry it's been so long!  I had to have a scheduled c-section with our son Hays so we knew the exact day we would have him!  I wanted to make the last few days special with Lucy, so we declared our last Saturday together Lucy Day!  We wanted to do all fun things that she loved to do!

We started the letting her pick our her breakfast - she chose pretzels and applesauce!  Then, we went outside and played in her car!  

She loves that thing!

After that, we went to the United Methodist church where they have an indoor playground.  I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy chasing her around making sure she didn't get hurt in the super tall play place!  

We took her to lunch at ChickFilA.  I'm not sure if that's her favorite restaurant or her daddy's!  And of course, we HAD to share a cookies and cream milkshake!  "Shakes" are one of her favorite things - and I can't blame her!

We came home for naps and that afternoon we went to the park!  I think that is DEFINITELY her very favorite thing in the world!  

We just wanted to make the day all about Lucy since we knew in a  few short days, her world would be rocked by a new little brother!  

"Family"

I have been extremely weepy today.  Blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but Jesus has been wrecking my heart lately.  The last 9 weeks on Tuesday mornings, I have been listening to my friend Kathy Howard teach her study Unshakeable Faith.   

 

It has been so challenging.  This last week we focused on a very important faith trait: be connected to a local church body with love and service.  Kathy talks about Peter's life in this study, how Jesus transforms his life.  

Kathy says, "During a post-resurrection appearance, Jesus specifically emphasized the connection between loving Him and loving those who belong to Him (see John 21:15-17).  Right after breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him.  Three times he said, "Yes, Lord."  And all three times Jesus replied with a command for Peter to care for His "sheep."  Jesus made sure Peter got it: to love Jesus is to love and care for His body, the church."

The 5 1/2 years Jared and I have been married we have lived far away from family.  But because of our church, we DO have family here.  Our church is our family.  We have been SO incredibly blessed to be where we are, in the church we are in.  

But, I was also very convicted by the study this week.  What am I doing to care and love on others in our church and our community?  I am not perfect, the church is not perfect, but we should be striving to do what Jesus says, "care for my sheep."  

Kathy says, "Jesus commanded us to love each other like He loves us.  Deeply, unselfishly, with the other's best interests at heart.  In this way, Jesus used His body, the local church, to love His children.  He cares for us, comforts us, provides for us, and encourages us through the hands and feet -- the lives -- of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In order to give and receive Christ's love like God commands, we must have a vital connection to a local church body."    

This is a picture of our growing family (with our little boy in my tummy)!  But Jared and I feel very called to foster/adopt.  We have NO idea what this means for us, we just know that our family isn't complete.  Jesus was GRACIOUS enough to adopt me into His family, I just feel called to add another member of our family that way too.  I think this is why our family and our church means so much to us.  

If you are reading this and don't have a church home, I encourage you to find one.  If you live in our area, come check out our church - The Woodlands First Baptist Church, Birnham Woods Campus.  We are an imperfect people but we would love to be part of your family!

New Beginnings

Growing up, I always wanted to be a Mom.  Playing house was my favorite thing (if I could talk my sisters into it!)!  If I wasn't playing with them then I was playing with dolls pretending I was their Mom.  The last 5 years I have started off every August walking into the gym at Coulson Tough Elementary.  When I found out I was pregnant with Lucy, I knew I wanted to stay home with her but never saw how that was financially possible.  I cried my first day back to school last year.  Not because I hated my job, but because my heart was torn in 2 places - at school and at home with Lucy.

Sitting at my computer this morning looking at all the back to school pictures, I felt my eyes well up with tears.  I was sad to be missing all of the fun excitement that the first day of school brings.  But then, I saw a little girl standing up in her crib waiting for me to go get her and the tears went away.  I will always love and cherish my memories I had teaching school.  But, there is another job I know I'm supposed to be doing right now - being Lucy's Mom.  The job that has been engraved on my heart since I was born.  

So, here's to new beginnings!  I told Jared this morning that instead of having 1100 students everyday, I only had 1! (And to be honest, she's my favorite!)  I know that God has blessed me immensely with every job that I've had.  I pray for my new job - that I can have the patience and wisdom to run a Godly household.  I hope everyone that is teaching school or sending their kids to school have a great year!

I'll leave you with a picture of my cute "student" this year!

365 Days

In 365 Days . . .

   -I met someone who was a missing part of our family.

    - I have survived on very little sleep.

-I have changed THOUSANDS of diapers

- I have seen our laundry double (maybe triple)!

           

      -I have spent countless hours playing on the floor.

             -I have learned how to be unselfish - that someone else's needs matter more than my own.

-I have earned a new name - Mommy!

-I have seen just a GLIMPSE of the love that God has for his children!

These 365 days have been the most joyous and challenging days of my life.  I will never forget seeing that face and hearing her cry for the first time.  When I was little, I loved baby dolls and dreamed of one day being a mommy.  Some days I feel like my heart could burst because of the love I have for my sweet Lucy.  I thank God everyday for the gift of her life and I pray this over her: 

Lucy Grace,

May I always strive to be your mommy, not your friend.  May I always try to show you Jesus in the way that I live.  May I teach you manners and to respect everyone.  May I always tell you that your beautiful - but that beauty isn't focused outward but inward.  May I have patience - even on the hard days.  May I cherish each and every day with you, because each day is a gift.