In True Shaun Form

When it comes to trying I describe Shaun this response to a text that I sent him says it all.

Bud's Best Cookie Factory Field Trip

On Monday I got to go with Lillian and her class on their field trip to the Bud's Best Cookies factory! We have been on this tour a couple of times with our MOM's club, but Lillian was still really excited to go with her school friends. I was one of the moms who drove for the field trip and I can say hands down, that listening to three four/five year olds little conversations in the car on the way there and back was my favorite part. They are so cute and I loved getting to be a little fly on the wall so to speak. 

Lillian, Logan and Lilly

a quick game of duck,duck, goose before our cookie tour.

I have set The Lord always before me.

Psalm 16:8

Sister And Brotherly Love

There is nothing that I love more than seeing Lillian and John Whitten interact with each other. They are so sweet together and care so much about one another. Don't get me wrong they have their fights, but they are honestly few and far between. Lillian is such a little mother. She is so nurturing and treats John Whitten like he is her own little baby. And sweet John Whitten just follows Lillian's instructions and does everything that she asks of him.

My brothers and sister are my best friends. I value my relationship with them so much and do not know what I would do with out them. It makes me so happy to see Lillian and John Whitten developing that same kind of relationship that I share with Johnny, Alli and Mark!

Snow 2013!

One of the many reasons I love loving in the south is that snow is like this rare exciting gift from above that sticks around for a day or two and then just melts away. Last Friday we got a little taste of snow and it was pretty exciting. Earlier that morning our friends Nathan and Owen came over early for a play date while their mommy went on a field trip with their big brother's school. Nathan and Owen are in the same Sunday school class as John Whitten and love each other. We had a great time playing together and John Whitten loved getting to spend time with his friends.

When Nathan and Owen left just before the snow started coming down heavily. Lillian and I couldn't wait to get outside, but John Whitten wasn't so sure about the white stuff falling from the sky. He kept saying, "no, no snow Mommy", and waving his little hands. So I put him down for a nap and Lillian and I went outside to play in it for a little while. We made snow angels and threw a few snow balls before we were both over it and ready to go inside. I like snow, but for a limited amount of time. Lucky for me that we live in Alabama where snow melts away usually just as quickly as it appeared. 

A friend of mine posted on their facebook something about wishing that they could see their child's expression as they witnessed their first snow fall. It made me so incredibly thankful for the opportunity that I have to stay home with Lillian and John Whitten. I loved seeing the excitement on Lillian's face when she looked out the window and realized that it was snowing. And it was halrious how John Whitten reacted...the complete opposite of his big sister.  I wouldn't trade this time at home with them for anything in the world. 

my snow bunny : )

Nathan and Owen

...worship the LORD with all your heart. Don't turn away to follow worthless things that can't profit or deliver you...

1 Samuel 12:20-21

New Years Eve 2012

I thought that this past New Years was extra special because both of my brothers where in town!! Mark and his fiancee, Rachel, were in Birmingham from Austin. And Johnny, Emily, Graham and sweet little Ellie also drove down from Nashville. Shaun worked until 2:00 AM on New Years, but he left his office for a few hours to come to Alli and Korey's for dinner and to spend some time with everyone. We had dinner catered from La Paz(one of my favorite places) and just spent the evening eating good food, drinking good wine and enjoying every minute with each other while we watched out kids play. It was a great way to start 2013! Of course we all went home around 9:30 and I was asleep by 11:00. Maybe Shaun and I can make it to midnight next year...but its doubtful.

Eli had decorated for us

my cautious little girl...

and my pyro little boy

me and Mark

Mark and Rachel 

 Shep and "John Whitts"

sweet Simon

 Johnny and his baby girl, Ellie!

watching the "big one" firework

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Psalm 20:4

Christmas 2012

Our Christmas this year was a little crazy due to our adoption falling apart and John Whitten getting really sick right before and right after the holidays. On Christmas Eve we went to my grandmother's house for lunch and the kids had a blast opening presents and playing with their news toys together. Lillian was SO excited to get an American Girl doll-McKenna- and John Whitten squealed when opened up his newest car ramp toy. My Grandmother Bev always goes above and beyond to make Christmas eve a really special time for our family. This year her she even did a cake walk(cupcakes and cookies) for the kids. The grown ups even enjoyed playing. I am so thankful for all that she does.

Christmas morning at the Hays home was a lot of fun. Lillian woke up at 7:00, but Shaun and I would not let her open up her presents until John Whitten woke up. We wanted them to do it together. She was so patient and really did not mind waiting an hour until John Whitten woke up. They were both so excited about their toys. Lillian's "big" gifts were a vanity and her leap pad. Although, her favorite gift was probably her make up set that she got from John Whitten. John Whitten's big gift was a Strider Bike(he has gotten pretty good with it). He also got a bunch of little things, but really loved his farm and his Lego's. Every year Alli and I alternate hosting Christmas morning brunch every year and this year it was my turn. So everyone came over to our house for brunch and the kids got to exchange gifts with each other. We all had fun and enjoyed spending time together as a family celebrating the birth of Christ!

After everyone left we quickly got John Whitten down for his nap so that he could be rested up for round two of Christmas day fun at MeMe and Papa's house. He much have been really tired, because we had to wake him up after three and half hours so that we could actually leave. His sleepy little head was holding up the show! We had a lot of fun opening presents, spending time with cousins and of course eating yummy food! We left pretty quickly because the weather was acting crazy and I was not feeling all that great(we were hit hard with yucky bugs through out the holidays). Lillian's favorite gift was her "breakable tea set" from MeMe and Papa. We have had about a million tea parties since Christmas. John Whitten's favorite present was hands down his tball set. He loves anything to do with a ball and adding a bat to it made it all that much more fun. He plays with it every day! 

our attempts at a kid group pic...

it never happened.

She was SO excited to get McKenna 

Simon thought one of his presents was pretty yummy.

 Christmas morning! The make up was Lillian's favorite thing.

even Jack had a great Christmas

Lillian might need a few make up lessons.

This little farm set was easily John Whitten's favorite toy

my babies

Lego LOVE!

always trying to get a group pic...one day

opening pictures at MeMe's house.

I have never seen this little boy's face light up the way it did when he opened this tball set

He is a natural

Merry Christmas....

From my babies to yours! 

The LORD our God has shown us His glory and His majesty.

Deuteronomy 5:24a