Finalizing

This has been the week of finalizing several things.

Saturday, Devin finalized his basketball season with the last two games.

Brookelynn finalized her science fair project that she has stressed over for the past two weeks.

Stroker finally sat down and watched the Disney cruise video so he would know what to expect.

What's Been Going On.

So here is a quick rundown of the past week (in no paricular order).

• Brookelynn and I talked Stroker into trying
and he did not like it.
• Basketball games and driving all over the Upper Cumberland with gas prices at $3.53 per gallon (Uuuuggghhhh).
• Breakfast Dinner at IHOP with the kids.
• Visiting with my mom and brother while watching the snow fall.
• Presidents Day at home with the kids (without any of us driving each other crazy) Yay!
• A new kitchen faucet.
• Celebrated turning 36 and thanking God for it.

• Received a manicure and pedicure certificate for my birthday.
• Received a one hour massage certificate for my birthday.
• Gave up biting my nails for Lent. 2/22-4/7.
• Attending a "Code Blue" revival at

• Had a hair appointment and got some highlights for spring.
• Watching Erin's blog to see her latest house updates and loving her idea to opt out of the jacuzzi tub and going for a big walk in shower instead. People rarely use those jacuzzi tubs anyway.
• My brother walked outside one morning this week to find this...

No chance of the fire dept. saving that.  Farwell Red Ford F350. At least it wasn't parked too close to the camper.
• Added this to my bucket list
• 

Date Night

Tonight, Brookelynn got all dolled up for her 2nd fancy dinner party this week. She put on her new dress (that her daddy picked out), pulled her hair back and glossed her lips. Away she went with Stroker to the Father/Daughter Dance. This is one occasion that neither of them will ever forget. I am so glad that they got to have the experience.

Here is their official photograph from the event.

Here they are before heading out for the night.

Here they are when they returned. Brookelynn received a gift bag, a t-shirt and a rose.

They even won a door prize. A $50 gift certificate.



Devin and I decided to start our evening at El Tap followed by a trip to the grocery store for a few ingredients. Darlene happened to be in town so she joined us.
Devin made Dominican Cornbread sticks for a project in his Spanish class tomorrow. Using the oven was a new experience for him. Making cornbread with coconut and raisens was a new experiance for all of us.

Who would of thought that a boring old Thursday night could hold so many new and fun experiances.

Valentines Day 2012

Today consisted of a Valentines Day party in Brookelynn's class. Her classmates loved her valentines.
I had dinner with the ones that I love most. This year we opted for dinner at a fancy restaurant dressed formally for the occasion. Brookelynn loved it...Devin couldn't wait to get back home.

Traditionally, husbands and wives find a baby sitter and escape for a romantic dinner. We decided to share the love with the kiddos on Valentines Day because we love them just as much as we love each other. It should be a special holiday for them too.

We will save our romantic dinner for two for some other night.

Speaking of Valentines Day and sweethearts...

I ran across images of fictional couples that I thought Stroker and I were comparable to.

Carl and Ellie Fredrickson

They loved each other with every ounce of their hearts.

I completely understand and cherish that feeling.

(Some people go their entire lives not knowing how that feels)

Dory and Marlin

Dory is carefree and optimistic while Marlin is taking life too seriously and stressing himself out.

I found this quote  image on Pinterest and I loved it.

Happy Valentines Day! Hope you were surrounded by those you love.

Time Keeps Slippin' Away

I don't know why the time seems to be stuck on "fast forward" here lately. There is no hope in getting caught up these days. Below is a list of the events that I remember happening in the last week. Some events have already left my mind. I have got to get a better grip on keeping up with the blog.


Sunday, February 12, 2012: We stood before the congregation at church and gave our testimony. We were nervous, yet honored to glorify Him and what He has done in our lives. There were moments of laughter, there were moments of  tears, most of all there was praise of our Heavenly Father. We have came farther in our journey of Faith this year than we have in all the other years of our lives. We never seen this coming, but He did. He knew all along where he would bring us...and we thank Him that we are finally here.

Devin missed his Sunday basketball game since we spent the afternoon in Nashville visiting Kelly. We pray that she recovers and that she does not have another stroke.

Saturday, February 11, 2012: Devin had a ball game at 1pm. I made a pot of chili since the temperature dropped into the 20's. Winter had finally arrived.
In entertainment news, Whitney Houston was found dead on this day. It seems like only yesterday I was in the passenger seat of my sister's Honda Accord listening to Whitney Houston's cassette tape.
In family news, we received a call Saturday evening that Kelly had a major stroke and had to be air lifted to Centennial Hospital.

Friday, February 10,2012: I got my stitches out, which helped my gums feel a bit better. I wish I could open my mouth wider, but Dr. Brookesbank said that would take more time. I also wish that I had the feeling back in my chin, but he said that could take two to three more months. He said that it's very rare to have permanent numbness.
For dinner Stroker and I went to Outback. That felt a bit weird. We don't go out much without Devin and Brookelynn.

We also went to see Joyful Noise at the theatre last week. It was a pretty good movie. It had several funny scenes. The music was really good. Queen Latifa sang a beautiful song. We have the soundtrack and Brookelynn has worn it out this week.

Something to Ponder

A wise man once told me "You will get by today, it's tomorrow that you have to worry about". 

That has always made complete sense to me in the past, but now

The Word tells me that Mathew 6:34 says

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Sixteen & Stitches

What does a sixteenth birthday and stitches have in common?
Nothing except that we experienced both at the Hayes house this week.
This past week has been full of blog worthy events; however, blogging has not been number one on my to do list. "Live today, blog tomorrow" has been the motto here.
So, in my attempt of a quick recap, here goes...
Last Saturday Devin had a basketball game and won. That evening, eleven of us met at the Olive Garden for another birthday dinner for Devin where he received his first birthday card of many.
Sunday held another ball game. Ballgames both days kept us close to home his entire birthday weekend. Mom attended one of his games this weekend, she had been wanting to see him play.
Sunday evening was an early dinner at Zaxby's and Faith Evangelism.
Monday was the big 16 for Devin. Some family members joined us for pizza, a Nashville Predators cake and ice cream.

I measured and marked Devin's height on the door facing and he grew another 3 inches this year. I am in awe of how fast he has grown. I spent some time just looking back at some of the pictures of when I could still call him my "little" boy.

Tuesday, I attended PEP Talks and visited Hobby Lobby.
Wednesday, I prepared myself for Thursday and we had a fellowship meal at church.
Thursday was the day I visited the oral surgeon and lost the feeling in my chin and lower lip. I only had to have stitches in the bottom two extractions. My x-ray looked liked this before the surgery.

Linda brought over soup, fruit tea and dessert to our house for dinner.
Friday I took the kids to school and laid around all day with a warm compress on my cheeks.
Saturday I hoped for the numbness in my bottom teeth and chin to go away, but no such luck.
Sunday consisted of church and O'Charley's for a nice soft omelet. Our church held a Super Bowl gathering. I cooked a chicken casserole for dinner. This is the second year in a row that we stayed home for our own quiet super bowl.