Keepin' the Roads Hot

Brooke went to a concert (if you want to call it that) on Friday night the 10th.
Miranda Sings. She's a Youtube sensation...so they say. 

Stroker and I went to a Casting Crowns concert on Friday night the 10th. It was amazing. They sang all their hit songs (and I sang along).  Mandisa and Sidewalk Prophets were also there. We barely made it there in time for it to start at 7pm. We ended up eating stadium hot dogs for dinner. The show lasted until 10:45.

The kids and I went to the movies on Saturday, October 11 to see "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day". It was a rain out kind of  day and the movies seemed like a nice relaxing get away for a couple of hours.

We went for a soup lunch at Lee and Judy Roberts house after church on Sunday.  It rained again while we ate vegetable soup and relaxed on their couch.

Before we knew it, it was time for our trip to Gatlinburg.
We had a fun getaway. The Wilderness Lodge had an awesome water-park. I came to the realization that I am aging whether I like it or not. While on a couple of the water rides I feared for my life and was convinced that the contents of my stomache were going to make an appearance before it was over. We finally opted for a nice relaxing soak in the hot tub. You know,...where the old people hang out. Stroker became annoying as he kept repeating that he was going to buy a hot tub when we got back home.

We  had dinner at the Dixie Stampede. In case you are wondering...it was the best food. Being the frugal family that we are, we fasted for over half the day. We wanted to be sure we were hungry enough for all that food. We all cleaned our plates.

We strolled the streets of Gatlinburg and toured Ripley's Guiness Records Museum. It's not often that we take time to get away from the mundane. But, I'm so glad that we did. We were all ready for a break.

Bring the Rain

Seven days of October have passed and here is a few things that you've missed.

ATMS football team won the championships

Brookelynn has had a headcold for over 2 weeks (and she loves the gloves at the doctors office)

Devin likes to get comfortable when we visit with Mama.

Brooke hosted a "Ready for Fall" sleepover. 6 girls total. 

We took Kimba for one more stroll at Dogwood Park before the nights get too cool. The fountain was the only one ready for this photo.

Great Aunt for the Eighth time.

Rain everyday for 7 days in a row.

Goodbye Summer 2014

Oh summer...please don't go. I have so enjoyed the warmth of your days and the extra hours each evening. It saddens me to think it's time to say goodbye. I'm not ready for crunchy leaves under my feet, blustery winds on my cheeks or the setting sun before I get home in the evenings. Fall is definitely not my favorite season, but it sure beats winter...which is just around the corner.
Well, I can't stop father time from doing his thing. I can't even slow him down. At most, all I can do is attempt to keep records here on this struggling blog.
I encounter many obstacles in finding time to sit and type our daily happenings here at the Hayes House. From Dinner to dishes, ballgames to bath-times, days and sometimes weeks pass before I find the opportunity to record the lengthy list of our whereabouts and activities. To be honest, I rarely record many of them. When I do get the chance to post here, it's usually just a couple of bits and pieces from our frantic frenzy that we call life.  Sure, I know what your thinking.  I just posted a blog on "Choosing Slow" and now I am writing about being in "high gear" 24/7.
I want to slow down and I choose to slow down, but some days (most days) I simply don't have a choice but to hit the floor running.
As a matter of fact, lots has happened in September here at the Hayes House. Here are a few things that I can remember in a nutshell.

• Had a Labor Day cook-out at Matt's. (Only photo...sorry)
  
• We went to the fall fun fest 
  
• Devin took another weekend trip to Memphis (and didn't come home sick)
  
• I finally changed my ringtone on my mobile phone (after 2 years of "Redeemed")
• I accomplished my bi-annual shed organization
• The hubs turned 39. 
  
• Took Kimba on her first visit to Dogwood Park...she was excited
  
  
• Devin joined us for dinner at o'Charley's for Stroker's b-day (it's rare that Devin joins us now that he is "grown")
• Stroker got new brakes on the Titan
• 4 football games were cheered on by Brooke and the ATMS cheerleaders
  
  
• Stroker and I had a date night at Gondola's (It wasn't what I remembered from 20 yrs. ago)
  
• Went to Katey's Bridal Shower
• Had another shower for Katey at work (50's housewife theme)
  
• Devin's wisdom teeth started coming in. 
  
• Brooke came down with her first head cold of the season and visit the doctor.

  
• Had a great dinner with an old friend from school that I havn't spent time with in over 15 years.
  

I Choose Slow

This was a beautiful weekend to enjoy the changes of the season. Saturday never reached 70 degrees, while Sunday was full of sunshine and a high of 77.  

Weekends like this make me want to slow down, sit back, and take a good, long look at what a great life God has given me.

This is what slow really looks like in our home because we have a to do list that is 12 acres long. 

Slow looks like windows without curtains because after years of searching, I can't find the right ones.

It looks like a half sanded hope chest because there is always an ongoing project.

It looks like a laundry room with both machines waiting to be emptied.

It looks like a bathroom with a dirty tub,  cluttered vanity and nail polish stains on the floor.

Slow means taking time to appreciate where we live. Right across the street from God's house.

It means relaxing and watching TV in the midst of the undone.

It means delicious burgers on the grill while the dog desperately hopes a piece falls to the ground.

It means taking joy in the little wins... like finally taking the time to paint the closet.

It means allowing myself to be okay with all the clutter that is on the desk, or untouched ugly stuff at the bottom of the list.

Slow is a choice. You choose to be okay with the imperfection now, because you understand that  things will change in the future. Choosing slow isn't giving up or backing down, it’s usually not being lazy, maybe intentionally slowing down is an act of hope, rest and trust.

My house and life aren't perfect. They never have been and they never will be, it’s more obvious now than ever. I get to choose what I do with that. I can drive myself insane frantically trying to hide and fix the imperfections. Or I can take my time and enjoy the processes.
Today, I choose slow.

Employment

I guess you could say it's official. The cute little Devin that I have always had to drag out of bed for school, has done the inevitable.  He has landed his first real job. Not just any job. He went for the ultimate workout, come home exhausted and get up before the crack of dawn job.
You are looking at the latest employee of Fed Ex.

sorry, this one's a bit blurry...I took it quickly

I'm sure I will worry myself to death wondering if he's going to get out of bed each morning, I'll lie awake at night wondering if he is getting enough rest and I'll be watching the clock until he returns home safely each day. But one thing is for certain. He never ceases to amaze me. It tugs my heartstrings to see him grow up, but I can't keep him little for ever. He is taller than me these days for Pete's sake.
My biggest regret as a parent, is not getting out of his way sooner. He could move mountains if only I could bring myself to let him go.
I've apologized many times in the past  that I am learning too and I don't know what I am doing as a mother. Devin is my first born, my Guinea  pig and  my first attempt at parenting. I want so badly for everything to be right, that I do it all myself instead of letting him learn and experience things for himself.
When Devin steps out and takes the lead, I usually stand back in awe when I see his capabilities. He's young, determined, talented, smart and not to mention handsome. God has a great plan for Devin's life. I'm going to try to step aside and see just what He has in store for him.

What's Up Doc?

We have seen the doctor too much here the last few days.

Saturday, August 16, mom got up out of a chair, took two steps, blacked out and fell. Initially, we thought her hip was broken. After a trip to the hospital via ambulance, x-rays show that it is just bruised and has a knot on it from the fall. After an evening in the ER, she got to go back home.

Tuesday, August 19, Brooke had to go to the doctor for her ear. She has complained for days that it is getting worse and worse. Monday night she complained that she could not sleep on it. Turns out, she has an infection that began as a scratch or some type of irritation. She was given antibiotics to treat it.

I had a treatment (not from a doctor) on Wednesday, August 20 to help with my aching arms. My visit was to a massage therapist. It was a good visit. I love massages. My arms are not aching as much at night now.

Stroker went to the doctor on Thursday due to a sinus infection and a to have his foot looked at. He came home with antibiotics too.

We were all feeling good by the weekend, so we did the "Parade of Homes" on Sunday, August 24, to see some over the top houses. We seen houses with everything from Theatre Rooms to sauna's to showers with six shower heads...How do people sleep at night knowing that they have to spend years getting all that un-necessary stuff paid for? It would have me stressed out.

Brookelynn had another doctor appointment Tuesday, August 26, for her yearly "well check up". I told the doctor that the appointment was a week too late because her ear was aching last Tuesday.

We basically spent 2+ hours at the doctor office for confirmation that she is perfectly healthy. Of course that is awesome news, but I feel like it's a wasted visit if we don't have any ailments to tell the doctor about.

My annual exam was Wednesday, September 3. Of course I had many ailments to discuss. I save all of my aches, pains and concerns throughout the year for that one visit. This year, I was told that I need to get a primary care physician instead of hoarding my symptoms all year. Hhhmmm. I was trying to be thrifty. If I get a Primary Care Physician, that comes with another co-pay. :(

Hopefully we are all well or on the mend now and can get back to our lives.