New England.....you were AWESOME!!

We left Rockwall and the high temps in early October and traveled to Boston.  It was an amazing trip....a fall foliage tour to New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine.  Lots of color in our trip.....Lots of fun with our friends.

It's like snow in Texas.....you would think we had never seen falling leaves before!!

Michael sat in Norm's seat at Cheers!  Boston was awesome!

LOVE this life journey with this sweet man!

So many miles we have traveled with these sweet ones also!
We ended the trip with an awesome lobster dinner.....i mean LOOK at the size of those things!!!

The last morning as we left, Steve caught this photo with the beautiful pink skies.....it was a wonderful trip with precious friends.  

So thankful for the time we spent in New England!!

Blessings come in small packages!

Oh my goodness.....On October 17th, we had the sweetest surprise.  She wasn't due until November.....but this sweet little bundle couldn't WAIT to get here!!!!

Angie left the minute she found out that Audrey was in labor....bless her heart - she had been to the hospital so many times and each time they were able to stop the labor....until October 17th!
Sweet little Brooklyn Elizabeth joined our family and OH MY GOODNESS, what a little love.  Big brother Matthew already in love and has told the family "She LIKES me!!"

Her bows are bigger than she is!!

That weekend, Chase and Hayden and Addy flew up to meet her.  Aunt Hay Hay drove up too.  Sweetest little love.  She has already brought SO much joy and we cannot WAIT to see what God has in store for this precious baby girl and those that love her so very much!!

There's something so special about seeing your baby hold his GRANDbaby!!

Love you so much Brooklyn Elizabeth!

Observations from a mom....and a mimi

Last night we went to Addy's game at Reedy.  Goodness, we love watching our girl play!  Some things have happened this year....not fair things and it's been hard...hard to understand, hard to hold emotions in, difficult to not have some really hard feelings in our hearts.   Trying so hard to forgive - 70x7 - asking daily for God to redeem it all with this varsity coach.  I KNOW He has a plan for Addy and it's an amazing one - better than any of us can imagine.  I also know that it's in the valleys - that's where He molds us and makes us more and more like Him.  Trying hard to understand and remember that.  Hard when i see the ones i love so much hurting.  Hard when spirit is lacking because of it all.

We got there early last night so we could watch a little of the varsity team play.  Just before Addy's JV team started their first set, Chase came in.  As is his sweet nature, he's "working the room" as my daddy used to say.  He's finding friends and talking as he comes in.  He was standing in front of me with his back to the court, talking to someone close by.  I look down on the court and see Addy staring at us.....she keeps looking up at us and finally motions to me to get her daddy's attention for her.  Mind you not a hello to me or Papa, but "will you get dada's attention" - so i tap Chase on the shoulder, but he's in mid sentence.....she motions to me again to get him - well by that time i am thinking it's something she needs right then.  Maybe advice, maybe a water or instructions....so i tap on his shoulder a little harder - and he's still talking (i am even beginning to feel a little bad about interrupting at this point) but finally i say "Addy needs you" - he turns to her and no,  it's not a question, no water or instruction she's needing,  it's just the sweetest smile and a little wave.  "Hi dada" she's saying...."so glad you are here" -  Nobody else got that.  Not Angie, not me, not Papa, not Farrah or Alan....just her daddy.

It makes me think about their relationship....makes me realize JUST how much she loves him and loves his attention....how much she craves his approval.  When she's warming up, she ALWAYS looks up to the stands right before she slams that ball or when she serves.  Sometimes it might be a side ways glance, to not be so obvious, but she's ALWAYS searching her daddy out....needing that attention, that approval and it's just the SWEETEST thing ever.

Since she was born, Chase has been there for that sweet girl.  Sweetest hands on daddy ever.  He has ALWAYS been (since birth) her confidant, her play mate, her hero, her security.....the one she looks to for advice, for instruction....He's the one that helped her pray and ask Jesus into her heart.....nightly devotionals, instructions on sports, homework, her biggest fan, her biggest cheerleader.....Chase is the one she runs to.  Still to this day....sweetest relationship between these two!  This relationship is the basis for every relationship she will have in the future.  He has set the standard high for her future husband.....she will have to look long and hard to find a man as sweet and kind as her daddy.

I am SO thankful for the relationships that both my boys have with their children and now grandchildren.  Just so thankful to witness the sweetest love last night on the court - i saw just a glimpse of the little girl in Addy...searching out her daddy.....just to say "hi daddy.....so glad you are mine".  What a precious young woman she's becoming.  What a precious daddy/daughter love.

Touch my heart...

This weekend.....lots of things brought tears....happy tears.

My weekend started out on Friday - finally a day to spend some time with Angie and celebrate her birthday!  I met Angie and Chase at Hayden's school - it was his "Fun Run" day and just so happens it was Chase's "Watchdog" day there too.  Hayden was SO excited!  We took Hayden and Chase Chick-fil-et and hung out for just a bit with the boys.

He had SO much fun and it made it extra special that his daddy was there all day long with him and that Angie and Mimi came for lunch!

After our visit, we headed to Lululemon for shopping for Angie's birthday gift and then this AMAZING lunch at a new restaurant in Legacy West called "North"....best lunch in a LONG time.  We had wine, and aps and homemade pasta - and a dessert to celebrate our sweet daughter-in-law!  Yummy lunch but oh the time spent one on one with Angie - just the sweetest!

We had the best long lunch and precious time together.  Love when i have one on one with my girl!

That night was "family night" at Addy's volleyball game.  Papa met us at Reedy and after pictures, we watched Varsity and then watched Addy's JV game.  Don't even get me started on all that....SO many things happening regarding Addy and that hard hearted Varsity Coach....makes me sick to think about it.  God is working though.....big time....making HIS plan for Addy so clear.  

She played AMAZING....as she always does - they won in two and Addy scored the last point on both games.  She does that a LOT!

Blurry i know, but that's the last point in the first set and she NAILED it!  SO love watching this girl play!  God, i just pray so hard for YOUR hand to arrange things for her regarding her years in high school.  Jeremiah 29:11.....YOUR best Lord.  I pray redemption for all that's been done to her and God please, i pray....keep her spirit true and lifted.  She's keeping all her feelings deep inside and i just know she's hurting.  God take that hurt and mold and make her stronger because of it.  Her heart is yours Lord.  She belongs to YOU and YOUR plan for her is the very best.  I just pray redemption. 

Such a fun Friday....and then Saturday, Hayden had a football game.  We haven't seen him play yet this year and i was excited to go.  

HOWEVER....his little heart just hasn't been in sports at all.  In fact he told his daddy "You know dada, i am not really a sports kinda guy....i am more of a sword guy!"  

Last year, we saw no interest whatsoever in sports and we so hoped that this year would be a growing experience and maybe some interest in a sport, in competing.  

Last game, Debdeb was here.  Chase coaches, which is what he's wanted to do his entire life.  I am so glad he gets to do this just a bit! Chase and Jim have Hayden as center.  Last game, he was down in his stance and apparently he was in an ant pile.  He got into those fire ants and that was all it took.  He sat on the bench and refused to play.  Long after the ants and stings were gone....no problem at all....he still refused to play and oh my goodness, Chase was SO upset.  They were a man short and Hayden just wouldn't go.  I could tell when i saw Chase later in the day - he was just crushed and SO upset.  Debdeb said it was just an AWFUL experience for both.

This has hurt my heart for Chase.  As a little boy and to into his adulthood, Chase Corley has always been a "sleep, eat and breathe" sports kinda guy.  His determination even as a young boy was SO strong.  He always LOVED it and he tried his very best to BE the best.  I know he had hopes for HIS son to follow in those footsteps.  That said....he has never forced it on Hayden.  They have encouraged and tried all kinds of sports for him though - as a learning experience, taking instruction etc. The hopes have been there, especially for Chase, but nothing has ever been forced. 

On to Saturday.  The game was at 11 and when i woke up Saturday morning it was POURING down rain.  They didn't cancel the game though so i drove through the downpour to Frisco and the heavy rain stopped as 11:00 came near.  I was so pleased to see, as the game unfolded, that the little team has really GROWN....they "get it" this year and i was so proud of them and especially proud of Hayden - he ran the entire field each play....offense and defense, and he really seemed to "get it" too!

It just does a momma's heart SO good to see her son on the field, coaching HIS son.  Chase, from the time he was 5 or 6, always said he wanted to grow up, teach math and coach football.  That was his dream.  As a little boy, you could go by his room and hear him playing.....and you would hear this sound from him.....if you peeked in you could see his Starwars figures, situated just so in his hands - so their legs could run and he would have one in each hand.....the sound he would make was the crowd roaring as one of those Starwars figures made a touchdown!  His mind was ALWAYS running plays.  In their bathroom on Runningbrook?  You couldn't walk in there without finding a notepad laying there with ALL kinds of plays drawn out.....x's and o's.  And guess what.....that habit i'll bet STILL happens today!  Oh my goodness, both my boys love football SO much.  But Chase....it's the PLAYS....he just loves trying to figure out the very best plays.  I remember later on in college, he and friends played on a flag football team....he shows up the first game with laminated cards on ropes to put around their necks with all the plays he's drawn up!  I can kinda see that happening with Hayden's team =)

Hayden really seemed to listen and understand the plays.  So what does his dada do?  He draws up a play - Hayden hikes it to the QB and then runs to the end zone and the QB throws the ball back to Hayden.  First try Hayden catches the ball but they get his flag just shy of the end zone.  Try another play....nope, the other play didn't work, so let's try the throw to Hayden one more time....and oh my gosh....that little boy caught the ball for a TD!!!!  I don't know who was prouder....Chase or Hayden.  Sweetest thing is Chase immediately looks over to Angie with the biggest grin on his face EVER and mouths "i drew up that play for Hayden".....high fives for Hayden from Coach Jim....I think it took Hayden just a minute to realize he made a TD!  Oh my goodness, he was so excited!  Afterwards as we were walking to the car he says "and i was trying to block the throw too" (when he was on defense)....He's "GETTING IT!"

So i am standing on the sidelines....really close to the play....with tears running down my face.  Tears now too as i write because it was just the sweetest moment....for Hayden but oh my goodness, for Chase.  He was just SO proud.  

Sweetest moments and i am SO thankful the rain didn't detour me from going.  I am SO blessed to have been there.  

Precious weekend.....and the icing on the cake would be a Cowboy win today.  Hmmmmm, that's a long shot!

Praises

In church, during the praise songs, Michael and I usually are pretty still.....i might bring my hands up under my chin.....i may discreetly open then down in front of me....but we are just not the hold your hands up in the air type of people.  For me, i feel it's bringing attention to me instead of the Lord....so i quietly worship and often tears run down my cheeks in praise and worship.

But this night the praise team just BROUGHT it.  The songs were amazing....the team very often bringing us scriptures between the songs.  Toward the end of the last song, the words say "i will lift my hands" - and the leader asked us all to lift our hands.  Michael and i held hands at the time so when we raised our hands, they were still clasped together.

Michael can't sing.  Because of the loss of his voice, he can't sing.  He sometimes mouths the words, but usually just stands quietly and listens.  Oh my gosh.....the song we were singing was SO powerful....i was already tearful....but bless his heart.....our hands linked, we raised them together in praise.....and as the song got stronger and louder - Michael punched our hands up over and over again.....just putting a stamp on the only way he could offer his praise to the Lord.  It was the sweetest thing.....and of course, my tears just rolled.

We are dealing with this voice thing.....we are learning to deal.  Life has changed quite a bit, but it's okay.  He tends to shy away from restaurants and gatherings where it's going to be loud.  He depends on me a lot too.  But it's okay.  He's here, he's cancer free......and he's my Batman!!  Love him so very much.  So thankful for non growing lung nodules and low tumor marker levels.  Praying those stay right there and that old age will find us side by side.  Love my sweet Michael.....SO much.

Camp Mimi

We picked up our sweet boy and our first stop was Bahama Bucks.  Our curly headed little bundle of energy LOVES sweets.....and this one hit the mark for him.  He wasn't able to finish the entire thing....but almost =).

On to the house.   I have started something.  I am wondering if when he's a teenager if he will still love coming to "Camp Mimi" and if he will expect his scavenger hunt?  I am kinda thinking the answer is yes!  I have it all set up when we walk in the door....but one thing i love.  He didn't ask immediately....he was so happy to see Sammie and played with him for quite a while before he explored the house.  I always lay out his sleeping bag somewhere and on it i have the note to begin the scavenger hunt.  Oh he had such a fun time going from place to place and finding craft supplies, goodies and a box full of magic tricks.  Such a sweet time with that little boy.  I love his energy....i love his joy.

It was a late night....we watched a movie - up late - almost midnight.....but me on the couch with him on his sleeping bag right below me.  I didn't sleep well at all - guess that couch was not made for sleeping....but i wouldn't give anything for that time with our little buddy.  

Next morning, i had made his favorite - breakfast casserole - he had THREE helpings!  This was a Thursday, and that's my serving day.  Our little man went with me and Kim to deliver meals to our meals on wheels clients.  I was wanting to share with him the joy of serving....of being God's hands and feet....i came away seeing a side of Hayden i haven't seen before.  Oh my goodness....that little guy was SO kind, SO gentle - when we got to Papaw's, he gave hugs all around....he told papaw stories and sat so quietly while listening to Papaw's stories.  It was the sweetest time.  What a precious boy we have.  Thank You Lord.

That night we stayed up late again....watching movies.  Not quiet as late this night....only 11 but said our prayers and off to sleep.  Waking up with Hayden is a time i just love.  He loves to snuggle in the morning and those hugs are just the sweetest.  We then decided to put to use some of the craft items he found while on the scavenger hunt.  I just love Pinterest....and the ideas i find there!  I loaded paint into water guns i got at Dollar Tree - and then he painted by shooting the paint on canvas.  The paintings reminded me of the kind used in psychology testing.  He was quite impressed at his work and so was i!  His feet look like they had a disease when he was through!

Then we painted rocks.  I had planned on going and hiding the rocks on Rockwall Square, but Hayden wanted to keep them.  It was so much fun.  He loves crafts.  He loves art.  Thinking he got a little bit of Uncle Shawn and Avery's genes in there =)  because he's really talented!

I love this little boy so much.  LOVE his heart, his energy, his gentleness, his tender heart.  One on one time with him is treasured and i hope and pray that when he is older, he will look back on his Camp Mimi with fond memories of a Mimi and Papa who love him beyond measure!

We took Hayden back to Chase and Angie.....On to Camp Mimi for Avery and Addy!  This has been a tradition....they started Camp Mimi years ago.  That first Camp Mimi - they were so tiny.  Well into the teenage years now and we still have the best time.  I love how those girls love to come and spend time with us.

We started our time a little late in the day because Addy had a volleyball tourney....lunch time and Northpark are always a hit because we LOVE the Nordstrom Bistro!  Lunch and then a little shopping.  Each one had 100.00 to spend and we searched all over to find things they would love.  They are different as night and day so shopping is interesting =)

One thing we have incorporated into our teenage Camp Mimi's.....a food basket challenge.  Instead of competing against each other, i give them a basket of ingredients and they have an hour to create a delicious dish.  This time I decided on an appetizer.....the ingredients?  Marinated shrimp, roasted garlic, seasoned croutons, mozzarella cheese, avocado, olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes and PUFF PASTRY!  They didn't cringe as i thought they would....they took the challenge head on!  And in less than an hour, they came up with the most delicious appetizer!!  It was so sweet to hear the giggles coming out of the kitchen and the "mimi don't come in here!".  The outcome was fantastic and they proudly brought their creation to the dining room table.  Papa had two servings and with two left over, they presented them to our neighbors behind us.  She called the next day wanting the recipe!  So proud of these girls!!

So after our little snack, nobody was hungry.  Addy wanted Chipotle (and oh how they make fun of the way i say it) - so Papa did go and get her Chipotle - but the rest of us just had chips and bean dip.

That evening we played lots of Spicy Uno (oh my goodness, we are all addicted to that game!) and then a movie.  Staying up late is a must.  We watched "The Princess Diaries" but lost Addy during the last few minutes....i am guessing that early volleyball tourney was quite exhausting for her.  Avery wanted to try and watch "Jaws" because she's never seen it....we tried, but soon we both felt the sandman's call.....so midnight saw us but not for long.

The next day was Sunday and it was a very special day for my Meals on Wheels favorite guy - Papaw.  Avery and Addy have been surprising Papaw on his birthday for years.  He even has a picture of him from their first visit proudly displayed in his office, along with the words to the song and dance they performed for him.  I told them ahead of time on that first visit that Papaw was special....and that he had a twinkle in his eye that just couldn't be explained.  As we were leaving that visit so many years ago, i looked into the back seat and asked them both "Did you see the twinkle in his eye?" and without a beat Avery says "oh yes, Mimi....i saw it.  It's in his left eye!"  We laughed so hard.  This Sunday they were having Papaw's 95th birthday party.  We surprised Papaw with a visit....Suzanne, Kim, Me and Avery and Addy.  They were so sweet with him.  He was SO excited to see his "girls" - all of us!!

Because of all of their activities, we only got one night and two days with Avery and Addy.  That Sunday afternoon, Addy taught us how to make bracelets out of string.  Avery caught on so quickly, Mimi took a while but i finally got it.  While we were learning this craft, Mimi found the DVD i made of our trip to Disney World when they were just 3 and 4 years old.  Oh my goodness....sweetest trip and i must say, it brought tears to my eyes.  They have grown so much.  Those little bitty girls are turning into precious women.  Love their hearts....their little quirks and characters.  Love their sense of humor.  LOVE them so much.

This time with Avery and Addy - just so sweet.  These are sweet girls.....seeing bits and pieces of the little girls growing into wonderful young women.

LOVE - so LOVE my time with my grands....wishing for time to spend with Haley and Audrey and Matthew.....hoping that will happen soon.  God has blessed me with the sweetest babies in my life.  They are my heart....they are blessings from God and i am just SO thankful for each one.

Lord i just pray so hard for YOUR hand on each of my grands and greats.....leading them, guiding them, molding them as You write their stories.  I thank You Lord for the gift of each one.  Your gifts are SO good....SO sweet.  I am blessed beyond measure Lord.  I love each one to the moon and back!

little things Michael brought to mind....

In talking about some of the memories in the blog today, Michael asked me if i had put in Shawn's debut on stage.....2 years old.....it was a Christmas program at his daycare.  Michael is seated next to me....video camera in hand (and back then they were HUGE - and HEAVY) and the music starts.  From the back of the church, here comes this little line of babies....Jingle bells being played on the piano....and they have little bells tied around their wrists - so here they came....and here comes our little boy with that gorgeous brown hair in a bowl cut....smiling so big as he walks by.  Then they get on stage....and if i remember correctly, Shawn was on the front row.  They all get into place and then another song begins to play and they are all starting to "sing" and jingle their wrists.....except our Shawn.  He has his shirt in his hands and pulls the entire thing over his head!  For the next few minutes they are up there, we see nothing but his tummy - AND his belly button!  He had a hernia and it was a EXTREME "outtie".  Michael was laughing so hard that when we got the video home to look at it, it was all blurry because it was jumping up and down - his laughing so hard!

So then fast forward....this is a memory when Shawn and Deb were first married.  They were going to spend Christmas with Diane and Ed in Michigan.  He didn't know them hardly at ALL....and we didn't either.  So i am wanting to send a little Christmas gift and decide to make a "movie night" bucket for them to share.  It was a round popcorn box thing and i filled it with candy etc. and some movies.  I had remembered a really good Harrison Ford movie where he was the president and in an airplane and trying to get the bad guys on the plane - when looking for it i found one called "1600" something and it had Harrison Ford in it so i grabbed it.  We get a call from Shawn and he says "MOM.....what in the WORLD were you thinking????" - apparently they all popped the popcorn, got their drinks, sat down to watch the movie and the opening scene is x rated.....it was NOT the movie i thought it was.  Michael and i were just sitting here talking about that....and we could both hear Diane's voice saying "Oh DEAR!!"

Then there was the time we were ALL invited to Camp Winter's summer picnic.  The kids were fairly new to the company and totally worried about the parents embarrassing them and both told us "whatever you do, just don't say anything that might call attention or embarrass us" - that was mostly Shawn.....but i am sure Deb felt the same.  So they have this photographer set up in this certain area to take pictures of the families....i mean this was a HUGE deal.  Roger had invited all the out of town parents to come and actually paid for plane tickets and lodging....no expense was spared.  Anyway, we all find our way over to the part of the beautiful park where they have the photographer set up.  There's a picnic table there and since there are 6 of us, we think what a great idea to all sit on the picnic table.  Diane and i are helped up by our hubbies....then one by one the rest of the family begins to find a spot - until the picnic table totally falls to the ground....with a HUGE k-BAM!  You can see people all over the park turn in our direction =)  Oh yes, let's not do ANYthing to embarrass Shawn!! Oh my gosh, i am laughing out loud as i type this.

Then there's the time Shawn decided to sneak the car out - he was 14 and Memaw and Papaw Corley were staying at our house with the kids while Michael and i were away.  Our Youth minister tells us about a week later that he overheard Shawn telling the boys in the youth group about taking out our car late one night and picking up Elliott Barner....driving through Whataburger and then back home.  He never could find out how we found out about his little escapade.....but grounded he was....for quite a while!

That's all for now....just want to write stuff down as i remember.....because i NEVER want to forget!!
Oh how i love my sweet family!!!!