Well, despite the fact that we're nearly halfway through February as I write this, I am thankful for new beginnings in 2014. Last year was a rough one for us. Most notably, we lost our third child in June at around 10 weeks gestation. We moved, which was in many ways a Godsend, but it was also definitely stressful at times. For me, personally, I had a difficult time functioning like my normal self for the last half of the year--I felt as though I could not think or focus well. On the other hand, it was also a year of spiritual renewal for me. God showed Himself in a HUGE way after the loss of our child. Although I couldn't think clearly, I most definitely felt His unsurpassing love, grace, and peace throughout it all. My priorities changed. I started to become more concerned with pleasing God than pleasing others, I took the time to build and nurture important relationships, and I realized that my worth rested in who God says that I am, period.
In the midst of all of that though, I did gain a significant amount of weight, which isn't healthy or honoring to God. So, one goal of mine is to lose weight in 2014, but I'll be going about it much differently this time than I ever have before! One thing I noticed as I began to focus more on how God wants me to live and who He wants me to be is that the other areas of my life started operating MUCH more smoothly. People who know me know that I'm big on planning and organizing (and, there's nothing wrong with that!). The problem for me was that I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to mastermind my own life by attempting to plan and manipulate everything into place. All the while, I had become so BUSY with some giant checklist of life that I was woefully neglecting my top priority. Continuing on in that kind of rat race existence doesn't make sense, and it simply doesn't work!! Imagine trying to build a house by starting with the roof and then building the house from top to bottom--the roof is important, but it is nothing without the foundation! So, above all else, this year I will be focusing on the foundation first--my relationship with Jesus. My theory is that when the foundation is solid, it's much easier to build a great house! I'll keep you posted as to how I'm doing--in fact, Ron Luchene and I are having a friendly little weight loss competition (no backing out now, Big Daddy!).
Another change for us this year is that we're happy to be attending Triangle Community Church (TCC) again--it's home. It is also really cool that the boys get to see BOTH sets of Grandparents at church every Sunday now :) Along those same lines, I am delving into something that I'm really excited about--I am pursuing accreditation as a biblical counselor through the ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors)! The earliest I think I can become accredited is fall of 2016, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the class I am taking and reading through a couple of systemic theology texts!
So, there's a really long-winded version of what might be considered my New Year's resolutions--sorry about that!! Anyway, now that all of that is out in the open, here's a look at what we've been up to so far in 2014! Oh yeah, one more goal is to take more pictures--for the past several months, most of these pictures have been courtesy of my Mom!! Thank goodness they see her every week, or there would be some gaping holes in this blog!
The boys started out their New Year at Grandma's house with a freshly updated bedroom! Here Ethan is checking out the new pictures and frames on his dresser :)
Baseball hats come standard with every bedroom at the Hayes house ;)
Uncle NoNo bequeathed a few of his bobblehead figurines much to the joy of both boys!
Hats in bed for both of these little guys--Granddaddy would be proud!
As if a new bedroom wasn't enough, they also got a new play area!
And, of course we can't go to Grandma's house without doing some crafts!
It has been so nice to be able to spend some great face-to-face time with two of my favorite people who somehow seem to always end up on another continent! Thankfully, my good friends Amy and Iris are (at least temporarily) back in the States, and I plan on taking full advantage!
Ethan is pretty excited to see Miss Amy and Miss Iris too!
I think I can honestly say that I've never seen Tommy take to someone as quickly as he did to Iris!
See what I mean?!
There, there Tommy...you'll see Miss Iris again soon!
Tommy decided he would help his new bff open her birthday present for her!
It's a Ravenclaw beanie!! Welcome to Hogwarts, Iris :D Btw, I LOVE this picture!! The boys saw all of us in our hats, and they saw Davey getting ready to take our picture and they RAN to get their own hats so they could join us!
A new favorite past-time at Grandma's has become baking!
But, there's still plenty of time for crafts!
These two are getting spoiled rotten during this sleepover!
I think Tommy's face pretty much says it all!
"Good morning!"
Time to bake Granddaddy's birthday cake!
Happy Birthday, Granddaddy!!
I love this picture of these two knuckleheads wearing Granddaddy's hats around! Thank goodness for those big Catchings' noggins of theirs!
This has gotten kind of comical...Tommy's favorite relaxation spot is reclining back on Nolan's legs!
Guy talk <3
And now, IRIS' BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!
My buddy, Iris, in the middle with her two roomies!
It was a party, and what's a party without some Bertie Bots Every Flavor Beans?! Doesn't she look hopeful...
Hmmm....was that the vomit or rotten egg one?!
Definitely vomit!
Their house was hopping! The guy in the middle, Vinson, was so cool! His family has lived on that street for 75 years, and he is the self-proclaimed protector of the neighborhood!
Iris and Caroline striking the duckface pose...look closely though...professional photo bomb by Courtney!!
This was HILARIOUS! We had to explain to Vinson what the duckface was all about, and then he insisted on doing it too!
Now, little did we know we would have legit snow in the near future, but Bill and Susie's neighborhood hosted a really neat little sledding event and provided their own snow!
Check out Joe Cool on the way to sled for his first time!
This is a MUST-WATCH video--soooooooo cute!! First of all, Ethan is clearly terrified haha, and secondly--how adorable is Tommy thanking Goggi for showing him how to sled <3 I love a grateful kid!
Andddd, we're back at Grandma's! I'm so glad that Tommy has her wrapped around his little finger every time he pleads, "Grandma, can we please just spend the night with you tonight?!" Attaboy, Tommy!!
Granddaddy playing trains :)
Shocker...Tommy's favorite train is the one that spells...."TOMMY" ;)
Soooo, we're not the best at Lego's, but at least we're having fun!!
Their "Lorax" houses :D
REAL SNOW, and no ice!! It was the boys' first experience of really being old enough to understand and play in the snow, and they LOVED it!!
Tommy hesitantly walks out after immediately falling off the step :)
Winter wonderland!! aka, our backyard :)
Tommy was eager to make a snow angel...Ethan was content to hold "Olaf's nose"!
Not bad, little buddy!
Tommy goes down the slide, and right into a huge pile of snow!!
Ethan's turn!
Houston, we have a problem!
Pure joy <3
Tommy couldn't wait to have a snowball fight!
I love the look of determination he has here!!
too bad it was the fluffiest snow I've ever seen!
Haha, Olaf didn't quite make it ;)
Time for a little science experiment since we missed school!!
Definitely NOT the most explosive volcano I've ever seen ;)
"Ahhhhhh, A SNOWBALL!!"
Ethan made this in his preschool class, so we hung it on the playset for any hungry birds!
Time to warm up in Daddy's sweatshirt!
SNOW DAY, ACT 2!
Tommy was eager to get back out in the snow!
Ready for another fight!
You got me!!
This picture is just hilarious...that is all :)
Daddy gets in on the snowball fighting action!
The snow was much more cooperative on Day 2 for making a snowman!
I love this guyyyyy!
Our original snowman...until we realized we couldn't find the State scarf, and we had no coal for eyes!
Ethan was so thrilled to be the one to put the carrot nose in!
Ethy and Olaf <3
Ain't nobody got time for Olaf! Snowy Potter in the house ;)
Wink, wink!
Our science project for Day 2: making SNOW CREAM!!!
I cannot tell you how AMAZING this stuff was...so, so, so good!!
Davey even gobbled it down!
Tommy only touched the spoon to his mouth--goose!
Ethan LOVED it....
maybe a little TOO much!!
One final cooking session with Grandma!!
They're old pros by this point!
Ethan does the pouring...
Tommy does the stirring....and, check out Ethan's face...classic!
Now THIS is what I like to see!! :D
Enjoying the fruits of their labor :)
And, a little preschool update to end on!
Tommy's rendition of the snowman we built <3
Tommy's 4 year evaluation from school!! He is doing so awesome--in fact, his OT said that he is totally age-appropriate now with his skill level, so now we're just working on getting his hand strength up so he can do things for longer periods of time! He still has some problems speaking in the correct sentence structure/syntax, so we're continuing on with his speech therapy for that. We could not be more proud of him though!!
I have to give it to Mrs. Jennifer this month--Ethan's crafts were so cool!
Mittens and hot chocolate--perfect for this month!
Thumbprint art is always so darn cute!
Like I said, it's just been a wonderful start to the year. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by true friends, wonderful mentors, and my loving family. I wish the same joy for each and every one of you!!
