It's THAT week!

My house says it all...

IT'S RECITAL WEEK!!!!

It's that time of the year when housework is neglected, I stop eating, and everyone I love wants to stay clear of me.  HAHA Maybe I'm not that bad, maybe?!?!  Let's just say I've got a lot going on this week and things like cleaning my house and eating become the least of my priorities.  Number one priority that cannot be neglected this semester: My Sweet Baby Girl! 

This semester has actually been a lot less stressful than usual.  Liz and I normally make all the costumes, but this semester we found some great prices and ordered the majority of them.  We also have great moms that help us out so I have not had to sew a single thing this semester! I've still made a million hair bows, but  that is nothing compared to having to sew!

That Sweet Little Baby Girl of mine has also been going through a stage called : I DON'T WANT YOU, I WANT MY MOMMY! I'm pretty sure she's too young for this, but she's started having separation anxiety. 

I'M NOT KIDDING!

Steven and I went out for my birthday on the 24th and left K with my parents- something we've done many times.  She had recently started crying when other people would hold her, but we just thought it was people she wasn't familiar with. Well.....

My dad calls about 9:30 and asks us if we are getting ready to head that way because K has been crying for over an hour and a half and they can't soothe her.  They think she has a tummy ache so we end date night, swing by Publix and get some tummy drops.  We get to my parent's house, I pick up my child who has almost cried herself to sleep, she turns around and smiles at my mom and sister- not even kidding! 

She's fine when she's with daddy, but anyone else she screams her head off.  What to do, What to do? I feel bad for my parents, sister and everyone else my child wants nothing to do with. Hopefully it's just a- I really just love my mommy stage and soon I'll grow out of it and show everyone else I love them too.  I mean I was the one who wouldn't have anything to do with my own dad for the first 6 months of my life and then turned into the biggest daddy's girl -so I do have hope!

I have to have Honey's help this week, so I'm praying K's over this little stage and will be good for her!

I thought after last semester I would lose that front baby bump.....

But, it still may be there for this recital too :)

Please excuse the messy house, my non-showered self, and goofy smile. I was actually trying to get some housework done and sometimes this is the only way that is possible! 

How could I ask for More?

On Sunday I will experience the  "I'm halfway to 50, I've been alive for a quarter of a century, I'm 5 years away from 30" Birthday.

The BIG 2-5.

They say when you get older, times flies by so much faster and I am learning more and more that is SO true!  I literally remember when i was in 3rd grade counting how many more years I had left of school and thinking, "I'm gonna be in school for the rest of my life!" I've been out of college for 3 years now- man, that went by quick.

I can honestly say that Life is Good.  I have been feeling so extremely overwhelmed with how much God has blessed me lately that it's hard to grasp.  Sure, life has had it's ups and downs and I wouldn't say life has been easy, but I've seen God's faithfulness and His everlasting love for this child.

I've lost two sweet grandmothers and my mother-in-law in the past four years and even though I miss them daily, I'm reminded how precious this life is and how we should not take one day for granted.  Even though it makes me extremely sad that sweet Kate will never know these special ladies, it does make me think how much I want her to cherish the people she does have in her life and how important it is to spend time with them.  With that said, we are striving to do better about staying connected with out of town family and not letting life's busyness get in the way.

Steven and I are also starting a new ministry job in June.  Steven has taken the position of Baptist Collegiate Minister for Lee University and Cleveland State.  We are SOOOO excited.  I am still trying to  take in how God opened this door for us at the perfect time.  I am reminded that God's timing is PERFECT! And as hard as it is, I want to always say "Lord, not in my timing, but in yours!"

We had been praying for a while about ministry and being exactly where God wanted us to be.  Steven just finished his Master's in December and happened to see the position open.  We prayed about it, he applied, and it seemed like everything just unfolded so quickly.  Steven has always had a heart for discipleship and just building relationships with people.  This new job requires exactly that.  We are so looking forward to discipling college students and just living life with them.  He can also still lead worship on the side, which is also a huge passion of his.

With all that said, I am so looking forward to celebrating this birthday as a new mommy and by thinking back on this life and how much God has truly blessed me, in more ways than I could ever deserve. I can truly say, Thank you Lord, How Could I ask for More?

May 20, 2006- One of the Happiest Days of my Life. 

So blessed by a godly husband and best friend.

January 12, 2010 Another Happiest Day of My Life :)

Sweet Kate is growing sooo fast! Trying to cherish every day

And of course, so thankful for amazing parents, big brother, and little sister

Yes, we are at a bowling alley.  
One of my mom's ideas to get Kate to come while Patrick was here 

It was our first family bowling experience and quite enjoyable hehehe

confessions of a recovering hoarder

Two Words- Yard Sale. One Word- UGH!

I have a love/hate relationship with Yard Sales.  I hate getting everything set up, organized, and priced.  Especially the latter because you know people are just going to try and buy your precious possessions way cheaper than you think they are worth. Sigh.

But, I LOVE the moolah that comes with the parting of these possessions.

This weekend Steven and I had a Two Day Yard Sale.  And let me just say, we will never have a one dayer (I know, not a word) again!  We got rid of so much stuff.  We had accumulated so many things to sell due to my recent epiphany that I don't need to hold on to things like a Limited Too Jean Jacket that is so out of style, too small, and I will never wear again- OH, just wait, it gets worse.

With this realization and especially seeing it all laid out in front of me, I realized, I HAVE A PROBLEM!

For some strange reason, I can't let things go. Seriously, I may be teetering on the verge of a hoarder.  And I have Sweet Baby Kate to thank for this realization.  It was when I really started "Nesting" that I realized... "OMG WHY DO I STILL HAVE THIS STUFF?!?!"

Not only is my problem with holding on to things and buying random items comical- I mean at the time the green and red Christmas streamers seemed like a good purchase and they were in Target's dollar section, it is kind of eye-opening. As my husband exclaims, "What were you going to do with Christmas Streamers?" My only defense, "ummm...I thought we could throw a Christmas Party?!" Really Hailey, Really?!?! Steven and I did have some fun going through items and laughing about some of the stuff, but honestly, it made me realize, "I don't NEED anything."

I love to shop.  It seems like there is always something I want.  I can ALWAYS, I mean ALWAYS find something to buy at Hobby Lobby, Target, or TJ Maxx. My weaknesses.

Well, I've decided this has to change.  I look around my house and I think, I love my house.  It is exactly how I want it, BUT I normally can find something I want to change. And I'm not even going to talk about my closet.  For the past two Sundays, I've worn dresses I've had for probably 2 years and never worn before- Why?!?! I have so many clothes I don't even know what I have- Sad!

So here's my challenge for myself...  I am not going to buy anything I don't need, and I mean really need for the next 2 months.  We are going on vacation this summer- a vacation we REALLY need. I'm not even kidding.  And with that said, I'm going to go ahead and say it- I don't need a new bathing suit. I have plenty.  So Victoria's Secret don't even send me an email telling me of your incredible sale on bikinis :)

It's real simple. I want to honor God with my finances.  I want to honor my husband for his hard work and how much I appreciate the opportunity I have to be a stay at home mommy.  I want to be content with what I have and remember daily how truly blessed I am.  Not blessed because of all the stuff I have, but blessed because I have abundant life in Jesus Christ and he is truly all we need anyways.  I don't remember hearing the people living in tents in Africa complaining about how sick they were of their home decor.  Ouch, that one really hurts! Seriously, they were the most joyful people I have ever met and they had maybe 4 to 5 possessions total AND they lived in tents because their homes had been burned.

Jesus did say that he "Came that everyone would have life, and have it to the fullest".  So may I be content in You and You alone Lord. And realize that all this other "stuff" is just stuff. And one day is won't really matter if I had the most beautifully decorated home or kept up with the latest fashion trends. Cause really all we need is You Lord.  I feel a song coming on :)

Just for your enjoyment I leave you with some of the more comical items that this recovering hoarder finally let go :)

               Really Hailey, Limited Too? Maybe I was saving if for Kate?!? haha

It looked cool in my room in H.S...The treasure box beside it I won one year in VBS.

Don't worry this is from a Dance Recital- Never wore in public. I promise :)

My neighbor asked Steven, "How do ya'll have so many things for your yard sales?"

Steven: "My Wife"

Please notice the Timblerlands in the left side of the pic.

Def. got them 7th grade Christmas.  

I guess I thought I may need them just in cause we ever went for a hike?!?!

Most stuff was sold and the rest is going to The Caring Place.  I can say it feels good to have things "cleaned out" and to release the junk, yes I said it,  I was for some reason holding on to.  And I am so glad I don't have to worry about Niecy Nash showing up at my front door anytime soon :)

Saturday Craft

Don't you just love when you get an idea in your head and then when it starts to unravel, it turns out way better than you could have ever imagined?

Well, that was my experience today.  I have been wanting to make my own Spring wreath for a while now and just have not had the time.  I had to make a quick run to CVS and since K was staying at home with daddy, I thought I'd run across the street to take a quick stroll through Hobby Lobby.  I had already decided I was going to try to incorporate an old bird's nest from last Spring that had survived on our back porch into the wreath, but I had not yet figured out how.  As I browsed through the Spring section, I stumbled upon these beautiful bird plates.  I HAD to have them.  First the Nest, then the plate, and...

Voila.....

Don't you just love when things come together so easily! I have the tendency to spend way too much time on things, but this craft was super easy to design and assemble.  

My wreath consists of: (all from Hobby Lobby or found around my house)

-Bird Plate

-Cardboard squares wrapped in Burlap for the "Welcome" Letters

-Scrapbooking Letters for "Welcome" & "The Johnstons"

-Basic Stick Wreath

-Flowers

-Brown Ribbon

-Hoe and Shovel (Matches the plate)

-Old Bird's Nest from my back porch wrapped in Burlap

*Everything was half off except the "welcome" letters. That's why I LOVE Hobby Lobby! 

I Love Creating and Crafting things and love coming up with new ideas and projects. Please share any fun ideas and projects you may be working on! 

Sweet as Honey

Happy Birthday to my Sweet, Sweet Mommy 

Surprise 50th B-day Party 2 years ago. I love her smile!

Today we celebrate the Sweetest Lady I know- My mom.  It's no wonder why her "grandma" name is Honey.  She actually decided on the name a day after Kate was born.  She had not found a name that she absolutely loved yet so she was still trying to find the "perfect grandmother name" when she ordered a gift basket for us from Shapiros.  She was talking with the owner about her predicament and she told her "you can borrow my "grandmother name" -HONEY!"

My Mom loved it! The owner told her that she loved when she picked her 3 yr old grandson up from school and all his friends yelled "Hey Honey!"  

Now, that's pretty dang cute, huh? 

So she introduced her new name to us by signing the card:  Love, Poppy, Honey, Uncle Patch, and Aunt K.  At first I was like "Honey?" But the more I thought about it, the more perfect I thought it was.  It's totally stuck and I LOVE it. 

 I love it so much because my mom is truly "Sweet as Honey."

There is nothing like my mother's love.  It hasn't been until I have gotten older that I realize the magnitude of this love.  

A love that forgave me when I did something really bad and was too prideful to even ask for forgiveness.  A love that continued to do for me and sacrifice for me when I didn't even appreciate it. A love that always greeted me with the kindest of words and affection when I had just acted like the biggest brat. And a love that never gave up on me because she knew one day I WOULD grow up :)

I think one of the best things in my life is the friendship I have with my mom now that I am older.  I could always talk to my mom about anything, but it wasn't until I was married that I really realized how much I cherished her as not only as my mom, but as my friend.

May 20, 2006

With the birth of my own daughter, I have become more thankful for my own mommy than ever.  She was there for me through every step of labor and after my sweet Kate entered the world.  Mommyhood is a HUGE adjustment and I could not imagine doing it without her advice, wisdom, encouragement, help, and love.

Proud Honey!- My mom looks hot and I look..tired haha

I pray that Kate and I will one day have the same kind of relationship my mom and I share.  One that is not perfect, but forgiving.  We have so much fun together and truly enjoy each other and just being together.   Kate loves her Honey and Honey definitely loves her Kate!  

Thank you Lord for my Momma and blessing me with a sweet woman of God to look up to and aspire to be like. 

Happy Birthday Mom

March Madness!!!

the cutest little wildcat i've ever seen :)

Yep, It's that time of year again.  The brackets are out and not only is my team the SEC Champions, but a number one seed.  FINALLY!  I L.O.V.E Kentucky Basketball, but it has been a rough couple of years for the Wildcats.  John Calipari has swooped in and revived this great program that has the most wins in NCAA Men's Basketball history!  Can't wait to cheer them on throughout the tournament- hopefully all the way to the championship game!

I have to admit, when I started rooting for the Wildcats it was in the midst of a couple of really good seasons- including 2 almost back to back NCAA championships, so you could say "I jumped on the bandwagon." BUT, it was that same Christmas (when I was in 6th grade) that my brother bought me a UK hat and it was over from there- I knew I would be a lifelong fan.  I had always rooted for the same team my brother pulled for, but now I had my own team and I was proud.

So, for over the past 13 years, my brother has lavished me with some kind of Kentucky themed gift for Christmas.  Ranging from PJ pants to Coffee Mugs and from Jog Suits (Yes, I have a jog suit hahaha) to Tickets to a game (My Favorite!)  I have not watched a game in THE Rupp Arena yet, but I do dream of the day when I can sit amongst the best fans in the nation, decked out from head to toe in my Kentucky Blue.

AND today is my Awesome Brother's Birthday....

Happy Birthday Patrick, Aka Uncle Patch!

-Patch was what I called him when I was little :)

We sure are proud of you! We all look forward to the day that you move back to Chattanooga (hopefully sooner than later!)

 His Law School Grad. May 2008

Uncle Patch & Kate

God has truly blessed me with such an amazing family and especially big brother!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

We Love You!

Where has my brain gone?

It still has not sunk in all the way that Steven and I have our own child! Even after Two Months, we still look at each other and say, "can you believe we have a baby?!"  We are definitely still trying to adjust to this new chapter of life, but then I wonder, do you really ever get totally adjusted.  I'm pretty sure parenting is a continuous adventure and no two days are alike, at least at our house.

We loved our visit with Uncle Patch and spent plenty of time together over the few days he was here.  Kate LOVED him and he was so good with her (he even changed a diaper).  Here's a pic of them hanging out together.  My mom and sister normally fight over whose turn it is to hold Kate, but no chance of either of them holding her when Uncle Patch is around :)

Kate's been sleeping so well and we feel really blessed.  She's been sleeping from 11:30-7:30/8 for about 2 weeks straight, but she decided Monday AND Tuesday night that she didn't want to go to bed 'til about 4/5 AM! That makes for a loooooong night!  (Good news- she went to slept Wednesday & Thursday night at 11:30 and slept 'til 7:30 so we're praying we're now back on schedule!)

I've also recently discovered that my brain is gone.  I now know why people say your brain is never quite the same when you become a mommy.  There have been a couple of incidents where I've either totally forgot something or I've had a huge "mommy blunder".  

For instance, 2 weeks after K was born I had to go in for a 2 week checkup for myself.  After we got out of the car Steven says, "I'm gonna take Kate on in, grab the diaper bag and lock the car.  I'm laying the keys on the trunk." Fast Forward to when we're done with the appointment and we're getting on the elevator.  Steven: "Will you go ahead and get the keys out." Me: "I don't have the keys." Steven: "Yes you do, I laid them on the trunk and told you to lock the car." Me: "I locked the car from the inside...oops."  Then we kinda freaked for a mere second, but our car wasn't far from the entrance so we could see that it was still there...whew.  And there were our keys SITTING ON OUR TRUNK in plain sight.  Thank you good people of East Ridge for not stealing our car as we pretty much said "here's the keys go ahead and take it!"

And of course there are the moments when I just simply forget about something and usually wish I would have remembered.  I've forgotten about water boiling on the stove (YIKES).  I've even turned on the wrong stove eye and because my Kettle was sitting on that eye (with no water in it) I burned it up.  The burning smell caught my attention before any real harm was done.  Maybe I should stay away from the stove! My biggest forgetful moment that bummed me out the most: I ordered K the cutest hat from Etsy for her pics with Kristine and totally forgot about it.  I opened up K's armoire a couple of days after our photo shoot and found it- Awesome! I was so bummed out, but was sooooo pleased with all our pics and there's so many to choose from so no big deal. :) I'm really working on flexibility and patience these days- you now the kind that you have to have when everything doesn't go just as you initially planned :) 

And not to leave out how I've been forgetting to eat.  Not smart I know, but I've been remembering well after lunch time "I haven't eaten anything today" Or It will be well into the day and I'll think "All I've had to eat today are carrot sticks and french fries" real nutritious for myself and especially my child! I know, I've got to get better about this!  I'm still adjusting.  

I'm sure there are plenty of other "mommy moments" that I've probably forgotten about :) but these are a couple that I remember.  I haven't forgotten K anywhere yet or walked out the door without her so I guess I'm doing pretty good.  And with her sleeping 8 hours I can't blame it on sleep deprivation.  I guess it's just simply becoming a mommy that's made me lose my brain...hehe no not really, just become a little more "scattered brain." And my husband will tell you I needed no help with that :) But I wouldn't trade it for anything.  And like I mentioned above I'm working on my flexibility and patience because this new mommy needs all I can get!  

Here's some recent pics...I may be bias, but I think she's quite a cutie :) 

Had to get a pic in her cute hate. LOVE those cheeks! 

She really doesn't like her car seat.  So thankful for that paci (made the clip myself)

And of course watching the intense Bachelor Finale with Honey

(They are both nervously chewing on their nails hehehe)