simple celebrations

Thanks for sharing your candles with me this year! I love you honey!!!

Disney Mania! (click for photos)

What an awesome time we had! Riley and I went for 2 days and 1 night to Fort Wilderness. Thursday we set up camp, went swimming, and headed to Animal Kingdom. We saw every animal known to man (:-)) and of course learned everything we could fit into a day, including this fact: did you know that gorillas eat their poop just to be sure they didn't miss anything the first time around! We had quite a show from one very egotistical male! You can imagine Riley! He was LOVING it! Laughed for a good hour.

It was fun to focus solely on Riley and follow his lead! So often he is hushed in life's process! It was a real pleasure to learn all about naked mole rats, rhinoceros iguanas, zebras and the list goes on! We ended the day with hot dogs and smores...Riley was in heaven! Although I will say he had to be the one to put a stop to the smores :-)! We had an amazing night sleep then woke up Saturday to breakfast, camp break down, more swimming , lunch at Trex cafe then off to Hollywood Studios to ride ROCKIN" ROLLERCOASTER! Our favorite ride! So much fun , Riley is so much fun! Loved it!

Dance Off

Last month, for Riley's bday, we spent part of the day at Downtown Disney. We went to Rainforest Cafe for dinner (becoming a tradition), made a "build a dino, had yummy ice cream and entered a dance contest! Well, Elli & Papa did. Riley, Charli and I just sat back and cheered them on. (Riley to Mama: "Mama, I know you love to dance, do you wish I would take you out there, I will." So sweet, I opted out for his sake. Phil is the dance king (at least that is how he sees himself - right honey!) he's so fun when it comes to the dance floor! So, he and Elli, with all the confidence they could muster, began to groove! They were chosen out of many to be of the 4 couple contestants. They ended up tying with another couple! I was so proud. Here are two of the very entertaining videos I shot! Enjoy!

Learning to say no even when it's REALLY hard and goes against my nature! Starting to see the benefits of laying low.

CALIFORNIA (click for pics)

We had an awesome time in Cali this year. Visiting and playing: San Fran, Yosemite, River rafting, mountain climbing, bike riding, hotel hopping, Old Sacramento, Capitol touring, swimming, eating, playing with family and friends, sleepovers, canoeing, FUN, FUN, FUN...Had a great time! Miss you all!

One more thing...God moved in an awesome way in each of our hearts as we walked down k street putting a message of love (attached to cash) to the many homeless who aimlessly walk the street. When we were staying downtown Sac we were shocked at the amount of people with out homes. More to come on this as God has been working a homeless ministry in my heart. For now, thanks kiddos and Phil for your love to those in need! It is great serving with you!

Retreat!!!

Costa D'Estes...I highly recommend you stay there! It is beautiful and very reasonably priced. You're on the beach and it's gorgeous! Phil & I had so much fun hanging out at the beach, on our rafts, taking walks, going to dinner at 8pm, listening to Michael Jackson music by the pool...So many special moments...It's a memory I will hold onto for a long while! Thank you honey for a beautiful weekend. Let's do it again soon!!! I love you!

o

Present with the Lord! (click for pics)

Seems unreal that my last post was all about dads. Today I lost one. Joe Jones. When I think of Joe many things come to mind...
boxer shorts
crazy print shirts
laughing
singing hymns "Joe version!"
unique walk
words like "oh yeah" in a way only Joe could say them
green thumb
belly rubbin' after great sweets
swing sets
floor play with kids
garbage disposals
water filters
dry wall
...get the picture...you name it he could do it and he did! He used his gifts over and over again to serve his family, friends, neighbors, anyone who needed a helping hand!.....


"Absent with the body present with the Lord" are the words that filled my mind and heart as I watched Joe lay peacefully in bed. Thank you God for not allowing him to suffer anymore. I hope Joe knew how much we loved him! He was an exceptional man...so strong in his faith, forgiving, calming, caring...

Sue is a strong woman! I am blessed to say that she draws her strength completely from the Lord. As she struggles to live life with out Joe by her side I pray Lord that you would give her an abundance of peace, an overflow of your healing and love and able her in every way to continue to serve You as she shines BRIGHT for you!

We miss you terribly Grandpa Joe.............

Papa, Dad, Gpa, Gpapa, Uncle, Brother, Friend

Charli & Papa

Papa & Riley

Papa & Elli

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it ... Dad

Happy Father's Day to all you who have chosen over and over again to be DAD!!! We love you guys!

Thank you God for your mighty hand in my life! You are my Abba Papa!

A day to remember!

What a beautiful day!...
Family time with our God...
Hanging out with the kids...bfast, games, spa, hammock...
Time with Bethany - hangin' with the kiddos from 12 - 5:30...WHILE...
Phil & I enjoyed a quiet hour at the beach (had boogie boards but the water was glass...gorgeous!)
3 hours at Essential Spa - shower, robes, wine, silliness, 95 min body & scalp massages side by side...
Lasagna with the kids...
Girls to the mall for some shopping - Claires, Claires and more Claires :-)
Girls home for a movie
Boy time campin out back tent, fire, bible, fishing, marshmallows, battleship, lights out

What a TREAT of a day! I love you honey! Thanks for an amazing life!

BLESSED!!!

Just checking in...Haven't been keeping up just keeping busy!
Enjoying life at the Hayes house...
Learning how to love life in a small space,
with lots of stuff,
little time to clean and organize
and more blessings than I can begin to count!
LIVE your life today! It's all we've been promised!

Up late playing in the kitchen with Elli.
My side kick, always ready to lend a hand!
We made Enchaladas, custard, pineapple &
strawberry cake, cut strawberries and
watermelon...all for Miss Charli's birthday
celebration with all the Grand's tomorrow!
This is it!!! The final party for my little Charli girl!

I'm looking forward to watching her eat cake and open gifts!!!

Love you's baby!
Mama!

Heart of a soul surfer (click for website)

In one instant life can change!

Why do I spend so much time worrying about things that have NO ETERNAL impact? That' s the question that I've been asking myself lately!!! The list goes on and on of those concerns that are so time consuming yet have no value or investment in the lives of those around me. Lord, what do you want me to do with my life? I want BIG! I know that BIG is choosing to do the small. In watching this wonderful DVD on "The Heart of a Soul Surfer" I realized that the BIG is us stepping out in small steps of faith in order to encourage those around us so their eyes and their hearts can be opened to the possibility of allowing God to show up in their lives! To let go and let God!

Take some time to watch this DVD of Bethany Hamilton (a young surfer who lost her arm to a shark)! Be inspired by her willingness to look fear, hopelessness, pain and sadness in the face and turn instead to a life filled with the peace that surpasses all understanding; in a world that gasps at such a tragedy and says, "poor girl, she'll never be the same again." You know, they are right but not in the way they thought! She has been made new because she chose to trust her life to the only ONE who can make her life worth something whether she has her arms or not!

Father, God, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Comforter, Strength, Deliverer, Rock, Help in time of need...The list goes on and on and on and on of who God wants to be in our lives! He wants to be our all! Help me Lord to relinquish MY will, MY desires to you so that MY life (which is really YOURS) can have meaning beyond what I can imagine or dream. Help me to live outside the box that I so comfortably tuck myself into each day! I love you Lord and I look forward to what YOU have in store. Give me strength to endure the trials, faith to invite Your will and love to encourage others in the joy you have for them!

Luxury (click for photo)

Phil is at the Costa d'Este in Vero Beach for the next few
days for the partner retreat as I slave away here at home :-).
(Why were the wives not invited??? - Come on guys!) He's there
for work but who wouldn't enjoy even work at such an amazing
place! We will be going there for our anniversary this year!!!
Looking forward to it! Enjoy the perks babe! I'm gonna go cry
myself to sleep now :-) J/K - enjoy your time!
Thanks for working so hard to provide!!!

MAY 13th - 9:02 pm (click for photos)

What is significant about that day and time? My sweet Charli entered the world!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET LITTLE 1 YEAR OLD!

It went too fast! We enjoyed the day!

Phil off with us
time with God
Cafe on the deck
Gymboree - C loved it!!!
Cracker Barrel for bfast - where we told E & R about there new baby! (yummy blackbry cob)
sang happy birthday
home for a long nap - C loves to fall asleep in our big cozy bed & we love to cuddle her!
Juicing for snack - Carrot and apple
Driving to visit Gma Sue & Colby we came across a large Gopher turtle - had to pull over!
sang happy birthday
Visited with Gma & Colby - new swing set
Visited with Gma Mary - suffering from the resuts of dialysis - my heart aches for her!
what a change of life!
Visited Gma Dotti - too bad Gpa was not there - Gma down from kidney stones and UTI
looking forward to getting her healthy!!! Don't like seeing her so down! Hang in there mom!
Home for a fabulous Papa made dinner of Fish, rice and veggies
sang happy birthday
Wrestling
sang happy birthday
off to bed...Good night!



*did not have cake today (had it at her beach party last weekend) - trying to let go of how I think a first birthday should be...Tons of present opening, crying children, cake in the face, lots of activity...wanting to appreciate the blessings in a regular day with acceptional people!!!

Thanks to all of you who called/sent videos...love you much!!!

Happy Birthday Big Geel!
Mama

Where does the time go? (click for videos)

Johnson's visit
Esther play
Mom's Day
Mom in hospital
Charli's bday...so many things to share so little time.

Enjoy the videos!

GO JOHNSON's

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Our North Carolina troops will be walking for JDRF's cure for diabetes! We are so thankful for you guys and your commitment to our family in so many ways! We love you and wish we could be there to walk with you! Take lots of pics and update us soon! Walk on!!!

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! (click for Pics)

Began our Easter Sunday watching the sunrise at the beach! Church service/music was happening! AWESOME morning!










Home for breakfast, baskets, egg hunt and simple family lovin'!








Off to Grandmother's & Grandfather's house we go...so much fun with family...wonderful lunch, great fun with the kids and silliness with mumosas! (face it girls, we've had our day! J/K you're both gorgeous! Love you both!)

Missing other family/friends (also our family!)! Hope your day was blessed!
Love you all! Happy Easter!

THREE'S COMPANY

I JUST LOVE THEM!!!

Walk to cure diabetes 2009 (CLICK FOR PICS)

What a great walk! Thanks to all of you who supported us financially, prayerfully, and every other way you support and encourage us each day! Charli was with us this year (she was last year too but tucked away in a cozy womb :-)) She was strapped to me with the baby b'journ the whole time and slept most of the way! It was a breezy, cool day. There are several of you who were not able to be there. Let me challenge you for next year! We have already begun the process of planning & raising money for next year! We are hoping to have many more walkers and much more funds to support research next year! Will you join us in our quest? We don't have the dates yet but we can guess it will be in March of 2010. I'll keep you posted!

Elli, you are awesome! Living with Diabetes is so hard and you are learning and growing everyday in new ways to overcome! I love you! Thanks for being such a light to the world!

Walk to CURE diabetes

Tomorrow is the walk to cure diabetes! This is a big deal in our household. We didn't plan ahead as much as we did last year (hence: new baby, busy, tired) but we (our group) still managed to raised $3,000 for JDRF and many walkers plan to join us for the walk on the beach. We were reminded today that this event brings in a lot of emotion! Depression for one - the plan for the walk is a constant reminder of the difficulties of living with diabetes. Excitement - we may actually raise enough money eventually to fund the research that will one day find the CURE!!! Anger (hers and ours) - that my ten year old (baby girl) has to CONSTANTLY think about what she can/can't eat, to cover (check out her blog)...anyways, we are very excited about tomorrow and hope for a better future for so many suffering with daily management of diabetes.

Love you Elli! You are so strong - Esther girl! Look up! God has promised you and hope for a future!

Mama

G & G Hayes visit - can't wait to see you guys!

Make a Smilebox postcard

ARE YOU READY TO COME SPREAD SOME MORE SUNSHINE!!!??? WE'RE READY FOR YOU!

Fort Wilderness (click for photos)

I Love Disney! Did you hear me? I LOVE DISNEY!!! We had a blast! I can't wait to plan our next visit. I saw car today with a license plate reading: WT DSNY...I found myself wanting to meet those awesome people! They understand me! :-) Fun trip! camp set up (Thanks again Paul!) Phil sets the kids on a "troll search" in the woods and Z and Riley come back with Troll eggs Charli has a nice big play area and shares it with her family Epcot - nice time with Gma and Gpa lots of biking! Charli loves her new seat...great for naps! Gpa feeds Charli her first lemon. She loves it! Got in the middle of a family of deer crossing the bike path Riley leans on the "Pregnant Tree" ice cream Animal Kingdom resting bathing boating Playing at the park tail gating at the Contemporary Magic kingdom fireworks freezing sleeping (kind of) driving 2 cars home falling asleep at the wheel! Clean, cozy beds...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH we're home! Thank you God for a wonderful family trip! Thank you for our small cozy home!

KID Bloggers

Check out Elli & Riley's new blogs...

dragoncreek.blogspot.com - RILEY

EstherAttitude.blogspot.com - ELLI