Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

Hayden has been missing his Daddy this week!  Between Jeff working and going out of town for a couple of days, Hayden was ready for some quality playing time with his Daddy! 

Tonight, they spent a considerable amount of time playing with Hayden’s Chuggington train track he got for his birthday.  He was a little scared of the noise it made when the “launcher” was turned when he first go it.  But, he is ALL about it now!  We have recently discovered that not only does it launch trains but it works great with all of Hayden’s other cars.

      

He gets SO excited! 

Now it’s time to fly planes! 

I love watching these two interact.  Hayden loves his Momma, but there is something so special about that Father/Son relationship! 

Like Father, Like Mother, Like Son

Some of you asked to see pictures of me around Hayden’s age after I did the post comparing Jeff and Hayden. 

Here I am at 2 years…

Hayden at two years…

Jeff at age 3…

What do you think? 

 

Just for fun…Here are two more of me that I found.  I was one year (left) and about eighteen months (right).

What an honor!

Today I had the honor of pinning a new {GOLD} badge on my hubby!  Jeff had his promotional ceremony and now holds the title of Sergeant and I could not be more proud! 

Jeff worked so hard for months studying and preparing  to take the promotional test back in October.  Turns out he was number two on the list {earned the second highest score} and his time has come to officially promote. 

Jeff and I both were blown away by the number of his friends/co-workers that attended this short and sweet ceremony.  So, those of you who read this…it meant the world to both of us!  To those who wanted to be there, but couldn’t because you were working so hard in this crazy weather, or couldn’t travel in the weather, or various other reasons…we appreciate you so much too! 

Geoff…Thank you so much for all your support and motivation throughout this process.  I know Jeff treasures your friendship and is so appreciative of your “study partnership”. 

Just the two of us made the long icy trek to the ceremony today.  We decided to have Hayden stay home with my parents and Jeff’s parents decided not to brave the weather/roads either.  I think it was the best decision for sure! 

Jeff, I am so proud of your accomplishment.  I know you will provide exceptional leadership and will do a great job serving your department in a new capacity.  I love you!

The aftermath of snow…

The aftermath of snow creates things like this…

So grown men can do things like this…

On this Father’s Day…

I want to tell my wonderful husband…

And my loving Daddy…

 

And my encouraging father in law…

 

How much Hayden and I love  and appreciate them!!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives!!  Happy Father’s Day!

I had made Jeff a Shutterfly book for Father’s Day using pictures of he and Hayden taken over the past year.  This was the first thing I thought of when I found out about the fire. It meant so much to me and I knew it would to him too.  It was in my closet and I just knew it would be gone or damaged.  A couple of the volunteers were searching for high and low for it for me after they had cleared our house out Wednesday night. I found it when we got back on Thursday in perfect condition.  I couldn’t wait to give it to him this morning.

After a crazy last few days, we have had a very relaxing day today.  After church we went to Nana and Papa’s for a hamburger/hot dog cook-out lunch.  Then, home to take a nap.  All three of us took one!  Hayden slept for almost 3 hours!  He was one tired boy!  Then, Bubba, Shabre, and the boys came over and we cooked steaks on the grill with baked beans, grilled squash and red potatoes, squash casserole, and fresh cantaloupe and pineapple!  Mom even made a butter pecan cake.  Oh my…I ate way too much today but it was SO good! 

We did not even go down to our house one time today.  It was kind of nice.  I did have somewhat of a break down at church and after church today.  I don’t know why.  I had been pretty strong but I guess the reality of it all just hit me today.  Jeff just said to me…”Let it all out.  I was wondering when it would happen.”  My friend Stacy sent me this scripture tonight…1 Peter 12-13 says "For us to not question our trials, but to rejoice in them as Jesus did His sufferings, so that we can rejoice when His glory is revealed."  I needed that today!  Thanks Stacy! 

I want to thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts, and encouragement!  You all have reminded us that we still have the “things” that are truly important to us! 

Not much sweeter…

Hayden had kind of a rough night last night.  There is not much sweeter than seeing this when I came in to check on them!  Sweet Daddy!

PS…if you missed my earlier post about our little vacuum chaser, click here.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day Baby! I love you!



We started our day off with homemade waffles. Jeff, Hayden, and I really did our Valentine celebration yesterday by going to the Chinese Buffet and then to Braum's for ice cream! :-) Have you ever had their peanut butter cup ice cream? To die for! It doesn't take much to make us happy! Ha!

Hope you have a fun day full of LOVE!

Hey Daddy...

"Hey Daddy, what are you doing?"



"Nothing much son. Just fixing some coffee. What are you doing?"

"Oh not much, just coming to tell you how much I love you!"



"That's sweet baby boy. I love you too! Let's walk to Mommy and tell her how much we love her."



"I love you boys!"

I am guessing there are many more "Hey Daddy's" to come!

Say a little prayer for Jeff today. He is having all four wisdom teeth taken out this afternoon. To say he is nervous is an understatement. He doesn't do well with things (pain) like this. :-)

What happens when...

What happens when you mix a propane torch, wind, and a special gardener named Jeff?

A GRASS FIRE!!

"It is getting to be that time of year to start getting your garden ready for some planting. Jeff had this bright idea to "burn" off the grass where we wanted our garden to be (great idea in theory). So, Jeff gets out this propane tank with a "torch lighter" on it and started getting after it. What he didn't expect was the fire to take off across our yard and into Dad's pasture in a matter of seconds. It was pure madness for about 5 minutes. Jeff took off running trying to put it out with his foot, before it got out of control (about 5 seconds). Then, he took off running across our yard trying to get a bucket for water. He tells me to call the fire department. Then he comes running in the house and grabs the broom while I am on the phone with the 911 operator. So, I run back outside and get the water hose (I am holding Hayden all this time) and start "fightin' the fire". Jeff is putting the fire out with the broom in the pasture. We finally get the fire out before the fire department (volunteer) shows up and I called 911 back and told them we didn't need them. Well, one of the volunteer units showed up anyway. If you know our town, you know how exciting it can be for them! I was so embarrassed that we actually lit a fire on a windy day and they had to come. But, I knew they were kind of bummed out when they got to our house and there was no fire to fight. In all seriousness, we are really lucky to have the men and women that volunteer to be on the fire department. They are so happy to help crazy people like us! The guy left saying, "If you need us, call us." Sir, thank you so much, but I sure hope we don't "need" you again!

Poor Jeff was coughing and wheezing the rest of the afternoon. I am not sure if it was from smoke inhalation or from that much running and adrenaline in such a short amount of time.

The good thing...our garden spot is getting closer to being ready to go. Jeff tilled it up, added new soil and some fresh organic cow poop from the pasture! And...Thankfully, Dad wasn't too mad at us. ;-)

Needless to say, we are in need of a new broom!

Life in the Country

Nothing like using old furniture to make a fire on a cool, crisp afternoon. Living the country life and loving it! All we needed was some marshmellows!