Nannie

Sunday was a day that we knew was coming but even with the knowing didn't make it any easier. Wes' grandmother, Nannie, died Sunday morning around 8:00 am. She had kidney failure and lived the last two weeks of her life at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House. She was such a fighter and really showed that to everyone in her final days. Her doctor told the family that he had never had a patient live longer than two weeks, well Nannie, she lived two weeks and three days. Not too bad for an 81 year old woman who had been through so much in the last few months.
Tell Anna Kate was something that we knew would be hard. Anna Kate has had the privledge to know two of her great-grandmothers and two of her great-grandfathers. We had told her that Nannie was very sick and would probably not live for too much longer. When I told her Sunday morning she didn't really react at all, I am sure it hadn't really sank in for her. Sunday afternoon we went to Nannie's house and that is when it set in for her. Uncle Richard told me that Anna Kate was looking at two little figurines that we had always called Nannie and Pop. Richard asked her, "Anna Kate what are you thinking about?" She replied, "Nothing." But a few minutes later she said she was thinking about Nannie and that she missed her. Denise found Anna Kate laying in the bathroom floor. She was talking about how much she missed Nannie and that thinking about her just made her sad. I had done really good throughout the day but to hear those things, it just broke my heart. Wes and I talked to her on the way home about what happened to Nannie and she got really upset and kept saying, 'But I don't want her to die!' We tried our best to explain what we believe happened to Nannie and she seemed much better by the time we were out of Sharon. Anna Kate did well at the funeral and graveside yesterday. Wes had took the time to talk to her about the casket and what we were doing with it and what everything else meant.
We will miss Nannie very much, but we are so thankful to have all of the great memories. She was my Nannie for the last 13 years and she welcomed me and loved me like a grandchild and I am so thankful to have been a part of her family.

We love you, Nannie!!!

**Nannie was buried with a little pom-pom caterpillar that she had made for Nannie about 3 months ago. That caterpillar went from the hospital to rehab, back to the hospital and back to rehab, and then finally to the hospice house. We can't wait for one day to see Nannie and her caterpillar again!!

My Happy Heart :)

There are just times in your life when you can't help but be happy. I have so many of those times because of my beautiful children that I love more than life itself. Well, Sunday was no exception. Anna Kate had went up for Children's Church and Preacher Josh was talking about nicknames. He asked the children if they had nicknames and what they were. Anna Kate raised that sweet little hand of hers. He asked her what her nickname was and she sweetly replied, "My mama calls me SugaBug." My heart sank and then filled my chest with happiness. I love that she loves me. I couldn't ask for more!

I love you, Anna Kate and Maddox!

Love ALWAYS,
Hayley

Labor Day and other info (since I am slack :)

Hey Everyone,

School is back in and going well so far. I have a great class and really enjoy being around my students. Kate has settled in to her routine and is getting the hang of all the Montessori routines. Maddox has done well at Katelan's and is so happy to see me in the afternoons, which makes me sooooooooooooooo HAPPPPY!!! He is talking 5 or 6 steps at a time now and I can hardly believe it. This time last year I was still pregnant with him and now he is walking :) I love him so much and feel so blessed that GOD gave us a little boy to love. When I was pregnant and didn't know what we were having, I really wanted another girl but GOD doesn't make any mistakes. Having a boy is so incredible and I feel honored to be his mama!!! Kate is a joy in herself and I wonder every day what in the world I did to deserve such amazing chidren. I LOVE MY BABIES!!!

Today is Labor Day, so NO SCHOOL. We are just hanging out enjoying the wonderful weather. It was beautiful this weekend, highs in the upper 70s!!! We had our 10 year class reunion on Saturday night and it was a lot of fun to see people that we don't see very often or haven't seen since graduation. Kate spent the night with Maw and Paw and Maddox spent the night with Grana and Papa. They both had a good time, but I was so happy to see them on Sunday morning.

I am still eating a lot of chicken and running almost every day. I have lost 25 pounds so far and I feel GREAT. I can wear so many of my clothes and it feels great to try on clothes again. I would like to lose another 15 or so pounds and then I would be done.

Well I think I hear Maddox waking from his nap. Until next time America!!!

Hayley

Happy Birthday, Anna Kate!

Four years ago today my life changed forever! I was given an amazing gift from God that I am blessed to call "My Daughter". She loves me unconditionally and says that I am the BOSS!! She is the sweetest, funniest, and happiest girl I know. When I was pregnant with Maddox I worried about her and how she would adjust to not being the center of everyone's world. She did great and has since the first day she met him. She is very gentle with him and very helpful to me when I need her help.

This morning I crept into her room and whispered in her ear, "Happy Birthday, Love Bug". She smile on her face lit up the room in an instant. She was so excited for her birthday to finally be here. I made her pancakes complete with candles and we sang to her before we left for church. On the way to church she was talking up a storm and said, "Mama, you didn't get me a tent for my birthday!" This is the only thing that she asked for, I told her that she hadn't opened up her present so she didn't know if she had gotten one or not. When she opened up her presents tonight she was elated to see the $20 dollar tent that maybe would hold her and her daddy. She loves it and all of the other gifts her family got for her today. Thanks everyone! We had our families over tonight for pizza, salad, and cake. She had a great time and I think everyone enjoyed seeing her open up her presents. She had a Tinkerbell cake and I caught her licking the icing after everyone had left :) Daddy put up her tent and it is currently in the middle of our living room floor!

When I reflect on today the only thing that comes to my mind is, THANK YOU!! Thank you God for giving me my daughter and son and blessing us with so many people that love us. Thank you for my husband that loves me and my children more than life itself.

Hayley

Great-Grandparents

My two beautiful children are lucky enough to have 5 great-grandparents alive. Wes' maternal grandparents are still alive. Anna Kate calls them Pop and Nannie. Unfortunately, Pop has not has the best of year as far as his health. He is now in an assisted living facility and does well most days. His Nannie has also had a pretty rough year with her health. She is at home but doesn't move around too good but loves to see Anna Kate and Maddox when we go and visit.
My maternal grandparents are also still with us. Maw Maw and Paw Paw live in York and are both doing pretty good for their late 70's. Maw Maw had a rough end of 2009 but I believe she has come out of it all a lot stronger, even though she probably wouldn't agree. Paw Paw has some back trouble but he does well too. Still messing in the garden or yard. We went to visit them today and had a great visit. Maw Maw put Maddox to sleep by rocking him and Paw Paw had a great time with him too. Anna Kate loves to wear Maw Maw's nightgowns. They are those nylon long gowns and she loves to walk around in them. My paternal grandfather lives in Rock Hill and his wife just recently passed away. I have not been close with him for the past 15 years or so. The relationship has always been "odd". I hope that we can stay in touch better so that he will be able to see his great-grands grow up.

I am very close with Maw Maw and Paw Paw and Wes is very close with his Pop and Nannie. I am so glad they are all still here with us and that our children have been able to meet them and grow to love them. My great-grandmother, Mama Correne, lived up the road from us and I was very close with her. She died in 1996, I think. She quilted and I remember playing up under the quilting frame and eating GW pizzas. I hope that Anna Kate and Maddox will both have memories of their great-grandparents when they are older. Until next time!!

28 years!

Today is my 28th birthday and I what a perfect way to spend it with my two perfect babies and my sweet hubby. Anna Kate decided to sleep in this morning until 10:30, I kept checking on her but she was just snoozing away! Maddox has been a bit clingy the past few days. I told my mama and she said, "you are his favorite person, wouldn't you want be be held by your favorite person all day?" I am glad that he loves me because I sure do love him. Anna Kate was so excited that it was my birthday and she "read" me the cards she had picked out for me. I purchased myself a new corner desk for my laptop for my birthday, it should be here in the next week or so. Happy Birthday to me :) No big plans for today, we may go to Carowinds when Wes gets off work or we may just chill. Anna Kate has plans to go to Cracker Barrel, so we shall see. Mama is taking me shopping for my birthday on Thursday to get a new dress for the Charleston wedding in a few weeks. Below is a picture of the best present....

So bad!!

I so hoped that I would be better at updating my blog with what is going on with us, but I am so slack. But something in better than nothing, right?

July has been great so far. I am recovering from my surgery and I am so happy :) My kiddos are perfect and I love them more than the world. Maddox is cutting 3 teeth at the moment and had a rough week about two weeks ago but I believe he is over the hump and feeling much better. Kate is a mess as usual. We have been making the Carowinds trip atleast once a week usually with Ava Grace. They have a great time together riding the rides. Kate will start 4-year old Montessori this year, that is so hard to believe. Wes and I were talking about it the other day in the car and I thought he might start to cry. I was talking about packing her lunch and I think at that moment it set in that she would be in "big" school. He may just come and eat lunch with her every day :) Just kidding, but probably 4 out of the 5 days for sure. Maddox will be heading back to Katelan's for her to watch him while I am at school. I trust her 100% and I know he will be in great hands but boy will I miss my baby boy :( He is such a great and easy baby and so, so sweet.

My friend, Kristin, had her baby girl last Thursday. I got to to visit her in the hospital and hold sweet little Ella Kay. I will see how she makes out with 3 and see if I am up for another baby. Everyone said you would just know when you are done but I don't have that feeling. Somedays I would love to have another and then some days I just don't know. Our little family is so perfect and I know another baby would fit in great, but do you want to mess with a good thing. I just don't know! I have a few years to decide, I wouldn't want another until Maddox was 3 or so anyway.

We are heading to Charleston in a couple of weeks for Ashley's wedding and then to Harbour Island with my parents for a couple of days. Kate is so ready to go to the beach and I can't wait to put Maddox's little fat toes in the sand. After that not much going on, just trying to enjoy the rest of the summer before I have to head back to work :(

I will try and update everyday this week!! We will see :)