Happy 16th Birthday, Ryan

Today my baby boy turned 16.  Happy Birthday Ryan!  I am so very thankful for him.  He is such a blessing to us.  I pray God will bless his life in amazing ways!
Yesterday evening Ryan begged to stay home from school today because it is his birthday.  I really wanted him to be able to stay home, but I didn't know if it was the best.  I kept telling him no.  Then I told him to ask Matthew if he was able to stay out on his birthday.  Ryan said, "Matthew was able to stay out on his birthday because his birthday is in June (summer vacation).  
Later, Ryan talked to Matt about it on the phone.  Matt said he thought Ryan should be able to stay home.  Sooooo, I told Ryan to ask his dad because I couldn't decide.  Mark said he could.  Ryan was so excited.
I waited till Ryan went to sleep that night, which was later because he was not going to school, and decorated the living room for his birthday.  

It was going on 1AM by the time I got in bed.  I still could not get to sleep.  I am having such a problem with sleeping here lately. Around 2:30AM, I got up and took some benadryl and tylenol to help me go to sleep.  It was probably after 3 by the time I did.  I wasn't worried because Ryan can sleep as long as 12PM on Saturdays.  I knew if I slept that long I would be fine.

He woke me up at 8AM.  I couldn't believe it!!!  I could hardly move I was so tired.  Of course he was very excited to open his gifts.  He didn't want to go in the living room without me. :)  After a few minutes, I was able to wake up and move.
  
Ryan liked how I decorated.  He sat down and opened his gifts.  I had put everything in one bag.  We got him a video game and a new router.  He has wanted a new router for so long.  He was so happy to get it and the game.

Ryan rarely shows his emotions.  I don't know why.  Andrew used to scream with excitement.  I got so tickled at him, tho'.  After he opened his gifts he said, "I know I'm not acting like it, but I am really excited." LOL  I love him so much!!

He sat down to play his video game.  After awhile, I got up and fixed him some bacon for breakfast.  He also ate Hershey chocolate bars I had gotten him for his birthday.  He loves them.  

I layed back down at some point (not sure what time) and tried to rest.  I did sleep some but I don't think it was a lot.  When I got up I was still dragging.  For probably two weeks I have not been sleeping much at night and have rarely napped during the day. 
Some days I am so tired I am sure I will be able to sleep that night, but no, for some reason I get wide awake. (Sigh)  I feel sure it is just a phase, but I tell ya, I am ready for some sleep.

For supper I fixed chili because it is so easy.  We ate it with cheese and corn chips.  Ryan liked it fine, but it isn't his favorite.  I also baked him a cake.  He said, "do I have to blow out candles?"  I assured him he DID!!  I was so happy he obliged without complaining.

I didn't eat any cake because I have been gluten free for a while (that is another post).  Ryan eats gluten free too, but he said sometimes tradition is more important.  He always has to have a yellow cake with chocolate icing for his birthday.  It smelled so good.

I was so tired I didn't go to church tonight.  Martha texted me on her way home and said they left Ryan's birthday card in the mailbox.  He went to get it and was so excited because they gave him money.  

Ryan has had a wonderful birthday.  Matthew is supposed to spend the night with him tomorrow night.  He is looking forward to that too!!  They are out of school Friday, so he will have an extra day off.  

I am so thankful for Ryan and the young man he is.  I am so thankful that he works to help us out. I am so thankful he is a christian and knows God.  I am so thankful he tries to live in a way that is pleasing to God.  It  will bring him more peace and happiness in everything he does in life.  I am so thankful he likes school and does well, making good grades.  I am so thankful for his cousin friends and other friends.  God is so good to us.  His merciful love is beyond measure.  I am blessed more than I realize and I should take more time to be thankful.  I pray God will bless Ryan with many, many more happy years.

Spending the Weekend With The Grands

Last week I cleaned Dad's house.  It is so hard not to say Mom and Dad's house.  I am getting used to a whole new life.....and it is sad.  I think of Mom in heaven and I am happy for her, but my heart aches for the Mom I had before her sickness.  She will always have a part of my heart.

Dad changed the pictures on the piano to just him and Mom in their younger days.  I love it!

Mom's Bible is still sitting on the piano bench beside her chair.

How precious it is to me.

It took two days to finish cleaning his house.  I had to leave early to get Ryan and I am not as young as I used to be.  I still felt good about what I accomplished each day.

Friday I baked two roasts all day.  Right before I went to get Ryan, I cooked a big pot of potatoes and carrots.  After we got back, I cooked corn muffins. I cooked a meal for our family and for Andrew's family.  Earlier in the day I had cleaned house and washed clothes (including sheets).  I worked hard to get everything done so I could go down and spend the night with Andrew, Nikki, Haley, and Mason.  

I felt so tired as I was driving, but I had a blast when I got there. We all got to eat dinner together.  That night, Haley and I slept in a blow-up mattress I brought.  We watched Tangled on my computer before going to sleep.  It was sooooo much fun.  When we stopped watching the movie, I leaned over to adjust the radio to play christian music while we were going to sleep.  When I leaned back, Haley was asleep. :)  

The next morning I got up with the babies and let Nikki sleep in.  I fixed eggs and pancakes for Mason for breakfast and Haley had bacon and pancakes.  After breakfast, we spent a good while in the playroom.  It is so wonderful to see those babies happy and playing. I love their cute bedheads.

Mason started yawning and acting really sleepy after a while, so I put him to bed for his morning nap.  While he was sleeping, I washed my hair and put on my makeup.  

Later, Nikki got up and Mason got up too.  I asked Nikki if she would go get my car from Andrew so Haley and I could go back to my house.  Andrew had driven my car to work and had them work on it.  (It drives wonderful now)  Nikki took Haley with her to pick up the car.

While they were gone Mason took his afternoon nap.  I swept the hardwood floors and straightened a few toys.  There wasn't much to do because Nikki is doing an awesome job keeping everything clean and nice.  The house looks awesome!

As I was sweeping, I was thinking about everything I love about this new house.  I took some pictures on my cell phone to show you.  They are not the greatest, but maybe you can see why I love it.  

There is so much room...of course I love that!!!! :)

The cathedral ceilings in the living room are sooooo high.  It makes the room feel even larger.  

I looooove how wide the foyer hall is.  It just seems so grand to me.  

The kitchen is beautiful and has so much cabinet space. (this is Nikki's facebook picture)

Nikki is so organized in the laundry room.

                 

Nikki is still working on Haley and Mason's room.  I could only take pictures of Haley's room because Mason was asleep, but I love what she has done in both rooms. 

She has repainted all of Haley's furniture, and is still working on the drawers.   She is painting polka dots on them and it is just adorable.  She says it is so hard to do, but she wants it to look good for Haley.  That's a mother's love for ya. 

I also love the upstairs playroom.  It is a perfect place for the kids to play and not have to worry about anything.   It is so big that I could push Haley and Mason on his ride on car.  They both loved it.  

When Mason woke from his nap, I fed him a snack and then we went to the play room.  I had so much fun with him.  He loves "Lucky" the horse.  He rides him fast and just smiles.

I pushed him on the ride on car too.  I just love that baby boy!!! We also played some with Haley's dollhouse (shhhh, don't tell Haley).  Mason loves to open the door and window and put things in and out.

Andrew came home after awhile and Mason crawled all over both of us and just talked and jabbered.  It was the cutest thing.  Then Nikki and Haley got home.  I took Haley's supper with us, and we left.  It was getting late.  

Haley ate breaded shrimp, fries, and part of a hushpuppy.  I was thrilled with how much she ate.  She also drank a lemonade/tea (I think).  When we were about 45min from home she told me she needed to pee.  I tell ya, I looked awful.  I didn't want to stop anywhere.  I told her to hold it and I would hurry.  She would talk about other things and after awhile she would say, "I really need to pee hard."  I would beg her to hold it, and she did.  She is such a sweetheart!!!!!  When we got off the interstate, I stopped at Papaw's (Dad's) house because it was close.  I thought Dad was in bed so I just let her pee in the grass.  Love her heart!!!!  She made it without peeing in her pants.  We were both so happy!!!  As I was driving off, I noticed Dad's lights were still on, so I called him.  I was afraid he would worry if he saw my car. 

We got home a little after 9:30PM.  Haley sat with Ryan and they played what Haley calls video games on his tablet while I got us ready for bed.  She and I slept in Ryan's bed because there are sides on it keeping her from falling off the bed.  When we were going to sleep, Haley said, "rock me like a baby."  Oh, that just thrilled my heart.  So, I wrapped her in a blanket, sat in the computer rocker chair, rocked and sang her to sleep.  I loved it!!!!  I rarely get to hold her in my arms anymore because she is always moving.

This morning we went to Sunday School.  Haley loves going to church.  She talked and talked about it to Nikki and I the day before.  We had to keep telling her it was *tomorrow*.  I love that she wants to go to church.  If only we adults felt the same.  Sunday School was really hectic today.  Besides Bryson, my regular, we had a new little boy, plus Haley. I was so blessed because Haley acted wonderful!!!!!  It was kinda hard to keep one of them settled. Shew, it was a lot of work.  Thank God, Martha was in there to help me. 

Before church, Martha told me Haley could come to her house for lunch.  I asked Haley if she wanted to go and she said yes.  It was so cute, because after church, she said, "I'm going to Marfa's house".  She kissed and hugged me goodby (Ryan and I went too, tho).  Martha fixed a fabulous lunch and Haley ate good.  She always eats good at Martha's house.  

After lunch, we had to hurry back to my house, packed her bag, and started home.  Bless her heart, this time she got to spend very little time here.  Most of the time she was sleeping.

She was a sweetheart in the car.  I thought she would fall asleep, but she didn't.  She talked and sang with the kid cd I played.  She was a sweetheart.  When we were getting close to her house, she asked if I could spend the night.  I told her I had to get back because Ryan had to go to school the next day.  She said she wanted to stay at my house.  I said, "you have to go home because Mason is missing you."  She said, "Haley, play with toys at GiGi's house.  That's what Mason said." HaHaHa  She got me so tickled.  I said, "no, Mason is saying play with toys at my house."  

When we got home to her house, Nikki and Mason were in the playroom.  Nikki brought Mason downstairs, and he reached for me.  Awwww, it thrilled my heart.  My heart just overflows with love for those babies.

Nikki took the babies outside to color with sidewalk chalk.  I thought Haley would be so interested she would forget to be sad when I left.  She started to cry when she knew I was leaving.  I can't tell you how it breaks my heart.  I was so sad as I was driving home.  It is just so hard that they live so far away.  I am praying God will work out something wonderful that they can live back up here again.  

I was so exhausted when I got home.  I ate supper, then I layed down a while.  I didn't go to sleep, but it helped to relax a bit.  When I got up, I washed dishes, fixed Ryan bacon and eggs, and baked him some cookies.  I want to keep everything nice in my house like Nikki does.  She inspires me.

It has been a good weekend.  I hate that Haley didn't get to spend more time here, but I think she was happy she came.  You know, spending time with the babies is tiring and takes a lot of work, but it is SO WORTH IT!  I think anything worthwhile in life takes effort, you just have to be willing to work for it.  I am so thankful to God that I am able to be a part of Haley and Mason's life.  It is a great blessing to me.  

The New House

Before I begin this post, I just want to say that I am working on a post about Mom.  I thought I wouldn't post anything until I posted about her, but I am getting behind on day to day journaling.  I miss Mom so much, but it is hard to relive her last days.  Martha is helping me compose a post that I will hopefully have soon.

It seems since Mom has been gone, I have been spending more time with the grandbabies.  (Will I ever not call them my grandbabies? :D)I love being with them.  Last weekend they moved to a new house. I kept Haley and Mason overnight Friday night.  Saturday night I took Mason to spend the night with Nikki's mom and dad.  It is very hard to keep them both at one time.  Mason has a bond with Nikki's mom, so he loved it.  Sunday morning, I went back to pick him up before church.  Kevin had an appointment to preach at Oak Chapel's homecoming service.  

After church, I took them home to eat lunch.  Then I took them both back to Nikki's parent's to spend the night.  Haley screamed and cried because she wanted to stay with Ryan and me.  It was heartwrenching.  She loves them, but she had been so long with us, she wanted to stay with us.  It broke my heart because she started crying saying she wanted her mama.  Nikki's dad took her  inside to call Nikki, and Ryan and I went home.

Monday was Labor Day.  Ryan and I took Papaw Sh's truck and drove down to help Andrew and Nikki move to a new house.  They are are not buying it, just renting.  It is a good thing because all repairs are done by the homeowner.  The owners had tried to sell this house because they got a divorce.  Since they couldn't sell it, Andrew and Nikki got a good deal on renting it. (Thank God)
Ryan and I helped them move and we all worked so hard!!  Later Nikki's mom and dad brought the babies home.

I love the house and the area it is in.  The house is so big, and the area is very country/farmland.  I did not know that so much farmland existed in their area.  It is so beautiful.  As I was driving, I held up my phone and snapped pictures to try to capture some of the areas I love.

This is the road turning off the main highway.  Nikki and my landmark to remember the road was a tobaco field (they cut it down before they moved in tho).  We have to cross a train track. 

This is their subdivision.  It is small and you can see there are fields all around it.

And this is their house. Yay!!! I love it so much!

Last Sunday was our homecoming service at our church. Therefore, we didn't have a church service Sunday night.  Martha, Kevin and Jared went with Ryan and me to see Andrew, Nikki, and the babies in their new house.  We had a wonderful time. 
I got to show Martha a house for sale on the way to the new house. Nikki said she and Andrew call it the castle.  I love it and so does Martha.

Martha says she wants it.  I told her we could all move in together and I would clean it for her. :) We would be one big happy family. lol

Haley and Mason had a blast with Martha, Kevin, and Jared.  I wish I had the pictures Nikki took of Mason.  Every time she told him she was going to take his picture, he made the CUTEST faces.  I love that baby so much!!  

Haley had the guys running in circles in her room while Mason crawled on the floor.  It was so much fun just watching them.  

When we were getting ready to leave, Martha let Haley see her phone.  She and Haley were playing a game.  

Martha got up to go to the bathroom and Kevin came in the bedroom.  He picked Haley up by her ankles and swung her back and forth.

When he layed her back on the bed, she said, "do it again." lol  She never got tired of it.  She said, "just one more time" after he did it again.  Haley loves Kevin.  She calls him Kefin.  It is so cute.  (I was on the phone with Martha Saturday and Haley wanted to talk to her.  Then she asked to talk to Kefin. :)  She waited while Martha went to get Kefin so she could talk to him)
Jared got Haley and they were playing a game on Martha's phone.

Martha had made a joke to Haley about having to take her phone because if she left the phone, she would have to stay too.  So, Haley decided she wanted to keep the phone so Martha would have to stay. hahaha  Then, Jared teased about taking Haley with them. When Haley heard that, she wrapped her arms around Jared's neck and hung on.  She wanted to go home with them!!

We finally left.  Thank God for a wonderful visit.  Maybe the next time I can take pictures of the inside of the house.  Praise God they don't live on the third floor anymore.  Although, I loved their apartment.  This house is such a blessing because it has lots of room and a big yard.  I tell God that when He blesses them, it blesses me, and I am so very thankful!