Hannah to Haiti

Hannah has been planning her spring break week for a good while now. Last year, Hannah and her good friend, Leslie, went to Florida together for spring break. This year, Leslie is attending college in Hawaii. So, the spring break plan for this year was for Hannah to fly to Hawaii and spend the week with Leslie. Hawaii!! Wow!! I have been feeling so excited for Hannah to be able to spend her spring break week in such a glorious place! How often do you have a friend living in Hawaii and have an apartment to live in for a week? Hannah worked at Belk over Christmas break to earn the money to buy her airline ticket. The plans were made, the airline ticket was almost purchased, and Hannah was getting geared up for a wonderful week!

Then, the earthquake happened in Haiti. Obviously, devastating!!

Hannah came to me and said, "mom, instead of going to Hawaii, I want to go to Haiti and spend the week doing what I can to help the people there." I said, "seriously, Hannah?" But, I know Hannah has a heart for mission work and she has a genuine desire to help other people. So, I am really not surprised that this is how she wants to spend her spring break. She spoke to Leslie about her change of plans, and of course, Leslie is excited about her trip to Haiti as well.

Hannah has formed a group on facebook, so please join her group!
http://www.facebook.com/?filter=app_2361831622#/group.php?gid=271702294755

A few people have asked me if I am not worried because it seems really dangerous in Haiti right now. But, I have to trust that God will show His favor and protect this group that will be ministering to hurting people in His name. And, I know that Hannah is doing something she loves and desires to do.

So, off to Haiti she will go!

Hannah finished her fall semester at Georgia State by making her usual ho-hum straight A's. And, she has some really exciting things coming up this semester! She is now planning a month to study abroad in Argentina! I am sure I will be posting blogs about that!

Hannah is majoring in sports marketing, and she will be starting an internship this week with the Gwinnett Gladiators! She will be working the rest of the home games, so if anyone goes to support the Gladiators, look for Hannah!

Hannah has also been volunteering her time with the DECA club at Grayson High School. She just chaperoned a retreat this past weekend, and she was a judge this week for the regional DECA competition. DECA was a very important part of Hannah's high school experience as she went to National competition her senior year.

Hannah is an amazing young lady, and I am so proud of her! Please keep her in your prayers for her trip to Haiti from March 6-12th.

A Day with Alaina

Yesterday, Hannah and I were allowed to babysit sweet little Alaina! So, in hopes that we might someday be asked to babysit again, we wanted to prove that we are worthy to take on the job! Hannah forfeited a day of study to hang out with her little cousin, and for those of you that know Hannah, you know that she wouldn't do that for just anybody.

And, now that Alaina is crying after her mommy, hopefully Sarah can see that Alaina was just fine while she was gone.

We made sure she was well fed!

Aunt Becky changed all the diapers. It was my lucky day! No poopy ones!

Hannah allowed Alaina to body surf on the table. We are not sure her parents allow this. but they were not there, so . . . . once won't hurt!

Hannah swinging Alaina!

Alaina seriously loved the blinds! Don't worry! We didn't allow her to tear them up!

Alaina loved Hannah's glasses. So, Hannah let her wear them. We are sure there is no permanent damage to her eyes.

Alaina showed us her new trick! She is seriously thinking about doing some crawling!

Hannah has it figured out! When the baby sleeps, she sleeps!

Aunt Becky and Alaina had some seriously fun bonding time!!

And, this is the most scrumptious dessert ever! This is Sarah's specialty, and she made it just for her babysitters! If this is how she pays her babysitters, hey, we are in! Just call us anytime! : )

The Piercing

A few weeks ago, Hadrian announced to me that it was time for a new piercing. And, I am thinking surely not! Just how many holes does any one girl need in her ear? Well, she decided on a Friday night that she wanted the piercing done that night. So, I am working in the house, and the longer I work, the more she pouts. It had to be done that night! And, being the wonderful mother that I am, I gave in to her pouting episode, and stopped what I was doing. So, we both get in the car, and we are off to the tattoo parlor!

On the way, I am telling her that I don't care if her ear falls off, she is not to whine or complain to me about any pain. And, I was not going to watch the torture, either! I had witnessed all of her other piercings, one painful little pierce at a time. But, I was not going to watch this one because this one surely had to hurt like no other!

Well, we drove to a reputable tattoo parlor. I know it is reputable because we used to pass it every day, and they always had business out the kazoo. So, I figured it must be a good place; otherwise, they would have no customers, right? On the way, I am telling Hadrian that I surely hoped I didn't see anyone I knew because this is just normally not my scene.

We get there, Hadrian discusses with them what she wants to do, and I sign my life away because they surely can't puncture underaged kids without parental permission! While we are doing this, I was trying to ignore the screams coming from a room in the back.

I told them that Hadrian had to come just that night to get her piercing and couldn't wait. And, they told me that this is normal. That once you get it in your mind that you want a piercing, you have to do it right away or the feeling goes away and you lose your nerve. So, it was perfectly normal for her to force me to come that very night. Oh, so there is a psychological side to getting piercings. I wasn't aware!

We get done with all of this, and I turn around only to see someone I know! How nice that we bumped into each other at the tattoo parlor! Tom was there to get more ink, but I had to assure him that I wasn't getting any ink. This was Hadrian's deal!

So, I settle into watching tv and watched the streams of people coming through the door. I discovered that tattoo parlors are really busy on a Friday night! They must make some serious money in that place!

Well, Hadrian went back alone, and she finally came back out with her new piercing! We loved the guy who did her piercing. He was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. And, he told me he knew just the right place to pierce so he wouldn't hit a nerve that could cause serious damage. Seriously?! He tells me this after the piercing? But, if anyone needs a good piercer, we highly recommend this guy!

I had to stop by Kohl's on the way home, and all the way there, Hadrian is telling me she thinks her ear is filling up with blood. Well, isn't it convenient that Kohl's now has the makeup department and they just happened to have a stash of Q-tips sitting on the counter. So, while I am looking at the jewelry, Hadrian is standing in Kohl's swabbing massive amounts of blood out of her ear right in the midst of Christmas shoppers. Gross! I was truly hoping that no one caught on that she was with me. : )

Amazing Transformation

I write this post out of love for my youngest daughter. I have to say that she is absolutely perfect just the way she is. But, the way she is can be a bit frustrating at times. Just ask her sisters! And, keep in mind that she is the baby of the bunch and a whole 4 1/2 years younger than Hannah.

Well, Hadrian walks into the house, and leaves a trail. Her shoes fly off and go just wherever they land. She drops her school books, her purse, her keys, and whatever else she has with her. There is never any rhyme or reason to where she might drop or throw her stuff. We have found things in the darndest places. And, she can never find things, either! I have always said that if her body parts were not attached, we would surely be in trouble. I can't tell you how many phone calls I have received through the years saying "Mom, can you bring my ??" Just fill in the blank. And, I would always take whatever she had forgotten to the school because I surely wouldn't want her to suffer. : )

Not only this, but her room has been filled with science projects. We find her food wrappers and popsicle sticks all over the house. I think you get the picture. Her sister, Hannah, who is Miss Totally Neat has tried to tell her all about the error of her ways, but that has always gone in one ear and out the other. Hannah just cleans up after her and goes on. This totally makes Hadrian become much more responsible! : )

Well, Hadrian announced during the summer that she was going to find a job. After her sisters stopped laughing and telling her that there is no way she could work, and go to school, and play club soccer, and keep up with her homework, and fit in her extremely busy social life, she did just what she wanted to do and found a job! It took a few months with the job market, but she finally landed her first job at KFC. Yes, this is Kentucky Fried Chicken. I am thinking to myself that she will be lucky to make it a month before she declares she hates it and decides that it is too much work.

Well, let me just say, that Hadrian is not only working 20 hours a week, but she is doing it with absolute brilliance. She is earning her gas money and her own spending money. She has been there almost 6 months, and is doing a fantastic job! The district managers recently stood outside at the drive thru menu and listened to her take orders for a while without her knowing. And, the managers told her she is a wonderful representative of KFC and gave a great first impression to customers! You go girl! : )

Not only the new job, but Hadrian started a new club soccer team at the same time. Her coach literally runs them to death. She would have soccer practice three nights a week (driving an hour each way), and they would always run 4 or more miles each night. Exhausting. She lost about 15 pounds through soccer season from all the running. But, she is lean and mean, let me say.

And, then we still had to do schoolwork and homework. I figured her grades would tell the real tale about taking on a job. But, I got her first semester report card today, and she maintained all A's and B's while taking honors classes. Woo Hoo! She has a 3.5 gpa which is fantastic considering how much she really hates to study.

I am so impressed! She also maintained her social life even though her weekends were filled with soccer games and work schedules. She now even has new friends from KFC who she really enjoys hanging out with.

Who is this kid? The totally irresponsible child has turned into an amazingly responsible young lady! What a miracle! : )

But, let me just say that I love Hadrian when she is irresponsible and I love her when she is responsible. She is a gift from God whom I love unconditionally. And, she brings me so much joy!!

And, to be honest, she kind of reminds me of me when I was her age. I am sure my mom remembers more than a few trails through her house as well!

Welcome 2010 Part 4

More Blessings from 2009!

Pa and Babelle have five grandchildren, but the group just keeps growing!

The guys in the back are Daniel, Adam, and Austin

The girls are Stevie, Hadrian, Sarah (holding Alaina), Haley, Hannah
My girls, of course, are Haley, Hannah, and Hadrian
Haley has added Austin to the group!

Hannah and Hadrian do not have a significant other just yet! But, there is still plenty of time for that!!
Joy has Sarah and Daniel

Sarah has added husband Adam and Baby Alaina to the clan!
Daniel is engaged to Stevie - they are getting married in April

Let me just say that all of these kids LOVE each other and enjoy family gatherings SO much! It is always special when they can all be together!

OUR FAMILY IS RICHLY BLESSED WITH HEALTHY, WONDERFUL KIDS

Thanksgiving Day at Joy's House

Four generations

Babelle (mom), Joy, Sarah, and Alaina

I finally found the picture of Pa and Alaina

The first time they met!

Alaina couldn't take her eyes off of her Pa!

Welcome 2010 Part 3

Continuing on with the best blessings of 2009!

I think no one in our family would argue about the greatest blessing of the year! Our sweet Alaina Brooke was born on July 31st! She is now 5 months old! She is absolutely perfect and sweet and beautiful in every way! Our family really needed something of this magnitude this past year to get us excited about life again! My niece, Sarah, had a great delivery, and she and Adam are doing a fantastic job with parenting! They are such a sweet little family unit!

I have to share about the first time Alaina met her great grandpa (my dad). We all thought she might be a bit afraid of him because he is laying down in bed and has oxygen hoses, etc. But, let me say, she looked up at her Pa and smiled, and if she could have talked, she would have given him an ear full! It was almost as if she was telling him that she was SO glad to finally meet her Pa! Alaina and Pa bonded right away and you could tell by Alaina's sweet expression that she was feeling the love for her Pa! It was priceless! You had to be there, but this was a magical moment and definitely one of the highlights of my year!

Alaina is definitely a gift from God to our family! And, what a blessing she is and always will be!

Adam, Sarah, and Alaina Emmett

Welcome 2010 Part 2

Me, Melinda, Camille, and Mary Clare

I am continuing with my favorite blessings for 2009! There were SO many blessings, I could create blogs for a good while!

I have some really special college friends from my days spent at Berry College. We only get together once or twice a year, but it is always great catching up! This is a picture of us having lunch at Longhorn Steak House just last week.

These ladies are spiritual, smart, and live their lives with integrity and grace. I am honored to know them!

Me with Jane

I went to Brevard College my freshman year of college. I had a wonderful roommate, but neither of us went back to Brevard after that year. We connected for lunch in September near Orlando. This is the first time we had seen each other since 1980! This was really strange because the last time we saw each other we were teenagers, and now we are middle-aged women! This was one of the highlights of my year! : )

Welcome 2010

Well, the new year has finally arrived! I have been ready to kiss 2009 goodbye for a while now. Even though 2009 was a year full of challenges, I have also had many things to be thankful for!

A few of my favorite blessings for 2009:

I have SO enjoyed reading the blogs of my niece, Sarah, and my friend, Amy. They each have baby girl's who are about the same age, and they are sharing all about their little sweethearts on their blogs. It is easy to get hooked into watching Alaina and Libbi grow and change so quickly! The "Not Me" Mondays are the best! New blog postings always brighten my day!

Spending time with my precious great niece, Alaina, is always a blessing. She is now 5 months old. I could just inhale her! : )

Living with Hadrian is such a joy! She is always loving me and making sure I am happy. And, she expects me to always love her and make sure she is happy, as well! : ) And, sometimes, that takes a lot. (ha) She is definitely one of a kind. But, she makes my days interesting. And, interesting days are a very positive thing when there aren't many positive things going on!

Having Hannah living at home and commuting to Georgia State is a real treat. She is always helpful, and she keeps me in line! She pushes me to keep moving forward even when I don't feel like it. And, I have my own personal laundress! I always put the clothes in the washing machine, and she always moves them along to the dryer and then folds or hangs them when they are dry! And, let me just add that when Hannah folds clothes, they are perfect! If there should ever be a contest for folding clothes, she would win first prize! She saves me from putting a load of clothes in the washer and leaving it sitting in there for days before ever thinking about it again. (I have done this ONLY a few times - ha) How wonderful is it to have help like this?! Hannah is a true blessing.

Even though Haley doesn't live at home, she never forgets about her mom. She is so great to call me every day to check up on things. She is always concerned and lets me know that she cares about me. I miss her very much, but it makes her absence so much easier when she makes the effort to connect! And, it makes me feel much better knowing that her boyfriend, Austin, takes good care of her while she is living in a town without her family. Austin's family has been great to take Haley right in! This eases my mind knowing she is surrounded by good people (and two good dogs - ha). Haley has carried me through this difficult year by allowing me to cry and talk things out with her. She is definitely the caretaker of the family which is a big burden to carry for a 23 year old. What an amazing child!

I have loved every precious moment spent with my mom, dad, sister, and her family! Nothing compares to the love I feel for my family! They are true examples of unconditional love, and I couldn't make it right now without them. I can't even begin to describe how much they have helped me get through the year. And, this past year, they gave and gave and gave so that my girls and I were taken care of. How could anything compare to having a supportive family?

Well, these are just a few of the amazing blessings I have in my life. There has been so much to be thankful for in the midst of the most difficult year of my life! I have many more blessings that I could share about, but these will have to wait!

Welcome 2010!!
Becky