Bragging!

I love and adore Lilly and Owen. They are really good kids and it shows. 

Lilly has had quite the 1st half of the school year. Academically she is performing very well. She loves math and science and enjoys sports. She has had the honor of being picked by students and teacher as part of the schools Fule Up To Play 360 leadership team and just won the schools citizenship award. Quite the big deal as she won several gift cards, prizes and a special lunch date with principal. 

Owen has made a significant leap in his education! He is doing so well and loves school. He asked us to read and spell everything! His teacher sent us an email expressing how proud she is of Owens progress and what a sweet heart he is. 

As a mom these are wonderful compliments to hear about your babies! Love my sweet babies! 

Do Not Mile High Salute In Our House!

28-51 BRONCOS! 

Who's Mommy

Every year the Hershey Kisses commercial comes on and and Gary and the kids say I'm the red one who can't stop singing. Okay I'm not sure why they would say this...  

Leadership Team

Lilly is pretty stellar! She is a great young lady who has a big heart. This last week she was elected by her teachers to the Fule Up To Play 60. It's a pretty big deal across the country sponsored by the NFL. Her teacher sent us an email telling Gary and I how proud he was Lilly was elected, he said she is the youngest student in her school to be elected to this  team. She started her meetings last week and is working on a dance off, walkathon, and healthy eating snack time. We are so excited and so proud of Lilly and pray she stays on this path!!

Playing Outside

Owen loves the snow so much! He really wants a snowboard. I think we may have to get him one. We have been watching some snowboarding online and he is enamored! This kid could play in the snow all day, good thing the temp went up to 7! 

You Know

You know you are married to a machinist when he has a huge piece of stainless steel to use as a rolling pin! 

Baking Day

We are in full Christmas Mode in the Haynes house! This is such a spiritual season. Praying great blessing over our family and friends! 

Baby It's Cold Outside!

My Bad Little Hallway

I have this place in my house that drives me crazy. It's this tiny entryway from our garage into our home. I have tried to make it more functional but nothing seems to work. 

I think I have finally come up with a way to make it better. I moved this old bookcase into my little hallway for backpacks, lunch boxes and underneath is a place for all the shoes. I also placed hooks for coats in the same space that leads to the basement. Hummmm I think I like it.... We shall see.. 

Tippy The Elf

We have had a little obedience problem in the Haynes house. I think the kids get a little over excited this time of year and forget themselves a bit. I am totally not talking a bad day or a few bad moments I am talking two sassy little attitudes and an utter lack of obedience. So I became fed up. Instead of yelling at them or taking away a privilege, last night Gary and I sent them to bed early and proceeded to listen to them throw a fit from their rooms. After a good few moments their little bodies and brains kicked in and the calmed down. They both apologized drew us pictures and went to bed. Because the kids need to learn a lesson I went to extremes and got out Tippy the Elf. Tippy is a little Christmas ornament that lives in the back of my closet and only comes out if our family forgets the true meaning of Christmas. Tippy wrote a sweet letter to the kids explaining the love God has for us and how Christmas has nothing to do with us but rather Jesus. Tippy explains that we must obey God and our parents. This time Tippy brought a nativity book and candy. I am anxious for the kids to wake up and find that Tippy came this year, he did not come at all last year.. 

Tonight also marks our biblical advent calander! This is probably one of my favorite traditions! For the next 25 days we will read special Christmas verses from the Bible every night during our family devotion! So excited for this time of year!! 

Happy Thanksgiving

My heart is so full today as we give thanks for all The Lord has provided. I am so thankful for my husband Gary who loves God and our family. I am blessed to be his wife and on this journey with him year after year. For our Lilly and Owen who make us laugh. I am blessed to be your mamma and so proud of the lady and gentleman you are becoming in Christ. I am thankful for my parents who unselfishly will do anything for Teddy and I. I am thankful for my baby brother Teddy and his beautiful wife Stephanie and Allie.I am truly blessed to know that this Thanksgiving you are not in a war zone and enjoying time with family and friends. I am thankful for my mother and father in law Lee and Karen for being apart of our family, and giving me a wonderful husband. I am thankful for laughing, fireworks and my friendship that has come from my sister in law Tammy, brother on law Chris and their beautiful girls Stephanie and Morgan.  I am thankful for best friends who have become family and memory making with Lance, Sarah and the girls. I am blessed and thankful for my friends on the Worship Team who faithfully lead our church in worship week after week. I am thankful for a beautiful church home and amazing Pastors and staff who biblically teach our family week after week. I am thankful for my best girlfriends, Kelly, Lanitha, Jen, Ruth, Tracy, Susan and Hulina. I'm thankful for our home and neighborhood, with wonderful neighbors and friends. And finally I am thankful to work for an honorable, sound local institution  who has let me grow and learn. 

There is not a day that goes by that we do not thank The Lord for His gifts and blessings. I pray all our family and friends have a blessed and joyful holiday season! 

Snow on the Windy Corners

On my way to work this morning the sun barley up. Sits my little house know as Windy Corners, covered with our first real snow of the season. I'm ready for summer, anyone else? :) 

A Lovely Night

I adore making memories with my family. We decided to bring out our Christmas decorations a week early. We just could not wait any longer.....Lilly and I could not wait any longer!  Last week we spent a few hours making decorations that I found on Pinterest. We love our homemade decorations. This evening was perfect complete with a special family movie and frozen hot chocolate. Blessings Everyone! 

Christmas In The Making!

Every year we make new ornaments for our tree and home. This year we went on a hike a few weeks ago and got a ton of pine cones! I found all kinds of ideas on Pinterest and we went to work! Gary was incredibly impressive with his creativity! I was in charge of the glitter....let's be fair I was hoarding it! 

Turkey!

Lilly and Owen so sweet together....At least for this moment. Owen had a little turkey project and his big sister helped! 

Opposites

Owen loves to do homework and Lilly's not a fan. They get it done every night with little to no complaining, and Gary and I are thankful for we know one day they may really grump over homework. Each night they are rewarded by having the chance to play on their class web pages. Each teacher at their school has a web page and Lilly and Owen love to play on the computer. We give them a half hour each and they play together. Lilly's reading has improved and we are working on spelling. Owen absorbs everything, he is sounding everything out and reading short sentences! 

Awards

The kids had an awards assembly at school the other day. Unfortunately I was not able to make it but Gary and my parents went and took pictures! Owen was very seriouse and was working hard to keep his bubble in his mouth and his hands behind his back. Lilly earned three awards in Science, Art and lunch with the principal. We love our little school! 

My Servants

My kids really have good hearts. Last weekend they decided to rake all the leaves from our yard and our neighbors. Our little neighbor was so happy she gave them both a huge bag full of candy, that I threw away.. :) What they had enough I promise! 

Miss Independent

Lilly is quite independent these days. She likes to do her own hair and pick out her own cloths. Fortunately for me she does a really good job. A rare occurrence happened this weekend when she asked for princess hair. I'm cherishing these moments, I know they are going to become less and less.  

Thank You

My parents drove out of their way to bring me coffee! My office was very thankful!