Markle the Elf

Of course everyone has heard of the Elf on the Shelf that is big around Christmastime.  I finally went to Hallmark to check it out myself. The Elf comes in a box with a hardbound book to read to your child. There is also a movie sold separately.  I purchased the book and elf after talking to a Hallmark associate about how it works. I purchased this before Thanksgiving to start it on the 1st of December.  The 1st finally came and I put the box under the tree and yelled for Lakyn to see what it was. (like it magically appeared) Lakyn was excited about it, we read the book and checked out her elf through the box..... because if you touch him, he loses his magic. :)  He also reports to Santa on how each child is doing.

The first thing we had to do was name our elf. They gave some names in the book but Lakyn said Stacey! She wants to name everything Stacey, lol. I looked at Shawn and he shrugged his shoulders and said, well she has a name.  So, we went back through the book and read some of the names they put in there and she came up with Markle, she liked that name. Markle the Elf at the Hadley's house! 

Day #1  Markle decided to play with the notepad and pen Lakyn had been playing with the night before. He was sitting on the couch where she left it. 

Day #2  Markle knows that going to the dentist is a big deal and having no cavaties is a good report! He borrowed Lakyn's toothbrush to brush his teeth. The evidence was left around his mouth and a mess on the sink too!

Day #3 Mamaw got Lakyn a Christmas tree for her room with new ornaments. Markle must have thought it was funny to knock over the tree and pull off some ornaments. Lakyn didn't think so at all. She was wondering if he was going to move so she could put the tree back up!!

Day #4 Lakyn woke up to our Christmas tree not only decorated with ornaments but with her socks and underwear too!!! She thought this was VERY funny.

Day #5 Woody, Rex and Mr. Potato head were teaching Markle to play Apples to Apples during the night! 

Day #6 Apparently Markle misses the snow in the North Pole! He decided that he would make some snow angels out of flour last night.

Day #7 Lakyn made a paper ring garland at daycare on Friday.... apparently Markle thought it looked more like a trapeez to him! 

Day #8 Lakyn really wants a new guitar for Christmas, so I guess Markle decided he would try his hand at becoming a Rock Star? 

Day #9 Markle must have gotten hungry in the middle of the night. He had some diet coke, BBQ chips, cookies and kettle corn!

 

Our life is softballl!

Every year I can't wait for softball season to start!!! Even though we pretty much play all year round, there's nothing better than the sun, heat and dirt to jump start the game. We start in March and April and go heavy, even when Spring and Summer haven't even started yet. Our first tournament was COLD. But we have played in some that have been extremely hot too. Now, here we are in July, and it's almost over. It's hard to believe we will be having our next year tryouts in August.

We have an awesome little team of 12 and under girls. The all bring something special to the team, contribute in some way. It's awesome to see the friendships that have formed in many of them. Our Terror team isn't a very big team, we face some bigger girls all the time...but we are fast and can put the ball in play.  Sometimes that's all we need to win!

This year has had its ups and downs with different games and ideas, but I still think we have a wonderful team. We have won some and lost some. It's part of the game and part of playing as a team. I enjoy watching these girls come together on the field, when it matters the most.

Posted 12/10/2012   Written July 2009

Married a decade!

September 22, 2001

I remember my wedding day so vividly.... a beautiful warm, sunny day in September, Fall, my favorite time of the year!  We got engaged after 5 years together and planned the wedding in about 6 months. I had a lot of help from my mom, sister and mother in law. I loved planning what I wanted. I wasn't real picky on too much, I wanted to save money and not have it cost a fortune and I felt it was reasonably priced.

 I remember that getting my grandmother from Florida 10 days after 9/11 was so hard. My parents had to drive down and get her and bring her up here for the wedding. She was here and I was so glad for that. I think at the time she was probably close to 90 and such an important part of my life.  I don't remember much about the morning other than getting my nails done and heading to the church to have my hair done. I've not really ever been a nervous person, and I don't recall being nervous this time either.  Most brides are so scared and hoping things go right, I didn't have those worries. The girls I chose to stand up with me are still with me now. My sister, childhood best friend Jaime Speth and a more recent best friend, Lacey Snow. I also had all of their daughters who were about the same age as junior bridesmaids.  I had a good friend of mine, Mike Sherrill, sing a duet with my sister as well as a childhood church friend play the piano. There isn't anything I remember wanting to change, other than Shawn's dad and step-mom being there along with his little sister Julie. Julie was in Kentucky at the time and I had gotten a call early that morning that she had just delivered her first child, Christian Brant. We will always have a special bond with him now, sharing such a special day!

Shawn and I already had Briley, she was 2 1/2 years old.  She looked like a little princess when she was all dressed up. Everything was perfect, my mom helped with every aspect of the wedding.  She was a godsend.... and still is. My step-dad walked me down the aisle to my dad, both very special to me. I remember a young Shawn waiting on me, but for the life of me I can't remember his expression. I always wanted to see what it was. I may need to go back and watch the video again and see what it was.  Anyone that knows me, knows I do not wear dresses, ever. So, this would have been a rare occasion. At every wedding, something happens that makes it special and unique to your day. I remember our pastor, Mary VanWinkle forgetting to let everyone sit down after I came down the aisle.

I watch the bride and groom now stand while a song is played, looking at each other and always wonder what they are thinking or saying to each other. I remember Shawn and I were kind of whispering, but not sure now what about. Every person that showed up made it very special, they were the ones meant to be there. We had a beautiful carriage ride from 4th and Hulman to the Shrine on 7th Street, Larry Sample took us, and it was awesome.

Our reception was the most fun, we closed it down too. Didn't leave until the last person left. Everyone had a blast! We didn't get to go on a honeymoon at all.... at the time we couldn't afford it. Shawn's dad got us a hotel room for the night and about 2 years later we went to Costa Rica and considered that our honeymoon. It was for Shawn's work but it was time alone together.

There have been so many things that have crossed our paths as a couple. It's hard to manage a relationship.  Not only do you have to worry about work, house, kids, bills, family but you have to worry about a healthy relationship between two people. It's hard to make time for each other and once you do, sometimes it's even hard to communicate.  Especially if you have children that you are constantly involved with.  Marriages are 100% on both ends. Sometimes the giving isn't going at the same times, but somewhere, somehow, you have to meet in the middle. On more than one occasion Shawn and I have had to do this. We've had our struggles and had to overcome some obstacles and they weren't always easy.  I have realized that sometimes it's hard to communicate exactly what we want or feel we need out of a relationship, but it has to be done! Marrying someone means you have committed to spending your life with that person...... and sometimes you have to bend one way or another to make things work.  There are always times when divorce is the best thing, but if two people can make it work, I believe that they should. The kids of this day and age need to see that marriage does work, it does still exist and there are people willing to make it happen for a lifetime. I fear kids won't know how to communicate when in a relationship with the ease of having a cell phone that allows texting. It's so easy to text someone, rather than talk in person.

I haven't always done things the right way or the best way in our marriage, but I have tried with all of my heart. I've made mistakes, some big ones but I have put those aside and worked from the bottom up again to try and rebuild. There have been setbacks but one foot in front of the other has gotten me to 10 years married to the person that I have committed to.

I can't imagine there being anyone else in my life.  No one else knows me on a daily basis than Shawn. He takes my mood swings and rolls with them, knows when to just sit back and let things go or let me vent.  I'm not sure anyone else could put up with me, or maybe they could.... but I'm not willing to find out. It's easy to get comfortable, but sometimes you gotta shake that up!

I am thankful God place Shawn in my life, even after 10 years of marriage. I still look forward to 10+ more years of marriage to this man I have loved with all of my heart through the ups and downs.

Posted 12/10/2012   Written 9/22/2011

2012

I can't believe that we're into December of 2012 with the year almost closing! I haven't even posted in this blog this year. It must be my New Year's resolution to do so next year. :)

This year has been a good year for us. Lots of softball to keep us busy and a new church to attend as well. Our family has stayed healthy for the majority of this year with the exception of me having carpal tunnel surgery and some issues with other limbs on my body. I think once I hit 35 it all went downhill!!!! I don't look forward to getting older at all.

Christmas is upon us and now I'm rushing to get all of my girls gifts purchased. I love this time of year though, I really do. It's so magical and to think it's all because of Christ birth! I'll write more later.

It happens once a year......

There's one day a year that comes...... one day that takes us all back 7 years ago. Each year, I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, the feeling, the emotions, everything that overtook me.  It was before 6 on a Monday night and we get a phone call from Shawn's mom to come over ASAP. We were just leaving the house to take Briley to a Math night at school. When Shawn came back out to the truck after he went in, he was weak in the knees and sobbing, in shock, I had never seen him this way before. He said Tina was gone....................................................................................
In my mind, I couldn't put together what he was saying, I couldn't understand, how, what? why? where? What do you mean gone? My husband was breaking down before me, I have never known him to be so emotional, never cry... and now he could barely hold himself up.  I drove Briley to my mom's house to drop her off and head back to my mother-in-laws house. When I walked into the house, my mother-in-law grabbed me and sobbed.  The house was somber as no life was left in it. People started filtering in one by one, each one of us shocked, saddened, scared and crying.

The next few days were a blur.  I kept thinking about how she could be gone, I kept pondering the natural questions, what if, why, how would I act, what about her babies?  Her babies...... she has 4 beautiful children, Sebrina, Nathan, Shawna and Jacob. How could they go on without their mother, who would be the first one to help the girls with her first dance or boyfriend? Who would help the boys with their first crushes? How was Julie, the baby, the one who looked to Tina for everything going to handle this?  All of these were thoughts that went through my head in the few days after her passing.  I cried at the thought of my husband losing his sister, the one that he helped raise, I cried at the thought of a mother who had to lose her daugther way too early, I cried at the father who lost his daughter, the one he was closest to. I tried to be the strong one for my husband who was breaking down before me, who had to leave work after he went back because that's all his thoughts consumed.  I tried to be strong for my then 1st grader, who didn't understand why her aunt was gone and watched all of these adults over the past days on an emotional roller coaster. It was tough.  This time of year is tough, every year.

Tina was full of laughter, she always liked to joke and laugh.  However, get her to smile for a picture, yeah right!! She was a good mother to her kids, the best she knew how to be. Tina would always laugh with Briley, grab her, tease her and hug her. A phone call to her big brother on occasion to ask questions, get his opinion or thoughts on things. She always called to tell us things the kids were doing or had done. At holidays, she was the person that was always joking, the one that is now the missing link.

I remember the first time that Shawn had a ring in layaway for me.  We had gone to her house for a get together and she came over and hugged me and told me she wouldn't want anyone else in the family.  Tina said, "Welcome to the family, sis." I cry as I type that. That meant so much to me. 

Everyone has their own memories of Tina, but these are just a few of mine. She had the most beautiful eyes and cutest dimples. We both were pregnant at the same time with Briley and Shawna. Shawna was born 1 month exactly after Briley. I hope they can grow up and feel the connection the two of them have. When I think about it now, Julie and I were pregnant with Lakyn and Chase at the same time too..... how odd.

With something so horrible happening to so many of us at the same time, some good came out of it too. Shawn got closer with his dad, whom he didn't have much of a relationship with before. I became closer to Julie, whom I wasn't close with until after Tina passed. Our family leaned on each other for support, we all came together to grieve and love each other. Mostly, I realized that time and loved ones are taken for granted.

Tina, we miss you everyday. Briley brings you up now and misses you too. I hope you can see Lakyn and how wonderful she is. You left us way too early, too soon, you had so much life left in you.  You will forever be in our hearts, close to our thoughts. This morning, you consumed my thoughts on my way to work. I thought about you and how you always brightened up a room when you walked into it. You are and forever will be in our hearts, I look at your picture on the fridge and remember how beautiful you were.  I look forward until our meeting again someday, where you have no more pain or sorrow, big blue eyes shining and you can say "Welcome home sis."

But, for now, I will treasure your brother, our family and the beautiful children you brought into this world. I will also look at that lily that sits in my kitchen, as a reminder of you and your beautiful personality.... the one that decided a few days ago to have one bloom after it hadn't been watered for quite awhile.  That's my reminder that you're VERY close to us. I will find some solace in these thoughts that I'm left with.  I love you very much and miss you too.  Protect not only your babies, but watch over all of ours as well, be their guardian angel. XOXO

Killed in the line of Duty

A friend of mine and I were talking earlier about how horrible it must have been to wake the first day without your best friend by your side. We never understand why things happen to good people, but there's always a reason. Officer Brent Long was killed in the line of duty on Monday July 10th.  Our community has come together just about how we all did when Dale Griffin was killed in Iraq. It's so heart-warming to know that so many people feel such a sadness for those hero's that are close to home.

I have sat the past two days in shock.  Brent grew up in my neighborhood with the rest of us Prairie Parkers...we all ran the neighborhood together! I wasn't as close to Brent in our adult years, but it didn't make the pain any less. I feel such a deep dark sadness inside that I can't shake. It's to the core. I think of his wife, how she will have to raise two babies on her own now and explain how much of a hero their daddy was. Two babies left at home never to watch daddy walk through the front door again. It breaks my heart in two. He had a police & fire family too. If it's anything like my softball family, they are the ones you count on, sometimes more than your real family. I can't imagine my life without Shawn. For him to never walk through the door again, wow, what a horrible thought. I can't imagine what Danielle is feeling right now, or isn't feeling.

The channel 10 news has done a wonderful job covering the story and all of the details, however, I can't stand to even watch it anymore. It's redundant and just makes me want to sit and cry. It's apparent that Shaun Seeley knew that he wasn't going to be coming out of the situation in a good way, so he decided to take the life of someone else. HOW? How do you shoot someone? Maybe he knew that if he fired, the cop would fire and his goal was to be killed. So many different thoughts on the whole thing, I'll leave that to others I guess because, my head can't hold anymore random thinking.

At this point, all I know is that I am very sad deep down inside and pray for this family. As a mother, I can't imagine what Cheyrl is feeling losing her son. I pray for that entire family.  As well as Shadow, his faithful canine partner, who will morn his best friend once he recovers. 

If you're reading this, please say a prayer for the family. Harder days are yet to come. RIP Brent! You will be missed by many.

Mother's Day

I'm just a little late in posting about Mother's Day, but wanted to anyway. I know so many people that do not get along with their mothers or don't talk to them. It amazes me!

Everyone has a mother, whether it be your biological mother, adopted mother, step-mother or someone that has stepped in as a mother in your life.  I'm going to tell you about MY mom, she is one of a kind... she's always been strong and independent. She's the one that I call for everything or nothing. At the drop of a hat, she's there to do whatever needs to be done to help me or my family. Even as an adult, I lean heavily upon my mom for so many different things.  No one else can fill that spot and I surely can't count on anyone else. She's been a wonderful example of how a loving mother should be. I only hope that I am the same to my girls, throughout their lives. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't talk to her at some point about something. When she's away on vacation, I'm ready for her to be home. 

I have friends that have recently lost their mothers...... I can't imagine the hurt that comes from losing your mom.  That one person that understands and just knows.  The one that will stand by you even when you aren't making the right decisions or choices... the one most like God, that loves unconditionally.  My heart hurts for those friends. I don't know how they deal with it. I know that no one lives forever, but I sure hope my mom lives as for a very long time.  She's very precious to me and my family. I think she almost enjoys being a grandmother more than being a mom! Ha! She loves her grand kids and stands up for them against everyone and everything. It doesn't matter what it is about. She will always defend them.  

My momma is very supportive, but don't misunderstand, she will also tell you when you're in the wrong...when she doesn't approve. Her love for us runs so deep she only wants what is best for us and for us to make the best decisions. I often go to her for advice, and sometimes she doesn't have any to offer. But just knowing that I could pick up the phone and have her on the other end listening and understanding is enough. It's sufficient. 


Going to her house even to this day is still HOME to me and feels that way. I wonder if everyone feels that way after they have left home? I know I do and I know that my girls feel that way too. 


My momma is very special, one of a kind. She's a mom to not only me and my sister, but my brothers too.  Many of my friends have adopted her as their mom as well... and she has adopted them.  She thinks she's the one that is blessed with us, but she has no idea how blessed we are to have HER.  We're the ones that were blessed to have someone in our lives to share everything with. 

I love my mom with all my heart.  She's my very best friend, the one I turn to for everything.  Without her, I would truly be lost. <3