The Harughty's

2012:Pray Specifically, BE STILL, Scatter JOY!

2012-01-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this! I know I am kind of dancing around and haven't blogged in a while, but I promise I will. I need to post Hank's birthday party first (it was FABULOUS), then Christmas "Baby Jesus" birthday, it was even more FABULOUS! But... I didn't want to miss sharing this precious work of art.

I am praying to make better decisions about my health, and my families health this 2012. I have decided for my New Years Resolution to cut out all soda and fast food. On the go is the way of life I am accustomed to, and more frequently than not, we drive through because we are just so busy. But, I have really felt convicted about making better choices not only for my momma body, but for my families' as well. I am choosing to lead by example and set the bar for the rest of my boys to follow.

I hope Hank starts asking to drink "Momma's Water" not "Momma Coke".

Happy New Year!

(Hank and Taylor Mae)

A Little Taste of Walt Disney

2011-11-11T12:04:00.001-08:00

Well, the past 4 weeks has been pretty poor for the ole' Harughty clan. I got the first stomach bug, Hank got the next 2, Derric got the 4th one, and Hank got the last one.... So we thought we were on the clear, so excited to jump back into small group, Hank was missing out on MDO and momma hadn't worked hardly at all, until we got the dreaful fever Hank spiked during out Christmas photo shoot Wednesday night. We went back to the doctor and he now has what they think.... is RSV! Oh my, my, my! So, Cars 2 was on the news that they were going to be in town for a couple of hours and it was outdoors! So, I asked Hank's doctor if I could take him. He said as long as it wasn't touching other kids, or playing on toys others would touch he was able to go. I was so excited he was actually going to do something fun! So we went and saw them, got a big bag full of Cars goodies it was great! Since we can't exactly afford Disney just yet, this will have to do!

This was Mack! Lightning, Mater, and Finn McMissile were stationed in here until the event started. The online time was wrong so we were there way too early. It wasn't bad because we had a bite to eat, walked around the park, chased bubbles, and even got to chase a few new friends, but we did not touch a thing, we will have to come back another time when he can play on the playground.

The playground, we will play on next time!

Stretching our legs!

Hank watching the other kids run around.

And for the finale......
CARS 2

CA-CHOW!! Lightning McQueen

Finn McMissile

Mr. Tow-Mater himself...

We had to wait in about an hour line to get close enough to have our picture taken with the CARS.

This event was put on by State Farm so here are the pictures I got off their website of me and Hank.

This was so cool, I wish we had a Disneyworld closer to us. Hanks just loved it, so glad we went.

Zoo Boo and Two!

2011-11-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

On Taylor's 2nd Birthday we were invited to go with the Machann girls to Zoo Boo!

The kids had so much finding the animals and making all the sounds, we had a great lunch in a cafe, right outside an outside giraffe habitat. It was a great day.

Katlyn, Hank, and Taylor

Precious Elephants

Picking their special pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch

It's a hat for Taylor!

Not two silly boy, just one.

Everytime we heard life light Hank was excited to see the helicopter.

The Zoo Train

Hank's very favorite part was riding the choo choo train.

He didn't talk much just soaking up every single second.

We will ALWAYS remember the sick children at the hospital when we visit the Zoo and pray for them while we are there. Every time I hear the life light I pray silently for the family who has just been notified that their child is needing transportation. I get a knot in my throat every time I think of the time we were told in the hospital that Hank was going to be transported and it sends chills up by spine.
What a wonderful way to spend a fun day at the zoo, but not forget how we got to this point, and the overflowing blessings we were given. What an amazing place we live in to be so close to such talented doctors and nurses. Praise be to God most high!

We ended Taylor's birthday with a trip to Build-A-Bear with a few friends and dinner at Red Robin...YUMMMMMM! Also, Colten joined us and then came over for the evening, he was so excited to play with Hank's toys it was really cute, we love him so very much. It was an all around great day.

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

Hank decided to get a Longhorn, Derric likes to call it a BULL and Hank named it Moo!

Colten was set on getting a DQ Blizzard Bear, I tried to sway him but he was not budging, haha!

Colten showed him the ropes on his bear he named "cheet-o" he gave him a bath and got him all ready for purchasing, it was so much fun to see the kiddos so excited about animals.

SUPER FUN DAY!

Two of a Kind

2011-10-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hank and Hayes are growing up so fast, it's crazy! They absolutely adore each other and constantly ask for one another. It's such a sweet relationship, we are truly blessed to have them so close in age. I can't wait to see them grow up together over the years. They are too cute!

This was the boys being silly while we went shopping for Derric a suit. We had a wedding to go to and Derric has been needing a new suit for quite some time, he look so good in it. Here a picture of the handsome man with his bride, oh that's me!

Having fun with the photo booth!

Me and my bestie Gabi!

Cutest Pumpkin I Know

2011-10-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hank and I went to the P-6 Farms Corn Maize and pumpkin patch with a group of friends a few weeks ago. We had a great time playing in the pumpkin patch, going on a hayride with a BIG TRACTOR, and then attempting to get through the humongous maize. Here are a few great pictures my sweet friend Loretta caught of Hank, hope you enjoy our trip half as much as we did.

Me and Hank in the Pumpkin Patch

Hank and Tay-Tee (Taylor Mae)

Hank has had not one but 2 stomach bugs in the past 2 weeks. I actually got it on Sunday night was sick as a dog for the entire day, had to go to the doctor, Derric had to stay home and take care of Hank, then low and behold he really had to start taking care of Hank when he got sick at 4 o'clock that afternoon. I was given some great drugs and felt like a different person by Tuesday. Hank started to feel better on Tuesday and returned back to school Thursday to come down with it again by Saturday! UGH!!!

This is day #5 of the second bug, and he is much better today. So, needless to say, our pumpkin carving this year is pretty easy, so easy a toddler could do it. But it is AMAZING because of course it is Mr. Mrs. Potato Head and he she is from Toy Story which makes her sooo cool to Hank. I thought this was pretty cute, so we picked this up at Walmart to have a little fall fun today since we had to miss our Wednesday Toddler story time at the library wiht our friends.

Hank excited about her "errrs".

"Hank errs Momma"

She is pretty cute with her broom and cauldron.

Happy Halloween!!!

Story Time!!!!

2011-09-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

We I am obsessed with going to the Wednesday Story time at our local library. Hank crawled up into the librarians lap the very first day, and the second, but the third day I bribed him with Smarties! I mean he is currently an only child and we don't typically read to him across the room, he is normally in our laps so I guess he thought he needed to assume the position yep, right there in the lap of a total stranger, I can't imagine where he got his confidence from?? It is so cute to listen to the stories, sing the songs, and sit on carpet squares. My personal favorite time is when they do the felt board, the pictures are so vivid, and I heart the craft at the end. The first day it was a pirate and one of the legs was made out of a popsicle stick, too cute for words.

We started checking out books the second time we went and he loved reading over the week we had them. I made a little library books bucket so we don't mix them up with our books from home, and he can tote them to and fro with ease, and it's pretty cute I may add.....

Here are a few pictures from our different outings....

The Librarians start off with 2 stories,

Then some silly songs, and a felt board story, ending with one last time.

The last activity is coloring! This cute little pirate has a wooden popsicle stick, PRESH!!

Hank loves to play puzzles...

and look out the window at the pond, he likes to look for "tish" (fish).

Hank started putting his arm around Taylor today at story time, where do kids come up with this stuff, it is too funny! They grow so quickly it is amazing. Here are a few pictures from our Story Time outings. Now the newest thing is going to McDonalds play area after the library to eat and play with our friends. Hank climbed today to the top of the slide from the wrong direction and wouldn't come down because he was having way too much fun, so yes.... I had to climb all the way up through all the twisiting tunnels to find him, he thought that was hilarious! I bet everyone else watching also thought that, thanks Hank!

I love to type like mommy.

Hank and Taylor!

Color Time!

Can't believe he did this.... hahaha!

So much FUN!

Family Pictures on the Beach

2011-09-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Of course you can't leave the beach without the family pictures..... So we planned ahead with outfits and camped out on the beach for about an hour to make some family pictures with Lee and Jenn, the only thing that is missing is a picture of the 6 of us....

Silly boys!

My 2 sweetest boys!

This was a wonderful trip, I can't wait for many more to come!

Day 3 at the Beach!

2011-09-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

By the third day, these boys were a little tired. A little sleep deprived, and poor Hayes had been sick, it was just getting to be alot for a baby to handle. But, they still had fun! The last day we took pictures after nap of course with their new clothes on.

Day 2 at the Beach!

2011-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hank was sooo into Hayes at the beach, Hayes isn't into all the cuddling like Hank, he needs his space. So, this is a perfect way to see how much Hank loves to hug, and how much Hayes, hates it! Haha. The boys did great on day 2, we went out early, and came in early then it rained....

That night we went to eat at a Restraunt called Lambert's. It was a cute place, they had a very long wait but it was fun and worth it. They had a big wooden train set the boys played on while we waited. The portions were HUGE, and the pass arounds were so good, we all needed

to be wheel burrowed out of there.

Day 3 to come....

Toes in the Water, Butt in the SAND!

2011-09-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is actually when we first got to the beach, this should have been my first post, oops! Literally as soon as those sweet toes hit the sand it was like FREEDOM! No more car ride, just toys, boys, and water to play in. These cute kids clung to Hank and Hayes as if they were dolls, and the boys just let them put them in a sand pit they dug for them and everything.... Ok, they didn't love the sand pit but they loved the big kids wanting to play with them. Hank got soaking wet within 10 seconds of being down there, he would fall every five steps and keep on going!

Day 2 to come!

Day 1 at The Beach

2011-09-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

This July we decided to take a very last minute vacation with Derric's brother Lee and his family. We thought this would be a great annual vacation to take for our sweet cousins Hank and Hayes to enjoy for years to come. The first day on the beach was a blast. They immediately met lots of littel friends who wanted to play with them. We came down right after breakfast, took a lunch break and nap then tried to return as quickly as possible. The boys loved the sand and waves!

Harughty Boys

This is a picture of the boys making sand molds with Lightning McQueen and Mater!

First Day of MDO FAll 2011

2011-09-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hank's first day of Mother's Day Out was so exciting. He was so happy to run and play with his friends again after a long summer of just him and Ms. Joann. He loves his Abby, and Logan,those are his little buddies along with all the other kids that come and play on Mondays! I tried to take a few pictures of Hank before he went to school that day. We also took a sweet treat to his two teachers and they loved them!

On the first day of school Hank made a precious apple out of red tissue paper and a cute green worm. The following week they were studying Jesus as a kid and they had "carpentry class" where he was able to sand, and smooth a little wooden puppy dog then paint it. It was really cute. I need to post pictures of his crafts soon. Sorry I haven't posted in so long, my laptop had a cracked LCD screen but now we are back in business.

Lovin' the Water...

2011-08-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a recap of all of our summer fun in the water. Hank took swim lessons for the entire month of June. He was really good. He did not like being told what to do, because I think he really believes he already know how to swim. If he could just learn to hold his breath I would let him go. He is amazing in the water, he kicks his legs, blows bubbles, and does his arms over under just like he is suppossed to. I think the swim lessons were perfect. He learned to monkey walk along the pool, how to push up out of the pool, how to count to 3 and jump in the pool while making contact with someone in the pool to catch him. He is really close to swimming! We lived in water all summer.

We also did SPLASH DAYS at church with my new job as Preschool Assistant Director, I tried to play mommy and worker, tought job with a very active toddler running around.

We got invited to go on the boat with our sweet friends The Panter's one day....

Jumping off to Daddy in the water.

Jumping off the boat with Mommy!

Jordan and Hank telling Robert where to park the boat.

Captain Hank!

18 Things to Love about Hank

2011-07-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Even though he is 19 months old now, I wanted to do this post. I made this collage for Derric for Father's Day it turned out pretty cute! When I went to Hank's 18 month appointment they didn't give me his stats, so I called and asked them to mail them to me. I have kept everyone of them since he was born in his baby book. He is at the most fun stage right now. He is singing, and talking 2 and 3 word sentences. He is so smart. So here goes 18 things I love about Hank!

1. I love how he will climb up with me on the couch and want to share the same pillow with me, our heads touching!

2. I love how he gives me kisses for no reason.

3. I love how he loves to dance to music and literally try to break dance on the ground.

4. I love how he is mastering all of his barnyard animal noises (except the horse he still says moo)!

5. I love how he smiles at me when I pick him up from MDO and runs to me with his arms wide open.

6. I love the way he claps at candles and says happy birthday!

7. I love the way he likes to sit in his big boy chair and watch all his Disney favorites.

8. I love the way he turns everything into a car, spoon, food, cup, paper.... whatever!

9. I love the way he looks up at me when I am reading him a story, basically saying I love you with his expression.

10. I love the way he is crazy about his cousin "HAYYYYYES".

11. I love the way he sleeps at night.... in his big boy bed!

12. I love the way he pulls my hand when he wants me to get something for him.

13. I love the way he says hi, morning, and bye, to strangers at walmart turning our 5 minute trip into thirty, by stopping every blue haired lady in the store to pinch his cheeks.

14. I love the way he loves his daddy, and wants to be like him already!

15. I love the way he knows everyone in the family by name (even if my mom cheats and has him call her Donna). Gramms is way too hard to say.

16. I love the sweet relationship he has with all the men in our family.

17. I love the way he gets so excited and waves his hands in the air 100 miles a minute.

18. I love the way he says "I love you mama".

18 month Stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 14 oz. (17%)

Height: 31in. (7%)

Head Circumference: 48 (66%)

This boy has got a big ole' brain in that head!

Not Quite 30!

2011-07-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

My 29th birthday was on July 6th, so we kept it pretty small this year and went to my favorite resturant in town Wild Ginger Japanese Steak House. With the big 3-0 in my future I figured it might be best to keep this years birthday short and sweet. It was a wonderful time, although I had to try 3 times to catch the rice in my mouth and I always catch the rice. Made me sad..... at least I finally caught one. Hank has a love hate relationship with the Habachi Grill. He hates the big flame, but he loves it when the chef plays the drums with the spatulas. It was really sweet, and the cupcakes were very yummy.

Thank goodness there were only 2 candles!

Pink Cupcake Smooch!

Hank and Uncle "Maa" (Matt)

This was the third time when I actually caught it!

My sweet family

The Harughty Boys: Hank, Derric, Lee, Hayes, and Matt Jack

My sister Stevi, Neice Reid, brother in law Richard, and Me

My dad, Me, Mom, Hank and Derric

We were leaving for church camp on Friday so we had a lot to get ready for over the next couple of days. Derric was going to be a counselor to the 3rd grade boys, and I was just there to float around and help with the prep for each event and behavior issues. We were so excited to be asked to go, it had been years since Derric and I went to church camp, it was alot of fun. Hank went and stayed with his Noni for a couple of nights then went to my parents for one night. They all had a blast and Hank got to go to the circus!

Hank got a really neat motorcycle toy, that was his favorite part... shocker a motor that goes vrrrrroom!

He also got cotton candy which he didn't care for and it came in this top hat, too cute!

There was one in the bed, and the little one said......

2011-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Last night we decided to change Hank's bed from a crib to a toddler bed. This went better than expected. He has a very low bed so he never attempted to crawl out, because I think it is near impossible but I thought it would be good to transition now.

So he helped daddy take it all apart, bring him plush saws and bolts on his own mind you, without any queing.... then we made a big deal about the bed! We tucked him in and he got up and ran to the door for about a minute, then crawled right back up into his big boy bed without a peep and fell asleep within 15 minutes. Derric and I were glued to the baby monitor talking about his every move, It was really sweet. So proud of our BIG BOY!

Night #1

Morning after the first night in big boy bed!

Night #2

So I night two we kind of cheated.... Well, Hank fell asleep on our way home so he was pretty sleepy when we put him in the bed. He literally didn't budge. Found him laying just like this under the covers this morning. When he wakes up he grabs his "night-night" (blanket) and comes to our room to get "juice" (milk), haha! He is talking so great even putting two words together. Earlier this week he started telling the fish aqaurium in his bed "bye fish" when I would come pick him up out of his crib. Too funny, he also likes to tell Bee-bye (Levi our dog) when we leave "Bye Bee-Bye". He is hilarious.

A new thing he is starting to do is say is "no" with a shake of the head, not in an ugly tone just very honest like -no thanks, when you are asking him if he wants something or to go somewhere. Too cute, even if it isn't the nicest thing to say..... he get's his bluntness pretty honestly over here! This is a wonderful age, I love him to pieces!

Our Lil' Veggie Garden

2011-06-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

In April, Derric was given 2 tomato plants and a jalapeno plant for his birthday from my parents. This was so much fun to watch grow I decided I wanted a full out garden! So.... for Mother's Day we spent hours getting the area all ready to plant some veggies! It has been pure joy to watch each and everyday. Like Christmas every morning I walk outside as soon as my eyes open to see if anything grew over night, when I come home in the afternoons it is also the first thing I do when I walk in the door.

Here are some pictures of the whole thing!! Okay so here is how it started........ these are Derric's plants

(2Tomato and 1 Jalapeno)!

Our first picking....

This was my mother's day gift from Derric and Hank!

We spent the next day getting our garden ready!

Most we started by seed, those have really done the best.

Is has been a blast so far.... We are getting lots of tomatoes but our squash, cucmbers, and lettuce are also doing awesome!!

Here are all the veggies we have: Garlic, Chives, Lettuce, Cucumber, Cilantro, Sqaush, Asparagus, Red Bell Peppers, Watertmelon, Onions, Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Basil, Parsley, Oregano, and Thyme! Is that cool or what??? Here was our first sprout from the little green house we started some of the seeds in.

A few days in the little covered greenhouse and it looked like this ready to plant into the ground.

Then a few days later it looked like this, what you can see to the left is cuccumbers, and sqaush!

Hank likes to do a little abbra-cadabra on the plants to help them GROW!

We added herbs in the planters above.

A few days later we had gathered enough tomatoes and basil to make this yummy pizza!

It's now one of our favorite dishes.

Here is a few pictures of Hank just because I can't help but show off my handsome little guy!

The End!

Splish Splashin' Around

2011-05-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

We are loving the water these days! Boy it is so nice to have off two days a week where we can get some sun with friends, and play! Here are a few pictures of our fun times so far!

Wing Party with Hailey

Splash pad with Hayes

At the pool with Abby, Abigail, and Jordan!

Hanging out at Aunt Stevi's with Mommy!

I can see one white little hiney coming soon!

Happy Easter

2011-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

We had Dee Howell photograph Hank for his Easter picture this time since he is such a wiggle worm! He loves to explore and HATES restriction especially with a smile on his face, NOT gonna happen at this stage of his life he is just TOO BUSY. Dee got a couple of good shots of Hank. Just wanted to share our Easter card, and the other pose we chose.

He has risen, He has risen, indeed!

Here comes Peter Cottontail.....

2011-04-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

Enough said!

A lil' family love

2011-04-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

We tried to take this by ourselves with the help of our trusty tripod.... well, its good minus the random guy and cars along the road, haha! We are gonna try again later in the week, hopefully the bluebonnets will still be out!

Sweet Spring Pictures

2011-04-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hank is NOT the most photogentic child at this stage with photographers, he DOES NOT want to be told to sit down and smile, he has the whole WORLD to explore!!!! So today wasn't the best day ever for grabbing some pics with one of our favorite photographers Dee Howell, while we had him looking so cute, we wanted to go ahead and grab a few our selves, we will definetly share the sweet pics she took.

Junkin' Love

2011-04-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Meghan and I have been BIG junk fans for a few years now, she is definetly my sidekick at Roundtop! She follows the Junk Gypsy's just like I do, and we keep each other up to speed on all the things we see different that we like, especially if we feel like we can make it!

Here are some pictures of our favorite things at Roundtop!

We didn't eat one, but they looked SOOOOOO good.

This was one of my favorite things, that I would love to make!

Seemed so easy, they sell these legs all over the place there...

I found these antique blocks and made a word.

Another project Meghan and I thought we could pull off from Michaels.

Love this

I went to Roundtop on a mission to have something like this made, I found a lady who painted and told her what I wanted the chair to say, she happened to even have a little chair and she did all of this for 45 dollars! What a steal, she was wonderful to work with, This is going to be perfect as our Harughty timout chair.

Love the final product.....

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

2011-04-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hank has decided that he has a favorite book. It is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, for my baby shower everyone brought their favorite childhood book and this is sooooo neat! Every night when we read Hank a story we always see who's favorite was what. It is a special time normally for Hank and Derric, since I see him more during the day, Derric likes to read him stories and put him down. Well, this week for some reason I did because Derric was doing something else, and I had NO idea how much he liked this book. He sat in my lap on the floor flipped every page himself and when it was over handed it back to me to read again, and again, and again. We literally read it 5 times, good thing it is a short book, haha! He loves the last page where it shows on the that Brown Bear sees. So here are a few pictures of Hank right before bed time in BROWN BEAR pj's we just happened to have so I thought it would be cute to post!

Ok, this is not allowed, but you have to admit it is kind of cute, after I took the picture I said "No, No"!

Dear Hank

2011-03-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Hank-

You make my heart overflow with joy. I am absolutely crazy about you. I pray that you will stay as sweet to me when you grow older as you are now. You are such a wonderful child, and you love me and your daddy so much. I keep thinking you are the cutest kid I have ever seen and then you wake up even cuter the next day. I am so excited for you to start Mother's Day Out at church next week, you are going to make so many new friends to play with. I pray that you stay healthy while you are in MDO, and that you have so much fun, while mommy works. Thank you for all the great memories you have given me, they are cherished deep down in my heart!

I LOVE YOU-

Mommy

One Ish, Two Ish, Red Ish, Blue Ish

2011-03-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

We really didn't catch any red fish or blue fish, that is just taken from Cat in the Hat which Hank loves. But, we did catch 7 fish total. We took Hank for the first time to our favorite little fishing spot in Del Lago to catch some fish. Me and Derric always have a competition, and guess who won...... I did. I caught 4 Derric caught 3, although he does have a disadvantage because he has to stop fishing to take my caught fish off the hook, I am too chicken.

Hank loved being outside we kept him in the jogger most of the time for safety, but we got him out for a bit. We did all of this fishing in a little over an hour.

Hank even touched one of the fish we were really surprised.

We are working of the word fish, he says "ISH", it's soooo cute!

Derric would always tell me what kind of fish we were catching, he said this time we caught

Perch, Bass, and Crappie. We didn't keep any this time, they were kind of small.

Derric showing Hank the fish, I don't like to hold them.

We had a wonderful time and plan to fo back soon!

Just like My Daddy

2011-03-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

I remember babysitting a little boy a few years ago he wanted to be just like his daddy, and I wanted that so bad for Hank. Well, I think we are off to a good start. It is so cute to see Hank want to do all the same things that Derric does. I pray that he will learn to love Jesus as much as his daddy too!

What a proud mommy!

Mowing the grass at dusk!

I think he has gotten all the grass on the driveway.

It didn't take long for him to long to want to carry daddy's bats too!

Grandaddy bought him his first bat and ball for Christmas, it was really pink which I thought was soooo cute because Hank's 76 year old great grandpa picked it out all by himself. SO SPECIAL... Derric couldn't allow Hank to have a pink bet so I switched it for a red one,

I think Grandaddy might have thought it was red.

Hit the ball and RUN!!!!

Repeat!

Such a special bond, I love these two boys!

My new Mommy Role

2011-03-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

Customize your own newsletter design

I sent this today to all of my customers!

Hank's 1st Vintage Firetruck Birthday

2011-03-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

Well this year we had a very happy little year old, he knew this party was just for HIM. I thought this was already posted.... oops, it was sitting in my drafts, his birthday was Decemeber 8th. He enjoyed the company as much or more than all the gifts, and boy did he like the firetruck coming to the party. We did a Vintage firetruck themed party, it was a real hit! I had a few friends help me find all sorts of goodies to decorate with too! It was a true sucess, everyone even brought a gift for the sick children at the hospital Hank stayed at last Christmas, it was so sweet. I hope you enjoy all the pictures!

The invitation lady ended up using Hank's picture on her website

so she changed all the info so his new name is Jack, haha!

My niece Paxton made this canvas wall hanging for Hank for our front door!

These are all the toys our sweet friends brought for us to donate to the Children's Hospital.

Hank approved all of them as wonderful toys, that others would love to play with.

The kids loved decorating firetruck cookies.

The proud Parker with his shiny red firetruck.

Katlyn, Ally, and Joshua working on their cookie Master Piece.

Look who it is the Montgomery Firefighters coming to wish Hank a Happy Birthday!

All of Hank's special friends.

Hank posing with his little firetruck next to the big one.

He sure liked opening the presents too!

Hayes Man enjoying the ball pit.

My parents made this vintage firetruck for the yard for Hank's party, isn't cute?

Straight from the Heart

2011-03-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

We went for Hank's cardiologist appointment a few weeks back. Hank was a little more aware of what was going on this time around, so we definetly had some "stranger danger" going on. Hank cried everytime that they stuck something on him or blocked his view of the television. Dr. Numan gave us a positive report that Hank looks great. He did find a trivial leak in his heart, he said this is nothing to be alarmed about yet, but that we would keep an eye on it in the years to come. Here are a few pictures of our visit. Thank you for continuing to pray for Hank's heart, we know that He hears our prayers.

Hank palying chase with his new cardiac friends in the waiting room.

Hank thinking the chairs would look a little better in another

section of the room, totally his mother's child.

Our little friend the "pulse ox" this saved Hank's life in the NICU

and told us that Hank didn't have enough oxygen.

Hank hated getting his blood pressure checked.

Getting ready for the ECHO

Now, waiting for the EKG.... while watching Mickey Mouse.

He really hated getting hooked up to all those wires!

Now he's all better.

So thankful for my little man.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

FONE FRIDAY

2011-03-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

I don't have a fancy Iphone and the blackberry is so stinkin' grainy but oh' well a cute baby makes it all better. Here are a couple of pics of Hank watching Thomas and eating breakfast as mommy works on quotes at the kitchen table, mommy isn't lookin near as cute.

Hank loves Blueberry Pancakes and Nana's!

Happy Friday everyone :)

"Haw" Cowboy

2011-03-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

As I talked to Hank about going to the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo I told him to say "yehaw" but all he could say was "HAW" really loud, I thought it was too cute. So now he keeps saying that. Derric was blessed to be given 4 rodeo tickets this year by a customer to Trace Adkins, and not that we aren't fans, we decided it would be more fun for us this year to take the boys to the livestock show and check out all the animals instead, and of course go to the carnival. Hank was in "hog" heaven literally. He was running everywhere and pointing to all the animals. We brought Derric's brother Lee and his wife Jennifer and our precious Nephew Hayes! We had a wonderful time here are some pictures of our outing with the precious cousins.

Hank didn't really like riding it by himself he wanted to ride with Hayes!

Then he decided he didn't like that so he tried riding with mommy.
(Sorry it's blurry that thing was going pretty fast)

What a wonderful family portrait, haha, toddlers ROCK!

Hayes is normally Mr. Smiles, guess he wasn't feelin it!

Hank wasn't quite ready to ride his first pony, but hey we tried!

Petting Zoo FUN!

Hank was literally running after the animals.

Lots of babies....

Whatcha think about em' Hank?

We loved going into the barn. We even found another Hank.

Hank the PIG!

Jennifer was frightened by the longhorn, and she's an aggie!

I loved watching the baby chicken that had just hatched, that was so neat to watch.

Checkin out the CHICKS!

Cowboy Hayes Man

The Harughty Boys minus Matt!

Cowboy Hank

The Mommy's and their little cowboys.

OFF TO THE CARNIVAL,

Jenn and I saw these cute little cars in "kiddie land" so we took the boys on a ride, much to our suprise these should not have been for toddlers but for 12 year olds, Hank crawled in my lap and it was making our tummies DROP!!!!

Jennifer and I went CRAZY and rode this ride!

The Daddy's wanted to play games and win prizes for the boys!

YEA!!!

Hank got a tiger.

GOODNIGHT!

We had a wonderful time at the RODEO can't wait to go next year!

A Walk on the WILD side

2011-03-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago we took Hank on his first ZOO trip, funny thing about it, it was also Derric's first trip to the zoo. He said he was just waiting to go with Hank all these years. I don't know who enjoyed it more, Hank or Derric. Derric was very intrigued with the large cats and took a TON of pictures. Hank liked the birds that were just flying around the best, he would say "up, up" and point to the sky! He also was very fascinated by the Life Flight, I only cried once... Everytime I hear that noise it just brings me back to the time when the doctor told me life flight was coming for Hank, and I just feel a huge lump in my throat for the family that was just given that same news, it's awful. Anyway, the day was so much fun.... Hank also loved trying to run to the Zoo Keepers golf carts, I guess he thinks it is his grandpa's. He would climb up and say "vroom" and grab the steering wheel, too funny!

This is the hospital where Hank stayed, it over looks the Houston Zoo. We would tell Hank while we were staying there that if he got better we could bring him here next year..... We are so blessed to be able to have fulfilled that dream we all had!

Hank see's the birds and says "UP"!

God Bless this Family!

Just soaking it all up.

"A Playground... WOW, I'm outta here"

A quick family pic!

The little people were too funny, they were doing what looked like wheel barrel races on 2 legs when we were watching them. SO COOL!

Just chillin'

Just a little back scratchin'

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty! WOW!

And lions too!

Cheetah

Black Panther (Derric's Favorite)

Bobcat

The cats were really big, and really pretty to look at!

HANK THE ZOO KEEPER

A little funin the gift shop! Dave Ramsey told us to just window shop!!

We had a wonderful time just the 3 of us, can't wait to do it again, and see what Hank is into next time!

Please Pray for Kate Mcrae

2011-03-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is the same little girl I have blogged about before. Last June her family was given the devistating news that their 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer. They have traveled to the best hospitals in the nation, been through chemo after chemo treatment, and there were just told last month that their sweet Kate has cancer yet again. Please join me in praying for Kate. Here is a glimspe of her mother's blog for Kate. You can go to the website and read more at http://www.prayforkate.com/

Sunday, March 6, 2011 8:52 PM, MST

I remember clearly one of the emotions I felt so strongly when we first found the original tumor was downright panic. It was like a steel vice gripped my heart, and panic flooded every part of my body upon hearing the words "very large brain tumor". And in an instant I knew life as we knew it was forever changed. A dense cloud of shock seemed to settle in as we vacillated between panic and unbelief. We wanted so desperately to grasp for the days before, to somehow go back, and yet we knew there was nowhere to go but forward. Forward and into the unknown, filled with prognoses, procedures, pain, doubts and daily battles against fear. Not the future we had hoped or envisioned for our beautiful 5 1/2 year old daughter, nor ourselves.

Selfishly, I had always desired a stable life. Simple, with my kids and husband, stationary in one location, enjoying God's goodness and raising my kids in hopes they would follow and love Him. Little did I know that part of their loving Him, would come at great cost to my idea of stability. We have moved our fair share since being married. And in a twist of irony, for the first time I felt like we were finally "settling" down we were a mere 3 weeks before Kate's diagnosis. We had purchased a home in Arizona, and we could envision planting roots. A new school was going up just blocks from us and finally, we could just maybe embark on the journey that included some stability that I so desperately desired. Little did we know we would be hearing the devastating news that Kate was battling a very rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer of which my idea of stability would be nowhere in the equation.

And yet, all the while, God was in advance preparing us, for this tumultuous path.

Once again this past December, we were finally beginning to feel like we could resume some things we might have before Kate's diagnosis. We were beginning to taste life outside of the constant restraints that cancer can put on it. Kate was still in therapy, still battling to regain more movement on her right side since surgery, and yet she was thriving in school, tutoring, and therapy. It was still not the life anyone dreams about for their child. A life with new physical limitations, and yet we were so thankful for what God had preserved her from. She was left with some disability, and yet God had spared her from so much more.

And then, on February 1st, in an unsuspecting instant, it was back. And again, our lives forever changed by its presence. This time the prognosis, the nature of it, and the general treatments weren't a surprise. And the deep ache and pain in our souls, a familiar torment to our already weakened reserves. The first time around we were told we maybe had a 20-30% chance of seeing our daughter survive this. This time no such hopes spilled from the doctors mouths, leaving our family aching for the days before cancer like never before.

Since that MRI, we have cried, screamed and cried some more. Kate has cried, asked questions, and then has had the God given ability to continue living as before. She laughs, wants to play with her friends, never wants to skip her homework, and still doesn't want to eat her vegetables. Apart from the scan, no one would know a war was raging inside her young body, and inside her parents hearts. So we again vacillate between disbelief, and the knowledge of what we have been told.

It is an overwhelmingly difficult place to be when your child looks completely well, and yet she is fighting a devastating disease, of which there is no "right" answer in terms of treatment. And yet, we have peace proceeding with the treatment we have chosen. Do not misunderstand my words. There is angst every single day, knowing the cost this treatment choice could come at. It is painful knowing the attempts to save her life could also cause her harm. I wrestle with it almost every single night. They are never easy or painless decisions, those that are made in regards to our childrens lives. And so with the decision made, we must move forward. We will be trying to add some conjunctive therapies alongside the radiation.

The treatments will actually begin on Wednesday, with a practice round on Tuesday. She will then undergo radiation for 6 weeks. She will not have any MRI"s for those six weeks, unless symptoms would warrant, leaving me, well, nervous to say the least.

There are so many specific prayer requests for Kate. And yet, again I can't bare to write them down tonight. At times the specifics just feel too hard to write.

As far as Kate goes, she is feeling great, and continues to be full of life. Without knowing what she was fighting, most would never guess. Another blessing, is that she continues to be very strong and confident emotionally. We talk about heaven like most talk about the weather. This isn't because we believe she will soon be there. Rather, it is one of the very few things that comforts our aching souls. The knowledge and truth about heaven.

So we ask you to pray. We continue to ask fervently for her healing. From head to toe.

-Holly Mcrae

Busy at Heart!

2011-02-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

We tried to get a few pictures of our busy toddler, but they didn't go as well as planned. Our sweet boy is such an explorer. So here are a couple that turned out ok, we already have Easter pics scheduled but we will then wait for a while to take them again......

I made these precious little tie tshirts.... here is a tutorial for one.

SWEET COUSINS

Hank 14 months, Hayes 9 months

3 Lollipops and a Pair of Scissors

2011-02-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

We took Hank for his first haircut, so he could get all snazzy for his role in Gabi's wedding the ringbearer (too cute right). My Dad has been getting his hair cut at Buck and Caroll's Barber shop for over 40 years, it just so happens to be such a small world because Mr. Caroll is actually a good friend of mines father, and we just recently made the connection. Too funny! Mr. Caroll did wonderful with Hank, he went through 3 lollipops because he kept dropping them. Mr. Caroll was so patient with Hank and he showed his everything he was using before he did it, and made the experience less scary for Hank. We had quite the fan club, it was great.

Gramms, Grumps, and Hank

Happy Boy!

Playing with Carroll's keys.

Mr. Caroll squirting Grumps!

Lollipop #1

Lollipop #2

Mr. Caroll, Derric, Grumps, and Hank

Noni, Gramms, Mommy, and Hank with Lollipop #3

12 great things about 12 months

2011-01-24T15:07:00.001-08:00

We are so blessed beyond measure of all the great things we have to report about Hank, I could list a million but I guess the whole idea of doing just 12 is much bettter for my catchy blog title :)

12 Great Things about 12 Months

1. Hank loves being mobile, he literally tries to RUN, he has so much exploring to do!

2. Hank is using gestures, he not only can tell us that he wants more food by using sign language, but he can also point to other things he might want to touch. Like his new fascination with closing the garage door with the button on the wall.

3. Hank loves to make cool noises like clicking noises with his tongue and making car noises.

4. Healthy Heart

5. His love for DISNEY Cars, and Toy Story

6. How he loves my Dad so much.

7. Hank has such an appetite and the BEST metabolism of anyone I have ever met, he will literally eat you out of your home.

8. Hank loves music and to clap and dance especially to the Hot Dog Dance.

5. Hank loves to read.

6. Hank loves puzzles.

7. Love to this in his big boy chair and watch TV (thanks pb kids)

8. Hank loves building blocks

9. Loves to talk, he can say Momma, Daddy, Hot, Ball, Go, Nightening (aka Lightening McQueen), dog, cup, and repeats just about everything you say.

10. Hank loves the water I can't wait to get him back in the pool soon :)

11. Hank loves to play with his Daddy

12, Hank loves to snuggle with his Mommy.

I am so proud to be his Momma, it is such a special priviledge to ME. What a sweet precious 1 year old we now have, can't imagine life any different.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We hope this day finds you surrounded by those you love and lots of hugs and kisses as we celebrate the precious birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Reflecting back on this year we have been blessed beyond measure. Last year was a bitter sweet time for us as we lay on a ledge (we turned into a bunkbed haha) in Pediatric ICU over looking the Houston Zoo. We were so sad for our precious baby boy who had been through more than any 18 day child should ever have to go through in his life time, we were so sad not to be at home around our own Chritmas tree on Christmas day as we had always imagined to be, but we were for the first time.... not caught up in the gifts and the non sense of Christmas we were covered by the grace of Jesus, and we were given a HOPE and a FUTURE for our miracle baby. We had faith that could move mountains and we were over joyed with what the Lord was doing in our lives. We were able to minister to over thousands of people through our blog and journey with Hank's heart surgery. We were so excited for what the Lord had in store for us. He used us in the following ways: we received letters telling us how through our story of Hank they were able to give there own troubles in perspective and were encouraged that if we could get through than they also could, we were able to mentor a family that was going through the exact same thing with their son Jayden, we were able to collect 38 toys for the Children's hospital for Chrismtas, and we were even able to go to the hospital and give back with our time and help with a Chritmas party for the sick children.

The party was such a blessing. Being away from the hospital I had forogtten what it felt like to really be in the shoes we were in last year. The children from the hospital were all facing many different illnesses. Some were never going to be able to come home. Some were going through chemo and had lost all of their hair, had no energy to even write a letter to Santa, didn't even want to be out of their rooms. The truth is I have no idea what they were going through but I did feel a sadness in my heart for them. They were sad and it was written all over there face. There were children with IV's stuck in their precious little perfect hands, and some had halos around their heads, some were attached to oxygen tanks, and others were just in plain wheel chairs, some were in wagons with pillows and no energy to raise up their heads. But one family in particular touched my heart, I felt so much sadness for them, I directly related to the mom and the story goes something like this....

Derric was at the gingerbread ornament decorating station and I was at Letters to Santa. A mom, dad, and 2 boys came up to my station and wanted to write a letter to Santa. One little boy sat very quitely as his father kneeled down beside his wheel chair, the mother and brother sat beside me in the chairs around a round table. The healthy little boy next to me started to write his card to Santa. I helped him spell out words and keep his attention away from his sick little brother who was not feeling very well. The sick little boys monitors kept going off and the mothers eyes would get really big and would look to the father for reassurance, and it absolutely broke my heart. I remember feeling that same way, feeling so scared and so concerned for my little boy. I remember how my heart would stop and I would get a lump in my throat evey time I would hear the monitors go off and my eyes would race to look at the oxygen level of my little boy. I too would look to my husband for reassurance that everything was going to be okay. I got to talk with the mom for a little bit. Of course I didn't ask any questions just listened... She asked who I was and why I was there to help. I told her that I was just a mom of a little boy who was also invited to go to this same christmas party last year. I told her that my son had monitors just like her sons and that he had heart surgery. She told me that her little boy, who I learned was 5, has been in and out of the hospital for years, and has had multiple heart surgeries. She said he just keeps getting sick. It literally broke my heart, you know everyone says that if you had to choose one heart defect to have it would be TGA like Hank because once it is repaired sucessfully you shouldn't ever have to have another one. That is so great for us, we are so blessed but it crushes my heart for those other families who don't know if their child will ever recover. We really did enjoy bringing smiles to theses children's faces by talking to them and telling them how smart and handsome or beautiful they were and anything to just be an encouragement to them. It was a wonderful event and we can't wait to do it again next year.

It is truly awesome to be home this year with a healthy family around our own Christmas tree. I hope that every one has a very Merry Chritmas and a happy New Year.

YUMM-O Creamy Sausage Dip

2010-12-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

This creamy, flavorful dip is wonderful served on crunchy Melba Toast. I love a good dip and this one is definitely a keeper!

1 lb sausage
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup real mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble sausage until no longer pink. Remove from heat, drain off drippings and add all remaining ingredients. Pour into baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly. Keep warm (a small slow cooker comes in handy here) and serve with Melba Toast.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

2010-12-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way, don't you tell a single sole. What I bout to say! Christmas Eve is coming soon now you dear old man. Listen what to bring to me, tell me if you can!

So we relly cheated and went to 2 Santa's this year, but look how much prettier the one with him crying was. Here's the scoop on the crying bit. When I took him by myself I didn't announce Santa I just propped him on his lap and took pictures with the focus all on me and the camera. I think he thought he was just in a chair becasue I didn't show him Santa's face. But when we went with Daddy he was like "look Hank it's Santa Claus"... and Hank was like Scary Man in Red Suit who hasn't shaved in years= not okay with me ME.

Oh the Joys of parenting. Too trick or deceive or not to trick and deceive? That is the question. I vote trick and deceive.... my picture was way better!

The Story of Jonah

2010-12-06T00:04:00.000-08:00

I got this from my friends from Those Funny Looking Nails tonight, but couldn't help share. This is just too darn cute!

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

2010-12-05T23:15:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun putting up the tree this year... Hank helped so much. Well, we made him think he did. I unrolled each and every Precious Moments and then Hank would take it from me and give it to Derric to put on the tree. We thought this was a great idea and he was very gentle and said "Whoa" and "Wow" with each new ornament unwrapped..... But, who was the genius that thought if we allowed him to help us put them on the tree, we wouldn't have a problem with him deciding to take them off. Duh? Anyway it hasn't been too bad. We all enjoyed doing that as a family so much. Hank literally fell in the ornament box, and played the drums with the candy canes and also used them as a cell phone. It was awesome!

Here are a few pics of our day together!

He is saying "Hey" and "Hi" like on a telephone.
We will just call him our lil' drummer boy!
This is PRICELESS!

(both of his feet are off the floor)

Merry Christmas!!!

Hank & Hayes @ The Museum

2010-12-02T05:11:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back my sister in law Jennifer and I took our little boys to The Children's Muesum. It was so cool because Hayes had never been before and Hank walked around like he owned the place. Hank and I hadn't been in over a month and Hank now is WALKING so he got to go everywhere his little heart desired. It was so stinkin cute.

Here are a few of our favorite pics! Enjoy! Double H Vet Clinic

Dr. Harughty and Dr. Harughty

News Anchors

In the balls, yea!

Hank found his favorite Red truck

Hayes found a favrotire Red Piano to bang

Hank really wants to eat the crayons not DRAW
Making some fun art

The boys had so much fun together!

Our Lil' Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

We took a few pictures of our family this weekend at the Pumpkin Patch in town!

They turned out really nice, we hope you love them!

Thanks Gramms for snapping these for us.

10 months

2010-10-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Boy in the morning! He loves to push the chairs around

the kitchen for us....

This is Hank's favorite toy!

He can even play on his knees.

Hank is growing so quickly. He loves to play with this toy pictured, read books, and he absolutely loves CARS or anything he can pretend is a car (like our cell phones, or remotes).

He is also eating so many new foods. He currently LOVES bananas, avacados, and any kind of meat. He is not so sure about noodles, I think the texture kind of throws him off. He starts to spit it out at first then I give it to him again and again and he likes it. He is so funny. He likes to say: Mama, Dada, Whoa, WOW, Uh-Oh, and Go! I am also pretty sure he said Nigh nigh last night at Derric's game when I put him in his stroller. It was so stinkin cute. He is such a blessing to our lives and such a joy to have him to love on everyday.

A Little Fall Treat... Yummy!

2010-10-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

Okay I am totally stealing this...... from MyButtercream.blogspot.com but it was so cute, I couldn't resist!
apple pie pops
I am a "simple" fanatic so when I saw this little edible project in the September issue of BHG magazine, I just knew that it was going to be next on my list to try.
Apple pie on a stick or otherwise known as "Apple pie pops". A portable finger food that is perfect to take along for a Bonfire, picking that perfect pumpkin at the patch, or maybe you'll visit a State Fair this Fall and pack these along for a satisfying snack. I'm getting happy just thinking about it. I love Fall and these perfect little treats and I know you will too.

First start with any apple sweet or tart that you wish. The firmer the better.

Dice them up, place in a pan and add 1/2 cup of sugar, lemon juice and apple pie spice

Add cornstarch and water mixture and bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes

Now roll out the dough

Keep it easy...use store bought dough. Oh, and use your cutest Fall cutter. I used an apple and leaf cutter to make them look like mini apple pie"apples"!

press a cookie stick in the center and put a tablespoon or so of filling in the middle.

Using your finger, wet the outer edge of dough with water then with a fork to seal edges. Pay close attention to the area around the stick

Brush with egg to moisten or use your finger and rub with water like I did.
sprinkle with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and bake

Viola! The cutest, yummiest pies that your kids will love tucked away in their school lunchboxes. Or, you can just eat them plain and simple.

Tootles,
Buttercream
Apple Pie Pops

printable recipe
Things You'll Need:
2 large apples
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice blend
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
20 wooden lollipop sticks 1 package
(2 pieces) of rolled pie dough
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon cinnamon Core and peel your apples cut into small pieces.

Over medium heat combine the apples, 1/2 cup of sugar, lemon juice and apple pie spice into your pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Combine the cornstarch and water in a small cup and pour over mixture, stir and continue cooking until the mixture is Thick! Remove from heat and set aside.Preheat oven to 375. Line 2 baking pans with parchment paper and spray these with Pam. Unfold each pie dough sheet and using a glass or 3-inch round cookie cutter...cut 10 circles from each. Knead and re-roll the scraps as needed for more circles. Place a tablespoon of pie mixture into center of each circle and a lollipop stick, fold over and crimp or leave them round by adding a top circle, just be sure to crimp edges with a fork. Pinch the dough around the stick to make sure it is secureIn a small bowl whisk together egg yolk and water, brush it over each pop for the golden brown and flaky crust. Mix together the cinnamon and left over sugar...sprinkle over pops and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown!

Enjoy my stolen recipe and comment and let me know which filling you are going to try?

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

2010-10-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Okay so maybe I am a little bias but isn't this the cutest lion you have ever seen??? Seriously!

Shara Tietz is a photographer new to The Woodlands and she asked to do a photo shoot of Hank for some business in the area. She did an amazing job! She is also very affordable. Here are a few more pictures from our session, Baby Hayes joined us for a couple of snapshots for My Fair Baby as well, cutest stuff ever (my mom's best friends).

Here are a few pictures of Hank and Hayes in their My Fair Baby Fall onesies,

the hats are from Gymboree (so many people have asked).

And a few more Halloween pics!

A precious Lion and cutest pumpkin ever!
Hayes is a little pumpkin, cutest face, priceless!
Hank sporting his precious Halloween basket his mommy and Gramms made him.

And a few extras.... The boys did a 2 hour photo shoot, and I was practically singing at the TOP of my lungs the "Ants Go Marching" to keep them smiling! They were troopers, it was hot and we had them in their costumes, and hats, the whole nine yards, these babies deserve a very special prize for being such angels. I am pretty sure Hank got a few Tonka trucks since then :)
Hank loving the Noggins beanies ,this is his third one.

Hayes wearing a Hat from Aunt Sambo's obsession with hats stash!

Hank taking a little break!

A little teething action for the camera!

Our sweet cousins are going to have these pictures to cherish for a lifetime!

Thanks so much Shara Tietz Photography for giving us amazing memories.....

Pumpkin Bumpkin!

2010-09-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

Can I just pretend it is cool outside? I love Fall it is so nice to play outside without a water bottle in hand. I also love warm coffee (or is it the creamer) and I love boot season. Now that my foot is a half size bigger than before I had Hank I guess I will need to go shopping for shoes. By the way I didn't believe anyone who said that there foot grew when they had their first child, but it was true for me... So sad, I love my old shoes, just had gotten a pair of Luchesse Boots too :(

8 Months

2010-08-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

Here are a few sweet pictures from being 8 months. He is officially saying Mama and Dada... The sound mama came a few months ago but the word Dada came first then Mama was only when he would cry. So now he is saying them both equally and we would be lying if we didn't admit it fills our hearts with so much JOY! On a side note.. he loves to make the noise of a monster. I am not joking... This arrrrrr raspy voice comes out and it is so funny. He normally does it after a bottle at his happiest time of day.

Got Soap?

2010-08-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

Hank has gotten to be so much fun! He loves bath time. He splashes alot, and loves toys. Hank loves to play with his rubber duckies the most. It's a great part of our wind down time, and there is nothing more sweet than a good smelling baby!

Happy Baby Boy!
Oh.... toys!
Rubber ducky, your the one...

Tons of toys!

Hank trying to blow bubbles.

ALL ~CLEAN!

Let there be CAKE!

2010-08-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this look good!!

I honestly have been really good, but this looks sooooooo yummy!

Check out this link on this devine cake and icing!

I can dream about it.... (or drool) and let you try it instead.....

Summer Lovin'

2010-08-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hank watched someone fill up the pool and decided he would just spray Taylor!

Can you believe this face would do that???

He loves to splash until it takes his breath away!
He even splashes so hard it takes Taylor's breath away!
He is so funny.

They play so well together.

Hank plays the cymbals... well sort of!

2010-08-11T07:26:00.001-07:00

(Mute Player at the bottom right of the screen)

8 Months Already......

2010-08-09T06:06:00.001-07:00

Hank says his first word.....

2010-08-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

(MUTE the music at the bottom of the page to hear the video).

We have T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

2010-08-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I can't believe he's already standing up in his crib! Wow, time flies..... We is offically crawling now and in to everything!!! More pics comign this week of that and video!

A Little Cotton Lovin'

2010-07-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

July 26th, Derric and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary! We really wanted to go back to Punta Cana like we did on our honeymoon (pictured above) but we decided to go to Vegas instead..... We have a friend getting married in September so we are going then to celebrate so we kept it pretty simple. We tried to the traditional something "cotton" idea since it's the second year. So, I came up with a candy basket with "Cotton Candy". Derric is the BIGGEST candy head I have ever met so it was a perfect match! He gave up and got me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! I love flowers so that was great. We went to eat at a nice Italian Restaurant in town and let Hank go to Gramms and Grumps house for the night, we had a great time together.

NEGATIVE!!!

2010-07-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Need another reality check??? Well, if you haven't been following the sweet story of Kate McRae you should be, this sweet precious little girl found out last June she had brain cancer. On her way to a waterpark with her brothers and sisters, Kate's mom noticed a tremor in Kate's hand and immediately took her into her pediatrician...... Kate has been fighting this for 13 months now. Read below.

Written by Kate's Mom in her journal entry today Friday July 30, 2010:

Today has been full of nervous energy as we found out early this morning that most likely we would not hear the PET results until Monday. I kept starting projects and then would find myself unable to finish them, leaving small messes everywhere. I then decided to organize and rearrange the girls room, only to get all of the stuff out and decide to stop. So Liv and I left the house for a little bit. I needed to escape my newly made messes.

For 13 months we have fought, prayed and asked God alongside many of you to wipe this cancer from Kate's body. For 13 months we have watched Kate change before our eyes, her beautiful hair falling out in clumps, her eyelashes slowly disappearing. The healthy tan turning into a dull, pale white. The sparkle in her eye quickly replaced by an at times vacant stare. Brain cancer threatened to take so much. The greatest of these being our precious daughter. Our Kate who brought life to our family, a sass to everyday activities and snuggles to quiet night talks. 13 months ago one scan changed our life forever.

And tonight 13 months later, one scan again changed our lives. The results were in. I answered the phone, held my breathe and silently pleaded with God. I then clearly heard the word "negative". Negative!! The tears came fast and furious. God was giving us more time. More time with our daughter. Even the words "cautiously optimistic" didn't dampen our excitement. Had we found out defintively that the cancer was still there, medically the hope of beating it would have been overwhelmingly slim. And we also knew that negative meant "nothing they could currently detect". And we knew cautious would always be a word equated with this horrific cancer. But tonight we heard the words for 13 months we have so desperately longed to hear, "negative". The mass that remains was negative for cancerous activity. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. And thank you for being so faithful to pray alongside us.

We will update more as we speak with Kate's neuro oncologist. The journey remains far from over. And yet, tonight we heard an answer to all of our prayers.

PLEASE PRAY FOR SWEET KATE!

Strike a Pose!

2010-07-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Me and my college roomates or should I say cheermates from Blinn got together this weekend. Our families have blossomed and it is so neat to watch everyone of us grow in different ways. We met in College Station and had lunch at Shipwreck Grill (delicious) and then went bowling at Grand Central Station..... Tayden and Hank had a wonderful time talking up a storm and taking each others toys away from one another. We have another get together in the Fall for the Scarecrow festival, can't wait. When we 3 get together it feels as if we never misssed a beat, truth of it is... we only talk like once a month. Here are a few pics from our reunion!

Gotta love the FREE socks!

Totally Hot!

Chanae, Amanda, and Me
Derric, Chanae, and Gatlin

Bubba, Tayden, and Amanda

Hankster

Too pooped to play!

Swimming With Grandpa

2010-07-27T19:40:00.001-07:00

I love swimming, Grandpa and I got to swim together a few weeks ago! He is so much fun, he let's me kick, and splash, and he even throws me up a little. Grandpa says I can come over and swim anytime I want to, he loves me a whole lot. Here are a few pictures of our last swim together, I went non-stop for about 45 minutes so Grandpa might need a rest for my next swim....

Sweet Harughty Boys

2010-07-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

So our A/C is broken, so sad...( tear, tear). So instead of lugging all of our stuff to our parents houses, we went to Lee and Jennifer's house since they have a baby too, and all the gear! It has made it so nice for us. I have watched 6 episodes of Prison Break (my new t.v. show from Netflix) and gotten a little of my sewing projects started (messed up, and more than anything on a bit of a learning curve). Hank and Hayes have even started to nap at the same time. We have been here since Friday and we will finally get back into our home tonight after our new 3 TON A/C unit arrives. Thank goodness I can buy them at my work for cost, those suckers are expensive and so is the install. Guess we won't be making our anniversary vacation to Vegas, haha! Here is a sweet picture of Hank 7.5 months and Hayes 2.5 months. We had to put Hank's arm behind the pillow so he wouldn't grab Hayes hair and make it cry for the third time!

Almost 30

2010-07-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

From the fullness of his grace we

have all recieved one blessing after another.

John 1:16

On July 6th, I turned 28.... Wow, that's really close to 30 isn't it? I am totally blessed old or not to have a wonderful family and friends to celebrate with. My mom's birthday is the 11th so we celebrated together. We went to eat at the very yummy Lupe Tortilla where they have the best Beef Fajitas EVER...... They started there business in the year I was born by a little family in Addicks, TX they have a cute story check it out. Here are a few pictures of the night
"Eees gooood homes".

Meghan made these center pieces for the table for me and my mom

(her vase had a D for Donna), she's so sweet!

Me and Derric

Christina and Matt (Derric's brother)

Stevi (my sister) and Richard

Reid, Hank, and Pax

Jennifer and Lee (Derric's brother)

Logan and Meghan

Loretta and Al ( the famous Taylor Mae's parents)

My mom opening a card.

Hank and Taylor

Sweet Babies.

My precious cake, thanks Babe!

It was so wonderful to be old and loved anyway!

It's A Yo Yo Kinda Day!

2010-07-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

I totally heart Yo Yo's they are a fun little way to add fabric to anything to make it pop and be fun! Check out how easy they are to make and all the fun things I like that you can do wtih them.

Hair Clips....
a necklace....
add on to your little black favorite that is getting pushed to the back of the closet.
On a dish towel...
or even a scrapbook page!

First came love, then came marriage.....

2010-07-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Make a picture collage

An Out of the Park kind of Father's Day

2010-07-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

So it is really cool that Derric and Lee are such close brothers, and it's even more cool that now they get to raise their sons five months apart together. They already talk about the little league the boys will play in and of course that they want to coach the boys together! So naturally it was only politically correct to take them to their first Astros baseball game on Father's Day together! Here are a few pics of our first Father's Day with Hank and Hayes!

Make a free digital scrapbook

Dude Diaper Bag

2010-06-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Camo Deluxe Diaper Bag - Diaper Dude | Daily deals for moms, babies and kids

I love Camo for diaper bags for dads! Check out this cool website and this great deal on this diaper bag! We have a camo one for Derric that I bought him last Father's Day!

Pray for Baby Jaden

2010-06-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I received a phone call from Nurse Beth the surgeons nurse from Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. She had asked me a while back if she could call me to talk with other parents with the same condition that Hank was born with (Transposition of the Great Arteries). She wanted Derric and I to mentor them and encourage them, I told her that Derric and I both would love that opportunity. So she called yesterday to let me know that there was a little boy Jaden who had TGA just like Hank and would be having his surgery in the morning, and that his family would like to talk to me. We were so excited to be able to love on them just like we were once loved on and encouraged. As soon as Derric got home from work we went downtown to meet them. We felt so blessed to be able to show them our healthy baby boy! We met with the parents Kristen and Jeff and their families,they are both very nervous like any parents would be for their baby, but felt so much comfort by the story and pictures we shared of Hank. Jaden will be 8 days old for his surgery, he weighed 7lbs. 12 oz at birth and has only one corinary artery. Jaden is having surgery at 8:30 am by Dr. Douglas the exact same surgeon Hank had. I will be going down to the hospital to sit with the parents during the surgery. Please pray for baby Jaden, for his family, the doctors, nurses, and surgeons that will be taking care of him. I will be sending updates!

Surgery Update:
The surgery went flawlessly. I went down to the hopsital and stayed with the family all day. Nurse Beth came and gave us lots of updates and finally Dr. Douglas (Hank's same OR Surgeon and nurse) came and gave us the final word. Jayden has had amazing family support from Kristen and Jeff' as well as their family right by their sides. It felt really nice to be able to give back and encourage another family like we had done for us. You might call this a "God Wink" but.... the gentleman that came to see us Brian and share his son's TGA story was also named Jayden (click his name to read the story) just a different spelling! Jaden means- God has heard. The Lord has a plan and a purpose for these 3 strong boys, hopefully one day we can all get together for a playdate. That would be so neat. God is so good!

Kristen hugging Dr. Douglas

Jeff thanking Dr. Douglas

Kristen, Me, and Jeff

I brought these links for the family and friends to write a sweet note for Jaden just like we did for Hank. It is such a sweet memory for us to read, Hank's is in his room still we read it often.

We had a wonderful time with this sweet family, please continue to join us in prayer for a quick recovery for Baby Jaden!

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old....

2010-06-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold!

When I was a little girl, my mom had this CRAZY friend name Linda Ha Ha, her last name was really Cole but she was such a silly lady that she had the nickname Linda Haha, at any rate she had a daughter named Alicia and we did dance together, and went on vacations together and were very close friends. Before my mom married my dad Linda was actaully my sister Stevi's kindergarten teacher. Small world huh? My mom and Linda have been friends for over 35 years!

Alicia was suprisingly pregnant at my wedding and found out she was having a little boy, we all freaked out because we just knew she would have a girl. Then the exact same thing happen to me, we thought I was going to have a little girl..... nope boy! Boy Oh, Boy I thought what would I ever do with a baby boy. I know pink and ruffles, and rhinestones, and I had no clue what to do with a boy. Well..... guess what I am loving being a boy mom, and so is Alicia and our momma's are in HEAVEN too!

We all went to a cute little Tea Room in Montgomery the other day all 6 of us. Chaz and Hank were so cute to watch together. Chaz is a little over a year old, it was cute to watch all the things he likes to do now, that Hank will one day like doing also!

Alicia, Dave, and Chaz live in Florida so we don't get to see them very often but hopefully we will see them back in a few weeks when they come back for their last visit for the summer.

We had a wonderful day and went and took a few pictures of course, while they were here!

Linda and her onderful grandson Chazzy Bear!Gramms and Hankster!

Me and Alicia with our sweet little boys!

Momma's Boys.

I don't think the boys were to into the pictures we were trying to take.

Alicia and Chaz with the TEXAS CACTUS!

Chaz was pooped!

Hank in the grass!

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

JOHN 15:13

I Like to Play

2010-06-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here are even more pictures of Hank from his 6 month birthday. They were so cute, I thought they deserved their own post. This just goes to show, he doesn't sit near as still for me as he used to while I play Paparazzi with him.

Sidenote:Derric told me someone told him that Hank makes Angelina and Brad's kids jealous from all the pictures that are taken of him. Haha!

I think he is saying

"Mom, I have already taken 75 pictures,

I am not going to stop playing for you to pose me into perfect position."

Run, run as fast as you can....

You can't catch me I am the gingerbread man.

"This toy is totally awesome"

Hank loves to swtich his toys from one hand to another. He is trying to pick up little pieces and of course attempt to put them into his mouth. He also just learned to wave bye, bye!

6 Sweet Months

2010-06-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 6 MONTHS TO HANK

Hank is growing so fast it is so hard to believe he is already six months old!

Here are a few new things he is doing now:

He is sitting up so well for such long periods of time .

Sweet Potatoe Puffs, he makes this awful face then wants more, haha watch this clip but don't forget to mute the music player at the bottom of the page!

He trys to put them in his mouth by his hands but they stick to his hands,

then he just gives up and eats them off his tray.

He holds his own bottle now.

BIG BOY!

He really likes to swing in the backyard.

He gets into everything he can reach, he loved the icing....

and so did Pico.....

Our boxer Pico decided that the fondant Mickey Mouse Head and Ears would be a great midnight snack. The black icing wasn't so bad but the red was. I called the carpet cleaning people asap, they came out to our house by 2 pm that day but it still didn't come out.

This birthday was expenisve:

Cake 30.00

Plates 1.50

Napkins 1.50

Carpet Cleaning 312.00

Total: 345.00 plus a stain in the carpet as a party favor!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2010-06-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hank and Grandaddy

2010-06-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

(Turn the music on mute at the bottom of the page to be able to hear the video.)

This is Derric's Grandaddy playing with Hank too cute!

Cute Little Clip

2010-06-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hank is really sitting up well, even though you really can't tell in this clip! He does show his flexibility from almost going into a split then sitting right back up! I am updating my blogs so I should post more today!

(Turn the music on mute at the bottom of the page to be able to hear the video.)

Two Peas in a Pod

2010-06-11T06:36:00.001-07:00

Hank and Hayes got to meet for the first time a few weeks ago! When Hayes came home from the hospital Hank had a stomach bug so we kept them apart for a full week just in case. No one ever has to worry about me bringing Hank around any other kiddos sick. I was so upset when sick people would try to come around Hank that I think I probably go a little over board when it's on the flip side but hey never to save! Hayes has the longest arms and legs, it is so cute.

He is actually much bigger than this now, he weighs 7 pounds now! Yea Hayes, he is going to pass up Hank before ya know it. He's gonna be big and tall like his daddy. We are so blessed to have these two boys so close in age, we are going to have so much fun!

Awesome 80's party idea!

2010-06-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Move over paper lanterns, glowsticks are here. What a cute focal point for a party right? That would be easy to make and pretty cheap too! Read more about it here.

CRASH AND BURN.....

2010-06-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

So my pretty little pink laptop hit the dust, that's right it crashed. All my pictures were deleted, well he saved like 100, but that is nothing compared to the 5,000 pictures plus I had. All of Hank's pictures, pictures of Derric and I dating and our first year of life together, etc. Ouch! My heart sank down, down, down, and I had a big lump in my throat. At least it happened when Hank was really little. It would have been worse any older. I was able to save my pictures from the blog, I printed all 370 of them immediately but they are all pretty pixelated :(

Anyway from now on I will back up my computer, I will back up my computer, I will back up my computer! This was a lesson to learn the hard way. For all of you camera happy momma's out there, print your pictures and back them up! You don't want to lose all those pictures like I did. The worse part is.... we had a back up drive to do that with. I just never did it!

So sorry about the slacking that was the problem, pink was in the hospital, she is back and has a new operating system now! I will be updating lots this week.

I wanna be a cowboy BABY!

2010-05-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

I just love this cute little onesie on Hank! It's darling so I of course took one million photos in it...

Hank is 5 months and growing like a little weed!

Mother's Day

2010-05-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

For our very first celebration of Mother's Day we did lots of fun things....

We ate a big breafast, my favorite thing to do on a lazy Saturday. We celebrated on Saturday because we had Hank's Dedication and Reid's confirmation on Sunday.... little did we know Hayes would make an appearance Sunday evening... well actually Monday am, 8 minutes after mother's day, little stinker! So for Mother's Day, Derric brought home all different colors of paint and a vase. He thought since I like to make things so much we would do a Mother's Day Craft together, it was so sweet and thoughtful. We painted Hank's Feet (tried the hands and it wasn't working) and made his footprints on the vase. We did red, green, blue, and orange so there were lots of feet washings in between. Derric bought a special glaze that we added in the paint and then we baked it in the oven to have it set and not wash off.

That was one of the best presents I had ever received. He later filled it with my favorite flowers Gerber Daisies. He is an amazing husband and dad. Hank enjoyed this too, he enjoyed making a mess then of course getting to play in the water each time we did a new color.

We also made picture frames for Hank's Bluebonnet picture for the grandparents using his fingerprints, I then wrote Mother's Day 2010 at the bottom. It was so cute, it was hard to get all the paint off, our friends thought we painted his nails because they saw the paint, haha!

The paint we chose
The fingerprints

bath time...

Lots of paint to scrub off.

We later went to the park for a picnic. We made sandwiches which are divine, and I might have had a little wine in a plastic wine glass. We ate and then of course played on the playground with Hank. Montgomery Park

Mommy's Sippy Cup

We are a great pair!

He loves to swing!

All Smiles!
Slide with Daddy

Wheeeee!

Hank swings alone

I think he likes it!

So big!

Here are pics from Hank's Dedication

For this child I prayed.
1 Samuel 1:27-28

All the Stonebridge Babies!

Hank in Ten Years.....

2010-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

I found this picture and thought immediately of Hank!

Hope you all have a super day.

Hank has had a tummy bug and we are staying low, even missed our flight to Florida for my nieces high school graduation. Hoping this bug leaves and never comes back!

Our Newest Addition

2010-05-12T10:45:00.001-07:00

HAYES WALKER HARUGHTY

May 10th, 2010

5 lbs. 12 oz. 19 3/4 in.

And the Lord loved the baby, and sent congratulations and blessings.

2 Samuel 12:24-25

We are so excited for our little nephew to be born this week. He was born 4 weeks early and 100% healthy. He looks just like his daddy, but has a ton of dark hair like his mommy. We are tickled to death for this birth and we look forward to raising these cousins to be as close as Derric and his brother are. We are so full of boys around here, let the t-ball begin!

Lots of Firsts......

2010-05-05T05:47:00.001-07:00

It's fun to swim at the "Y-M-C-A"

We took Hank to the YMCA this past week for his first swim, he loved the water and playing with his Daddy! As we were putting on the sun tan lotion in the car he tinkled right out of his swim diaper, because it was too big! Thank goodness for leather seats.
We had a very fun day!

All lotioned up!

Hank's first bathing suit

Seriously looking at something...

Daddy blowing up Hank's float!

Needing a bottle before we get stared.
First touch of the pool. Soooo cold!

So fun to play with Daddy.

Spinning in circles in the water.

Old McDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O...
This is really our first cleared week to be around any kiddos, so we went to Seven Acre Woods this week with church and Hank. Hank got to swing for the first time and see lots of animals. The little goats would jump right on top of the tables for food. He got pretty close to Taylor Mae so her mommy had to shoo him away!

Walking in and seeing his friends, several for the first time....

Logan, Taylor, and Hank "just a swaaaaangin"
He loved to swing!

Drew Bergeron on the put put golf course "shocker" (his dad is a golf pro)

Taylor with her new Raz Teether Hank gave her, she loved it!