Family Cook-Out

After Aunt Jennifer's Bridal Tea last Saturday, Nan and Papa were nice enough to host a big cook-out for the families. This included 16 people, my parents, Jennifer and Lyle, and Lyle's family that came to town for the Tea. This was a great get-together for their families to meet each other and talk about the impending wedding. I wish I would have taken more pictures (as always) but here are a few that I snapped. The pictures I wish I would have taken were of the food, you should have seen the food - there was so much. We feasted on ribs, baked beans, squash dressing, potato salad, coleslaw and bread and they had a cake in honor of the happy couple! The food was delicious as always! We have come to expect no less :)

The first picture is Hayden and Pap (my Dad) - doesn't she look adorable? These pictures are priceless to me, because there was a time not so long ago that Hayden wouldn't let either Granddaddy hold her, but those days are gone.



This picture is Hayden with Aunt Jennifer and soon to be Uncle Lyle - Hayden is not so sure about him yet :)



Papa playing with Hayden - she loves his facial hair!



And lastly Nan and Hayden after everyone had eaten. Hayden frequently gets lots of kisses!

Hayden's First Bridal Shower

Hayden's 1st Bridal Tea was this past weekend and to make everything even sweeter it was for her Aunt Jennifer! The weather was horrible outside, but it was a nice event for Jennifer and of course she looked beautiful. I was so proud of Hayden for behaving nicely. Actually she was picture perfect. The Tea was at Catoma Baptist Church and right off the room where the shower was held, was a huge basketball court that was empty. Hayden had a blast, she had never seen so much open space. She walked the entire floor and was all smiles. We had a great time!



Here is Hayden with the Bride-to-Be!

And of course here is Hayden's favorite face to make while smiling - just precious.

After a little while Hayden got hungry so Gram (my Mom) started letting Hayden sample some of the good food. She was not sure what to think about grapes, but since Hayden is not a picky eater, actually she eats everything including old food, dirt and rocks (I know) she decided it was ok.

And here she is with Nan (Brian and Jennifer's Mom) just about to eat a cracker.

Easter 2010

I wanted to take a quick picture of Hayden and Daddy on our way to Gram and Pap's for our Easter egg hunt and Lesley's birthday dinner.



Fun little family shot - Hayden's new face for pictures!



She had a great time playing with Reagan while visiting at Gram and Pap's house.




Hayden and her Gram - can't wait to watch this relationship, Hayden is in love!

Here is Hayden's loot from the Easter bunny. She did pretty well I must say, especially for her very first Easter!

She was trying to figure out if she could eat this, pretty much all she does with everything she gets her hands on these days - will it ever end???

Hayden's new face - every time I say "smile" she does this, too cute!

Here's Hayden playing with her new tweety bird from Nan and Papa, aunt Jennifer in the background! Wish now, that I had gotten more photos with Nan, Papa, and Aunt Jennifer. She had a fabulous time the whole weekend and we just love having people over, Hayden enjoyed showing off all afternoon!

Profound Sadness

I am struggling to write this post, but felt I should and ask everyone for your prayers. Yesterday afternoon around lunch time I was leaving a meeting in Birmingham at Legion Field and my cell phone rang. It was a good friend of mine, she started her conversation by saying "I am so sorry to have to call you, I have some really bad news and I hope it doesn't ruin your day", of course my stomach dropped and I said "ok, go on". She was calling to tell me that two very dear friends of mine had lost their 3 1/2 month old baby girl. This hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't hear much else of what she said and I don't remember driving home at all, I was in a complete fog. The Lord got me home safely because it certainly wasn't me, most all I did was cry the whole way home and talked to God. I do remember having to pull over because I needed a break, but after almost three hours I made it home. This is a drive that usually only takes me an hour and a half.

I don't really know any details, just that she woke up yesterday morning as a happy little baby, giggling and laughing. Her mommy dropped her off at daycare and at some point that morning they put her down for a nap in the crib and twenty minutes later they checked on her to find her unresponsive. The paramedics tried unsuccessfully for over an hour to revive her. My heart hurts!

Why do things like this happen? I have prayed non-stop for the comfort of this sweet family. I have prayed for her sweet life to mean something, for God to use this for His Glory! I know he will, but I still want to know Why this happened. As a mommy myself, I don't see how you survive this, but I know God does not put more on you than you can handle. As Christians we all know this and through him, all things are possible!

Since hearing the news I have thought so much about them. How do you wake up one morning with a happy baby and before the day is over have to start planning a funeral? Find a little baby casket and something beautiful to bury a child in? It doesn't seem fair!

These things happen everyday and there is always a reason, we have to Believe this! Please pray for this sweet and precious family, they certainly need to be lifted up in your prayers.