Bear hugs

I grew up in Eastland, Texas at the First Baptist Church. Tomorrow, one of the most influential people of my life will be laid to rest there. I expect it to be an amazing celebration of life, one like no other. I really have no words to express who Bill Hart was to me, correction, is to me. He was a prayer warrior for me like no other. He was an honorary grandfather to me. He was a spiritual mentor. He taught me about love and marriage, honesty and following God no matter what.

A few weeks before I left to live in Japan for two years, I went to his office. I sat down in a chair and told him I needed some paperwork done before I left. At the time, he was the only lawyer I knew. At the time, he was the only lawyer I trusted with my life. He helped me make out a living will and a power of attorney document. When I tried to pay him for his services he refused. I'm positive I am not the only client he ever worked with that he refused payment from. He told me that I was the youngest person he had every made a will for and he counted it as his way of supporting the mission God had called me to do. Then, he prayed over me in his office. Finally, I got the best bear hug. I loved those hugs. I'll miss them more than anything.

I wish I could be at that celebration of life tomorrow. I know that Mr. Hart is finally praising God in His presence, something he spoke of with great anticipation. I'm so glad he no longer has to wait for that. I miss you Mr. Hart, but we'll hug again soon!

First Day of School

On Tuesday, Aiden began preschool. He will go on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:00. We decided he really needed some opportunities to make some friends. We also wanted him and Anthony to spend some time apart from one another. He was so excited to go! We went to the parking lot of the church and prayed for his school several times this past week. We bought new school clothes and packed his backpack. We talked about making new friends and his new teachers. The night before Aiden prayed to have a fun day at his new school. It was the sweetest prayer.

Here's the new student all ready to go.


Walking out the door, backpack all ready.


This is the current sign at the church. Isn't that neat? Aiden loved seeing his name on the sign.


Walking in . . . Mommy was nervous, not Aiden.


We hung up his coat and backpack on his hook. Right now he is sharing a hook with Ava.


Then, we signed him in and washed our hands. Here we are getting ready to go into his classroom.


He went right up to his teacher and said, "Mrs. Cindy, what comes next?" We had to beg for a kiss goodbye, he was too busy playing.


He loves school! He made a new friend, "a boy named Ottie." He and Ottie are the only boys with five girls. He also "made a sun with purple glue" and liked his teachers Mrs. Cindy and Mrs. Amy. He does not love leaving school. He cried for fifteen minutes when we left. He got even more upset when I told him he wouldn't be going again for two more sleeps. In the meantime, Mommy cried herself to sleep because her baby is growing up way to fast.

Family Time

Nan, Grandaddy, Uncle Mark, Aunt PJ, and CJ came to visit us for a week. We had SO much FUN!!!!! We are already planning our next "vacation" together. We met in St. Louis for a couple of days and then came back to Macomb. We literally took hundreds of pictures. I've picked a few of my very favorites to share.

Cheese

This is an actual conversation from today.

"Cheese!"



"Finished?"



"not finished" followed by a huge exasperated sigh



No baby, Mommy is not finished with you. You are too adorable for words, so I must take lots of pictures. I love you Peanut!

Illinois State Fair

This past week we went to the State Fair. We had so much fun!

There were fire poles to slide down . . .




Then we went to see the Butter Cow! Isn't that cool? A lady carved this cow (and calf and skunks???) out of butter! She does it every year. I had heard about the butter cow before we moved to Illinois, but it was so fun to finally get to see it.



We played a little golf



We were the first people there from Macomb, so we got to put a pin on the map.



There were some beautiful flowers at one exhibit on wildflowers from Illinois



While Mommy looked at the flowers, Aiden and Anthony played some science games





Aiden begged to ride the rides. We weren't sure how he would do, but he was tall enough for some of the kiddie rides, so we let him go. This is his first ride. It went REALLY fast!!! He Loved it!!! He was screaming, "Weeeee!!!!"



Then, the helicopters . . . If you look carefully you'll see that Aiden is having the time of his life and Anthony, well, not so much.



Then, the cars



Then, the rollercoaster



Finally, Aiden endured the train for his little brother's sake


Anthony was very appreciative



Then, it was right back to the rollercoaster



"I just can't watch Mom! Tell me when he's off!"



He had his hands in the air, but we couldn't get a good picture of it. He's like his Mommy. :) I love rollercoasters!!! I'm so excited! I finally have someone to ride with me.



"What? You let him put his hands in the air??? This is crazy!!!!"


And back to the helicopter, alone this time



And one more car ride, a bug for Mommy



Finally, Daddy has gone for Fair Food!!!!


No picture of the funnel cake, the boys devoured it!!!

Fish Dreams

We went to a really neat water park in the St. Louis area. Aiden loved it! He liked the lazy river, in particular when the buckets dumped on Mommy's head. He really loved the slide.



He had so much fun playing with his Daddy. He is a little fish. He could have stayed all day long.





What about Anthony you say?

Well, for Anthony, the water park was a dream come true . . .

Happy Heaven Day!

Today marks two years that Colin Michael Bailey went to heaven. He was stillborn at 32 weeks on the day we moved to Macomb. He had his big brothers nose. He had a full head of beautiful black hair. He was perfect in every single way, 2 pounds and 4 ounces of pure innocence. He died due to maternal floor infarction of the placenta, a very rare condition where the placenta doesn't form correctly. For 32 weeks we spoke to him, sang to him, and loved him. We named him and planned his future. We planned our future as a family of four.

Today we went to his grave to release balloons and wish Colin a Happy Heaven Day. We talked about how much we miss him and how things have changed in two years. Aiden and I made up a long elaborate story about Colin playing with Jesus. As we neared the grave we found something unexpected. Last November we placed tiny pumpkins at his grave. Today, there was a vine growing, with yellow flowers, and two tiny pumpkins on it that aren't quite ripe yet. God brings life from death. We joked that Colin is better at growing things than I am.

I think of him daily and wonder if things had been different what it would have looked like. But Colin did in 32 weeks, what it takes most people a lifetime to do. He fulfilled God's purpose for him. I don't even pretend to understand it, but I do live my life differently because of Colin's influence on my life. I love deeper because of my son. I weep openly and I laugh louder. I tickle my boys and I tell them I love them more often.

So, thank you Colin. You taught me to live without regrets. I miss you baby. My heart aches for you and my arms still long to hold you again. At night I sing to you, even though you are no longer here and I trust that you can hear me. I cannot wait to see you again. I am "Homesick" because of you. I rejoice today that you are with our Jesus! Happy Heaven day baby!

All my love,
Mommy