Photo Scavenger Hunt

In hopes of winning an online blog contest I have completed my photo scavenger hunt. If you would like to participate and possibly win some yummy goodies go to Emily's blog for details. http://www.emilys-little-world.blogspot.com/

1. Something you NEED every single day!

Sadly, I am addicted to Diet Coke. Yes I am a chain Diet Coke drinker! Love them!!

2. Something you once lost, but finally found!

I was so proud. I lost 15lbs for my sister's wedding in May.

Weight..... I knew I would find you! I have found you and then some.

3. A happy place in your house.

(I have two for this.)

My kitchen. This is where the family gathers. Breakfast, dinner, homework, Easter egg dying, pumpkin carving. There's a lot of laughter in this kitchen. Also....it's where I learned to bake.

The girls bathroom. There is a lot of hair going on in this bathroom. Hair washing, drying, and styling. I know it is only a matter of time before the girls will want to do there own hair, so while I am still cool in there eyes, I am going to savor every happy moment in there. Plus.....there is a lot of rockin' out to good music in this bathroom. We can sing to the top of our lungs and laugh no matter how we sound.

4. Something you ate today.

Apples! We have been eating a lot of apples this past week from a local orchard. I have also made an apple cake, and plan on making an apple pie tomorrow! YUM!

5. Picture of a Picture

This is my most favorite photo. It sits on our stair landing, and I notice it each time I pass by. It makes me smile. I don't know....it's just my little family. So special to me.

6. Favorite Book

The Shack. In one word...BEAUTIFUL!!!

7. Something "Fall-y"

Children's stories. Fall seems to be the only time we read these books, but they are all so cute!

8. Favorite Color

Yellow and Purple. You know, I have tried to like other colors and color combos, but I always come back to this one. Just simple, peaceful.

9. Something from your childhood.

My rocking chair. I got this chair for my first Christmas. Yes, it is an old chair. 32 years to be exact. Each of my kids have rocked many miles in this chair.

10. Something from MY to-do list.

Laundry. I hate laundry with a passion! I wish I could keep up, but I just can't. I'm too particular in how it is done, and therefore continue to put it off until it looks like this.

That's my scavenger hunt photos! Go visit Emily's blog! Do one of your own!

...my friend Emily

Most of you have heard me talk about my board, and all the wonderful ladies I've made friends with there. Well....Trin and I got a chance to meet one of the moms that have become very special to me. Her name is Emily, and she is one of the most talented people that I have ever met. She has inspired me in many ways and continues to make me want to be a better person. Emily was just as perfect in person as I had imagined. We had a wonderful time during our photo shoot, dinner, and chat time afterwards. I can't wait to do it again, but next time I hope that we have more time!!

Here are some of the photos she took of us. If you would like to see more of Emily's work or view more photos from our session feel free to visit her website. http://www.emilysoutherland.com/ Once you enter the site go to the client session and my password is: hazelwood Emily's work is amazing!

Forever Loved, Landon Bartlett Vaughn

Summer of Landon

Sweet Landon was born on June 19, 2009, and was called home by the LORD on August 15,2009. His time on this Earth was not long enough for all the love his family had to give, but this innocent baby made a huge impact on many lives. He has changed the hearts of all who "knew" him, and will forever be missed.

Thank you baby Landon for coming into our lives. Your presence has brought us closer to our maker! We can't wait until the day we see you again! It's calming to know that you are free of pain, and tubes. In my dreams I see you running, jumping, playing, and cuddling in the arms of Jesus. It warms my heart knowing that your passing was from your earthly father to your heavenly father. You looked so angelic at the services. The image of you that day is like no other. Thank you for making me a first time aunt. I am so proud of how hard you fought to live this life. I will love you forever!


A friend of mine from my mommy board named Sarah sent me this poem. She found it on this blog. http://www.carepages.com/blogs/lossofachild/posts It really touched my heart, as well as other family members. Thank you Sarah, and thank you to all the other mom's on my board who took care of my heart during the Summer of Landon! It will never be forgotten!!!!

"I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine," God said,
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be for six or seven years, or twenty-two or three;
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you;

and should his stay be brief,

You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked the wide world over, in search of teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call, to take him back again?
I fancied that I heard you say, ‘Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness; we’ll love him while we may
And for the happiness that we have known, forever grateful stay.
And should the angel call him much sooner than we’ve planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand’.”

Summer continued....

So................I did it again! Man! Why can't I figure this out, and why once I post can I not figure out how to go back and re post in the right order? Man! Maybe one day I will get it right! So in the mean time read backwards. That sounds like fun huh?

We have enjoyed time with family!! My mom came to town, and it was the shortest visit yet. She had planned on staying four days. She flew in to town around 6:30pm on a Thursday night, and then the next morning around 6:00 am she got a phone call saying Valerie's water had broke, and she flew back home to be there when Landon was born. Although she only spent the night with us we had a great time, and stayed up late playing duck duck goose and laughing!! We can't wait for her to come back.

"Amanda's visit"

Auntie Manda came and spoiled the kids rotten. We went to amusement parks, movies, and bowling. Oh.... you should see the bowling pictures. When you get Amanda and I together you never know what your going to get! I guess you could say we're kind of like a box of chocolates. You can count on many laughs though. The pictures of bowling will have to be included in a later post. A post all its own!!

"Papa"

Papa celebrated his birthday with us this year. He stayed a week with us while Jean Jean went to Washington to be with her son. Her son John has cancer and many of our prayers are with him also. Papa had fun with the kids, and really gets a kick out of Neen! He thinks she's funny!! You can just tell by the look in his eyes how much he loves the kids.

"NiNi"

Sweet, funny, loud, persistent, beautiful, curious, weird, willful, paci loving Neen!!

"My dear husband Casey"

I love this man! We have been married almost 13 years, and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for him, and for the life he has blessed us with. I could not have asked for a better person to spend my life with!

I hope you all are enjoying your summer!

Please say a little prayer for our Landon!

He is a true miracle!

Summer so far...

It has been a while since I last posted. Our summer is going by extremely fast! We have been doing a lot of fun things, and have a new addition to our family, but the thing we have been doing most is praying!!! Little Landon my nephew was born 3 weeks ago. He was 4 weeks early and is in stable condition at this time. He has had to endure so much in these last 3 weeks, and is proving to be a "fighter"! His dad has actuall nick named him his little superman. I have several pictures of Landon, but silly me can't figure out how to post them since they are not on my picasa program. If you would like to read updates and see pictures of Landon you can visit his care page. We are visiting Landon next week, and then I hope to add some pictures of him to my blog.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/LandonVaughn

Here are a few pictures of some of the things we have been enjoying this summer!

"Matching"

My mom made the girls these adorable shirts! They love to dress alike. Trin has named her shirt "cute". Whenever she sees it she says "cute, cute"! She actually almost ripped Annas shirt off one day when Anna got dressed before her, because she thought Anna was wearing her shirt.

"Rainbows"

Aren't they gorgeous? We see rainbows daily here around 6:00 each evening. It rains for 30 mins, and then the sun comes out. I wish I could get farther back so I could get the whole rainbow in the picture. Each time I see one it takes my breath away.

"Baseball games"

We recently went to our first minor league baseball game! We had so much fun, and the "Happy Hazelwoods" arrived at the game as the "Hungry Hazelwoods". I just don't get how one hot dog can cost $6.00. Trinity loved the game and every time the pitcher pitched and the ball hit the catchers glove she yelled Ohhhhh! It was funny! Afterwards there was a fireworks show. I just love watching fireworks set to music. It makes me teary eyed!

"Playing with chalk"

The kids love chalk,and I love that it doesn't stain. Especially since I go through a bottle of spray n wash each week. This master piece was made by my sister Amanda. The funny thing is it actually looks like each of my children.

Where did my babies go?

Who said it was ok for my babies to grow up? I'm not ready. Stop. Just for a little bit. Please?

Can't time just stand still?

In this busy world we live in, it is sometimes hard to notice that time is passing too fast. That your first born is now a pre teen talking about college. That your daughter has officially lost that baby face, and that your baby... your last baby is no longer a baby. She is her own self and has her own way of thinking.

Yes, I love the people my children are becoming. I just miss my babies.

Anna~looking more grown up every day!

Trin~ loves this pool! Loves this water! Loves her life! (Loves these beads!)

Happy 12th Birthday Bub! We love you!!!

(i think Bub has this shirt on in every post. He does have other clothes, he just loves this shirt!)