31 More Days

I love God, my husband, my children, my Moma and Randy Travis (not necessarily in that order - just kidding). In 31 days, I will be sitting at the Cascade Theatre, listening to Randy sing his heart out. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Some people say Randy sounds like he is singing through his nose. Well, if that's true, I just wish I could sing that good through MY nose.

Those who have been reading my blog for some time will remember that I got this for my 50th birthday:

I assume, since he gave me an autographed picture for my 50th birthday, that we are close! So, I'm hopeing he will want to meet up with me after the show to get a picture together. :0)

Powderpuff Football Game

Powderpuff Football Games are an annual tradition at Redding Christian High School. Each May, the seniors/sophomores girls play against the juniors/freshmen. And, the boys serve as the cheerleaders for the game and do a dance routine during half time. This year, Lyle's team was the Vicious Villians. Although it is a lot of fun to participate, the main reason to be a part of Powderpuff is to get a cool t-shirt you can wear:

Here's Lyle looking "vicious":

Our girls were all excited and ready to play:

Here's the cheerleaders, leading the crowd in a cheer:

Unfortunately, the guys didn't get to do their routine during half time because the sound system would not work, and our team lost. But, it was a fun evening watching the girls and guys making high school memories; visiting with other parents in the stands; and, of course, getting a cool t-shirt!

Praise and Prayer Request

Praise:

After being on a transplant list for only 5 days, my dear friend Sylvia got the call that they had lungs for her! Sylvia has a very rare lung disease that has progressively gotten worse, and her only hope was a double lung transplant. I am soooo thankful for people who are organ donors. I am also mindful that there is a family somewhere that has lost a loved one, and my heart goes out to them.

Prayer Request:

Please pray for Sylvia! She has a long, long recovery ahead of her. Pray for her husband, Sam. He needs encouragement and strength and freedom from feeling overwhelmed by it all!

Is Food A Love Language?

Can I just say how much I love food? I love my husband, but I must admit that I am involved in a food affair that has been going on for many, many years. It’s that Haley blood! Their motto is, “If all else fails, EAT!” When you’re happy, EAT! Smother your sadness with a helping of gravy over a pile of mashed potatoes! When you’re stressed, EAT! Carbohydrates cure! Instead of worrying, just EAT! We have most of our family get-togethers at my Aunt Monda’s house. At her house, when you are full enough to unbutton your pants, she starts offering you dessert! :0)

(Is this not the cutest dish ever?)

Food speaks love to me!! Gary Smalley says there are five love languages, but he forgot about the most imporant one -- FOOD! I can’t tell you how loved I felt when my dear friend, Karla Haddleton, showed up recently with her delicious seven-layer dip that I absolutely LOVE! (and, of course, some chips). And, it was in the cutest dish you have ever seen (which made it taste even better!). Thank you, Karla, for speaking LOVE to me!!

Life In The Fox Lane

In April, Lyle attended the College Preview at George Fox University. A special thanks to the Williamson's and Polly's for driving the kids. Here's a picture we took before they left:

George Fox University is located in Newburg, Oregon (23 miles south of Portland). During the preview, they were able to tour the campus, go to a Chapel service, attend classes, spend the night in a residence hall, go to an informational seminar, hang out with current students to experience a bit of campus life, and attend other activities.

George Fox has a fantastic Theatre Department, and Lyle would like to minor in Theatre! While he was there, he got to see a drama play, The Taming of the Shrew and tour the department after the play.


Here's Garrett, Hannah, Cassie, and Lyle wearing their George Fox T-Shirts and standing by the famous clock tower located on the campus:

Lyle came home very excited about joining "life in the Fox lane" after high school, but of course $$$$ is the deciding factor. Every day, I claim Jeremiah 29:11 for Lyle: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderful Mother's Day! We celebrated with my Mom on Friday night since she was going to be out-of-town. On Sunday, we went to church and then to Red Lobster afterwards. I absolutely LOVE to go there but the price makes it a "special occasion only" kind of place. Ethan joined us since his Mom was also out-of-town.

Here's me with my kids (yes, I lovingly refer to Ethan as my "third child"). I am so thankful for my children! I love them sooooooo much!

We relaxed in the afternoon and then in the early evening, we took a walk at the Lema Ranch. What a beautiful place with all the ponds and willow trees:

A special thank you to my family for making this Mother's Day a very special day for me!! I will cherish the memory of that day for years to come.

May Day (a little late!)

Once again, I have neglected my blog. I don't know what's been up with me lately - I've lacked motivation and inspiration. Now I must play catch up. So here's my first of several "catch up" posts (in random order).

Imagine my surprise and excitement last Sunday afternoon when the doorbell rang, and I went to the door to find no on there and this:

I was sooooo excited!! I love May Day! Of course, my family had to "burst my bubble" by reminding me this little May Day surprise was probably intended for Lyle. But, since he was not home from Mexico yet, I pretended it was solely for me!

May Day was a HUGE deal at Pacheco Elementary School (where I attended from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade). In the afternoon, we had what they called a May Day Pole Dance. Each grade had their own pole. There was always lots of bright colored crepe paper ribbons, and they played fun music while we weaved in and out. Here's a picture I found on the internet of children doing a May pole:

I would count down the days until May Day and looked forward to it for a few weeks. I had my "school" dresses and "church" dresses. Well, on May Day, my moma would let me wear one of my church dresses to school (that was a BIG deal). She always curled my hair in pink sponge rollers the night before (which was also a BIG deal since I had hair down to my waist). When we got in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, some of the students (especially the boys) complained that we had to participate. I never said anything out loud, but I was secretly soooooooo glad they made us participate. Oh what fun memories!!!

Thank you, Hannah and Hannah, for the May Day surprise and helping bring up happy memories in my mind! I love you two!! You are such beautiful girls -- both outside and inside!!