Just a Few pics from my weekend!

I've had a great, laid back weekends. One of those do nothing but just hang out and relax kind of weekends!  Here's a few pics from my weekend, and yes most are of Emmi, but its b/c she's the only one that cannot be in a different room than me!

I recently heard a friend refer to this doll as "has some miles on her." Well she does, Emmi takes her everywhere she goes. And apparently she is concerned for her safety!

Friday morning, before work, I hung up these in Em's room. She adores them, calls them her "fya-flies"

While I was working Friday, Em went to Target with Mimi.  Momma sent me this pic and it said "Isnt getting her way."  I laughed all day at this photo!

I just bought this basket, it's for holding blankets in the living room, but I guess another baby doll will do for now!

Tonight, I cooked for my sister and Grandmother, after supper, CV showed off his "baby"

His 3D TV, I loved seeing Mom Toms wearing these glasses!!

That's All!
Peace Out Hommies!

Our Loss is Pop's Gain

Ok, I admit I am a terrible Blogger! I havent blogged since Thanksgiving.  I know......... terrible!

And to be honest, I have sat here for several days trying to type this entry and I just cant find the words..... but I really want to do my Pop justice so I have to at least try.

So here goes......

It's Tuesday, December 14 6:30 a.m. and my house phone rings, from the info on the caller ID I immediately knew something was wrong.  My heart sank, seeing how all three of my boys were out of town, I panicked that something was wrong with one of them. 

It was my momma, she was calling to tell me that Pop, who had been in the hospital since Sunday, was doing really bad.  The doctors wanted family to be close. I got up, fixed a cup of coffee, sat in my chair, and just prayed! I prayed for my Pop and Mom Toms and for my Daddy who had been there all night.

An hour later, my phone rang again, it was momma, telling me that I needed to do whatever I could to hurry to the hospital.

And from there, the rest of the morning was chaos. 

For the next three days, myself, my Daddy, my sister and brother, my momma and sister in law sat by Pops side in the ICU room. We took shifts, going in to see Pop, together we had to make some very tough decisions.  Decisions that people should not be required to make of a loved one.  

Thursday morning I decided to go into work to relieve Momma, but by 10:30 momma called me saying I needed to come up to the hospital.  When I walked into the ICU room, Mom Toms was laying in a recliner with a wash cloth on her forehead. Pop was awake, surrounded by all his favorite people. 

Mom Toms' Blood Pressure was out of control high, she almost fainted, she was now being admitted into the hospital.  I walked over to see Pop, he was clearly in pain and letting us all know that he was unhappy of his current situation.  

This next part is especially tough for me, mainly because it's the one part of the whole week that I will carry with me for the rest of my Life.  

I walked over to Pop, got right in face, looked straight in his eyes, that seemed almost clear, and said 

"HEY POP!!! IT'S ME TRAY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Pop: looked at me and grinned, just with his eyes, but I know he was grinning at me

ME: "Do you know how much I love you?"

Pop: Still grinning with his eyes, shook his head yes! then let out a groan...

ME: "Pop, are you trying to tell me you love me too?"

Pop: Got still and shook his head yes!

Me:  "Pop, I know you love me, we all do! We all love you so much! Can you hear what I'm saying to you? Can you see me?"

Pop: shook his head yes and then he went to sleep.

Everyone said that was the most responsive he had been to everyone all day! That made me feel very special! Later that day Pop responded to David too.  I stayed the rest of the day and late into the night, to return early the next morning.  I stayed there all day Friday and thru the night. My sister and I took shifts with Pop and Mom til about 10 pm and then I went down to Mom's room and slept thru the night. Early that morning I went upstairs to check on Pop and my sis. Pop was as stable as he was the night before. I went home that afternoon, to bathe and change my clothes. My sister called and said to hurry back. By 3:00 that afternoon, we were gathered around Pop, saying our final goodbye.

  Pop is whole, he does not hurt, his legs are young and healthy, he is with Jesus.  Amen! 

I made peace with Pop leaving us one night while sitting there with him, I was on my knees praying. Praying for Jesus to come for Pop. Praying for Jesus to reveal his grace and mercy over Pop and relieve all the pain he was in. As hard as it was for me to see Pop laying there covered in equipment, I feel blessed to be holding his hand as he entered the gates of heaven.  

My Pop......... ever so proud of his name, of his family, and to be a Christian!

This was three years ago at Thanksgiving.

This summer Mom toms and Pop traveled to Minden to watch Brock play baseball. 

I remember being so proud and happy that Pop made the game!

Every year we take a family photo at christmas. Mom and Pop made sure that every year we did this, we all moaned and groaned about it every year, but the end result, we all loved.  Not this year, this year we couldn't wait to take it, for Pop.  He would have loved being right in the smack dab center of everybody!

I love you Pop! I wish I could see you one more time, to tell you something, but that something will just have to wait, because one day, my time will come and when I leave this world, I know you will be the first one waiting for me, in a golf cart with a sack of corn on the back, you'll say to me "get in Tray, we've got some ducks to feed, but first there's someone I want you to meet." And you'll drive me straight to meet Jesus!! I can't wait Pop til then....

Peace Out Hommies!

Tray

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Thursday morning I woke up to momma and my kids watching cartoons and eating junk food!  No wonder they love her so much!!  I couldn't wait to watch the Macys Day Parade with my kids, but they weren't quite old enough to really enjoy it yet, it lasted about 8.5 minutes.  So I put them to work. 

PS- CV and B were at the hunting camp, promising to be home by 1. 

Helping me stir my Sweet Potatoes

I heart that wing tip

There was just as much food in her mouth as was in the bowl!

Our 1st Thanksgiving in our home!

The next morning, I got up and hit Black Friday at 4 a.m.  I went shopping with two friends.  We had such a blast. The crowds werent terrible, in fact I didnt wait in line anywhere. We ended the morning at Strawns, all three of us ordered "The Big WOman Breakfast!"  

Meanwhile, CV was at home getting all three munchkins dressed and ready to go to Dallas, they picked me up in town and we hit the road!

We had a very special person to meet.

Peyton Elizabeth Van Hoy

This image will always make my heart skip a beat! 

I heart this big ole boy, especially when he's holding a little person!

This may have been my favorite moment of the weekend, only my kids could convince their Nana to let them blow candles and sing happy birthday to them, even when it someone else's birthday! Thanks Uncle Bubba for letting them taking the glory!!  

And then it got real quiet and it was because this little one had snuck into the kitchen for a snack!!

The next morning Nana always gets the kids to decorate her tree. I am always in awe of how she lets them put them wherever they want. I know she goes back and does a better job, but still she's the model of patience! 

The finished product! Good job Team!

So thankful for so much!! JESUS! CHRIS! B,W,& E! My momma, Daddy! My in-laws! My Church! My Friends!

Peace Out Hommies!

Day 24

Ok so maybe my goal was a little unrealistic...  I mean seriously,,, me blog everyday! yeah right!
I have been so busy that I havent had time to get on here and type! The house takes alot more time than our old one did! But its getting there!

Ok so today I'm thankful for my momma.  After work today, CV left and went to join my dad and Brock at the hunting camp.  So momma came over and we hit the town.  We shopped til we literally dropped.  We closed the malls down at 9 tonight and closed down Target at 10.  AND....we had the two babies with us. But when you fill two children full of sugar from doughnuts, they dont mind being out that late.  Who cares if at 11 pm they were still awake..
Anywho! I just had fun with my momma, my best friend.  She is spending the night tonight which made my kids so stinking happy.  I had put the kids to bed, went and got in the shower, came out to find them all back up and watching tv in the living room...  I guess thats what happens when Mimi spends the night!!  Oh well....cant wait for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and turkey! Our first Thanksgiving in our new house!!!

Peace Out Hommies!

DAY 20

Saturday November 20.
Today I'm thankful for what I found on Facebook tonight.  Two years ago, I wrote this "note" on FB, everyone was doing so what the heck.... I might as well too! I re-read it tonight and laughed at how in 2 years some things were the same but some were different!
Just wanted to share!

1. I hate being 6 ft tall, prefer 5'13' 
2. My favorite time of day is early morning when all are asleep and Im drinking my first cup of coffee.
 *Not now, no one beats Emerson Lee up in the morning!
3. I dont remember life before text messaging. 
4. I have a 6yr son who is me through and through, except his face, thats CV! *Brock is now 8! WOW 8!!!
5. I dont like when people say: "I'm the type of person who..." just show me, dont tell me. 
6. I cherish the way Chris and I always look at one another when something makes us laugh. 
7. I miss dancing every single day of my life. *Not now, I'm back to dancing!!
8. I have a two yr who is Chris in every way except his face, thats me! *Witten is now 4!
9. I only drink OJ in wine goblets, it just tastes better. *I dont even own wine goblets now!
10. My husband bought me an original nintendo a few yrs ago. 
11. I have a brother and a sister but grew up an only child. 
12. I have been watching the Young and the Restless everyday for 6 years. I dont even like it anymore but.....everyday I still watch it. 
13. I was born with a bad kidney. 
14. I love my job! *Even though its a different one, I still love it!
15. I love romance, I'll take it any where I can get it. Movies, shows, vampire books...whatever! *I'm over Twilight!
16. I cant stand high heels. They make me fall. 
17. I am that girl at the redlight that sings to herself in the rearview mirror like a rockstar on stage in central park with 1,000,000,000 fans screaming my name, with bright lights and backup dancers, Sequins outfits, a gold microphone, blue eyeshadow, curly hair, a gigantic tour bus, and Steven Tyler Perry playing the guitar. 
18. I love The Bachelor and refuse to believe that at the reunion show they are not already broken up! 
19. I have a beautiful daughter that has more clothes than chris and I together. 
20. I care what people think. 
21. I pray for almost a solid hour in the mornings. 
22. I will always remember how I felt the first time I kissed Chris Van Hoy, the boy with the scar. 
23. My favorite verse is 1Thess. 5:16-18. 
24. I have the most wonderful friends now than I have ever had in my life. 
25. I am in awe of the way the Lord has given me so much.  *This has never been more true in my life! God is ever so present.  


Peace Out Hommies!

DAY 19~ Stupid Hawaiian shirt

Friday November 19th, I am once again thankful for my Lord and Savior! and for my hubby!  My Biff!


God amazes me daily! Sometimes in just small ways and sometimes in huge ways, today was a huge way! Without sharing too much He just reminded me that even when we think we are in control, we are not. And I'm so thankful to not be in control!! I'm blessed to have Him running things, I should've learned by now that all I have to do is just sit back and let Him do His thang!! If anything, God has taught me that He wants the very best for me and Chris and our babies.  All I have to do is QUIT worrying and just have faith.  Something that is so easy to say but sometimes so hard to do! 


And again, I'm thankful for my amazing hubby!
Chris Van Hoy, I met you 10 years ago. And when I did, I honestly fell in love with you at first sight.  Dont get me wrong, I thought you were the biggest DORK in your hawaiian shirt (I dont care what you say, it was not a "rave" shirt, it had hibiscus' on it).  I thought the scar under your right eye was sexy and made you look harder than you were really were.  I loved that you were taller than me, I loved that you gave me just enough attention to make me want more of you.  UGH you had me at the hibiscus shirt!!  
But now, I love you so much more than I ever thought I could love a boy 10 years ago.  I would still think you are a dork if you wore a hawaiian shirt or a rave shirt for that matter.  I still think your scar is sexy and it definitely makes you look harder than you really are.  I still love that you are taller me, and I love that you give me all the attention I could want and yet, still leave me wanting more of you.  I love you how you can read me within 4 minutes of seeing me.  I love the way I feel when I hear your truck pulling up in the driveway, even if I show differently.  I love how we have come such a long way from those two kids in the Pike house.  We have three kids, live in our dream home, we work together everyday but best of all I love how this is just our earthly lives together, I know our heavenly life will so much more together! Thanks for always praying for our family, for us,  for me.  I pray for you almost all day.  But mainly just thanking God for you! I feel blessed more than any girl ever should


And I owe all that to God! I undeservingly have the best life, but I give all the glory and praise to God.  I didnt do any of it, I just let Him work through me.  I hope that I make Him proud.  I hope and pray that one day, when I meet Him face to face, He will look at me and say "Job well done TvHo, you faithful servant!" 

Peace Out Hommies

Be Joyful Always, Pray without ceasing. Be thankful for all circumstances in your life, for they are the will of God for you.   1 Thess. 5:16-18

DAY 16-18

Today I am so So SOOOOO THANKFUL for medicine! I have been completely out of commission the last three days.  My allergies have rocked my world, and not just mine, but CV's world, and my kids world.

I am also thankful for momma and daddy who came over Tuesday night to help out with the two babies while CV had Brock at football practice.  I was in bed by 5:30 Tuesday night, took about an hour nap, woke up again, helped get the kiddos to bed and then went back to bed at 8:30.  Wednesday night, I was WORSE! I just couldn't keep my eyes open.  So this morning I went to see my doctor.  By 10:00 am I had gotten two shots, a Z-pac and in the line at Starbucks! So my bucket may have felt like it got stung by 100 bees, but by all means, I was gonna be feeling better soon.

So by 4:00 this afternoon I was on a celestone BUZZ! And my front yard was full of boys and my ears were being blown off by my 2 yr old little girl!

By 6:00, I realized my Celestone Buzz was in FULL SWING! I even texted CV and warned him of what was going on at home, I think he was thankful to be at practice!!  ;)

By 7:30 pm, I had rearranged our living room furniture, cooked a full-blown meal, (Smothered steak, real mashed potatoes & gravy, and sweet corn) cleaned three bathrooms, swept the whole downstairs, organized a closet, bathed the babies, folded two loads of clothes.

So now its 10:00 pm, I'm finally starting to settle down, my body is aching (probably from the lifting of the couch, love seat and two recliners) and I'm watching Greys Anatomy! I feel so much better and happy to back in commission!

Thanks Dr. Davidson, you have my family back in order tonight!!

How about a cute pic of my lil diva

PEACE OUT HOMMIES!!