Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

AAAHHHH. Our first Saturday being married and as a family. The Hay family wanted to treat Mama to a special dinner. This meant Tot and I would have much work to get ready for our special evening.

Daddy had to go to his Chandler home to get it ready for the movers and just generally pack and clean. So, that meant we could do our usual routine. We all got to go the the gym together which was so fun. Then, Tot and I were on our own.

Of course, we had to make a craft. We opted for painting and adding some Bible verses to our masterpieces.

Tot made a donut and added Prov. 16:24, and I made cross with our family’s Bible verse: 1 These 5:15:

Then we cleaned, prepped and prepared the food. Tot played hard, dressed up, and got her hair all ponytailed, and then this happened. She slept for both of us because I needed a snooze myself.

House is ready with candles and music.

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We can’t wait to have Mama come and spoil her. She looked so pretty! It is so great to now get to rain love on her since she showed me so much love as I lived with her.

Daddy kept coming in to watch me prep. Is it done yet? Pork is fussy that way.

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I opted for shrimp cocktail to begin, then pork roast, sweet and rosemary potatoes, and a large salad bar.

What do you think? Tot? She was starving.

Ok, Family, dig in. I hope you like it. They ate it all with NO leftovers. That warmed my heart.

My honey made us cappuccinos to top it off. Deliciously coconut creamy smoothness. Oh, of course my cookies. (HI baby.)

What fun. We laughed hysterically to Snorta, a fun board game, and winded down with a nice chat. (my mom and I get a little looloo when we play games since we both want to win!)

My mom had a great time and I loved entertaining and spoiling everyone.

Doug and I wanted to begin our marriage and family on the right foot so to speak. We love the idea of meeting weekly as a couple and then weekly as a family. Our first official meeting took place on Thursday, February 28th, 2019.

We will have the same outline each week, but the meat of the “lesson” will vary.

Also, Knightsmission may have to say goodbye only to introduce HayHappens! You see, the Hay family will MAKE things happen. We’ll make a difference in this world by reflecting Christ in how we treat others and especially each other. We’ll also be intentional in our service to others and intentional in showing gratitude, giving thanks in all circumstances. We’re working on our mission statement and code so stay tuned. It’s a work in progress right now. In time, these will be posted in our home so they are front and center as a constant reminder.

Snacks of course!

We’ll start each meeting with our verse:

1 THESSALONIANS 5:15–

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

A Hay hug and a read of our mission statement (soon to be determined)

Then we go into our “lesson;” Today it was brainstorming:

Tatum insisted she would be the eraser and the photographer. Key needs!

After the “lesson, we’ll review what went well this week, what could be better, and what we may need. A fun little game we would play after, then we had a prayer and a reading of our verse.

One thing I will try to do in our family is make sure I show appreciation to my honey and my Tot each day in some way. Love notes are always helpful!

Also, laughing and goofing off are a must, right!? You can never have too much of this.

The Hay Family is off, running and happening! We are excited to see how God will use us. First, we are committed to LOVE HIM, LOVE EACH OTHER, and LOVE OTHERS. Now that is HAPPENING!

I haven’t been called that really ever. Not until my wedding day. Austin called me mom, and he said he’d like to get used to that. Well, so would I!

Just last night, Doug was talking to him on the phone about his job. Austin’s shoes get very wet while he works at the restaurant. That would make anyone dissatisfied, right?

I remembered when I used to work in that business, I loved my Doc Martens.

They were also “cool” shoes (and still are). I piped in and told him I’d order a pair for him. He needed boots to protect his feet and ankles. No problem. He needed them. Period.

It made his day, and he even called me……

mom.

Dear Austin, you have a bright future. Stay true to who you are and how God made you. He designed you for greatness and for a distinct purpose.

We love you.

It’ s getting there! We are living in the condo until the remodel of our new home is ready, so I have been working diligently to make it homey for my honeys. I sure love the floor and paint that we have done to the condo. My honey has fixed the lights and ceiling fans also. He’s working so hard making it all work. (he has his honey-do list to pick away at. He’s so good to us!)

It’s so fun to make it into our home until we move into our permanent space.

Tatum seems to be enjoying her room as she teaches her kiddos.

She says her kids are not “focused” so she needs to write their names on the board. Hmmmmm. I wonder where she got that idea?

Her room sure is cute! I tried to make it feel cozy with my pictures on the wall.

We are still drawing-art and crafting. We will get back into it as we get settled. Meanwhile she wanted to draw a Nintendo. Better to draw it than to have her nose in it pushing buttons and zombie’ing out. Like the video game she drew?

I’m having a blast making dinner and serving my family. My honey goes to Costco and buys in bulk and I divide up the “bulk” into portions. It’s good teamwork.

However, some nights call for takeout. Our Saturday date night morphed into a HAY family night with a movie and Chick-fil-A. I can’t think of a better night (except for of course the wine bar and sitting on my love’s lap).

Sleep has been a bit of a challenge because we are all on a new routine. However we are praying for HIS spirit to calm our minds and to allow these new routines to go smoothly. It’s working but is still a work in progress. Tatum captured all of our morning faces yesterday. My babe’s coffee routine has not changed. He creates coffee magic with his cappuccino contraption and whipper-upper. At least we know that he could become a Barista if Honeywell didn’t work out.

Awake and ready to tackle the day. Hay is happening!

The order of things. They seem to be confusing at the time. In fact, the way I would have had a relationship begin and journey through was completely different than what has occurred.

My sole concern for the past 6 years has been being the best mommy for Tatum. Now, I can only imagine if I was swept away in love with Doug 4 years ago. I would have had a hard time keeping myself away from Doug and I think my motherhood would have suffered. I also think Doug and I would not be together today.

But GOD… BUT GOD! But God had a different plan. He saved my heart and my excitement for after we would be married. Isn’t that so like God? We had to trust in the process and God’s plan. I knew from the first night I met Doug that he would be my husband. I knew that with my head, and my head never wavered! But, I wanted to FEEEEEEEL it in my heart. My heart was in love with him, but not the kind of love that you dream about…that Hollywood, butterfly love. If that would have happened in the beginning, I’m sure it would have sabotaged US or at least the quality of our foundation. However, we have spent the past 4 years building a STRONG friendship.

Getting married has solidified my feelings and have given me those butterflies! God is so good. He knew what he was doing. And the serendipity? Tatum gets the best daddy in the whole world PLUS she gets modeled a purely loving picture of family and parents.

It never gets old. He has spoiled me with letters and cards for four years.

He even wrote me the sweetest letter last night. (I covered a few lines: *WINK*)

We now get to really flirt with texts

And of course, how could I not stop staring at my rings??

The rings just symbolize a circle that has no end.

I love you Mr. Hay. Tatum, you have a wonderful new daddy, and God, you have perfect timing of ALL things.

She couldn’t stop saying it. No more “Dougy,” Baby!

We brought mom and Tot a few gifts from our stay.

I couldn’t wait to see Tatum (and my mom of course). Seeing her after this last evening was different because now we are a true family; it’s real now.

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We opened gifts (wow, how blessed we were), and then we decided to bless our home.

Daddy read a prayer of blessing for a new home,

we lit a candle, and then went from room to room praying over our home. We wanted Jesus to be covering the whole place. We focused on being GRATEFUL which is signified above the sink in the kitchen.

We had takeout our first night since we had no food!
But it was so fun to eat as a family.

The next day Tot and I would load up on groceries. She had the day off due to it being President’s Day. (our grocery bill was twice what it used to be, but it’s worth it! I get to serve my family now).

I have never experienced FAMILY like this; Tatum finally gets to experience it too. My heart is full. Completely full. I know there will be “stuff” that happens, but we have such a strong foundation from God and from time together in the last 4 years.

I can’t wait to be your wife, be Tatum’s mommy with a daddy, and to serve my family with love.

Disclaimer: This post will be extremely abridged. *wink*

We had to drop off my car at the condo. It looked like I was the Runaway Bride.

I also wanted to get the literally 100 pins in my hair.

Next stop: The Phoenician. Now, Doug did not get the reservation till a bit late, and PLUS it was Valentine’s weekend. The suite we got was triple diple the price, but oh my. We were in for a treat.

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I can’t explain it, but I felt completely different today; It was as if I was with a brand new man, but I have this incredible friendship with him already. I’m with the LOVE of my life. We couldn’t wait to start our journey. I’m just beaming……

No, we are ….

When we were in the lobby, God had a present for us; we ran into an acquaintance of ours from church. She and her husband sit behind us at church. Well, we told her we were planning on going to Napa for our official honeymoon, and she mentioned they own a B an B in Napa. She will take care of us! Now, how is that not a gift from God? A little message saying, “You two, I have you in the palm of My hands.”

Enter heaven….

The suite was SO SWEET! Like 1300 square feet of spectacular views.

As the evening progressed, we got comfy!

I put on a few little goodies for my honey.

We then had a toast!

Would it be a party without an injury? I tried to move the stool and it went over my toe.

So my rocket man took over.

My toe might have been throbbing, but my heart was pounding with excitement.
The evening progressed perfectly, and I’ll leave it at that.

Relaxed and peaceful, we walked around the hotel in the morning. We needed to find a pair of flippies I could put on since I couldn’t wear my shoes. I figured we should go to the spa and get some of their free flippies for when you get a pedi. This way we wouldn’t be spending $50 on rubber shoes.

Now that is a happy foot….

and a very happy couple.

We wish we could stay longer, but a staycation in a few months will be just perfect.

My dear sweet man, I love you more than I could ever have imagined. I see why you save the good stuff for marriage. Our relationship is on a whole new level and we are connected on a completely deeper tier. Without that four years of foundational friendship, I don’t think this day would have been so special and sweet.

Tatum and Mom, we have some presents for you. See you soon!