Pumpkin Patch Pictures

What a mouthful the title of this post is!

John Reagan went on his first field trip in the middle of October. His class went to one of the many pumpkin patch's around here. Mommy didn't get to go because of little Averi, but Nana went with John Reagan. We have yet to decide who had more fun out of the two. Nana got TONS of pictures. We just haven't taken her a cd to download them on yet. Shameful I know! We also did family pictures at another Pumpkin Patch with Justin and Meredith Bufkin. Justin is Jon Bufkin's brother for those of you who don't know Justin. He and Meredith are doing a "picture campaign" (for lack of better wording that eludes me right now) as fundraising to bring home their baby girl from Ethiopia. Their campaign title is "One Smile Closer." If you would like to follow them on their journey and check out all the great pictures Justin has already taken along the way, you can find them at http://onedaycloseradoption.blogspot.com/.

Little Averi was a week old here.

We think Justin did a GREAT job. We love all the pictures! If you live around here and are thinking about family pictures in the near future, I highly recommend Justin. If you live in Tennessee and need family pictures, Jon and Kelsey are helping out by giving all their "picture proceeds" toward Justin and Meredith's adoption. What a great brother and sister (in-law)!

I have to give a shout out to Kristin too! She took our family picture and designed our Christmas card for us this year. I so desperately want to give you a sneak peek because I LOVE the work she did. But I cannot ruin the surprise. All I have to say is I highly recommend her if you want a new design for your Christmas card this year. She does a great job. You can check her work out at http://afhphotos.blogspot.com/.

I think I should have given this blog a title that has to do with sales. Do I get commission if I send someone your way? Lol! We are so thankful for friends that we can call/email for pictures and cards and whatever else we need or want. We love all of you!!

In My Absence

Dear Blog,
Please forgive me!

I am not purposely neglecting you. I think about you often. Unfortunately, fifty thousand other things come up before I get to you. Okay, maybe fifty thousand is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. I am sorry that you are the one who gets put off until everything else is caught up. I really do appreciate you even if it doesn't show.

Fortunately for you I am about as stubborn as can be. I stuck with the troublesome Internet today instead of putting you off for yet another day. The ironing will be mad at me later for it.

I am also sorry for what I have neglected to write on your illuminating screen. I totally forgot to mention that Evie is potty-trained and has been for 2 months now. How could I forget something as wonderful as that, especially when it means only one set of diapers. And the angels sing, "Hallelujah!"

I forgot to write about all the fun John Reagan had when we finally did our backyard campfire for him at the first of the month. Or was it Evie who had more fun stealing the chocolate that was supposed to be for the s'mores?

With little Averi, she seems to change everyday, and everyone is enjoying every minute of her. I can't leave off how sweet it is when Evie says, "baby sister!" It never ceases to amaze me how time flies, and it is even more evident with a baby in the house. Little Averi will be a month old in 2 days. I know, oh blog, you completely understand how time flies as you sit and wait on me.



Of course Evie thinks whatever is Averi's is hers as well. Naturally that is okay. Do you remember, dear blog, how 2 years ago we were writing/publishing about John Reagan thinking everything of Evie's was his? Now he has passed the torch on to Evie. What a good big brother!

Since I have neglected you so I am inundating you with pictures, my faithful blog. On the way to Grandmother's house we go. Of course this day was to great-grandmother's house. Brother and Evie wanted to wear their hats so they could be like Daddy!

Naturally the silliness of brother and sister does not fail even when I fail to write about it. The fun they have together now is so precious. I love to hear their laughter as they play together. And when brother and sister are all smiles the house runs so much more smoothly. Thank you Lord for siblings who get along so well and who actually do appreciate one another. Evie never fails in her excitement to go pick "brudder" up at school and loves to tell him, "I missed you, Brudder." Got to love these two!

I wish, my dear blog, I could promise to be more faithful, but I cannot at this time. I do, however, already have a list of 2 blogs I need to post after this, which means as I find the time I will be here to write on your wall. Please forgive me! Please do not leave me! I will be here.

Birthday Wishes!

Happy 34th Birthday to Daddy! He got the best present he could have ever asked for.

Miss Averi Roxanne Hasley made her appearance at 1:41 p.m. September 27, 2010 on Daddy's birthday. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and is 21 inches long. Our biggest baby yet!

Even the doctor was shocked by how big she was. Neither John Reagan nor Evie broke 7 lbs., so none of us ever expected Averi to be so big, especially since my original due date (which was Sept. 27th) was moved back a week because Miss Priss was measuring a week behind.

She is so precious! We forgot how much we love having a baby in the house, and she is such a good baby.

She really liked her bath time and must think lotion is great. She was so relaxed while I put lotion on her and was looking at me like, "Wow! What is that?"

She is definitely a snuggler! Mommy loves this even though it makes getting things done difficult sometimes (like blogging).

Averi is doing great! We all are enjoying her very much, even Evie. Evie says to her, "Hey baby sister," all the time. And yes, John Reagan is constantly in her face like he was with Evie. The adjustment process has went well so far. Evie has thrown a few fits but is taking her frustrations out on Mommy and Daddy while loving on "baby sister." Thank God she is taking it out on us and not Averi! Daddy goes back to work tomorrow, so we will see how it all goes this week. Something about the number 3 is a little overwhelming. Hopefully like with the last 2 we will fall right in line and not know any different after a week or so.

We look forward to the day we can share our newest family member in person with all of you. Hope everyone is well!

Happy Anniversary!

As has been the case around here lately, I am 4 days behind on this post. However, I still wanted to say Happy 7th Anniversary to my wonderful husband! Sorry you don't get a picture, but with all the baby preparations going on I didn't have time to break out the scanner. Since it has been 7 years, I don't have a picture handy on the computer. I promise you a picture on the 10th Anniversary...if you are still keeping up with me by then. Lol!

One thing is for sure, our 7 years have not been uneventful. Just living with Greg is eventful in itself; besides that though we have:

Moved 5 times-2 of which were out of state

Buried 7 family members

Been through 4 pregnancies-one of which resulted in a miscarriage

I have had 3 surgeries (0 prior to marriage if that tells you anything)

Painted 3 houses (ceilings and all)

Bought a house and sold it

Been through the stress of open heart surgery with my dad and 2 stints with Greg's dad

Lived with my parents for 9 months

and impatiently awaiting the birth of baby girl #2 (will she ever come)

The best part about our 7 years aside from the fact that we have spent them together is all the absolutely, wonderful friends we have made along the way. We would not be who we are today without being totally blessed by all of you. We love you and miss you greatly.

We thought we might spend our 7th anniversary in the hospital, but that obviously didn't happen. Induction is still set for Monday, which is Greg's birthday. I have been hoping Averi would make her appearance early, but as it stands she seems perfectly content. We can't wait to share our newest family member with you soon.