Littlest Pumpkins in The Haynes Patch!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL! The Haynes girls are officially in the mood for fall- we have our pumpkins out and on and we are ready for the cooler weather- although I do LOVE some summer- I am ready to see a new season- Galveston style.

Mattie and Hailey just keep us laughing- they are so full of life and personality. The other day I took their carseats apart to be washed- which by the way you need a Master's degree in putting together and taking apart these things- Ha! They had the best time sitting in them in front of the tv. I guess it was like their own little movie theater!

Aren't they just the cutest lil' pumpkins?!?!

Happy Fall!

xoxo,

Family Fun Day!

What we had this weekend! Saturday, we convinced Daddy to take us to lunch and then to Kemah Boardwalk. Ken and I have been there before- pre Ike, but the girls have never been. I also had a major craving for Mexican food- SO we headed to La Brisa. It was great! The girls ate beans rice and fajita meat like they were originally from Mexico! We were able to sit outside- which the girls loved and we didn't feel like we were disturbing anyone that way either. Aren't these dresses adorable? our sweet friends "The Nichol's" game them to us at my baby shower in Nashville. Kristen made them- what a skill to have!

Mattie eating her chips!

Hailey found the Mardi Gras beads hanging on the ceiling- ha! After lunch, off to the Boardwalk...

Although my girls were too small to ride anything, we had a blast walking around and watching the other kids. It was fun just being out as a family.

After our trip to Kemah, we headed home for naps and dinner. Shrimpfest was going on downtown- The Strand. We decided we would walk around for a little bit. We saw serveral of our friends, but the highlight of the day was the "nah nahs" known to us as horses.

What a great day with my most favorite 3 people!

xoxo,

GIrls Gone GALA!

A few weekends ago- some of my Galveston besties went to "The Wonderful World of Paws" a Gala for the Humane Society. My friend Lindsay Perez was in charge of it and she did an amazing job! Everything was very "Wizard of Oz!" It was a great time with a great group of girls! Lindsay Perez, me and Liz

Taking a break from dancing for a photo! What fun!

Thanks Hayley for inviting us as your dates! :)

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have my picture made with the Tinman and Dorthy???

We found the wicked witch... probably an Ike casuality...

Everything was perfect Lindsay- you did a great job and we sure did have a blast!
xoxo,

Prayers for Elizabeth

Let me back track...

Last Saturday night- I met a girl- Erin Kay originally from Arkansas but living in Galveston, TX now. We became fast friends! I immediately felt a connection to her- I guess it is the "joining TN and Ark thing" or the fact that Ken and my sister Lauren both have such a history with Arkansas- that I too have seen my fair share of the state. Long story short we became facebook friends- from there- on her page I saw this blog about another girl in Arkansas. As most of you know- I love to read blogs: this one has really pulled at my heartstrings and I just had to share. This beautiful young girl: Elizabeth was in a terrible car wreck about 2 weeks ago- this blog was created to inform her family and friends of her condition, but also to just ask for prayer for her. I don't know Elizabeth, but I can see through the words written about her that God is doing amazing things in her life- she is BEAUTIFUL inside and out. I am touched by her story as a woman, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a mommy. I am convicted to pray for this girl and her family! God never said this life was going to be easy or that we are promised another day- He just said her would be our rock! I pray they constantly feel that SOLID ROCK beneath their feet as they go through this with Elizabeth. Take a moment and just read her story- I feel greater things are coming from this situation.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

http://prayingforliz.blogspot.com/

xoxo,

Wordless Wednesday!

ok- so I tried to be "wordless"- aren't these dresses precious?!?! Thanks Honey for always keeping us "stylin"!
xoxo,

Crazy HAIR!

Look at what I saw after our nap the other day... Mattie not too bad...

Hailey- what did you do? That is some CRAZY hair!

After we found a brush and a bow- I told the girls "Let's go get in the car", which they understand because they always race to the door. This time, Hailey ran and got her beads and a bag- no lie- then to the door! Isn't that precious?!?! She is ready for her shopping trip!

xoxo,

Isaiah 43:2

What a weekend- and it is only Saturday!!! I have had a very crazy busy week. I was asked by our pastors wife- Mrs. Sherry to be in charge of decorations for the "Rededication Celebration" for First Baptist Church Galveston- and I was thrilled to do it. This week was crunch time- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I was at the church until 10 or 11pm working on my projects- let me just say my time there was small potatoes compared to many of the faces I saw there! It was amazing seeing how many church members all pitched in to reopen our sanctuary 2 years after being devestated by Hurricane Ike. After much prep time- Saturday is here! My day started with my first ever 10k (approx. 6.2 miles) in honor of Galveston's Revitalization since the storm. It was hard- but we finished and I am ready to keep going! 1/2 marathon here I come! Here are some of my favorite girls and I after the race! Abbey was my running buddy today- and a tremendous encouragement! After the race- I went and hung the wreaths on the church doors- I made them and I love them! After that- headed home for a much needed shower and to get all of my family ready to go back to church by 11:30am.

As many of you know- our home was flooded along with most of the island during the storm 2 years ago, but our church was also flooded. Right after the storm, so many got up and working, but we haven't been able to worship in the sanctuary until TODAY- and what a WORSHIP it was! As I sat there watching the slideshow of the storm, damage done, people changed forever from this- I broke down. I remember my mom during the storm and a good bit after saying "You have handled this all so well, Erin" or "I can't believe how well you are taking this". Today- I didn't take it so well, but it was bitter sweet. From an insider of the storm- before, during and after- I am able to see how God is really working around us here on the island! I remember it all like it were yesterday- the smell, the sights, the tears, the help that was there, the damage to us and our things- but God never left us! Ken and I were challenged in so many ways- I was about 4 months pregnant without clean drinking water, living in a hotel, financially struggling with not much left of our things- but we grew closer than ever and saw the generous hearts of so many family and friends. We often joke that we could handle just about anything- we took on a hurricane! I saw a strength (physical and emotional) in him that amazes me to this day.
When I think back on that time I often think of this passage:

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze

Isaiah 43:2

I looked around today and was amazed to see how "packed" the new sanctuary was! We needed all 34 tables that had been set. I decided the easiest decoration would be a fishbowl with a candle and shells in the center. It was great. I also made 6 precious wreaths to go on the front doors. What a great turn out! As Dr. Meador spoke I was moved by so many things he said- the most amazing to me was that before Ike 1st Baptist never met it's goal in "mission donations" and now after Ike we are always over our goal! Isn't that amazing??? I think now that we have been at our lowest- we really see how the help of others saved us!

Great day! The girls were already in the nursery at this time. I love that I can say that Ike really did impact our marriage for the better- we relied on each other and saw what is really important in life. Don't get me wrong- I am still so sad about the lost, furniture, clothes, SHOES, and stuff... but it can all be replaced!

My partners in crime- Lori was in charge of food, me- decorations, and Lindsay- invitations! Our plan really came together!!!

Special friends that all went through Ike! What a testimony we all have!

I heart The Vance's- these two love our girls so much and are always so willing to lend a hand. I cannot say "Thank you" enough to them! We love you guys!!! Thank you for being such great friends to us!

Mrs. Sherry speaking about the 170 year old church.

The service ended with a touching talk from Brother Ray! All in all= a fantastic service! I know God has an amazing plan for First Baptist to seek the welfare of our city! (Jeremiah 29:7)
Happy Sunday,

Lake Tyler Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day- hope everyone was able to enjoy a little rest and relaxation! For us this year- Labor Day was extra special!!! We got to see our dear friends "The Kummerfelds's" and visit Tyler, Tx for the first time. We had a wonderful weekend catching up, soaking up some sun, and enjoying our girls! Here we are getting ready- we were talking about seeing our friend Lilly! I can't believe we haven't seen her since May- WAY TOO LONG!

Ken's mini-me! Every now and then there are "glances" of Mommy in her, but for the most part- Daddy. We are all packed and ready to ride! Tyler here we come!

The Kummerfeld's (David's parents) were sweet enough to have us come stay at their house for a visit. We stayed out in the boat house with the girls. It was a great mini vacation for us! Their house was amazing- BEAUTIFUL is not a big enough word! You can see the back of their house behind me and Katy. We were so excited to see each other- I always say she is my heart friend, becuase we are so much more than "friends"- we think SO much alike it is wild!

Hailey and David checking out the view- and what a view it was!!

Mattie and Lilly spending a little quality playtime together.

While we were there several of The Kummerfeld's friends stopped by- one friend in an awesome ride- we couldn't resist the photo op! Don't get any wild hairs about this for your first car girls!

David and Mattie playing with all the puppies! This weekend there were 5 golden retrievers at the lake all of which were named "Belle" according to my girls.

We had a chance to do a little swimming- but that ended up being a little "chillier" than planned. Here Hailey is in her "boat coat".

Daddy, Mattie, David and Lilly getting their feet wet- didn't last too long.

While the girls were napping Sunday, Ken and I took the jet ski out around the lake! It was such fun! I called it our lake date! Thanks Katy for keeping an ear out for mine too! :)

Once all "littles" were up- we went for a 1st boat ride for my girls! 2nd for Lilly I think. It was a success! Cheerios and milk helped us survive wearing the boat coats!
My favorite girls!

These 2 were everywhere and loved having freedom to run around!

Lilly and I watching those 2 run around! Not too long until she will be toddling after them too!

All of us on the boat!

All of the girls got sleepy, but Lilly was the first to drop off! She looks so cute- and the sun didn't faze her.

The night ended by a yummy meal and great time spent with friends! After all the littles went to bed we played a game of trivial pursuit and I realized how much I still have to learn, but my knowledge of the names of "teletubbies" came in handy- ha!

It was so great getting to see you all! Thanks so much to all The Kummerfeld's for having us in your home! We love you and can't wait to see you again. Mawahhhhhh!

Sunday, we had to leave pretty early- Ken was on call and D.Baker was going to cover until we could get back... couldn't resist a few last minute pictures.

We headed back around 8:30am- but due to unforseen circumstances we didn't get home until 7:30pm last night. So much for call for Ken... that is another post!

xoxo,