YOLO- Day 2 - Dog Cousins, Friend Cousins, and Cousin Cousins

Deaton slept remarkably well his first night in the pack n play at Auntie K's.

Or maybe it was the tylenol PM that made me think he slept well.

 I like to think that Brielle remembers me (my Granddaug).  She and I bonded before she moved to California.  She thinks she is a Great Dane Lapdog, so it's always super fun to have her lay all over when you when you sit on "Her" couch.

Auntie K tried to introduce Brielle to Deaton.  Neither one of them were impressed, at all.

 Auntie K got a new camera for Christmas, and some pretty cool lens, so she took a few of the most beautiful baby in the world and I just love them all so much, I couldn't pick just one.

He's over pictures at this point.  I like his face in this one.

 Come on DeeDee, ONE MORE....please, just for Auntie K?

 Well, OK.  But just one more.  

I call these shorts his "Man-Pris" because they were a bit long, but perfect for the walker/crawler to protect his knees.  We think they gave him built in swag.  

 Can I just touch the doggie, Lols?

 Did ANYONE see what the tiny human did?  He interrupted my squirrel look out.

Ok, cousin, I will help you look for squirrels. 

 

Lacey's good friend, sorority sister, roommate, friend cousin, ..drove up from San Francisco to see us.  It's always good to see our Lacy Lee.   They were reminiscing about the first day they met at UCO, and other than having the same name, Lacy Lee says "I'm from Coalgate" to which Lacey DeeAnn interjects, "I live on Crest!"   Instant bonding over toothpaste similarities.  

For some reason we thought it would be a great idea to take Deaton to the park at naptime.  He tried to have fun to make us happy, but mainly he just wanted to sleep.  Bubbles?  Nah,   Slide?  Nah,   Driving?   Nah..  Fun bells?  maybe....  We like how all his outside pics brings out his inner Elvis.  That lip can't help but snarl in the sun.   It's Grammie's blood running through his veins.

Total swag in his Lebron James high tops. 

 This is fu...zzzzzz........

 What do we do with these, Auntie K?

 I'm thinking this is fun?

 Auntie K sure thought it was fun!

 It's fun sitting on the bottom of the slide.....

 you think we are going down that????  Death grip on the wood.  

 Leave your glasses on, and drive us somewhere!

Oh now, these make noise, this is fun.  

After bidding adieu to Lacy Lee, so she could make her way back home, Deaton got his much needed nap.

Next on the agenda, over to my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Lavonne's house for bonding with the family and cousins....and to sit on my most favorite porch in the whole U S of A.  

 Kip likes candids, so Alison is mid sentence here.  

I just love these two.  They are my people.  

This is such a great picture.  I share Aunt Nancy's middle name.  I was born about the time she married into the family, so we've been around about the same amount of time.  (And, cough, that's a lot of time)  She still looks beautiful as ever.  

Because she is the Hostess with ALWAYS the Mostest, Deaton got his first birthday present a wee bit early.  Pretty sweet deal.  

 After a delicious dinner followed by chocolate sheet cake (PRAISE BE TO JESUS good!), we retired to the back porch to watch the littles play some soccer.  Deaton  must have said "Ball" about 200 times.  

 He is an outdoors kind of guy.

 Brandon, Ashlyn, Victoria and Ethan walked down into the area behind the house.  "Did you see any snakes?" Aunt Nancy asks.  All the sudden I was happy I didn't go on their adventure with them.  

 I love my mom's younger bubba.  He is just like my madre.  Only a guy.  Very fun.  

And these two?  Fuggetaboutit.  Can be apart a year plus, and still catch up right where we left off.  Families rock.  

Just missing Savannah in this picture, she is off training military dogs in Texas.  This group is a fun time waiting to happen.   Love my California family!!!

Y O L O - California Adventure 2016 - Day one- St. Bernards in Paradise

Anyone that knows Lacey knows what a #1 germaphobe hyper freak that she is.

So when we decided to load Deaton Alan Holt up on a plane and head to California to visit his over the top homesick Auntie Kip, we both had to give up some control.

For Lacey, that meant not worrying about every single person coughing on her.  For me, that meant not getting road rage when things don't go my way.

So we adopted the term, "YOLO" (You only live once) to be our code word, when we were getting close to jumping off the edge.

We started bright and early, which we come to find out, is the best way to travel with our little bright eyed bushy tailed 5 am riser.

After a cursory look outside, Dee Dee took to reading the exit plans.  He liked the way they tasted too.

He is a teething mess.  NOTHING gets by this boy's slobbers.  Especially the seat in front of us.  YOLO.

 He was utter perfection that first flight.  He tricked us into thinking he was a good traveler.

When he was awake, he played with all the fun things we brought for him in our overstuffed backpacks, full of treasures for the traveling baby.

Come to find out, we didn't really need those things.  All he needed was this.

And he looks all high tech in this picture, but it lasted about as long as it took to take the picture.

Because, he slept so hard, we were able to carry him off the plane and chunk him in his stroller (which is a "Must have" for traveling).

He tricked us on the way out.  We bragged and bragged on him.  "Best traveler EVER" we bragged on our social media sites.  We'll talk more about this later.

THEN ALL THE SUDDEN, THERE IS THE reason for the trip....AUNTIE K & Uncle B!

DeeDeeBaby sat in the backseat, in his carseat and charmed Auntie K, who hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving.  She couldn't get over how big he was.

He couldn't get over how much she looked like his mama.  He kept pointing at her, and then he showed her his fun new trick.

I'm telling you, a teething baby will chew on anything not nailed down.  You know it's true.

First order of business was to drive to PARADISE (yep, that's the name of the town, and it's pretty apt) and visit Brandon's parentals, Don and Pam and see the newest Hall member, Brooke (Younger brother Brad's cute wife).  Hallie was very unhappy about this turn of events, because in her mind, she is an honorary Hall (bonded tight at the wedding at Yosemite), and thinks nothing should happen without her present.

DeeDee LOVED the Hall dogs.  Now everyone that knows Lacey, can vouch for me when I tell you she is NOT in any way shape or form a DOG person.  I gave birth to the anti-dog human.  It's true, and I'm not proud of it.  She made Tyler take a blood oath that he would NEVER EVER ask for a dog EVER, before she said YES to his marriage proposal.  I know how I exaggerate for humor and all, but I might be understating how unimpressed this child is by a canine.  SO, when the HUGE dogs appeared, I was super proud of my YOLO embracing kiddo.

If you think taking a picture of a baby is hard, try taking a picture of a baby and two very large St. Bernard dogs.  It was like herding cats.

And come to find out, Don Hall is a genius at herding cats.  He got a loud piece of paper and managed to get all three of the subjects' attention.

Hey Deaton.....

 Whaaa???

Come on you three, pay attention!

Did you hear something?

Deaton thinks it was Huey.

 But NO, it's up there.

WAIT....it's over here.    SO FUNNY.

Then the most beautiful baby in the world, found himself in a tire swing shaped like a horse, but since it had some stuff tree sap or something on the seat, he found himself plopped on some tissue paper, and since his balance is still that of a ....well....baby...Pam loaned her robe tie and we harnessed the lad to the pony.

He LOVED it. 

Ride 'em cowboy!

Here are a few more pics that need to be shown, because, well Auntie K's new camera is just really amazing and she is a brilliant photographer.

This one speaks for itself. 

It was a tie who drooled the most, the dogs or the boy.  (who just so happened had a picture of the dogs on his shirt! Mama is a genius)

He's just beginning to cautiously walk this week, and we all love watching him dragging his right foot kind of sideways to balance himself.  Walking man at 10 months old.  What a stud. 

 Ball is his favorite word, (and toy) and it doesn't matter that its three times the size of his head.  He's in.  Let's do this.  Let's barely walk, but carry a ball everywhere ten sizes bigger than me.  Wallenda carried a long pole, Deaton Holt uses a ball.

Enjoyed a fun first day in California, visiting with the HALLS.  

A quick picture of PARADISE and we head for Redding..

(Yeah, this was made from my phone)

Made it to Kip and Brandon's, had some delicious chicken fajitas (My kid is so domesticated!), and our Oklahoma time difference and the 4am alarm that morning, made us all in bed quite early that first night!  

Miracles from Heaven

I just got home from seeing this movie.

All I can say???

Wow.

And for the love, TAKE KLEENEXES.

If you have ever lost a loved one, or watch someone you love go through a debilitating sickness, or ever lost faith, or ever questioned there is a God......

This Is Your Movie.

Without spoiling the movie for anyone, I just have to share my heart.

I heard people talking among themselves as they were leaving the theatre "How is that a true story"  "Oh sure THAT happened"....  and I am here to tell you...

Oh you Doubting Thomas's.....

Miracles Happen.

I lived through one.  By the name of Laynie Hope.  And it was Spectacular.

I knew every word of that movie, because I watched Lacey live it.  I was that mom, yelling in the ER at the poor little nurse that came in to insert Laynie's IV, demanding she get a more experienced person in there to take care of our baby...

When I saw the mom come to the realization that she needed God more desperately than she had ever needed Him before, when her daughter fell in that tree, and when she knelt beside the tree in submission, in full out prayer.....I remember, Christmas Eve of 2009, after they were unsuccessful being able to access an IV for Laynie, with her blood counts critical, sending her home, because there wasn't any more they could do, and then she developed whooping cough, and I came home from Lacey's, so heartbroken, and I fell to the floor in my bedroom, first on my knees, praying and crying out to God to PLEASE don't take her yet, I just wasn't ready to let her go, and to PLEASE GOD, grant us more time.  Then finally all the way in humble submission, full out on the floor, crying, begging God to please not take her.   And He answered our prayers, giving us 7 more incredible months, letting our hearts prepare, giving us the time we needed to say good-bye, and all the lessons we learned during that time.

So, yes, that movie spoke to me.

Then the little girl describes heaven....... I pictured Laynie, and I just lost it, friends.  Poor Steven, crying along with me, trying to comfort me, watching me just ugly cry in the theater.

Our precious little friend, Payten Sutterfield, (at age 3),  when Laynie passed away, saw her mommy crying, and told her, "Mommy, don't be sad, she's running and running and running.....with Jesus".  I have to tell you....that little statement had a profound effect on our family.  It still does to this day.  We make TEAM HOPE tshirts every year, and they always have that saying on it, and if we ever start to feel the loss of our girl, we tell ourselves, "She's running and running and running"....and it gets us through.

When you have had a significant event happen to you, it changes you.  It can change you for the better, or it can turn your heart black.   I've seen both things happen.   Some people blame God for all their problems, instead of leaning into Him and letting Him carry them.   Some people, it changes their hearts so radically that they are forever changed.   That is me.  

I've said this a lot, but I believe it completely.  God is not the good ship lollipop.  He doesn't sit in the heavens and look down and play chess with people's lives.  You are born with your last day imprinted on you.  Some live to be 105.   Some live to be 16.   Some live 29 months, and profoundly impact everyone around them in a way, that changes them forever.  

Don't miss the miracles, waiting for the answered prayer.  The miracles are all the million things that occur every day.  I get them every single day.  

Every. Single. Day.  

And it never fails to bring me to tears.  And I stop what I am doing, and I throw up a "THANK YOU, God, I know that was you" to the heavens, because I believe what I believe.  I could spend an hour on here telling you all the miracles that happen to our family all the time, but I won't, because I pray that you will stop wishing so hard for what you think you want, and revel and bask in the goodness of what God Brings You Every Single Day.  

There's another thing I would be remiss if I didn't say it.  We watched this movie after hearing an incredible service at church today.  In church, the message was mainly about not getting caught up in the "church", but more about the "relationship" with God.   It's not about the RELIGION, it's about the RELATIONSHIP.  And I 100% believe that.  God isn't going to care that you sat your butt in a pew 52 weeks a year on Sunday, and tithed your 10%, like a good little Christian, and leave that church every Sunday and not think about it again until the next sunday.    He wants your heart.  He wants you to seek Him out, and have a RELATIONSHIP with Him.  He wants to KNOW YOU.  And if you don't put effort into that, how will He KNOW you?   Read your bible, spend time in prayer.  Turn the radio on KLOVE and let the words of the songs speak truth in your life.  Give it a whirl.....If you're a miserable mess, and can't find your way out of whatever spot you are in, it's time to hand the reins over to someone that can do something about it......start praying through it.  

Don't scoff until you try it.  Because I know what I know.  You won't believe it.  

Don't Miss the miracles.  

One Day at A time- Update

I called the sister of the man that came in last month (was it only last month) so out of sorts, and she told me, with triumph in her voice, "He is sitting right here with me, having some dinner."

Praises to the Lord on high.

May he continue to walk in the full sun of health and healing, and may we continue to pray for him as he finishes his journey down the road of total recovery.

The Lord is oh so good, all the time.

Depression

The past two days have been a sick blur for me.

You all know I work in the funeral industry.  I help families prearrange their funerals, so they take the burden of their passing off their families, and their spouses, and their kids.

Yesterday, I met a man, whose soul intent was to get his cremation taken care of, so he could take his own life.

I didn't see the clues until about half way through the appointment.  At the end, I told him I was very concerned about him and I didn't feel comfortable leaving our appointment the way it had ended.  I asked if I could pray with him, held his hand, and hugged him goodbye.

I was pretty sure I would never see him alive again.

I read on the suicide prevention website and got armed with some information.  I called him back and told him there were still some forms that needed to be filled out, that I would need to meet with him again.

He agreed to meet me.

I asked all my friends to rain prayers of grace and healing down on his tired, sad soul.

I don't believe that God sent him to the very funeral home that I work at, for no reason.  I believe it was an ordained act of God that sent him to us.  The funeral director that I worked with had first hand knowledge and shared a story with him.  I talked to him, and encouraged him to give me a glimpse of his personal hell.

He talked and talked.  As I listened to him, I felt more defeated and more defeated.  The enemy had a horrific hold of this man.

People, life is a gift.  Mental health and well being is a gift.  Depression is a very real and powerful weapon.  It is the devil...it comes in the night to steal, kill and destroy. 

Just let God carry you, if you feel this way, friends.  Lean on Him and let Him carry you through the darkness.  He will guide the boat through the dark waters, and bring you into the light.  Just allow Him to do that for you.   Lean into Him. 

I have never felt so helpless and emotionally drained in my life.  Because there was a threat of him taking his own life... 9-1-1 was called and police arrived.  We feared he might open fire in the funeral home and take us all out, we feared he might decide to end his life in the parking lot, we feared he would ram a car head on.  So many things to think about, for this broken, broken man.   

All I know is we had an army praying for him.

To my amazement, he peacefully went with the police, to get some help.   That was all God and prayer. 

Thank you, God, for bringing this man to us.  Please help him find his way out of his deep, dark depression.  Give him the help that he needs to realize his life is valuable, and important.  Mostly God, let him feel Your love, and Your hand in his life.  He needs it so desperately.

Friends, value your loved ones, and don't take a day for granted.  Love each other, let go of petty grievances and hold tight to the truth of love.

God is Good, all the time.