tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45920503429522234272024-02-06T17:47:20.898-08:00Hart Family*Mike*Ashley*HaileyHart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-61319415275671464532017-08-30T10:49:00.000-07:002017-08-30T10:50:36.501-07:00The Foster Care Journey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirUZIYkKEa2cqctgUaLiXf5870oYzts-YkFmNgNz-JayfHFWVP6nGuqENSf43Jqh5zmWcTfDLbLGFnuUQrdCe-Qi3NBqpNjNNVzY6rsofvTSArMUlL5xcf0BrJ0Wu2x3gf0xr15JGnw7J/s1600/e94b268924a3960adc5e0edf5c0ead28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirUZIYkKEa2cqctgUaLiXf5870oYzts-YkFmNgNz-JayfHFWVP6nGuqENSf43Jqh5zmWcTfDLbLGFnuUQrdCe-Qi3NBqpNjNNVzY6rsofvTSArMUlL5xcf0BrJ0Wu2x3gf0xr15JGnw7J/s320/e94b268924a3960adc5e0edf5c0ead28.jpg" width="255" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was recently asked to write a blog, post, status, to write something, anything, about our foster care journey. Its taken longer than planned because honestly, I have no idea what to write. I wanted it to be more than a facebook status, so I decided to look up my blog that I started 8 years ago. It just so happens that in May of 2010 I wrote about the VERY beginning of our foster care journey. Our decision to walk this crazy walk of foster care has been on my mind for years. I can remember being very young and saying I was going to adopt one day, of course nobody took me seriously. Where I'm from people just don't do this. Foster Care isn't a huge need and nobody that I knew was adopted. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fast forward several years and many friendships later, I now have a circle of friends who have chosen this path for their life as well. I can tell you right now, I couldn't do any of this alone and having friends and acquaintances who truly "get it" is the only way we get by some days. On the days I'm crying and wanting to give up because these kiddos are so broken and I don't have the words to help them, I need these friends in my life to encourage and uplift, if we would have quit every time we got discouraged I wouldn't have even began! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Family and friends support is huge, HUGE, but I couldn't do any of this without my faith either. A quote that I stick by is "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called." And "called" is exactly what this is, its a calling. When things are so tough and I feel as I'm drowning, I know that I'm doing what God has asked me to do and I have faith that I will be rewarded by Him. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyone contemplating joining this journey needs to remember this is and never will be about us. This is your entire family putting their needs, wants and desires second to care for someone lost, broken, abandoned and everything else. The success stories make every ounce worth it. Our first kiddos we had "E & E" are still on the road to the happy ending. I think about them every single day and am still in contact with their mom. She sends pictures and updates and I am forever grateful for that. "O" who we had for only a week, told the social workers that she wishes all kids could live with us and she highly recommends staying at our house haha. I think she needs to remind my kids how lucky they are ;) I've gotten texts from her mom telling us how grateful she is for us that we were here for her little girl during the worst moments of her life. THIS is why we do this. We do this in hopes for reunification. We pray for positive outcomes. Every single day multiple families are being ripped apart, beaten and broken down and someone needs to step in and be a light, not just for the kids but for the whole family. Its an overwhelming feeling to be that light. There is nothing better than putting down your own needs and giving selflessly. Although hard, its so so rewarding. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now.. to get ready for twin 3 year olds who will be here any moment.. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.bair.org/">https://www.bair.org/</a></span><br />
<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/x3a2kc3k">https://www.gofundme.com/x3a2kc3k</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForeverFamilyWalk/">https://www.facebook.com/ForeverFamilyWalk/</a><br />
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<br />Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-48485317279150010622011-03-20T12:10:00.001-07:002011-03-20T12:21:10.179-07:00ChangesWow.. I can't believe I haven't written since October.. I guess I skipped right over the holidays and kept on going. We have a lot of changes in the next several weeks.. exciting but scary! Hailey is excited about being a big sister.. she wasn't thrilled when she found out she was having a brother.. but she is happy now and told me that she doesn't like boys because they are yucky but she still loves Tristan :) <br />This pregnancy is definitely different than my first.. and I dont like it! Don't get me wrong, I am happy to be pregnant and wouldn't change it for anything.. but does it have to be so difficult!? Mike did give me props the other day though, he told me the first time I complained long before 30 weeks so I guess Im doing good at hiding it :) Another exciting thing happening in our life is that we bought a house! We are so happy! Its bittersweet knowing that we are setting for sure in Maryland and there is no chance moving home to Ohio... but we also know that this is right for us and for our family that we are creating. The house is perfect for us. Has a great yard which is not easy at all to find here. Funny that everything we looked at in a house revolved around what would be best for the kids. The yard, a place to play, their bedrooms, the school district... sure is true that everything changes once you have kiddos.. it ALL revolves around them! Its a comfy home that doesnt need any fixing up except cosmetic things that we want to change to make it "ours" and Im looking forward to those projects! I'll definitely keep on track with this blog from now on.. I dont want to forget any of these moments.. I like going back and reading for myself to remember the little things. Hope everyone is enjoying their first day of spring!Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-61526900944886367182010-10-03T17:16:00.000-07:002010-10-03T17:25:14.822-07:00We have been blessed!WE ARE PREGNANT! I can not believe it and I could not be more happy! We have been trying, wanting, and praying for this for about 18 months now and for it to be real just boggles my mind. Not everyone knows how hard this has been, and I've kept a lot of it bottled up and its been hard, but I want to write this all down and remember how much I want this baby. I've had health problems for the past year that have kept me from losing weight and most importantly getting pregnant. My dr was ready to start fertility treatments with me next month, but I knew we would never have the money to be able to do that. So I settled and was happy just to have our little family of 3, which I love more than anything! After I was sure I wasnt going to get pregnant I was planning my life with Hailey in school and different volunteer things I have been wanting to do. God is so funny sometimes with the way he makes things work out! Getting all of the foster care stuff together has been a lot harder than I thought it would be, but now thats going to wait! So many things in our life is changing and I couldnt be more thrilled, scared, excited and just content. My heart is happy.Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-63270721165044341912010-09-12T12:18:00.000-07:002010-09-12T12:33:47.216-07:001st day of many 1st days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlB6eRJkz65jFgo9EGXnG0lDka3Lyf0o9U5-KCBYdbWDDGNdWp9xUv0RRzwcoK_lv4mkD2WydiohJnh8dR31XE3N-id5ay8zEd2c3s6b8yYP-kYL0Y1nXHoAr4d6QWwX9fQATUgO4-CNU/s1600/pk.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlB6eRJkz65jFgo9EGXnG0lDka3Lyf0o9U5-KCBYdbWDDGNdWp9xUv0RRzwcoK_lv4mkD2WydiohJnh8dR31XE3N-id5ay8zEd2c3s6b8yYP-kYL0Y1nXHoAr4d6QWwX9fQATUgO4-CNU/s320/pk.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111774922094210" /></a><br />As many of you know, Hailey started preschool this week. This was a big transition for us, bigger for me than her I think :) We were lucky enough to go on a final mini vacation the days before school (but we will save that for another blog.) Mike just got some more vacation days so I was lucky enough to have him take off work and join me in taking our baby to school. Yes, I still same baby.. and she will always be my baby.. even when she has babies of her own. This is an argument we get into often.. she insists she's a big girl.. I insist she's my baby. I did NOT want to go alone on her first day, I would have been the mom sobbing the walk back her car. <br />We dropped Hailey off, took lots of pictures and headed to starbucks.. it was the longest 3 hours of my life! I couldnt help to think of what my baby was doing, what she was learning, if she'd gotten into trouble yet, if she'd made friends and most importantly if she was having fun. I want this to be a good experience for the both of us! <br />After a looong 3 hours we headed back to pick her up. I think when we saw eachother it was the biggest smile I had to see her since I met her 3 years ago! I was so excited to see my baby and to hear about her day. She gave us big hugs and told us how much fun she had. When other kids were handing their mommys and daddys pictures they had colored I asked where Haileys was.. she told me she didnt want to color, she wanted to play instead.. oh dear. <br />We got into the car and played the question game. If there was a question to be asked about her day, I asked it! I asked if any of the kids cried when their parents left, she told me "no, but I cried." I kind of laughed it off because I didnt believe her, but she insisted she did. I finally asked her why she cried and she told me "I needed you!, duh!" We all laughed,and my heart was full. Even a big girl needs their mommy, and I need her just as much :)Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-19553611692879903702010-06-15T20:33:00.000-07:002010-06-15T21:17:51.835-07:00The Happiest Place on Earth!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ntWCbiWgKqxePVlV7EOuWr0G7TW1fWfoJhUuQfJRlzGHH7NZljmUlXfC6kqITJwwhxnSJIapryzQYgwYLB8gJf7E1SCFR_mvoOdq9pUrRZWxWRG30a38NaGgDH_FpZU9AnBzfa7aT-Mg/s1600/DSCN0734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ntWCbiWgKqxePVlV7EOuWr0G7TW1fWfoJhUuQfJRlzGHH7NZljmUlXfC6kqITJwwhxnSJIapryzQYgwYLB8gJf7E1SCFR_mvoOdq9pUrRZWxWRG30a38NaGgDH_FpZU9AnBzfa7aT-Mg/s200/DSCN0734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483220766234224674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt-eGRqS4Cb4thD72W3U7e9iSk2s6zAzq0avM6SWtMdBhjRnZDOKnELpbaOuchK2zyyXhXSEKyi8_7hq45BX7iktHNzbM2GY9uyrdLPf2G4vP-uvege4jD-5vOWvXIyaFd64a1Ad8r7Gy/s1600/DSCN0630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt-eGRqS4Cb4thD72W3U7e9iSk2s6zAzq0avM6SWtMdBhjRnZDOKnELpbaOuchK2zyyXhXSEKyi8_7hq45BX7iktHNzbM2GY9uyrdLPf2G4vP-uvege4jD-5vOWvXIyaFd64a1Ad8r7Gy/s200/DSCN0630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483218960605920786" /></a><br />I can not believe it has taken me 4 weeks to write this! But I want to make sure I write this now because I want to remember as much as I can! So... if you're not up for reading a long post today.. stop now haha! On May 19 we left for Florida to take Hailey to Disney World.. but Mike doesn't want me to forget that this was also his first time! Maryland weather wasn't so nice so to arrive in sunny Florida with Mickey Mouse could not have came at a better time! We had every hour of every day planned out.. not much time for rest or relaxation, but it was well worth it. The first day was probably my favorite day. I had envisioned Hailey walking into Magic Kingdom and just lighting up when she saw Cinderellas castle, mind you she had been talking about seeing the castle for months, well.... this didn't go exactly as planned. On the bus ride from the hotel to Magic Kingdom Hailey passed out, Im not talking little cat nap.. I mean could not wake her up she was so tired passed out! We walked around for a while and noticed the princesses were putting on a show in front of the castle. She decided to wake up long enough to get a glimpse then wanted back in the stroller. As we were walking I saw a store called "Princess Boutique." Obviously I had to go in.. and oh my goodness was Hailey in heaven! The store was awesome. They had every princess gown with all of the accessories available. Gowns, shoes, tiara's, wands.. everything! When Hailey found the Ariel gown and just hugged it grandma and grandpa couldn't resist and of course had to get it for her. She was so pretty! They even had professional pictures in the back where the little girls could get their pictures taken after getting dressed up. After being dressed as Ariel we decided it was time to go meet her! Hailey was starstruck.. I would compare it to me meeting George Clooney or Brad Pitt haha. Her eyes just lit up. I love how kids that age have no concept of fantasy and reality.. it just makes it that more magical for them. <br />Over the next few days we went to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood studios and back to Magic Kingdom for the last day. Animal Kingdom was really cool too. We saw all kinds of animals that I've never seen before and learned a lot too. <br />One of the best days was when we decided it was too hot at the park and we had walked around enough and we should just go chill at the pool. Hailey spent most of the time in the baby pool but me and Mike wanted to go down the water slide and of course Hailey had to watch. We went down quite a few times and after watching us Hailey wanted to go as well. So we put a life jacket on her and she went down on my lap.. the lifeguard didnt say anything but he didnt look happy with me either. I didnt want to get into trouble so I had Mike take her down again haha. This time the lifeguard told us that she was not allowed to go on our laps. Soooo.. we asked Hailey if she wanted to go by herself. She was excited and said she was a "big girl" and could do it. The whole way up the stairs to the slide Mike continued asking her if she was sure.. her reply "I got this daddy." My mom, Tom and I were waiting for her at the bottom of the slide. Once again, Mike asked.. "are you sure?" "yes daddy, I got this" and there she went down the tall winding slide. The poor kid was flipping and turning all directions down that slide and finally came rushing to us head first. My motherly instinct should have told me to grab her and comfort her.. but no.. I laughed hysterically and typing this I am laughing again. It may not be so funny when you're reading this.. but I promise you, it was absolutely hilarious in person. If we can't laugh at our kids and ourselves who can we laugh at right??<br />One of the nights we came back from the park early because we had a dinner date with the princesses! It was at the Grand Floridian, which is a gorgeous hotel at Disney. We ate a great dinner and met Cinderella and her step sisters and step mother.. Hailey did NOT like the step mother.. she played the part well. She wouldn't crack a smile or be friendly at all. <br />So the last day we had breakfast with Mickey and friends. That was another highlight. Every main Disney character was there and came to every table to take pictures and they were just fun and acted silly which had Hailey giggling the whole time. That night we were back at Magic Kingdom and Hailey got to meet all of the fairies including Tinkerbell. She LOVES Tinkerbell. Right before the fireworks started Tink flew from the castle into the sky.. and a month later she still looks in the sky for her. <br />I have been on a lot of great vacations and have appreciated and had fun on each and every one of them.. but this one tops it for me. I've realized that it does not get any better than seeing such happiness and magic in a child's eyes. We are so thankful for my mom and Tom for taking us on this trip.. its something hopefully Hailey remembers forever!Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-21411409797082916182010-05-07T10:54:00.000-07:002010-05-07T11:19:50.714-07:00"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give""Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something"<br /><br />We've been thinking a lot lately about "dreams." We all have dreams as we are growing up. My dreams have always been pretty simple; get married, have babies, and be fortunate enough to help those in need. I've gotten married, I've had a baby.. hopefully we will have more, and I've always done what I can to help friends and family. But lately I've been having this urge to do more. I'm not fortunate enough to have loads of money to give to charities or those less fortunate, but I do have other ways of helping. Soooo.... after much consideration and conversations late at night we have decided to do foster care! I know what some of you are thinking.. Im crazy! And that may be true... but I couldn't be more excited about it! This is a special type of foster care that only cares for newborn babies from the time they leave the hospital until they get adopted. Normally you will have an infant for around a month. Its not that I have anything against fostering older children.. but at this time of our lives, I dont think we would be good for that. Those children need more attention than I would be able to give them.. maybe when Hailey is older we will think about that. I'm in the process of getting certified now and hopefully we will be ready for the babies by the middle of summer! Looking forward to hearing thoughts and opinions! But first I want to share another quote; <br /><br />"This is the true joy in life - being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." ~George Bernard ShawHart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-70121000755258612192010-03-06T20:37:00.000-08:002010-03-06T20:57:44.085-08:00Preschool!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fz0DUrp19UJ5xzKtz9SJp_yshjEcxT23C9klqM4aXiV5AEQZXva0mkaZzvA4iPJL0gXVtKU_nYP1erS7znXYa7BO9eQiAOX3hVyWhyphenhyphenjfN8kp6u5oQ1AD-tJ_sGbCBlVYFi60A6wr2LyB/s1600-h/DSCN0304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fz0DUrp19UJ5xzKtz9SJp_yshjEcxT23C9klqM4aXiV5AEQZXva0mkaZzvA4iPJL0gXVtKU_nYP1erS7znXYa7BO9eQiAOX3hVyWhyphenhyphenjfN8kp6u5oQ1AD-tJ_sGbCBlVYFi60A6wr2LyB/s320/DSCN0304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445751391118727010" /></a><br /><br />After a lot of thought and consideration we've decided to enroll Hailey in preschool! This is not an easy decision for me, because I love being with her all day everyday but its just another stepping stone for the both of us. This will be the first of many! It is a christian preschool that is connected to the Lutheran church just down the road. Mike, Hailey and I got to meet with a few of the teachers, the secretary and the Pastor and I had good feelings from everyone there. Hailey got a tour of the school and she didn't want to leave! She loved all of the crafts and toys in every classroom. When we went back to the office to sign her up she was begging to go to the classroom with the teachers.. that made me feel good. She will be going Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12. This will give me a chance to do the things at home that normally take time away from her so the rest of the day I can devote my time and attention to her, because that's what I want to do anyways! Wish us luck as we venture on this new journey! Oh yeah.. does this mean we get to go school shopping?!?! I think it does!Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-72891741116513854972010-02-23T08:48:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:17:23.625-08:00Happy Anniversary!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO70Vv3ImvInq50IpqfGA9IgQs3DdNelnExf3qgw8DVbbpeBAOibSMf0SPqwzvilhpdJ1F6MLXGNzmt-VemGzhVPyMTukTzB_h8AtjpA2RpxPVBvccLPASAPMPPccIIhprSwcXnx1lZnF/s1600-h/l_10f08bfef233dce9ae3909130ba1d15b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO70Vv3ImvInq50IpqfGA9IgQs3DdNelnExf3qgw8DVbbpeBAOibSMf0SPqwzvilhpdJ1F6MLXGNzmt-VemGzhVPyMTukTzB_h8AtjpA2RpxPVBvccLPASAPMPPccIIhprSwcXnx1lZnF/s320/l_10f08bfef233dce9ae3909130ba1d15b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441489190260123074" /></a><br />Wow, can you believe we've been married 2 years?!?! I sure cant! I'm starting to realize that time is really my enemy. Just means that we are getting older and hopefully wiser :) When I was younger and would think about marriage, anniversary's, valentines day, and all of those other days that are supposed to be romantic I always thought I'd be going on vacations or candlelit dinners or something equally enjoyable. Well, to my surprise, our "romantic" evening tonight will consist of cuddling on the couch, maybe ordering a pizza and watching a movie together.. and I couldn't ask for anything more! Here's to many more years!Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-90439726192512129292009-12-22T09:51:00.001-08:002009-12-22T10:10:02.971-08:00Christmas Already!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3IuiLWQK-MXz8pqRUo0pgccG77jDRjz0udUFFOeNDr1tP_2uS7zNQ8CReh0MhhgKYEjwe7_jpB35u1QoZgPy6mlXPQ2QsfA0Fz50pgxV0Osoby3bUzCXmq-4s5s-lMww4PpTVRsd-Mj4/s1600-h/IMG_0057.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3IuiLWQK-MXz8pqRUo0pgccG77jDRjz0udUFFOeNDr1tP_2uS7zNQ8CReh0MhhgKYEjwe7_jpB35u1QoZgPy6mlXPQ2QsfA0Fz50pgxV0Osoby3bUzCXmq-4s5s-lMww4PpTVRsd-Mj4/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418124155976219954" /></a><br /><br />So its been a few months. I can not believe that Christmas is this week! I still have quite a bit to get done... I never have been one to do things early ;) Well I'll start from a few months ago, because I have quite a bit of catching up to do. In early October I went back to Ohio for about a week. My grandma is not doing so well and I wanted to make sure me and Hailey got a chance to see her since we knew we'd be very busy the next few months. It was nice to go home, but always sad leaving. <br />Since Thanksgiving was coming up I had an idea to surprise Mikes parents and show up Thanksgiving day! I had been home a few times, but Mike hadnt been home in well over a year and hasnt seen a lot of his family either. We packed up and made the 10 hour trip, we actually could have been to his parents the night before Thanksgiving but decided to stay in hotel just an hour away. The next morning we were really excited, we called his parents and they were actually trying to set up the web cam so they could skype us haha! We walked in the house like we belonged there and you could have heard a pin drop... silence! No one knew what to expect and Mikes grandma called him a choice word then gave us all big hugs! <br />Since we were home we met up with my sister, brother in law, and nephew to do our Christmas. I even got to give Hunter his first Christmas gift ever! I thought that was pretty exciting :) It was nice to see family once again, the older I get and have a family of my own, I realize more and more everyday just how important and valuable my family is! Until next time..<br /> <br /><br />Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-81406235194866313222009-09-10T17:43:00.000-07:002009-09-10T18:00:51.094-07:00Hailey is 2!<span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">Welcome back! The past few weeks have been great! We had visits from friends and family and it has been wonderful to see people from home. Hailey's birthday was August 10th and she turned the big 2:) In case anyone was wondering.. the terrible twos actually started about 6 months or so ago! The following weekend we had family and friends in town to help us celebrate. We held her birthday at a park and it she had so much fun.. and got waaay too many gifts, but she appreciated them all! Although the party was fun, the best part was having family here with us. I love seeing family but it makes me miss home so much more. The past few weeks we were realizing that summer was coming to an end and that we'd better make the most of it. We have been going to the beach a couple of times a week ( i know, I live a hard life!) We have also been going to the park and playing with her 4 wheeler she got for her birthday. I have said this at every stage Hailey has gone through, but this is the best so far! She is so much fun and makes us laugh constantly! Some of the things she does and says are so witty, I wonder where she gets it from??? Hailey also started gymnastics, which she is so good at! I was very impressed that such a little girl could be so strong. She walks across the beam like she has done it a million times and she can swing on the bars just like a little monkey. Last week we were even lucky enough for my mom and step dad to visit for the long weekend. It was a last minute surprise. We got to stay in Solomons Island with them and just had a little vacation for the weekend. It was much needed! We did the whole "vacation" thing, went swimming, ate way too much food.. the usual:) Everything is pretty boring around here otherwise.. I take that back.. a moment with Hailey is never boring! </span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592050342952223427.post-4768715862221295872009-07-08T07:16:00.000-07:002009-07-08T07:50:05.005-07:00Catching up<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So I've decided to start a blog. I thought that this would be a good idea considering we don't get to see our friends and family often and this is a way for those of you who want to can stay in touch with our everyday lives. I'll start from last summer. In May of 2008 Mike was medically discharged from the Marines after 11 years. We then moved from North Carolina back home to Ohio. It really wasn't a "move" more or less a 3 month vacation visiting with family. I have to say that was and probably always will be one of my favorite summers ever! No work, all play! It was great for the grandparents to spend so much time with Hailey! Mike was offered a job in Maryland so we packed up and headed east again. The location was perfect for him because he was already working part time here at an airport. (you'll hear more about this later) Mike started his job in mid August and has been enjoying it for the most part. Since we've been here we have made some good friends from his work and from the airport. We have visited DC a couple of times which was neat for Mike because he had never been there before. We really like to visit Baltimore, love the harbor and its different from other cities I've been to. Its very clean and things are always going on. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the spring Mike did an airshow at Cherry Point North Carolina. It was fun for us to go back to where we had lived and see some of our best friends. I loved loved loved the airshow! I was so proud of him when I saw Art flying the plane and there were people cheering! I know how hard their team is working on this and its so cool to actually see the harrier performing. I was a very proud wife that day! After the airshow Mike went on a short deployment on the USS George Bush... this was the first time the ship had gone out so that was exciting for him as well. While he was there Hailey and I headed to the Outer Banks to vacation with Mikes parents and grandparents. We had a great time! </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As for right now we are just enjoying summer and planning Hailey's 2nd birthday! I cant believe my baby is going to be 2 years old!!! What a big girl she is. She is learning her shapes and colors and can even count to 10! Maybe all kids can do this but Im her mom so I like to believe that she is the smartest and the best :) She enjoys singing her abc's and twinkle twinkle little star is her favorite. I have so much I could say about her but I'll leave it to a minimum for now. We will be back shortly! </span><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Hart Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03952954365260796495noreply@blogger.com0