The Tree of Memories

Today is the last day of November 2010. What a year it has been...what a day it has been.  Tonight is also the first Eve of Advent for our family. We accomplished 2 major things tonight in preparation of Advent - #1 - making the Advent calendar (YUMMY) - #2 - putting up the first of two Christmas trees (FUN)!!

#1 - Advent calendar. It consists of a dish towel, small bags, safety pins, a hanger and A LOT of Hershey kisses.  Starting tomorrow, every day one bag is removed until Christmas Day...FUN!!  The kids made it all by themselves.  So, as you admire their work remember, this was their first one - and I personally think they done a great job!!

Haley - she LOVES family time

 Jenni & Chandler - they cracked jokes the whole time :)

 The finished product - they made it and yes, they are lined perfectly, in my eyes anyway!!

#2 - The first of two Christmas trees.  This tree has SO many memories.  On this tree (as tacky as some might find it) are some of the greatest memories we have. Pictures of the kids home made ornaments. Tonight I heard many times over and over - "Oh momma look - I remember this one...." and the child would tell the story.  How precious are those memories!! I don't ever want to decorate this tree without my children - I want that to be the tackiest tree in McKenzie, but the one with the most memories and love!!

Haley & Chandler after all of the limbs were put on

 Chandler & Jenni

The 'Ballard' Tree of Memories

 Haley made SURE they got a picture of mommy

 My angel girl....Jenn

Blessing of the day: Putting up the tree of memories with my kids and starting advent...precious memories.

Quote:  "Life gives us brief moments with one another....and in some of those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime" Unknown

A life-long blessing for children is to fill them with warm memories of times together. Happy memories become treasures in the heart to pull out on the tough days of adulthood.
Charlotte Davis Kasl

Making a Memory with My Momma

I have always called her momma (a.k.a. mama or Mother). I don’t think mommy was ever in my vocabulary.  This woman that I speak of is the earthly woman who I have the privilege of calling momma. She is a rock – one who often times has little to say.  I assume that is partly because her husband, my daddy, always has plenty to say!

She and I spent this morning together, the day after Thanksgiving, a.k.a. BLACK FRIDAY…shopping…talking…enjoying each other’s company.  We were up at 3:00 a.m. getting ready to find the deals, which we found by the way!!  We don’t always have much to say – she is very reserved in her ‘talking’. We had a great time none the less. We found some awesome deals and were able to check several items off of the ‘list’! YAY! The Hardees biscuit was wonderful!! Shopping with momma is pure therapy. It is up lifting and fun!!  She and I are certainly deal hunters…heck, we bought those fancy tall $15 candles today for $1.20!!! Yes, that is right, she taught me well how to shop!!

Now that I will soon be 30 and the youngest of my sisters is in her early 20’s, my momma is also called Nana. She loves to be a Nana.  She became a Nana at a very young age because of my teenage pregnancy. I was so ashamed the day I woke up and she was sitting on the edge of my bed her face full of sadness and disappointment. I knew that she knew – and all she could do was tell me how she would be there for me and that she loved me no matter what. We cried and hugged and cried some more – a bittersweet moment really.  She was there for me my whole pregnancy. She took me to all of my appointments, held my hand when I was crying during labor and we cried some more the moment we saw my son Chandler born.  I knew I had let her down in many ways but, she loved me anyway. She helped me through depression during and after my pregnancy. She rocked my son to sleep for me when I couldn’t. She nursed me back to health. She never questioned me during this time – just gave me space and love – exactly what I needed.  Her love and actions have molded me into who I am today.

I named my son Chandler Lee Hatch to give him my daddy’s initials and chose Chandler because of its meaning – candle maker.  See, neither he nor I knew it, but his birth helped bring our family back together. He molded us all back into one piece…each one of us (my parents, sisters and myself) in a different way. My momma is so proud to be my son’s Nana. She would give him the moon if he wanted it!

Momma/Nana is the best cooker my family and I know! She loves to cook for us, which is how she shows love. She likes to share new recipes and likes to let us taste them out!! One of my greatest memories with her, aside from the birth of my son, is cooking divinity with her just 2 years ago. It was so wonderful to talk, laugh at our ‘flat’ divinity and to have that memory and moment in time!! It was a blessing….truly heartwarming!!  She treats all of our home, family and children (the blended family that we are) with dignity and respect.

Today I look at momma – as pretty as ever – strong, successful and full of grace.  There are times when she will tell you exactly what she is thinking however, she never raises her voice, she keeps most of her thoughts to herself and she loves the thought of becoming a Nana once again to her baby girl, my youngest sister, Sarah’s son Aaron. Momma is someone who will be there in any time – good or bad – happy or sad. She is a fixer of broken hearts, a fixer of bumps and bruises and most of all comes running when we need her!! I love her.

Blessing of Momma: Momma’s love

Quote:  "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." -- Honore' de Balzac

"An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest."
-- Spanish proverb

Uncles and aunts, and cousins, are all very well, and fathers and mothers are not to be despised; but a grandmother, at holiday time, is worth them all. ~Fanny Fern

“Grandma, Because Of You, I Have Memories To Last A Lifetime"
~Author Unknown

Thankful For

I didn’t post yesterday – the day was packed full of cooking, family time, eating, napping and walking off the 10 pounds I gained!! It was a very pleasant day!! The weather was beautiful, the food was very tasty and family time was full of conversations and laughter. 

I made a list of everything I am thankful for:

God and my salvation

Haley and her jokes

Chandler and his need for mommy hugs 12 times a day

Jenni and her love for me (and her 15 hugs a day)

Kristen for spending Thanksgiving with us

My parents for their unconditional love and support (even when it is hard for them)

My sister Rebecca who always seems to know exactly what to day – and her awesome husband who is a cool brother-in-law

My sister Sarah who will be granting my first nephew in a few short months – and her cool husband Tim

My friend Lauren and her family – she blesses me, listens to me, gives me advice and is always there to lend a helping hand

My friend Jen whom I’ve have the pleasure to work with and grow in Christ with

An extended family because we come together to fellowship and eat

My ability to read because God wrote me an instruction book to read daily

A new church home where my God given gifts are being put to use

Brother Driggers because he calls our family every week to check on us

My job because it means I can provide for my family

My home because it is where memories are made

My bed because it means I am warm

My health because God finally healed me

My granny because she always complains J and yes, I love her for that

My car because it is exactly what I need to take the family anywhere we need to go

My computer and cell phone because it means I can keep up with my family and friends

My clothes because it means I have enough to wear

My hearing because I can hear…..God restored that too

My sight because I can see

My voice because it means I can sing

My laughter because it means I am happy

My sadness because it grows me

Love – because it encompasses everything needed to truly understand what God goes through when I am at my worst and at my best

With all of that, I am THANKS-LIVING!!  One year at a time, one month at a time, one week at a day, one day at a time, one moment at a time.  This year has had many downs – but, in my heart and mind it has had more ups!! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving – I sure did!!

Love, Rachel

Precious Daddy Memory

Tonight I made a precious memory with my dad. When I got in from church he had been in the kitchen getting the deer meat cut up that Chandler had killed.  He was smiling as he does a lot these days and said, "Hey baby, how was church." Jenni finished cooking supper and we sat down to eat....Dad at the head of the table. After supper he and I went back to work on getting the deer meat bagged and labeled.  We laughed and just enjoyed each others company.  Funny thing about daddy, I never have to have something to say, he does the talking. I never have to worry how my hair looks, how I smell or even if my make-up is on.  He is daddy - the firm hand, the larger than life man whom I have the privilege of calling, "Daddy"

I look back growing up and always remember the very firm hand my dad had.  He spanked us very hard and sometimes just because he THOUGHT we had done something.  He always had us in church - even if he was working. He never allowed us to make excuses for our actions. He loved to tickle me when I hated it - he loves to be the grandpa to my children....and he takes great pride in being MY daddy.

One of the greatest memories I have of him is that no matter what part of my life I was in - He was the same then as he is now - hard-headed, larger than life, full of wisdom, giving me accountability, loving, funny, respectful, strong willed, firm and the one who's opinion I always knew before I even asked.  He never pulled a punch when he needed to give me advice. He would even apologize after he over-reacted on something.  And as his daughter, I forgave him....because he is my daddy.

I admire the man he is.  There is not one part of my life he hasn't been involved in.  I think that is because of the respect and love I have for him. I fear him, not in a physical sense - but in a respectful loving sense.  Even when my daddy angered me beyond words, and he was totally wrong in my opinion - I feared the disappointment I would bring him.  I caused him much worry when I became pregnant at 17.  He was so hurt by me. My choices caused him much grief.  My lack of respect for the teachings he tried to give me to stay sexually pure hurt him more than I could have ever imagined but, because I kept my respect and humility he was there for me.

I know how much he loves my mama....how he loves to buy her new things for special occasions. I love how he kisses her on the cheek and tells her how beautiful she is.  I found a man who does that for me....but, my daddy taught me how important that is!!

I love him and HIS HANDS. He is a great fortress in my eyes - one I try to strive to be more like. I keep the firm hand he raised me with. I keep the teaching and respect at the forefront of my thoughts.  I pray that each of my children look back and have the same kind of love for Dewayne that I have for my daddy.

Blessing: Having an imperfect, all loving, all knowing daddy!!

Quote:  The song:   Daddy's Hands by Holly Dunn
I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.

Baby Time...

Today was a good day - this week has gone by slowly but, tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is also the first round of the play-offs which means small town F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L!! GO TIGERS!!


I received a phone call yesterday confirming Sarah is having a little boy!! I knew it was a boy, but my other sister Rebecca and my mom thought it was a girl....anyway, Sarah and I were right!! BOY :)

So, to get some baby practice in I got to keep Carysn tonight. Jenni and Chandler were here with me and Haley was at gymnastics with Carsyn's mom. We had the best time! Jenni got her to laugh out loud AND rocked her to sleep. She is the best young woman...and Carsyn is a great baby. 

I can't wait to actually be an Aunt. The kind of Aunt who gets to spend time with my sister and her family - to love on her children, to help take care of each other, give advice, share love and teach them the good qualities of their parents. I don't have that now - and even though Sarah and Tim and baby boy will live far away, I will still be an active part of their lives.  Babies are so fun - they make us realize how important we are supposed to be to each other - they make us smile when no one else can - and they are so innocent.

I love Carsyn and her mom - she (the mom)really is my best friend away from my sisters. She is an awesome mom. Although she has only been doing it for a short while, she has grace beyond comprehension....she has love that runs over.....and mostly, she has compassion for everyone who loves her daughter!! I strive to be the kind of woman she is.

I can't wait to see how quickly Sarah becomes an awesome mommy! She will be wonderful at it!! As her pregnancy progresses, I'll update - right now, we know for sure her little one is PROUD to be a BOY!! I just can't wait to see her and rub her belly and then meet my nephew!!

Blessing of the day: Holding and rocking a baby - and being home with my kids to kiss them and hug them - AND to know that I am going to be an AUNT :)

Quote: "A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for”

Jenni rocked Carsyn right to sleep :)

Me and Carsyn - isn't she SO CUTE!!