Follow Him.....

Okay...so I barely missed August's post, but geesh, we had a lot of preparations going on at the Hager house and not to mention we had to squeeze every single second from our summer! Preparations for school..yep that's right, not just me going back to school this year, but my babies just got bigger! Braydon is now attending kindergarten, and much to my dismay, Rhett is now going to pre-school. Nothing against the pre-school, it's just that due to his late birthday he will get a good three year dose of pre-school and misses his private sitter terribly.
One of the hardest parts of the past few weeks is the separation anxiety Rhett has been experiencing..not from me...from his brother! I can only hope they stay as close as they have been this summer.  Rarely is one without the other and this summer they began to play together more and seemed to really enjoy one another's company.  Of course, there were times they pestered each other and pushed one another's buttons, but for the most part they are best friends, which makes me so happy! After we had Braydon I knew in my heart of hearts that we just had to have another baby.  I had selfish reasons of course...you know when the baby loses his baby look and you miss that baby smell around the house? but the more long-term reason was so that Braydon would never have to be alone once Garett and I move on. I know that my siblings are a blessing now that I'm an adult.  If you would have asked me that 15 years ago my answer may have been different, but there are also many more years between us than between my boys, so for me at times it was like having another set of parents.  But now, they are my best friends and I depend on them for many things.  The cool thing is that Braydon and Rhett seem to have that bond now and I can only imagine how much stronger that has the potential of being as they grow.  I often pray that I won't screw that up for them by the way I treat them in relation to one another.  They are so different in their personalities that you do sometimes have to treat them differently and I never want to favor one over the other.  It is true that you don't love more one than the other.  I know my mother -in- law told me that when I was pregnant with Rhett and worried at first of how I could ever love another baby boy as much as I have loved the the first born.  But you just do..your heart grows in size so that your love knows no limits.
With all that being said...it is so cute to see Rhett follow Braydon as if he is his one and only role model.  In turn, it is adorable to see Braydon teach Rhett everything he knows as if his 2 1/2 years seniority has given him many moons of expertise to share. Rhett follows up with everything Braydon says with a head nod and a look as if he could never be wrong or untruthful.  He is consoled by him, seeks his approval and watches his every move. It was heartbreaking and so sweet at the same time the first week of school when Rhett cried as Braydon boarded his bus because he didn't have a bus and then cried again when Braydon got off the bus at Rhett's pre-school, which is Braydon's after school care, and hugged Rhett for a millisecond before he ran off to play with his same aged friends.  He can also be the most hurt by him and gets the most aggravated with him at times..after all they are still brothers.  But I truly think they have a bond that will stand the test of time.  When I get down because I know we won't have more babies I think of what a third may do to their relationship and count my blessings that we have two awesome boys that will have one another forever...I just wish they didn't grow so fast, because when one is grown...I know the other will only want to "follow him"!

Braydon doing his homework so he can be the "B"expert...guess who else is an expert?



Sporting brother's goggles.



Moving the "boat" using the con"toe"lers ;)

Rhett's teacher caught him conducting a puppet show during nap time...LOL!

Braydon with his "caught being good" sticker!

So proud of his letter water painting...helping Bray with his homework!

I know..cruel mommy..taking a picture of him during one of his bad mornings because he knows Braydon goes to a different school than he does.



Admiring the cows at the Kentucky State Fair.



Keeping his eyes on brother ;)

Not sure what they were playing but it required the hoodies as a costume.

Rhett not happy walking into school without Braydon.

Braydon so bravely waving goodbye on his 1st day of Kindergarten...Rhett is melting down right about now...and then my tears flow.

I love these guys!  They are my everything!

Braydon showing Rhett some interesting fish at the aquarium.

Happy playing together!



Braydon has hooked Rhett on Billy the Exterminator...one of their most favorite things to pretend.



Side by side...I hope they always stay that way.

Braydon teaching Rhett his ABC's,

Ricky (Rhett) and his brother Billy (Braydon).

Rhett wearing his brother's flip flops...loves him every step of the way!

Just being goofy...boy can they get one another going!

You've heard of blood brother?....How about "mud" brothers?

So sweet....a hard day at play calls for a good night's rest :)))) One of my most favorite pictures of the summer.

RanDom THouGHtS about the beginning of a rAnDOm SuMMEr!

Seems like it's been forever since my last post...I almost let my goal of "post at least once a month" slip past me..as it is technically July1..so here goes June's...


The definition for "random" is lacking any definite plan or order or purpose...and I like my summers that way!

Smiley face pizzas for lunch!

Living room camp out

Random Thought #1 - One would think our home is neater and more organized during the summer months. After all, I have a "school" job and am off at least two months of the year.  However, I have a totally different philosophy about staying at home during the summer break..."let it be"!  I spend a majority of my time during the working months planning, scheduling, organizing, delegating, preparing, etc...so during the days I have at home I refuse!  I do what needs to get done, but the rest is dedicated to my family and my hobbies that I don't have time for when working a 40+ hour week.  I have to do those things when I'm working to survive and get us going everyday, therefore, my time off is just that..time off!  So if you come visit with us this summer, we will have fun and enjoy your company, but please don't judge because I have "quit" for the summer.

Hallway stays like this for days....you should see the kitchen! Yikes!  Not to mention the laundry!

Random Thought #2 -

It feels good to do what you love! 

Back in February, one of my best friends of all time, Misty Otis, (actually 29 years to be exact) asked me to take some pictures at her first event (She had recently started an event planning business and inflatables business...A Fabulous Affair & Jumping Jimmyz Inflatables...check her out!)  Now I have taken pictures forever and each year I get a little more into it....just ask my friends..."Old Time Photos anyone?" I enjoy everything about them.  I have boxes upon boxes of pictures from years past lined up in my closet..thank goodness I went digital for there is very little room left.  I have taken photography classes in my "take my summer's to learn something new" era, I sit and look at photos for hours, I scrapbook and now, thanks to that call in February, I am starting to sell my photographs to others.  So far I have done two small, intimate weddings, and a few shoots with families I know, but I'm hoping to do more! Competition is tough I know, but as Garett says, "I'm obsessed with pictures." and most of all it is a great release for me to do what I love! Thanks Misty for the encouragement and confidence to go out and try something new! I love ya!

Random Thought #3 -

Mr. Disney,

Your team really let me down with the sequel to CARS  :( 

Sorry..I just had to say it.  

The Hagers had been looking forward to the debut of CARS 2 for months...maybe even since the 1st one was seen...and finally it arrived...June 24th...pre-paid tickets..check...new t-shirts....check.....Mater teeth for the family...check....planning of a follow-up Drive In showing...check...and many more movie merchandise purchases too numerous to admit to...check....

Then we get there and the movie is all about knocking off Lightning McQueen? Are you serious Walt? Here I try to teach my boys that you solve your problems with words, empathy, and compromise and you negate all of those lessons with, "it won't be Ka-Chow, it will be Ka-Boom!" Don't get me wrong..it was entertaining and my 5 year old was on the edge of his seat through the whole thing, but he also missed the "message" of the movie to be yourself because he was so impressed with the explosives that were used to plot the death of his favorite Disney character.  I may be over reacting and getting too "counselor like" for some of you..but am I wrong that the first CARS had nothing near the sort of violence that was exhibited in the second and it still was a hit?  I can overlook the name calling in the movies and the occasional adult humor, but the focus on killing and hurting others was too much...

Now that I'm finished ranting...I sadly know that it won't stop us from seeing it again, buying more merchandise, or playing out all of the scenes that were shown..I guess I just want it to be known that I think CARS 3 (if they are planning out the story line while basking in all of the money made on CARS 2) needs to make it right again....

Me and the boys at the movies to see CARS 2...I had high hopes :)

Braydon thought it was the best movie ever!

Gullable parents....complain about the movie, but still give in..1st step is awareness right?

All Braydon wants me to do since seeing the flick is tie up Finn McMissle like in the movie...

Random Thought #4  - 



 I'm "Potty"istively Proud of Rhett!  On June 9th Rhett said he was "done with diapeys!" and he has been ever since!  I don't remember Braydon being extremely difficult to train, but I don't remember him being as easy either.  As a matter of fact, I panicked a little when Ms. Vicki, our sitter of four years told us she was retiring  due to the fact that #1 I didn't know at that moment who we could trust with Rhett for the rest of his pre-school years? and #2 How will I potty train Rhett without her help?  Turns out Rhett could do it himself!  Yeah Rhett!  He definitely has a strong will..we have known that since day one, but it turns out that it can be a positive trait because once he has set his mind to it that is the way it's gonna be!  No diapeys, no pull-ups, ....Rhett is a big boy now!  as a matter of fact every time he goes to the potty Braydon and I sing that to him..so much in fact he now sings it himself after every visit :)

Rhett in his big boy "underwears'.. these are my favorite pair! What is it that is so cute about little guys in their first undies?

Random Thought #5 -   I should call my parents more often....

A recent message from my Dad spurred some bad dreams letting me know that I really need to call them daily...was it my mind telling me in my sleep what I felt guilty of ? or just something I ate before bed working against me?..who knows?..but it really isn't a bad goal.  Since that day I have called every day to just give the daily report (okay..it's only been two days and today when I called he said I was late).  I usually don't call anyone everyday...my sister is the closest I come,  but after listening to his message (that was a little hateful I might add) I realized that when I am in his shoes I will be totally offended if my children take days to return a call (however, in my defense we were out of area on a camping trip and after hearing his message I was being a bit spiteful, but I'm over it now :0).  Some things we just never get until we are parents ourselves.....

Random Thought #6 -

I'm so glad I make the effort to take my kids to church.

I am not a religious guru by any means..but I was raised in church and I value the word of God.  From high school graduation until I had children of my own I really didn't go much at all..as a matter of fact, I'm kind of surprised that my home church even allowed me to get married there after not coming for so long. And anyone that knows me at all knows that I am far from perfect, but, once I had children I felt  compelled to find a church to attend.  Luckily, about two years ago now..a friend of mine invited me to attend her church and I went and really liked it.  Ironically it had the same name as the church I grew up in and got married in...Bethel Christian.  I felt welcomed and the messages were clear and I have been attending ever since, but tonight after a week at vacation bible school I over heard Braydon tell Rhett while working a puzzle together, "If we have a problem and we don't know what to do..just keep our eye on Jesus and he will pull us through!" How sweet!  It was evidently, according to the tune, a song he had learned this week, but the fact that he was using it as a way to encourage his little brother made me take notice.  I do admit that I often gripe at Garett that I go to church alone with the boys and have even been known to make comments like, "I hope it's worth it!" when I'm struggling to get them ready on Sunday mornings, but comments like that let me know it is and no matter where life leads them, hopefully, even if they stray, they will be led back to God at some point in their life.  Thank you Bethel Christian for making us feel at home!

Random Thought #7

As I write this and hear Rookie running on his treadmill in the next room...I miss my Byron dog!  Nothing against ya Rookie, but Byron would be snuggled up right beside me right about now..enough said...

Random Thought #8

I don't want to turn 35!

I know it seems young..but once your 35 doesn't it just go downhill? Your children get older..your chances for having anymore (or mine anyway according to Garett) get slimmer, you start to earn more gray hair, wrinkles and fat, you start to sound like your parents,your known only as "Braydon and Rhett's mom", you watch your wedding video of eleven years ago and you can count more than 10 people you knew that are now in heaven, and you get told you need BI-FOCALS! 

Yep..went to the eye doctor with Braydon ..his kindergarten exam and my 1st check-up since Rhett was born..Braydon walks out with 20/20 vision and I walk out with a prescription for bi-focal (no-line) lenses, contacts because my new glasses will evidently be noticeably thicker, and the suggestion to go pick up some reading glasses for support with the contacts! I know it's minor, but it's major to me..especially when I wasn't expecting it and especially a month before I turn 35 (which to me is turning out to be way more traumatic than 30)!

Random Thought #9

I need to see some of my long lost girl friends...you know who you are!  so if you are reading this..it's time to make a plan!  Especially after reading "Random Thought #8" ....being with those that know you best makes it all better :)

On a serious note..I am blessed with some great friends...and even though we don't get to see each other everyday..I know that the next time we talk we will pick up right where we left off :) I am one of the guiltiest..see the random thought about not even calling my parents ;/

I'm looking forward to it!

Random Thought #10

Do others think as randomly as I do? I'm sure they do and I know this is a drop in the bucket to what really goes on between my ears....basically June was full of randoms...random get togethers (thanks to my sister especially for getting the family together for Father's Day), quirky little things that make our day to day interesting, seeing folks that we rarely get to spend time with during what I call my "go" time of year, random, spur of the moment trips, like our spur of the moment boat ride on Lake Herrington or our little camping trip to Levi Jackson State Park (even though Garett didn't get to camp as much as the rest of us),  and random bed times and wake up times (as I look at the clock to realize that I am waaayyyy past the norm).  I am thankful for random moments!



Pass it On....

This past weekend we took the boys on their first turkey hunt and tried some fishing at my parent's farm. It was Mother's Day weekend, and while some mommies may like to get away, I can't think of a better way to spend it.  I'll admit, at first I sighed at the thought of getting up early, putting on all of the camo garb, etc., but as I look back at the pictures I took I realize that the time spent together was priceless.  One of Garett's favorite songs is the "Mossy Oak Theme Song" and the contents talk about sharing the respect and love of the outdoors with the next generation.  I grew up in the country and have lost a lot of the grit that my parents and my brother have that it takes to keep a farm, garden and acreage going.  If I even had it to begin with? Now that I live within city limits with all the conveniences of daily living at my fingertips I realize the importance of teaching our children about the land.  Now mind you...I'm not the best teacher, but just giving them the opportunities to experience it is better than nothing.  I'm so grateful my parents, siblings, and husband take an interest in farming, gardening, hunting and fishing.  If I had been left to my own devices I may have forgotten how peaceful it is to sit on the farm in the morning as the sun rises, how long a Sunday can really be on the banks of a pond and how much fun you can have when you have honest quality time together that others may see as too slow of a pace or boring. It's a little like exercise to me...takes a lot to get you motivated to do it at times, but you are usually so glad you made the effort in the end. 

 Garett laughs at me when I talk about growing up in Bath County...says, "You aren't a farm girl!" He's right..I'm not now, but it was passed on to me in a way that I still respect it and value it enough to pass those values on to my own children.  Who knows? Maybe his interest has come from him growing up in within the city limits (because regardless of what he may say..I do think I have spent way more time behind the tobacco setter than he has, but I'm sure he has me beat on the time spent fishing or hunting) and together we haven't lost our respect for the outdoors so that our boys could have the opportunity, somehow between the two of us, to pass it on to their children.  As I sat on the bank and took pictures I surprisingly felt a little sad that our parent's farm probably won't be around forever...I mean let's face it...the up keep of the place alone would be a full time job, and although my parents kept up a farm and full time jobs, times just aren't the same.  I mentioned it to Garett and he said, "Daran (my brother) will keep things going." but honestly I had the emotions that suggested we better soak it all up while we can because everything changes.  I wonder if my parents ever looked at their experiences like that and as a result decided what was most important to pass on to my brother and sister and I? Was it that clear of a decision or just how it happened? Not sure, but it kind of hit me like that this weekend and I now have a good list started of things I'm going to make a priority to "pass on".   







My boys and me...Their 1st turkey hunt....Did we get a turkey? No, but we sure made memories!









The pond on my brother's farm...just like the way it looks.



Braydon had way more fun once we didn't have to be quiet!

Braydon (5) enjoying being outdoors!

Rhett (2) taking fishing very seriously.

Playing around after the "hunt" is over.

Love this picture of Rhett's hands on Garett's. 

They make me smile!



Let Them Be Little

This week has been our spring break and I can think of no other destination that I would rather be than at home with my boys!  Everyday is an adventure for them.  I am so thankful for their boisterous imaginations and enthusiasm over the smallest things. They can turn a bath into an ocean adventure, a romp in the backyard into a rain forest expedition, and a simple tent over a table in the living room will suddenly turn into Simba and Nala's cave at Pride Rock.  There is really no place they would rather be than at home and I know that I don't have many more years for that to be true.  Sooner than later they are going to think I'm not cool anymore, think that the fun is never at our house, and not appreciate one another in the least, much less yell, "Who wants to 'nuggle me?" from the top of the stairs! I am not looking forward to the future if that is the case.  If only I could make time stand still for weeks like this one.  We have played, created, messed, and been carefree the whole week.  I love it!  Unfortunately I do have to go back to work and "reality" will hit Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. but I know it will be summer break soon and I'll get to absorb what "stay at home mommies" have for a couple of months with little interruptions. If I ever catch myself wishing these times away I need to remind myself to "let them be little"!   

Braydon & Rhett goofing off in the tub...there was a lot of splashing going on!

Braydon's "big" 4 year old feet.

Rhett's little 2 year old feet.

Just being silly..or a "silly goose" as Rhett would call him.

All clean and mean!  Straight from the bath to battle the "monster guys" of our home.  I feel so safe ;)

Garett's Grandma "Nemo" reminded me of this song not too long ago and ever since I've been thinking about it's lyrics...they ring so true!

Thanks Nemo!

"Let Them Be Little"
[Originally written and sung by Billy Dean]

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little