Humpty Dumpty

Here is Hadley with her version of Humpty Dumpty. It's a little different than the one you may remember.

War Eagle

As many of you may know, we will be moving to Auburn, AL over the summer. Brent has accepted a position at Auburn University. He will start teaching summer session II. I have never been to Auburn, but we are headed to "Sweet Auburn, the loveliest village of the plain" next week. Just a little tidbit, Auburn was named for this line from a poem by Oliver Goldsmith. I'm looking forward to being back in SEC country. Like Fayetteville, the entire town revolves around the university. I dread the drive east, but we are meeting Mom in Jackson, MS. This should help to break up the drive. We have several days planned with real estate tours, visiting preschools, and meeting his new colleagues. I'm really excited to see my new home town.

Visitors from Arkansas

Last Tuesday, north Arkansas was hit hard with ice. After a little arm twisting, Mom, Rhonda, and the kids came down to stay a few days with us. When they arrived, it was Rhonda's birthday. I made a strawberry cake for her. Unfortunately, she did not have any gifts to open. I had just spent $10 on shipping her gift so it would get to WR in time. Here are some pictures of her party. The band singing Happy Birthday.

The encore performance.

We had a few lessons about sharing, taking turns, etc. But all in all, the kids got along great.

Princess Hadley & Princess Taylor.

While they were in town, we visited the Stockyards. This was Jackson's first trip to Fort Worth so he had to see all of the cowboys.
There was a rodeo clown making Texas Longhorn hats. He said he could do a Razorback but it would cost $500. So we opted for the longhorns.

This picture was on Sunday morning before church. The girls looked so cute dressed up. Hadley's hair is really not that thick. I caught her in mid-jump.

While they were in town we ate and played well. Rhonda & I went down to Camp Bowie to shop. Jackson & Brent played football at TCU. One day Rhonda, Jackson, & I played tennis. Taylor went to the doctor with an ear infection. Okay so that wasn't much fun. We ate at Uncle Julio's. Way yummy! We met my mom's cousin, Frank, for lunch at Babe's. It was some of the best smoked chicken and veggies, ever! Then on Tuesday afternoon, our visitors headed north. I think they are taking the scenic route home. No big hurry, still no electricity at home.

Just some everyday stuff

Here is Brent & Hadley in the yard the other day. Tee-ball here we come! Although the summer was way hot, so far, the winter has been wonderful. It was January and 80 degrees! Granted, 2 days later is was in the 30s.

Here is a picture of Hadley's new big girl room. When we came back from Thanksgiving, we put her in a new big bed. She seems to really like it. At night, one of us will lie down with her to get her asleep. She has been really good at staying in her bed once she wakes up, even from her nap. She doesn't get out and wonder around her room or the house. She just starts yelling, "Mommy, I'm awake now!" "Come and get me." I told her that I needed to take a picture of her new bed for the blog. She suggested that she should be in bed reading for the picture.

Back to School

Getting Ready for her first day at school.

Cheese! Opps, her eyes were closed.Please just stand still so Mommy can get one more picture.

Hadley with her new lunch box.

This has been an exciting week and it is only Tuesday. Everyone (well, excluding me) started back to school this week. Soon after we moved to FW, I started looking at preschools. Mind you, it was August and early registration had started in February. Needless to say, we were number 15, 20, and 25 on the waiting list of various preschools in the area. After living here a few months we realized that we were really only interested in one of the preschools. As of December, we were still # 15 on their waiting list. I had told myself that she would just stay home this year and next fall would be great. I was getting excited about next fall. Then on Thursday, I got the call. They had an opening, were we interested. I hung up and called my mom. What! Hadley could start school next week?! I was excited and yet scared to death. I know that she needed the interaction with other kids. I know that she gets tired of just looking at me all day, everyday! So this would be good for her. She talks about school all the time so I knew she would be excited. But my baby! She is only going to be little for a little while and I can't get this time back. My Mom gently reminded me that I have to start letting her go. I do want her to be an independant well adjusted child. I'm certain that Mom enjoyed this. Her baby has up and moved to Texas; so surely I can deal with this. Small steps. Thanks Mom! I guess no matter how old we are, we still need our mothers.

On Friday, Brent & I took Hadley to tour her new school. Everyone was so nice. She met her teacher and some of the other students. She even got to play outside with them. She was a little sad that she didn't get to stay. On Saturday I took her to pick out a lunch box. She was pumped about school.

After much anticipation, Tuesday morning finally arrived. I skipped working out this morning so that everything would run smoothly. I fixed her favorite breakfast, blueberry muffins. We all sat around the table and enjoyed a nice breakfast together. We got dressed, lunch packed, and off we went. Daddy prayed over Hadley before we left. It was going to be a great day.

We were one of the first to arrive. When they said that it starts at 9:00am, they really mean that the doors open at 9:00. Apparently 8:50 was too early. First lesson learned: no need to hurry. When I did leave her, she was great. She gave me a kiss, told me bye, and then started playing. I returned promptly at noon to pick her up. When I arrived at her classroom, she saw me and hurried over yelling, "I had fun at school today, Mom!" Awwh, just what I wanted hear. She is now taking a long nap. School really tired her out!

Christmas in China

For the last few months, we have been sponsoring a little boy in China, Jacob-Jai. A friend of ours is living in China and told us about this wonderful Christian orphanage that needs sponsors. So we went to the website and signed up. Hadley helped us choose which child we would sponsor. You see so many sweet faces and wonder how could anyone abandon them, how do I choose, etc. But for us, it was pretty easy. Jacob and Hadley's birthdays are 2 days apart. You are able to send gifts twice a year. Hadley really enjoyed going shopping for Jacob's Christmas presents. We sent shirts, jeans, jacket, socks, shoes, sweats, cars, play dough, dinosaurs, fire truck, toothpaste, lotion, etc. to China. Once a package enters China, you can no longer trace to see if it is received. I was delighted when the orphanage emailed me pictures of Jacob with our goodies. Hadley colored him a picture and we attached a photo of Hadley for Jacob. You can see him holding it in one of the pictures. We are praying that Jacob is adopted by a loving family soon. Unlike many orphans, his medical condition has been corrected. He was born with club-feet. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, check out their website. http://www.chinaorphans.org/

Christmas on the Road

Christmas on the Road with the Williams.

Our little princess before we headed North.

We left for Arkansas on Dec. 20. Our first stop was Walnut Ridge for Christmas with the Tedders. On Sunday night, we went with Mom & Dad to a church Christmas fellowship. It was so fun to see people that I hadn't seen in years. We just ate and sang carols. I felt really old seeing some of the teenagers like the Wilcoxson boys. They were just little boys when I left for college. Now they are headed off to college soon. Where does the time go!

On Monday morning, Linda, Brooke, and Alli came to visit. Alli and Hadley had a great time playing together. They run at about the same speed. Here are some pictures of the girls playing together. I know that Alli is a big fan of this blog, so enjoy sweet girl! I just wish the girls could see each other more.

Alli reading a book. It was sooo sweet.


On Monday night, we joined some of my Mom's cousins for their Ivy family Christmas get- together. It was like old times. Every Thanksgiving, my Grannie's family would meet at Aunt Marie's house. Maryanne would play the piano and we would all sing Christmas carols. This year we still met at Aunt Marie's house. It has been empty for several years since she died, but you never would have known it. Over 30 family members were there to celebrate. Maryanne played the keyboard for all of the little kids to sing. It filled my heart to see Hadley enjoying one of my favorite childhood traditions.

Maryanne on keyboard with the kids gathered around.

My cousin, Charlton, Brent, Grannie, Paul, and Dad. Grannie wasn't going anywhere; she was just cold.

It's dark, put you can still hear them singing.

Hadley singing Jingle Bells (with her own hand motions).


On Christmas Eve, we were able to make the big Tedder Christmas in Paragould. I had not been since I've been married. I counted over 70 folks there. Like any Tedder function, there were a few that I had no idea who they were. Our family has always been open to taking in strays. If you needed to be fed, you knew you could always get a plate at the Tedder's house.

The only gift Hadley had asked for was a guitar. Mom & Dad gave it to here at the Tedder's Christmas. She was so excited.

Strumming on her 6-string. . .

After feasting at the Tedder's Christmas, we headed to Nana & Pop Pop's house for our smaller Tedder Christmas.

Me, Hadley, Grannie, and Nana

The girls playing their guitars. Grannie & Granddaddy are in the background enjoying the concert.

Look at all the toys.

This was pretty typical. We don't even know what it is, but we are excited. It was a stroller for her baby doll.

A little jam session with Jackson & Hadley

Our 4 days in Walnut Ridge had been very productive. I got to visit with over 100 family members and visit with close to 50 old friends. Hadley was a trooper! She acted like she had known everyone her entire life.

On Christmas morning, we headed down to Searcy to have Christmas with the Williams family. When we got there, Mimi had made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. The kids enjoyed singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles.

Seeing all their toys at Mimi & Paw Paw's house.

Hadley with her little people town and Will in the back ground with his new car. He stayed in that car nearly all day. He only got out to eat!

Each year, Madelyn buys everyone a small gift from the dollar store. She picks out each person's gift all by herself. When she gave Hadley her gift, Hadley let out the biggest gasp of excitement. It was this gold plastic-beaded necklace.

Madelyn trying on her new ring.

Merry Christmas from the Williams!