I Wish You Enough

I read a story recently and decided to share. In a world where nothing is ever good enough, and people never seem satisfied I felt like these were true words of wisdom.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said:

"I love you and I wish you enough."

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the daughter left.

The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?"

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."

Adventures in Mommyland

Yesterday the Daddy got home early from a hard days work, and the Mamaw was sending dinner by the Papaw around 6 pm. Yay! No cooking for the Mommy. The house was sort of straight and fairly clean, minus the occasional stray toy, and the always present load of laundry. The Baby had just woken up from a good nap, was fed, diapered, and happy. The Mommy saw her window of opportunity for a nap herself, and seized the moment. A much needed nap, might I add. She handed the Baby to the Daddy, and her and the Dogs trotted off to bed. The Fur-Babies sleep 20 hours a day at different locations in the Home, but if someone is in the bedroom they feel it is their duty to keep them company. The Mommy knew she did not have a lot of time to fall into a deep slumber, but just an hour or so she thought to rest her eyes, mind, and body. She was drop dead EXHAUSTED, so she stumbled into bed, plopped down on her pillow just right, covered her head, and snuggled in tight. She was so excited at the possibility of a nap, that her eyes grew wide and her adrenaline started to flow. "NO, NO!", she screamed silently in her head. Wouldn't you just know it, she was ready to fall asleep standing up, but as soon as she laid down she suddenly became wide awake. The Mommy was not going to let this chance pass her by, because she didn't know when another would arise. She closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled slowly, and cleared her mind. She had finally reached that semi-conscious state where time is irrelevant, and you exist somewhere between drowsy and deep sleep. A peaceful state of relaxation, but wait, what is that sound...footsteps, the door, a whine. Then "Ohh mommy", the Daddy said. The sound of reality hit her hard, but what a wonderful sight when she peeked over the blanket and opened her tired, blood shot eyes. Her beautiful Baby, with a smile on her face reaching for her Mommy. Here in Mommyland when the baby says it's time to get up, you get up.


I am learning that you live by that "window of opportunity" here in Mommyland, because you are no longer in control of your time. You answer to a pint sized dictator. She determines when you eat, sleep, and yes even go to the bathroom. But that tiny little miracle is soooo worth it!

Dogs & Dolls

What better friends could a little girl ask for than her doggies and her doll.

21st Century Baby

I have been neglecting writing, along with other things. I have some drafts of posts I have started, but have not finished them. One was when Jayna was about 3 1/2 months old and starting to teeth. So I was writing a blog post about teething...well as you can see I never finished it and now my baby girl is 5 months old. Oh how the time flies! I will blame the blogger app on my iPad, because I was having difficulty with pictures, and basically just gave up and put it off. I made a promise to my self to do better.

So what does the title mean...well my baby has an email address. That's right I created Jayna an e-mail account a few months ago. Before you start thinking I am so sleep deprived that I have finally lost my mind, hear me out. I am always thinking of things that I want to write down and remember, or things I want to tell her when she is older, but I do not always have a pen and paper handy. I am keeping up with her baby book, but again it is not always in arms reach and sometimes I have forgotten a lot by the time I sit down and write in it. Plus the baby book has more specific questions instead of just free space. Also pictures are all digital these days, and it takes a lot less effort to send them electronically than to print and paste in a book...Am I lazy or what. As pathetic as it may be my iPad is usually pretty close by, so I thought that I would create Jayna an email account and send her messages of cute things she does, memories, and pictures. I sent this info to other members of her family just incase at some point they may want to write her a little note, a birthday wish, etc. I will not read any messages or use her account. It is strictly for her, and when she is older I will let her know about it just as I will give her, her baby book. She will have a record of all kinds of special memories throughout the years.

*the picture is just for show, she doesn't actually sit like that and play with my iPad :)

It's a dogs life

My little girl is growing up with two of the best doggies ever. They love her, and she likes them too. I'm sure they will have a lot of fun together soon. I just hope Jayna doesn't pick up all of their habits, like eating off the floor and lapping water from a bowl...YUCK!

Housewife Pet Peeves

10. You get asked what's for dinner before the breakfast dishes are dry.
9. Laundry is a never ending battle. It grows exponentially!
8. Coats, hats, and shoes junking up the entry way. 3 per person.
7. Don't forget to scrape those plates and check those pockets! Food left on dishes, well that is just gross. And the pockets...I learned the hard way. Receipts turned into a crumbled paper mess all over clothes and in the lint tray, an hour spent scraping bubble gum out of the dryer, and last but not least, a dryer drum stripped in blue ball point pen. I repeat CHECK THOSE POCKETS! Sometimes you get lucky and find money...finders keepers I say.
6.Things seem to stop short of their final destination. If dishes and/or dirty laundry do manage to not be left all around the house they do not make it all the way.They end up on the counter beside the sink or in the floor by the hamper.
5. Mom is the only one that can declare something trash. This includes but is not limited to: shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottles, paper towel & toilet paper rolls, anything that is empty in the fridge, and sometimes actual TRASH. Bottles, cans, wrappers, etc.
4. The Navigational system of the home. Yes we know exactly where everything is in the entire house, so just ask I will direct you the quickest route possible. (Sometimes I provide the scenic tour for my amusement only)
3. Continuation of #4. Stuff does not get put back where it came from. Everything has a place, but we are the only ones that know that.
2. Hair! It is everywhere, especially when you have enough for 3 heads like I do. You may think I am gross or even crazy, but if you do not know what I am talking about then try to clean your bathroom and not leave one strand of hair. Yes it can be done, but it is frustrating none-the-less. You can sweep, mop, dust, vacuum, get on your hands and knees and wipe, wipe, wipe...it shall return.
1. "You're a stay-at-home mom. What do you do all day?"
PLEASE do no insult me by asking this question or even thinking it. Trust me I do plenty. In fact I never get accomplished everything on the "to do" list and it carries over to the following day. And NO I do not sit and eat bon-bon's, talk on the phone (well I guess its Facebook now), and watch soap operas all day. My work is never finished, no weekends, no holiday's, no vacation days. I am a cook, a baker, a housekeeper, a nurse, a teacher, an accountant, a manager, an organizer, a planner, Mrs. fix-it, a chauffeur, and a locator of stuff. Most importantly I am a MOM, and that is the best job in the world. I get to spend the day taking care of my baby. Playing with her, teaching her, and watching her grow. Do not get me wrong, I do not look down on any working mother; therefore do not judge me for staying home. Some may choose to work and some may have to work. Thankfully I have the luxury of staying home, and I love it.

I guess you don't have to be a housewife or a stay-at-home mom to have some pet peeves. And I have plenty of flaws myself so we won't even go there. I applaud those who work and take care of their children and home. I also commend mothers with more than one child, because my 3 month old keeps me hopping. I am very thankful for my job, my family, and my home. These are all in good fun (except for #2 & #1 they really do irk me).

*no husbands or children were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Happy Valentine's Day

Baby's First Valentine's Day

Today, I will hold my BABY

Yes, today I will stop, breathe, and hold my baby. In fact I am typing this with one hand as my sleeping baby rests peacefully in my arms. I feel like I am constantly in GO, GO, GO mode. There is always 101 things to do, even more so now with the new baby. I look at my 2 1/2 month old from head to toe and try to memorize every feature because she is continually changing. As she napped this morning I worked in her room, putting the clothes she has outgrown away, and replacing with the next size up. Using up the last of the size 1 diapers and graduating to size 2. Washing teething rings and toys because she's ready to play! I realized that she has grown SO much SO fast, and she continues to grow and change at what feels like warp speed. Do not fear I WILL continue to cook to feed my wonderful husband and myself, I WILL take care of Cocoa & Bentley, and I WILL keep my house in some order. But I will try not to rush, or obsess over every little thing. Jayna will only be little once. We will never have this day again. She won't always want me to sit and hold her and kiss her chubby little cheeks. She won't always hold my finger in her tiny hand. She won't always stare into my eyes like I am the most important person in her tiny little world. So one day when she breaks away from Mommy I will remember this day when I stopped to hold my baby.

A New Year

2013 - We are a happy, healthy, blessed family of 5...didn't think Aaron and I would forget Cocoa & Bentley did you ;)

Oh how time flies! My last post I was almost 6 months pregnant and now my baby girl is almost 2 months old.

So what have I been up to...well pregnancy, labor & delivery, recovery, adjusting to life with a newborn...Oh yeah and the holidays, yep that  just about sums it up. My pregnancy went really well. No unbearable symptoms or complications until my last few weeks and lets just say I swelled out like puffer fish.

At 39 weeks my doctor decided that because of the swelling and high blood pressure I should be induced. Although I was completely against induction and all unnecessary medical procedures and stuff like that in the beginning, due to the health concerns at my weekly visit it was time for baby Hatfield to meet the world.

I went to the hospital on Nov. 14th and Baby Girl Hatfield was born Nov. 15th, 2012 @ 9:49 AM. Best day of our lives!
Jayna Leigh Hatfield, 6 lbs 15.5 oz., 21 in. (Actually 19.5 in. after her head rounded out)

New Year's Resolution: lose my mommy marsupial pouch, be more productive, organized, efficient, frugal, and thankful.

22 Weeks, 5 Days

It has been a while and a lot has been going on. First of all we decided to find out the sex of the baby...It's A Girl! I am about 5.5 months pregnant, and this is my first child so I am experiencing everything for the first time. It is wonderful, a little crazy now and again, but absolutely wonderful! Speaking of the interesting things that go on during pregnancy: I woke up about 5AM and could not go back to sleep, thanks to that big slice of homemade pizza I ate for dinner around 8PM. Heartburn was in full swing! My hands felt tight and I was so thirsy (thanks salt and simple carbs), and I'll just be honest I had a touch of some bloating going on. So I guess it is my turn to have some prego symptoms. I never was sick, and really haven't had any symptoms until now. I stumbled to the kitchen and took 2 Tums. If you know me you know I absolutely hate to take anything, especially if it is chewable and tastes like chalk. I bought a bottle about my 3rd month, because anyone who has ever been pregnant tells you horror stories and I had heard of the "Dreaded Heartburn!" I guess my heartburn wasn't that bad on the scale, I just needed to sit up, but for someone who has never really had it before it was bad for me. I am very thankful I had them. They have been sitting on a shelf above my kitchen sink for 2 months unopened, and they finally made their debut in my 1st pregnancy. Although I will try to eat a little better and avoid the "Dreaded Heartburn!" from now on. I am also thankful my heartburn has subsided, and I am awake past the point of return, so I guess our day starts a little earlier today. Our's meaning me + baby, and Bentley. He is my little shadow and is wherever I am. Asleep on the couch beside me as I speak. Cocoa on the other hand doesn't get out of bed before 930AM for any reason short of fire or visitor knocking on the door. Maybe I have gotten this earlier start because I am to get more accomplished today, or possible the same amount and an afternoon nap. We shall see...

Hatfields & McCoys

The Hatfield Family

 Inspired by the recent 3 part mini-series aired on the History channel I thought I would share my claim to historical fame. I married one of those ole Hatfield boys. Most people know the basic story associated with these two names, especially those from southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. Each side had (and still do have) their own versions of what TRULY happened, and stories have been passed down from generation to generation. However, even though a story this old can not help but to be made of fact and fiction intertwined it is entertaining nonetheless. Many claim to be descendents of the fueding families, especially if their last name is Hatfield or McCoy, and I'm sure that a lot from this area and some scattered across the US are related in one way or another. My husband is one of those relatives. He is a direct descendent of William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield. Devil Anse would be his great-great-great grandpa.

Capt. William Anderson Hatfield

Statue of Devil Anse - Hatfield Cemetary Sarah Ann, WV

The Family Tree: William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield's 3rd born son was named Robert E. Lee Hatfield,who then had a son named John B. Hatfield, who then had a son John B. Jr. Hatfield (Aaron's grandpa), who then had a son Jackie Lee Hatfield (Aaron's dad), who then had James Aaron Hatfield (my husband).

*Notice the continuing "J" names. It has been considered a tradition of this Hatfield line and only applies to the males in the family. I was instructed that if Aaron and I have a little boy that his name must start with a "J" because I can not be responsible for breaking a 100 year old tradition. If we have a boy J____ Hatfield it will be. I like tradition, plus it narrows down the possible boy names.

Any baby name suggestions?

I Spy With My Little Country Eye

Our New Home

My porch swing - made by Popaw Clarence

2 Positive Pregnancy Tests!!!

That's right our family is expanding and we couldn't be happier. Whether we should be tickled "PINK" or tickled "BLUE" we will just have to wait and see.

UPDATE

We are lovin our NEW home, but believe it or not there are still some places in America without cell phone service and/or Internet connection. Good news: The phone company says that Internet will be coming soon...what they consider "soon" we do not know

- We are officially moved into our new home, but not all the way unpacked...workin on it
- Aaron started a new job here at home so no more PA...gettin back to a normal routine
- I have started my internship so that I can graduate in May with a BA in Psychology...hello workin world
- Cocoa and Bentley are lovin the new house and fenced in yard...they needed the exercise

Busy, Busy, Busy! Oh where did those carefree, lesiurly days go...needin a vacation

BUT all is well, we are BLESSED...happy and healthy and simply livin'

Embrace the Camera



Meet my nephew Jaden. He is an adorable, sweet, says the darndest things little 3 year old.

I have decided to join Emily's Embrace the Camera. Check it out.

My husbands brother got a new job and he, my sister-in-law, and little Jaden will be moving 3 hours away. I am his Christmas...and that is what he calls me instead of Aunt Kristin. "My Christmas". He loves his Uncle Anon & Aunt Christmas, and we love him. I know we will still see them, but not as much as when they lived 20 minutes down the road. SO I have been snapping many pictures of him and grabbing hug after hug since we heard the news.

We hate to see them move, but know that it is for the best. Plus it is bitter sweet, because Aaron and I will be moving into their house. Goodbye old house...HELLO new recently remodeled house with fenced in yard. YAY! The dogs are very excited.

4:03 and a little irony

It is the wee hours of this Wednesday morning and I have not slept since Aaron left Tuesday morning for PA, once again without is faithful sidekick.
Our Phone Bedtime Routine: I stay up and wait for his highly anticipated call when he gets off work and turns in for the night (around 12am). We share a short but sweet goodnight, and then it is off to our beds separated by miles and state lines. Well tonight was no different, we said our "I love you's" and then I took that lonely walk to our bedroom (not completely alone I did have Cocoa & Bentley). Anyway I settled into the middle of the bed, because I hate to lay on my side when his side empty. I read some and planned on drifting off to sleep, because reading past 9PM usually makes me drowsy. This did not work, so finally I grabbed the TV remote to see if anything worth watching was on. Sometimes we like to watch the History channel at night, although very educational and interesting, it can be somewhat of a sedative at times. I turned it to the guide channel which plays music and the song playing was If You Only Knew by Shinedown. It is actually a break up song, but part of the chorus fits this situation perfectly:

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea

IRONY: I glance at the clock and it was actually 3:03, so in our version we are an hour ahead. AND as previously posted in mine an Aaron's story Good Ole Boy meets Country Girl I told about our date to an outdoor concert. At this concert the main act was Shinedown which both of us were anxious to see, but there were several bands that had to perform first. At this concert we had our first fight and we left the concert early and never got to see the band perform. SO...

1. Shinedown + Kristin + Aaron = disaster! At that moment we wanted to be anywhere else in the world instead of a truck with each other.
2. Shinedown + Kristin - Aaron = Sad. Because at this moment there is no one else in the world I would rather have here with me.

Music is tied to memory and this song got my mind turning, and even though it was a little sad because I miss him so much, it also sparked a little grin because we have came a very long way from that day in the park, at an outdoor concert, the scene of our very first fight.

I know it is a little silly, but hey I haven't slept in 20+ hours.
GOODNIGHT!

Then & Now: Hayden

My nephew Hayden born March 29th, 2008

It was love at first sight

Sweet Baby Boy!

Nap time with Cocoa

Hayden & my brother Mikey

Loves bath time

 

My little man

Silly Sissy!

 Fun at Easter

When I could still pick him up

Monster Trucks @ Sissy's

First Day of Preschool (3yrs old) 

Darth Vader for Halloween

Always Smiling...

He loves his Sissy!

And Sissy loves Hayden!



He loves Dixie too

 

 I know they have to grow up and it's a good thing, but does it have to be so fast!?!

 Then: he was this precious baby boy that stole my heart. Now: he is the little boy that owns my HEART. 

Then: he was this active toddler into everything. Now: he is still that active toddler into everything!

Then: he said Sissy for the first time and made my day. Now: It's Sissy, Sissy! and I adore it.

Then: he was this tiny little baby and I loved him so very much!

Now: he is 3 yrs. old (and a very BIG 3) I can't even pick him up anymore. He is such a happy child, smiling all of the time! I love him so very much!

Monopoly by the old oil lamp

While Aaron was working in PA, Dixie and I spent the night with Mamaw & Popaw Blankenship, in the Holler at Hanover.

Unexpectedly the power (or juice according to some country folk) went out. So what did we do...Played Monopoly by lamp light.



Popaw was the car, because he loves race cars. And the banker.

I was the dog, because I love dogs. And the properties, house/hotel manager.

Dixie was the hat, beacause she likes hats. And got to work on her math skills.



Mamaw was the old lady in the Shoe (j/k she could pass for 40) and the WINNER!

Embrace the cards you are dealt and make the most of every situation...you may be suprised and make some great memories.

We had a wonderful, fun evening and the power was restored around 11:00 pm.