Holidays - A Family Of Love

This year Michael, Hailey and I spent our first Thanksgiving and Christmas as Mom, Dad and Daughter. It was a new experience. Even though we had been together for some time before getting married, this year brought on a new meaning to Family. I can't explain how wonderful it is to wake up each day with Michael next to me and Hailey down the hall. It truly is a blessing to have the two of them as my Family. Along with our Black Lab Gage and our two cats Charlie and Tibbey! We spent Thanksgiving at my Mum's house in Tontitown with my Brothers, Sister-in-laws and all the kids. It was such a fun time having everyone here. I must add that the best part was not having to travel! It is so exhausting! Thanksgiving lunch/dinner was amazing. All the girls (excluding me) can really cook. Between Turkey, Ham, Turducken, and all the deserts... I was "Fat and Happy" I am very thankful to have such an outstanding family!

Christmas... Oh tis the season to be jolly! I love Christmas. I love singing all the songs and helping to make a difference in other families lives as well. (something I need to continue doing, not just around the holidays) This year while my sister-in-laws were in town around Thanksgiving I went with those crazy girls to do "Black Friday" shopping. STUPID. I was beat before 8:00am every came around. However, I managed to get Hailey a pair of Uggs, as well as several shirts from Buckle.

We woke up bright and early Christmas morning with mom and dad over to open gifts before leaving for Mississippi. Michael was surprised when he saw how many gifts he had! He came out with an IPOD, Pumas, shirts, BKE pants, pajama pants, movies, a Garmin, and couple of other things as well. Hailey was beside her self when she saw we broke down and bought her Uggs. I can't tell you how long this girl has wanted these things! Well she got them and she had better take care of them! She also came out with more things than perhaps she needed but thats okay! Everyone had a big ole smile on their face! Mom and dad were very pleased with their gifts. It is such a blessing to give back to them after so many years of them giving to me! I love being able to bless them with gifts!!

On the way to Mississippi. I love my family, and I miss them so much. This being said, I can't make enough trips to Mississippi each year. Poor Michael always has to suffer though my tears when we get home as I seem to be sad after seeing the boys! Who would have ever thought I would be crying because I missed them and not because they were being mean!

Anyways... We stayed with Robert and Heather Christmas night and had a blast! The kids are always so loving and have more then enough energy to entertain us for hours! Hailey and Sam made Snowman cupcakes that were so cute for the lunch at Sean and Niks. Michael and I went with Chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. We know how to do our part!! LOL... It wasn't home baked goods but it was GOOD!

Friday... We had a great time with everyone on Friday! It was nice having the boys, mom, dad and Papa there together. All the kids had a blast beating each other up and opening gifts! Everyone loved their gifts from one another! I forced everyone to take a family photo in front of the Christmas Tree! Now this was comical. With all those kids and then the boys not wanting to do this... It made for some funny pictures... They don't know it yet, but this will be done every year... So I think!!

We left for Arkansas Saturday and it made for a long trip. We were so tired from the little sleep we got each night. Michael must have been exhausted because he let me drive every bit of half way. This never happens.

So that was our time together as a family!!! I miss them and can't wait to visit again...

Kansas City

The last time I had been to Kansas City I couldn't have been but about 10? I went to watch my brother play in a football game called the Mineral Bowl. It was such a fun time. I remember Kansas City being fun and busy. I am pretty sure nothing has changed as we were back this weekend for Hailey's soccer tournament.

We drove up on Saturday morning. This requiring us to get up around 5:00am. Not a good idea for I am not a morning person at all. However, we do it. Hailey's first soccer game is at 10:00. I am pretty excited as it has been a long time since I have been.

So the game gets started. The wind is really rough and cold. I am wrapped up in sweaters, gloves, hats and plenty of blankets. This does nothing for me. I can't feel my toes, ears or fingers. Therefore I am not in a good mood. The girls come out very slow. They are playing a team that is not so good. The girls just can't seem to get anything done. They are missing shots on goal and slacking on the defense. We lose 3 -2.
Game two. We have had time to get a bite to eat and get back to the game. Again, its cold and the girls come out slow. I am now starting to think the weather has them not performing well. But that is part of soccer. YOu have to be ready for any kind of weather and any kind of talented team. You don't know what to expect at tournaments so you have to be ready for anything. Our girls aren't. Again... We lose.

I am mad and so is Michael. We drove all the way to Kansas City to watch the girls NOT perform up to their ability. Not happy. Therefore Hailey gets scolded. Not good. WE are all mad, cold and ready to go home. But there is still one game left.

Its night time and we are starving... We drive to downtown Kansas City. BEAUTIFUL. Its almost like I remembered it only this time better. Maybe because I am in the moment. WE walk around and hear people singing on the sidewalks. Almost takes our breath away as we hear one young black girl just singing her heart out. Hailey is amazed. Can't get over this girl. We sit outside of a coffee shop just listening to her. She has a crowd and is really pleasing us all. There is a group of two older couples. They are dancing around and singing along to the music. Hailey can not help but to really give them a good giggle. They try to get her to dance with them, but that isn't happening. Which I am really surprised by as she is not much on being a shy kid. Her personality is normally too big for this small world. Either way. She decides to be shy! We go on as our stomaches begin to scream at us all! Michael remembers this really good steak house he ate at once. It was DELICIOUS. I can't get over this place. It is for the rich and famous. We are neither therefore we stick out like a sore thumb. Very comical but we didn't care. Turns out... There was famous people there and one of them sat right behind us! When we figure this out... We are STOKED... He is the actor that played the step brother in Clueless. Paul something. Now that I write this blog.. I can't remember his name. Go figure... Needless to say we left broke but with a smile and full bellies!!!

So here it is. Sunday! Again, its cold and I am very concerned as to if our girls are ready to play or not. OF COURSE THEY ARE. Now that they have those bad games out of the way they are ready to perform. Only now it is too late. The game doesn't count. They can't go on to win the tournament. Coaches are mad. But, I was glad that Hailey went out there and for the first time this weekend, she gave it her all. WE won and that was a good way to leave.

I believe next time they are out of town for a tournament we will feed Hailey a nice fat Steak!!!!

Idols

Recently I have been listening to "Clear the Stage" by Ross King. It is a song that really points out all the things we Idol. Which we shouldn't do. He says "Anything I want with all my heart is an Idol. Anything I can't stop thinking of is an Idol. Anything I give all my love, is an Idol. We Must not worship something that is not even worth it. Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze if thats the measure you must take to crush the idols." He goes on to point out the following things we idolize: Sports, Money, Fame, Success, Television, Fashion, Career, Family, Power, Self, lust, Populariy, Exercise and the internet. These are just a few. I find I love so many of them such as Family, sports, money and exercise. I also... LOVE my car. Do I Idol them? Ross sings these lyrics in his song; "Shine the light on every corner of your life until the pride and lust and lies are in the open. Then read the word and put to thest the things you've heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken."
So... I guess perhaps it just made me think of the things that we sometime idolize...

Soccer... This time I'm on the sideline

I remember going state to state, town to town playing soccer as though it was yesterday. The sweat that would just come down our faces as we played as hard as we could. Hoping to just get that size 5 ball into the back of that net. Now years later and I find myself on the other side of the field cheering.



Hailey had one of her first soccer tournaments this weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas. But soccer isn't soccer without every child forgetting, breaking or losing something. Our weekend started out just as I remember it. Early to bed and early to rise. Hailey packed her soccer bag full with jerseys, socks, shoes, and all the extras. Ready to play as though she had done it for years. Saturday morning is here and we are getting ready to pile into the vehicle when Hailey realizes her Herpes device (metal in her mouth to straighten her jaw) had broken. Ahh... Now that reminds me of my childhood days. Ready to leave and something goes wrong. I insist we take her to the orthodontist. Oh boy was I quickly over ruled. Off we go to Little Rock, bags packed, tired, and Hailey will a metal bar hanging from her mouth! We arrive in Little Rock and Hailey is beside herself. She can not believe the complex. There are more fields there for her to play on then she had ever seen. NOW THIS IS SOCCER. Teams from all over with different uniforms, bags, warm ups and their coaches take the fields. I can't help but to sit back and wish I was playing with the girls I had played with for so many years. Laughing as we began to warm up... Calling out players from the other team, knowing we could take them!

The first game begins and the other team is quick. Quick to the ball and quick to score. Our girls are a bit shaken as they are unsure how to respond. We had a great play putting us in front of the goal for a quick rebounding score. Game is tied 1 to 1. Our girls still aren't sure how to react to this team. They are fast and a little bigger then they are. Doesn't take long till Hailey is in the game. Unfortunately it didn't take long for her to go down on her ankle either. She is laying their. Michael is unsure as to whether he should run out there or let her suck it up. He runs. Ha. She is out of the game now with ice on her ankle. So far the tournament isn't going to good for the Hendrix Family. Broken herpes device and now a rolled ankle. I begin to think whether Hailey is ready for this type of play. Her body and her mind doesn't seem to be, lets just hope her heart is.

Sunday is here. Another early morning for soccer. Dew is all over the place. Just as it was 10 years ago. Parents are wrapped up in blankets and hoodies. The other team shows up late and I begin to think... This team isn't ready to play. But who is at 7:30?? The team is from Texas and they are tall and lean. The whistle blows and the race is on. This team is SOLID. They don't have a inch of fat on them. They are again first to the ball and pushing our girls all over the place. Our team isn't ready and they aren't fast or strong enough to hang. Hailey's idea of soccer has begun to change. I think she realizes that there are great teams out there and maybe she needs a little more practice. Her ride home wasn't enjoyable as she hasn't realized not to ask questions she doesn't want the answer too. I am hoping after a long weekend and a good solid practice tonight she will see soccer takes heart, soul and a lot of effort. Overall it wasn't too bad and I loved watching her try and spending time with my parents. It was a great experience for us all to share together.