My Papa John

John W. Bailey

August 14, 1922 - August 31, 2008

A week ago today my sweet grandfather passed away. He had many health problems so even though it wasn't a surprise it was still very sad. About 6 weeks ago, against his nurses best judgement, he managed to get up enough strength to get on a plan and fly to Dallas to meet McKenzie and to see Ryan again. He kept saying he just had to hold that little girl. Little McKenzie doesn't realize what an impact she had on him. It seemed as though that was one of the last thing he wanted to do before he died. Once he did it I think he realized that he was ready to meet his Jesus. Sitting by his side as he took his last breathe was his three sons and wife of 66 years. Papa has 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Being the youngest of 8 he always called me his "doll baby". He always told me even though I was now over 30 and had two kids I would always be the doll baby in the family. I remember when either we would go and visit him or he would come see us every morning for breakfast we would look under our plate and there would be a dollar bill. My brother and I of course thought we were rich and got excited about it each morning. They tell me when my brother was young Papa John would throw change on the street because Jeff got so excited to find it and pick it up of course not knowing it was Papa going before him and putting it there. When his great-grandson Mason would visit he would always ask Papa what he had in his shirt pocket. He knew he would find the dollar of the day. On the day of his viewing my uncle laid a dollar bill on his casket. To some people that was just a bill, but to his loved ones that meant so many smiles. I know Papa is in a better place and I know he is praising our Lord, but I do pray that God comfort my dad and his brothers as they live without a father and give peace to my grandmother as she lives without the man she has been devoted to for many decades. My cousin had a baby boy at the beginning of August and named him John Bailey so through that little boy his name will live on and in our hearts we will hold the memories of him forever.

At the funeral

We love you Papa John

Labor Day

For Labor Day we enjoyed celebrating with family. Scott's parents, aunt, grandfather, sister, brother-in-law and our nieces and nephew came over to enjoy a day of fun. Scott grilled us all some hamburgers and we enjoyed visiting and letting the kids play. Ryan loved playing with his cousins. The two girls are wonderful helpers when it comes to the two little boys and Kenzie. Ryan and Evan giggle at each other and enjoy being the "boys" of the group. It was a great way to celebrate the day.

First Day of School

Yesterday was an interesting day as we were all up, dressed, feed and out of the house by 7:30. Ryan was excited about going because his classroom was now upstairs with all of the older kids. He felt like such a big boy and I took advantage of that as we talked about how we need to tell our teachers if we need to go to the bathroom. That only big boys upstairs go in the potty. Well, they still had to change his pull-up but hopefully it will get better. Kenzie had no clue of course. She just wanted someone to feed her and put in the paci at the right time and she was happy. Mom on the other hand was not so cheery as I dropped my 3 month old off. I really thought I would be fine, but I caught my self holding back the tears while I was at school and every chance I got I tried to peek into her room without it looking as though I was checking up on her. There were many times I wondered what I was doing there dropping off my little baby. She was in good hands though. I LOVE her teachers and there are only 4 babies in her room with 4 teachers. She got lots of love and I am thankful for that. Hopefully things will get a little easier as the year goes on. It will be nice when we settle into our routine.

Gosh, she looks so excited. :)

So Silly!!

Already to go with our big ol' bags

Ryan tried to carry it himself but it was a little to big

About to tip over.....

So Blessed

I just had to write about my two sweet kids. One of my friends has hanging in her house something along the lines of "these are the children God has given me and I am blessed." I know I have butchered it but you get the idea. I love that because it is so wonderful to think that God created these children, yes for his purpose, but for Scott and I to enjoy and to raise. I wonder at times why he thinks I am capable of doing this, but I do know I am not alone in doing it. God says he will never leave you or forsake you and I believe that stands true even with raising our kids. He chose Ryan and McKenzie just for us. WOW!! He has confidence in me that I can raise these two kids as I should. It is lots of pressure, but I am so glad I have the opportunity to try.

A Fun Weekend!

This weekend was busy and so much fun. It started off on Friday night when my BFF from the 8th grade came into town with her soon-to-be fiance. I had never met him before so of course I had to give my approval before the proposal could happen...Heee We loved him and thought he and Becca were the perfect match. He got right in with both kids and acted as though he had known them forever. Ryan of course made him play baseball and Kenzie gave him approval with some spit-up...but that is how babies communicate at this age right?? It was such a fun evening and I am so happy for Becca and Chris.



That next morning my sweet friend Kristi came into town with her newborn Fischer. He is exactly to the day a month younger than Kenzie. He is so sweet and still so little. This is Kristi's first child so hopefully seeing Ryan run around the house wild and crazy as boys do (or maybe just mine) I hope it didn't worry her as to what is to come. I remember those days Ryan use to stay still for more than 5 minutes....heeee doesn't happen much now.

On Sunday my parents and family drove to Waco to watch my brother become an ordained minister. Jeff has been at Baylor going to seminary and has been working at a local church part-time with the youth. The church had a dinner for him and then the service was focused on his duties as a Reverand. The other deacons gathered around him and prayed for Jeff which was so beautiful to see. I am so proud of my brother and am excited to see what the Lord has in store for him.

Kenzie is so proud of her uncle



Jeff with some friend that came to support him


Ryan enjoying the ice cream

Attention everyone do you think my bow is cute....:)

Our 5 year anniversary

This weekend Scott and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. It is amazing to me that it has already been 5 years. We have done so much together and have experience some wonderful things in this short time. We started off on Friday celebrating our actual anniversary at the circus with Ryan. Isn't that how you celebrate when you have kids??? The next day was all ours. We dropped Ryan and McKenzie off at my parents for the night and went to enjoy our time together alone....We started off eating downtown at the Angry Dog. One of Scott's favorite places....then we checked into the W hotel and enjoyed some time by the pool. That night we went and had a WONDERFUL dinner at the 9 steak house and enjoyed sleeping in the next morning. ( well we only slept until 7:30 of course, but it was nice to just lay in bed and not have to jump up and feed any kids. ) Then we actually went and saw a movie before picking up Ryan and Kenzie. It was a wonderful weekend. I am blessed to have such a great husband. We have already created so many wonderful memories. As the years go on I fall in love with Scott again and again for different reason. When you get married you are in love with who they are as a person and how they treat you and the beliefs that you share not really knowing what lies ahead. It is a great feeling 5 years later to still be in love for those reason and so many more. I couldn't ask for a better man and father to share my life with. I am so glad I call him my husband and my kids call him father. What a true blessing he is. Thank you Scott for an amazing 5 years. I am looking forward and excited about the next 50....and more.

August 1st 2003


At Hotel W
Dinner that night
Eating our yummy dessert ( we got to make our own smores ) YUM!!!