Update from Dad

This is from Dad.


I GOT HOME TODAY DEC,23 AT 3:00PM THINGS ARE GOING WELL,I WILL BE GOING TO THE CLINIC OFTEN TILL
WE GET THE MEDS, RIGHT. WE ARE NOT THERE, BUT WE ARE CLOSER THAN WE WERE.,,,, PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING.

TO ALL MY UMPIRE FAMILY
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH YOUR WELL WISHS AND PRAYS GOT ME THIS FAR.... WITHOUT YOU I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE
IT THIS FAR. YOU KEPT ME GOING, ,,YOU DID IT...THANKS

WITH LOVE,
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON..
PHIL-KATHIE-ANA DE LA ROSA AND JIM &TINA HALLEY

PS
PLEASE FW TO ALL MY BROS ANS SISTERS FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Daddy Update.

He's doing better every day. He says that he's great. He is so grateful that he received this kidney. He said that he is so blessed to have the friends that he does and the family that he does. His phone rings off the hook. He just loves it. Although he is tired, he wants to talk to whomever calls him. I believe he even tried to propose to the nutritionist because she told him he could start eating all the things that he loves that he hasn't been able to eat in the last 4 1/2 years. I have been printing out bowl picks for him off his computer and as I scan the emails for these picks, I'm touched by the other emails that his friends have been sending around and forwarding to him. My dad is loved by so many people, it's hard to wrap my mind around it. We as a family are so blessed and thankful for all the love his friends have for him. I told him yesterday that I wanted to go with him to Colorado this summer to go to the party the umpires are going to throw him. His response was that "they aren't going to do that, that would be crazy. Why would they throw a party for me?" I know that there will be a party for him. If I have to ride on the roof, I will be there. He is loved by so many across the USA. Ana wants to have a Burrito and Margarita party at her house for him, when he's well enough. Santa made an early delivery this year. As in Phil fashion, he has made friends with the entire nursing staff here. I don't think he knows how to make enemies. He is simply a good patient. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get better. He is so excited about this. I know that he is looking forward to his upcoming tournaments and getting to go without having to schedule his treatments. I hope that Mom and Dad can maybe go on a vacation this summer.

Update on Dad

I'm in Dad's room now. He's on the phone. He's tired and sore. The kidney is working great. He's very talkative. Thank you so much for the prayers and phone calls. He's already back to his old self. He should be in the hospital for at least another 5 days as they adjust his medications. He's excited that he now gets to eat all the food that he hasn't been able to eat for the last 4 years.

Kristina

Update on Daddy 2:50AM

He's out of surgery. The kidney is working great already. He should be waking up in about 15 minutes. Jim and I are about to head home for the night. We will come back tomorrow and visit. I will come up as soon as I get Ryan from school.

Good night
Kristina

Update on Daddy 1:12 AM

He's been in surgery since 10:30 PM. Jim and I are waiting with Daddy's friend Kevin and his wife. We should maybe hear something within the next hour or so. We got to meet the other kidney recipient and her family. Dad should recover quickly. He will need continued prayer during recovery. He will have to take medication to suppress his immune system to prevent his body from rejecting the kidney.

I'll update when he gets out of surgery.

Kristina

IT'S A GO!!!!!!!!

Dad should be in the OR in about an hour!!!! Please pray over the doctors over the next several hours.

Praise God!!!!!

Christmas came early for our family this year.

Kristina

Update On Daddy 7:39 PM

The final countdown. We are waiting for them to finish the crossmatch. We should know within the hour. From there things should go rather quickly. The just inserted the IV line in his hand a few moments ago. He is now nervous.

We would like to thank all of you for your continued prayers.

I'll update again as soon as we find out.

Kristina

Update on Dad 11:05 AM

As of now, it's scheduled for 6:00 PM.  That's all we know for now.

Kristina

Daddy Update 9:37 PM

No sooner did I finish that last entry, Dad called.  The pilot can't leave due to the fog.  As soon as he can take off we will know when Dad's surgery will happen.  So once again we are headed for bed.  I'll update again in the morning.

Kristina

Update on Daddy 9:23 PM

Dad is still at the hospital.  They were harvesting the kidneys between 6 and 8 PM.  They should arrive at the hospital around 2 AM.  If all goes well then he will probably go into surgery between 6 and 7 AM.  Mom, Jim, Ryan and I will leave for the hospital at 5 AM.  There isn't an internet connection there that we detected, but I will work on that as the day goes.  I can always update by phone if necessary.  We are off to bed now.  The 4 AM alarm will come quickly.  Dad did say that he's a little nervous.  Please pray for his nerves.  Pray that he gets plenty of rest.  Pray that the pilot that is flying the kidneys in arrives safely through the fog tonight.

Kristina

Update on Daddy 4:16 PM

Ok, it's a go.  He will have the surgery in the morning.  I don't know what time yet.  Mom and I are going to head to Parkland as soon as Jim gets home from work.  Thank you everyone for all the prayers.  Please continue to pray for Dad and over the doctors as we go in the morning.

More later.

Kristina

Update on Daddy 3:27 PM

Just as Mom and I were getting ready to walk out the door for Dad he called just now and said to hold off.  All he would say is that things are changing as we speak and to wait for him to call back.  He wouldn't say any more when I tried to find out.  Please pray that this is it and we are getting the kidney.

More when I find out.

Kristina

Update on Dad 11:21 AM

At the moment the kidney is still in Corpus.  Apparently there are some "political" issues going on and they haven't released it yet.  Mom and I are headed to the hospital to pick Dad up.  We are taking everything with just in case they call him back and say that it's ready.  Once the kidney gets here it's his. 

More later,

Kristina 

Update on Dad 7:57 AM

As of about 30 minutes ago, they had not yet harvested the kidney from the donor yet.  Once they harvest the kidney, it will be a 2-4 hour trip to Dallas followed by more testing to make sure that it's a match and that everything is ok.  Right now it's looking like the surgery will happen this afternoon.  Dad has asked me to bring him some clothes and socks.  Apparently hospital gowns don't offer much warmth.  He's in good spirits though.  Now if I can calm my nerves.  Please continue to pray for the donor family.  While this is a time of praise and rejoicing for us, they have suffered a terrible loss and just before the holidays too.  

Pray for Daddy!!!!

If I haven't called you or you haven't checked my Facebook or MySpace pages, here's the scoop.

Daddy is at Parkland right now undergoing tests.  If all goes well, he will be getting a new kidney w/in 24 hours.  Please pray that he comes out okay and everything goes well.  We will all go see him prior to the surgery and stick around until it's over.  If you haven't been around for the last 7 years, Daddy has had a few near death close calls with his health.  Please pray that this is not one of them and that everything goes textbook perfect.  I will try to update as much as possible for the next few days.  If all goes well, this is an early Christmas present for my parents.  

Also, please pray for the family of the donor.  As we all know, when someone passes is when the donations happen.  Please pray for that family and that loss.  

Thanks,

The Halley-Warner Family

Holiday Season Is Here......UGH!!!!

What's the point of the holidays?  Christmas is a given.  But Thanksgiving all the others.  It just serves to put people together that don't get along and to make us miserable.  We rush from one house to the other and eat so much that we are sick for days.  We pretend to like people that truly make us miserable for the sake of "Family Time".  We put up with all the rude comments for the sake of "Family Time".  We spend tons of money we don't have so that "Santa Claus" can live on in our kids lives for another year.  I'm not allowed to tell my 7 year old yet that "Santa" is just an excuse for us to spoil our kids and get away with it.  His dad would rip me a new one if I did.  Granted, his dad has plenty of help in that department.  This year for thanksgiving, I'm going to grill some burgers and watch the Cowboys sink further into oblivion.  Ryan will go to his dad's family this year.  It's just going to be Jim and I.  No more making my sister rush from in-laws to us.  No more trying to plan around everyone else's plans this year.  I'm done with it.  I'm not going to listen to people gripe about the money I've spent on the food as they eat it all and leave nothing for leftovers.  No more listening to people gripe about the money I've spent on presents for Ryan even though I bought the ones they gave him.  Santa is only bringing one thing to our house this year because not every kid goes to multiple houses for Christmas........yet.  We will tell the Christmas story and why we celebrate it.  But we aren't going all out anymore.  I'm giving up.  It's all about my husband and my son this year.  Where Ryan wants to go for the holidays is up to him this year.  He's old enough to choose.  I'm done trying to figure out how to fairly split the holidays with his dad because I want to be selfish with my time with him.  His dad isn't home like I am.  Technically I get way more time anyways because I stay home.  That's being selfish.  That's not fair to Ryan or his dad.  I'm not going to spend another holiday season stressing myself out until I'm sick.  I'm not going to spend crazy amounts of money that I don't have to feed people who are sooo ungrateful for it.  Burgers and Chips with parades and football.  If you want to come over great.  Bring something you want to eat.  It's potluck.  I have a 27" TV with no cable.  We can watch whatever is on broadcast TV.  I will be thankful this year for a gracious God who has blessed me with a beautiful son and a wonderful husband.  I will be thankful for a gracious God that has forgiven my sins and will allow me to enter heaven when my time comes.  I'm not going to try to please everyone all the time because nobody cares.  I try to go all out to show my family how much I appreciate ALL the things they have done for my husband, son and I and all I hear is $$$$$$$.  I quit.  I will just start handing over the cash and be done with it.  I'm not buying gas anymore.  I'm not buying lunches anymore.  I'm not paying for nails anymore.  I'm not doing anything anymore but handing over cash because that's all people care about.  People want to see us, they can call and plan a time for them to come see us.  I'm not driving all over God's beautiful green earth to them anymore.  Just because gas is under $2 doesn't mean I can afford it anymore.  It just means I can save it to fix the next thing that may go wrong with the car.  People want to see us.  You know our phone number.  

PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ONCE IN A WHILE!!!!!  

IT'S NOT THAT HARD!!!!

WE CALL YOU ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I can predict this.  The phone will NOT ring.  NOBODY will call us.  Not even our "Friends" will call us.  Not even our family will call us.  That says a lot right there. 

The only person I know that will call is my Mom.  She calls me everyday.  She calls to see how we are doing.  She calls just to say hi.  She calls because she cares.  I do the same thing to her.  I call her everyday.  I pray she is around for a long time.  I will miss those calls when they stop.  I joke and I roll my eyes at times, but she knows it.  We laugh about it.  We know that when those calls stop, they will be missed.  

I had a friend years ago like that.  We talked multiple times a day.  I got married and consumed with my new life and stopped calling daily.  I wouldn't answer the calls.  I just didn't have time.  He died a few years ago.  I still have his number in my phone.  It belongs to someone else now I'm sure.  I just can't bring myself to delete the phone number.  Everytime I get a new phone.  I make sure that the number gets into the new phone.

That's a true friend there. 

I have another friend like that.  She will call me.  I will call her.  We hang out weekly.  That's a true friend right there.  What about everyone else?  Will you call us.  I doubt it.  That's ok though.  We'll get by.  We have God and each other.  That's all we need.

Maybe I will actually have minutes leftover at the end of the month.  Wow, I wonder what that is like!!!!!!!!!  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!

HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!!!!! (you know who you are  :D)

Why all the Drama

Man, there has been a lot going on.  We have a few prayer requests.  My niece has recently lost her baby and is experiencing the pain both emotionally and physically.  She was only 6 weeks pregnant.  She was however looking forward to the baby's arrival eagerly.  Ryan's cousin lost her father late sunday night in a horrific car accident.  He was only 39.  She's 13 and having a hard time dealing with her loss.  Her current living situation hasn't been good from what I understand from others in the family, but I'm not at liberty to say.  My sister-in-law got married this past Saturday.  We found out from my mother-in-law.  Pray that she is happy in her new life.  Pray for Jim and I as we work on our relationship with his family.  That has become strained again.  It feels like a see saw ride lately.  Jim and I have chosen to protect Ryan from this emotional ride by not allowing visits with them until this is sorted out.  He's talked to his dad again.  His dad's response was time will tell.  I'm not sure how that will pan out, but until then, we will only send pictures of Ryan and update them by email, letter and phone.  They have reminded him that Ryan is not their grandchild by blood.  Jim made a comment to Dad that Ryan may be the only grandchild they have through him.  That alone has brought to the front of my mind again that despite being 21 days late recently, I was in fact not pregnant.  This has been a long taxing month for us with all that going on.  Please pray for our family as we work through all this.

Family Pictures

We finally got our family pictures done a couple of weeks ago.  They turned out great!!!!  I can't wait to get prints and mail them to our family.  Some of our pictures are also on the photographers website.  

http://www.simplethingsphotos.com

I'm also posting ours on Picasa Photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kdhalley/FamilyPictures

Enjoy!!!!

Six Flags Cont.

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Six Flags

We are at Six Flags with Ryan and a couple of his friends. We are having a great time. This is definitely something I have always been intimidated by. I hope this is something we will be able to do more often. I love taking Ryan and his friends places. I never imagined how much fun this could be. I'm noticing things in myself that I realized has changed over the years. I'm a mom and an adult. I know it happened a long time ago. I'm just not sure when. I love this feeling.

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A Giving Heart

I've always wondered if Ryan picks up on the things that we teach him.  Maybe not the House Rules, but the spiritual things.  How to be toward others.  Today as my Mom and I surprised him at lunch, he surprised us.  There is a new girl in his class.  Today is her first day at the school.  Ryan asked her to join us at lunch. (They get to choose 1 friend)  He usually picks the same 2 boys each time.  While we were talking to the kids and getting to know his new friend, we found out that he has been helping her all day.  He volunteered to show her around.  For those of you that know Ryan, you all know he is not shy by any means.  He told me that tomorrow is the Dragon Bucks Store day.  We then explained to the new girl what Dragon Bucks are and how you earn and spend them.  She explained that they had something similar at her old school, but she doesn't think that they will carry over.  Ryan looked her dead in the eye and said "Don't worry, I will share mine with you.  You can have half of my Dragon Bucks"  I immediately went to tell one of the teachers nearby about that. (She was his teacher from last year).  Shortly before lunch was over she came and gave Ryan and the girl Dragon Bucks.  The ones she gave Ryan, he turned and gave to the new girl.  After we left the school, I turned to my mom and said "I guess he hears us after all."  As I'm writing this I'm getting misty eyed again.  It's hard watching my "baby" grow into a boy and soon a teenager then a young man, but this afternoon was a bittersweet moment.  Just to see the maturity he had at that moment and to see his heart so clearly.  It's so hard to fathom the miracle that is our children.  To see moments like that and to know that with God's help and guidance we cultivated this kind of response in our children.  Just to see God's love in them.  I'm in awe.  I'm so thankful that God chose to bless us with Ryan.  I wish I had the words to explain how I feel in my heart right now.  I can't wait to talk to Brad tonight and tell him about our lunch today.  I called Jim as soon as we left the school.  I couldn't wait for him to get home.  I'm so proud of my son.  I can see the man that he will become one day.

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!!

It looks like Texas won!!  

UT-45 OU-35  

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!! 

BOOMER LOSER!!!!! 

 

Daddy And I At The Mavs Game

Daddy and I at the game.  My friend's Mom gave us her tickets for the game.  

We were sitting right over where the team heads out for halftime and after the game.

This was the Mavs Maniacs.  As you can see, we were very close.

This was a picture of the mascot messing with some bald guy.

Now I know why they are called Maniacs!!!

They took off their tops and had on cutaway shirts on.

You'd have to be crazy to dance like that.

That's Daddy.  He's such a ham.

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On The Way To The AAC

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Mavs Game!!!!

Daddy and I are headed to the AAC to watch the Mavs play the Wizards. I'm super excited. I love going to games of all sorts with my Dad. I love getting to spend time with him.

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Prayers Please!!!!

My friend Donna needs all the prayer on her behalf she can get. She's in court right now with her ex. The attorneys are in conference with the judge right now. She will probably have to testify against her ex.

Thanks!!!!!

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Sideview Mirror vs. Carport Post.....

Mom came to pick me up this afternoon to run a couple of errands that needed to be done.  Normally she doesn't park under the carport.  She usually just pulls up and honks or parks next to the carport.  Today was different however.  She didn't park any closer to the post than Jim or I do, but I guess she just turned to sharply backing out because she nailed that post with the mirror dead on.  Don't worry though, The post survived and the carport is still standing.  The mirror on the other hand, well, it's in ICU.  Dr. Jim has to go fix it tonight.  It's just hanging on by the wires and a little tape.  Thank heaven for powered mirrors.  Ryan and I teased her the entire time.  Mom was very good natured about this.  I'll put up pictures later of the mirror.  It was funny and not funny at the same time.  Knocking of the mirror was something I did when I had my first car.  I went through 3 rolls of duct tape until a friend showed me a trick to keep it on.  (don't ask!!!)  Mom called when she got home from dropping me off and said that she made it home without hitting anything and that her mirror was still attached.  I told Ryan and his reaction was "that's great news mom.  Grandma needs that mirror to drive!"  I was laughing so hard I started crying.  I'll put the pictures up tonight.

Gymnastics........I’m not sure about this.....

After watching the olympics Ryan has decided that he wants to do gymnastics this fall.  It didn’t help that I had to open my big mouth and tell him that the divers probably took gymnastics so they could learn to do all those flips and twists.  I don’t mind letting him try gymnastics.  I was watching videos last night on YouTube about gymnastics when I came across bloopers and mishaps.  We have already agreed to let him try it, but now I am having second thoughts.  I’m not exactly sure how far I want him to go.  But I guess you can get hurt in any sport you do.  I would almost rather make him a math or science whiz and not have him do sports at all.  That’s just the overprotective mother speaking.  It just seems that more and more kids are getting hurt playing sports all the time.  I had a few minor injuries doing my stuff, but nothing like you hear about now.  I had a couple of ankle sprains and that’s it.  Now you hear about kids breaking bones, dislocating joints.  Surgeries, etc...  I know I have to let go and let him be a boy, but where do I draw the line that says this is where we stop?  This is going to be interesting....

A Moving Video

This video and song are very moving.  This song was written by a man who is in his early 20’s.  Our youth are starting to sit up and take notice of world events.

Pass this on to all you know.

We're Not Going Down

Freddy Wexler

An Experiment

So I’ve decided to utilize Apple’s software and website trial.  It’s called MobileMe or Mac.com.  My goal is to keep everything on one website than sending out 4 or 5 different addresses for pictures, or news or etc....  With this we can blog, post photos and news all in one site.  It’s like having our own family website.  I can also utilize it for my business as well.  I feel that it would be easier for us to keep up 1 website than 5.  It would also be less time consuming.  Please let us know what you think.  Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

Kristina

http://web.mac.com/jkhalley

Rangers vs. Toronto

A couple of Sundays ago a friend of mine gave me some tickets to the Rangers vs. Toronto game.  Jim, Ryan, Brad, our friend Jarrod, and I all went to the game.  This is the first time in a couple of years that we have done anything as a group with Ryan's dad.  We all had a blast.  The Rangers won that game also.  Here are some pictures from that night.  We are also going this Saturday night as well.  

The Halley-Warner Family

Brad Warner, Kristina Halley,

Ryan Warner, Jim Halley

Brad & Ryan Warner

Kristina Halley

Ryan was thouroughly enjoying that peanut he was eating.

He looks like he is savoring the flavor.  Chef Ryan???

Kristina & Ryan.

It was really hot.

Brad & Ryan

Jim & Ryan

Jury Duty

I know jury duty is important and that we are supposed to take it seriously.  What are you supposed to do when the judge presiding is telling you how to get out of it?  I know there are exemptions I could claim, but I wanted to do the right thing.  When it was my turn the judge told me that since I have a child at home, as long as I have children at home under the age of 10 to always claim the childcare exemption.  I know there are some people who can't get childcare during that time.  I'm not one of those.  Most of the time my parents can watch him.  Unfortunately this morning my mom wasn't feeling well so I took Ryan with.  He was wonderful the whole time.  He was so quiet that the judge didn't realize he was there until we walked out.  He made a comment as to how good Ryan was.  I just don't understand how we are supposed to take our civic duty seriously when the Judge tells you how to get out of it for as long as possible.  This doesn't make sense to me.

Laundry, and more Laundry

Yesterday and today is all about laundry and catching up on the housework.  I'm playing catch up because Wednesday I had 2 more boys at the house.  Ryan loves playing with his friends Garrett and Nick.  We had tons of fun when they came over.  They erected a tent in Ryan's room and used that as a hideout, then we went to the pool for a bit.  Here are some pictures from Wednesday.

Garrett & Nick

Ryan peeking up over the tent

Jim getting some air while

throwing Nick into the pool.

Ryan got some nice airtime after being 

thrown by Jim.

Garret, Nick, Ryan.  All silly, all the time.

They are truly best friends for life.

Just like their mothers.

Mary Kay Mommy Shower

Today I did something new.  My Aunt called me on Wednesday and asked if I could do a baby shower with my Mary Kay.  I called up my unit and my director to ask.  I'd never heard of anything like that.  Together we came up with a Mommy Shower.  It's like a Baby Shower except I put a gift basket together and I do my normal skin care class with extra attention on the new mom.  As we are finished, all the guests can purchase the gifts for the new mom.  The new mom then takes home the gift basket full of all the goodies that her friends purchased for her.  It was a hit.  Not only did our new mom take home her gifts, but the other guests also purchased items for themselves as well.  All the guests that purchased gifts for the mom got 10% off their personal order.  I immediately emailed my entire unit with the news.  We are going to work on different gift options for the new moms.  I can't wait to book my next Mary Kay Mommy Shower!!!!!!!!

The new mom and I going over her wish list.

Me teaching my class.

The new mom and I after the class was done.

We're done.....Sortof

So we turned in the keys late last night and this morning I walked the apartment with the lady in the office.  Now we have to unpack and put things away.  What fun....

Moving Day!!!

So we are moving downstairs now.  We are doing this so that my mom can come to visit us.  I'm so glad that she can come over now, but I really hate this moving thing.  On the plus side we now have our W/D here.  No more lugging laundry downstairs, into the hot car, over to Mom's and back again.  We should be done tomorrow.  I'm so thankful for our friends that have been helping us.  More later.

Seminar

I'm learning a lot already. God has put a lot on my heart this week. I know when I get home I have a lot to work on both personally and with my business. I've pledged to start DIQ in November. Please pray that I stay the course. I've issued a challenge to myself to see how many times I can be told no. I need to learn that every 'no' is not a failure because for every yes I get I had to be told no several times first. More later.

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And we're off.....

And so I'm of to Seminar.  I'm super excited and I can't wait to get there.  So off I go to the land of pink.  I get to meet my team for the first time.  I get to stay in a great hotel.  I get to learn so much.  I must run now.  I have lots to do and no more time left.....

For now, maybe more later

She Haley

Prayers Please

I just spoke with my mother-in-law a few minutes ago.  She asked us to pray for my sister-in-law and her husband.  Joe has been in the hospital since 4th of July weekend.  He has stage 3 liver disease.  They have recently ended his treatments because they are doing more harm than good.  He blacked out the morning of the 4th.  He finally went to the hospital on Saturday the 5th when he started coughing up blood.  They've said that he only has a few years left to live and they have put him on a transplant list for a new liver.  Patti needs prayer for the strength to get through this.  Within the last couple of years her Uncle Buddy passed away (he had Down's Syndrome) and her brother passed away last year in June.  My mother-in-law is very depressed about all this as well.  They just had an auction for the estate.  Her comment to me was "This just never seems to end"  We are planning on going up to see them on the 25th.  Pray that God gives us the words and all the hugs they will need and then some.

Our Family

From L to R: Dorothy & Bill Halley, Jim & Kristina Halley,

Kathie & Phil De La Rosa, Vicki Carter, AJ Haagenson

This was taken 4/10/2004

I praise God that he has healed our relationship last summer.  I'm so happy that I can have these talks with my mother-in-law now.  I'm glad that I can offer comfort to her, even if it's just a hug and/or a prayer.  Those in our small group know the full extent of the story of the relationship.  For those who don't no worries.  It's in the past.  We've forgiven.  We've not forgotten though.  One needs to remember the past to learn for the future.  I love my in-laws and tell them quite often.  I don't even use their names anymore when I call.  It's always 'mom' and 'dad'.  Praise God for that!!!!!!!!!

I have to go now.  Ryan wants me to help him build a lego house.

Posted by She Halley

Reflecting on my life.

As my 10 year reunion rapidly approaches, I'm forced to look back upon my life and wonder where that 10 years went. I realize that for nearly 8 of the 10 years, I've been a parent. I'm not sure where the 2 years in between went, I think maybe dating and work and that was it. I lived at my job then. As I look back I realize just how much I have changed. When I was in high school and even when I was pregnant with my son, I HATED kids. I never wanted any and for a while contemplated adoption. I believe God prevented that from happening for a reason. I'm truly blessed that he did. When I told my family that I was keeping my baby, I was told over and over that I was going to fail. Here I am with his birthday approaching realizing that not only have I not failed, I've learned that I can admit to my son when I make a mistake and earn his respect. He admits his mistakes with the same humility that I do. It's great to see that he does what he sees and not necessarily what we say. That can be good and bad in so many ways. It keeps you on your toes. During my son's life, I've had to fight to survive. I tend to make decisions based on what I feel is best for my family, but God has so often reminded me that only he knows what's best for my family and that we should always consult him first. I've learned that life is what happens while I'm busy planning. Thankfully Ryan's Dad and I and my husband all get along great. The guys both coach Ryan's soccer team and they get along great. We are truly blessed. I know that most blended families don't have the kind of relationship that we do. I've learned also that I can make it through the valleys and come out on top. Every fall that I've taken, I get back up, dust myself off and try again. I had an old teacher tell me that shows how much I've matured. She said that 10 years ago, I would have walked away the first time I fell. I thank God for teaching me how to get up, and continue on my way.

  It's cool to look back and see that what I've done is the last thing I ever thought I'd do.  I became a mom and a few years later I became a wife.  I'm glad that God knows far better what's good for me than I think I do.  Even though we've had our ups and downs and valleys, I'm so thankful for the love that surrounds my life every day.  I'm thankful that God has chosen to bless me in ways I don't feel I deserve, but that he wants to give me anyways.

So here are some pictures to highlight some of the milestones since senior year.  I haven't changed in looks, (at least in my opinion) but I have changed on the inside.

It's nice to look back and see how much I've changed and grown over the last few years.

This was Senior Prom Spring of 1999

This was taken just days before Ryan was born.

September 1, 2001

This was taken just hours after Ryan was born.

September 9, 2001

This was the day we became the

Halley-Warner Family

April 10, 2004

This was taken July 4, 2008

The rants of She Halley.

What on earth is in the water??????

So far 2 couples that we are in small group with are preggers.  That is totally awesome and we are so happy for our friends.  One of them is having twin boys.  Super cool!!!!  Well on Friday afternoon I found out my cousin Chloe is going to also be having a baby.  Awesome.  This will be her second child.  I'm so happy for her and her husband Rob!!!!!!

So Friday night We are at a dinner with some former classmates so that we can start planning our 10 year reunion.  While we are getting ready to leave, my BFF Nickle (that's what Ryan calls her) calls me.  She hems and haws a little before I finally get her to spit it out.  She's 6 weeks pregnant with her husband.  The boys are so excited too.  They are going to be big brothers!!!!!  I'm so happy for them.  They have been trying for a little while.  

Now if you guys can send me some of that water that you have been drinking that would be great because I am so ready for it to be my turn.

Congratulations to all you new and repeat parents to be.  You guys are all in our prayers.

She Halley

Ryan, The High Dive, and a Fight with the ground.......

Ok so the apartment pool is not working today for some reason.  So we packed up our pool gear and went to Alan Bolden Pool.  That's where my mom took me as a kid.  That is where I learned to swim, dive, and how NOT to dive off the high dive.  Overall things went great...............UNTIL..................................

Ryan decided to get into a fight with

the concrete earth. Needless to say, he lost.

Just before Ryan decided to slam his 

face into the earth, we had talked him into 

jumping off the high dive.  

At this point and time, he had already 

jumped off the low dive several times.

This was a lucky shot that I happened to get.  He asked me to count to 3 for him to jump.  I did w/o pausing and he jumped on 3 with no hesitation.  Jim and I were both shocked out of our minds.  We both expected him to hesitate and take a few minutes once he got up there, but he didn't.  He even went back and jumped several more times after I put up the camera.

This is one of the last times he jumped.  

He gave us a thumbs up sign right before he jumped.

This was taken right after his first jump off the high dive.  Jim stayed in the water....just in case.  Ryan came up with this gigantic smile and proceeded to jump off the high dive several more times.  I just couldn't believe how much he enjoyed it.  I jumped twice and that was enough for me.  Jim however only jumped once.  And that was on a dare from Ryan......hmm.....

All in all we had fun today and I'm glad that our pool wasn't working.  I never would have thought he would love the diving boards the way he did.  It was great.  I just can't believe that he is big enough to jump off the diving boards into 13' of water now...........Where has the time gone......................

Moving Day!!!

We are moving at the end of the month if anybody wants to help.  I'm offering pizza and sodas as a bribe.  Our apartments had an opening for a downstairs apartment so we jumped on it.  We are excited because now my mom can come over and we can finally have some dinners and BBQ's at our place with my family.  The new apartment is downstairs and right behind our current apartment.  Talk about saving gas money.  I can't wait.  We will have to get our W/D from my parents house.  The new apartment has the connections for a set.  If anybody has a truck that can help us with that, then we can pay for the gas.

Here are some pictures of the apartment.  It will be the same floorplan and layout as the old one.

This is the dining room.

We've since removed the table 

and turned it into my office

This is the living room.

We've rearranged a little.

Here's the kitchen. 

Where the pantry is is where

the W/D will be.

This is Ryan's room.  

We removed the dresser when we 

gave Ryan his toybox for Christmas.

This is where the toybox currently

is.  The cubes in the picture are now 

where the dresser was in the 

above picture.

Here's a sideways picture of the bathroom. 

Here's the vanity area.

Here's our bedroom.

Not much here.

Here's our bed.  Thank goodness

we won't have the sliding mirrors.

The new apt. will have a walk in closet.

Here's our dressers.  Not much here either.

So here are the pictures of the apartment that I promised a year ago.  I can't wait until we move.  That means I will no longer have to drag a week's worth of laundry up and down a flight of stairs and over to my mom's and waste a day doing laundry there.  It also means we won't have to change Ryan's schools.  We will also stay pretty central to everything.  I'm so glad that we will be staying here.

Kristina

4th of July

So this year we were on the AHS Alumni Band float. It's amazing to me that after 10 years I still remember all that music and antics. We had a blast getting ready for the parade as well. We were decorating the float until midnight the night before the parade. The joy of that was that we had to be in our spot at 7:00 AM. Talk about memories. We even got a shirt for Ryan. He's going to be class of 2020. I got some cute pictures of him. The coolest part for the band geek in me is that I got to sit right next to Ms. Corey. He husband is the Late Dean Corey. He was the first band director for AHS and he also wrote our fight song. I put some pictures up on facebook, but I will also put them here too.

Ryan hard at work 

decorating the float.

The finished float.  Looking good.

Getting warmed up to play.

I look silly here.

Here we go.  Jim is our 

fearless driver.

We're 21 years apart in school.

Like mother like son.

So we had fun and continued a parade tradition that started so many years ago when I was in my first parade.  I had a friend ask me if I would ever retire from parade duties.  Maybe someday, but as a family we just have too much fun in the parade to stop.  

On another note, this Friday is the first meeting of the Class of '99 Reunion committee.  It will be fun to see where we all are now.  Lots of hard work to come.  I can't wait.

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

Kristina

Sad and Sweet

I found this on a friends Facebook Notes. It brought tears to my eyes.


"One 16 year-old boy Michael, and a 16 year-old girlfriend, Sarah, fell deeply in love since the very first day they met.
They both lived in California but the girl had just moved there a year ago but fell for him so fast.
Michael played on her dad's football team.
He was the best player on the team and her dad saw him as a son of his own.
Sarah was a cheerleader on the team and had everything she ever wanted.
Until one day... her life crashed.

Mom: Wake up honey. Michael's downstairs waiting for you.
Sarah: Oh my gosh. I woke up too late! I still need a shower and everything!

Right when she said that Michael walked into her room smiling from ear to ear.

Michael: No baby. You're beautiful just like that- now come on, I'm starving.
Sarah: Okay.

Sarah got out of bed, put on some clothes, took his hand, and walked out the door to his car and got in.

Sarah: Where are we going? Remember that I have to be home by 1. I have cheerleading practice and you have football.
Michael: I know..

Then Sarah noticed that Michael was really pale-looking.

Sarah: Michael are you feeling okay? You look like you're sick..
Michael: Yeah; it's just my allergies.
Sarah: Are you sure? Did you go to the doctor yet?
Michael: Yeah.. I went yesterday. They just said to take some allergy pills and that I'll be okay.

Sarah turned to look away from Michael.
She knew there was something wrong.
She has allergies and she doesn't look like that.
Then he reached out and held her hand.

Sarah: Michael your hands are so cold. I dont think you're okay tell me what's really wrong.. do we need to go back to the house?
Michael: I promise you baby; everything is okay.. they told me to go back tomorrow but I'm not going because there's nothing wrong with me.
Sarah: Michael you need to go! If they told you to then there is something wrong!

Michael let go of her hand and turned back to the road and didn't talk to her the rest of the way.
Sarah just looked at him.
They finally pullled up to the resturaunt and ate breakfast.

Michael: Did you bring your cheerleading stuff or do we have to go back to your house to get it?
Sarah: I have it.. do you really think you should go to football practice like that ?
Michael: Yes Sarah. I'm fine.
Sarah: If you say so..
Michael: Sarah, baby, would I lie to you?
Sarah: No...

They got back in the car and went to the field.
They got out and started practice.
Sarah was practicing a new cheer, but then out of no where she heard a boy yell,

"HE'S NOT MOVING SOMEONE CALL 911! HELP COACH!"

Right when she heard that she turned around and saw Michael on the ground just laying there, not moving.
She ran to him but her dad pushed her back.

Dad: No honey. You shouldn't be right here.

Sarah started to cry.

Sarah: Daddy. What happened? Is he okay?
Dad: Honey. Please just go back with your coach.

Sarah walked back and sat on the bench with her head in her hands while an ambulance came and took him away.
She got in the car with her dad and they went to the hospital.
When they got there his mom was already there and talking to the doctor.
They walked over and listened...

Doctor: You may want to sit down for this.
Michaels Mom: Is he okay?
Doctor: Ma'am.. your son has lukiemia. We can put him on treatments, but he might not make it because the cancer has already spread too much.

Sarah was shocked and began to cry on here dads shoulder.

Michaels Mom: Treatments?
Doctor: Well the treatments would cause hair loss... but it will help slow the cancer down.
Michaels Mom: But he's certain to die?
Doctor: Yes.. but we have had this surgery to clear out the clogs.. but it's possible that he will not make it.
Michaels Mom: I will have to talk to him about this. Can we see him now?
Doctor: Yes. One at a time though.

Michaels mom looked over at Sarah and hugged her tight she knew that Sarah loved him with all her heart.

Michaels Mom: You go first sweetheart.
Sarah: Are you sure?
Michael's Mom: Yes honey.

Sarah walked slowly to his room and turned the knob.
She just stood there, looking at him lying there weak.
He was so pale and he had tubes surrounding him.
It was painful for her to look at him.
Michael looked at her and weakly smiled at her.
She went over and kneeled down beside him.

Michael: Did they already tell you?
Sarah: Yes...
Michael: I'm sorry Sarah. I didn't want you to find out like this.
Sarah: It's okay; I understand Michael.
Michael: Baby I love you so much.

Michael reached up and slowly ran his fingers through her hair.

Sarah: I love you too Michael. With all my heart.. and I will be here for you 'till the end.
Michael: Im going to be okay Sarah.

The nurse walked in with Michaels mom.

Nurse: Its her turn now.

Michael looked at Sarah.

Michael: Bye baby.
Sarah: Bye.

Sarah kneeled down and softly kissed his cold lips.

Months went by and Michael lost his hair, but they were still deeply in love and Sarah was by him everyday.
Michael was getting worse to where he couldn't even play football, and the championship game was coming up.

Michael was sitting on Sarah's porch with her and her dad.

Michael: Coach.. I wanna play tomorrow.
Dad: Michael I know you do.. but I can't let you do that.. you'll get hurt.
Michael: No, coach. Please. This might be the last time on the field for me. I want to be able to play one more time.

Dad looked at Michael and then at Sarah.
Sarah nodded her head.

Dad: You're a strong boy, Michael, and very brave. I think we can do this.
Michael: Thank you so much coach.

Sarahs dad nodded his head.

Dad: So what are you two doing tonight?
Michael: I wanna show Sarah something if that's okay.
Dad: Of course; you two be careful.

Michael took Sarah's hand and lead her to his car.
It was completely dark outside when they pulled up to the football field.

Sarah: What are we doing here?
Michael: Follow me.

Michael grabbed a blanket and laid it down onto the field.
They both laid there looking at the stars.

Sarah: This is so beautiful.
Michael: I do this often. I wanted to show you the place I love.
Sarah: Do you remember the flowers you gave me on our very first date?
Michael: Sure I do; I gave you lillies; your favorite.
Sarah: Yeah... I'll never forget that day.
Michael: I want you to always remember something Sarah.
Sarah: What is it?
Michael: I will always be with you.. and I will always love you.. you're my one and only..

Sarah started tearing.

Sarah: I love you so much, Michael.
Michael: And I also want you to be happy.. I want you to marry someone, have kids, make a family, just live a happy life for me.
Sarah: No. I will never marry anyone.. im marrying you Michael
Michael: Just don't forget what I told you.

Michael leaned in and kissed her.
She pushed him off and jumped up

Sarah: You still think you can catch me?
Michael: Oh yeah. I'm stronger than I look.
Sarah: Then come get me.

Michael stood up and chaised her around the football feild until he finally caught her.
He laid on top of her and put her hands behind her back and held her there so she couldn't move.
Then it started to rain and they were getting soaked but they didn't care.

Michael looked deep into her eyes.

Michael: Who's the weak one now huh?
Sarah: Me (she giggled)
Michael: Remember what you told me that night when we were at dinner?
Sarah: No.. what?
Michael: You have always wanted to kiss in the rain with the one you love.
Sarah: Yeah?
Michael: Well your wish is my comand.

Michael leaned down and kissed her deeply.
He pulled away.

Michael: You're so beautiful.
Sarah: You're such a good kisser. (she laughed.. so did he)
Michael: I better get you home.

They got into the car and went home.
It was hard for them to sleep that night but they did.
It was finally the big day and they were all at the football field.
Michael had on all his football gear, and Sarah was ready to cheer him on.
The game began.
The crowd was going wild for Michael while Sarah was cheering her heart out for him.
The score was 36 to 36.
All they had to do was make one more point and they would win.
Michael had the ball and ran with all he had to the touchdown line and threw the ball down.
He had made a touch down!
Everyone was cheering.
They had won the game!
But for Michael.. he may have lost his life.
He fell to the ground trying to catch his breath.
Sarah ran to him and kneeled down over him.
He looked up at her gasping for breath.
Everyone was heading to field.
Her dad stood infront of them.

Dad: Back away.. give them a moment please.. that's my daughter's love.

Michael gently raised his hand and whiped her tears away.

Sarah: Don't die Michael.. I need you.. I love you..
Michael: I told you this was my dream to win the championship.. to be in the big game.. to die on this feild.. I made history.

Sarah leaned down and kissed him, knowing this was the last she would ever kiss him, the last time she would ever talk to him.
She had so much to say but had no time to say it.

Michael: I love you baby. Tell Mom I love her too.. and tell coach thank you.
Sarah: I love you Michael. I love you so much.
Michael: I'll wait for you.....

Michael's hand dropped and he let go.
He died that night on the football feild.
Sarah cried for 2 months straight.
Sarah was lying on her bed when her dad walked in.

Dad: Honey, it's been 2 months. Please get up. He would want you to have fun and be happy.
Sarah: I know..
Dad: Guess what.
Sarah: What?
Dad: They are building a new stadium. Isn't that great honey? Come on, I want you to come with me before they tear the old one down.

Sarah got up and went with her dad to the field.
They climbed to the top of the bleachers and looked down.

Sarah: It's like it was just yesterday. He was out there throwing the football, making that touchdown.

Her dad wrapped his arms around her and she began to cry.

Dad: I know baby., I know.

Then Sarah noticed something on the feild.

Sarah: Whats that daddy? Look. (Sarah pointed to the field)
Dad: Look like some flowers are blooming.
Sarah: Oh my gosh, daddy! Stop them! Don't let them tear this down! Please! Michael planted me something.

Her dad ran down there and stopped them.
Weeks later the flowers had bloomed.
Her and her dad went to look at them.
They were lillies that left a message saying, "I Love You".

If you have any heart at all and love someone this much repost this.
(also if you cried)"

Ryan's Home!!!!!!

Well Ryan came home on Monday for the week. He has to go back to his dad's to finish out the month. I can't wait until he comes back. We're pretty much spending the week down by the pool. Jim has been working half days this week and he's off on Thursday and Friday. We're going on a Staycation. Pretty much gas is too expensive to go anywhere so we're staying in Arlington and having fun at home. I don't think our car will really make it too far anyways. We love it though. I can't complain. It has 4 wheels, it gets us from point A to point B. It has a really small gas tank and gets pretty good mileage. When we do get a new car, I still want to keep it. I think I've become attached the the old bucket of nuts. Besides as much as we've had replaced on it recently, it's almost like new again. Sort of........... Well Jim will be home soon. I better get to making lunch for us so that I can get Ryan down to the pool. All morning it's been "Can I eat again?" and "Can we go to the pool now?"

By all,
Kristina

Mary Kay Tour

Friday my adopted unit and I went to the Mary Kay Corporate Headquarters.  We got to go on a tour of the building.  We started in the Museum and ended in Mary Kay's office.  I got to sit at her desk.  Talk about a surreal feeling.  She had the best office I've ever seen.  Even the bathroom was awesome.  Most buildings don't have a 13th floor.  Not only does this building have 13 floors, it also has 13 elevators.  13 is Mary Kay's favorite number.  That is why she bought the building.  What was really cool is that this tour occured on Friday the 13th.  She started her business on Friday September 13, 1963.  The 50th anniversary of Mary Kay, Inc. will be on Friday September 13, 2013.  That's pretty cool if you ask me.  More later.

Kristina