UPDATES//mostly for family&friends out of state

It's hard keeping everyone updated on our life... Especially when we continue to be busier and busier by the day, it seems like. I wanted to post a blog with all of our updates that our family & friends out of state (and some of our instate who make not know all these things yet, because we have, in fact, been so busy) can read and be filled in. Enjoy!!

Savannah:

Savannah had her first soccer practice this week! She should have already had several practices plus a game, but because of the weather, they were just now able to have one. She was a little shy, but loved it! She just so happened to know two of her teammates from her school too! Her team is an established team that has been together for a couple seasons. She and one other little girl are the newbies.

She is still loving school and amazing me with the things she is learning. Her school is very advanced and high tech and frankly, I'm very impressed with the things they are teaching even the kindergarteners. Savannah asked me 2 weeks ago at lunch, why there was a QR code on the Dickey's BBQ cup. I was so taken aback that she even knew what a QR code was. Those who know me, know that I rarely let my kids see my iPad and can almost safely say that I never let them see my phone. They have also never used our computers. I tell you this only to reiterate how shocked I was to hear the words QR code come out of her mouth! Nonetheless, after asking her how she knew what a QR code was, she nonchalantly told me because they use the iPads at school to scan the QR codes on their books.

We went to her open house at her school last night and got to see all her work, her journals, her book cubby, etc. Back to the topic of QR codes... We were given a handout with a list of all the things Savannah would show us. One of the things said, "scan the QR code on your book so your parents can hear you read your book." She went over to her table, grabbed the iPad, opened it, pulled open some app, scanned the QR code on her book and alas, a website came up with a recording of her reading this book that she illustrated and wrote all by herself! Can I just say, I was very impressed with the whole deal! She also showed us all around the school, where she goes for all her special classes, the library and computer lab, etc. In the computer lab, again, I was very impressed watching her control+alt+delete to log on, then enter her username and password, then navigate the computer. I just kept saying, "Zach, can you believe she knows all of this??" LOL
Savannah is currently getting over a double ear infection! Her allergies got the best of her and after a high fever and complaints of both ears hurting, I took her up to the urgent care and it was confirmed. She is on antibiotics now and feeling much better, thankfully!
She is in Awana's and doing very well! In addition to memorizing quite a few verses, she has also memorized the books of the New Testament. She has gotten four jewels so far on her vest. I am so proud of her!

Mason:

Mason is still just as hilarious as ever. He is seriously getting funnier by the day. His new thing is calling everyone, "sugar". He tells me, "Mother, you will always be my sugar!" daily and makes me melt. It sounds more like, "Mudder. You. Weel. Always. Be. My. Sugger." I tell you, I can't get enough of him!
He is still loving school and still complaining that he cannot go every day. (That's a good sign that he is going to be studious like his Mommy, right? ;) ) He is in Awana's and loving it also. He has memorized a ton of verses already and has gotten 6 patches so far! I am SO pleased that he loves Awana's!
He, for the past several months, has been on a monster kick... As in, he thinks there is monsters everywhere!! I am ready for this to pass, but it is kind of cute!
Oh, this is a big one! Beginning about two weeks after we moved here, Mason asked me if he could sleep in his underwear, not pull ups. He has been potty trained for over a year now (since a month after he turned 2), but has still been sleeping in pull ups. He had been waking up dry in the mornings, out of no where, for about two weeks before he asked me this. He was so cute; he said, "Mommy, I no need pull ups anymore! I no pee pee anymore!" I sat there taken off guard, running it over in my head, and said, "well, you really don't pee pee your pull ups anymore, so I guess you can sleep in your underwear now!" He immediately started clapping and saying, "yay!!" The rest is history! I was pleasantly surprised about this as I had assumed with him being a boy, that he would be a little bit older before mastering nighttime. Nonetheless, I'll take it and am thankful! Now I have all the pull-ups that I had stocked up on stashed away for when Gavin gets day potty trained and needs them to sleep in! 



Gavin:

Gavin started walking at exactly 13.5 months, a few days before Zach got here. The rest is history! He now runs and does a pretty good job keeping up with his siblings, loves playing outside, and so much more. He is still the sweetest baby ever! He points to things and says, "this!", gives lots of big open mouth kisses (the best kinds), and is overall very sweet, affectionate, and sensitive. He is irresistible to his Momma and has his Daddy wrapped around his finger too. And let us not forget about Papa... He has Papa wrapped around his finger!! Gavin is getting increasingly more independent and just started feeding himself with a spoon/fork last week.
His little curls are getting more curly, yet frizzy when he first awakens or has been in the car seat.
He is also getting great at following directions like, "take this to Daddy" or "throw this away" or "go get your ball". I just love it!



Zach:

Zach is working his tail off and making lots of great contacts and connections. He is getting involved with the band at our church. I am sure there is more to update on Zach, but I am drawing a blank right now :) Oh, he loves all the food choices here in Texas and particularly loves Bahama Bucks (shaved ice). His cravings may or may not be a little out of control :)

Britt:

The most exciting thing I have to share as of right now is that last week, I got the amazing privilege of being able to assist my dear cousin, Katy, in labor with her sweet baby, Jack. I served as her doula and I was truly honored to do so! It was by far a very special time for me watching her bring precious life into this world. Baby Jack is just adorable and loved by Auntie Britt so much!! **Side note, this was the longest that Gavin had ever been away from me and he was a champ! He and Daddy had so much fun! I didn't get home that night until 1:15am, so technically the next day, and they were both sound asleep! That was the first time Gavin had ever gone to sleep without nursing. Needless to say, Mommy woke him up immediately to nurse!! (That was the longest I had ever gone without nursing him, ha!) The big kids spent two nights with their Aunt Heather and Grandpa Chuck and had a blast!! Seriously, they were on cloud 9 when they came home! I am so thankful for them taking care of them for those two days and providing them with some fun on their Spring Break!

I am officially all TX now! Yesterday, I went and got my car inspected, registered in Texas, got Texas license plates, and got my Texas driver's license. This was a relief to get this all knocked out in a day and I must say, my sweet little Gavin was a trooper! I was so thankful to get it all done in time to pick up Mason by 2pm too!
I took Savannah to see Cinderella the night it came out for some Mommy/Daughter time. It was truly an excellent movie and we had a fabulous time! She said her favorite part of the movie was when they got married! (Awwww, Mommy's too!!) 
My Papa and I made a trip with the boys (Savannah was in school) to Kaufman, TX two days ago to see my cousin and Papa's oldest brother (he is one of 12) who is also my great uncle, and pick up the shirts that my sweet cousin embroidered for Zach with his business logo on them. They look fantastic and I have to again, tell any of my local readers, if you ever need embroidery... check out her Facebook page! GoBoothe Embroidery, LLC https://www.facebook.com/goboothembroidery



Bella:

Bella, our dog, is having puppies! This was unplanned of course and she will be getting fixed after she delivers!! However, nonetheless, next week, we will have puppies!! ***Local friends, contact me if interested in a puppy!! Stay tuned to Facebook for photos!!

Dallas Aeration // Our new adventure

Many of you saw my last couple blog posts about us moving to Texas and consequently saw the brief mention of the then upcoming launch of Zach's new business, Dallas Aeration. I promised a separate post dedicated to Dallas Aeration, so here it is!

Dallas Aeration, Inc. is, you guessed it, an aeration company serving all of DFW. Dallas Aeration also can be classified as a pond management company as well. Dallas Aeration will be marketing to golf courses, HOA's, neighborhoods with ponds, private residences with ponds on their property, and businesses with ponds as well. Dallas Aeration can firstly install aeration systems into ponds to help aerate (add oxygen) to the ponds, thus preventing the water from becoming unfavorable and even stagnant. This also controls algae and other excessive vegetation problems in the ponds. Additionally or in lieu of an aeration system, Dallas Aeration offers pond management contracts where bacteria, custom for each pond based on water testing Dallas Aeration will facilitate, on a regular basis, will be added into the ponds that will naturally keep away the algae and other pond vegetation, thus creating a more aesthetically pleasing pond and safer pond as well. This is a much better alternative to what many people are currently resorting to which is chemical treatment of these issues. Not only is the bacteria natural and organic, it also is beneficial because it can help regulate or restore the proper pH level to the pond as well.

Dallas Aeration also services ponds in many other ways, such as fountain servicing and other general pond maintenance as well.

We are so excited to have just launched Dallas Aeration this week and would appreciate the spreaded word of our business.

You can learn more about Dallas Aeration and also see any further contact information you or someone you know may require, by visiting our website: www.dallasaeration.com

We would like to offer a HUGE shoutout to our amazing friend, Tyler Wendell, for the fabulous job he did on our website!! We are so grateful!

Also, be sure and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DallasAeration

Thanks for everyone's support!

Phase 1 of Move // The Start

I'm sure most of you know we made it to Texas! We arrived in 2 vehicles last weekend with Mason's bedroom furniture, Savannah's dressers, and all my clothes; after much unloading and unpacking, we made it to bed in Texas after midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning. Zach had to drive back to NC on Monday and took my stepdad's 18 ft trailer that he let us borrow. Zach is coming back down this coming weekend with the trailer loaded down with the rest of our furniture and I'll be meeting him at a storage unit to unload it all in. He'll be driving back up to NC one last final time Monday, will work 2 additional weeks up there and continue to tie up any still loose ends before moving down here for good on February 11th.

I got Savannah enrolled in her new school Tuesday and she started that same day as well. I was very impressed with the school and all they offer. I know she'll do great. She said she had a great first day and she loves her young, sweet, fresh, and energetic teacher. 

I got a call that Mason can start at his preschool next week. This was great news as we weren't sure if we could get him in or not. All though it wouldn't be a huge deal if he didn't get to finish the spring semester in preschool and he could always start back in the fall, it would be a big deal to Mason! He absolutely loves school and would go every day if he could! The preschool here had a family move away over the beginning of the New Year, thus creating an opening for Mason! We tour it today and assuming we love it (which I anticipate we will), we'll enroll him today and he'll begin next week and go twice a week.

Yesterday, I also signed Savannah up for spring soccer, which she is SO excited about! She'll be playing for Allen Sports Association, which again I'm very impressed with so far. She starts practicing in February and her first game is in March. The season goes through May and I told her hopefully after that, we can get her back in gymnastics here. She's been doing gymnastics in NC for nearly 4 years and absolutely loves it. I also have loved watching her progress and excel. I think a nice break to play soccer will be most welcomed and beneficial; I do after all, want her to be well rounded. However, nonetheless, I want to get her back in too, to ensure she doesn't lose her skills and can keep progressing. 

Mason is SO sad he's not old enough to play soccer this Spring. He'll be old enough to play in the fall, so I told him just to hold on a few more months! :) I just love my sweet boy!

Gavin could not be happier, as usual. He's such an easy going, content, and happy baby. Seriously, I am so blessed to be his mother. He has kept Papa laughing and has entertained all the congregation at church last night and Sunday, as well as any family that has stopped by. He's just so sweet.

Savannah and Mason also both started AWANA's at church this past Sunday. They absolutely love it and I cannot wait for them to get more involved and more into it as the year progresses. I was in AWANA's growing up and it was such an impressionable time on me. I'm so anxious to see them progress in Scripture memory, especially.

Savannah's school has lots of exciting things coming up and I'm looking forward to Savannah being able to participate in some of them. I got a flyer last night of a parents night out coming up, they are doing for the girls at her school where they get to hang out with the high school cheerleaders and learn cheers and help them at the upcoming pep rally! How cool is that? I plan on taking Savannah because I know she would have an absolute amazing time! She also a 100th day of school celebration coming up where she has to decorate and wear to school that day, a shirt with 100 of anything! After much brainstorming, I've decided that we are going to do... RHINESTONES! After all, Savannah loves her some bling! ;) 

We are settling into a routine quite nicely here, I must say. When I pick Savannah up from school, I go ahead and make her lunch from the next day and make coffee to go off automatically the next morning then, as well as go ahead and lay her clothes, shoes, and hairbow out for the next day. After dinner, it's straight into the bath and teeth brushing time for the kids and then they can watch a movie before bed. Savannah is realizing that these early mornings come, well, EARLY! This morning, she said to me, "Mommy, it's not time to get up, it's still night time!" It was right at 7:00am. I told her that it was morning, just early in the morning. She reluctantly got up and got her clothes on, I fixed her hair, she ate breakfast and then brushed her teeth. At that point, she was very ready and excited to go! She hardly told me bye as she hopped out of the car in the carpool line at school, she was in such a hurry to get out and get in there. It thrills my heart that she loves school so much! 

Although everything is going so well down here, I cannot WAIT, until my sweet devoted husband gets here too and joins us! We miss him dearly and love him even more!

I thank God the Father, that He is the God of new beginnings and for this new beginning He has so graciously given to our family!

Stay tuned for an upcoming second update after phase 2 of our move!

If you missed my last blog about LOVE, you can click her to be redirected to its post to read it: http://thegreatestremains.blogspot.com/2015/01/love-our-greatest-commandment.html

We are MOVING! // Exciting things coming up for our family!

We have some exciting news that we would like to share with everyone! We are MOVING!! Many of you knew that we were planning on moving to Texas shortly after the first of the year. Well, that is not the announcement we are making...

We actually will be delaying our move to Texas by a few months... because we will be attending DTS (discipleship training school) through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Harrisburg, PA and also be attending the international outreach with them as well afterwards. This DTS is actually calling Musicians, Entrepreneurs, and Love Messengers. This is so fitting as Zach IS already an Entrepreneur and recently incorporated his new business. At DTS, we will learn how to not just use our business to be successful for us, but rather how we can advance the kingdom through our business and show others Christ's love through the business.

Many of you read my last blog post about the supernatural events that took place while we were in Harrisburg a few weekends ago and how my husband, Zach, experienced The Holy Spirit's presence for the first time while we were there. While we were there, we felt The Holy Spirit calling us to be a part of this upcoming DTS. When we got home, we began to pray very fervently about this and asked The Spirit to give us His perfect peace and show us this was what we were without a doubt supposed to do. I could go on for a long time about some of the many confirmations we received from Him! We realized that we undoubtedly were supposed to do this and that we were there that weekend by divine appointment. We then decided to tell our families.

While we have come across many emotions throughout the process of telling people and we know that this is something many people do not understand and may even think we are crazy for doing, we know that we are doing the absolute right thing! We are not choosing the comfortable path ahead of us for sure; it would be SO much easier and smoother to just go on to Texas after the first of the year like we had planned and Zach start up his business, also like we had planned. However, we know that HIS ways are higher than our ways and HE is calling us to do this, so we are being obedient and following HIM!

For the past year and a half, I have prayed for my husband to have the same beautiful encounter with The Holy Spirit that I had after my Mam-ma died. It was then that I realized that while I had all the head knowledge, I did not have the heart knowledge. It was then that I realized I was merely and tragically, lukewarm. The beauty of His grace is that it is never too late to make such realizations. Encountering The Holy Spirit for the first time changed my life. I had a newfound hunger and thirst for Him, whereas before every thing I did was seemingly just going through the motions. I was on fire and began to separate myself from those who were not and sought to surround myself around those who were. (I will post the full story on my next blog post as I have just given the condensed version the last two posts.) I made some amazing new relationships during this time, but ultimately I desired for my husband to get to this point as well. In Harrisburg, he had the same realization that I had had a little over a year before- that he had all the head knowledge, but no real relationship; that he had never actually encountered the presence of The Holy Spirit! The change I have seen in my husband since that weekend has been absolutely phenomenal. He is so happier, so much more aware of things he should and should not do, he has quit dipping, and I could seriously keep rambling on because I am in so in awe and so so proud of him!

Now that we are spiritually on the same page, it is so incredibly amazing. We can relate to so much as we both had similar backgrounds before our first encounter with The Holy Spirit. Now that we are walking in sync with Him, we are making decisions so differently. We were able to make this decision, both knowing that this is what The Lord had in store for our family and both having the peace that only He can give!

There are still many unknowns that lie ahead of us. We know that we live in a world that views unknowns as risks and a world that also values certainties. We too have found ourselves with this type of mindset. We, however, know that by taking this step of faith and doing what The Holy Spirit is leading us to do, that He will take care of us and direct our paths. We are taking care to not lean on our understanding, but on HIS, for we know that HIS ways are higher than our ways! (Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 55:8-9) We ask that you have faith with us on this journey as well and cover us in prayer.

We do have to raise a large sum of money (approximately $30,000) to be able to complete our mission. Those of you who are willing and able to sponsor us during this journey, we have set up a PayPal account specifically for these donations. The PayPal email address is brittaninicolehayes@gmail.com. Those who are able to give to our mission, we will be very grateful and we ask that you know that what you are giving is not just to us, but is going to help advance the kingdom of God as well. Your donation to our mission literally will have an impact on many people's eternities!

We know that not everyone is in a position where they are able to financially give and that is okay! We ask that whether in addition to giving financially or in lieu of it, you please commit to praying for us regularly while we are on this journey. We treasure your prayers and can feel the difference they make in our life.

We know that this likely will come as a shock to many and we welcome any questions anyone might have. Stay tuned for more blog posts throughout this journey and if you have not already, please subscribe to my blog updates if you would like to stay updated on our journey!

Heading back to resume "normal" life/December: the start of something new

We left my Papa's house this morning about 3 am to head back to North Carolina. It was very bittersweet for so many reasons... Although it is always nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed along with getting back to your normal routine, Texas is my home and that is where all my family is. I love being anywhere in Texas, but I especially love being there at my Mam-ma and Papa's house. No place feels more like home. Now with Mam-ma being gone also, I really am glad I can be there for Papa and help fill some of the loneliness that he is obviously feeling. Although he is doing very well all things considered, I still (understandably) watched him get pretty emotional several times throughout the week, particularly the last couple days before we left. I just hated leaving him and so wish I did not have to.

Here is a picture of Papa spoon feeding Mason (my sweet almost 2 year old (he'll be 2 in just 13 days)) some coffee... It was just so sweet.

When we left, he asked me when we would be back. I told him sometime after Baby Gavin was born (I'm 32 weeks today), we would be back for everyone to meet him. He said, "well you let me know as soon as you know when y'all are coming and I will have everything ready for y'all!" It just made me so sad and homesick for my home there already, and I hadn't even gotten in the car yet. I just love my Papa.

This trip was very weird without Mam-ma there, but I know she was in Heaven smiling down on us all. Zach and I were talking about just last night while lying in bed about how it's so different with her as opposed to anyone else in either one of our lives who has passed away before, because there really is no doubt in anyone's minds where she is. Every single one of us knows she's in Heaven and therefore it almost feels like she's not even gone, because we know we'll get to see her again. It doesn't make missing her any less prominent though. I miss her everyday.

Savannah (my sweet 4 1/2 year old) got to go to her cousin Ryleigh's birthday party yesterday. I am so glad they planned the party for while we were still in town! It was at Sweet & Sassy and all of the girls truly had a blast! Savannah just was on cloud 9 the entire time! It was so fun to watch her get pampered and dress up like a princess!

Here are some pictures from the party...

I just love my little girl! She is so much fun and is a huge blessing!

I know when we get back home, we will settle back into our routine just fine... My daughter will resume preschool tomorrow morning and my son will resume Mother's Day Out. I will resume housework and my husband will resume work. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday that I am looking forward to as I am already currently dilated to a 2 and over 50% effaced with my baby being completely dropped. I am so very thankful for the time we had together away from the normal chaos of life though. I will miss the uninterrupted time we all had together while seemingly being in another world for the week.

Here is one last picture of my husband and daughter while we were out to breakfast with my Papa yesterday....

As Christians, we should be thankful every day, not just Thanksgiving or the month of November. That is something Brother Jim loudly pointed out at church Wednesday night. I for one and am going to make a conscious effort to be thankful for all of these blessings in my life and for The Lord who blessed me with them, most importantly. This is the kind of life my Mam-ma led and it's the kind of life we all should be striving to lead as well.

May December mark a new beginning for us all... A time to be renewed and find a newfound purpose!