Hale Household

 It's hard to believe that 18 years ago today we were saying "I Do" and becoming Mr. and Mrs.

We didn't really know what the next year or two or ten or 18 would bring.  We were 21 and 22 and still in college with plans of graduate school and "who knows what else."

Since this day on December 27th, 1997 God has blessed us with 3 beautiful daughters.  We live in a great community and have wonderful jobs.

It's been an 18 years full of ups and downs but I wouldn't have it any other way.
 Happy Anniversary to US.  Here's to another 18 plus 18 plus 18.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

"Today your Savior is born in the city of David.  He is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2: 11

Everyone told me that I would blink and my precious babies would be grown.  I didn't want to believe it, but I sit here and now I have a 16, 14 and 13 year old in my home.  I grin from ear to ear with joy.  I am so proud of them and beyond blessed to be their momma, but I also have to admit some days I want to cry my eyes out because in just a few short years, they are all going to be leaving my home.  These girls have been my "job" for the last 16 years... Yes, I have also worked outside of the home but my life has revolved around THEM and I have LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE of it!

Why did a start this blog...
*To Document the lives of these three precious lives born in three years!
*To stay in contact with my high school and college friends
*To keep my family up-to-date with what was going on with "us" since we don't live near our families.

What Did this blog turn into...
*A great journal for me.
*An awesome memory book for the girls
*A way that I met some awesome on-line girlfriends and great accountability groups.

What happened to my blog...
*I let life get in the way.
*I let facebook and instagram take over (these are good and fast outlets but the journal aspect is not there.)

What is my plan...
*I plan to begin where I left off.
*There is no way I can back track, so I am just beginning from NOW!

God is so good to me and my family.
We have a story to tell and family and friends to reach each day.
I hope that you will read along and comment some along the way.

I am excited to begin this journey again.  I have a few stories to retell from the past few months and a new year with new adventures is about to begin.

 What do you do when you feel like you hear God telling you to do something?  I mean, I feel like God tells me to do little things on a daily basis... I feel small nudges all the time... Daily!  But I am talking about something a little BIGGER!  Well, about three years ago, I ran across a blog, FB page about a Mother's/Daughter's Bible Study group called "Whatever Girls!"  I got a nudge from God.

I began to think, "Man, this is something I should do in my community."  Yep, I have three daughters and something like this would be a blessing to me and my girls.  Again and again I was encouraged.  I could feel God nudging me to take a leap and do it.  I reached out and visited with Erin Bishop in Washington State about how to start my own Whatever Girls in TX.

I want to think of myself of a leader but really I am a shy girl.  I want to be that mom that is full of energy and pep but really I am that mom that is timid and doesn't want to be "out there."  I kept hearing God tell me to DO IT!"  So I went for it!  I start in my safe zone with just my girls friends and their moms.  We did  a book study the first year and it was amazing!


 The second year we did another book study and I ventured out and invited a few more moms and daughters.  Our group was growing.  I was approached by a sweet friend who is a jewelry maker to do a craft night and the girls made necklaces for each other.  They were encouraged to stamp a necklace for a friend that would encourage them.  It was a powerful night!

This February, my girls and I were blessed and traveled to Washington to meet Erin the founder of Whatever Girls.  It was so wonderful to meet with her about my group of mothers and daughters and discuss our dreams about our groups.  God is so good!

This past Sunday we began our third year of Whatever Girls.  We had a painting party at our home.  We discussed how we are God's Chosen Girls!  It was an amazing afternoon.

I am so thankful I listened to God 3 years ago.  I have been so blessed by this group of mothers and daughters.  God knows what he is doing when he gives us those nudges in life.  We have to just obey.

 Yes, We are alive and still going strong.  I have let Instagram and Facebook take over my social media world but the more I think about it, I am really sad, I have lapsed in my blogging because its a great "storybook" for my girls.

It has really been years since I have been a dedicated blogger and lots have changed since then.  The girls are now 12 (soon to be 13 in a matter of weeks), 14 and 16!  Things have changed a lot!  Yes, we now have a licensed driver in our home... And I wake up everyday wondering, "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!"

Abbey is a varsity cheerleader again this year and is a sophomore.  Her cross country team is currently ranked #1 in the STATE.  Its going to be a FUN cross country season again.  Abbey also made the Varsity volleyball team this year.  She keeps us busy and so very proud!

Lainey is 14 and in the 8th grade!  She is playing volleyball for her 8th grade team this year and still playing percussion in the band.  She is one of the head cheerleaders for her Junior High squad.  Lainey is a strong leader in her school.  I am so proud of her.  Its so hard to believe shes 14.

Emiley is 12, soon to be 13!  She is also a cheerleader for the Junior High squad.  YES, we have 3 cheerleaders in the family!  Emiley is running cross country for the junior high and also going to play volleyball.  Its fun to watch Emiley go through these firsts, but also a bit sad to realize all my girls are growing up so quickly.
 On the homefront, we have had some changes as well.  We moved into a new home over the summer.  It is larger and a great opportunity for us to spread out while the girls are growing and needing some space.  With the changes, I also took a new job.  I am now working for Region 12 Education Center doing the after school program at our local elementary. It was time for a job change for me and I am so thankful to work for the service center for this grant program.  I truly feel like for the first time in along time I am using my education to its fullest.  
Well, I truly hope to keep this little piece of the web up and going again.  I miss my blogger friends and having the documentation of the girls' lives.

I am so thankful for where we have come and where God is taking us!  Its a busy life we live but we wouldn't trade it.

God Bless!

3.  Lainey was selected as an All-American Cheerleader this summer at her cheer camp.  I took her to perform in the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade.  It was SO.MUCH.FUN!  She did a great job and it was a great experience for her. 



6.  Emiley also played her last year of soccer.  She was on an undefeated team and it was lots of fun to watch her.  Again, it was bittersweet to end this season in our lives.