No Time Like the Present!

Nothing like a break for 6 months and then a massive update!

We had a fantastic Summer at the Hankins house. There was lots of swimming, playing, and relaxing. Gigi and Papaw treated us to a showing of Disney on Ice, which was a really fun time for all of us. We also took a family vacation to Branson with our good friends, the Peoples. We had fun in the water, playgrounds, and the kiddos loved the Dixie Stampede. We also took a first visit to a theme park while there and visited Silver Dollar City. It was a great trip.

Hulse,
This was your first year to play an organized sport, T-ball and I don't think you were disappointed. You were on the Cardinals and y'all were a good little team. You really liked playing offense and hitting the ball, but you weren't so interested in the defensive side of the game! It was a good first team experience and you had a really good time.
You really liked Silver Dollar City and were a daredevil, riding everything you were tall enough to get on. You really liked all of the rides and we think you are going to be a thrill seeker as you get older.
One big development this Summer was your swimming ability. You pretty much taught yourself to swim this year and as we come to the end of the year, you are swimming full time with no puddle jumper. We are so proud of how far you have come and think you would love to swim all the time if we would let you. You also worked on your jumping tricks and even started to dive a little bit.

Olivia,

You continued to do gymnastics at school over the Summer and you seem to really like it. Your teacher says you have a vibrant personality, so I thought that was a good compliment. You also liked Silver Dollar City alot, but you liked the non-wet rides, especially the roller coaster. You also liked riding the go-carts and wanted to go faster and faster on the big track. I think you will learn to be a daredevil in your own right!

You also worked on your swimming this Summer. You were a little hesitant for most of the year and we backtracked a little. But as we come to the end of the swimming season you are jumping and going under water with no problem.

You both started a new class at school this morning and are your last step away from pre-school. You both continue to learn so much every day and have worked a lot this Summer on writing your numbers and letters. Your new teacher is Ms. Melissa and I think you are going to learn even more in her classroom. We had a fantastic summer and are looking forward to a fun Fall and Holiday season.

Love you both,

Mom

Happy Number Three!

Hulse and Olivia,

Just like that you are three years old. It's amazing how quickly a year flies by. You are really not babies anymore and have moved solidly into the "kid" category. One was all new, two was lots of fun, and I'm looking forward to what three will bring.



Hulse,
You are such a boy. If it involves running, rough and tumble, and loud noise you are in. You are a fun little guy and have NO problem being the center of attention. There is really not a shy bone in your body. At your birthday party this year you and your friends sat in a circle and told your name with no hesitation you yelled "Hulseman!". I think that in a nutshell defines your persona. I hope that you are always that fearless and outgoing. It's one of the unique things God has made in you and I know he has plans for you to use that character trait. You are lanky like your dad and weigh about 31 pounds. You love to eat and some of your favorite foods right now are squash and zucchini. You enjoy playing sports of all kinds but lately you've also gotten into superheros and pretend playing with your sister. You are officially potty trained as we move into three, have no more pacifiers, and sleep in a big boy bed. Hulse, it was such fun watching you grow the past year. I can't wait to watch and see how you change this year. Happy 3rd Birthday Buddy!



Liv,
If Hulse is all boy, then you are more than all girl. You are so into all things girly, shoes, jewelry, make up, playing mommy, and pink. You are a little more shy than your brother and have to feel out a situation before you are really comfortable. But, you have a lot of little friends and seem to play well with all of them. Even though you can be shy you also have a bossy/mommy/teacher streak that can show up when you're playing. You are weighing in about 33 pounds these days and are a really good eater but can be a little picky when it comes to vegetables, but we're working on that! You are a MILK drinker and like chocolate milk as well. One of your favorite things to eat now are hamburgers, you want one all the time and can put it away if your are hungry. You like to play barbies, dolls, make believe and anything with your brother. You've been potty trained for the better part of 2, have no more paci, and sleep in your big girl bed. Olivia, you are a wonderful little girl full of sweet and sass. It's a great combination. I look forward to watching grow into three. Happy 3rd Birthday Livi Lou!

Holiday 2011

I'm behind on the blog, shocker, so I'm going to just combine Thanksgiving and Christmas before I forget everything that happened.

I hosted Thanksgiving lunch this year for Trey's side of the family and had a really good time doing so. It gave me a chance to clean a little more heavily that I normally would for one thing! I had a fun time preparing for everyone and it was actually really nice to not have to load up the kids for a road trip. We had Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and then got ready to head to Branson. For years it's been the family tradition to go to Branson, when there is not a LR Razorback game, to kick off Christmas. This is the first time we've taken the kids and it was cold and rainy but fun. The kiddos are asking when we are going back so I think they liked it!

I've worked for the state for 8 years or so and I accumulate a lot of vacation time that I never use up so this year I decided to take two weeks off for Christmas. I wanted to not rush through the season and take time with Trey, the kids, and friends that I don't get to see often. It was a FANTASTIC decision. I was so relaxed and really had time to prepare my heart and home for a great Christmas. One of the things I really wanted to do was host a Birthday Party for Jesus for Hulse and Olivia's friends. They are little so it's sometimes hard to explain Jesus and how important is birth is, but almost any kid can understand a birthday party. We had a fun time playing, crafting, snacking, and celebrating the birth of Jesus. The kids went to school a couple of days before Christmas so I could run errands and finish last minute stuff and then before we knew it Christmas eve was here.

My mother in law asked to keep the kids the night before Christmas eve and that worked out really well. We got to take them down to Pine Bluff and have a little Christmas celebration without the rush and let the kids just enjoy the fun. It also allowed Trey and I to confer with Santa on last minute details! Christmas eve is always our crazy night since we travel to three places in one night, but it was fun and wore the kids totally out. Christmas morning the kids woke up, late after sleeping in, to just what they asked for. Hulse wanted a Razorback football helmet and Olivia wanted a Barbie. They must have been good because Santa brought just what they asked for and more! He even left a trampoline in the back yard. We had a good breakfast and just played and played until the kids asked for a nap! We had Christmas dinner with my mom, dad, and grandfather and the kids got to open some more presents. Trey took off the week following Christmas and we just spent a lot of time at home and out doing fun stuff. The weather was beautiful and the kids got to test out that trampoline quite a bit. It was a wonderful Christmas season this year. It was fun, restful and full of the love of Christ which is the beautiful reason we celebrate.

Halloween 2011

Hulse and Olivia,
This year for Halloween you choose to be Mickey and Minnie Mouse! We started all of our fun with the fall festival at church. You got to wear your costumes, play games, win prizes, see your buddies, and have hot dogs and popcorn.

You also had a party at school and got to take candy to your school friends. You made some Halloween crafts and ate some fun treats there as well. While you were getting dressed in your costumes your Nana, Mamaw, and cousin Asher came by to see you. We took a lot of pictures and got ready to go out trick-or-treating. We went over to Gigi and Papaw's neighborhood to trick-or-treat and there were kids everywhere! You got the hang of ringing doorbells and getting that candy! You also said thank you a lot which made me a happy mom. You had a ton of fun and were good and sugared up when we were done. It was a great Halloween!

Fall 2011

August through the beginning of December is a busy time at our house. Football, school activities, Halloween, and Thanksgiving keep us on our toes.

Our whole family (Liv included) went to our first family Razorback game. Liv got a little bored with the game but really enjoyed riding the bus to the game, walking around the stadium, and hanging out at the motorhome. The Hogs beat Auburn and we had a great time.

The kids got a taste of fair rides at a friend's birthday party, so we knew they would like the fair. We took them one morning on kids-ride-free day, and they had a blast riding with thier buddy, Q. Hulse liked the petting zoo - Liv isn't really into animals - and they both loved their corndog lunch. After their naptime we went out to a pumpkin patch in Mayflower and enjoyed the beautiful Fall weather. We rode out to the patch, and the kids picked out some primo pumpkins. It was a fun day with family and friends.

Hulse's First Razorback Game

Hulse man,
Your daddy took you to your first Razorback football game on 9/17/11. You had a blast! You got to ride the bus to the game, see the band and the players come onto the field, pet Tusk! and cheer on those Hogs! You called the Hogs which is always a favorite cheer but you also got to do the first down cheer. When the announcer yelled "It's another Arkansas Razorback", the crowd responded with "First Down." You, however, decided to wait a few seconds before your first down so that everyone could hear! We'll work on that timing buddy! I'm so glad you had a good time and I can't wait to take you (and your sister) to many more games.

Destin 2011 - Chicken Nuggets in Paradise

I've been so busy since the end of summer that I've been putting off this post, but I want to get it down before I forget what we actually did. Our summer vacation this year was a fantastic trip to sunny Destin Florida. We went with some good friends who have a little girl and they were excellent traveling companions. We loved hanging out with them and having no other agenda than to rest and eat good food! Vacation is such a gift for us. It allows Trey and I to slow down our normal pace, reconnect with each other and let the kids deviate from their schedule a bit. Normally when we are away I'm ready to be home, but this time if there hadn't been a tropical storm brewing I could have moved on in for the duration!

Things I don't want to forget:
-Nothing like discovering your child might be car sick in the pitch black early morning. Also note that Dramamine could make your child almost fall asleep in mid-sentence.
-The traffic design in Mobile is bananas.
-There is NOTHING like crossing over the bay bridge and smelling that air, ahhhh vacation.
-Villa Coyaba, our place of residence, might have been nicer than my home. Just saying.
-The kids loved the water the first couple of calm days. It was glassy and crystal clear. We got some good ocean time in those first two days.
-You can own/pack too many sand toys.
-We had so many great meals. Thank you: Crab Trap, The Back Porch, AJ's, Louisiana Langinappe, The Donut Hole, and Red Bar. (I think that got them all!)
-The kids ate shrimp for the first time and no one's throat closed up!
-It was so nice to be able to stay up late and have good conversation with very funny friends! We love you guys!
-There is nothing better than a beach nap. Also, nothing better than a good book and an ocean view.
-Trey and John decided to brave the red flag waves one afternoon. It was a comedy show to watch them get pummled from the balcony. No real casualities other than a skinned knee, crab attack & hat.

We had the best time making memories on this trip! Thank you Lord for good times, good friends, our children & the majesity of your creation!

Bad Blogging!

I have been a really lazy blogger as of late so I thought I would catch up with a great Summer post. We've been doing a lot of indoor activities this Summer because it's hot as blazes here. Hulse and Olivia have been coloring, cooking and playing inside a lot. We've also gotten to do some extra fun things like going to the Wonder Place, the library to check out some books and of course to the pool at Papaw and Gigi's house. Hulse and Olivia have really taken to the water this year and love to jump and swim with their floaties. In fact, we hosted a swim party for our Sunday school class and after most of the folks were gone Hulse decided to take a leap into the pool with no flotation device. Trey did a dive and rescue and it was less than 10 seconds, but adrenaline producing none the less. We may have to do some swim lessons now!

We also had a very special first when we went to see our very first movie in the theater. We saw Winnie the Pooh and it was so precious. For those classic Disney folks, it's a must see. Hulse was transfixed the entire hour and Olivia didn't get restless until the very end. The most exciting thing that has happened this Summer is that Olivia is completely potty trained (Hallelujah chorus!). She has done SO well and we are very proud of her. Hulse is working hard but not quite there yet.

Summer is coming to a close and now we're shifting back into school mode around our house. The kids start a new class at school in a couple of weeks so we will be learning a new routine. They also start a new Sunday School class and a new Wednesday night program at church. It should be an exciting transition into the fall. I don't know about you but I'm ready for some cooler weather and some football!

Pee Pee Proclaimation

Let it be known that on June 27, 2011, Olivia Hankins wore her big-girl panties to school and made it all day with no accidents!

Way to go girl!

Happy 8 Years!

Hulse and Olivia,

Eight years ago I married your daddy. Someday, if you're interested I'll tell you the whole story, but for now there are a few things I wanted you to know about dad. Your dad is a wonderful husband to me. He's a spiritual leader, provider, protector and a great friend. He blesses me everyday with his wit and wisdom and makes sure we are all taken care of. I hope that one day when you find the partner God has picked out for you that they will have the ability to bless you like being married to your dad has blessed me. The eight years we've been married (and almost 18 that we've been together) have been fun, challenging, always changing and forever precious to me. I promise to work hard on being married to Dad for many more years so we can be a testimony to the power of God's faithfulness for you both. He's given me lots of gifts while we've been together and they have all been great, but the most awesome thing he has even given me is the chance to be your mom.

Happy 8 years Trey. Love you more everyday.
Jenn

First School Performance

Our daycare has an end of the year program. It's really to let the pre-k kids "graduate", but they let the little ones have their time in the spotlight as well. Hulse and Olivia's class sang "If You're Happy and You Know It". I have to admit it was pretty cute, but I can't get my mind around the fact that I have children old enough for a school performance! If you can forgive the amateur video and commentary their debut is below.

Easter Weekend 2011

Friday, Trey and I were both off, and the kids were out of school. So we took the day for some family time. Olivia was in dire need of her first haircut, so we took her and Hulse that morning to Pigtails and Crewcuts. That place is so cute and the kids did a great job getting trimmed up. They both looked super cute after their cuts! I went to lunch with my mom and then we both got pedicures that afternoon. After dinner we went to a local park then to Key West for some yogurt.

Saturday morning we went to the egg hunt that our kid's ministry at church does, and it's always a fun time. Hulse isn't really into collecting eggs as much as he is getting an egg and immediately opening it to eat what's inside. Olivia is a collector by nature, so she loves to gather eggs and get them in her basket. She's also a candy fanatic and wants to eat her treasures as soon as she can. After we hunted all we could we went to lunch with our friends, the Clinton's, then headed home for a nap. Saturday night we had our first egg-dyeing experience. Hulse and Olivia got to pick their colors, put their eggs in, and check to make sure the color was to their liking! We got through it with no major spills and no permanently colored hands, so I consider it a success. Saturday night after the kiddos were asleep the Easter bunny made a stop by the house and left some great treats!

Sunday morning I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, the kids checked out their bunny loot, and we got gussied up for Easter service. I enjoyed praising Jesus for His sacrifice and the chance to praise Him that He is the Resurrection and the Life! After lunch we headed to take the kids to see my grandfather at the hospital, then to Jacksonville for lunch with Trey's family. After more egg hunting and lunch, the kids crashed for a couple of hours before we went to dinner with my parents.

It was an action-packed, fun-filled Easter weekend. I've always loved the "newness" that Easter brings. Every day is a day to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus provided for all humanity on the cross, but Easter is a time for the body of Christ to collectively acknowledge that without the grace of the cross we are dead to sin.

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God." II Corinthians 5:21

Draw us to the cross

"¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Luke 24:1-7

Our God is Greater

Isn't if funny that God always positions us to receive exactly the messages He wants us to hear, even when we're not trying to hear it? Several months ago I saw an ad for a Living Proof Live event with Beth Moore in Little Rock. I had been to one previously and thought that would be a good girls weekend for our Sunday school class. I was ready for a fun night out and God was ready to speak to me in a big way! Let me tell you that Travis Cottrell is AMAZING and if you get the privilege to have him lead you in worship take it. Two words into the first song and I just felt my desire to worship God pour out like a floodgate had been opened. I've been very disconnected in corporate worship for a while and I guess God wanted me to know just how much my soul has missed being abandoned to the Holy Spirit. That set the tone for the rest of the conference and it was so exciting to be poured out before the Lord. I've had a lot of disappointment and hurt in areas of my life that I never expected to and I haven't really asked God to heal me. I didn't even know I needed healing! As soon as Beth began to speak about putting down the disappointments and hurt my mind just began to swim with the feelings I've been pushing down.

Lord, I am thankful to you that you caught me unsuspecting. You just invaded my heart with my defenses down and I cannot say thank you enough. Lord, you have been my portion and strong tower and I'm thankful that you let me run to you. Thank you God that you are the only one in whom I can find fulfillment and that You are so willing to pour out your Spirit on me. Lord, I look forward to what You have next for me, even if it means hardship I know You mean it for good. I want you to work in me to the renown of Christ alone. Amen.

Happenings

It's been a while since I've done a "real" post so I figured we were due. Hulse and Olivia are rocking right along into their two's with no problems. They are learning so many colors, numbers, shapes, songs, letters, and on and on. I love to hear them sing a new song or count to a new number. Of course, they are my kids but I think they are genuises!

It's so great to be able to have a conversation with them and know what they are thinking and feeling. We've had some discipline issues but nothing any other two year old isn't doing. Trey and I are just incredibly blessed to have such great kiddos. We're just gearing up for spring/summer and some time outside.


I've been involved in Bible Study Fellowship since the fall and I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to it and encourage you to get plugged in if you had the chance. I began praying at the end of last summer for God to renew in me the desire to dig into His word, not for knowledge, but to have the chance to know Him more. He answered that prayer in a big way by leading me to BSF through a co-worker. The study format is provided by BSF international and we meet in a small group once a week. We also hear a lecture on the material as well. I have been blessed ten-fold from the word God has provided to me in Isaiah. If you're not plugged into a group study I urge you to investigate BSF in your area. All of that to say, I've so many of my friends and family on my heart who are in difficult situations and who have been so faithful to depend on God even in the midst of difficulty. This week with the devestation in Japan He's been speaking to me again. God has used Isaiah to point me to His Sovreignity and the fact that God is always working for good for His people. He can use a difficult situation to magnify His glory even when we can't see Him through the devestation all around us.