Another Memory

While blogging has taken the back burner over the course of a few years, I hope that I am able to start keeping track of some very important moments in our family again. 

This season of life has brought us many changes. Charli starting sixth grade and Bryar entering kindergarten. My fourth year within preschool and hopefully more positive changes coming in that direction as well. Charli Beth is taking a break from softball, while preparing for Volleyball. Bryar is in his second season of baseball and wishing he could remake his favorite movie The Sandlot. 

We had an amazing summer of trips to Florida, memory making, lazy days and days just simply well spent. Of course some of my favorite memory making moments happened down this lane as I walked with Charli Beth just talking about life. Or even the afternoon (yes, just that one afternoon) that I went for a run and the kids were concerned about me so they came running to find me. While we love the lane and the memories it holds, we're super excited to share that another little Hargett will soon be making memories with us here.... 

While we are very excited and still trying to convince Bryar that it is indeed happening, we would love for you to pray along with us! 

What a journey we are on as we become outnumbered by little hearts. 

My Sisters Wedding!

On June 27, 2017 my sister Ashley married her longtime fiancé Alex. She picked he perfect day, which would've been our Dads 51st birthday, and the perfect location of somewhere we used to vacation together. 

The cookies were absolutely adorable. If you're in our area I would love to share their information with you. Her seashell wedding favors were the perfect items to add to her wedding touches. She had plans for a fancy camp tent but sadly with the rain that the area had experienced lately, she went with a back up plan that Fancy Camps helped with. They seemed to be the perfect fit to my sisters go with the flow personality. 

Root beer and cream soda, along with the beach is the perfect example of my sister. 

It's also the perfect example of this very grown up little girl in the next photo. She will be entering into sixth grade in the next few weeks. It's amazing to think how little she was when Alex and Ashley started dating. Time flies. Charli had an illness the night and morning before the wedding. I'm so glad she was able to feel up to coming with keeping her distance from others. She would've been devastated to miss this day. 

As you can see that our attire was mostly made of "tropical wear." This was another way to honor our Dad and his love for his tropical shirts at the beach. My sweet Mother in Law helped me make a skirt from one of his shirts. It turned out so well, and I loved being able to bring apart of his memories along. We also used some of this cloth to tie onto Ashley bouquet. 

Isn't she just beautiful? 

They are an amazing couple, that I'm blessed to be doing life with as a family. Our trip was amazing, and their day was perfect. I cannot wait to see their lives continue to grow together as a family. 

You're Killin' Me Smalls

 

There is nothing in the world anymore precious in the world than watching a child play a sport with an innocent heart. Before our world and our parenting gets in the midst of their eyes, this is where athletes are crazy. Do not get me wrong, I absolutely love competition, and pushing my oldest child each day. But watching this little guy play in the dirt when strikes are repeating, turn is hat backwards while screaming that he looks like squints, or waving from second base. 

Man... just leave me here in this ball game life.

Bryar has fallen in love with baseball and the Sandlot. 

 

The Best News To Share

 

There are days when we wonder why certain things are taking place, and what the greater good of heartache could even be coming from. But on Saturday, June 3 while Charli Beth was away at an overnight camp she was saved and most things started to make sense. She called me as she was leaving that afternoon, and her heart was still tender as I've ever noticed. 

While we are worrying, fretting and letting our lives whirl us around we forget the image of how each life is being a message to little eyes who are watching. I cannot even express into words how happy Charli Beth's news made me on that beautiful Saturday afternoon. To see her grow in Christ over the past few years, has been a blessing. Listening to her give her heart out to God in praying has been heart warming. We are blessed to be able to continue to watch her grow in Christ. 

I cannot express how thankful my heart is for the families that have prayed from Charli since she was born, during this hard year and at different times. We are blessed with two church families that have continued to surround us with love, prayers and guidance. 

What a wonderful day with even better news to share. 

Pancakes & Pajamas - 11th Birthday

It's been almost ten years since I started this blog. Our life has changed dramatically within these years, but one thing that has changed is how I love celebrating the life of Charli Beth and Bryar. Parties are just simply fun. Planning on the other hand can sometimes be a little...not so fun. But I try to use ideas that she comes up, Pinterest and other boards to help provide exactly what I think will work in giving not only her, but all of us memories to look back upon. In reality, my kids would be fine with dinners only but I just simply enjoy the rush of throwing parties together. 

Yes, it's a rush... and yes, I need a more productive hobby. 

This year Charli Beth was stuck on pancakes and pajamas. I'm certain she came across the theme on Pinterest and it just stuck with her. I was a little hesistant as the theme seemed to be a little more toodler friendly, but she was motivated by this one particular theme only. 

 

 

We tried to make things as much spring colored and bold as that was her one request. 

 

 

Most of everything came from Mighty Dollar. It's my secret party planning store. 

 

You're welcome. 

Sometime all it takes is a little hot glue then boom, you have a $2 stand. 

 

The pancake centerpieces came from my sweet friend Jenny who helped make them in a pinch. I know she worked very hard on them and they were a perfect match to be added into the fruit loop jars. 

 

Charli Beth's shirt was made by Barn Door Designs. She took my request and made it perfectly! 

 

Pancakes were famously made by Curtis as Charli only wanted her favorite pancake chef making them for her friends. He was SO very willing and actually wanted to go all out on ingredients. But instead I let the children add their toppings rather than inserting. It would've been a much harder time trying to incorporate ingredients into the pancakes. 

 

 

 

My sweet Mother and Mother in law, are always such a blessing to me. From the help with decorating, to the makings of different foods, and cleaning up. I know that none of this would be able with out their unselfish love. 

 

 

 

 

The girls loved playing outside while pancakes were making. Then they came back inside to a craft which was as simply as adding stickers to a handheld mirror. After breakfast was served the girls huddled around to open gifts, take pictures and then play more. We are so blessed with such a great group of girls for Charli Beth to go through life with! 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last addition to the party was asking families to bring in slippers, for "Slipper for Seniors." We collected over 12 pairs ans socks. We will be delivering them to a local nursing home in our area this Friday. 

 

This year for her birthday she decided to go rock climbing at a new facility close to our home. I swear this girl is part monkey and as limber as they come. She spent hours climbing up and down, and figuring out how to accomplish each step. We also had dinner together as a family, and Mississippi mud cake for dessert. 

 

 

 

We also had our yearly celebrating with Mimi and Papaw for her, "birthday lunch." Only Charli Beth would pick fried chicken, turnip greens, apples and, "anything else that's good." 

 

 

As you can see her Daddy took care of birthday gift purchasing this year. I'm not sure if I could love him more for a thoughtful gift that includes quality time for them together. Some of my fondest memories with my Dad include shooting together and just spending time with one another. What a blessing for Curtis to know how special his days are with Charli, even if it includes deer hunting. Charli's nana also gifted her with the perfect pet stroller to turn into a "chicken stroller." I believe she will spend many summer days walking one of our girls down the lane and back. 

 

Our party days may be winding down as Charli gets closer and closer to her teenage years. I hope that no matter how she decides to celebrate her birthday, she always know just how loved she is. 

An Untold Story

"There is no greater agnoy than bearing an untold story inside you." 

I recently read this quote and tears filled my eyes at the possibilities that families experience with pain in all situations. I've never thought of a story being untold, until I had one. My life has now become an open book, and for some reason my heart needs to let this story turn into one that is heard. 

Miscarriages are never spoke of. It may be the pain that conversations bring up for the Moms and Dads that have experienced them, or the unknown of what could've become. Statistics show that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. These numbers are devastating. They're not the fault of anyone but sadly, (as much as I've hated hearing the phrase,) "something that just happens." Which is where all of the hurt begins. 

On a March afternoon after leaving school and just having that feeling of, "oh my word, I believe this is finally happening!" Curtis and I found out that baby #3 was soon to be. 

 

We were nervous, excited and ready for another adventure that God had given us. We playfully argued back and forth about finding out the gender, or not. Wether we would be finished after number 3, or not. How we would tell our parents, our children and our friends. 

I never realized how perfect the highlited scripture was for this experience. 

 

That was until I woke on a Tuesday morning during Spring Break to what would become one of the hardest valleys my life has endured. I continued to read over this scripture as I sat in an ER room waiting for answers of what I already knew was taking place. 

It's true that noone ever tells you how much pain you can hold for someone you've never met. There isn't a number of weeks, numbers in an HCG count, or a line graph of numbers that could show the love a Mother holds for baby. Even though I knew from the moment I left, it was unbearable for me to tell my husband that my body was working against what we thought was our next big adventure. No one prepares you for crying in your husbands arms as daylight is beginning to break. Or going from plans of announcing a pregnancy, to giving them news that your plans have changed. The gasps and smiles as you start to tell your news to family, that quickly change to hugs and tears. Or how when you get a reminder phone call for your first ultrasound and appointment because your doctor's office mistakenly didn't cancel the appointment. Your heart literally just breaks all over again. Loss is loss, and it's just simply hard. A hard that no one can describe. 

Obviously, it's true that miscarriages are not talked about. But they should be.

We recognize life in so many forms, and we also recognize the passing of life. We grieve with loved ones and total strangers on many occasions throughout life, and grieving is an important role. The Lord even calls us to grieve. Stories of sadness may not be spoke of because they are hard to hear, but sometimes they are what we need to say. I didn't realize how much I needed to speak about this recent experience until one afternoon I blurted it out to two sweet ladies after a PTO meeting. I'm sure I blindsided them, but their responses comforted me and told me that they too would be praying for this valley. 

"God knew we needed you to tell us."

I agree and I'm thankful for their words. 

The twelve week rule isn't an etiquette guideline that I've ever followed. But after this journey I personally cannot say I ever will. 

Life is celebrated with reveals, postings, parties, and surprises. Death is a protocol for a memorial or funeral. But a miscarriage death is usually an experience of grief held by only one person, or two. 

No one should ever have to grieve alone. Or feel as if their grief should be hidden. We shouldn't feel as if a miscarriage passing isn't adequate enough to grieve for. 

We should be excited about our pregnancies from the moment we have the first thought of, "Oh could this be?"  We should let our loved one surround us with love and encouragement in all situations - easier said than done. And to never fear the judgements like I feared would come. As I told my family and close friends, I told them that I didn't want anyone knowing per the judgement that could follow. But in reality, there isn't judgment to be casted out. 

I've grieved and there are moments that I will still grieve. Even though this was an early pregnancy, there are no words to change what could've been. I've since learned that when you miscarry, it isn't just a physical process but one of emotions from the start to I assume never ending - as grief always just gets better in time. 

My untold story of our could've been may have been full of possibilities. But how thankful I am for a God that loves the broken. One that was also my ear when I had only a few to speak to. Even though I may not ever understand, I know his timing and our "what if's" are his perfect plan. 

I hope that I can be more diligent with being honest in my conversations. It may be hard to talk about, but talks that we need to have. If you're someone who has not experienced a miscarriage but are a shoulder for some who has, just listen. Let this person know it's okay to feel whatever they need to. Share scripture with them, and just let them be heard. If you're someone who has experienced a miscarriage reach out to someone because you never know if they may be within that 25% that has suffered a miscarriage. For myself, I'm personally trying to grow the introvert out and have these hard talks. They may range from sick children, a busy mom schedule or just someone I know who is in a season of struggle. 

While I'm still in this hallway, I'll continue to praise him until the next door opens, whether it's a rainbow or another hard storm. Hard things bring us to our knees and I'm not sure about you, but that's exactly what I need most days.

 

Hatching Chicks

Hatchimals have nothing on my eleven year old farm girl that has a love for not only animals, but for life itself.

On Christmas, we gave Charli Beth an incubator as a gift. It's seriously nothing fancy but after some research I found that it would do its job and give us many memory making days. To say the least this gift was perfect, and is already the gift that never stops giving and growing.

 

In March, I started asking asking for someone to buy fertilized eggs from to start our project. Let me just say that we are blessed to know many kind, loving families that quickly wanted to share with us. We went with a family friend who also babysat Charli Beth as a baby. She had maran, Araucana and wynadotte eggs.

The perfect combination for all of our wants.

So we picked our eggs and marked them on one side (we used marker and that was a big mistake apparently. I never even thought of the damage it could do but after reading I realize pencil is best. As my 8 year old self would say.."duh!")

 

The reason we marked the eggs is because we were turning them three times a day by hand. Typically you can find egg turners for a cheap amount at TSC. But I wanted to give this a try and let Charli B stay more engaged - not that she would ever have a problem doing so. We placed them within the incubator and began our journey of incubating chick eggs.

It takes 21 days to hatch. 21 long nerve wracking days.

Are they too hot? Is the Humidity too low? Is this storm going to make us loose power?

It's literally like being a Mama hen. Don't laugh.

You can start to see life forming around Day 6/Day 7.

 

The veins are spreading and the embryo is very pronounced. Isn't this amazing? It's literally like a chick egg ultrasound. This process is called Egg Candling and is done by a special flashlight.

Day 10 candling already shows movement! I'm not certain that the videos will post along but I will add them to my Facebook page - Boots, Bows & 5-oh

 

Day 14 was the day to officially throw out eggs that had stopped growing or were not fertile to begin with. On this day we tossed 5. I did crack two of them just to investigate. If you see more than a blood ring within an egg, I do not advise this. The two I opened never started forming after being implanted. There are many reasons this could've occurred.

 
(This is a bad egg with a blood ring) 

 

Day 18 is the last official egg candling day. This is also known as, "lock down day." After you candle for the last time you shut the incubator and do not open again until hatching occurs. The eggs need to keep their humidity so the shells do not become soft once pip holes begin. This is SO hard.

Day 20 arrived and of course no hatchings started. I literally thought we had killed them all until the next morning came and a little hole came about. I wanted to stay home all day just to watch, but work calls. We were all so anxious that it was hard to wait. We had to make deals of which kid would be the first in the door to check the incubator. By no surprise, Charli won. But no action had been made. We literally ordered pizza and sat by the incubator until Charli and Bryar went to bed. I returned to my perch after tucking in and reading stories. At 12:20 our first chick hatched. I tried waking little Miss Mama hen, but she didn't budge so I ran back in to start a video for her. It was literally...

 

 
 

The ugliest thing ever, but so very cute and sweet at the same time! I listened to it peep all night long as it not so gracefully walked around to cuddle other eggs.

 

 

As time passed one thing I noticed with our incubator is that it did not help chick dry off properly. I'm not sure why this is, or what I can help do at this point. For this time I spent an Friday night bathing them with hot water on a cotton ball, then blowing drying their little feathers. After this they each immediately went into our brooder under a heat lamp. 

 

As other chicks started to hatch and Charli was sound asleep, I decided to do a live Facebook video. This hatch took 48 mins, and yes 17 people watched the entire time. I'm so glad that I'm not the only person who was anxiously awaiting hatchlings to arrive. 

 

 

The chicks are now around 3 weeks old. This a latest photo of some from Easter.

We hope to start a new hatch in a few weeks when life slows down a bit. For now, I believe we'll continue researching and learning from this experience.