FROM HEAVEN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

If you have ever lost a loved one, and had someone get married soon after, you know how
emotional a time that is for everyone...
I was the maid of honor for my sister Stacey's wedding and it was the most amazing,
most beautiful day!!
The only thing that could have made it any more perfect, would be having our
mama and sister there!!
My mom's best friend read a poem I wrote, about what I hope to be true...


FROM HEAVEN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

Excitement, happiness, every single bells been rung
Signs throughout the heavens, a celebrations soon to come.
Most angels start to congregate, whispering of who it could be
Someones loved ones getting married
With pure delight, they wait to see.

Peering down through all the clouds, all are patient with a smile
Soon one angel gets the spotlight, as their earthly loved one walks the aisle.
The bride stands before the alter, they lift her veil of lace
In the church the people smile, as they see her blushing face.
Tonight, two precious angels, feel the glow and fill with tears
They slowly step aside, all know now who's weddings here.

This time the bride is Stacey, radiant and full of bliss
But on earth there's a mom and sister, that today are truly missed.
Missed for the things they'd say today, would we all be one big mess?
Would they cry with us beforehand, would they love the wedding dress?
What would they think of Mike, the man that Stacey gets to marry?
Wouldn't it be lovely, to have just one more picture of our family?

The bride and groom hold hands, and vow to live a life of love
To appreciate the gifts God gives, even smallest from above.
The church fills with applause, and of course it carries
And the heavens fill with joy, as the earthly sister marries.

When you lose someone so close, the thought that you just never fathom
Is that God still keeps them near, you just cannot imagine.
They still share in all the joy and the wonders you are given
Even though you are on earth, and they are up in heaven.

For no distance is too far, no universe too wide
For a bond of family unity to ever possibly divide.
God will always let us love, even when he calls us home
To cherish what we had here, whether young, or fully grown.

So today, your wedding day, feel the close bonds and the love
From the families and the friends, in this room and up above.
Know that those not here are celebrating, but today, up with the Lord
And the journey they all took to him, is our greatest reward.
Make the most of even simple things that will surround you in your life
Feel blessed for every day you have, to spend as man and wife.

Hugs!

ANOTHER DAY!

We should all remember, we have a brand new day.
A new start, no matter what you are thinking, worrying about, or trying to get done.
Anything can take place, or happen, to change the course of our day, week, year, or maybe lifetime.
We were not promised this, but received it...some did not.
Make the most of your coffee, your drive, your friends, your family.
Smile, at even the thought, that you have more time to see more things through-
Be happy and blessed to have a life, whatever it may be, with promise...
The promise of a new day-----

Hugs!

OUR VIDEO DIARY

Well, we are home. 
We are back to the swing of things, well, trying to be. :)
It just may take another week to feel AMAZING! :)

"Stepping outside your comfort zone" is not easy, but it drives the force
inside of you, to do what you sometimes need (or want) to do, with some extra courage!

Since I left everybody discussing that, I figured my "documentary" of
OUR ADVENTURE TO ENGLAND-would focus on that theme.  :)
Cause we will all have that choice throughout our lives.

For me this time, it was a trip-
I am not good at leaving, but once there, was so glad I made the decision I did-
to spend time with a special lady ! (who looks wonderful I must say!)
Her outlook is all she needs and she is teaching everyone around her that the human
spirit is an awesome thing!!

We saw beautiful places, tried amazing food, and although jet lagged-had some great,
and sometimes hysterical memories, to hold onto forever.
Some of my trip wouldn't download, (of course, some of the funnier ones)
but I do have some to share if you're bored-
Didn't post all the sightseeing, you would have been here forever, just us on "the road"-
And excuse the doubles-my computer is acting up and copied a few twice,
not letting my delete right now-

Finally, I must warn you, the clips you are about to see, could not be edited.

You may want to have young children leave the room due to scenes of deliriousness,
exhaustion, and annoying laughter.

Enjoy the show!!

So, remember, just because you are freaking out about doing something-

doesn't mean, you won't be glad you did it!

"It isn't brave, if you aren't scared."

Live life being brave.

Hugs!

Outside Your Comfort Zone

So I'm nervous, but excited. 
Overwhelmed with worry and the unknown.
But know I will have fun.
Having to let go of my "life's control" but knowing it will be good for me to do so.
I am going to England. 
This Friday-
Yes, I said ENGLAND. 
And yes, my stomach has had butterflies since the day my dad called me to go.

My dad, met his "lady friend" a few years ago on the Internet. 
They met playing some game, and connected right away with the common
ground of losing a child at the same young age.
Gillian's story, so similar, had added grief, losing her only other child, a son, and then
her husband.  Unbelievable.
They would go on to talk and talk until they met on "holiday" and within months, had
started a back and forth lifestyle.
Gill comes here, every few months for six weeks at a time, and has brought a lot of
love to the family...
Recently, a new struggle, advanced cancer, to one of the most wonderfully courageous
women this world has seen.
And with the same grace and bravery as she had before, she holds her head up now, just
the same.

So with that, I instantly become the mommy-jeckel and hyde.
I am thrilled to spend some special time with her,
but having a slight struggle with um, well, going. :) 
But as with anything, it always seems to be hard to leave your "norm",  so I am putting
on my big girl bra AND panties, and diving in.

I don't do well leaving...not the older ones, who frankly could probably
use the break from me, but from the little ones?  Very tough...I get anxious...
I start worrying.
I have a comfort zone-and it's here...changing things up is not comfortable.  I need to be
surrounded by the craziness-it's who I am.

I am bringing Lily.  She's so little and will totally brighten the mood.
It'll give Gillian a kid fix (all of them love and miss
her so) and help me to not be AS anxious.
 
So as the day seems fast approaching, I try and get organzied.
I'm catching up with the endless laundry nightmare, paying all the bills,
highlighting the calendar, and writing notes to each teacher of advanced
apology, in case no one matches for next six days in school.
And Roman?  His job is to put me at ease.

God bless the man, seriously. 
I am a lunatic, when it comes to some things-
And while, through the years, he has become much more sensitive then he
started out, he is still a man. 
And for being one of those, he is pretty good, most of the time, at calming me down.

One of them, being I need to go. 
Anyone can say that, but the truth comes out in how you try and make your plan work.
Neither of us really do away without the other or the family-so since this was a last minute idea,
we scrambled how it would work, with everyone always being all over the place.
But we both knew we wanted to find a way.
Can you guys make it without me??
He convinced me the world would not end.
And from there, how great it will be for me to go hang with Gill, my dad, Lily and my sister.
An adventure, that will be difficult to start, but rewarding, and fun, and maybe never again to happen.

Second, not to worry.
I got this, he said...and we both laughed but he kept repeating it. 
"We will have a great time!"
MAWA wrestling tourny, (he and Gabe are doing it-), and he will bring all the kids to
watch TEAM HALE compete.
They'll surely have no routine, and just fly by the seat of their pants every day....
No brainer, could have called that one. lol
He's gonna take Mason to see a karate school, and they're gonna go on hikes back
in the woods, all of them.  Bonfires-
With no plan whatsoever-
Dream -life for children: forts, ice cream, dirty faces w/no washcloths coming at them....

But most of all, my four year old-
I know it will bring Gill smiles but for myself, I would have nervous times 100, if I were leaving
all these babies and a nine month old...she's too young !!!
Having said that, I also have Reese, who is with me all day, how was this gonna work? 
If I could have brought her, I would of, but she's too old to qualify for lap baby :(
Believe me, I tried.
But this too, was actually put to rest before I even started to vent with concern.

Ro has a sweet and completely different relationship with all of our kids-
Each one, with different personality, every parent knows, brings a whole different
relationship to you and that specific one..
And for some reason, since Reese was veryyyy little, Roman and she have been like Velcro.
It is hysterical, (and adorable) to watch them.
When he gets home she yells the loudest and every single night, they get out the cookie sheets
and whip the whole family up cookies.
Theres just this crazy little banter they do-too funny.

As soon as we discussed the trip, one of the first things Roman talked about was not
working that week.
He said  that he planned on doing paper work, ordering
and dropping by the job sites....
He wasn't going to work the "normal" labor so he could have "daddy time". 
My heart melted.  I didn't say it.
He did.
I'll bring Reese to Home Depot, and we'll stop for Ice Cream, then we'll go home and
do our thing, I cracked up.
His mom even offered to come help-but he told her, they had a daddy plan-
He was excited to have these days with them alone....

Right hand man, yes, annoying, enough times that I can list on college ruled paper, sure.
But such a good partner with this kind of thing-
Not one that just does what he needs to do as a man, husband, father...
But one that goes that step that we women are always so happy to see-
A man that wants to do things-one that loves to do them.
One that never needs to be asked to, because its already desired-

Yes, my tummy is gonna be in knots while I take off, land, and get where I'm going...
But if I am to step out of my comfort level, I am so thankful to have a safety net, at home,
while I'm away.

Think of my Friday at 7:33 pm, as I depart on this unknown "journey" of mine-
Looking forward to hugging Gill, and getting some English coffee :)
And then skyping my kids, seeing the falling down house in the background, and
how things go with Daddy in charge.

Have you stepped outside your comfort zone?  (this is my first time)
It's probably good for us, and the others, in our lives...
Maybe they'll see how much we really do on a regular basis?  Maybe not (uhoh)...
And maybe, it's good for your "right hand" person-
To take the wheel and steer for a few days.
Hopefully they'll see what a great team you make and how much that good driving of
yours does for the family
If not, (sry about that), you'll still have one thing-
Some freaking great stories to hear, from your kids, when you get back, for days to come....
.
Wish me luck :)
Hugs!

FIND YOUR WINGS

I know I have shared this on Facebook, but rarely do you find a song that says EVERYTHING.
This song has every word, that any parent would speak, and want their kids to know.
Gave me goosebumps and tears...and pretty much everything else.

"I'll have tears as you take off, but I'll cheer as you fly."

Enjoy!
Hugs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4NS7gChzvk

My Letter In Outrage-

Okay, so anyone that knows me knows I RARELY get riled up and go on defense. 
Although I love sharing our passion for family, I, in no way, just as anything else, think
it's the road for everyone. 
I am a believer, just as the occupation you choose, you create the family you desire.
Having said that, as I do not preach to you to follow my lead, I do get a little spunky when I
feel disrespected.
With age, you do get confident, but I came across an OUTRAGEOUS article that was just too much! 
Wish I had it here, but I will share my letter back to the author.
Yes, I replied! 
He made my "Target brand" panties, bunch up.... a lot.

Mr Woodgate,
I was online this morning reading through some fascinating articles on large families. 
I love searching for people like me, that have gone this route, and share their outlooks, advice, etc
on a similar lifestyle.
It was there that I came across your article Fruitful Extinction, and although I didn't read any others
from you, it was extremely upsetting to me.

I cannot believe, with how things are out there-in a world where so many are stressed to the max,
on depression medication, or searching for the meaning of life, a large family is a unbelievable concern
to you, and as you put it, the country.
The idea of taxing as punishment, the idea that we will run out of resources due to them
having a fourth, or fifth child?  You have got to be kidding.
If you are lecturing on the men and women that are many times in discussion, who populate
and continuously use government funding to  "survive", that is a single issue up for debate. 
Of course most of the US would concur, it is not fair to expect taxpayers to flip the bill for
anything you cannot afford, or provide a decent life for. 
(And from how I read it, that IS NOT who you are speaking of entirely because that I see a point on.)
But two people, that simply want to, (and can afford to), surround themselves with (maybe)
more children than the average person, raising them, to be good, productive, members of society?
What then?
In that instance, they will surely give back more than they'll take from the earth,
I can promise you that.

Only today, are we to find families chasing the corporate ladder until ten pm every day,
on their cell phones and laptops at the park, not even making eye
contact with their kids on their "time off".
Then say its "for them", to be able to "provide a good life", ACCEPTABLE.
Only in a world like today, are we to find the OBSESSION with Hollywood-
Their three nannies at home, RAISING their kids, so they can jet around the world
(and still complain), ACCEPTABLE. 
Only in a world like today is, (in many families)-status, above everything else in life, yup, ACCEPTABLE.

THESE, sir, are taking away the "quality" from our lives.

Like I said, I didn't read on.
Maybe you did write articles on the unbelievable shift in priority that this country has seen
in recent years.
The fact that somewhere in the last few, family became second notch to "lifestyle". 
On lists, hung opon refrigerators across the world, children are next to, and sometimes
sadly, placed underneath, advancement and material things...you cannot deny it.
I'm not saying this has anything to do with how much you may LOVE your family, but the idea of
truly sacrificing, to make it first in your day, is slowly dying.
How can family really come into (any part of ) what you see wrong right now? 
No matter the size.

I almost worry about those that understand all of the above, but then need explantion for
why someone could feel that same fulfullment, with children?
You will never find a person pressed for explaining the desire for another new car, but this is
somehow different.
Why is that?
Maybe to us, you're the strange ones. 
We don't understand how you wouldn't love it....but we don't say that, because who
really cares? 
But how sad that it is so often not understood.

I would be interested in your view on divorce. 
Is that okay to do 3, 4 ,5 times?
Because that has too, become acceptable. 
But kids, well, "they use too much of our oxygen".

And one more thing-
Maybe you did, but have you sat down with a few large families?
Because I'd like to address the "baby addiction" part of your "research".
Now here, I would be an expert right?
Can't say I know many moms that would say the feeling that you described of "cozy baby",
goes away once they learn to walk.
I will admit, that newborn feeling is like no other, but watching them grow, loving them,
and seeing in the amazing transformation into adults, is just as rewarding.
I myself, have never met a single woman who gave birth, just for those first few months of infant
holding, but you took the polls.

In closing, the words "go forth and populate" are never going anywhere. 
They can never be taken back or revised, so I don't know who you think you are.
God wants this world to have good people. 
He wants the love of a baby in homes, and in my humble opinion,
I think with each birth, no matter how many you have been through, it makes
HIS love, that much stronger in your life.
There are many examples of families that exist today, of every size, doing it right, with a few
(or a bunch), and there are some, no matter the size, doing it wrong.
A chapter on HOW DID WE GET HERE?
The crazy messed up world, is not due to parents wanting more kids, it's due to selfishness,
greed and control.
I think even people living under rocks could recognize that one.

An opinion lumped toward one specific kind of family, (or anything for that matter), is amazing
to me.
I have some really cool little guys at this house, part of varsity team sports at school and helping
The Salvation Army.
My kids volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and have done things involved with the troops
overseas.
If you were to only see my family at Christmas Eve Service last week, Mr Woodgate,
you may have had, even the smallest glimpse, into "our idea" of family.
The non-judging, busy, yet simple, dream of ours.
One that has humility, to fend off all the Nay-Sayers, that make you feel, for a second here
and there, you should explain your reasons for having them.
One that has compassion, which to me is the one quality that will guarantee success. 
And one, where there is promise and love.

You can read me all of your statistics from books you have studied, or charts
and graphs you have drawn up. 
You can even tell me what, along with other countries, you, or anyone else thinks my family
should be.
But at the end of the day, when the world is quiet, and you close your door at night,
what is there?
What makes you smile and look at your life? 
Only blessings.
 
Maybe if you had more of an open mind, you'd be a little happier in life. 
You sound very judgemental, very angry...that's not good.
Maybe you can take a nice, long, look into the moms and dads, that you
yourself, called "selfish"....
We find it perfectly acceptable to be called Crazy, Insane, Mental...but Selfish?
That is the word?
Wow.
I think even after all your jet setting , bigtime interviews, and knowledge of the "real world",
you really may need to get out more.

I will pray for you,
Jennifer Hale

Hugs!

Laundry Shoot

We have a laundry shoot.
It is an amazing creation. 
Really, especially one for an insane family like ours, that laundry is beyond
out of control, and that is even an understatement.
Clothes are, and probably always will be, the toughest thing to manage in a
family of ten.
I have been close to caught up- eleven times- as a mom.
Yes, I counted and yes, I am proud.
But Murphy's Law runs ramped around here, and each of those times, someone
either peed or puked that night, which made that blue ribbon feeling, end
within hours.
The shoot has become a friend of mine-helping to deter the floor, or corner
of the room stations, to which most children's outfits, magnet their things to.
Having said this, why or why do my children MAGNET THEMSELVES to the shoot?
Yes!  My boys go down, PHYSICALLY.  And think nothing of it.
I was in the office, the first time I realized, and remember hearing laughing.
Anyone with boys knows that is the first warning sign...hysterical giggling...it's
not a good thing.
I ignored it for a few minutes, and then it was followed up by a few bangs.
"What is going on?!!!"  No answer....
Second warning...shady.
Then I heard "Whoooooo"!!!!
The boys sent my youngest one down the shoot!!  Seriously?
Did anyone even research this beforehand?  I'm not kidding-
Did they realize that the slide of theirs, actually goes three floors?
It starts on the 2nd floor hall but has to go past the first floor and then
the basement?
Did anyone look to make sure there weren't any nails sticking out in the
tunnel of fun?
Did they check to see even what they were going to land in at the bottom?
It's not like I have this big fluffy pillow waiting for the jeans.
Boys are insane.
I will have so many stories when this life of mine is coming to an end...
These little guys that one day will be men, will be laughing their butts off,
and probably still be crazy.
Gotta love the "see what happens" attitude of the male gender....
It starts early and continues on....
The "We'll worry when we need to", just like their dads.
Have a good day!
Hugs :)