Hailey Leslie

Good morning everyone. I wanted to update you all on baby Hailey. Amy called last night and said she will be in surgery this AM to remove the bullet fragments and infection from her scull. Apparently when she called yesterday a surgeon had made a comment and the family pretty much panik. There is so much undecided right now w/ a head injury and a child this small. The main thing right now is she is stable and reacting to voices. Amy said her grandmother came and said 'this is your grandmother Hailey, squeeze my hand' and she did. That is a VERY good sign. They aren't doing an EEG b/c she is showing plenty signs of brain activity. She has definitely lost her right eye and will have to have reconstructive surgery on her nose and cheek. Right now she is in surgery and we all need to pray. She is already touching lives and people are praying for her around the globe. My mommy's groups is from all over the world and those wonderful women are praying. Last night Emma wanted me to sing her 'just one more song' and that was absolutely fine w/ me. Hailey is showing how strong she is and the whole family is hanging in there the best they can for her and each other. Again her mom is pg and due in 3-4 weeks. So of course special prayers go out to her and her unborn baby during this time. Please everyone keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. God is awesome and she is still with us. That shows that she has a purpose here on earth. We trust in Him during this time and pray for strength. Thank you everyone for keeping in touch and caring and praying. Keep it up!!! I will be back to update on how the surgery went as soon as I know.

Pray for Hailey

I got a email yesterday from my MIL, Deb saying a friend of ours niece was shot in the head accidentally over the weekend. Her name is Hailey and she is only 2 years old. Apparently her uncle was checking his gun in his truck when it went off. Hailey was running by the truck at the time. Her uncle thought it wasn't loaded and it was a new gun. I got a call this morning from my friend Amy that would be her aunt or cousin (not sure which) by marriage, asking me to pray and send the word out and she was crying. She said Hailey took a turn and we needed to pray. She is at the Children's Hospital here in B'ham w/ a head injury. Please everyone pray for sweet baby Hailey, her docs/nurses and her family. Also, Hailey's mom is due w/ another baby in 3-4 weeks. So please pray for that baby and her health during this time. We don't know why God does what He does or allows certain things to happen. It is during these times we go on faith. We all know HE has a plan for all of our lives. But as parent's, we dont' always understand. Please lift her up and rally around Hailey and her family. I will keep you all updated on that sweet angel.

My Inspiration

I have been working since September to get this weight off and I am now down to 120 thankfully. Before I got pg w/ Emma I was on the depo shot, while teaching/taking aerobics and eating like a bird. Yet I gained like 30# and could not until now, get it off. I haven't exercised much b/c through cheering I just got burned out. (i know some of you know what i mean) But now that Matt is SO AWESOME and works out religiously he is inspiring me to do the same. This summer at the beach I could tell he was proud of the way he looked. And he is freaking huge!!! I'm telling you, he went from big to taking Hydroxycut and BAM - HUGE!!!! Sure, there will always be someone sexier, hotter, bigger, cuter/prettier than all of us. But man, my husband is DANG HOT!!!!! So I need to get a move on and catch up to him. Last night I took Tricia's advice and got a work out video and some hand weights. MAtt was at the gym so I had Emma while trying to do it and it didn't work out too well. I had to cut it short, but that's ok. I am a tad sore today and am on the road to a healthy/hot me. Thank you Matt for encouraging me and inspiring me and for being so stinking HOT!!!!! :) WE are both eating pretty healthy (most of the time) also and that will show Emma how to live also. I tried to jump on her new trampoline for exercise but that didn't work too well. After having such a hard labor, can't really do that. Anyway, just wanted to keep everyone updated.
We have Awards Day tomorrow. Can't wait to beam w/ pride for our sweet girl.
Mason had an awards day this week w/ recognition for being on Beta Club and all A's I think. Such a great guy!!! And Abby has another pagent in February. Beautiful thing!!!

Thank you Lord for our happy, healthy family. WE owe all the glory to You.

Our big girl!!!

I guess I don't have a baby anymore. I don't even think she is a 'Toddler' most days. Last night Emma helped me SO much w/o me even asking. I was unloading the dishwasher and she said 'Mommy, can I help?' I said 'of course' and started showing her where things went. She put the tupperware up, pots and pans, (although she grunted and said they were heavy), and put her forks, spoons, and med droppers in their right containers in their drawer.
Then she proceeded to count out all of the fish sticks to put on the tray to cook. After that she poured the noodles in the water for mac & cheese. When those were done she mixed in the cheese. Then she wanted to fix mine and daddy's plates. So I set out all the stuff and she spooned it all out onto our plates. I was so proud and she got her choice of a few stickers for reward.
She was getting ready for her bath later and I went in there to help her get undress and potty to find she had already pottied, wiped, taken off her pants and panties and was working on her shirt. I had to stop myself from helping her and just watched in amazement how big she has become. Then I heard her a few times in the bath talking to her Dora characters. She is the smartest and cutest thing ever!!! I am so proud but must admit I miss my baby. (then again she will always be my baby!!! Just like I still crawl in my mom's lap when I'm sick or hurt. I hope she comes to me like that forever.)

Emma's First Award

I called yesterday to talk to Emma's teacher, Miss Theresea (yes I'm the mom that calls like 10x a day) and she told me Emma won an award. It is the Good Citizenship Award that is given out to 1 outstanding student per 6 weeks at GCA. It means she has been helpful w/ her fellow classmates, done what she was told by Miss Theresa, just been an overall good girl at 4K. Matt and I are so proud of her and wanted to share this accomplishment with you all. There will be a ceremony during Honors Chapel this Friday at 8:30 that me and Matt will attend and take pics. I will upload them ASAP. We are so proud of her and wanted to share!!! (guess the paint stirrer spankings have worked - LOL)

Awesome weekend

Hi everyone. We are back from the weekend and it was such a good one. The washing machine part came in Friday night and you should have seen us. All 3 of us were standing on the front porch waiting for the UPS guy with baited breath. Matt and Papa fixed it first thing Sat. morning and it was done and in by lunch. They amaze me. Between the 2 of them, they can do anything. In the old house Matt fixed faucets and put up lights, ceiling fans, they both built the Bible for Emma's parade, put up crown modeling, etc. Some men have to pay people to do those things, not my men!!! I am so lucky to have them and they continue to amaze me. We spent the night w/ Deb and Glenn and hung out w/ McCain and Ella and Amber. She is getting so big. I will have to download some pics and post them soon. She is 19 months old and is as beautiful and funny as ever. And she loves me and I love it so much. She walks to me w/ her arms out for me to love her and pick her up. It is so awesome and warms my heart.

Sunday we went to church and Deb came with us. Rodney was awesome as always and the music really gets us pumped up. Then saw Logan b/c Emma was having a fit. Then off to Mason's party where my sis and Matt have painted the kitchen and decorated w/ antique plates which look awesome. And we got to see all of my family and the people I love the most. Sheila and Angela are still on their cruise. But other than that, I am so thankful for the day. We got to spend it w/ our families and enjoy them and had such an awesome time. I thanked God last night in my prayers for such a wonderful, weekend filled w/ our friends and family we love so much. We are so lucky to all be so healthy and happy right now. I thank God for them.

Now we are all back at school and work and back to normalcy. Matt P is supposed to be working on my house some more today. Motivates us to want to do more w/ it.

xoxo- kat

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!!! 2009 will be a fantastic one for the Drinkard's I hope. We didn't do much but after last year, that's a good thing. We got Alisa and Emma and got fireworks and Taco Bell. (those who know me know that's my fav) At first Emma wasn't so sure and the sparklers kind of scared Matt and I. She did love the poppy things you throw on the ground. And Alisa and I had fun throwing them at mom's window when she was asleep. I know, so mean right? Dad helped Emma hold Roman Candles and I helped alisa. It is scary w/ kids and fireworks though. Emma stayed up too late but that is to be expected. We watched TV, hung out, played cards and just enjoyed bringing in the New YEar w/ our wonderful family.

New Years Day we cleaned and did laundry and visited Deb, Glenn and Michelle. Had wonderful food at my mom's and his. So it was a great start to a great year. I hope everyone reading had a wonderful one w/ their family also.

I woke this morning w/ a reminder of how lucky I am to have such a wonderful, beautiful, healthy, smart, funny family. They really are my blessing and I hope I can be the wife and mom they deserve. I do have a wonderful husband that respects and loves and listens to me adn loves being a dad and husband. I am very lucky!!!!

Now we are back at work and having to get back into the swing of things. I am sure everyone is doing the same. School starts back for Emma on Monday so we will be putting the house back together and getting all of her stuff ready for that. Fingers crossed the washing machine part comes in today so Matt and Papa can fix it this weekend. I am thankful though to have MeMaw next door to help w/ the laundry while it's out. Love to u all -