Love Life, Embrace Risks, and Live for Eternity

Fun Pictures

Jon and Hayley Hauger at the Lions verses Steelers Game.

  

A sign that is hanging on my office door. Don't you love it!? :)

 

Drinking some coffee after a delicious dinner on vacation. The view was perfect!
 

Goodbye Terrible Twos & Hello Theatrical Threes

                                

                                

                               

Today, we celebrated Lynnsey's 3 Year Old Birthday. No more terrible twos. Woo hoo! We had around 30 family members and friends gather together to cheer her on as she entered her Theatrical Threes.

A Highlight with my Favorite Two and a Half Year Old

Lynnsey, my two and half year old niece, and I have bonded a great deal lately. I love her personality at such a young age and I enjoy spending as much time as I can with her.

Here is one of my favorite highlights that took place over the past week.

My brother decided to have us all over for a bbq. My dearest sister-in-law thought it would be a great idea for me to give Lynnsey a bath. I personally just think Hayley wanted a break. She is a smart woman.  :)

After I gave my niece the most entertaining bath ever, I lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a tightly in a towel. I then proceeded to drain the bath tub. I looked over to see what she was doing and my mischievous niece was nowhere to be found. Her towel was laying on the ground so I decided to call out for her. I had no response.  I ran to the front door and it was an unbelievable sight. I saw her running around the front yard butt naked laughing really hard. She thought it was hilarious. I of course chased after her and tackled her to the ground with the towel.

The neighbors, my family, and friends all thought it was hilarious. I am just praying that she grows out of the "I love being naked stage".

Haugerland

Uncontrollable! That is exactly how I would describe my life right now. Especially during the months of May and June. More and more work has been added to my plate. 

My day camps, gymnastics classes, and t-ball league with 400 kids start on Monday. My Men's Adult Basektball playoffs is this weekend and the next season starts back up again soon. Soon, my 3 year old soccer league will also start back up again. All of the programs are growing in number of participants. I am stretched to the max! 

During the chaotic season, I try to keep my family a high priority in my life. They keep reminding me to do so. Here is what has been taking place this past week in Haugerland.

                                        

My 7 year old cousin passed away two weeks ago. It was a rough one but we know that Ethan is partying with Jesus right now.

                                       

In January, my grandma was put in in an at home hospice care while living at my mom's house. Last weekend, we celebrated her 93rd birthday. Wow!

                                      

Jacob and Lynnsey took me to the Detroit Zoo this past week. We had way too much fun! Now, Jacob has a sad face in this picture. Don't worry. It's fake!

                                      

I lived with nine other women in college. It was a blast! Two weekends ago, one of the room-mates came into town with her husband and 18 month old baby girl. It was my first time meeing baby Gracie and she was so stinkin adorable!

The Terrible Twos

                          

My sweet innocent neice is in the midst of the terrible two's stage. The word "no" comes frequently out of her mouth. Lynnsey's mood changes a lot. At times, you can even find her running around stark naked because she refuses to put on her pajamas after a bath. Deep down inside we realize that she is just trying to express herself. We are realizing that we just need to offer her limited choices and try our best not to laugh at her moody behavior in front of her.

Gotta love the terrible twos!

Stealing and Flashing in Church

On Christmas Eve, I realized why most churches do not want kids in their gatherings. It has taken me years to figure this one out. Seeing that the gathering was kid friendly that day, we decided to let my two year old sweet and innocent neice sit with us instead of going to the nursery.

It was all good until....

Lynnsey decided to reach into the offering container and pull money out instead of putting money into the offering. Smoothe, eh?

Lynnsey decided to dance in the aisle way to "Joy to the World" while lifting up her dress and flashing hundreds upon hundreds in church. All eyes were on her including the video cameras. The pastor even said on stage, "I love this season. You have little girls dancing in church flashing everyone...."

Hah! Where on earth did my neice get this from? She must of got it from my sister-in-law's side of the family.

She's Got the Look

                                  

My two year old neice decided to pull off a Richard Simmons/Fairy Princess look on Thanksgiving. Where on earth did she get this from?

A Proud Daughter

Several times, my brother Jon has made it in the newspaper and on the news representing the Southfield Fire Department in some type of capacity over the past few years. He is all about saving lives.

I am one proud sister!

A few days ago, an editor did a large half page write up of my mother and her mission. She is all about helping Senior Citizens out.

I am such a proud daughter!

One Big House Party in Southfield!

My sister-in-law and brother gave me the incredible opportunity of watching my two year old neice and five year old nephew for forty-eight hours straight while they went away for a few days. How nice of them, eh? It was exhausting but it was one big party.

Here are the highlights:

• Jacob decided to hop in the bathtub with his blue jeans on and was upset that I made him take them off
• Jacob didn't give me a hug or a kiss or even a good bye when I dropped him off at Rogers School. My heart broke. However, he gave me a huge bear hug when I picked him up.
• I decided to bust out singing one of the nights. They both plugged their ears and told me to hush up. What on earth were they thinking?
• Lindsay decided to run around the house naked several times while laughing histarically. Hopefully, she will grow out of that stage soon. Real soon!
• Jacob decided to wake me up one morning by playing the drums. Not fun!
• While I was making the kids the best pancakes ever Jacob said, "Uncle Marty said that you can't cook." How rude!

 

 

 

Overall, I enjoyed spending time with the sweet innocent ones. They are too adorable!

Vacation Recap

Vacations are the best! After spending a week up north, I have decided that all those that work an average of at least 60 hours a week should have a week vacation every other month. Seriously, that would be great!

My vacation up north consisted of lots of sleep, several games of tackle baseball, laying out in the sun, running 2 miles and walking 2 miles a day, shooting a 9 millimeter for my first time, fishing, a game every morning with my nephew of who can sleep in the farthest and winner gets 2 smores, camp fires and some great bonding time with the family.

The camp fires were filled with discussions on life, memories, dreams, why I am not married yet, spirituality, salvation, demon possession, and even everyone's thoughts on organized religion. We had many laughs that brought a few tears to my eyes. I gotta love my family!

Jacob (my five year old nephew)

My uncle's cabin where we stayed at.

Lyndsey (my two year old neice)

My baby brother Jon who is actually older than me.

Someone took a picture of my backside. Ummm....why?

Dad, Jacob, and Jon

Hayley (sister in law) and Lyndsey

Me shooting a handgun for my first time. A Little scarey, isn't it?

My brother Marty and Jacob

Bonding Time with My Favorite Nephew

Yesterday, I had the chance to bond with my favorite nephew. O.k., o.k.! Jacob is my only nephew! Anyways, we spent the day at the water park and then we somehow ended up at Dairy Queen. Ice cream was calling his name loud and clear.  

The conversations we had while hanging out were truly unforgettable. He asked me "Auntie, do you love your brothers? You know....they are kind of goofy!" I busted out laughing. Then, I spent some time trying to talk him into believing that grandma changed her dog's name from Inky to Stinky. It was hilarious. He believed me for about 2.5 seconds and then realized g-ma would never do something like that.

                                       

This picture was taken after I explained to him that we had to leave the water park to go home. As you can tell, Jacob was not a happy camper. :(

                                       

But the ice cream put a smile back on his precious face. Woo hoo!

An Everyday Ritual

I have the privilege and honor of seeing my sister-in-law and the kids several times a week seeing that she works at the same location I do. I love it!

My twenty one year old niece and I have an everyday ritual. Lindsay comes to my office and stands in front of me with a big smile on her face. She then opens her pockets and points to the area where I store the goodies. I of course then grab a few smarties and throw them in her pocket.

This sweet girl always walks out of my office with an even bigger smile and giggles all the way back to the child care room. Gotta love being an aunt! 

Family, Dinner, Presents and Much Laughter!

For 29 years of my life, I have spent every Christmas Eve with my family or I should say with most of my family. Last night, we all gathered at my brother Jon's house for some dinner, presents, and much laughter!

Here are my two beautiful neices!

Here I am tearing it up on a game that is just like Dance Dance Revolution! This game is a great way to burn some major calories!

My brother, sister-in-law, and Jacob (nephew)

Every year, Jacob leaves cookies and milk for Santa. He wrote Santa a note telling him that he was a really really good boy this past year! It was hilarious!

My brother Jon is a Southfield Fire Fighter. My brother Marty serves on the Police Force in Detroit. There is constant competition that goes between cops and fire fighters whether if it is on the softball fields, in the stories they tell, or even with jokes about each other's field of work. In order to rub it in Marty's face a tad bit more, Jon got me a t-shirt that says, "If You Can't Take the Heat Become a Cop". Marty's reaction was unforgettable! Jon and I were so close to getting tackled to the ground!

Can't you just feel the love in my family?

Why I am Not a Nurse!

My ninety-one year old grandma who has Alzheimer's moved in with my mother a few months ago because she needed some extra care. Yesterday, my mother called me in a frantic and asked me to help her out with g-ma. My mom needed me to run over to her house, make her dinner, give her the evening pills, check her blood sugar and give her an insulin shot. Easy, right? Well, check out what happened.

I had to prick my g-ma three times in the finger because I forgot how to use the blood sugar machine. I am surprised my g-ma didn't sock me in the face. After that, I was anxiously ready to do the insulin. As I was trying to fill up the syringe, I accidental inserted the syringe into my finger. I gave myself a shot and it hurt! Not good! I had to throw that needle in the bin because it was used. While I was laughing at myself, I took a new syringe and filled it up with the insulin. I then realized that I forgot to roll the insulin bottle before I filled the syringe up which is imperative. So, I had to dispose the insulin liquid back in the bottle. I took the bottle and started to roll it in my hands. Somehow, I dropped the bottle of insulin on the ground and at that point I busted out laughing even harder. Yes, I am one graceful woman. At that time, I figured that the insulin was pretty much shaken up seeing that it hit the ground and rolled around so I re-filled the syringe. G-ma received her shot but it took me fifteen minutes. That is decent time, right?

And, that is the very reason why I did not go into nursing!   

Teaching Manners & Etiquette

Lately, I have been teaching both of my neices proper manners and etiquette. I believe that it is good to start them off at a young age. On top of that, I strongly believe that I am the perfect role model for manners and etiquette. Just check out the results so far! Aren't you proud of them?

Happy Birthday Brother!

Today, a few of us gathered to celebrate my brother Jon's 31st birthday. There are a few things about my brother that I am thankful for.

• He is a great husband to Hayley and a great father to three kids
• He is Southfield Fire Fighter that truly loves his career
• He is a people person big time. 
• He knows how to make me laugh to where tears pour down my face
• He is a very protective brother especially when it comes to men asking me out. I could definitely give you a few stories on this one
• He will never grow out of embarrassing me in public. Lord, help me!

5 Hours with Marty

On Monday, I spent 5 hours in the car with my oldest brother Marty and it was a trip. Now, he is completely opposite from me but I adore him. He hates fruit. I love fruit. He is shy. I am not. He looks intimidating and I don't. He loves to listen to heavy metal and I don't. He works as an officer in the inner city of Detroit. I work in the wealthy city of Birmingham. He is decorated with many tattoos and I am just plane Jane. We are opposite.

I quickly reminded Marty on how traveling with me can be quite amusing. We had many laughs on the road!

During the trip, Marty was driving my car and he ended up getting pulled over going 95 mph. On top of speeding, I was not wearing my seat belt. The deputy sheriff approached my window with much intimidation and I thought for sure my brother was going to be slapped with a ticket. My brother informed the sheriff that he was armed and that he works for a police department back at home. The sheriff asked for his badge and looked it up in the system. The sheriff then came back, smiled, and told us to have a good trip. No ticket. No points. I couldn't believe it. I came face to face with the power of a badge.

Gotta love my brother!

Meet Mattison Grace

I want to introduce you to my sweet innocent niece, Mattison Grace. She just recently turned 9 years old. This girl surely knows how to greet her aunt. Every time I see her she screams my name with much excitement which grabs everyones attention. Mattison then comes running at me with her arms spread wide open. At that point I take my stand ready to embrace her. There have been times where we have both fallen because my feet were not planted firmly on the ground. However, Mattison will still hold onto to me as we tumble to the ground. It is quite funny!

I hope and I pray that she never grows out of giving me that kind of welcome. It is the best.

My Saturdays

On Saturdays, part of my job is to drive from t-ball field to t-ball field networking with hundreds of parents, families, and coaches that are out cheering for their little ones. So Saturdays are a day were I just socialize with people. I spend very little time in my office. What a rough day! :)

Watching 425 4-5 year old and 6-7 year olds play t-ball is absolutely hilarious. I enjoy watching the coaches teach the kids the skills and the game of t-ball. I enjoy watching the kids draw a picture in the gravel right in the middle of the game. I enjoy watching the kids fight over who is going to ground the next ball. I enjoy watching a 4 year old hit the ball off the tee and run after the ball instead of 1st base. I enjoy watching two 4 year old boys hug out in the field in the middle of the game. I enjoy hearing their father's scream with much embarrassment, "Boys! Boys don't hug. Get in the game!" Above all, I enjoy seeing my 4 year nephew playing 2nd base with his glove on top of his head. What on earth was he thinking?

Oh, how I love my job!

The Firefighters Prayer

Over the past couple of years I have come to have a deep respect for firefighters. This quickly took place soon after 9-11 and when my brother joined the Southfield Fire Department. Whenever tragedy strikes, I hear the stories and I see how it can take an impact on the victims, the firefighters, and the community.

These men are men that save, protect, and fight. I thank God for the dangerous call that they have on their lives. I pray that God continues to watch over my brother along with the thousands of fire fighters throughout the country. Whenever I hear the screaming sirens pass by, I pray that God protects!

The Firefighters Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,

whenever flames may rage.

Give me strength to save a life

whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child

before its too late

Or save an older person from

the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

to hear the weakest shout

And quickly and efficiently

to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and

to give the best in me.

To guard my every neighbor

and protect their property.

And if according to Your will

I have to lose my life,

Please bless with your protecting hand

my children and my wife.

Thank You Mom!

Today, was a day to celebrate my mother. I enjoyed sitting next to her in church and listening to a beautiful sermon about mothers. After church, the plan was to meet up with my mom, brother, sister-in-law, and her family at the Detroit Zoo but I had a major distraction. Not good! I was disappointed and even shed a few tears. The good news is that we met up later that day. My gift to my mother was taking her shoe shopping and hitting Rays Ice Cream. Nothing beats that!

I truly thank God for my mother. She helped provide a roof over my head when I was young. She tucked me in bed many many times growing up. She raised me with two older brothers. Now, that shows that my mother is one strong woman. I thank my mother for sending me to a private school 1st-12th grade. I thank her for instilling Christian values in me by sending me to the private school and raising me up in church. I thank her for being so kind and compassionate towards me over the past couple of years. I thank for her for believing in me when nobody else would. I thank her for her advice and words of wisdom when I was in desperate need. The list could go on and on!

Mom, thank you! I appreciate you!

I Love R & R!

Rest and relaxation is extremely critical in order for one to be healthy. I am becoming more and more aware of that as the years have quickly gone by. There have been times where I have faced the consequences when it comes to the lack R & R and I must say that it was not fun.

I am currently in a season of life that is stretching me to the max when it comes to time management. I have never been this busy before. I am working a full time job, serving on staff at The Oaks Church, taking ministry classes, and completing a ministry internship. Longs days with little sleep and lots of coffee! Lets just say that I am learning a great deal on what it means to be task oriented!

At one point today, I decided to sit back and kick up my feet. I realized that I needed to just care of myself seeing that I have been deprived when it comes to R & R. Lately, I have been neglecting myself which is not good. I believe that God wants me to kick back, laugh, and enjoy life.

I had a chance to hang out with my two beautiful nieces and my handsome (he refuses to be called cute) nephew. I enjoyed playing with floam with them. I enjoyed running around with them. I enjoyed cuddling with them. I enjoyed laughing with them. The day was well worth it!

I love R & R!

Children & Wet Cement

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."                       Dr. Haim

                                                             

I love baking with kids. They are so much fun! The other day my 3 1/2 year old nephew, Jacob, was eager to help me make a cake from scratch. I figured I could use the bonding time and entertainment so why not.

While we were making the cake, my brother walked by with a smirk on his face. I will say it over and over again. It is not a good thing when my brother has a smirk on his face. That means that he is up to something. He was getting ready to make a sarcastic comment.

He said, "Jacob, your aunt is...she is....." Jacob jumped right in and said, "sweet?"

I laughed so hard. It was the cutest thing ever. My brother begged to differ but I thought Jacob was right on target.

It looks as if I made a great impression on my nephew. I was so proud of him!

A Public Spectacle

I woke up this morning and I immediately looked out the window . I wanted to see if God granted me with a miracle of blessing me warm weather. Well, it obviously did not happen. I do have to admit that I had high hopes.

As I looked at the snow, I sat back and reflected on a fun memory from my late teenage years. I remembered a time when my dad, my brother, and I went  shopping for a live Christmas tree. Shopping with my brother can be an experience. He always finds a way to make a public spectacle and sadly I always end up being involved.

The place we went to was packed with people looking for the flawless tree. All of the sudden, my brother had a big smirk on his face which meant that he was brewing something up. Right then and there I should of ran far far away from him. I soon found myself laying on the ground that was frozen solid with plenty of snow. My brother then dragged me by my feet with my face and body scraping against the ice and snow. He was dragging me towards my dad who was standing about 100 feet away. While I was screaming with a bit of laughter my brother shouted out, "Dad, I found one! I found a tree!" People quickly gathered around to watch and laugh. To make things worse, my dad pretended that he didn't know us. Needless to say, I was frozen by the end of that trip. Over and over again I had to remind myself that I love my brother.

I always wonder if other women who grew up with brothers had it as bad as I did.

Look Out for Hauger Girls

Hayley Hauger, my sister-in-law, is extremely fortunate. She is now working with me at the YMCA in the back office. That means more bonding time! She has got to be excited. I always knew that she wanted to hang out with me but I did not know that she would go to this extent. Gotta love her.

Hayley is quickly learning that I am the "not so quiet one" in the office and that I love to get people laughing. I give her two weeks and I know that she will just join right on in with me. Look out!