to my momma

Momma.

Today is a special day for you. It's the first day I get to celebrate you being my Mom! (Well, last year I was in your belly and I said, "Thank you" once, but you couldn't hear me.) I love being your son! I love the way you give me kisses. And hugs. I love how you make funny noises with me. Sometimes I don't understand them, but I know you're just being silly. I think it's really nice how you laugh when I poo instead of gagging because I think it really does stink. I love how you show me how to help people by taking care of Daddy so well. I really like spending all day with you every day. It was nice of you to stop doing ladys makeup because you wanted to hang out with me. I know you liked doing that. I hear you talk to God about me sometimes too. I like that. Sometimes, Mommy, I hear God talk to me through the way you love me.

Ok, it's time to nap now. Happy Mother's Day!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her." - Proverbs 31:28

LA's new treat and his buddies

Thanks to Great Grandma Turner for vanilla teething biscuits. LA has had 2 and loves them!!

Grant, Aidian and LA - Summer fun!

I am still watching Grant and Aidan 2 or 3 days a week. We go on lots of walks to feed the ducks.

They are great with LA and I am really enjoying 3 kids. I am ready for more!!!

'The Bird' is spoken for...

Well, the saga continues...Adam and Elisha are now engaged! And, we couldn't be more excited! We just found out last night at dinner in Broadripple along with Amos's parents. Look for a wedding band to accompany that ring before the leaves change this autumn. And, that makes two brothers getting married this year in our family. Frankie and Ruby wed July 21. Boy oh boy!



See, I told you we couldn't be more excited!

Welcome Avonlea Layne Miller!

Avonlea Layne Miller was born into our world 2 weeks ago today (Saturday, April 21) to thrilled new parents Ty and Rachel Miller. 6.5 pounds and 19 inches long and, it turns out she's a drama queen already! :)



The short of the long is that Avonlea is set on defying odds and proving modern medical education wrong. It is VERY untypical for any baby to have faced adversities like mecomium passed during labor, a sub-cranial brain hemorrhage, seizing, hypoxia and a medically induced coma for almost a week and be breathing on her own entirely, interacting with the world around her, taking to breastfeeding, mobilizing herself, sustaining a very healthy heartrate and have already gone home to be cared for by Dad and Mom. Praise God for the amazing hearts/minds he's given doctors at Riley, Ty/Rachel and the family and friends thereof.



From the parents:
"The new-born brain changes so dramatically in the first few months of birth that they are not certain as to the long term affects this will have. Right now they are recommending that we bring her back to Riley often for check ups and also that we have occupational and physical therapists come to the house to check on her and help in her development. We truly believe that God has her in His hands and we are hoping and praying that the long term affects will be negligible. Please, if you are looking for a way to pray for us - you can agree with us in this petition, that God would heal her and she would develop well both physically and mentally."



"...Also, if you want to send Avonlea some prayers or words of encouragement, she has an email address: avonleamiller@gmail.com. These messages will be going into her baby book; so when she is a healthy 16year old, she can look back and see how many people prayed and cared for her - and what a miracle she is."

LA discovers Bubble Wrap

LA and The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Crystal sings Itsy Bitsy Spider to LA over Easter weekend at Papa and Nana's new place.

the Haffner's Easter weekend

Our camera bit the dust over Easter weekend, so we're a little late getting this up. Thanks for letting us borrow the shots Patti.



Frank and Patti (LA's Papa and Nana) are now residents of Indianapolis!! Woohoo! We helped them move in to their new place in Brownsburg on Easter weekend. Officially the easiest move we've ever helped with. Movers did the heavy stuff. And, anyone who knows Frank and Patti knows that they pretty much never stop moving until something's done, so a LOT was getting done by the time we got there.





LA found time to play with ducky and Chloe while we got things moved in.



...then he got sleepy so Daddy put him down...



...then Daddy put himself and Chloe to bed for a nap.



Time to wake up and eat

but, not before LA discovers his first Easter eggs

Yummy! Sweet potatos, Nana and Easter eggs. Life is good!

On to the next discovery. Bubble Wrap! Holy crap! This stuff is awesome!

...with Papa.

The Haffners on Easter morning before the first ever Easter service with others from The Well.

While the service was great (food, fellowship, song, scripture storytelling, communion, a short message, teardown), LA found time to take a nap.

...with Grandpa

Most of the kids from The Well here with their mommas.

Jayms loves her little brother Jahger and her buddy LA.

back at the Haffner home, LA decides he likes Grandma and Nana's necklaces.

Sorry, son. Daddy wasn't around to prevent this from happening.

Bubbles!!!!!!!

1095 Magnolia Way

Wifey_

Three years ago today, I was the second most anxious I've ever been in my life...about to marry "Crystal Estanovich." [The first most anxious day was 12/24/03...the day I proposed to you. Nothing tops that sort of excitement and anxiety. I don't think my body produced saliva that entire day! And, my trachea narrowed every passing hour until evening when you said yes and I could breathe again. :) ] And, what an amazing journey it's been!

The vibrancy of our magnolia tree's bloom when we got home from our honeymoon was nothing short of Glorious. How fitting that every year our magnolia blooms over our anniversary. And, yesterday when I took this picture of our just-now-blooming tree, God reminded me that while we've enjoyed a handful of beautiful years together, our union is still very young. Very fresh. Very new. And, very ready to keep being shared with those in our lives.

We were given a story that began in May of 2003 when we met. That story, When 2 Become 1, reached an eternal chapter when we vowed our lives to each other in front of God and many friends and family. While thehaffnerhome blog isn't the platform were we given on that day...this is still an opportunity for me to publically grab your hand again and say, "I do." And, I always will.

I love you!
_the Husband

visiting my aunt and uncle

Landon and I are in Palatine, IL visiting my Uncle Eric and Aunt Debbie while Amos is in St. Pete for a race. We are having a great time! We are excited to head home on Sunday to see Amos, we miss him a lot! We only have 1 more day apart!



Landon is ready to hit the mall. He is doing great. Eating sweet potatoes, pears, and peaches this weekend and sleeping 12 hours in his pack and play. He is real trooper!!!




This is my favorite Aunt Debbie! Landon loves his Aunt Debbie. He does think she is quite silly. She dances around and snaps her fingers and Landon just laughs and laughs!

Daddy and Landon time

Amos was in Miami last week for the race and will be
in St. Pete this week. Landon loves his Daddy time!
Be sure to check out his legs in this pics. He is pushing 19 pounds as of yesterday.

Landon's and I have been strolling these days!

LA is about to have his first tooth!

Yes, he is still smiling and happy while cutting teeth. The evenings seem to bother him a little more, but orajel and cuddling seems to do the job! It has been about six days and still no teeth. His bottom gums are extra white. We know they are coming soon!!

Landon's play date with the Keller girls

Crystal took Landon to the Kellers for a play date with Lauren and Jillian on Wednesday earlier this week. Enjoy the pics below and check out the post on the Keller Family Four blog as well. Have a look at the bottom picture here. Landon is really living up to his middle name! :)