Learning To Be Content

Philippians 4:11 could be considered my life verse ... of course, I am so thankful I don't have to pick one. But, I love learning to be content in all things. No, that does not always come easy for me and is not always the most fun. But, that is what I want my life to exude ... I have Jesus, what else could I desire. I am content. Lately, as a family, we have all been feeling a little (a lot depending on who you ask) of discontentment as we our juggling vehicles as we purpose ourselves to live within our means. I cannot deny that another car (or two) would make our days easier. Today as I was driving Marshall to class, I was reminded of a week that I had the privilege of driving my sister's family around while she and Jim took a vacation. One of my duties was to take Zach to college. Yes, it was early, yes it was boring waiting on him and yes it was even a little frustrating when I realized on the first day that he had fell asleep in the backseat and let me drive WAY out of the way! But, you know what? I got to be a part of his life that week. I got to see his school. We got to have a few lunches, and of course, shop the Metro Thrift on half price day! So, what does shopping and eating lunch out have to so with being content? Those are precious memories that I will never forget. So, today instead of dreading my trip to the college, I am going to cherish it and thank Jesus that my son needs me. I am thanking Jesus for Marshall, and that he has the opportunity to go to college. And, I am thanking Jesus that Marshall's alternator is lying on the hood of his car!


Kendra

When "Life" Gets In the Way

So ... here I am, almost two years since my last post. I have debated whether or not I should explain my absence or just carry on as if nothing is amiss? For the sake of posterity, (I plan to print our blog for each of our children someday.) I will try. One of the main reasons I began blogging was because traditional scrap booking was becoming just too much for me in this season of life. If you know anything at all about me, you know I am an "all or nothing" kind of girl. So, the scrapbooks were "scraped" (for this time), and so began "Molding Godly Hearts" - our family's new scrapbook. From the time I was pregnant with Marshall, I have always wanted our children to know "their story", unique to them, designed by God. I have journaled and wrote "love notes" to them. I have purposed myself  that they would know our motivation in parenting them. While we fail miserably, much, Troy and I have always known our job is to equip and prepare them for God's unique purpose and calling on their lives.

In April of 2010, life got busy, my computer crashed and probably a hundred other reasons excuses kept me from blogging. For the longest time, I intended just to "go back and catch up"! But, just like laundry, once your blog is out of control it is hard to get caught up. So, (again, with the all or nothing) I did what has worked in the past with the piles of laundry ... I shut the laundry room door and went shopping for new underwear! :o) I put the blog out of my mind and carried on with my molding Godly hearts, just without pictures and documentation. And then came April 2011.

April 1, 2011, our nephew, Zachary Tyler, my sister's handsome, full of life and love son, left this world to be with Jesus, and nothing will ever be the "same" for our family. Obviously, this is now part of our children's story. So, how does this relate specifically to my lack of blogging? Well, my last entry, until today, was a picture of Zach and Mitchell just before Mitchell became the new (and current!) record holder of the "Earliest Entry" into Aunt Tammy & Uncle Jim's pool on Resurrection Sunday! See, that picture is the perfect "picture" of what Zach brought to the party (and our family)! Zach LIVED life and challenged those he was around to do the same. So, for nine months, even though I have desperately needed a place to put my thoughts, I could not bring myself to post. Still doesn't make sense? When I would open the blog, which I do a lot because of my play list, I could not bear to post about something frivolous or happy because then, Zach('s picture) would move down and eventually be out of our minds.

Now, rationally, I know that makes absolutely no sense, but that is just how my brain works. Zach's short 24 years were full! There are more "Zach stories" and memories than any other person I know! They are a combination of smirky faced pranks, daredevil stunts and precious tender moments, all weaved together with his hysterical laughter. Zach will always remain in our lives whether I see his picture everytime I open my blog or not. He is still "with us", and God delights in showing us in concrete ways. 

The morning of Zach's memorial service as we backed out of our driveway (all of us dressed in black and the boys in their "Chuck's" *smiles*), I heard Matthew West's, Save A Place For Me for the first time. I did not know at the time, my sister had picked this song to accompany Zach's "picture story" shown at the church. While the numbness is still subsiding, I have finally decided that I have to "make the most of my time" and for me, that includes telling our story, giving all praise and glory to Jesus!

(Remember to pause the music player at the right before playing this video.)

Guess who was determined to be the first "in" this year?

The new record holder - Mitchell!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

At least someone knows how to color Easter Eggs!

Happy Anniversary
to the best guy!

I love more each day!

Prom Night Bunco

Seriously? Can't we just have a normal Bunco?!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Hafford's!

Tacky Sweater Night at Bunco!

These LES ladies are absolutely nuts!

We are having the best time watching Mitchell play basketball! He LOVES basketball, and we LOVE the Upward Program!

This is what a "Snow Day" looks like in Georgia!

 (& we are not complaining!)

The gift that keeps on giving!

Makenzie has wanted her cartilage pierced for a while now, so we decided it would be a fun Christmas surprise for her. Troy couldn't watch, and she didn't flinch!

Christmas Morning

We are having a wonderful day celebrating!

(and hope you are, too.)

Hafford Family Christmas DVD 2009

Feel free to view our Christmas DVD by clicking the link below.

REMEMBER TO PAUSE MUSIC ON THE MIXPOD PLAYER BEFORE VIEWING.

Untitled from Kendra Hafford on Vimeo.

Christmas Card 
&Letter 

Honestly, Christmas Cards almost did not happen this year. Not because we have stopped loving you or did not want to share what God has been doing in our life, but because Christmas Cards take time! (especially if you have attention issues and obsessive compulsive tendencies!) This year we have really tried to put a high priority on how we spend our time at home.   Little time at home is hard for this family of five who just loves being at home.  Troy and I love being at home which is no surprise based on our constant “projects”. So do each of our children, almost always choosing to have their friends in our home rather than going elsewhere, which is absolutely answered prayer. This has always been our heart’s desire and motivation in making our home!

Of course, we love to do a lot of things that we really just can’t do at home. Mitchell (8) would have a hard time playing basketball and soccer at home. Georgia lawns are definitely not made for playing level field/court sports! Makenzie (14) cannot cheer and tumble at home – our ceilings aren’t high enough, not to mention she would so miss the competition she thrives on.  Marshall (16) absolutely cannot participate in Marching Band Shows and Competitions or even Concert Band at home. He might be able to have Academic Bowl meets at home, but sadly, I am not sure anyone else would ever answer a question.  Troy can’t hike at home, unless he was to wear his backpack to take out the trash!  I can do a lot at home, but eventually I would need more supplies! Of course, Troy and I couldn’t watch our children doing what they love if we stayed home. All of the time spent away from home just makes things like eating together, hanging out with friends, and staying in touch with those we love a top priority when we are home!

Much of our time spent away from home this year was fabulous. We were blessed with a trip to Ft. Myers Beach (thanks Uncle Mike!), a trip to Panama City Beach (thanks Uncle Jim & Aunt Tammy!), two trips to Illinois, a gold panning trip for Troy (and no, he didn’t get to quit his day job!) and a weekend in Savannah. Yet, every trip, regardless of how awesome it was, always ended the same –all of us ready to be home.

Exactly as I know Heaven will be, as incredible as the journey is here on earth—

there is nothing like Home.

Praising Jesus for leaving His home in Heaven for us,

Troy Kendra Marshall Makenzie & Mitchell

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

It 's a Jungle In Here!

Awesome Weekend!

We celebrated Christmas with my family this weekend.
We so loved getting to spend time with each one of them, and are already missing everyone!

This just in ...

The nerdbowlers are going to Regions! Isn't that great?!

CrAZy BusY ...

& loving every minute!

So, this past weekend was insane and I would do it again next weekend if I could! Friday night I hosted our neighborhood Christmas Bunco & Ornament Exchange. I love my Bunco ladies. We laugh, we eat, we laugh, we eat, we laugh ... oh, and we play Bunco! Then, Saturday night same time, same place, same game, different crazy ladies.

Sunday afternoon was the annual Holiday Tour of Homes. I love this day. I love seeing old friends and meeting new friends. I love sharing my home and some Christmas treats with others. I love exchanging decorating ideas. I love sharing my faith and what Christmas means to our family.

And, then, to finish the weekend ... look who showed up in our yard! Silly, I know! I love it, though!

He's Baaacckk!

Buddy, our elf, showed up tonight just as we were getting ready to eat dinner. Buddy is a mischievous little guy, but he always seems to start out on a good note. Tonight he brought us all Christmas pjs -mine are super comfy! Of course, we all know that a good start can only mean lots of trouble in the coming days. And, for some very odd reason, Marshall and Makenzie were not willing to pose in theirs!

(and, we get to start eating the candy

out of our Advent Calendar today!)

Thankful ...

Today I am so thankful to have spent a week with friends and family,

thankful for yummy food and thankful to be home.

Don't think for one minute that we do not know how blessed we are!