This weekend Haley went to Edmond with Dee to visit Sue and her family. The story has a happy ending ... but the beginning didn't start off so smoothly.
Dee called Travis earlier in the week and asked if Haley could take a trip with her to Edmond. She was out of school on Friday for an unused snow day, so it would be a long weekend. Travis told her we were fine with it, and let her know we would talk to Haley about it. When we first ran the idea by Haley, she immediately turned it down. She knows Travis's mom and has hung out with her several times already and has even spent time with Sue when we went to spend the weekend at her house. She didn't think she wanted to go this weekend, though.
We asked her to think about it and told her all about the fun they would have, including learning how to make Sue's infamous cinnamon rolls. We asked her not to make a decision right away. Sue called me and asked me for Haley's number later in the week and began texting her about the plans for the weekend and everything they wanted to do. She said the girls would be there and Haley would fit right in.
On Friday morning, Haley still didn't think she wanted to go.
"Do you have your bag packed, Haley?"
"No, what for?"
"My mom just left Muskogee and will be here in about 30 minutes."
"I thought I had a say in this!"
"Well, you did, and we listened to you, but we really think this is a great opportunity that you're missing out on and something that you really need to try. It's something you'd regret down the road if you didn't give it a shot. So many fun plans have been made for you."
I remember my parents having me do things because they were the right thing for me, so I hoped that while Haley was a little frustrated at first, that she would come around in the end and really have a good time.
And it turns out that she did!! Dee let her plug her iPhone into the car on the drive to Edmond so she could share her music with her {including songs that are special to her because her dad picked them out for her}. Each time we texted to check on her, she was having a great time, laughing, playing with the boys, holding Bella, and baking. Sue and Ashley both sent me pictures of her hanging out with everyone and she seemed to be coming out of her shell more and more each time.
They spent a full day shopping {and even got home late tonight because of a last minute shopping trip to Target by our house}.
I sent a text to Sue while Dee and Haley were on their way home thanking her for hosting them this weekend and for being so warm and accepting of Haley. Sue's response was so sweet, "She is a love and a member of our family now. I even added her to the birthday list this morning ... She smiled her beautiful smile. I think she was pleased."
When Haley walked in the door, she couldn't stop talking. I thought Dee must have given her Mt. Dew directly to her bloodstream she was so hyper and giddy! She told us Ashley had taught her how to open the door with her feet {but she didn't think it would be appropriate to do coming back in the house for the first time all weekend}. She, Dee, and Sue had a fun girls' day shopping {so she showed us all her new gifts}; she'd gotten to meet Tabitha and the boys; she loved Ashley & Bella; and just couldn't quit talking about what a fun trip she had. She also came bearing treats - Aunt Sue's cinnamon rolls that Travis loves.
Travis and I couldn't have been happier to hear that she had opened up, let down her guard a little bit, and had a great time with the family. And she even said she would want to go back!!
I know our families are great, but I've been impressed with the way everyone embraces Haley as if she has always been part of the family. Thanks for helping make this transition a little easier. We love you.
It was a good weekend for Travis and me as well. We were able to get some rest and unwind just a little bit. It's been just a little over three weeks since Travis was released from the hospital, but he's still not doing a whole lot better. His pain is more controlled, but it's still a waiting game of when the medicine will kick in and really start pushing this disease to remission.
We visited with Haley and Dee a little bit, but then we had to hop in the car to meet the Loves. Haley came with us so she could babysit Levi and Asher while we were on our date night out at Los Cabos. She was already in love with the boys, but after Asher told her she's pretty, she can't wait to babysit them again.
All in all it was a great weekend for our little family.
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