Esther vs. The Farm Animals

Esther got some farm animals for Christmas this year. She wasn't quite sure what to make of them . . .

ONE Month Old

Isn't she an angel?

Climb every mountain . . .

Look at that singer! (Or is it a yawn?)
They caught me on film!

Today Esther turned ONE month old. The girls decided Esther needed to put on her "Cinderella" dress and do a "photo shoot." We think she looks pretty cute, don't you?

Let's hear it for 30 days!

A Common Site

Esther is a popular girl at our house. You will commonly see all three kids gathered around her. Each one is waiting for their turn to feed her, hold her, or just (as they say in the South), "love on her." I love it!

"E" News

To keep everyone updated, we are going to give our latest "E" News as it comes . . .

Yesterday the judge had a tough time making a decision about E and her family. Judges in MS get 21 days to make a decision about the progress of a child. Our judge decided he wanted those 21 days in order to speak with some attorneys and other individuals. This is a good thing as the judge was thinking about all of the other children, not just E.

For us, this means more prayers for the judge. Please pray that he will be guided in making a wise decision. Also please pray for E's mother. When the social worker visited the home yesterday, the children had no Christmas, lived in squalor, and the Mom was not even present. It just hurts our hearts for all of them, not just E. Pray for her that she will be guided in her decisions, that she will get healthy, and make good choices for all of God's children to whom she is responsible. We want the best for her too.

In the meantime, we will enjoy the clothes (thanks Bente and Mom!) and the wonderful well wishes of friends and family. We will continue to pray (Shae said everyone needs to pray, really, really hard!) and know that we are part of a bigger plan.

This is her 3 week photo. I think she looks bigger already! Doctor's appointment tomorrow. We'll have more vital statistics soon.

Bell Ringers

Twas a few days before Christmas
and we thought it would be swell
to go down to the Kroger
and ring the Salvation Army Bell


So we dressed very warm
(it was less than 30 degrees)
and rang the bell
as loud as we pleased

Bryton, Shae, and Mom
took the first shift
while Emoree, Dad, and Essie
prepared to take over and give us a lift



We sang Christmas songs, we
collected lots of money
we had a great time even though it wasn't sunny

As we sat and talked about it last night
we were happy to think of others
as that made us feel right

To help out our Savior
in this one tiny way
we felt we made an impact
on the world today

So next year we will again ring that red bell
to help out another and feel very well.

NOTE: Shae only lasted about 20 minutes due to the cold weather. But she really toughed it out. Essie of course, did not stand outside with us, but lended moral support in only the way Essie can do it!

The Best Christmas Gift EVER . . .

As many of you know we have been foster parents for quite some time in MS. Things were moving slowly as we kept getting offered 3 or 4 sibilings at a time (which we cannot take according to MS law). Eric and I just knew there was someone out there for our family. Three just wasn't the end...on Tuesday, we got a call that there was a two week old baby for us in Tupelo.

I went down on Wednesday evening and spent the night with the baby in the hospital (MS procedure). We hung out, watched some TV, sang primary songs, and had a wonderful night. Then I brought her home to meet the crew.

The crew is so in love with her it is crazy! Bryton said the other evening that he doesn't need any Christmas presents as he had already received the best gift he could get. He also started crying the other evening as he was holding her saying, "I just love her so much."

On Monday, the judge will meet with the mother. We would ask for your thoughts and prayers for both the judge and the mother. We are so greatful for our time with . . . ESTHER (middle name forthcoming). Right now we are discussing middle names. If you have one, feel free to suggest. In the meantime, she is just Esther (really "Essie," "S," "Button," and "little E") with one name -- like Cher.

She was a premie baby, but is now up to 6.4 pounds (like her cousin I hear)! She has lots of black hair, is about 18.5 inches long, very alert, and a huge blessing.

Thank you all for your love and support of us during this time. We will keep you posted on all that goes on. After all, we couldn't let Brenda, Jodie, and Melissa have all the fun.

Merry Christmas everyone. Although, we have the best gift of all at our house!

A Night in Bethlehem. . .

A few friends of ours from a local church invited us to their Night in Bethlehem event. It was amazing. The church had fully transformed an Armory into Bethlehem. There were Roman soldiers standing at the gates of the city (you had to wait until your family was called to the Census), as well as tax collectors and beggars in the street (cement covered with hay).



The "walls" were painted to look like Bethlehem and there were stations where the children could spend their sheckles (colored rocks) and make things (rope, myrrh, decorative boxes, bread, etc.). Note: The entire event was free.


(Emoree making bread)


(Bryton makes a rope)


(Shae paying her sheckels)

As the children went around to each of these "stations" the workers told them about the baby that had been born in their city. They asked the children if they had seen the baby. They asked the children if they had heard things from the shepherds about the baby that had been born.

As we got to the end of the "street" we saw the small stable where Mary and Joseph and their (real) baby were sitting by a manger. Although their baby was asleep, I must admit I was choked up for a moment. It dawned on both Eric and I that the birth of the Savior didn't happen in the quiet of the evening. It happened in the hustle and bustle of a city. With people talking and whispering about it all the while.

Imagine how tired Mary and Joseph must have been after their emotional trek. How wonderful both of them were, to let strangers see their baby and visit with the newborn king.

This was our family night event, so at the end, Eric and I bore our testimonies of the Savior. Spontaneously, two of the kids bore their sweet testimonies. It was amazing to hear and to feel the sweetness of the Spirit.


It made me think, this is what Christmas is truly all about.

Singing with the Seniors

Our ward primary went singing at a local nursing home last week. Eric was the Primary Chorister and did an amazing job! Of course the kids all sang beautfully too!

Emoree's Band Concert

We went to Emoree's Band Concert last night. It was lovingly called, Christmas on the Hill. We were packed like sardines in her school gymnasium (it reminded me of the old Tabernacle on Temple Square. Did any of you ever do that?). When things got going we had a great time.

Emoree plays the bassoon in her band and did an awesome job. She also performed in the Christmas Wrap Rap (yep, Emoree rapped). It was a classic!

Now a game for you. Think back to the days of Where's Waldo? Can you find Emoree in the band picture below? (FYI - this is only half the band so I am making it easy on you).

I've also included a video clip so you can hear the band in action (please forgive the horrible video skills). Enjoy!



That's our bassoonist! Isn't she beautiful?

The Twins

I bought the girls the same t-shirt for Christmas. One morning before school, they decided they wanted to dress the same. So from head to toe (shirts, pants, socks, even down to both wearing a watch) they matched. I am not sure if this will ever happen again so I am posting this for posterity. I love my little twins!!

Thanksgiving and Family

This Thanksgiving Eric's Mom (Grandma H.), brother Adrian, wife Jodie, and their two boys, Peter and Clark made the trip to MS. We had a great time. We made friends with the boys. . .

Played some games . . .

The croquet game got a bit out of hand . . . as Uncle Adrian soon discovered.

Went to the Noxubee Refuge looking for . . . gator!

And got a bit silly! We had a blast and we cannot wait for them to come again!

Catch-A-Dream Trip in Photos!

Here are the promised pictures from my Catch-A-Dream trip. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to make a dream come true in the life of a child and his family.















Me and Carter!















Carter and his family and the Day One students




















The beauty of Mallard Manor (where we stayed)















What a beautiful place!

Halloween

Halloween at the Heiselts this year consisted of bats, cats, and ladybugs. However, our supercool ladybug could not stand still long enough to be photographed. Hopefully, you will enjoy these photos of our other creatures!

For Bryton's birthday this year we headed to the Corn Maze. We had to find 4 different vegetables hidden in the maze. It was quite the project! We had a great time finding these items in the maze, finding each other in the maze and just hanging out. We also climbed to the top of a giant treehouse and finished the day with a jump and toss of cotton! What a great day!

Festival of Trees

Here in Starkville we are all in preparation for the 1st Annual Festival of Trees. My mom has been in charge of the Gingerbread Village part of the event and in supporting her, each child put a house together and decorated it. We wanted you to see their efforts.

Emoree's House

Shae's Barbie House (note Barbie in front)


Bryton's House

My Travels . . .

I just returned from a weeklong experience that changed me forever. First, I went to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was beautiful. Flying over the water made me think about the TV show "Lost" and what I would do if we didn't quite make it to the island! After two presentations, numerous meetings, networking, visiting with students, and just being busy I was able to get home.

After arriving home I immediately orchestrated Bryton's family birthday extravaganza to a local corn maze (photos to come). We had a great time, but weren't joined by Emoree due to her having the flu bug. After Bryton's party, I had a day to unpack and repack. Get the house somewhat in order and get set to leave again. This time I headed to Drew, Mississippi where along with 5 students and an MSU staff member, I helped make a child's dream come true.

The Catch-A-Dream organization, similar to the Make-A-Wish foundation furnished Carter, an 11-year old with hydrocephaleous (sp?), dream to harvest a deer. Over three days (Friday, Saturday, with a very late return on Monday morning) we visited with Carter, Carter's parents (Nicole and Larry), and worked with the staff of Mallard Manor (where we were staying). It was an amazing experience. While not a hunter myself, I learned all about hunting. I watched as a family bonded over what to some could be a very strange experience. While I am not the biggest hunter, I recognize that if you had one last wish in the world, and you wanted it to be hunting with your family, then I say, go get that wish. I will post pictures soon as I want you to see the beauty that I had a chance to watch.

Oh, and by the way . . . after I got home (about 2:30) I got my p.j.'s on and was ready to crash. Emoree came in and told me Shae had thrown up. I was on such an adrenaline high that cleaning up the vomit soaked Shae (as well as her bed) didn't even phase me. . .

Update -- Carter harvested a deer this morning (after we left) and he couldn't have been happier. The deer will be processed into meat for his family to eat this winter. Be thankful for all you have. We are all truly blessed.

Heiselt Update

Lots has happened since we last blogged. And, if Jodie can give a plain update without photos (bravo J!) then I am inspired to do it too!

Eric: New job. He is now the Director for Educational Outreach for the College of Engineering. We moved 1/2 of his office in on Monday (great FHE!) and he is having his "farewell" lunch at his old office today. He is very thrilled about this new position and cannot wait to get started. New email address to come soon. If you get a chance, ask him about it and he will tell all!

Emoree: Started 6th grade. CRAZY! Got an I-Pod Shuffle for her b-day (note: not purchased by parental units but through funding from supporting family members). She has a locker and 7 teachers. She gets her band instrument (bassoon) on Thursday. Is loving going from class to class and having friends everywhere. In fact, today, her school was flooded (probably why I have time to blog) and she was disappointed that she was not going to school! :)

Bryton: After switching teachers the second day of class (long story) he is a happy camper. Loves his new teacher and cannot wait for Scouts and soccer to start again next week. He has major teeth issues currently (can you say major ortho bills?) and will most likely have more teeth pulled and a spacer. I hear some of the Heiselt boys (Matthan?) had this too. Any words from encouraging uncles are welcome (and aunts, grandmas too for that matter)!

Shae: Holy Cow! Kindergarten. Insanity! On the second day of school she woke up and said she wanted it to be an "at home day" (not a great sign here). As it was Friday, Eric promised her that if she went to school she would not have to go for another two days (meaning two at home days). She was dressed and out the door like a flash. Way to go Eric (note: this will only work until they learn more about the days of the week in her class - RATS!). Loving her own backpack and lunch pail. Highlight of school: Naps are only 5 minutes (according to Shae)!

April: Just finished the successful Service DAWGS event (go to MSU home page and see the Picture of the Day). Had over 130 students go to 8 sites and give service. Amazing event. Preparing for another year of school and for her third year review. Cannot believe she has been a professor for going on three years now. Incredible! Is also very excited about the Olympics and all of the nephews and nieces in her future

Bryton is learning to fish

We are so excited that Bryton is learning to fish. Many thanks to our friend, Van Mitchell for being such a great and encouraging teacher.

Spiders and swelling

These pictures do not fully express the grossness I am dealing with. In my move to a new office, I moved furniture and kicked out the previous tenant who kept a large number of houseplants in the space. When I moved the furniture, vacuumed, and reloaded the room, I made some resident house spiders angry. Unbeknownst to me, three bit me. That night, I became ill with chills, fever, watering eyes, congested sinuses and nausea.
The next day this lovely rash sowed up and the pain began. The dr. sent me for an ultrasound because he thought it might be a blood clot. They also drew blood and found high levels of toxins which is how they found the venom I had been fighting off. The rashy thingy was because one of the bites also placed a funky bacteria under my skin. The Dr., a venomologist (huh?), and four nurses then poked prodded and examined my leg until they found the puncture marks.
It is still twice the size of the other leg but the fevers have finally stopped.

The amazing part is that this variety of spider is very small and is common in homes with houseplants. Usually if someone is bitten, they feel like they have a cold for about 24 hours and that is all. It was the combination of 3 bites and the bacteria that made this so exciting.

The kids are calling me "Spider-Dad" and keep asking me if I can sling a web yet.

Shae's Birthday

The big day finally came and she turned 5. Wow, a kindergartener in the fall. Boy, do I feel old!