Guess who's ours?

We got the official court decision yesterday... Natalie Lorraine Hayes is now recognized by law as the adopted daughter of Bryce and Christine Hayes!

We still have our work cut out for us to make our June 6th moving date:

1. We need an amended birth certificate with Natalie's new name.

2. We need the new birth certificate to get her Filipino passport.

3. We need the Filipino passport to schedule the visa appointment with the US.

4. We need the visa appointment to conduct a final health consult for Natalie.

Lot's to do, but the light at the end of the tunnel just came on!

Love to all,

B,C,N,C, and Natalie Lorraine Hayes

Happy late Birthdsay Alyse!

Take the Bryce quiz...

In response to repeated questions about what I do for a living, please take the following quiz to see how well you know me... If you get them all right, you are entitled to free use of our extra bedroom for a week.

Good luck!!

1. What does Bryce do for a living?

a. Bryce is an undercover operative for a top secret government organization. He was recruited out of high school after successfully hijacking a school van for the afternoon. His assignment is to eat bad asian food and report directly to the President.

b. Bryce is the Chief Operations Officer of a call-center / back office company. He is responsible for running a 1,600 seat call center in Manila for a large Indian company. He is responsible for running the site, negotiating contracts, and meeting performance goals.

c. Bryce is still employed at Burger King and secretly lives in mom and dad's basement.

2. The company Bryce works for is called:

a. AT&T

b. ITT Tech

c. HTMT Global Solutions

3. Bryce works regularly in the following countries:

a. India, Philippines, Canada, China, and the US.

b. India, Pakistan, Absurdistan, Mongolia, and Guam.

c. Antarctica

4. Bryce is moving to:

a. Hell

b. Peoria, Illinois

c. Shanghai, China

5. If Bryce moves his family to Shanghai (which he tried to do), Christy will:

a. Lovingly submit

b. Unlovingly submit

c. Start looking for a new husband

d. b and c

6. In Bryce's new role, he will be:

a. The Vice President of North American Client Services overseeing all US based customers.

b. A motivational speaker.

c. An experimental medication tester.

7. How many miles did Bryce fly last year?

a. 7

b. 8

c. 225,000

8. If Bryce could go back and pick a new career, he would be:

a. A professional musician

b. A personal injury attorney, representing only cases involving severed toes.

c. An ear, nose, and throat fluid collector (which he currently pursues part time thanks to his children).

Just in case the answers are not clear, contact me directly for the answers...

Love,

Bryce

CONGRATS MOM!

I found this on the internet for Franklin Elementry

Congratulations to Linda Hayes, one of our kindergarten teachers. She was surprised by a special award from Office Max. They presented her with a cartload of classroom supplies (the cart was included)

Tess found a Cajun Child Accordian Prodigy.wmv

THIS IS FOR MOM! HEY, ME AND JULIE WANT TO KNOW WHERE IN THE WORLD YOU LEARNED TO PLAY THE ACORDIAN ANYWAY! (THIS MIGHT GIVE YOU A REASON TO POST SOMETHING!) HINT HINT.....

Bryce....Man of Mystery???

Dear Brother Bryce,
Did you know that your family, as lame as it sounds, has no idea where you work, or what the heck you do? How about you take a moment and fill us in--be detail oriented now. We all need to do this you know, we haven't seen you for YEARS! So, for the sake of not being a lame family who only knows you cause you're our brother--spell it out dude!

techno crazy frog

the most annoying thing in the world... part 1

frog

This is so funny, Ethan has asked to watch it over and over and every time I laugh!

Naturally 7

Hey guys! Austin and I went to see Michael Buble in Louisville, and Naturally 7 opened for him, and also joined him on stage later. Anyhow, they are awesome! They got a standing ovation! We were very impressed. They don't have any instruments, they make all the sounds of instruments themselves, so at the beginning of the video they show the instrument each person is imitating. Show your boys, they'll like it.

Oh the Fun Things You Can Do in Cantuckee:)

Imagine that you are sitting at home one day, minding your own business, when suddenly you receive the most bizarre text message, and the contents are as follows:

I'm a little teapot, short and stout;

Here is my handle, here is my spout;

When I get all steamed up, here me shout;

Tip me over and pour me out!

Suddenly you realize that this message has come from your "nephew." Yep, your teenage nephew, weird right? Ha! Ha! Ha! I stole Zach's cell phone and sent this message to Chance. Imagine his surprise that Zach has sent such a goobery message. Chance, of course, being the manly man that he is had to remedy this immediately! he called me! I, of course had put Zach's phone back, and Zach had no idea I had sent the message--hee! hee! hee! Chance tells me that Zach is sending really lame messages, and I pretend I don't know what on earth he's talking about. Chance had a small man to man text bashing session with Zach about sending teapot messages. Ah! The joy I feel when I pull the perfect prank! Zach had no idea what a teapot message was, and thought Chance was nuts--he is a bit isn't he?

I fessed up eventually, but not until I laughed so hard I cried! I must admit, Niesja's leg in the water is almost as funny!

look what I found!

Hey Everyone! Derick and I were at the park the other day and found this baby foot in the water... At first I thought it was real and it totally scared me to death, I screamed at Derick to come over and take a look at it and we pulled it out only to find it was a DOLL FOOT..... It was pretty funny when we pulled it out, we started laughing pretty hard... it's now the joke of the house! Just wanted to share my extremely profound experience with you all... he he he

We bought a house!

Whew... we did it! We came, we saw, we bought a house.

I won't bore anyone with the crazy details, but let's say I probably owe $500 dollars on my cell phone bill this month from talking to Christy at each of the houses.

Our house will be in Washington, IL, just outside the city of Peoria. If you want to see for yourself, here is the listing: http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?t=1444336&prt=63

We are about 90 minutes from Nauvoo, IL, 3 hours from Chicago, and 3 hours from St. Louis. We are hoping that we can have Natalie sealed to us in the Nauvoo Temple and we would love to have anyone that can come. We'll keep everyone posted.

Love,

Bryce

An Earthquake in Illinois?

So... I leave the one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world, only to have a 5.4 earthquake in Illinois last night (Julie, did you feel it?).

It was 4:30 in the morning and I never felt it, but it hit CNN so quickly that all of my Filipino friends and colleagues started calling to make sure we were ok!! What a small world.

I have been house hunting all day. We have narrowed it down to four houses. Each one has just "one thing wrong." I wish I could find the perfect house, but we may have to settle for 99% perfect.

One of the houses, in a city called Morton, is right next to the church building. It is such a small world and I was so surprised to see it. I guess no matter where you go, you can find something to make you feel at home.

Anyway, one more day in Illinois, then on to Atlanta and New York. I'll be home soon!!

What's Your Definition???

Hey everyone! I need you to all send me your info! I need birthdays, phone numbers (all of them), addresses etc.... Send them as soon as you can! Love ya all!

Julie

The Naked Music Man!

This is the Naked Music man that lives in Payson! Chance told me his computer hates him so I took it off my phone and posted it for him!
This must be where Grandpa came up with the name "the Beast" he he he.... I love this kid!

ok slept a little lets try this again

Ok my last two posts were obviously the product of a deranged mind I think my cat romeo actually typed them not me.....
Anyway since all of us have kids that continuously like to watch cartoons (and by this I mean alyse has chance since everyone else has older kids) I am wondering if there is actually a life span on DVD's. Our incredibles CD has been played so many times that I don't know if I can actually remove it from the DVD player.

I find that I really like this way of communicating with everyone as it give you insight into everyones life and what they are actually doing instead of thinking I wonder what my sister in california or kentucky is doing? Or I wonder if Bryce has been dragged off by headhunters yet in the phillipines? This way you find out whats going on and it makes you feel closer to them. I have had a really fun time reading Niesjas blog about life in LA it is very funny at times and very open. I am thinking that maybe I will do one of my own to.

So in the spirit of sharing I have decided to share my day so here it is
1) Answered the phone 15 times before 9 and said "orem lock how may I help you" i am on call for those of you that havn't figured it out
2) Had 14 people ask me the same stupid question...oh you are open I will be right over
3) Having to explain to 14 people that I have a cell phone and that the shop is not open
4) Having to listed to 14 people tell me that they would call back later
5) Having 1 person that didn't really speak english either tell me she wanted to get her car opened or she wanted a large pizza with chocolate sauce....don't ask i didn't understand any more then that
6) Going to work and breaking into dozens of things
7) coming home from work
8) The highlight of the day getting to see the wife and kiddies. You have to be careful if you sit anywhere in our house that the kids can get at you because you become a human trampoline if you lay on the floor or something
9) typing a blog similar to this and then not have it post so you leave a mean "im never doing this again note and go so sleep"

Anyway that is my life in a nutshell so now that you are all enlightened as to what happens feel free to take notes and use them in your daily lifes.

Justin

AAAUUUGGGG

I spent 30 minutes typing a very funny blog and this STUPID thing didn't publish it!!!!!

AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGG

maybe when I get the energy back I will try again.

How many times can children watch a pixar movie?

Mrs. Incredible

I was just talking with Bryce and suddenly realized that Christy is at home with 3 kids while Bryce is reluctantly buying their future home without her and the kids!

I just wanted to say how amazing I think that you are Christy! From the time I first met you, I loved you and only thought the highest of you! You are so talented and have so many gifts to share and I wish I could be so lucky to have some of those....

Your children are beautiful and your countenance shines like the sun......

I know you must be feeling an overwhelming sense of anxiety and excitement for all of the new adventures that await you coming back to the states! I must assure you that there are the most amazing people by your side to help you out... First of all is Bryce who seems to overcome all obstacles when there seems no way it can be done. He also has the most special spirit to calm and assure anyone in crisis.... The second person is none other than yourself... You have seemed to jump through all of these never ending loopholes with ease. You are one of the most intelligent women and spiritual women I know and there are very few who God would trust to do all that you have done for this world!

You and your family are truly amazing and I was just thinking about you all, and wanted to let you know how much I admire and love you!

I can't wait to see you and get to know you more.....

Niesja

Rock hunting with George the 2nd and kids

Well as this is my first post I guess I should say something nice...like hi. there we go that will work. Any way I am glad you guys set this up it will be alot of fun. On Saturday Mom, Michele, Laura, Olivia and Ivy (and me Justin) all went hunting Labrodite crystals down past Delta in DADS new truck yes I took it off road put it in four wheel drive and drove up and down some pretty cool hills (just kidding dad it was only a hundred yards off the road and mom approved it) Anyway we had a really good time it took us about 3 hours to get there and I finally understand the phrase "Yes we are almost there" and "I will turn this car around". We found lots of crystals and the kids had a blast with a pair of heavy plastic spoons that grandma bought them so they could dig to. Michele and I took one of the four wheelers about a mile away to a large salt flat and went speeding accross it, it was so much fun just a flat sea of white. When we got back Mom had a good laugh becuse all the white dust was in our hair and it looked like we had grey and white hair. Any way on the way back the Truck turned over to 10,000 miles and I felt I had to pull over and get mom to call dad to get permission to continue on the trip because I didn't want to put to many miles on his NEW TRUCK but she gave the ok (so if your reading this dad don't get mad at me it was either keep going or have it towed home to keep the mileage down) Anyway I will try and post some pictures of all the 4 women in my life later when I am at home.

Love you all
Justin

The Three Musketeers

Hi Hayes family! It's so fun seeing everyone's crazy pictures! Here's a recent one of our brood:

Check out my Slide Show!

Shopping for cups

I had the most uncomfortable experience today shopping for cups. Try slinking around Dick's sporting goods looking for "cups" for your boys. I suppose it must be like a right of passage into manhood or something; the boys were so excited to get home and put them on, why? I don't know. They look rather cumbersome and in the way, but hey, if they protect the goods while they're playing baseball I'll go in for it. Taylon's coach informed us that since he's catcher it's like having a bulls-eye right on the goods if you don't protect it with a cup. Oh brother, are you feeling strange reading this? Good! That's how I felt buying them!

On a much more normal note, we are doing great! All the flowers and trees and in bloom, and you couldn't ask for a more beautiful landscape. We've had so much rain people are swimming to work, but it's great for the grass and flowers. We can't wait for mom to come visit in May, and Dad to come in June! Chance is planning to visit in August, and Bryce is moving just hours away in June as well! I am so excited to see my family. Isn't it funny that we use to pick on each other, and now we can't wait until the next time we can get together?

Niesja and I use to fight like crazy, and now she's my bestest buddy and pal! Chance use to be a little bugar nosed kid who fought with Zachary, now he's someone I admire, and I love his little family and his amazing wife, Alyse. Bryce use to be my idol, then, I decided he was an arrogant pompous windbag. Now, I think he's very wise, that he's caring and tremendously successful as a father and in his field of work--I don't think he's pompous anymore, but he can still throw out the insults better than anyone I know. If I ever get in an argument, I want Bryce to write my comebacks. I love Christy and the little trids too! Justin use to lock me in the closet and beat me up. Mom use to make me wake him up in the morning, and it was scary. Today's Justin is completely opposite! He works harder than anyone I know, he would do anything for anyone. You can't know Justin and not love him. He's the best example of a Christ-like person I know. His heart is big and his intentions are pure! He has the most beautiful little girls and I just love him and his family! Mom and dad are crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Thank goodness we had such great parents with such funny quirks and silly nicknames! We wouldn't be the Hayes family without the Georges! We love you George and George!

Half a world away

This week will pretty much define what happens to me and mine for the next 5 years. Today, I am on my way from Manila to various points across North America (San Diego, Peoria, Atlanta, New York).

If all goes well, on this trip I will:
1. Meet up with Dad in Atlanta and take him to the Georgia Aquarium (this also means I can get my mail and my black dress shoes...).
2. Meet my new boss (and her new boss) in Peoria.
3. Buy a house (without Christy... this is not good...)
4. Meet with 6 different clients in 9 working days.

I'm already tired.

The adoption is still not finalized. We need everyone's thoughts and prayers. We need for our judge to get motivated, for the Filipino statistics and records office to move fast, and the US Embassy to realize we need some help. We'll take it as it comes, so for today, please pray that Judge Bonifacio suddenly feels the need to make his decision.

We are all well. A little stressed with what the future holds, but we'll live for today and let things take care of themselves as best we can. Remember the lilies...

Love,

Bryce

Hi Everybody

Hi Everyone! This is your crazy sister Niesja, I created this blog for our family to keep in touch, I know we all have our own blogs but some of us don't so I wanted to make it easy for everyone to say stuff so they wouldn't have to make their own. Hopefully we can all share some fun family stuff here and that Mom and Dad "hint" will post things here as well.

This is supposed to be fun so add whatever you want and I will figure out how to put the link to everyone elses blog too... If you want to be added to this blog to write things and did not receive an invitation that means that I didnt' have your email so send it to me at Derickandniesja@msn.com and I will add you as a user right away or your spouse can do it as we all have full use of this blog....

Love you all,

Niesja