I'm not sure that there's been anything routine about the beginning of this year! It has been a break-neck pace, non-stop, and I am happy to say that things are calming down now that birthdays and holidays are behind us.
We just returned from a wonderful first-time Easter visit to Maryland to visit Ben's family with the girls! There was never a dull moment and the girls had a ball. Pictures to come just as soon as I post March! I know I'm so behind, but that's the season I'm in right now, and I am content with that on most days. :) It's been difficult for me at times to let go of expectations to get it all accomplished and meet everyone's needs, but I'm learing to let go of that day by day and just rest in what I'm doing raising these two little high-spirited firecrackers! Ava is just over 2 1/2 and Maia is just over 1. I have no idea how old I am. I've forgotten somewhere amidst the chaos. I just know I'm feeling older by the second!
Maia is off to a sick appointment for a chest cold today, Ava's back at preschool sharing Easter cookies, and I'm off to pick up two out of our four pets sometime today.
And just maybe, I'll get to do a little laundry. Nothing like good ole routines! Maybe I'll just sweep. That always makes me feel a little more on top of things.
I hope everyone had a very HAPPY EASTER!
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Hallelujah!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Blessing Rock
The clock is always ticking and moments come and they go.
Some are fleeting, and I forget them like a forget what I ate for dinner on my 16th birthday. Others are seared onto my brain and my heart, and I think I'll remember them for eternity. What I am about to describe is one such moment, and I will tell it just as it happenend.
I love and serve a Risen Savior, fully alive and fully in love with this daughter. He is my King, my trusted Friend and He is Who I try my earthly messed-up wayward best to point to as I walk out this journey toward my Heavenly home where my citizenship really is.
If you've followed my blog from the beginning of the wait for a baby, then you probably remember that when Miss Ava was born in Riverdale, Georgia, the clock had been ticking, ticking right past August 20th late into the night and into the wee hours of August 21st at 1:56 a.m. 2008. My grandmother, Ruthie's, was born August 21st 1926.
Ruthie was at Asbury Acres on the Alzheimers floor, with a note somewhere near her, maybe in her hand, that read something like "You're going to be a great-grandmother."
Unbeknownst to my family, one precious life was about leave this Earth to join her Heavenly family and another was about to enter this Earth to begin her life with her Earthly family. I became acutely aware as the clock ticked into August 21st that God's hand was in this and that these two lives were intertwining,if only briefly, for a reason.
There really are no words to describe how much my grandmother meant to me. There's just this big ache deep in my heart that is summoned up when I least expect it when I think about her and my 34 years with her here.
Ava is in her third year of life, and this story unfolds sometime after she turned two, August 21st 2010.
Ben and I were in the kitchen washing just Ava's hair. This night was different than most because she normally has a FULL bath! She can get dirty in two seconds flat as our adventure girl! :)
She was lying on the kitchen island counter with her head in my hands and water pouring over her hair. Wanting to "entertain" her while I washed her hair, I handed her a little rock that I keep propped up against the flower vase in the middle of the island.
After my grandmother passed and away, Mom gave me the little rock back that I had given to Ruthie some years before. On the front, it said "Blessings." On the back, in her ink script, she had written five letters that spelled my name, "Emily."
Ava was holding the rock and looking at the side that said "Blessings." I was looking at the rock as she held it in her tiny little hands.
Suddenly, and just as matter of fact as "I like chocolate", she said, "This says, Emily." The clock stopped ticking and Ben and I both stopped and looked at her. I looked at the rock, and she was looking at the side that said, "Blessings." I knew that we had never told her that this rock said "blessings" or that it said Emily. In fact, when Emily came out of her mouth it sounded so strange because she never says my name.
Trying to process this, I asked her a very simple question.
"Ava, how did you know that rock says, "Emily?"
She answered with one word.
Jesus
Ben and I were stunned and again asked her the same question, and she, again, would say, "Jesus."
My heart racing and mind thinking, I scooped her up and started to towel dry her hair and do the get ready for bed routine. I thought to ask her another question as we were putting on her clothes. I asked her something like, "Did Jesus talk to you or what did He say." The next thing that came out of her mouth was, like the first, very simple. She said, "He's the Lamb." We had never told her that.
And that was it.
This blog is something for the girls now I as journal about our daily happenings, and before anymore time went by, I wanted to record this story for Ava to read someday.
Do I believe that Ava could have heard this from Jesus? Yes. Do I believe my grandmother is with Jesus in Heaven right now? Yes. Do I believe that that August 21st, shared birthdays, are a coincidence? No. Because God knows my heart so intimately that He purposed for those dates to line up.
I believe, for a moment, that the veil was removed and Jesus revealed that little gift for me to my child, Ava, whose life would begin as another one began, just in two different places with one Heavenly King keeping watch over both.
That is the story just as it happenend. Heaven is real. Jesus is Alive! This is all temporary stuff down here. He's coming again. He loves us enough to die for us, to take our place, so that we could be rescued and have eternal life. Spring is here and eternal spring is coming!
Praise the Lord!
Happy Easter, everyone!
Some are fleeting, and I forget them like a forget what I ate for dinner on my 16th birthday. Others are seared onto my brain and my heart, and I think I'll remember them for eternity. What I am about to describe is one such moment, and I will tell it just as it happenend.
I love and serve a Risen Savior, fully alive and fully in love with this daughter. He is my King, my trusted Friend and He is Who I try my earthly messed-up wayward best to point to as I walk out this journey toward my Heavenly home where my citizenship really is.
If you've followed my blog from the beginning of the wait for a baby, then you probably remember that when Miss Ava was born in Riverdale, Georgia, the clock had been ticking, ticking right past August 20th late into the night and into the wee hours of August 21st at 1:56 a.m. 2008. My grandmother, Ruthie's, was born August 21st 1926.
Ruthie was at Asbury Acres on the Alzheimers floor, with a note somewhere near her, maybe in her hand, that read something like "You're going to be a great-grandmother."
Unbeknownst to my family, one precious life was about leave this Earth to join her Heavenly family and another was about to enter this Earth to begin her life with her Earthly family. I became acutely aware as the clock ticked into August 21st that God's hand was in this and that these two lives were intertwining,if only briefly, for a reason.
There really are no words to describe how much my grandmother meant to me. There's just this big ache deep in my heart that is summoned up when I least expect it when I think about her and my 34 years with her here.
Ava is in her third year of life, and this story unfolds sometime after she turned two, August 21st 2010.
Ben and I were in the kitchen washing just Ava's hair. This night was different than most because she normally has a FULL bath! She can get dirty in two seconds flat as our adventure girl! :)
She was lying on the kitchen island counter with her head in my hands and water pouring over her hair. Wanting to "entertain" her while I washed her hair, I handed her a little rock that I keep propped up against the flower vase in the middle of the island.
After my grandmother passed and away, Mom gave me the little rock back that I had given to Ruthie some years before. On the front, it said "Blessings." On the back, in her ink script, she had written five letters that spelled my name, "Emily."
Ava was holding the rock and looking at the side that said "Blessings." I was looking at the rock as she held it in her tiny little hands.
Suddenly, and just as matter of fact as "I like chocolate", she said, "This says, Emily." The clock stopped ticking and Ben and I both stopped and looked at her. I looked at the rock, and she was looking at the side that said, "Blessings." I knew that we had never told her that this rock said "blessings" or that it said Emily. In fact, when Emily came out of her mouth it sounded so strange because she never says my name.
Trying to process this, I asked her a very simple question.
"Ava, how did you know that rock says, "Emily?"
She answered with one word.
Jesus
Ben and I were stunned and again asked her the same question, and she, again, would say, "Jesus."
My heart racing and mind thinking, I scooped her up and started to towel dry her hair and do the get ready for bed routine. I thought to ask her another question as we were putting on her clothes. I asked her something like, "Did Jesus talk to you or what did He say." The next thing that came out of her mouth was, like the first, very simple. She said, "He's the Lamb." We had never told her that.
And that was it.
This blog is something for the girls now I as journal about our daily happenings, and before anymore time went by, I wanted to record this story for Ava to read someday.
Do I believe that Ava could have heard this from Jesus? Yes. Do I believe my grandmother is with Jesus in Heaven right now? Yes. Do I believe that that August 21st, shared birthdays, are a coincidence? No. Because God knows my heart so intimately that He purposed for those dates to line up.
I believe, for a moment, that the veil was removed and Jesus revealed that little gift for me to my child, Ava, whose life would begin as another one began, just in two different places with one Heavenly King keeping watch over both.
That is the story just as it happenend. Heaven is real. Jesus is Alive! This is all temporary stuff down here. He's coming again. He loves us enough to die for us, to take our place, so that we could be rescued and have eternal life. Spring is here and eternal spring is coming!
Praise the Lord!
Happy Easter, everyone!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
May Family Visit Day 3
Sunday was a very laid back day for us. Bless Auntie Jenn's heart. She woke up with a terrible stomach virus and headache and just felt awful on Sunday. We played mostly outside while she rested upstairs. Later in the afternoon, we took a walk down to the ponds and trails property with the kiddos and ordered Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner before calling it a day. The kids had a lot of fun exploring together and looking for wildlife!
Friday, April 8, 2011
May Family Visit- Day 2
The sun showed its face on Saturday, and it wasn't as blustery as Friday, so we decided that a trip around Cades Cove Loop in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be fun. As always, we were hoping to spot some bears! We didn't see any bears this go around, but we saw some playful deer chasing each other right next to our vehicles... probably the best deer sighting I've ever seen there in the park. We had a picnic on a giant log - laugh out loud - and then took a short hike to the Elijah Oliver Cabin and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery around us. Then, it was back to the house for some more playtime with the cousins while Auntie Jenn and Uncle Chuck enjoyed a date night! :)
Cousin breakfast
Push me, Maia!
Little Miss Curiosity
Peekaboo, Ava!
Mommy's adventure girl
Maia has this fascination with Ben's ears.
If they're exposed, she goes for them!
Ava LOVED the pine branch Auntie Jenn found for her.
Uncle Ben and Uncle Chuck
Whee, Evan!
Special time with Uncle Chuck
Cousin breakfast
Push me, Maia!
Little Miss Curiosity
Peekaboo, Ava!
Mommy's adventure girl
Maia has this fascination with Ben's ears.
If they're exposed, she goes for them!
Ava LOVED the pine branch Auntie Jenn found for her.
Uncle Ben and Uncle Chuck
Whee, Evan!
Special time with Uncle Chuck
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
May Family Visit- Day 1
The fun-factor increased exponentially in middle February when Ava and Maia's cousins, Chase and Evan, and Uncle Chuck and Auntie Jenn came for a weekend visit from Maryland. We were so ready for some FUN! This was a much anticipated family visit! They were meeting Maia for the first time. :) We had cool but beautiful weather and got to do a lot of outdoor sight-seeing. The first adventure was up to Look Rock observation tower to look at the mountain view. It was breezy alright, but we made it to the top! Here a a few pictures from our first day. This is a four-part May series! So so glad you all could come and visit us! We love you and had a ball!
Evan breaks out his trumpet to show Maia.
Chase and Auntie Jenn opening Valentine presents with Ava
Ava and Auntie Jenn sharing a story
Uncle Chuck and Miss Maia
The gals at Look Rock Tower
Lil' Bit and Shorty - Someone must have known that we were coming! ha ha
Uncle Chuck trying out his new camera
Chase takes Ava for a ride!
Evan breaks out his trumpet to show Maia.
Chase and Auntie Jenn opening Valentine presents with Ava
Ava and Auntie Jenn sharing a story
Uncle Chuck and Miss Maia
The gals at Look Rock Tower
Lil' Bit and Shorty - Someone must have known that we were coming! ha ha
Uncle Chuck trying out his new camera
Chase takes Ava for a ride!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Valentine's February 4, 2011
APRIL UPDATE- Tomorrow is Maia Grace's 1st birthday!!
Maia is SO happy Roseola virus is gone! Her face is still swollen from the rash. :(
By the time Valentine's Day rolled around, our family viruses were finally gone and we were ready to spread some love! Mimi and Papa, Aunt Jill and Aunt Syd came by to love on the girls shortly before Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, the girls were napping when Syd came by so I don't have any pictures of her visit, but girls, she was here to love on you! :)
Here are a few fun pictures from the 13th and 14th of February. Valentines morning began with some Valentine stories and a heart for the girls made out of raspberries in some yogurt. We had a special surprise planned for the girls' special Valentine (Daddy) later in the afternoon. Ben and I even got to go out one night before Valentines to have a much-needed date night out! I had not been anywhere in quite some time!!!
Visit from Auntie Jill
Mommy and Daddy are on our way to date night! Thank you, Mimi and Papa!
Mimi and Papa love you!
Good morning little Valentines.
Maia enjoyed her Valentine surprise. Maia enjoys ALL food!
Peekaboo, girls.
Ava got into the dress-up closet, and this is how I found her --- deep in thought.
Creating a masterpiece
Surprise, Daddy! We love you!
We took red velvet cupcakes that Mimi had made with the girls to eat with Daddy. Ava loved hers!
Love you, Dada!
Maia thought it was hilarious to be in Dada's chair. She giggled the whole time!
Daddy surprised his girls with two white roses and hugs and kisses. We hope he'll be their leading man for a very long time. :)
The sun sets on Valentine's Day - more love to spread for the May family coming up next!
Maia is SO happy Roseola virus is gone! Her face is still swollen from the rash. :(
By the time Valentine's Day rolled around, our family viruses were finally gone and we were ready to spread some love! Mimi and Papa, Aunt Jill and Aunt Syd came by to love on the girls shortly before Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, the girls were napping when Syd came by so I don't have any pictures of her visit, but girls, she was here to love on you! :)
Here are a few fun pictures from the 13th and 14th of February. Valentines morning began with some Valentine stories and a heart for the girls made out of raspberries in some yogurt. We had a special surprise planned for the girls' special Valentine (Daddy) later in the afternoon. Ben and I even got to go out one night before Valentines to have a much-needed date night out! I had not been anywhere in quite some time!!!
Visit from Auntie Jill
Mommy and Daddy are on our way to date night! Thank you, Mimi and Papa!
Mimi and Papa love you!
Good morning little Valentines.
Maia enjoyed her Valentine surprise. Maia enjoys ALL food!
Peekaboo, girls.
Ava got into the dress-up closet, and this is how I found her --- deep in thought.
Creating a masterpiece
Surprise, Daddy! We love you!
We took red velvet cupcakes that Mimi had made with the girls to eat with Daddy. Ava loved hers!
Love you, Dada!
Maia thought it was hilarious to be in Dada's chair. She giggled the whole time!
Daddy surprised his girls with two white roses and hugs and kisses. We hope he'll be their leading man for a very long time. :)
The sun sets on Valentine's Day - more love to spread for the May family coming up next!
Friday, April 1, 2011
February Pictures!
I'm so glad that cameras were invented, because when I remember the first half of February in my mind, I remember the villian virus of Roseola and Maia, and two other viruses that attacked me and Ava and being completely overwhelmed and exhausted. Well, looking back at the pictures, you'd never know it! ha ha Somehow, between the nose-blowing, temperature reading and sponge baths, we managed to capture the fun, lighter side of the first few weeks of February.
Ava's big virus during her first year of life was Hand, Foot, Mouth, and Maia's was Roseola, both documented in their baby books! Mean little viruses! Sweet little girls.
Here are a few random fun pictures from the first half of "FUN" February!
Happy Spring to everyone! I'm ready for warmer temperatures for sure!
Happy Chinese New Year 2011, Maia! She was born in the year of the Tiger.
Maia turns 10 months old on February 5th.
Kasey Alwood comes to visit us!
Ava decorates her Valentine's Bag for preschool. She took Tinker Bell Valentines.
Can't wait until these two can HELP me with laundry!
The Thinker
Sleeping angel
Daddy's girls
Valentine's Day and May Family visit up next!
Ava's big virus during her first year of life was Hand, Foot, Mouth, and Maia's was Roseola, both documented in their baby books! Mean little viruses! Sweet little girls.
Here are a few random fun pictures from the first half of "FUN" February!
Happy Spring to everyone! I'm ready for warmer temperatures for sure!
Happy Chinese New Year 2011, Maia! She was born in the year of the Tiger.
Maia turns 10 months old on February 5th.
Kasey Alwood comes to visit us!
Ava decorates her Valentine's Bag for preschool. She took Tinker Bell Valentines.
Can't wait until these two can HELP me with laundry!
The Thinker
Sleeping angel
Daddy's girls
Valentine's Day and May Family visit up next!
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