Hi, to a sweet girl in England named Kelly. What a nice surprise this afternoon. I'll definitely go and check out the blog. Thank you! I was actually just popping on here to load a new song by Brit Nicole that I thought would encourage and saw your comment. I hope you have a blessed day across the ocean in England. The Lord is on the move everywhere isn't He? :)
Love this new song by Brit Nicole, everybody. When she sings farthest shore, my heart goes to Japan. Praying for that great nation of gracious people! Franklin Graham is going to Osaka in October for a festival, and can I even TELL you how excited I am?! Amy?? :)
Fun pictures of Ava coming soon!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Special Friendship
Recently, a dear friend of mine from Johnson City that I rarely see stopped by Chic-fil-A with her family to meet miss Ava. Chuck, Karen, Paul and Davis Anderson moved to Johnson City a few years back, and Chuck has been serving in the army overseas and just returned home at Easter after a long absence. Yay! Welcome home, Chuck!
Some of you may remember a post from 2008 about a friend of mine that sent me countless encouragement cards, notes and letters when I was walking through the valley of infertility. On any other ordinary day, I could open my mailbox and find something uplifting from her. Well, this would be Miss Karen, and she is a precious person who loves the Lord and loves others. Her encouragement meant the world to me, and Karen, I pray that you'll be showered with blessings this year. I love you.
Ava is NOT happy in this picture. I don't think she's going to be a big fan of people dressed up like animals. Poor cow.
Thank you for praying for me, Miss Karen!
Some of you may remember a post from 2008 about a friend of mine that sent me countless encouragement cards, notes and letters when I was walking through the valley of infertility. On any other ordinary day, I could open my mailbox and find something uplifting from her. Well, this would be Miss Karen, and she is a precious person who loves the Lord and loves others. Her encouragement meant the world to me, and Karen, I pray that you'll be showered with blessings this year. I love you.
Ava is NOT happy in this picture. I don't think she's going to be a big fan of people dressed up like animals. Poor cow.
Thank you for praying for me, Miss Karen!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Special Visit
A couple of weekends ago, we had a very special visit from Grandaddy, Grandma, Uncle Vince and Maxi, their dog. We had a fun, relaxing weekend watching the Masters, spending time outside enjoying the beautiful weather, doing yard work and clearing an overflow pipe in a nearby pond that beavers had clogged. We never know what we'll get into when they come down for a visit! It's always wonderful to spend time together and we were especially glad that Uncle Vince could join us! Here are a few pictures from our weekend together. We love you guys! Thank you again for all of your help. :) The house was way too quiet when you left!
Family shot before our traditional walk around the yard.
Grandma reading a story to Ava
Breakfast for two...Granddaddy and Ava
Ellen, Vince and me
Big girl walking down the stairs!
Heart-to-heart with Maxi
Sharing a moment with Uncle Vince
Ken and Ellen standing on what we call Beaver Hill on their property. The beavers had been hard at work building dams and this caused some flooding in one our neighbor's hangers. They spent a morning clearing out an overflow pipe of beaver debris only to have the beavers clog it again the next morning!
We went out to eat lunch at Aroma Cafe, a really delicious Cuban restaurant in town.
Family shot before our traditional walk around the yard.
Grandma reading a story to Ava
Breakfast for two...Granddaddy and Ava
Ellen, Vince and me
Big girl walking down the stairs!
Heart-to-heart with Maxi
Sharing a moment with Uncle Vince
Ken and Ellen standing on what we call Beaver Hill on their property. The beavers had been hard at work building dams and this caused some flooding in one our neighbor's hangers. They spent a morning clearing out an overflow pipe of beaver debris only to have the beavers clog it again the next morning!
We went out to eat lunch at Aroma Cafe, a really delicious Cuban restaurant in town.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Field Trips and Check-Ups
Hi, everyone,
I wanted to share a few more miscellaneous pre-Easter pictures before our fun weekend with Granddaddy, Grandma and Uncle Vince!
Mom and I took Ava to the mall one day a few weeks back, and I couldn't resist letting her ride one of those kiddie rides that I rode when I was a kid. For the price, I'm surprised it didn't spit out a real hot dog and soda for us!
Mimi and Ava
After the mall field trip, we met Daddy at Shinco to eat Chinese. We really like this place. It's close to home, and they make their food without MSG. Plus, I get to practice all of two Chinese words I know with them. I've been practicing a few more to break out in China. We bought Maia a doll a few years back that says a few useful phrases in Chinese. One of them is "Can we be friends?" It sound easy enough, so I'd been practicing for awhile, a long while. Finally, I thought I sounded just like the doll. So, I smiled proudly and tried it out on one of the servers who barely knows any English. Well, she looked at me like I had two heads. Confidence shattered. :) I then tried to recover and asked her if her family celebrates Chinese New Year. To help her understand, I started making firework motions and sounds in the air. I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm nuts. Poor Maia. I'll probably embarrass her and Ava all the time! I'm good with chopsticks, so that's a plus.
One Chinese meal closer to Maia!
Here's a picture of the server who was unimpressed with my Chinese and who doted all over Ava.
The next day, we went to the doctor for our chicken-pox shot and camped out for quite awhile in one of the sunny rooms. Ava was a little trooper and had fun playing on the table with her kitty. We bring him along now to get shots, too. This was the first time she didn't boo hoo when she got a shot. The nurse and I just kept waiting, but no tears came. Hmmm... go figure.
After the doctor visit, I took Ava to our local Farmer's Co-Op to see the baby chicks, and she squeezed one a little too hard. It probably went back in its tub and said, "Run for your lives!"
Finally, to wrap up that week before Easter, we went to our church Easter Egg Hunt. We met the Butterworths there, who adopted Grace from China about a year and a half ago. Ava and Grace had a limit of 12 eggs they could put in their baskets. How do you convince a toddler to take eggs out of her basket? I think Ava had like 17 and Grace had 20 or so! We had a fun time together and look forward to more play dates in the future with Miss Grace and Maia!
New friends, Jim, Shannon and Grace Butterworth
I first met Shannon a few years back in Wal-Mart as I was stalking her. I have radar for Chinese babies, and I tend to change my course in stores to follow them around. Just last year, we were reintroduced at church, and she and I realized at about the same time that we had met a year earlier in the produce section of Wal-Mart. We are overjoyed to have friends who have also adopted a baby from China. Our hope is that Maia and Grace will grow up to be close friends who can share their hearts with one another.
Happy Easter, Ava!
Pictures from our family visit last weekend are up next!
I wanted to share a few more miscellaneous pre-Easter pictures before our fun weekend with Granddaddy, Grandma and Uncle Vince!
Mom and I took Ava to the mall one day a few weeks back, and I couldn't resist letting her ride one of those kiddie rides that I rode when I was a kid. For the price, I'm surprised it didn't spit out a real hot dog and soda for us!
Mimi and Ava
After the mall field trip, we met Daddy at Shinco to eat Chinese. We really like this place. It's close to home, and they make their food without MSG. Plus, I get to practice all of two Chinese words I know with them. I've been practicing a few more to break out in China. We bought Maia a doll a few years back that says a few useful phrases in Chinese. One of them is "Can we be friends?" It sound easy enough, so I'd been practicing for awhile, a long while. Finally, I thought I sounded just like the doll. So, I smiled proudly and tried it out on one of the servers who barely knows any English. Well, she looked at me like I had two heads. Confidence shattered. :) I then tried to recover and asked her if her family celebrates Chinese New Year. To help her understand, I started making firework motions and sounds in the air. I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm nuts. Poor Maia. I'll probably embarrass her and Ava all the time! I'm good with chopsticks, so that's a plus.
One Chinese meal closer to Maia!
Here's a picture of the server who was unimpressed with my Chinese and who doted all over Ava.
The next day, we went to the doctor for our chicken-pox shot and camped out for quite awhile in one of the sunny rooms. Ava was a little trooper and had fun playing on the table with her kitty. We bring him along now to get shots, too. This was the first time she didn't boo hoo when she got a shot. The nurse and I just kept waiting, but no tears came. Hmmm... go figure.
After the doctor visit, I took Ava to our local Farmer's Co-Op to see the baby chicks, and she squeezed one a little too hard. It probably went back in its tub and said, "Run for your lives!"
Finally, to wrap up that week before Easter, we went to our church Easter Egg Hunt. We met the Butterworths there, who adopted Grace from China about a year and a half ago. Ava and Grace had a limit of 12 eggs they could put in their baskets. How do you convince a toddler to take eggs out of her basket? I think Ava had like 17 and Grace had 20 or so! We had a fun time together and look forward to more play dates in the future with Miss Grace and Maia!
New friends, Jim, Shannon and Grace Butterworth
I first met Shannon a few years back in Wal-Mart as I was stalking her. I have radar for Chinese babies, and I tend to change my course in stores to follow them around. Just last year, we were reintroduced at church, and she and I realized at about the same time that we had met a year earlier in the produce section of Wal-Mart. We are overjoyed to have friends who have also adopted a baby from China. Our hope is that Maia and Grace will grow up to be close friends who can share their hearts with one another.
Happy Easter, Ava!
Pictures from our family visit last weekend are up next!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Potty!
Ok. I just had to jump on here and tell you that Ava went potty for the very first time yesterday! I started explaining the whole process and preparing her to "go." Well, she sat down and before I knew it, she had gone potty! It will take awhile to know when to go, but she's off to a good start!
Also, by now you know I LOVE music, and Josh Wilson is possibly one of the greatest singer/songwriters out there right now. I found his new song on the playlist and it is SO encouraging. So, I'm putting it on here as number two for you to hear. If you or someone you know is walking through a hard time (on any given day, right?) this song will provide a good dose of hope. I love it! I really need to get a CD of his. Whenever I hear a new song I really like, it's usually him. The song is called, "Before the Morning." Yes!
Blessings to all today, and more pics coming right up very soon!
Also, by now you know I LOVE music, and Josh Wilson is possibly one of the greatest singer/songwriters out there right now. I found his new song on the playlist and it is SO encouraging. So, I'm putting it on here as number two for you to hear. If you or someone you know is walking through a hard time (on any given day, right?) this song will provide a good dose of hope. I love it! I really need to get a CD of his. Whenever I hear a new song I really like, it's usually him. The song is called, "Before the Morning." Yes!
Blessings to all today, and more pics coming right up very soon!
Friday, April 16, 2010
A Beautiful Easter Afternoon
Later in the afternoon, we loaded the car and headed to my Aunt Syd and Uncle Lonnie's house for our annual Easter meal. Lacy and Wes, two of my cousins, couldn't be there this year and we really missed them. Also, there's always a bittersweetness to Easter for my family as we remember my grandfathers, Jewel (PaPaw) who passed away Good Friday and Earl, (Pa), who passed away Easter morning both in 1998. The bitter part is that we all miss them and my grandmothers dearly and long to be with them again, and the sweetness is that they are with the Lord and I'll get to SEE them again someday in that place where there is NO more suffering! To be absent from the body is to be present with Lord, and at Easter and always, I remember this hope that I have.
We ate a yummy lunch and then made our way outside for the family Easter egg hunt! We used plastic eggs and animals this year for Ava, and she had a ball walking around and finding them and putting them in her basket. We all enjoyed the beautiful weather and a chance to be together, relax and rejoice in our Savior!
Happy Easter everyone!
A joyful picture with Mimi and Papa who Ava has started calling "Popi." Not Popeye :)
Opening some Easter treats.
The egg hunt traditions continue!
On the go to find more eggs.
Sharing a leaf with Popi.
We ate a yummy lunch and then made our way outside for the family Easter egg hunt! We used plastic eggs and animals this year for Ava, and she had a ball walking around and finding them and putting them in her basket. We all enjoyed the beautiful weather and a chance to be together, relax and rejoice in our Savior!
Happy Easter everyone!
A joyful picture with Mimi and Papa who Ava has started calling "Popi." Not Popeye :)
Opening some Easter treats.
The egg hunt traditions continue!
On the go to find more eggs.
Sharing a leaf with Popi.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Celebrating Easter Morning
This time last year, Ava was about 8 months old...
Now, Ava is almost 20 months old!
Just before Easter, Ava watched Daddy mow the front yard, and Mimi and Papa came over to celebrate Easter with Ava and bring her some Easter goodies.
He is Risen! Hallelujah!
We woke up to a beautiful spring Easter morning and came downstairs to surprise Ava with her Easter basket. She enjoyed her basket so much more this year and really played with her toys. We ate breakfast and relaxed for a little bit and then I headed off to church to help the kiddos in the peacock nursery. Ava was a peacock before she was a monkey. There are days when I miss the peacock in her! :)
Saki showing satisfaction about the rabbit she probably thinks is hers.
Daddy and Ava donned their Easter attire and met me at church and we got a few monkey pictures. The little girls with those fancy sunglasses are Scarlett and Sapphire and they are very tender with Ava. Ava got her finger pinched in a toy a few weeks back and they gathered around her and patted her and were very concerned about her boo boo. Toddler love is so sweet.
We then came home and set up to take our traditional Easter pictures in the backyard. I can't believe how much Ava has grown!
Whew, I'm glad to be comfortable and finished with pictures... for now!
Now, Ava is almost 20 months old!
Just before Easter, Ava watched Daddy mow the front yard, and Mimi and Papa came over to celebrate Easter with Ava and bring her some Easter goodies.
He is Risen! Hallelujah!
We woke up to a beautiful spring Easter morning and came downstairs to surprise Ava with her Easter basket. She enjoyed her basket so much more this year and really played with her toys. We ate breakfast and relaxed for a little bit and then I headed off to church to help the kiddos in the peacock nursery. Ava was a peacock before she was a monkey. There are days when I miss the peacock in her! :)
Saki showing satisfaction about the rabbit she probably thinks is hers.
Daddy and Ava donned their Easter attire and met me at church and we got a few monkey pictures. The little girls with those fancy sunglasses are Scarlett and Sapphire and they are very tender with Ava. Ava got her finger pinched in a toy a few weeks back and they gathered around her and patted her and were very concerned about her boo boo. Toddler love is so sweet.
We then came home and set up to take our traditional Easter pictures in the backyard. I can't believe how much Ava has grown!
Whew, I'm glad to be comfortable and finished with pictures... for now!
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