Random Weekend

Ava has still been sick, we are not getting much sleep. I am beat. Thankfully last night she laid right down and went to sleep and stayed asleep all night! Praise God! I think we are on the road to recovery. We still don't know what was causing her high fever. The doctor took her blood but all came out normal. They are thinking it is probably a virus that will need to run its course.

Ava's Papaw and Mamie were here for the weekend because Papaw was doing a little of this:In case you are wondering, he was in a cutting competition. Papaw and Pappy will be back with us on Tuesday for more competing. Ava is loving all the attention. She is for sure a Papaw's Girl!On Saturday, Ava, Mamie, and I got a little shopping done for Ava's party. Mamie is working on her a table cloth and we got paper to make a birthday banner. I sure hope it all comes together.
We have found many cute things. Even some cute party favors for the guests!
Look what Jarred found for Ava. He has been looking for a hat that would fit her for many months. Well, he finally found one. Now we have TWINS! ;-)

Guess who is back in the US?

Yes, you guessed it....James (Uncle Jimmy) is back. James arrived home from Afghanistan at Fort Stewart, Georgia yesterday. He will begin out processing and then will return home for good! We can't wait! Just in time for Doodle Bug's first birthday!

We thank God for keeping Uncle Jimmy safe. There was not a day we took his safety for granted. God is so good. I know Elissa is so happy to have her hubby back in her arms.

We missed you James, we are so glad you are home. Let the fun times begin again!! (It just was not as fun without you here!)

Sick Kid

My sweet girl is sick. She woke up in the middle of the night and was burning up. Poor baby, she was in a puddle of sweat. I made her an appointment and by this afternoon her fever was over 103. Strep negative. Flu negative. We have to collect a urine sample in the morning so they can test to see if she has a bladder infection. Have any of you ever done this? Not fun. We could not get her to go in the doctors office.

Her fever broke a little tonight and she seemed to be feeling better. Jarred has a tradition that every time he is sick he wants a Popsicle. Not any Popsicle, only ones with cream in the middle. So tonight, a new tradition was started.

I think this is one tradition Ava will like!
I sure hope she feels better in the morning. I hate seeing her like this. She just wants her head on my shoulder. Not smiling. Not talking. Not playful. Poor baby, mama wants you to feel better soon.

Look who is taking a few steps....

My sweet girl has started taking a few steps. I don't know if I am ready for this. She already gets around at record speed crawling. She gets into everything. Lord, H-E-L-P us! I can't believe that probably in a few weeks my baby will be running! ;-)

My sweet baby is growing up! Growing up fast!Here I come Daddy!Well, I guess I need a little more practice.

Great date with Elissa

Yesterday we had a wonderful time out on the town. It was just what I needed. I felt so refreshed.

It started out with the musical, Miss Saigon and ended with dinner at the Aquarium. The musical was great, I was hoping for a happier ending. I think we will going to the Aquarium for Jarred and Ava's birthday dinner. I think Ava would love looking at all the fish. She would probably like riding the carousel and the farris wheel as well!

It is such a neat place, I would recommend it. It has one of the biggest aquariums in the country!Can you believe these desserts? All I can say is Y-U-M-M-Y!
Thanks Elissa for such a great date!

Our Perfect "Love" Day!

I have the best two Lovies! These guys make life so much sweeter....This one had her first taste of a ring pop! I told her every girl needs some jewelry for love day! One day she will want the kind you can't eat! We were laughing at this....She got some new headbands, but really all she cared about was the 50 cent ring pop. Will you always be this easy?

This was before our date tonight. We had dinner reservations at 5:30, thanks Elissa for keeping our sweet little Valentine. Jarred surprised me with a new outfit from Ann Taylor. He did such a great job. To be honest, I was surprised. He can't dress Ava but I told him he could pick out my clothes anytime! We ate dinner at Guri do Sul. It was awesome! If you love meat, you would love this resturant. They continuously bring around different choices of flavorful meats which include cuts from beef, chicken, pork, lamb and seafood. Jarred and I laughed that we felt we had ate an entire cow when we left. Such a great date, thanks hubby!Me and my sweet girl. It was so much fun getting her some fun Valentines. I think she will appreciate her mailbox a little more next year.I thank God for all the Love in my life!
Happy Valentine's Day!

You've Got Mail

Here is the Valentines card that Ava sent out to her family and friends. This year I did not make them as I usually do. No time. I have been trying to simply life. I will let you know when it works.
I found these little beauties at Target for a dollar. I added a little bling and leave little "love" letters/goodies for my Valentines. I am sure Ava will appreciate her mailbox a little more next year. How are you showing love?

Busy, Busy Weekend

Where do these things called weekends disappear to? Is it really already time to return to work?

It was quite the weekend here. It was great, busy but still great! Saturday, Ava and I had a date with Lincoln and Amanda. Boy, was it eventful. Amanda got to our house at 10:30 and I was already tired and needing a nap! Did I mention that Ava and I slept until 8:45? It was crazy, I was rushing around to get us feed and dressed and when it was all compete Ava choked on a small leaf that was on the bathroom floor. Can you guess what happened next? Puke, Everywhere! All over me, all over her. When Amanda arrived she was already pretty frazzled too! It was kind of nice to see that I am not the only mom spiraling out of control at times. We made our way to eat and them headed to do a little shopping. We made quite the picture. All I can say is, NO Dull Moments between the two and one MAJOR blowout! How do people have twins?**Amanda was pushing her stroller behind me and made the comment, "Did you ever think we would be doing this?" "Pushing our Kids?"/"Being Mommies together?" It is neat to have a friend that you really have grown up with.

Sunday was also a busy one! Church, dinner for friends, then moving furniture again!

Tonight was my night to take dinner to the Parkers'. On their menu: tacos, rice and beans from pappasito's, and creamy jalapeno dip from Chuy's. (If you have never had this dip, go now...you won't be disappointed!) As I turned down the street I was so happy and upset. You see, I was upset not to be turning into my old driveway. I miss my house. I miss my neighbors. You should see our yard, my pretty landscaping! It just does not look the same! As I turned from looking at my old house I spotted Ronel riding his brand new bike. Oh, how this made me happy! I wish you could all see the smile on his face. It was so bright. Debra asked me, "Did you ever think he would be sitting here, here in this house?" It sure is such a God thing. We had to move all our furniture again. Our ceiling is still not fixed. Grrrr.....
I sure hope this gets worked out fast. I am tired of moving furniture and having to be out of our house, it is hard to be out with Ava.

Now, on to some happy pictures of Ava and her daddy:We love to swing!

The Perfect Ending. Welcome Home Ronel.

Have you ever been apart of a God Story? I have to say, God sure knows how to write one with a happy ending. Tonight at 7:45, I got to welcome home sweet Ronel. I think I will never forget the shy smile on his face as he descended the escalator. Nor will I forget the look on the Parkers' faces as they saw their sweet new addition. It has been years of tears and hard work, and tonight they will all sleep under the same roof. If these pictures don't prove God is in the "happy business", what does? Ronel, you are going to love your new family, I know I sure do!

Here they come! Look at the excitement on their faces. Priceless.

Pure Joy.Can't you just feel the love? I love how he is looking at his Mama.6 Parkers'

The Family is now COMPLETE!

Leaving on a Jet plane....

Guess who is in the air as I type? Ronel! Praise God, they are on the way home. It is amazing to see God's hand in this incredible story. A story that has ended well. I can't wait to meet this special boy and for sure will be posting pictures. Thanks for all of you who prayed for this family!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is GOOD; for His loving kindness is everlasting. Psalms 107:1

My heart is heavy

My friend's three year old son, Jackson has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He was feeling bad last Thursday and Jennifer took him in for a check-up and that was when the problem was discovered. They are at Texas Children's now, he has had 3 doses of chemotherapy already and will have another one on Friday. Please keep this family in your prayers. She said he has been such a tropper, his only complaint is that he wants to go home.

Please commit to pray for this family with me.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14