Party Time

I've been in somewhat of a blogging funk. I have thought about sitting down to blog several times, but just never wanted to put forth the energy to actually write out a post. These days all my energy is being exerted at work, running, chasing after a 1 year old, cooking, cleaning...the list could go on...so when I actually sit down the last thing I want to do is write! I also have a couple of books that are waiting on me and I just haven't wanted to dive in- I am being lazy- with a capital "L". A few weeks ago we went to a birthday party of a son of a couple in our small group. Their little boy was turning 5. They are a very sweet family :)



Ava was so cute in her party attire! She had a great time playing with this little toy- even though she has a similar one at home and she rarely played with it. We walked in and she saw a little boy playing with it and after watching for a few minutes, she joined in on the fun. Since this party, her toy has brough on a new meaning.


Still playing....really, all the commotion going on and all the kids running around, she was just as content playing with this toy.

Their youngest son, who is about 6 months older than Ava, was driving his car- Ava was wishing it was a two-seater :)

Pass the remote please?

I'm sitting here watching tv and playing on the computer thinking I should "get the lead out" and get some things done around the house since itty bitty is asleep. Instead I'm watching the Disney Channel because Ava fell asleep while watching it and I just haven't felt the need to reach for the remote and change it...or it could just be that my life now revolves around the Disney Channel and truth be told I even get a little excited when a new episode of Wizards of Waverly Place is advertised....let's not let that get out- it might change the image people have of me.

In all honesty, I watch way more Disney Channel than any adult should be allowed to watch. Unless Adam is home and it is quickly changed to something sports related, that is until I can find the appropriate time to slide in the fact that "Ava" would much rather watch the Disney Channel. At which point he would kindly say, Ava is playing in her room...where there isn't even a TV......I'm hopeless, I have just admitted to the world that I am a Disney Channel addict. Hi, I'm Stephanie, and I have a problem.

I'm sure Adam would be thrilled if I would give the whole Disney thing a rest, but I justify my endless hours of Disney Channel watching with the claims that it is "thoughtless tv watching" and "brings me back to my days of being a kid" and we all know that it is my love for the characters and the thought-provoking story lines that exist in each program.

Did I really just take up an entire post to talk about my tv watching addiction? Apparently I needed an excuse to keep my lazy self sitting in the reclined postion on the couch, knew my fingers needed a good workout and I would exert very little enegy with this particular workout.

Speaking of workouts and the real reason I began this self-shaming post- Adam and I are training for the River Run.

Daddy comes for a visit

Last week Adam worked in Callahan for a few days and the week before he actually worked 2-10 in the evenings so he was able to keep Ava during the day and we would switch right before he left for work. Last Wenesday he came by to eat lunch with us and Ava enjoyed him being there so much. Especially when he would read books with her and ride her around on her 4-wheeler.

Secrets with Memaw

Memaw fell on December 27th and they had to take her to the hospital. The scans showed that she broke her hip so they had to perform surgery and then she had to be moved to rehab. Because of the new laws in the hospitals Ava wasn't allowed to go see her. We had to wait to see her when she came home. Nana called as soon as she was settled and we went to visit. She was exhausted and so glad to be home. We visited with her for a little while and went back
see her on Monday.

From the pictures, Ava seemed to bring out the little girl in Memaw.





I'm not sure what secrets were being passed between the two- but it sured looked fun!

A Beautiful Day

After the disastrous weather we had yesterday, tornado warnings and all, we needed a day with good weather to exert some energy. Today was absolutely beautiful, the weather was perfect in every way. We went outside to play around for a little while.

Adam was hitting with his golf clubs and Ava decided she wanted in on the action. Now, before you all starting thinking I am the overprotective parent that makes my child wear a helmet to hit golf balls- let me just say that golf is a dangerous sport- haha! Ava was actually wearing the helmet because she had been riding her tricycle.


Here she is studying her next shot

Oh no! She must have sliced it!

She decided to use a mulligan!

I think she signed autographs on her way out- I think her golf skills made her daddy proud today :)

The real reason she was wearing her helmet- We are so glad it Friday! We have a friend's birthday party to attend tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be great so we should have a great day!

Earthquake in Haiti

The devastation that is seen in videos and pictures coming from Haiti after the earthquake is enough to make everyone lose sleep. The pictures of collapsed buildings, injured people and even bodies of people lining the streets are horrifying. After seeing one picture of a man carrying his daughter- a baby about Ava's age- who had died in the earthquake makes me want to hold her tight and never let go. After seeing that particular picture I had to stop- I couldn't do it anymore. I can't watch the news, I can't read any reports- I just look away. My heart is aching for these people. There is so much that needs to be done and so much help that needs to be provided, but I feel useless since I can't hop on a plane and fly down there.

I have realized through many tragedies closer to home (although none as widespread as this, but tragedies all the same) that I am a fixer- I see a problem and I want to fix it. I have also realized that there are times you can't fix things and even more importantly I am not the one in control. Yes, I question God and Why he allowed something like this to happen. I question him and I am not even the one who lost a child/mother/father/sibling/relative/friend...yet I saw a glimmer of hope as I read some of the reports (before I blocked them all out) of singing in the streets and people continuing to praise God- amidst all the dust, debris, and death- they were still praising God. I would like to say that I would do the same- It would be hard to praise the God who allowed the devastation to happen. I think if we were all honest we would all agree. Praising God when we are on a mountain top is one thing- praising him as we walk through a storm is another.

Since I can't fix the situation or fly down to help. I did donate. And more importantly I am praying. I am praying for the people of Haiti, I am praying for the United Nations and the wisdom to make the right choices in their recovery efforts, I am praying for the rescue teams who were able to fly down for their strength, energy, and wisdom in their decisions. I am also praying for myself- that I would be able to praise him through whatever storm I walk through in my lifetime. At the same time I am thanking him for allowing my family to be safe and healthy.

To Donate: you can text HAITI (American Red Cross) or DISASTER (Compassion) to 90999 to donate $10 billed on your next wireless bill or visit their websites to donate a larger amount

Matt and Em's Wedding

Congratualtions to Mr and Mrs. Matt Penny!!!

Remember how I told you about the peg game? Well it kept her entertained for most of our dinner. We were in the corner (again!) which worked out great, we blocked Ava from being able to get out and she sat and played while we ate.

Ava decided she wanted to cut a rug on the dance floor-

I know it's inevitable for my baby girl to grow up- but as I watched Matt and Em dance their first dance, it really hit me that Ava will one day be doing this same thing and I have to be honest and say I wasn't crazy about the thought. Weddings must be bittersweet for parents. I most definitely do not want her to grow up as fast as she is!!!

Emily and her grandfather- He had never danced before and that night he danced with 2 of his grandaughters and his wife (of 54 years)- it was so sweet! I know they will never forget it!

Barbara giving her toast/speech at the reception

Again with her random "pose" on the floor

Garrett "cut in" on Big Papa to dance with Grammy.

The Sisters

The beautiful bride, her sister, Ava and myself. Ava admired Em's dress the entire night, everytime she walked by she would want to touch it. Emily told her that one day she will be able to have one- OH BOY! I don't even want to think about that day quite yet!

The wedding was beautiful and we all had a great time. It was nice to be able to visit with family. Ava and I were both worn out by the time we finshed packing up the cars after the reception. As soon as I strapped her in her carseat she was out! She didn't hardly wake up when I undressed and put on her pajamas when we made it back to the hotel. I think it will take us a good week to recoup from the weekend.