Seeing Santa

Ava went a saw Santa Claus today! She did great! Last year, we have the typical, screaming, crying, red faced picture, but not today. She sat right in Santa's lap and sad, hi!! Even though she did not tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas, I know he knows what she wants!!

Decorating For Christmas

Mommy and Ava

Putting up the star

Watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Stockings hung with care

Playing with her Manger Scene

Ready to decorate

Today we decorated our house for Christmas. We put up the tree, hung the stockings and decorated the outside of the house. Our Christmas tradition is to watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer while we put up the Christmas decoration. It was a wonderful day, full of making memories. My heart is full!

Jesus Loves Me!

Ava singing "Jesus Loves Me" in the car!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Snack time with Me-Me

Newest family member Emma Grace

The kids tables



All the yummy food


McClellen loved her cupcake

Playtime



Outside fun



Bob-Bob giving Ava a hand

knocked out from all the fun!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It truly was a happy thanksgiving. We spent the day at Me-Me and Bob-Bob's house for lunch. It was great to spend the day with my grandparents, parents, brother and sister in law, nephew, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. There were a total of 20 adults and 9 children. Thankful, thankful for the amazing family that has blessed my life! God has been so very good and gracious to our family.

2 Samuel 7:18

“Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"

Operation Potty Training

Princess Pull Ups

Princess Panties

Princess Potty Seat

Watching Elmo potty DVD

Making Cinnamon Apple Cake


Cooking in her kitchen

Forts are so much fun


Playing with Mommy's phone on the potty

Yesterday we began "Operation Potty Training"! We started our adventure by going to Target and Ava picking out her pull ups, big girl panties and potty seat. Of course they were all Princess or Toy Story, since those are her favorites. We spent the day in the house, making a cake, building a fort and working on going to the potty. The morning was a little rough with four accidents, but in the afternoon we actually had success! After Ava got up from nap and we played around a little bit, I asked her if she needed to go potty. We went into the bathroom, sat on the potty and success! We celebrated and Ava got a treat out of our treat bag. Today we begin again...hopefully another stress-free day!

End of an era

1999-2011

Yesterday was the end of an era. I sold Holly the Honda. It was a sad and reflective day because Holly and I have made some great memories together. I have driven Holly for almost 12 years. I bought her in 1999, right after my horrific wreck that totaled my first car Sally the Saturn. In the last 12 years Holly and l have lived life together, both the good times and the bad. Here are a few of the memories that were made in my little Holly.

• Went to SEBTS
• Internship at FBCW
• First Job as Elementary Associate at FBCW
• Meeting, dating and becoming engaged to Adam
• Working at Noonday
• Working at Cherokee Christian
• Infertility Treatements
• Ava's stay in the NICU
• Ava's first (almost) 3 years of life
• Countless road trips, girls night outs and many adventures

So yesterday I allowed myself to cry and even mourn the passing of an era. Though I am sad to see Holly the Honda go, I am excited about my "new to me" Toyota 4-Runner! Now it is time to name the new car...what should it be?

Purple for Preemies

Alison and Katelyn....Ava and Katelyn were roomies in the NICU

My favorite preemie

Mommy and Ava

Grammy and Doc wear their purple


Noah and Melissa- Ava and Noah were friends in the NICU

Lauren-ERBC and Greenville friend

Stephanie- GWU friend

Teri-Noonday Friend

Joe Ong- Daddy (Adam's work friend)


Keri and Aerilyn- Bible Study and Cedarcrest friend

Amber-Bible Study and Cedarcrest friend

Beth- High School friend

Baby Adelaide

Today was Preemie Awareness Day! In order to celebrate the day, I asked friends and family to wear purple. Above are some pictures of some of my friends and family that dressed in their purple finest. It really meant a lot to receive support and encouragement for my special preemie, Ava and other preemies! "She is clothed in fine linen and purple." Proverbs 31:22