Playgroup and Sprinkle for Baby Hadley

We celebrated the soon to be birth of Miss Hadley Elizabeth O'Kelley today at playgroup. All the kids had a great time playing together and the moms had fun too. Ava had so much fun with her friends Brooklyn, AJ, Luke, Maddy, Dylan, Lyla, Lucy, Brock and Brody! I am so thankful for these precious friendships!!

Beautiful poem

This picture was taken during Ava's first month of life. I can't believe she is 17 months old now. She is walking great, starting to talk and bringing such joy to my life. Praise the Lord, Great things He has done!


I just read this beautiful poem on a friend's blog. This poem so clearly describes how I felt so many times as I waiting to become pregnant with Ava and then as I waiting and worried about her as she was in the NICU. Only God could have known that I would have been able to handle the journey He chose for me....and for that I am thankful!


The Chosen Mothers

By Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with an illness." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with an illness to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."


"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she will handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don'think her faith is strong enough?"

"No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side."

"And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."

Memorial Day 2010

Ava had a great time at the lake house this weekend. She loved riding on the boat and even getting in the water a little bit with the help of Mommy and Daddy. She enjoyed spending time with Grammy, Doc, Me-Me, Bob-Bob, Kathi, Rick, Mike and Phyllis. Even though the weather wasn't wonderful, it still was a great time spending time with family. Ava is so blessed to be loved by so many!!

Picnic and Pool

Ava loved splashing in the pool

Miss Becky, Ashleigh Noelle and Be Be Grace

Mommy helped Ava float in her tube

The girls had a great time playing together
(Ava did wear her hat the whole time except for this picture)

Ava having a picnic at the pool

Ava's little lunch bag

Ava had a super fun day today at the pool with her friends Ashleigh Noelle and Be Be Grace. Mommy had fun too getting to spend time with her great friends Becky. We all had a picnic at the pool first and then had a blast playing in the pool. Ava had no fear of the water and even enjoyed putting her face in the water.

Just have to add that the reason I took a picture of Ava's lunch bag, is that this is the same bag that used to carry Ava's "meals" when she was up in the NICU. I would "make her meals" throughout the day and then take them up to her the next day. It is so nice to now use this lunch bag for fun things with her, like having a picnic at the pool!!!

Walking at Gymboree!!

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD!

Pushing the air log all by herself

Let's play ball!

Ava had a great time at Gymboree today! Now that she is walking she acted as if she was in a whole new world. She had a great time walking/running around the gym. She loved picking up the balls and shakers and carrying them around. She had a big time playing with all of the instruments. It was so fun to see her so happy and enjoying her new freedom!!

Summer Kick-off picnic

Kristen, Sarah and Kari

Luke and Ava playing with the kitchen

Kelly and Brooklyn and Abbey and Ava

All the girls

Ashleigh and Kristin with thier daughters

Maddy and Ava playing in the pool

Ava had such a fun night tonight with all of her little friends. The kids enjoyed the sandbox, pool and swingset, while the grown ups had some time to talk and hang out. It was such a great evening! I am so thankful that Ava is blessed with such great little friends. Of course I feel very blessed to have a fabulous group of friends too!!

Ava is a Mighty Walker

Ava is ready for class!

Walking to class!

Ava loves her Mighty Walker class!! Her teacher is Miss MaLinda and she is a fabulous teacher. Every Sunday Ava makes the cutest crafts. It was so sweet to see Ava walk to her class by herself. It tooks us a while to get to class but it was worth it! Ava had a great time in her new class with all her new friends and being a big girl!

Blue Ridge Mountain Writer's Conference

I won 3rd place for my Bible Study!!!

Vonda Skelton and I

New friends: Kit, Trishia and Paul-Michael

Todd Starnes, Fox Radio reporter

Ahhh the Nibble Nook!

Jerry Jenkins and Sheree DeCouto (my roomie)

Jerry Jenkins and I


This past week I attended the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference. It was amazing!! I learned how to be and to become a better writer and speaker. I was able to meet Jerry Jenkins who co-authored "The Left Behind" series. I also met Todd Starnes who is a Fox News reporter. It was so great to learn and be encourage by so many incredible speakers, writers and editors. Part of the conference was a contest for writers to submit their writing. I submitted my Bible Study, "The Waiting Womb" to the contest and I won 3rd place! Winning the contest was such a confirmation to me that I am on the right path.

Ava had fun spending the week with Grammy and Doc in Greenville. Also, news...AVA IS WALKING!!! Also her little left foot is not dragging anymore! Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. Pictures and possibley video to come!!

Mistletoe Lake

A snuggle from Mommy

Walking in the lake with Daddy

OOOOH! This water is so fun

With Poppy Joe

Grandmommy did not want her pic taken

Last week Ava, Mommy and Daddy all had a good time at Mistletoe Camp ground. Ava played in the lake and enjoyed some nature walks.