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

Ouchie Finger

Playing with Mommy's phone while waiting

Hurt Finger...ouch

I love Mommy's phone

Today when I picked Ava up from school her teachers told me that she got her fingers smooched in the bathroom door. It was an accident and they gave her big hugs, a bandaid and ice. Also, I am thankful that our good friend Miss Lee works at the church where Ava goes to school so she was able to comfort and calm Ava down. When I picked Ava up and saw her finger I did end up taking her to her pediatrician just to make sure. Her doctor looked at her finger and said that she did not need a stitch or anything. Her finger is just going to be bruised and a little tender. Thankful today for sweet teachers and great doctors that take good care of my sweet Ava.

Fall Playtime Fun

Matching GWU shirts

Watching the puppies

Playground fun


Climbing with Daddy's help

This afternoon since it was a GORGEOUS fall day, our little family went to the park near our house for a little playtime. There were a few older children there (about 5-7 years old) and were so sweet and did their best to include Ava in their games. Ava kept up with them pretty good..my little fearless one! It was just a quick play time at the park, but it was a great time of making memories!

Halloween 2011

Luke as Woody

Hadley as Jessie

The Culp's: Lyla, Lucy, Brody and Brock

Ava the elephant

Brooklyn as Snow White

Playing with the power wheels

Emma and Sophie as 2 of the 7 dwarfs

Yeah for jumpies

Playing games


Hitching a ride

Seeing cousins: Kate-Cinderella, Nathan: Spider Man

Isaac was Bubba-Phat

Happy Halloween! Ava was able to celebrate with her playgroup friends, school friends and her cousins. We started the evening with a cook out with playgroup friends. We then went on to Burnt Hickory (Ava's school), for the Harvest Festival. While we were there Ava played on the jumpies and played some games. She had a great time seeing her school friends and her cousins Kate, Nathan and Isaac. It was a great way to celebrate Halloween and Ava was the cutest elephant!