How we would all like to be treated

In the movie "Radio" the football coach has a very inspiring quote about Radio. He says, "Radio treats everyone the way we wish were treated half the time."

I was reminded of that quote this morning on the way to church. As we were driving to church I asked Ava if she was ready to go to church. I said she would see her teacher Miss Malinda, all her friends and learn about Jesus. Ava then looked at me and said "church", "Mitchell" It made me tear up a little bit. Why you ask? First of all, we have been working really hard on Ava's talking, and to hear her use two words in a row was awesome. But what made me tear up the most was that she said, "Mitchell", when I asked her what friend she was excited to see at church. You see

Michell was created a little be extra special by God. He has cerebral palsy and brings his super cool walker at church. Ava loves Mitchell! Every Sunday she looks for him and they play together in class, he's only run over her once in his walker, ha ha! In fact today, as I was walking by Ava's class she was crying which is unusual because she loves Sunday School. When I picked Ava up I asked the teacher why did she started crying. She said, because Mitchell left. Then as we were leaving church today, Ava saw her buddy Mitchell and reach out and tapped him on the arm.

I love the fact that Ava doesn't care that Mitchell may walk or talk different or get around using a walker. All she knows is that he is her friend and she has fun with him at church I pray that her heart stays tender to those around her that need a little be more love and care. My little miracle baby, made this mama beam with pride today. I am thankful that what I am teacher her about "Love one another", is actually being played out in her little heart and life.

Matthew 25:40
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Smores!!

Daddy melting the marshmellows

Eating a smore with Daddy

Eating a smore with Mommy

This afternoon Daddy needed to burn some yard trash, so he made a little fire pit in the backyard. Since it was such a chilly Fall/Winter afternoon, we decided that it would be fun, after the work, to make smores! Ava was not too thrilled about the Smores but she enjoyed eating just the graham crackers.

Side note about Ava's speech. I have been a little concerned about her little bit of a speech delay. But she had an evaluation the other day and scored in the middle of "normal" range. We are going to do some practice exercises at home and then have a follow up visit in February or March. Today, Ava decided to show out with her talking! First of all, when we were playing outside she walked towards the door and said, "hold me, inside". Then this evening I heard her messing with the DVD drawer (which she is not allowed to do). I walked into the room and I asked her if she was making a good choice or a bad choice. She looked at me and said "bad choice" and pushed the draw back in...ha ha!!

Storytime

Yeah for seeing all my friends at story time!

If your happy and you know it!

Shakin it with Maddy

Today since it was voting day, Ava did not have school. So we decided to go to story time at the library. It was so much fun! Ava saw her good friends Maddy and Dylan. Ava also got to see three of her friends from Gymboree! It was so fun to see her little face light up when she saw them.

Before we went to story time we did go and vote. An hour in line with an almost two year old, is not that much fun. Ava recieved a D- for her behavior but at least we were entertaining to those around us!

Trick or Treating with Friends

Ava, Maddy and Lyla hanging out

Fun times cooking out

Playing at Luke's sand table

Luke giving Ava a ride

Trick or Treating is so much fun

Miss Kelly had pink candy

Daddy and Ava trick or treating

All of the children loved the "spooky" house

Tinkerbell is off to get more candy

Trick or Treating is hard work

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Tonight Ava, Mommy and Daddy had a great time having a cook out and trick or treating with friends. At first Ava was not so sure about the whole trick or treating but soon she got the hang of it. Even though she is the littlest of the "big kids", she kept up with everyone. It was so cute seeing her trick or treat with her friends. Mommy, Daddy and Ava are so thankful for wonderful, fun friends!

Festival with Friends

Twix are YUMMY!

Ava, Brooklyn, Luke and Maddy

Sharing a candy treat with friends

Fun in the jumpie

Playing a pick a duck game....she won a prize

Ava had a great time this afternoon at a Fall festival. Her friend Maddy invited all the friends from play group to come to her church's festival. It was so much fun. Ava enjoyed playing on the jumpie and playing some games. The best part was seeing her friends all dressed up. During the festival we even ran into some of our Greenville friends, Susan and Ashley Elliot. Who knew?? Ava especially enjoyed snacking on a Twix candy bar...a girl after her mama's heart.

Yahoo Farms

She was so proud of herself!

Ready to go to the Pumpking Patch!

OOOH! Look at the goats

Eat more chicken!

Daddy can have a pony?

Mommy and Ava loving on the pony

Ava was not so sure about the pony ride

CHEESE!!

Mommy and Ava

Our little family at the Pumpkin Patch

Daddy and Ava on the hayride

Which pumpkin do I want??

Walking in the butterfly garden

Watching Abby Caddabbby on the way home!

Today Daddy, Mommy and Ava went to pick out a pumpkin....better late then never right!!! We went back up to Jasper to Yahoo Farms like we did last year....our family Fall tradition. At the farm we looked at pumpkins and took a hayride. Ava had a great time petting the goats and getting to go on a pony ride! It was a super fun morning and we were thankful for the beautiful fall leaves and wonderful weather.

Visiting Me-Me and Bob-Bob

Tickle, Tickle from Bob-Bob!

OOOH! I love my new doll bed Me-Me

On friday Ava and I went to visit Me-Me and Bob-Bob. Ava wanted to show them her cute little Tinkerbell costume. Also while we were there, she was given a super cute bed that Bob-Bob made for her. After playing a little bit we had a little lunch of chili and cornbread. Ava always had such a fun time when she sees Me-Me and Bob-Bob!

All about books!

Why waste time with one book at a time?

Ava loves books!! The other morning I found Ava in her book box reading her books. It was so funny, she just looked at me like, what? She was snuggled in her book box, having a great morning!

Playing in the rain

Splish and Splash!

So much fun!

Rain drops are falling on my head

Fun in the rain

For the last two days it has been very, very rainy. SO this afternoon when it "supposely" stopped raining we went outside to play. After being outside for about 10 minutes, it started pouring rain. We ran into the garage, took off our shoes and socks and had a fun time in the rain!!