At the Park

Let's explore the park

With Grampa and Daddy

Having fun with Grama and Grampa

Grandparents and The 4th of July!

The 4th of July Parade with Daddy

At the beginning of the parade...

Here we go.

Together

Pretty red necklace

First snow cone with Daddy

Grama & Grampa

Memorial Day at the Beach

Happy Memorial Day Sweet Girl! Here you are playing at the beach in the sand.

...and you loved getting in the water with Daddy...

and you ate some sand...I don't think it was your favorite treat.

but you had so much fun!

Sweet Girl,
You have started your new day care and it has been a bit of an adjustment. You cry when I leave but then enjoy playing with the other little ones. It may be worse for me than it is for you but we are making it! I always wait at the door and peek in on you to make sure you are okay before I leave.

We had a great long weekend together. We went to the beach and you loved playing in the sand and waves. Mommy made a sand castle and Daddy took you in the waves. You are growing up so fast! You have started to say so many more words. You are saying night, night, bye, bye, banana, Mommy, Daddy, doggy and duck. You are signing the words all done, more, drink, and eat. You are blowing kisses and waving good-bye. You are napping once in the afternoon for two to three hours. Your favorite foods include broccoli, watermelon, grapes, black beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and avocado to name a few. You will not drink juice but love your water.

You love to read your books with Mommy and always laugh when I make the animal sounds for you. You especially love when I try to waddle like a penguin. You are just precious and love to go on walks and be outside. It is hard to get you back in when you are out and about! You love to explore your world and it is so fun to watch. You are such a gift to us, it is such a joy to watch you grow and we love you so much. Happy Memorial Day!
Love you - Mommy

On Being Little

Lessons Learned from my

Sweet Little Flower

Baby Girl,
I am learning so much just being with you more these days. Mommy is still on a break from work and excited to spend the day with you playing, going to the park and enjoying the little things. Daddy is going to have a hard time when he can't see us as much.

Each day, God is teaching me to be still and be present. I am use to being so busy and it can be hard for me to slow down, but I am learning. You are teaching me so much and reminding me about the beauty of being little. Here is what I read today...

Therese of Lisieux says in Simply Surrender,

"Again, being a little child means not attributing to ourselves any virtues we may possess. On the contrary, it means recognizing the fact that God places the treasure of his virtue in our childish hands for us to use as we need it. But it remains his treasure, his gift.

Finally, staying little means not losing courage when we tumble, for we are too small to suffer serious injury. We must stay little in order to make quick progress along the path of divine love. You will be able to say with John of the Cross: "By stooping so low I mounted so High that I was able to reach my goal."

Through the Day: " Life with the Father cannot be earned."

I am learning that the beauty of our relationship with God is not earned, it is a treasure, a gift. I am aware that you are a treasure that God has placed in our hands. I pray that we will humbly give and receive as we grow in relationship with you, my precious daughter. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of being little. I am embracing the truth of being precious and treasured rather than being lost in doing what I think will make me good enough. You are loved just as you are, you are enough little one. I pray that I can embody this truth for you and pass long this treasure to you from Him. I love you.
Love,
Your Mommy

Easter

Gathering the Easter Eggs...

You had so much fun picking them up, again and again...

You looked so grown up with your basket on your arm!

Of course, you had to try and eat the plastic eggs.

Baby Girl,
Happy Easter! You are getting so big! You carried your Easter Basket and gathered eggs with Daddy today in the back yard. It was so cute to see you looking so grown up and having so much fun. Then we went to church, to lunch and the Easter Parade on Monument Avenue with Daryl and Sara. It was a busy but fun day! Happy Easter sweet girl!
Love, Mommy

Playing at the Park

~A Day at the Park~

Ava Kate - You love the swing!

...and the slide...

Sweet Ava Kate,
You are growing up so fast and you are 12 months and two weeks old now! I love all your smiles and all your giggles. You simply love the swing and are so friendly with everyone - even people you don't know. You are blowing kisses and saying new words like dog. You are walking so much more confidently but you still take steps cautiously.
Right now, I am staying home with you until I start my new job mid-May. I am looking for the right day care for you. There are a few church day cares that we are looking at and I am visiting more this week and next week. I am praying that God leads us to the right place for you to meet new friends and grow. You are so precious and I love getting to know you as you grow.
I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy

happy girl

Dedication

Ava Kate's Dedication

Here we are headed out to your dedication at church.

Sweet Smiles from our Sweet Girl

Pastor Kevin praying over youPastor Kevin Dedicating You

Sweet Ava,
This past weekend we dedicated you at church. We were all together with Aunt Jill, Uncle Josh and friends from our small group too. We prayed over you and can't wait to see how you grow in God's love.
Love you!
Mommy