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

Ava Kate's First Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Ava Kate! You are 1 year old!
We had a big first Birthday Party for you sweet Ava Kate. Aunt Jilly and Uncle Josh came to celebrate too. We had lots of good food and you had your first cupcake too! You didn't seem to care about the cupcake much but you loved all the people that came to celebrate with you!Here you are with your Uncle Josh - you love him!

Everyone gathering around the food.

You - walking with some help!

Cupcakes that say Happy Birthday - to you of course!!!

-Sparkling Pink Lemon-aid-

Gifts for the Birthday Girl!!!

Your first cupcake ever!
It was vanilla strawberry cupcake with lemon cream cheese icing. You were not sure if you liked it or not. You ate the icing more than the cupcake but seemed to enjoy yourself as everyone was singing to you.

Here you are listening as everyone sang, Happy Birthday dear Ava Kate...Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Ava Kate!
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March 25th, 2011