My Heart Sings!

Promised Pumpkin Pics!

Pumpkin craziness!

Because of Josh's job, we sometimes have the opportunity for different things around here. This year, he decided to have a pumpkin patch at church to help raise money for the children and youth events next summer. Because this is his deal, I have a feeling I will hate pumpkins by the time the 31st rolls around. However, this morning we were full of excitement because we knew the pumpkins were coming! Josh told me earlier in the week that we were only getting a quarter of a truck, but me being the city girl that I am, had no idea what that meant. Well, it turns out that a quarter of a truck is 918 pumpkins plus a crate of "spookeys" and about 20 boxes of minis, gourds, and other various pumpkin-like things. Although it was way more work than I am accustomed too (I am WAY out of shape!), we had a blast working with good friends to complete a goal. I was proud of the children and youth that helped, and touched by the adults that helped (with no youth or children of their own). I really liked the two shortest helpers that just kept on working even though they were worn out! I truly hope that in the midst of this wacky life that happens at our house, they are learning to help even when there is nothing for them to gain. Today they did a great job!!!

Having picture issues. I'll try again tomorrow.

Not to be left out

I haven't mentioned Reagan much lately. She is growing like a weed. As soon as we pulled out the video camera for Avery, she insisted on being recorded too. That's how just about everything goes these days. If Avery can do it, she must be big enough too. This took about 7 takes to get her to stand in the same place for the entire song. :~P

And here are a couple of pictures of the cutie-patootie!

Life is good... or at least better :+)

I had this huge long post about all of Avery's school drama. Then I decided that people are tired of hearing it and I'm tired of telling it. I get all upset all over again, and that's not necessary. Besides, I think most of the people that read this know the saga. (If you don't, and want to know, let me know.) So, I'll just say that we are doing so much better. It will take some time for Avery to trust her teacher, but she is doing amazingly well. She has surprised me again. Where I thought she would really struggle, she has survived and thrived. She's much more of a fighter than I give her credit for. Here are a few things she has learned in the 2 weeks she's been there.

The best part??? That beautiful smile when she's done. We're seeing a lot more of that these days. God is good!

..... GO!!!!!!!!!

What a first week! Avery LOVES school! I hope she has a wonderful year!!!

Daddy read her a new "first day of school" book the night before.

So excited!

She looks ready to work.

Her celebration plate! We celebrated that night with pizza and the new Hannah Montana movie... and...

a cookie!

Woohoo!!! Avery is in kindergarten!!!

Ready..... Set.....

I can't believe that a week from today my daughter will be in Kindergarten. She is so excited. We have all uniforms bought. All supplies labeled. She is completely ready. To celebrate we went to have High Tea last week. Just me and my Avery. She was completely hysterical. She wouldn't eat any of the "fancy" food and they finally brought her a peanut butter sandwich and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I thought it perfect. My girl who is growing up before my very eyes, much too fast ... is still a little girl.

What a summer!

It's been a while since my last post. I've been too busy enjoying my summer. We didn't do anything huge. No big vacations to other countries or other states. In fact the only other towns we've been to were ones where family members live. And yet it has been an awesome summer. I didn't do much blogging because there wasn't anything huge to tell about. The great parts of our summer have been in the day to day... Avery snuggling with me each morning, Reagan playing dolls, lunch with Daddy. We have gone on some great day trips with the kids from church, been to see Grandma and Grandpa in their much closer location, and had friends come to visit. We've gone to the park, played at the mall, ridden the carousel. Reagan is now in a big girl bed with no pacifier, and on the verge of potty training. Avery is a completely different child with her hearing aids, and is so excited about kindergarten. It has been a summer of growing up and family and friends and I think I will look back on it as one of my favorites.

Pizza Fun!

We had a great time this morning making our own pizza at CiCi's. I am so thankful for friends to do "field trips" with and a husband who can (and will) come participate. The girls had a blast making their own pizza, playing with all their friends, and sitting at the kid's table. Josh and I had fun too... because we didn't sit at the kid's table! :)

She's done it again!

Avery has shocked me! She has taken to hearing aids like a duck to water... makes me think they might be making a difference. I've asked her and she says they help her hear better, but she can't tell me how. She tries to put up a fuss when we put them on... but not really. I think shes just doing it because she feels she is supposed to. She doesn't try to take them out at all, and hasn't complained either.

Struggling

It's finally summer! The excitement that brings is difficult to put into words. It's day 2 and I am still giddy over the fact that I get to spend my days with 2 precious girls instead of 50 not so precious 6th graders.

The beginning of summer however has been a bit bittersweet. I haven't blogged or even spoken about it much because God is working so directly with me that I'm not always sure of what to say... it is a constant battle. Last week we ordered Avery's hearing aids. The grant money did not come in so there was no reason to wait any longer. We have an appointment next Tuesday to pick them up. There is a part of me that is so excited, and yet another part is heartbroken. I so don't want this for my daughter. As I look down the road I can already see the teasing and insecurities that will come. I've already been questioned as to if she really needs them, to the point of doing more research. Several times I've laid out all of her hearing tests to see what the "experts" would recommend. Because her hearing loss is in both ears, the same answer is given every time.

I heard an interview a couple of weeks ago as I was coming home from church. I don't even know who was talking, but the couple found out while they were pregnant that their baby could not sustain life and they knew as soon as she was born she would have a short time to live. Although, our situation is not nearly so dire, she said something that touched me so profoundly. She said that one day, driving home she just screamed out to God saying "WHY!!! You can heal her. You have that power and ability. WHY am I having to go through this." And the still, small voice she heard said, "This is for my glory". All of this we have heard in other situations, but it was what she said next that I loved. She said "I know God will use this, and He will be glorified in some way, but honestly, sometimes I'd rather have my daughter." I cry as I type this even now. I want to know WHY Avery will have to bear this burden. I know all the facts... that hearing aides are so much smaller now, and can do so many more things, but I also know that it will not always be easy. She will struggle and she will hurt. I loved the honesty in that interview, and I love knowing that God knows my heart. He sees my pain, and He knows the pain Avery will have later. Yet, he still loves me, and He loves Avery even more than I do. I am begging God that when the time comes, I will have the words for her. But even more so, I am begging God to use us, Avery especially, to bring glory to Him through all of this. It doesn't matter why. God is in control, and He will be there for her when she struggles. So next Tuesday my beautiful daughter will be sporting sparkly, glittery, pink hearing aids. Please pray for us as we all transition into this new stage of her life. But even more importantly, please pray that God will be glorified even more than I can imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6LTfueFPpM

I underestimated them

Last summer we were invited to a birthday party where instead of gifts they asked for items to donate to a charity - I forget which one. I thought that was such a great idea and after packing up and unpacking the playroom last August I decided the girls had enough toys and books and that we would do the same thing. I thought about it occasionally during the year and wondered how they would handle it - especially Avery. Reagan hasn't had many birthdays and hasn't gone to many parties, but Avery is becoming a pro and is learning when to expect some loot. When the birthdays rolled around we decided to ask for books to donate to Texas Children's Hospital. We have spent much time in the various TCH waiting rooms over the past few months so I thought that would be a place where many other children could benefit, but where we might run into the books again. I thought it would be neat for Avery to see where they went. Our friends were wonderful and many brought 2 or 3 to the party instead of just 1. They have been sitting in the kitchen ready to go and we finally got over to the hospital this week to donate. Again, I wasn't sure how either Avery or Reagan would handle handing over brand new books to a lady they didn't know - especially since books are still their favorite toy and they didn't have most of the books we were giving. THEY WERE AMAZING. Both of them handed over the books with a smile and never complained about doing so. I was so proud. In a world were people are always looking to "get", I hope we can teach them the importance of giving... and I hope that I can learn from them how easy and rewarding it is to give.

The Easter Basket

When Avery was born 9 days before Easter she was given a huge Easter basket filled with baby goodies. We took out the goodies and put her in and took a picture. 3 years later Reagan was born 6 days before Easter and the tradition continued. It is amazing to see how much they have grown. Here are some pictures of our Easter beauties.

Would you care for a cup of tea?

As I look at our lives now, I think it's so funny that the first thing I said when we found out Avery was a girl was, "What do you do with girls?!?!?!" Josh and I were so convinced she was a boy. 3 years later we were shocked again. And now, I can't imagine it any other way. I love being a mommy to girls.

To celebrate Avery turning 5 we took her to a real tea party. I don't think I will ever forget her face when they brought her tea in a real tea pot with a dainty tea cup to drink from. The pride was oozing from her as she poured her first cup of tea and drank it oh so carefully. Avery has had a rough year but every once in a while I get a glimpse of the young lady that she is becoming and I'm speechless. She is growing into such a beauty inside and out. I can't wait to see what God has planned for my precious girl.

How is this possible?!?!?!?!

How can my girl be FIVE. I'm truly having a hard time with this one. That sounds so grown up.

Avery, you amaze me. What a year you have had... and yet you keep laughing and singing and loving everyone around you. You are such a joy and I cannot imagine life without you. I love you more than life.