6 Months

Wow!  6 months Ava has been out of the orphanage.  Orphanage No 16 will always hold a place in my mind and heart.  It was by all accounts a very nice orphanage.  The women their seemed to really love the children, the Director was very nice to all adopting families, but, it was an orphanage.  It wasn't a home, the women weren't mommies to the children, I'm sure they couldn't get to all the children and hug them, and kiss them and comfort them.  Ava is home, our home.  We have people tell us all the time how lucky she is, well to tell you the truth, WE are the lucky ones.  We have been so blessed by this little girl, this little bundle of energy.  God had us in mind for this little girl.  That is so hard for me to wrap my mind around.  Our Ava, half way around the world was OURS.  I jumped in with both feet, but Tom was scared.  He thought about all the what ifs....that he very easily could have talked himself out of the adoption.  He went in praying that God would show him the way, and God DID show him all the way to Ava.  He opened all the doors that were in front of us, he gave Tom wisdom when he asked for it.  I have seen the love of a father for a little girl and I see the look on his face when she runs to him and calls out dadda, and it is pure joy and LOVE.  Thank God for all things.  He knew Ava before she was even born, and He had such a wonderful plan in store for her.

Worless Wednesday-Rain and Soccer=warm car

I have never seen green birds before,

they came in in a group and left in a group

weird and wild 

anyone know what they are?

Dedication to the Lord

On Sunday, we had Ava dedicated at our church.  We have been on a waiting list to have her dedicated since we brought her home.  I have to say, the Lord really knows what he is doing!  I was a little perturb that we had to wait soooo long to have this done.  We wanted to have Ava dedicated right away when we brought her home in May.  Well with our church they only do dedications on certain Sundays and there are a lot of families wanting to have their children dedicated.  So on the waiting list we go.  Well when I got the call for the date of the dedication, I was perturbed again, because it was the annual Girls Weekend to Door County, so that meant that I couldn't go!  O.K. put my attitude back in place, remembering that I knew I would give up a lot when bringing home this beautiful girl.  So Sunday comes, and we are at church and it was a beautiful fall day.  We have our singing and then it is our turn for the dedication.  Everything went well, Tom did a great "brief" story of our life to having Ava.  It was very emotional, and very heartfelt, that there were many who were crying right along with us.  We have been sooo blessed by this little girl that God felt belonged to us.  Tom was soooo scared to follow Gods calling of Adoption, but now that he did, he sees the gift that God has given us and we couldn't be any happier.  Well after the dedication, we had our message, the topic was wonderful for the friends and family that were their to witness Avas dedication.  It was the right message at the right time, and once again I say God is Good!  His timing is everything, and who am I to say, whaaaaa, whaaaa, I missed my time with the girls?!

After the church service, we all went back to our house.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and eating!  The party was wonderful and Ava did a great job.  She even took her nap, and was an Angel for us!

Just keep going, Just keep going - Normal Life

Not much happening around here:  My life just keeps going, and so do the kids.

Tom, Trevor and I did have an interview today, for Trevor to attend a Christian High School.  It went as well as could be expected.  The day started off horrible tho.  Trevor woke up with such a bad attitude, he is going thru a time in his life where he is WAY TALKING BACK TO US!!!  I MEAN WAY, WAY, WAY!!!  To the point where it is pretty evident that he is trying to "find" himself.  I don't much care for the attitude, so I hope he finds himself soon so we can be done with it!

So at the interview, one question was:  what area of your life do you think you need the most help in?  His answer:  RESPECTING ADULTS!  Amen to that, do you consider your parents part of the Adults part?

Well other than the normal battles we have going on here, all is well.

sorry no pictures, I have been terrible at remembering to bring the camera along.

Family Pictures, Tyler Graduation Pictures

Back in August, Tyler needed to get his Graduation Pictures taken for school.  Our school uses a local photographer to take the pictures.  I asked the company if part of the sitting fee, we could take some family pictures, and he said yes.  I was pleased with how they turned out.  I scanned the pictures that I bought, so I wanted to share them with you!

I am really pleased with how they turned out.

Homecoming #2

Well what a wild and crazy weekend we had here.

Austin had his homecoming this weekend.  This is/was his first dance that he wanted to attend.  He asked a girl that goes to the "sister" school of his, since Austin attends an all boys Military School.  On Saturday, the boys had to march in full "Class A" uniforms, and it was very HOT here.  Weird weather for October, but it got to 89 degrees and the boys were in wool.  The game and the halftime activities went fine, drove them home and Austin got ready for the dance.  On our way to take pictures at the girls house, an older lady who was in the right lane, decided to turn left, but didn't see me, so we had an accident.  It all happened very fast, and I was very glad that Ava was not in the car, no one was injured.  The police came, but it took a very long time, so the girls parents came and picked up Austin and took them to the dinner and then on to homecoming dance.

Tom was just telling me on Friday, that I have had a lot of "almosts" with accidents.  I guess my likely hood of having accidents is increasing because of the amount of time spent in the car driving.



The police wrote the lady up for a ticket citing:  illegal left turn!  Ummmm yep, I'd say so!

I think they look nice! 



 Well once again my beautiful princess let me take some pictures of her.  This was just a regular day, we went to Sams Club and Target and the weather was just beautiful.  I am loving being a mommy again to a toddler.  Does it have its challeges?  Oh YES!  Do I miss my freedom of doing whatever, whenever I want during the day?  Oh YES!  I wouldn't trade it for the world tho.  Ava has changed our household 10 fold around here.  I love to see the boys with her and their way of showing love is different for each one of them.  Ava absolutely adores all of her brothers and is most happy when they are around and playing with her.

Ava is telling me that she is "1".  I know it looks like she is picking her nose,

but nope she loves to tell us how old she is:

 I got my strap in the way on this, she started walking towards me, and I had to move



BOO!

Ava took my camera bag and used it as a purse

she then started to turn and give me

model poses! 

Work it baby! 

Avas "cheesy" smile

The weather here has been absolutely beautiful.  Ava and I have been going to the park A LOT!  She loves, loves, loves the slides and is not afraid of anything.  We are working on her to hang from the monkey bars, but dosen't "get it" yet. 

Ava is learning about "disipline" now.  She has begun to test what she can do.  If I tell her "no" she sees what she will get away with.  I am the "bad" mommy, as mommy is trying to NOT have a spoiled princess around.  The boys on the other hand give in to her ALL the time.

We have been getting to the health club, and she is doing good in there.  She loves to play with the toys there.  We have also been attending my Bible Study classes and she seems to do well there also.  I am glad that she is adjusting to these new environments.

Ava will now eat almost anything.  She no longer eats baby food, but she is still not that fond of Milk.  We do still give her a sippy cup of it, but she will only drink one a day.

TuTu Cute

Let me just say, it is soooooo much fun dressing Ava.  I love to go to Gymboree and find all the cute girl things I used to dream about when I would shop for the boys.

Tom and the boys are like, "What is SHE wearing?"  I just look at them and say a TuTu, and dosen't she look cute!

Random

We have been very busy here.  Football is going great for Trevor.  He has been kicking the extra points and he has been superb.  He has been practicing his field goals and he can now kick a 37 yard field goal.  That was in a really nice outdoor football stadium.  So it may be different if the conditions were not so nice.  Trevor will now have a chance to play more, as 2 players on his team now have broken their arm or injured themselves.  I am looking forward to what lies ahead for him.  We are now looking into a different high school for him, as our high school does not have a good football team at all.

Andrew is busy with football and soccer.  His team for football is not doing very good, poor Tom, he is the coach and it just kills him when the kids don't show up to play.  The problem with the league Andrew is in, anyone can play no matter if the kids want to or not.  Tom and I have seen a lot of kids playing who really don't want to be there.  They whine and complain and it is very frustrating for the kids who actually are good and want to DO good.

Austin is busy doing his soccer and he will be going to his homecoming in a couple of weeks.  This will be his first time at a school dance.  I'm a bit nervous hoping things work out o.k. for him and his date.

Tyler is busy, busy, busy.  He is in charge of the School Fall Play again this year, and I told him not to do it.  It is a lot of hours, with no thanks from anyone and it is right when he needs to be working on his college applications.  He also has his job to make money and not to mention all the homework involved with these AP courses.  I don't know how he does it?

Ava, well she is changing.  She is definately her own little person.  She knows what she wants, and when she wants it.  Her hair is finally growing, but she still has not put on any weight.  She has gotten taller, but can still wear the 12-18 months clothes.  We are still adjusting to life at home with no brothers around.  Today, we went and had breakfast with Kelly and Julie, and Ava loved the Pumpkin Cheesecake pancakes!  We like to visit the park and go on lots of walks.  The weather here has been really beautiful.

Ava taking Samson for a swing ride.

Homecoming

Tyler wanted Ava dressed up so he could take
some pictures with her
Ava was very overwhelmed by all the kids
there were 26 in all!

Ava and Tyler and Me

Tylers friend Kelsey
(I think she is adorable, she looks like an angel)

Senior Year
Enjoy it!

Look at that face

I mean Samson, boy does he need a hair cut.  I just haven't had the time.  I guess I will take him into the doggy day spa and have them clean him up.  Tyler and Ava sure look cute, maybe a little off the top for Tyler too!

My Wittle Buddy is 11! How can that be?

I have always called Andrew my wittle buddy, and he now hates it.  I'm sad that he is growing up, but he is an awesome son who loves life and loves sports.  Around here, there are no "free nights" to celebrate because of football, more football, soccer, more soccer, and yet more soccer and just to add variety, Homecoming weekend.  So I just bought a store bought cake that he asked for and we sang Happy Birthday after his football practice and just honored Andrew.  Happy Birthday Andrew!  We love you.

Extra Weight

Ugggghhhhhh, you know how most women will take off weight over the summer because they want to have a great "beach body"?  Well this puppy right here, loves to put weight on over the summer and spend the next 5 or 6 months trying to lose it all.  I did much better this year than last, I only gained 10 pounds, while last year I put on a whopping 25!  I know it shames me to think of the roller coaster I am on.  But, I do love to sit in the sun and watch the kids play in the water and SNACK!  I love all the chips, dips, breads, carbs that cross my lips!

All that to say, I did start back to the gym today.  I do like to exercise with a group.  I am not motivated to do anything on my own.  So I dusted off my sneakers, got out my headband, dragged Ava along and success.  I went and "did" Victor!  It did feel really good to go and workout again, since I haven't done anything since April.

Ava did very well in the nursery while there, we will see how she is this afternoon.  She seems to do well in the nursery at church, but then has a melt down after.  I mean, crying, clinging to me and it is soooo not like her.  I figured I would take it slow and see if we can ease her into the transition.

On another note, some friends of ours called our house and asked what size shoe is Ava wearing?  I thought it was odd, but told her and asked her why she wanted to know.  She replied, you'll see.  Well not more than 2 hours later, here she is toting a huge bag full of shoes!  She owns a building and one of the renters was Stride Rite, well I guess they are going out of business so she brought over some leftover shoes that were lying around.  Oh man, Oh man, we have shoes everywhere.  Ava will have shoes until she is 5!

There are 19 shoes right here, and there are still

more that I didn't photograph!

So I guess I will have to go shopping now for outfits for all the cute shoes!

Summer How I Love Thee, Please Don't Go!

Friday night, the offical start of a fabulous 3 day weekend, I spent at a soccer game.  It was a high of 56 and Ava and I watched Andrews team play while we cuddled under some blankets and we ate our kettle corn.  I was dressed for winter, and so was Ava.  Luckily the clothes she wore in St. Petersburg still fit her, because I don't have any winter clothes for her yet this year.  After the soccer game, we drove to the Lake and we unpacked and got settled in our nice warm beds.  Saturday morning came, and it looked a whole bunch like fall, but our friends came and we made the best of it.  It really dosen't seem to bother the kids what the temperature is outside, they just love to be doing things on and in the water.  Saturday night we built a campfire and this was Avas first one!  We made the s'mores and boy oh boy did Ava LOVE those.  The kids found a toad, and Ava liked looking at it, she wasn't sure if she should hold it, but she did touch it with her finger.  Sunday we played and relaxed and when it came to Monday, it started out this cold dismal day, but it turned quickly to beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures.  I sat watching the kids having fun, talking with friends and I didn't want it to end.  I was mourning my loss of summer fun.  See, from here on out, it is all football and soccer, no more weekends at the lake, or relaxing by the fire.  It is go, go, go, and I miss my friends already just thinking about it.

Playing Yahtzee, can you believe that I actually won this game? 

I am not a very good Yahtzee player!

David, frying up the bacon, it was just a little fire!

Ava, eating the bacon and loving it.

David with a nice catch!

It was a little over 3 pounds

I think Trevor holds the record this year

for a 5 pounder Large Mouth Bass

Ava loves tubing

The girls

Last run of the year,

Yup, Andrew tube popped,

he rode it back while it was deflating.

It was really hysterical to watch him in the tube.

Looking cute still