Vegan Cookies

Decided to try a vegan cookie recipe I found. Wow, was I surprised at how good they are! My mom enjoyed one and even Ava liked them. She's a hard sell, so I know if she likes them, they're really good. :) This recipe will be going in the files to make again and again. :) I used dark cocoa, instead of regular, so I think that made them even better! The picture doesn't even do them justice. Mmm Mmm Good! So tasty!

Thinking about Easter 2011

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

I found this quote tonight and it really speaks to me. This is our first holiday without Eric. It's been pretty tough. There have been a lot of tears. I miss him so much.

Yesterday at TOT soccer, Ava was really doing well kicking the ball and just really having a good time. It made me think of how hard Eric worked with her last year, playing soccer in our yard and encouraging her to do well. I have never known anyone to adore a child the way Eric adored Ava. She was truly blessed to have him as her father. Although she'll not know him as she grows and becomes the young lady and woman of God that Eric prayed over her, I know that she'll always remember her daddy. Each day she looks at pictures and watches videos with such excitement about seeing Eric. I know that she misses him just as much as I do. She had him wrapped around her little finger, haha.

Thinking about all of this, I know our circumstances are not what I want them to be. They're certainly not what Eric and I had planned for our life together. But despite the hardships and uncertainty that have faced my family recently, I know that my God lived, died and rose so that we could be saved. What an amazing love that is! I saw that love every day in Eric. I see that love every day now in Ava. I know that God is in control and I'm learning to let go and trust. In realizing that, I know that God's plan is perfect and no matter how sad I am during this holiday weekend or any other time, God's glory surrounds me and He is my comforter.

Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for my family. Thank you for all of the blessings you continue to pour out upon us. You love us at our best and you love us at our worst. I am so thankful you took our place on the cross and that even if it was just me, you would have still done it. Thank you for your forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Thank you for knowing where we came from and where we're going and walking the path right beside us even though sometimes we forget. Your amazing love is uncomprehendable. God, I just ask that you touch the hearts of each of my friends and family members. Their names are on my prayer list. Lord you know who they are. You know their needs. You know their hearts. You love them just where they are, but you love them too much to leave them there. I pray for those who do not know you as their savior. Lord, Easter is about celebrating your resurrection. The empty tomb shows that death has been overcome. All we have to do is accept your gift of salvation. I pray that lives will be touched and changed. I can't wait to see my prayers answered! I am so blessed to serve such a mighty God! Please forgive me where I fail you Lord and lead me in growing closer to you! Amen!!!!

Ava had such a good time the day we took her Easter pictures this year. Last year she was TERRIFIED of the chicks. We didn't even attempt a bunny. This year, she was so interested in the animals, she wouldn't even look at the camera. I have to say, Donja does a great job even when I can't imagine how she'll make the pictures look good. The pictures turned out SO cute! :)

Terrible Two's

Taking a 2 year old to The Exchange and walking from one end to the other IS NOT a good idea. It was great on the way down. Ava even sat in the stroller. However, the trip back was not so pleasant. I have never seen her act that way, nor do I ever want to see it again, ha! After pitching a variety of fits on the way back, the best was yet to come. We get into the car where she absolutely refuses to get in her car seat. At least 30 minutes of failed bribery later, I say, "Do you want to go feed the ducks?" (Keep in mind, it's almost 8pm. We were totally not going to feed any ducks, but at that point all I can think is, I'm desperate.) Ava says "Yes!" She proceeds to get into her car seat and be buckled in. She says "Mommy, I'm so excited!" At that point, I feel horrible knowing we're really not going to do what she wants to. She does not fall asleep the entire ride home, but continues to ask about stopping to feed the ducks. Hopefully, I can make it up to her this weekend.

I would like to thank Brooke for being so helpful and understanding while my child acted like she had no manners, rolled around the floor in various stores and then the Target bathroom...ewwww. (She did get an IMMEDIATE bath as soon as we walked in the house tonight.)

Lesson Learned: Stay at home as much as possible until kids are old enough to take care of themselves and act right in a public setting, or find a babysitter!

Ava Sleeping

I couldn't resist posting this sweet picture. I love being a mommy! :)

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Changes

So it occurs to me that I haven't been keeping the blog up as I should. I mean, who am I kidding, not keeping it up at all is more like it. In light of all the changes surrounding my family in the last few months, I realize just how valuable all these sweet memories are. So here's my attempt at starting over.

Ava and I have been through major life changes in the past months. Eric passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 28, 2010. We are missing him immensely, but things are sort of getting to a place of new normal for us. We have been surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. We couldn't ask for better support. I thank God every day for the blessings we have encountered. As hard as things are without Eric, I know that he is in heaven praising God!

Through my time with Eric, I grew so much in so many ways. I was so blessed to call him my husband. He was an amazing husband, father, and friend. He was always happy and always there for anybody that needed him. I have never seen the love of Christ shine so clearly in everything that a person does. He worshiped and praised during the good times and he worshiped and praised in the tough times. That to me is the epitome of what Christ wants for us. I know that every person who came in contact with Eric left changed, even if in just some small way. I know that he is and will continue to be greatly missed, but I take comfort in knowing he's in eternity with Christ! I know we'll meet again. :)

I cannot wait to begin blogging again to keep up with all the cute moments Ava has. I know that one day she'll be able to look back at this and I want her to have the memories.

Who is this "big girl" and What happened to my "baby girl"????

So it seems Ava just gets bigger every day! I went to pick her up from day care today and she's outside on the playground. I realize, she's really not my baby any more. She really is my big girl! She's growing up too fast! She wants to do everything herself. She wants to be right in the middle of any big kids who are around. Eric brought her to PTO the other night. Before the meeting started, there were some middle school kids playing basket ball (we met in the gym) and Ava heads out there to try to play. Luckily Eric chased her out there and got her before she was trampled. She's definitely keeping us on our toes! She has the super-sized attitude to go with her new found growing up. Tonight she decides to get between the cabinets and the refrigerator and pitch a fit. She knew we couldn't reach in there to get her, so she came out on her own when she was done. She then proceeded to look at me, cross her arms, and say "No, ma'am!" Seriously?!?!?! It just makes me want to take back all of the attitude I ever gave my parents so as to ease the payback I'm getting now, hahaha!

What a weekend it has been! Ava will now let me put a bow in her hair and LEAVE it! Hahaha! I'm so excited! She's also discovered how to open and close drawers. She's opened and closed every drawer within her reach! Can't wait to see what the new week brings!

Catching Up

So it has been a really long time it seems since I posted last. I'm really going to try to do better. Things have been so busy, but are beginning to slow down, at least for a while. To catch everyone up, since November, Ava turned 1 on Dec. 18. Christmas was great! She spent her first night away from home Dec. 31. Mom kept her so Eric and I could go to the New Year's Eve Fortress at church. She saw her first snow in January and some more in February. She handed out her 1st Valentine cards at day care. :) She has started walking and now toddles everywhere. She's now got 6 teeth in and 1 more that is breaking through. She chatters all of the time, but my favorite thing to hear her say is "No ma'am!" It's too cute! We had a great Easter! After church, Ava spent the day riding with cousin Amilee in the red wagon. Mommy and Daddy were exhausted, but Ava was up until 12 am going strong. Whew! Guess that catches us up to the present. Check out FB for pictures. More pictures coming soon!

Ava on the Go!!!!

Gotta love it when your baby is on the go! Check out Ava crawling :) Eric and I have the sweetest baby girl ever!!!! In one video she's crawling and then she has to stop and rest. She just lays her head on the floor, rests for a few seconds, and then pops right back up and keeps going! In the other video, she's crawling and then begins to wave bye! I don't know where she thinks she's going without me, lol! Just a couple of the fun moments we've been having lately!!!

Happy Halloween

We survived Halloween! I even got to take Ava Trick-or-Treating! I was so excited that Morgan, Slade, Cole, and Mandi asked us to go with them. The neighborhood we were in was overrun with Trick-or-Treaters and most of the residents were sitting outside ready to hand out candy to all of the kids coming by. We went to a few houses and Ava racked up some animal crackers, assorted chocolate and even a Christmas sucker. Yes, that's right a Christmas (Candy Cane) sucker, given to us by a Christmas Elf who was handing out Christmas treats on Halloween. Yeah, we were really confused too, but it was a fun night! Then we were off to Eric's dad's house to visit for a bit. Ava really liked this scary goblin thing he had hanging on the front porch. It made sounds and had lots of flashing lights. Next year it will probably scare her to death, but this year she really liked all the lights and sounds! To end the night, we ended up eating at Zaxby's where I decided to give Ava a french fry. I've created a MONSTER! She now thinks she's supposed to eat all of the fries off of your plate, not to mention she wants to shove the entire fry in her mouth (even if you hold it). We're working on that one, lol! Hope everyone else had a great Halloween! Can't wait until Thanksgiving now!!!!

Fall Festival 2009

Ava's new "thing"- Pat-i-cake! Pat-i-cake! I wish I could get a picture of "roll 'em up, roll 'em up! Throw 'em in the pan!"

FBC Jacksonville Fall Festival

We had such a great time at the fall festival! It was fun to see all the cute costumes! We also loved getting to spend some time with friends!

My little butterfly!
Ellie (or should I say Dorothy) and Ava!
Back of the butterfly

Ava's Grits

So today we went to visit Eric's mom (at work) at Huddle House this morning. I'm not a fan of Huddle house because they can still smoke in there since they have the "ventilation system." I made Eric go in and make sure nobody was smoking before we'd take Ava in, and we promptly left when sombody lit up!!! Anyway, we got in there and ordered our food which I'm so excited about because I was going to get some grits (my fav!). The food comes out and Ava is freaking out wanting some of my food. Obviously she can't eat my waffle because she only has two teeth and it had pecans, so I thought I'll give her a bite of grits. I thought she'd hate them. They didn't have anything special in them. I had taken the butter off. But I guess when all you're used to eating is bland baby food, anything else you eat has more taste. Ava Lane was in HOG HEAVEN! Needless to say, Mommy got two bites of grits, and Ava got a bowl! LOL! Gotta love kids! If she didn't think she was ready to eat off the table before, I think she does now, lol! I feel so guilty that I've been so careful about most everything I give her, and then today, I just cave and give her table food.

Fall 2009

We've had an action packed weekend! The Great Pumpkin Patch yesterday and Ava's baby dedication today!

SATURDAY: THE PUMPKIN PATCH
Of course we choose the coldest Sat. of the Fall for Eric to take off and go to the Pumpkin Patch with us. It was FREEZING!!!! But, we endured the cold, took the covered wagon ride, and got a pumpkin. I told Eric I felt like I should have been a member of the Griswold family after our trip yesterday. WHY are there no real pumpkin patches closer to home? I mean, I don't particularly want my child to think pumpkins grow on asphalt, so we wanted to go to an actual farm. Guess the cold weather is what I get for not getting the trip organized sooner. Next year, we'll definitely go right at the end of Sept. or beginning of Oct. Despite the cold, we had a good time! It was nice to spend time with friends and family!

Dustin, Brooke, and Abe!

Me and Ava :) She looks too thrilled huh?

Eric, me, Ava on the covered wagon. She's still thrilled.

She's really interested in the pumpkin too!

She finally tries to touch the pumpkin. This is right before we tried to sit her down and take a picture next to the pumpkin and she screamed bloody murder!

Amilee on the John Deer. She flipped every switch and turned everything on she could. The cutest part was when she was trying to shift gears! Too funny! She's seen her daddy and Pee Paw on the tractor and was trying to do just what they do!

This was our wagon we rode out to the patch on.

SUNDAY: AVA'S BABY DEDICATION

Bishop taking Ava to dedicate her.
Bishop praying for Eric.
Bishop praying for me.
The family and church praying during the dedication.

Bishop and Ava

Well, it's been a LONG time since I've posted. This is because we've been in transition. We've finally gotten moved and settled into our new house! I can't wait for everyone to come over and visit! So I'm going to post pictures of Ava to catch up for the time we've missed on our blog. :)
Amilee likes to hold Ava and wanted to give Ava her juice bottle.

Ava is getting a taste of her first fudgecicle.

She was not happy when it was gone!!!! Poor baby!

I love raw potatoes. Mom was making potatoes for dinner, so I took one. Ava was curious, so I gave her a taste. Suprisingly, she liked it!

Here she is still trying to get a taste.

Here's Ava eating her first biter biscuit! She wasn't quite sure what to do at first, but she quickly figured it out!

Mmmmm, tasty!

Ava's first time sitting up on her own for longer than a few seconds.

Here's Ava at the new house! She's being her cute self!!! :)