Sugar and spice...

Ava doesn't walk through the house... she doesn't run through the house... she bounces through the house. I love it!

She is always in a hurry to get where she's going. Her little feet patter on the hardwood at a fast pace...strawberry curls bouncing up and down...it is so cute.

It makes me smile when I catch a glimpse of her headed down the hall or through the kitchen. It always looks like she is on a mission. Her "missions" seem to be very important and require her full attention.

Took the above pic this morning at her request as she bounced through the room. She stopped and very matter of factly said..."mom, take my picture." So I did... and off on her mission she went. My tiny, bouncy, brown-eyed girl

Thinking Thursday...

I think this whole Obama thing is pretty scary...

I think it is wise for me not to go into my political views on my blog...:)

I think I better get my rear in gear and plan something for Jaden's birthday...

I think I am very excited to get to see mom and Greg and Kent and Patti and Abby this weekend and maybe even some cousins I haven't seen in awhile...

I think decisions regarding the upbringing of teenage boys can be extremely difficult...

I think when in doubt on such decisions, you should trust your first instincts...

I think you should pray for your kids all day every day...

I think you should make it a point to pray for the future spouses of your kids, wherever and whoever they may be...

I think the power of a praying parent is a mighty force...

I think I am really glad I don't live anywhere I could be affected by hurricanes!...

I think I hear a tiny blond boy coming up the stairs... :)

Tuesday Then and Now...

Jaden... aka Baby J (by his Uncle Kent) aka JP (by his Papaw Burns) aka Shayden (by Jaden himself- "J" sounds are tough for a little guy) aka Shade or Shady (by the rest of the us)... will be turning 5 on Labor day. How is that possible?!

We decided to go for number 3 and hope for a girl. I got pregnant in September of 2002. At first things were great, but soon every time I went to the dr., that babies heartbeat would be a little slower. I was working on OB at Jasper at the time, so one Saturday morning, I asked Dr. Beckman to check things out cause I just didn't feel right. As soon as he turned on the machine... there was no more flicker. The baby was still. It was devastating. Especially finding out at work, surrounded by laboring mothers and brand new babies.

God is good though. In December I was pregnant again. This time with my precious little Jaden. It was one of those bittersweet things. God knows best.

I was in acutal labor with him on Labor Day five years ago. He was probably the shortest labor of the four. The ease of delivery probably ranks at #2. He is such a joy... such a smart little boy... so very sweet and cute and funny. A true blessing and I am so thankful for him!

Hospital photo


First day home


TV addict age 1


Mad at Mom age 2


Quite the Jokester... age 3


Birthday #4 with BFF Levi


Today...Great Big Brother

Not much inspiration...

Haven't blogged in a few days... I feel the heat...ie: christy... annette... tami... andi:) Truth is I have had a touch of blog block. HEY! Did I just create a new term?!

I have sat down to blog a couple of times in the last few days and have felt less than inspired. Somedays I sit down and it just flows out. Like the no worries blog on Friday....easy stuff. Other days I sit and stare at a blank screen.

Tonight, I am actually inspired to write about my group. We met tonight and it was pretty powerful. Obviously God orchestrated. At one point we all had chills... (or God Bumps to you Christy) We had a new girl join us who was obviously meant to be there. If I wasn't so tired I would go into more detail, but lets just say that I never cease to be amazed at His power, grace and mercy.

So I hope this small entry satisfies the blog patrol :) I will try to do better tomorrow....

Be a God Follower

No Worries...

It's been a very busy week. We have fifteen jobs going and the phone continues to ring. I guess that is a good thing... but man... my mind is mush.

We started our business when I realized I was going to have to quit my nursing job to be with Ava 24/7. This was about a year and eight months ago. I worried what we would do without my income, but leaving Ava with sitters just was not an option since her food allergies are so severe. I worried how I would handle being home with the kids day after day with no life outside the house. I worried that the business would be a failure... I worried my relationship with Aaron would be stressed with all the stress...I worried A LOT! But...I ended up being reminded of what I have known for a long time... There is no need to worry... God is in contol.

The income issue... my income now is much more than I made as a part-time nurse. The being couped up in the house issue... God brought amazing friends into my life that keep me going on a daily basis... The failing business issue... we had unbelievable sales the first year and looks like this year sales will double. The marraige issue...it is unbelievable how much closer Aaron and I have become through it all (even when we are making shirts at midnight)... Lesson learned.

So here it is in a nutshell...

Seven reasons not to worry: All from the book of Matthew chapter 6

6:24...the same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life!!! (DUH...Wake up and read that one again!)

6:26...Worrying about the future hampers your effors today

6:27...Worrying is more harmful than helpful

6:28-30...God does not ignore those who depend on Him

6:31,32...Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God

6:33...Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue

6:34...Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry

THAT...my friend...is the Word of God. From His mouth to your ears. Get your bible out and read these verses for yourself... SO worth your time.

Be a God Follower.

Tuesday Then and Now...

We started building our house in the spring of 1995. Ethan was almost a year old. A few months later, (the day before Ethan turned one) I found out Austin was on his way.

Aaron and his dad spent every night and every weekend working. They built the entire house, which still amazes me. Everything except the pouring of the concrete and the laying of the brick and carpet was done by them. Several friends and family members also hammered their share of nails or took their turn at painting. It was a stressful, but neat time in our lives.

We moved-in in November of that same year. Austin followed in February. Throughout the last 12 and half years, we have added a lot and changed some things. We have talked at times about selling and moving up higher on the property and building again. (right now we have four bedrooms and could use a fifth...who knew back then we would grow to a family of 6!) My guess is that we will stay right here. There's no place like home...

Framed...


Bricked...


Decked...


Finished...

No Sleep for the Weary...

Little Miss Ava is two years, four months and 21 days old and she STILL....does not sleep through the night! Last night I made at least five trips down the hallway. Most nights I lose count.

It's not her fault. Her myriad of food allergies cause her to itch most of the time. For those of you who don't know...she is allergic to just about every food known to man.... except for chicken, pork, rice, oats, corn and peaches. Some foods cause minor irritation, others will literally make the skin fall off her little fingers and cause her to scratch bloody places on her feet and ankles. She has a area on her head where there is almost a bald spot. She scratches her thumb so hard against her scalp it breaks the hair off. It's sad. It is especially sad when she cries to eat what her brothers are eating.

On Sept. 11, she will be retested. I don't think there will be much of a change. She still seems to react to just about everything. But if we could just have ONE food back...if she could eat a french fry, or a hamburger, or even drink apple juice...life for her would be pretty good. And if she is ever able to sleep through the night... I can only imagine!

Haircut's and Hairdo's....

Took Jaden for a much needed haircut today. I don't think he has had a haircut since the beginning of June. He has greatly enjoyed flipping it around like a rockstar over the past month or so, but it really was getting out of control.

After Jaden's cut was done, Ava went to the chair and looked up at Angie as if to say, "you know, I could use a trim myself." Angie picked up on this and ask her if she would like her hair combed. Ava said yes and let Angie put her up on the booster seat.

Angie..."Would you like it in a pony?" Ava..."yes" Angie..."can I curl it a little" Ava..."yes" Angie..."Do you think it looks pretty?" Ava... "yes" It was so cute. When we left Ava was so proud of her bouncy pony and curled hair she practically skipped out the door. She looked just like Pebbles Flintstone...only cuter :) It was so great of Angie to take the time to do this for Ava. It made her day.

By the time we ran our errands and played at the park, it wasn't quite as curled, and they both had a major case of the giggles. I wanted a picture of the new haircut and hairdo, but they wanted to be silly. It was a cool moment. Here are the pictures... third time was the charm. (Click on each picture to view it) Take a few minutes the next time you get the chance to make a little one feel special. They are such treasures!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Tuesday Then and Now...

Have been on a bit of a blog vacay...sorry to my loyal readers (Annette!)

Of course this weeks then and now involves the first day of school. This first pic was taken in '99 on the first day of preschool for both the boys. I remember taking several pictures that day and they were happy to oblige.

The next pic was taken bright and early yesterday morning...amidst sighs and "No Mooommmmm" "Do we HAVE to?!" At least they managed to muster a smile and look as though they like eachother.

Just so ya know... I made it through yesterday just fine. At 8 I was weepy and sad... by 9 I noticed how much quieter it was... at lunch I realized I only had to serve 2 instead of 4... by nap time for Ava I realized..."hey, this is ok!"

Book Rental Blues...

Well, today was the day. I made the dreaded trip, checkbook in hand. I am nearing the end of my self-imposed back to school boycott...although I STILL have refused to buy any school supplies.

I dread the first day of school. You know how sentimental I am getting in my mid-life. I look at my boys that morning, and notice how they have grown, and think of them when they were babies, and get all weepy.... hormones.

This year, however, will be a cakewalk compared to next year. Next year, my baby will be entering high school, my second baby will be entering jr. high, and my third baby will be entering kindergarten.... oh lord, I better start preparing for that right now!... Girls...and you know who you are... I will be needing someone to carry me from the school to my car that morning with kleenex in tow... I will also be needing someone to hold a prayer vigil to get me through the day, perhaps with some fasting involved... a basket of chocolate and a gallon of ice cream may help...some distractions throughout the day will also be in order... I hope a year is enough time for you all to prepare... but I digress....

Long story short...moral to my story... I HATE back to school!

Tuesday Then and Now...

Last month Austin and his cousin Cody ended their little league careers. Here is a picture of them when they started out in t-ball in May of 2000... and then a picture of them as they ended their all star career in July of 2008. My how they have changed....or have they?!

WOF

"And God is able to make Grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
2 Corinthians 9:8

Infinite Grace... that was the theme for this years Women of Faith conference. It really was wonderful. The speakers were fantastic. They will be back again in Indy next August. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few pics from the trip...

The Whole Gang at Outback


"Shoze" Girls


Tami...the Joyful one


Annette...my mirror personality


Christy...ummm... pic says it all