What a difference a year makes, what a difference 4 years make

What a difference a year makes.  Today I woke up with a 1 year old in my house! It blows my mind and makes my heart a little sad how fast this year has gone. It's crazy for me to think a year ago we were waiting in the hospital with great anticipation of who Avery Grayce would be.  What would she look like, how would she act, what possible problems would we face and really would she make it through the delivery? I wasn't even sure I would get to actually hold my sweet girl I had prayed for a carried for the last 9 months.  Then to meet her...wow...the Lord exceeded all of my hopes and expectations greater than I could have even dreamed.

What a difference 4 years makes. Brent and I have been SO excited to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics this weekend. We have been so excited to stay glued to the TV to watch all of the events coming up. But we can't help to remember 4 years ago, during the opening ceremony was when I went into labor with Carter. Of course the Olympics didn't start until Aug, 4 years ago, and this time it is in July...but the feeling is still bittersweet. This time around we will have just put our sweet girl to bed and we find our place on the sofa in order to be in awe of the events that will unfold. It's amazing the storms we walked through, the trails we faced and how God had such an amazing plan using each detail to mold our hearts to be more of what He wanted us to be. It's amazing how still we see storms brewing and begin to have fear as our first response, and have to remind ourselves to plant our feet and remember the past. I still hate storms, but love the fruit that comes from all the rain! Especially today, as I celebrate the sweetest, most juiciest fruit I could have ever fathomed was possible! Avery Grayce, your free spirited, active, sweet, funny, hilarious, smart, extroverted personality is a miracle to us. Being a mom and dad are the hardest more challenging jobs we have ever had and yet I wouldn't change a thing! Happy birthday sweet girl! Looking forward to all that this next chapter brings.

STANDING

Avery doesn't sit still long. She is very very busy! In fact that is normally the comment anyone who babysits her or anyone from the nursery at church says about her..."man Avery is busy". AKA - active child who does not sit still! She is a handful for sure. She is really a sweet, obedient little girl, that listens to Brent and I very well. She is inot everything, but can be stopped often with the word NO. She is determined to get what she wants, but not at the cost of getting in trouble (too often). I think that determination is what got her here in the first place. I was able to catch her recently sitting still watching her favorite show with her daddy...Sportscenter - A daddy's dream come true.

Rare hug!!!!

 Dadda Dadda and lots of other things she is telling him we can't understand yet!

And now back to the busy Avery we all know and love!

AND FOR HER NEWEST TRICK...SHE IS STANDING!!  11 months old this past Monday and she is ready to take off on us. Life keeps getting more active each day for me. She is keeping us young.

Growing growing growing

Avery Grayce is growing so quickly I can hardly keep up! She is already talking and trying to walk and her little personality is larger than life. She keeps us laughing for sure. Here are a few pictures and video's of her recently.

Avery could watch Wrigley run in circles all day long!  She cracks up laughing at everything the dog does. It's great!

Easter/Spring photos

Over spring break (which I don't get, but like to enjoy with my friends and pretend to take advantage of it), we brought Avery to the park for the first time. She put her in swing and as you can see she loved it!  She laughed and squealed the whole time. 

We had a friend of ours take some Easter pictures of Avery. She was so sweet to think of everything. She even brought a real bunny! Sweet Avery loved it.

 First time on a swing

 Aunt Sally and Aunt Emmie teaching her to swing

In my arms longer

Avery has been in my arms now for 9 months today.  Since she was born at 38 weeks and 6 days, she offically has been in our arms longer than in my womb!  She rocks my world and brings a smile to our faces like we never have know before!  Happy 9th month Avery Grayce!  Your Mommy and Daddy love you soo much! 

No excuses

So I am not going to give a bunch of excuses as to why in the world I have not kept up my blog, instead...I will just try to keep it up. So hang on....watch out picture overload!

First time eating

Great Santa!

She loves her feet

Daddy with tree

Great gift



Family Feet



Spears family

6 months old happy girl

I was blessed to catch her on video crawling for the first time! Life as we knew it is no more!