Marriage and Thanksgiving

I read this from one of my dear friends blog and I liked it. Thank you for always challenging me and making me want to be a better christian wife, mother, friend, daughter..etc.
Many women have told me that my husband's advice, which I once quoted in a book, has been an eye-opener to them. He said that a wife, if she is very generous, may allow that her husband lives up to perhaps eighty percent of her expectations. There is always the other twenty percent that she would like to change, and she may chip away at it for the whole of their married life without reducing it by very much. She may, on the other hand, simply decide to enjoy the eighty percent, and both of them will be happy. It's a down-to-earth illustration of a principle: Accept, positively and actively, what is given. Let thanksgiving be the habit of your life.Such acceptance is not possible without a deep and abiding belief in the sovereign love of God. Either he is in charge, or he is not. Either he loves us, or he does not. If he is in charge and loves us, then whatever is given is subject to his control and is meant ultimately for our joy. Copyright© 1979, by Elisabeth Elliotall rights reserved.

Happy Valentine's Day

Brad and I went to the Oyster Bar for our dinner. It was my first glass of wine since Feb of 2009. It was tasty! It's always nice getting to talk to one another and not have any distractions. All we talked about was where we wanted to go on vacation. Were ready for some sunshine and a beach somewhere.

One of our sweethearts!

My Liv

I had to post this picture because I wanted to look back and remember how Olivia loved to layer her clothes. She loves, loves clothes and she has developed a certain style that actually I think goes quite well with her personality. (colorful, funky and memorable) She wears ruffle skirts almost everyday with tights. The kid has every color ruffle skirt along with a million different types of tights. She loves to layer her shirts. We might not always agree on her choice option of the day; but she has definitely "owned" her style quite well. FYI- Can you believe she will be going to kindergarten in 6 months. Kindergarten round-up is in April. I am already trying to prepare myself for that day.

Olivia loves feeding Ava. It's a real treat for her to have this responsibility. No one can make Ava laugh more than Olivia. Even when it looks like she is being to hard on Ava and we are about to step in and say " Livie be more gentle" Ava gives a big smile, confirming that she liked the torture--ha. They are sisters and I love it!

Happy Birthday, Dave

We took Dave to Bucca's for his birthday dinner. I called 2 weeks in advance to eat in the kitchen. It was fun. We had a great waiter named Tom. He brought us a "on the house" giant meatball and some yummy sausage. We were stuffed. Happy Birthday, Dave. You are loved so much by our family.

Ava bean slept through the whole dinner.

See video below

Good Eats and Good Friends

Back in January I had a visit from Mandy, Jenni, Monica and Becky. They made all sorts of great food for our family. What a blessing it was for us to just go in the freezer and know that food was already prepared and waiting just to be cooked. Brad took Monica and Olivia to the Bounce Zone and then to Steak and Shake for dinner. Thanks Gals for your friendship, company and making time to come meet Ava.

Go Colts!

This is really Olivia's jersey. She gave it to Ava. Her favorite team is the Steeler's. Olivia thinks Ava is "adorable" in her jersey. She always lifts Ava's hands and says " Go Colts, play for daddy's team".

I am 3 months old

Can you believe I am 3 months old now! I have discovered my fists and I like to suck on them a lot. It keeps me occupied for awhile when I am hungry. I have belly laughed in front of my parents a few times and it makes them laugh too. My sister puts crayons in my fingers and I can hold them; she helps me scribble on paper. I sleep in my swing and I like it very much. I usually sleep in there the whole night and I only get up between 4 and 5 and then I finish my slumber in my moms arms. I am very happy and pretty laid back. Everyone always comments on my hair. "I tell them it's natural." My favorite position is laying on the floor on my back and making people laugh. I really don't care too much for tummy time, although I find myself in that position a lot. Life is still good.

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The start of a lifetime of memories

Fond memories shared with Ava

Sweet 16..whoops sweet 4 1/2

Brad and I got Olivia a barbie jeep for Christmas. Several weeks ago she took it out for a test drive for the first time. Once she gets the hang of steering I think she will really love it. She got mad and frustrated with herself when she would go on the grass. She looked so grown up riding it.

My grandma

My grandma, Betty Broad, went home to be with the Lord last Tuesday, Jan 19th 2010. It feels surreal saying that she isn't here anymore. I here the ambulances go by now and I thank God that she isn't suffering anymore. I am glad she is in heaven where she feels no pain, and all that is surrounding her is sunshine and all the goodness and joy that she didn't feel here on earth these last few years. She was the best grandmother a little girl could have. We spent so many wonderful times together..to many to even describe especially when I was growing up. She always made me feel special and loved-just the way only a grandmother can make you feel. Of course I could never do any wrong in her eyes and she would let me eat Captain Crunch cereal even when my mom said I couldn't. I will always remember her calling me " her little Annie" and that little face she used to make on the back of envelopes when we would write eachother. I couldn't even count how much money she used to slip in my fingers when I would go away to college. I will never forget the look on her face once I graduated college and she tried to give me $50.00 and I declined to take it. I told her that I didn't need any money anymore. I am so glad that she got to see Olivia all the way up until 4 1/2. And eventhough she didn't physically meet Ava I know that she is smiling in heaven. Death is so much harder on the people that are left behind;but the comfort and peace I have in knowing that we will meet again surpasses my human understanding and I am filled with hope. I already miss talking to her on the phone, and her gentle soft hands when she would put them on my face to give me a kiss. She was such a loving, generous, giving grandma to me. I love you grandma and I thank you for all the wonderful memories that we shared. I hope one day when my girls are grown that I can be just a glimpse of the grandma you were to me. Now that would be an honor.