Fun at the lake--Part One!

Last weekend, we were in Hemphill for a little more than 24 hours, but we (Brandon, Ave and I, and Liz and Bryer) still managed to get to Papa and Niecey's house (they live about 40 minutes from Mom's house) for a few hours! As you will see from the pictures, we had a GREAT time! :)

 Love these sweet pics! Who would ever want to go inside with this as a backyard?

 Driving the Ranger!

 Walking to the garden!

 Brandon loving on Baby Bryer!!!

 Picking blueberries in the garden!

 Ave and Papa :)

 Daddy and Papa love...

 Watching Daddy and Papa put the jet ski in the lake via the Ranger! :)

 Avaree always gets a nature lesson! :) She loved this butterfly!

 I love these sweet pictures of Ave and Niecey!

 Sweet little feet..."Be careful little feet where you go..."

 I LOVE baby Bryer!!!!

 Daddy found his new favorite toy!!!

 Daddy and Ave on the jet ski!

 Brandon said that she did great, but that when they got to the middle of the lake she wanted Mommy! :)

 Watching Daddy have fun on the jet ski!

 Of course, she would have had just as much time just playing with the buckles on her life jacket! ;)

More from our few hours at Mom's coming soon!

Sweet Baby Bryer ~7 weeks

We made a lightning speed trip to Hemphill last weekend for a friend's wedding (more on that later), and I got to meet my precious baby cousin, Bryer (or as Avaree says, "Baby bwyerrrr")! :) He is just the most adorable thing, and his Mommy is the best! I am soooo proud of Liz, and I looooooved getting to spend a little time with her and her sweet baby boy! :) Enjoy the pictures!!

 He looks just like his Daddy in this picture! :)

 Bryer and his great Grandaddy. What a treasure...

This sweet boy loves his Mommy!!!

 He loves his Nana, and I think she loves him just a little too! ;)

We have a LOT going on right now, but we still have another week of school to go! I'll be posting a few more pictures today, and then I'll update once school is out! Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all who has served to give us the freedom that we enjoy today!

My Cup Runneth Over

A conversation I had with Ave while laying in bed with her tonight...

Ave: Mommy, where is the mermaid?
Me: In the ocean.
Ave: Oh, with the octopus.
Me: Yes, that's right.
Ave. The mermaid and the Octopus go chick-a-lay.
Me: Oh, they do?
Ave: They eat chicken, fries and milk. (She sings Chick-a-lay over and over again to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus.")
Me: That sounds like fun.
Ave: And Target. It's very, very fun.

Ave: Mommy, the octopus is gonna get me.
Me: No, baby, the octopus lives in the ocean, remember? It can't get you. Mommy's here. When I am scared...
Ave: I will trust in you God. Psalm 56:3
Me: Good job, baby. That's right.
Ave: Mommy, Swiper's gonna get me.
Me: No, baby, Swiper can't get you. He lives with Dora in the tv.
Ave: Mommy, do Swiper no swiping.
Mommy: Okay. (I sit up in Avaree's bed, and I put my hand out in front of me signing "stop".) "Swiper, no swiping. Swiper, no swiping."
Ave: Thanks, Mommy. You my favorite girl.
Mommy:  (tears) Oh, baby. If you only knew how much I loved you.

Thank you, Lord.

Phone Dump: Our Evenings Lately

Disclaimer: All pictures were taken with my phone! :)

We took Ave to see The Fresh Beat Band a couple of weekends ago! Daddy had been in College Station for the visitation and funeral of a dear friend, but he made it to Grand Prairie by the second song of the concert! We all three had a wonderful time, but our girl was beside herself with excitement!!

We have also enjoyed playing outside every evening! Cupcakes and ice cream were shared. Friendships were deepend. Memories were made. (Can you tell I'm getting weepy about moving away from our friends?)

Somebody has started crossing her arms when she doesn't get her way. Pitiful, right? Don't let her fool you! :)

We have been swimming in the tiny pink pool in our backyard! :)

We've been cheering on the Rangers, and we still have a hilarious 2.5 year old that entertains us every day!

I am sorry for the severe lack of posting lately, but I've been working non-stop to get our house ready to put on the market (it goes live on the MLS listing today--bittersweet!), I'm in the middle of grading research papers and trying to wrap up the school year in a few weeks, we have all three been sick in the last week, and I haven't taken a single picture with my camera in two weeks! I think I can officially say that things are crazy! :)

It's a glorious chaos, though, and we're blessed.

Thankful for His grace in my life today.

Love to all.

She's not a baby any more...

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold

The plans that He has for you will all too soon unfold

So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do

But most of all I'll want to know you're walking in the Truth

And If I never told you, I want you to know as I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days

And may conviction keep you strong to guide you on your way

May there be many moments that make your life so sweet

Oh, but more than memories

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky

I'll have tears as you take off,

But I'll cheer as you fly!

Lyrics from "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris

Avaree, our sweet baby girl who has quickly turned into a little girl,

You are growing up so fast.

We love you higher than the sky, deeper than the ocean, wider than the horizon, and back again.

But even more than Mommy and Daddy love you, Jesus loves you.

We love to watch you grow, even with tears in our eyes...

Mommy and Daddy