Family Fishing - May 31, 2008

Today was a typical Saturday. Errands, yard work, etc...but it ended with FISHING! We went on an impromptu fishing trip with Nana, Papa, Melanie, Bubba, Lanie Grace, Kenley and Mallorie. This was Ava's first fishing trip. Granted, it was only 15 minutes away but it was exciting and fun to watch her. When someone would catch a fish, she would yell "put it back!" She dumped out a container of worms and who got stuck picking them up?? Yep, me and I hated every second of it. I got Ava to pick up some and then used a stick. Why people think it is ok to touch nastiness is beyond me. Gross. My "girlishness" tends to make me a target for jokes and the kids running at me holding bugs and such. Kevin caught a turtle! He pulled something out that looked like a rock and didn't realize it was a turtle until he had it close. That was a first for everyone. Ava is happiest outside so she had a ball. The place we went is the same place that Dad would take me and my brother & sister when we were little. It is also one of my memories of my Papaw. He would take us to this pond and when he had leukemia, it was the only place he wanted to go.





Here are pictures of Ava at the fountain in Malbis from this past Monday with cousins.

"Somebody Help!"

This one will be short and sweet.

Ava has been in rare form today. She started talking as soon as she woke up and never stopped until she went down tonight or napped. She was so happy today. Of course she had to have her tutu on today but then she added mardi gras necklaces and a fireman's hat. Mom says that I'm looking at me and that I was always dressed up. There were a few really cute things she did today.
1. When she cried out tonight, she was saying, "come on daddy, come on."
2. She had a mini conversation with me. She said, "Come see Mommy." I looked and said, "That's beautiful Ava" and she replied, "Thank you mommy."
3. She wanted to call "Uh Doo" (Uncle Dru) after her bath and when she did, she had to talk to everyone. She would point to her belly and then laugh really loud to them. She was tickled and laughing all night at things.
4. THE BEST TODAY - When we were buying groceries at Target, I dropped a jar of sp. sauce. I'd like to blame it on Ava but it was all me. She immediately exclaimed, "Oh no! Mess!" Then she loudly said, "Somebody help!!!" It was priceless.

Most days, I don't see how I can possibly love her more than I already do but I realize that my love for her grows every second of every day.

Destin - Day Two & Three

TUESDAY- We took Ava down to the beach early and she loved having the beach to herself. She followed birds and had to sit in every hole that was in the sand. It didn't take us long to realize that all of the toys we bought were unnecessary. All she needed was a bucket and her parents going back and forth for "mo water peas!" She played for 2 hours in the sand. She still wouldn't put her feet in the ocean. I can only imagine how huge the ocean looks to someone 2 1/2 ft tall. She played so hard all day and has been wonderful. She goes down for naps and bedtime so well. Probably because she is exhausted.

WEDNESDAY - We were thinking of staying an additional night instead of coming home tomorrow but we are going to stick to the original plan. Ava is just tired. She played so much today but was a lot more irritable. We can just tell she is exhausted. We love seeing her march through the sand, swinging her arms and singing. Today, she went up to a lady laying out, held out her hands as if to say, "ew, get this sand off." The lady loved it though and wiped her hands. Ava doesn't meet a stranger. She also kept going up to a girl on the beach saying "come sit!" I've been proud of her though because she has been so sweet about sharing with other children and giving toys back to the child they belong to. Tonight, we took her to Build a Bear for her "prise." She chose a turtle, which doesn't surprise me since she has gotten hooked on the show, Franklin. She is sleeping with her new friend right now. She went CRAZY in the store.

This vacation has been well worth it. Kevin said today that we always had fun when just the two of us would go places but nothing compares to the fun we have now. Everything is happier, brighter and more exciting when we take the time to see it through Ava's eyes.

Destin Family Vacation - Day One

We love the beach. Ok, so Ava and I love the beach and Kevin is learning to appreciate it. It has taken a few years but he is getting better about the sand. Here is a picture of our view. We took Ava down for a walk and quickly realized that beach walks aren't what they used to be. They are now just about chasing Ava around in a circle, in and out of beach chairs, or up and down the stairs. When we went back to the room to get sunscreen and bathing suit...she cried so hard because she didn't want to go back to the room.
She played in the sand a little at first but was more interested in the kids toys beside us...so we headed to the pool. She loves water at home so we thought she would love the pool. Nope. She would keep repeating "get out!" if she was in the big pool. Thankfully, there is a large baby pool. She kept getting in and out. Again, we were following her around. She would make laps around the big pool singing "skip, skip, skip to my lou" or "spoon medicine go down." She again was interested in everyone else's toys, strollers, tents, you name it...she wanted it. For a second, I thought she was going to take a pringle out of a little girl's hand! When we left the pool for the day, she told some children beside us, "bye bye kids!" It was precious. Thankfully, other kids were playing with everyone else's toys too.
We went to hibachi for dinner and it was worth it just to see Ava staring. When the cook was almost finished with the rice, Ava picked up her plate and handed it to him as if she was saying, "ok, give me some." Bad news - our favorite restaurant, Bayou Bills, is no longer there! It burned down. We didn't figure that out until we kept driving around and finally stopped to ask. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Memories

I received very sad news Tuesday night that the dad of two of my greatest high school friends (twins) passed away after a long battle with cancer. I stayed awake that night with my mind just going crazy with thoughts of what they must be going through and feeling. It's hard to understand sometimes why one must go through such brokenness and pain. I'm thankful that they are a family of true faith and I'm certain that they will lean on God to help them heal.

I was so happy to see them today and just give them a hug. I had not seen them in a long time...too long...and was reminded of how much I truly care about them and their growing families. I was in their house that I remember being in all of the time as a teenager and now I was there with their children playing. It was a very neat feeling. I get that feeling with Maurita and Chris all of the time too. It's a "wait a second...aren't we supposed to be 18? How did we get to be 30 so fast" feeling.
We are all grown up.

I rode to their house with another high school friend and even though I had not seen him in years, it was as if we had talked every day. Just comfortable...how it should be. It amazed me how everything has changed, yet nothing has changed. We are the same people, only improved.

I realized how much I miss them.

Mommy's Day!

Ok...I'm going to give the blogging thing a chance. I've enjoyed my friends so I thought I'd give it a shot. Mother's day is a great starting point.

I was treated like a queen all weekend so I have nothing to complain about. My mom always said that every day is Mother's day and now I know exactly what she means. I enjoyed the day but I do not need a holiday to make me feel loved and appreciated thanks to an amazing husband and daughter. Saturday night we had a great dinner at Carrabba's. We were shocked at everything Ava was eating. She won't eat what a normal child does such as mac & cheese but she will eat lentil soup, salad, broccoli, etc. She was putting some food down! Then Sunday we went to church and listened to yet another honest and valuable sermon from Pastor Ed. We were so excited to be able to see Chris & Joy and I got to hold Ella (thanks Joy). I can never get over how quickly babies change. When I went to get Ava from the nursery, I teared up because she had made me gifts over the last few weeks.

She made a butterfly and a flower with her hand prints and a vase out of a glass & tissue paper. These are the first Sunday School crafts that I have been given and they just mean so much! Before Ava, I would see what my niece's would bring home or other mother's would have in their hands and I would look forward to the day when I would have those things. Now I do and I love it!

At lunch at my parents, Ava decided that she was over the high chair and has moved on to a booster seat. Guess I should be buying one of those soon for her. She's a talker and has been for a while but something has changed in the last few days. Her sentences are more clear and instead of repeating things we say, she is coming up with more and more things to say on her own. One of the best comments today was when I was rocking her before putting her down for the night. I was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and she sat up, tilted her head to the side and said, "Good job Mommy!" Those tiny moments are wonderful.

Today is just a fun day at home. Here's a picture of what we did for a while. Yep...we still hunt eggs! This time, she had to wear her tutu.