The First Wednesday in May

Are you familiar with Senior day at Kroger?  It is the first Wednesday of every month and the senior citizens get discounts at Kroger.  They come by the busloads (literally).  When we moved to Louisville (2 years ago this month) I went to Kroger for the first time and it happened to be the first Wednesday of the month (which coincidentally was also May).  I was excited about a big nice grocery store with lots of options!  I had my list, I had my baby and off I went.  I was not prepared.  At all.  There were more people than I had ever seen in a grocery store in my life!  I loved that each and every elderly person we passed wanted to admire my little girl ( and tell me to enjoy this age).  I couldn't blame them.  She's precious.  But after the first...say....ten admirers I realized this grocery trip was turning into a marathon. Add in not knowing where anything was in the store and a ten month old and TWO HOURS (not kidding) later we left Kroger.  I was defeated.

Typically I do my shopping on Monday but because the lovely stomach bug hit our house this weekend, it got pushed back to today.  Imagine my reaction when walking up to the doors of Kroger, two kids in tow, I realized what day it was.  I put the girls in the cart, said a quick prayer and went for it head on!  Honestly it was not as bad as I had anticipated.  Maybe because it was lunchtime. Maybe because of my prayer.  Maybe I have grown in two years and can handle more (probably not).  We made it through in WAY less than two hours! And other than Ava melting down after she took her last bite of cookie there were no major setbacks.  There were still several admirers and we enjoyed them all.  I have a better outlook on the first Wednesday of the month now!

Oh...and they were giving out samples of Derby Pie, which had to make things better!

One Year Old!

We celebrated Ava's first birthday this weekend. I still am in awe that this year went by as fast as it did. Her actual birthday was on Easter Sunday so we decided to have her party the weekend after.   We had such a fun time celebrating with family and friends. I looked at everyone who was there and realized how each person/couple there had been there in some way for us the past year.  Most everyone had made a meal for us when Ava was born or baby sat our girls so we could get away for dinner of coffee.  Their love for our family and especially our girls overwhelmed me.  It made me so thankful for the friendships that we have made and how God places people in our lives, whether for just a season or for many many years.

Ava loved all the attention and was so much fun to watch.  She is much more expressive than Ella was at this age.  She is such a joy and we are blessed to be her parents!  Here are some pictures from the party and a picture of her the day she was born. We love you Ava!

Hello April!

I can't say that I am sad to see March go.  It was a rough month of sickness in our house so I felt like when I wasn't taking temperatures or administering antibiodics I was trying to catch a nap from all the lost sleep.  Chris had bronchitis to start it off and then Ella got sick and the day she finished her meds Ava was sick and started hers.  She finished hers yesterday and I am praying that we are done with our round of sickness around here for a while.  Praise the Lord that I stayed well through it all so that I could care for everyone!  Before all the sickness hit we enjoyed having company a couple of weekends.  Chris' parents were here for the first weekend in March.  It was great to spend some time with them.  The following weekend our really good friends (who are praying about church planting with us) came up from Mississippi.  While they were here the girls snuck off and got a manicure and pedicure.  Boy was that nice!

I love April and the Easter season.  I love to reflect on Jesus and what he did for us on the cross.  I enjoy teaching Ella about the cross and our sin.  My hope is that when I think about this season that it isn't just a "good feeling" because of what Jesus did for me but that it stirs something in my heart that will cause me to share this hope with others who do not know.  

7 Beloved, jlet us love one another, for love is from God, and kwhoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 lAnyone who does not love does not know God, because mGod is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that nGod sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, onot that we have loved God nbut that he loved us and sent his Son to bepthe propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11

This verse is a great reminder of God's love for us.  I taught Ella a condensed version of this a couple of months ago.  The other day we were out shopping and right now Ella loves asking everyone "What your name is?".  Well she asked the cashier and the lady responded with "Cyn, short for Cynthia"  and said "can you say Cyn?"  I knew exactly where this was going.  Ella responded, "Sin in my heart."  I wasn't sure what to say or how the lady was going to respond.  But, she said "what did you say, sin?" and Ella responds with, "God loves us and sent Him son."  The lady was taken back and said "do you take her to church?"  It was such a neat example of the gospel through the eyes of my 2 year old and a great way to engage someone who we didn't know with the gospel.   I jokingly told Chris later that it was like carrying around my own little tract, much cuter too. 

I pray that this week as Easter draws near that it will cause us to reflect on God's goodness and His love for us.  And in return we will show others his love!  Happy Easter!!!

50 and Fabulous!

This weekend we celebrated my mom's 50th birthday!  We surprised her by driving down and threw her a big party.  She was shocked to say the least.  It took her about a day to recover from the surprise!  We drove down on Thursday night and stayed with Chris' parents so that I could be there to set up on Friday for the party.  It was hard knowing that my mom was only a few minutes down the road and not being able to go by and see her...but totally worth the surprise of it!
 Her friend told her she wanted to take her to dinner and when she showed up to meet her we were all there to surprise her!  There were about 75+ people there and we had such a great time!  My mom's friend from high school came all the way from south Georgia as well as many family members.  I know that it meant so much to my mom to see so many people she cared about there to celebrate with her.  Mom stood up and announced that she felt like she was in heaven because everyone she loved was there.  HAHA!  I love her. She really is a wonderful woman.  She is the most generous person I know and would do anything for anyone.  She has always put others first and is a great example of Christ's love.  There is no one like her and I am so blessed to be her daughter.  I was so glad to be able to show her how much she is loved by throwing a party for her!  We had so much fun.  Here are a few pictures we took in the "photo booth".

Little Treasures

So, if you are a mom and you haven't heard of Little Treasures Sale, let me introduce you to the wonder of this consignment sale!  This is my third time shopping Little Treasures and this year I actually was a consignor (which I am hoping was worth all the work!).  The sale to the public started today so if you haven't been yet, you haven't missed out!  And the best part is that they restock so you can still get in on the good stuff that hasn't been picked over!  Because I was a consigner this time, I got to shop yesterday (and take a friend), here is the line we waited in...

It goes all the way to the red store front.  We didn't wait too long but inside was crazy with so much stuff! I think that I saw 100 potty seats on one table.  If you want to find out more info go here.  They also have a 50% off day which I have never gone to but am seriously considering it this time.  



How on earth did we go from this:

To this:

(yes, she is wearing shorts!)

In ONE DAY?!  

I am loving this wonderful weather we have had the past two days.  And I am so glad that we got a really good snow because I didn't think we were going to.  But I didn't think we would see 4 inches of snow and 70 degree weather in the course of 48 hours.  There's Kentucky for you!  I am fighting the urge to put away all the girls winter clothes and replace them with their new spring clothes from Little Treasures....but I am not sure that we have seen the last of winter yet.  In the meantime we will enjoy these great 70 degree temperatures and all of the perks that come with it. 

(Jude and Ava)

Like going to the park and getting to double swing.  I'm sorry but that is the cutest thing ever!  Jude is having himself a good time!!

Let me know if you make it to Little Treasures and what you think!  Happy Wednesday! 

Be Blessed!

LOVE

Hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day! We made cookies and played all day! Chris brought Chuy's home for lunch...he knows the way to my heart! It was a great day!

How did you spend your Valentine's day?

10 months

My sweet baby girl is 10 months old today!  Where does the time go?  This is the same age that Ella was when we moved to Louisville and it brings back so many precious memories!  It also makes me so thankful for the time we have had in Louisville.  We have been so blessed to have made such great friends and be part of such a wonderful church (I love my church!).  It has been beneficial to our family in so many ways to be here in this season of our life.  It has strengthened mine and Chris' marriage, has made us better parents (I hope :) )  and has most importantly been sanctifying to our relationship with the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:21 says:

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

My prayer is that God will continue to work in us to be set apart and ready for the work He has called us to.  That we will put off anything that does not honor God and that we will be a vessel used for His glory and His kingdom.  

And....

Here is Ava, the big 10 month old!

Here is Ella at 10 months old, the day after we moved to Louisville! Can't tell a bit that they are sisters.  :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!