Nana Dianne (my mother) arrived yesterday evening, and is staying until Monday! YIPPIE! Liv and Avery (and mommy and daddy) are very excited that she came to visit us! I'm sure we'll have more to report after the visit, but here is a photo of Nana with Olivia last night. She hasn't seen either Liv or Avery since Christmas time...it has been long over due! I have to work this morning, and for the first time, I am leaving both my girls with someone besides Daddy. She'll love it, and they will too, but I will be thinking of them the whole time I'm at work...the whole 3 hours I'm there! :)On a side note, Olivia has decided that she has more important things to do during the night that sleep all night. She has been such a great sleeper since around Christmas Eve. The last 4 nights she has woken up to eat...I hope it's just a phase...'cause I sure like my sleep!
I have no comment...at least I snapped a photo this time... 
I didn't notice how many outfits of Olivia's have stripes, until doing this blog. It seems that almost every outfit I put her in has stripes...I guess I will try to look for something besides stripes from now on...
When your 3 1/2 month old child, who has been fussy and needy for most of the day, is quite and content for over 30 minutes...something is up...
How about a poopy so explosive, that it was up the back, dripping, and all over her excersaucer pad?
I tried to get PG to get the camera while I was covered in poo, but he said he wanted to get it all "taken care of". He ran the clothes and cover to the laundry, and then had to clean the poo off of him! :) I immediately gave Liv a bath...but I don't know how much of a bath it was considering the water didn't look so clear after she entered.
So needless to say, the lesson I learned...when Liv is super happy and content...make sure to check her pants...
Here is a photo of her after she "cleaned herself out", and the saucer...hey, at least I got some photos AFTER it happened.
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This first photo was taken on her 4 month birthday, right after her milk allergy was discovered. Poor baby...horrible body rash!
When Avery was around 18 months, I was eating Mac-n-Cheese. She was looking at me like she wanted nothing more than to have what I was having. I knew she was allergic, but I thought, what would one noodle do to her...well, below is the result... 
Her milk allergy is still strong...as strong as her egg and peanut allergy in fact. It has been a struggle, so we pray that the allergy will decrease or go away one of these years...
Being a mother, I think it must come easier to write about your children than your own self. Well, this entry is about ME...and PG too, I guess...and maybe the girls will be thrown in there too here and there...
We moved here in October of '04 to pastor a small church of less than 50 members - it was in dire straits before we arrived.
We weren't sure why we accepted the call, other than the Lord's leading. The Lord certainly knew more about where we should be than we did. During our 2+ years here, there have been ups and downs...many of each - in terms of church, probably mostly downs. There were times I was ready to pack up our belongings and just "go". But, each time, I realized that we were here for a reason, and this is where we are "supposed" to be right now. The reason has been made alive to us this past 9 months or so...
We weren't sure why we accepted the call, other than the Lord's leading. The Lord certainly knew more about where we should be than we did. During our 2+ years here, there have been ups and downs...many of each - in terms of church, probably mostly downs. There were times I was ready to pack up our belongings and just "go". But, each time, I realized that we were here for a reason, and this is where we are "supposed" to be right now. The reason has been made alive to us this past 9 months or so...
First, let me say, the town we live in is considered a college town. There are over 11,000 students here, which makes the town population around 30,000 I think. Last school year (Fall of 2005), a cute couple, Dustin and Ashley (pictured below...aren't they cute?) began coming to our church.
Our little church with 30 or so people in the pews on an average Sunday - they were the ONLY students in attendance. Not only did they come, but they came back. And, they came back over and over, with more and more friends! They saw something at our church that at the time, we didn't see. We began to get to know them, and my husband started a small bible study based on "Napoleon Dynamite" for High School/College students. Amazingly, the study began to grow into a weekly study with a free meal for all who come. This was just the beginning of our "new life" in our little church...
This last summer, another group of college students visited our church. I can not tell you how encouraging it was to see "young life" in the pews. These students/young adults also have made our church their "home", and they also are bringing in their friends by the dozens. They lead our worship, and we are soooo thankful that they are on this journey with us. I think we have realized that we are a "college" church for sure!
We just begun a "ReLaunch" of our church this month. We sent out 6,000 invitations to residents in town, and we also hung 600 door hangers on houses around our city. We wanted our town to come and experience what we have at our church. We hope and pray that they will come, and if they do, that they will find GOD here...for that is what is most important.
So far, there hasn't been too many who have come because of the mailers (less than 20?)...all young adults, as far as we know. No older, middle age folks, or young familes yet. Kind of suprising when you think of 6,000 households being invited. My husband and I were talking on the way home, and realized as much as we would LOVE to see young families (selfish I know), right now, it seems like our church is supposed to be for college students and young professionals - which is VERY interesting, given that less than 2 years ago we were the youngest people in the church! And, that is such a wonderful opportunity for us to be a part of.
So, we are thankful. We are thankful for the "new life" that God is placing in our church. We are thankful (selfishly) for these fun new friends we have made. And, while we pray for more to come to First Baptist, we will continue to minister to these students that God has put in our church. What a wonderful opportunity for us...
So, thank you Dustin and Ashley for beginning this crazy road we're on...hope you're ready for a fun and crazy ride with PG, me and the gals......
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Opening a can of pringles..."They look so...attractive"
Going into her room..."I'm going to metamorphosis"
"I want crackers, you idiot" to daddy...she learned it from Monsters Inc. We did have a talk with her after this one...but boy, it was sooo funny!
"Mom...llamas do hump" after watching an cartoon. What she meant, was that llamas "honk" when they talk...silly girl!
"My boogers look like little worms"
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Most people think Olivia looks like daddy...
and Mommy and Avery look alike? Do you agree? Do they look like each other?
The first photo is Avery, second is Olivia...and similarities?
Again, first photo is Avery, second is Olivia...what do you think?
Avery has always had a blankie. This has been a staple in her night time routine. We used to make sure she had her blankie and sucky, then it was blankie and a friend, then blankie and glow bear, etc. The one constant has always been blankie. I'm embarrassed to say that she also uses blankie as her "booger blanket". She doesn't like to wipe her nose with paper, so she uses her tried and true blankie. I'm surprised with all the washes that blankie has went through, that it's still kicking. This is one of those possessions that I will keep forever, even when blankie isn't needed anymore. Hopefully she'll be able to share it with her children someday...if it still has any life in it... 
While talking to my boss, Sara, today, she told me to try to put Liv in her saucer. I thought she was too little, and maybe she is, but it sure is making her happy! | View Show | Create Your Own
The above photos were taken this morning, while trying to soothe Liv. Quite funny, I think! Olivia is not happy being a baby anymore. She doesn't like her swing, her chair, or even the floor much either. She has decided that being a non-mobile baby is a drag. She now likes to be in her bumbo and way up on her tummy to see the world. She also doesn't mind being held either...that is her favorite! Below are some photos of her being content and happy...I like her much more this way! | View Show | Create Your Own
Lately, as Avery is growing up, I find myself very sad. Every birthday that comes around, brings her one step closer to not being so little anymore. I once was a preschool teacher, and I never understood why parents were emotional leaving their children at school for 2 1/2 hours, 3 days a week. Now, after having kids of my own, I understand. Any normal parent would probably already have their 4 1/2 year old in some sort of preschool, or play group, or something...not me. I am the over-protective mother that doesn't want either of my girls out of my sight, unless they're with daddy. Part of it is that I don't want to share them...selfish I know. A lot of it is anxiety about how they are going to be taken care of, will they be given enough attention, will they miss me?, etc.This summer, Avery will be turning 5. I tear up just writing that...seriously. Just talking about her going to preschool in the fall is emotional. I shed some tears with PG the other night while thinking about her playing on the playground at school, getting hurt, and me not running to her. No "playground aide" (sorry mom) is going to take care of her like I would. No teacher is going to kiss it better like mommy. No one at school is going to be able to hug and kiss her till she's okay like me. Such a large part of me wants to pause life right now, and not let her experience these things. I don't want her to fall down, or get her feelings hurt, or go through any of those icky things alone, without me. My husband, kindly, tells me that it's part of her growing up, and I have to let her experience these things without sheltering her. I know this, but knowing is easier than doing.
How I'm going to get through sharing my child with someone else is beyond me. Lucky for me, it's not until the fall. And, this next school year it WILL only be 2 1/2 hours a day, 3 days a week. And, I will only be a call away, right? I need to keep gearing up for this day, as hard as it will be...my baby is growing up...
Last week, Avery has decided that she wants computer time like mommy and daddy have. I hear, "Mommy...it's my turn" quite a bit. In the past, she has played computer with us here and there, but never really on her own. I didn't know she knew enough about how it all worked...she is only 4 ya know! I was suprised last week when she learned how to use the mouse and play games on playhousedisney.com. She did this for an hour straight, and would have longer if I would have let her. Now, during the day I have someone new I have to share the computer with. Shortly I'm sure I'll be saying, "Avery...it's mommy's turn now!"
It seems that ever since Olivia was about 2 months old, she has been having a number of poopy "accidents". For the last month or so, there is at least one outfit fatality a day. PG and I both agree that Avery never had these kind of accidents daily...maybe once or twice a week. We buy the expensive diapers, that by the way, are 10 cents a piece. We put them on her the right way, after all, there's not really much you can do wrong there. You'd think that we were in the clear, but no. It just keeps happening! When I hear a BIG noise coming from this adorable LITTLE girl, I just know what is in store for me. I walk over to her, and she's all smiles, and then comes the stink. I pick her up, and look at her back, and sure enough...another explosion through 2 layers of clothing. So, needless to say, I'm getting tired of the explosive poop already...
Avery once saw some men on TV playing chess, and I guess she thought it looked like a fun game to learn to play. She calls it "chest". Here she is with her fisher price little people animals on a tv tray in our living room. She lines them up in rows, they switch places, along with saying "check". She loves it when we "play" chess with her. There is no logic to this game, just moving animals and saying check. I don't even know how to play real "chest" anyhow...
Our friend Matthew, and his adorable daughter, Isabelle, came to visit us on Friday! It was a fun day and a half filled with 3 girls...busy household! It was great to see Matthew and catch up with him. Avery liked having another girl to play with, and Liv just kind of "lived"! We hope to see them again soon! We love you guys
Well, yesterday Liv discovered that her hands can hold an object, and when she moves her hands, the object moves as well. You can see from the pictures, that the first place that her toys went to, was her mouth. It is really fun to see her grow, change, and learn new things daily...I love how she gets cross-eyed...
This photo was taken after an "accident" happened in our house. Avery tries so hard to make Liv happy throughout the day, and she really does a great job at being a helper. Yesterday, she was trying to move one of Olivia's hanging toys, and it fell down and bonked her in the nose. Liv started crying, and Avery ran to her room crying as well...feeling awful, I'm sure. She is so sensitive! Here is Liv going into her sisters room to tell her that it's okay, she's fine, accidents happen, and she still loves her... All better... P.S...nice smirk Liv!
I thought that since many of you have not seen Avery's room, I would give you a sneek peak into one of my ONLY works of art...if you even want to call it that. When we purchased our home in April '05, the first room I tackled was Avery's. I had seen an idea in a Pottery Barn magazine, so I thought I would attempt it on my own! My mother and I spent quite a long time measuring out each wall to figure out the square size, then putting up the blue chalk lines...it was a long night, let me just say that. The whole job of painting it took about 12 hours. By the time I was done, I decided that as long as we live here, this room will NOT be repainted again! I like how it turned out, and it seems like Avery thinks her room is pretty cool! Job well done, I would say!
This is Jerry on the left, Dustin on the right, and of course-Avery! Jerry is the guy who has taken photos of the girls for us, and just re-did my blog!
THANK YOU JERRY!
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