How does a little girl spend her time when...

...she has a 12 year old brother? That's right, gets in the middle of all of the fun he is having with his friends. I remember being the little sister of a brother who slammed many doors in my face when I wanted to see what he and his friends were up to. At this point, Jacob is still allowing her to be in the middle. He even lets her push all of the buttons. We will see how long that lasts!

Happy Fall!

Boys and Trees!

I love my boys! Any guess who climbed the tree first? If I had not been there, I would have said Jacob. Well, Zachary decided to climb the tree and Jacob followed. It was not a huge tree. Actually, it was a Crepe Myrtle. But a tree is a tree and and Zachary climbed it!

Big Brother - Little Sister

Let me set the stage a bit for the heart of the blog. It is Friday night about 9:00 and Victor and I are just getting home. In my head I am thinking, "What were you thinking planning a party at 10:00am Saturday when you work all week?" All three kids are still awake, none of them are bathed or ready for bed, and Jacob is beside himself because his printer is out of ink and he needs my help. So, I say to him, "Jacob, what is so important that you have to print right now when there is no school tomorrow? Can't you see we are busy? Just go take your shower." Jacob, responds, "Mom, it is for Ava." So after the baths were given, Victor helped him get it to the other computer and printed. The result is what is typed below...Lesson learned...


Dear Ava,
I love you very much and I hope you have a good first birthday. You are the best thing that will most likely ever happen to me. I hope that you will have the greatest things that our family can offer for you and I hope that you will grow up to be just as good as I could ever be. I will always love you as long as I live. I will never forget the greatest blessing that happened to me on October 4th, 2007. Whenever you read this letter, I hope that you will remember your family, even furture in laws, and all the other people who love you. I just want you to know that God made you a blessing to this family, His family, and that you will always be loved as long as you live.

Love your Eldest Brother,
Jacob

AVA Turns 1!

What does a little girl named Ava Marie do on her first Birthday?

Play with her toys and show off for everyone.

Go for a swing with her Papa T.

Look at a cake that her Aunt Lori and Aunt Kasie made special!

Open presents.

Listen as everyone sings happy birthday to her.

and play with her cousins!

Believe!

As most of you know, in my previous career, I was a teacher. But aren't we all teachers? Don't we all have opportunities to believe in someone? Do we miss opportunities to inspire and help people develop to their fullest potential? Even more important, as adults, do we develop into the person God intends us to be? Watch this video of a young man who has obviously been inspired and believed in!

http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Shark or Baby?

Definitely a baby with a lot of hair! Ava loves her bath and her daddy loves to make her hair into funny shapes.