Let's Give It Another Try

Here I go again.  I am going to attempt to try to keep up with this blog once more!  I really want to.  I enjoy writing about how I have seen God in our lives.  So often I forget to look around and notice him.  He is always present and I just love letting others know about Him.  And when my children grow up, I hope to have many writings to show them just how important He is to me.  I have freshened up the face of my blog so I guess I need to post a fresh picture of us!

Why do I wait?

I really don't know why I wait so long between post.  I guess I just get busy and forget.  It doesn't matter to me if very many people read this blog, it really is just for me to journal what God does in my life.  That was just a slap in my face...And WHY do I wait so long to post??  God does so much and I am going to try to give Him more credit.  So, this morning as I was getting dressed I thought about how relaxed I have been in ready my Bible.  I thought "God where have you been?"  Then He said in a loud voice.."Right where I have always been.  Where have YOU been?"  I grabbed my phone to read a devotional and this was the title. The Danger of Drifting. It talked about how we become so caught up with life that we neglect to think ahead or notice how fast we are moving away from the safety of the Lord's plan.  Proverbs 14:15-16 reveals that the wise look to the future to avoid ruin. Drifting is foolish.  In countless arenas of life--marriage, family, vocation, finances, etc,--we need a clear destination and navigation plan if we expect to be successful.  God provides both.  So no more drifting for me.  I'm staying close by my Savior!

One Year Old!

What a surprise! Today we celebrated Ava Grace's birthday! Can you believe it? I can't. Even though some days I feel like I have had her forever because I feel like I have been ran over by a mac truck! Wow, she walks and CLIMBS! I told her on the actual day of her b-day that I had made it one year and I was gonna take my vitamins and make it another!! She is such a joy to me. Not easy, not passive. She is full of life. I find myself just dropping everything and sitting on the floor playing with her. My life just stops sometimes with her. What is so funny is she has the same effect on Dad and Brother! She is a mess!

So I guess you have seen the picture I posted. At the party, Ms Sharron (Noni) surprised me with a gift and this is what it was. A picture of the Avalon street sign! Yes I cried! Every time I come to this sign I wonder how I could get it. I wonder if the street people would let me have it if I told them the story? Well this is great, I now have it! Framed and everything! Now if you don't now the story about this sign, you will have to go back and read my old blogs. ....I guess I can give you a little hint. I always wanted another child and really felt God was going to give us one. After many years of praying. It never happened but I kept believing. One day I was going to Longview and I was fussing at God for not coming through for me and questioning where I was crazy for believing for so long, I came to this sign. I knew I wanted to name my girl Ava. I looked at this sign and knew right then that he had an Ava for us to love. I was to keep believing! Two years later we were shocked to find out that we were pregnant and of course it was a girls. One year ago November 10, 2010, Ava Grace McRight was born. She was promised to me and I just get chills every time I see my sign!!!!! Thanks Noni!

Growing sooo Fast

I can not believe how fast she is growing. Each day has been full of laughter! I guess one thing about being older parents is we seem more laid back. We find ourselves just sitting and watching her! "Did you see that?" "Watch her." She is so different from Ian. She does not like to give kisses and if you happen to get one, we make a BIG deal about it!!!

Our days and nights with Ava have not all been "rosie"! Especially the nights! Ok, yes she is in our bed. And we like it like that except she got in a habit of waking up several times a night and we would stick a bottle in her mouth. She liked that and developed a nasty habit. The only way she would go back to sleep is to have that bottle. Well, Saturday night we decided we had to break her of this. That was a long night. she threw a huge fit! We lived through it and stuck to our guns. Sunday night was a little better. So after four nights, she is getting better. Hopefully tonight we will sleep all night.

Another big thing that has happened is Ian got invited to go to Canada with People to People. I know it is a great honor but that would be hard to let him leave. We really are going to have to pray about this one. Ian told me last night that he thought God had brought this into his life and he thought God really wanted him to go. Oh my, when did he become so in tuned with God? Of course that is how I really want him to be! We will see how God works this one out!

Change the world

Have you ever wondered if your child will be the one to change the world in some way?? After trying to feed Ava yesterday and seeing her determination to not eat the vegetables but the peaches, I thought, girl, you could change the world. Your just that head strong. I asked James if he thought she could and he said well, she's already changed mine!
Last night at bible study, we are beginning to study the books of Samuel. I was reminded of what Hannah's name means ...Grace. Hannah prayed for so long for a child and God gave her Samuel. I know God gave us Ava Grace's name and he continues to remind me that. Bro. Tilley also said Eli the priest taught Samuel how to hear the voice of God. I love that. Oh how I hope we consistently teach our children how to "hear God's voice". I love hearing the voice of God and I want them to know that voice too!

A daddy's girl

This was taken at the Ball park. We are not sure we like the ball park yet. But brother sure does and that is why we are there!
Ian and I at field day!


(If anyone would like to spice up my blog for me let me know. I spent the whole day trying to make it better and add some personality. Well once I could figure out how to go back to the basic layout, I am leaving it! Nothing fit like I wanted it to and I could not make it look like those cutsie blogs. So I just left it look plain, just like me!)

Our Purpose

I know we all have a purpose in life. How many times do we wonder what it is? I know I do a lot! Well, today I was once again reminded of yet another purpose for the life of Ava Grace... I have a good friend that came into my life last year. Once we became more acquainted, I found out we had a lot in common. I know with out a shadow of doubt, God placed her in my life. She has a beautiful family. Two older sons and a daughter around Ian's age. She has kept Ava several times and told me how much her family loves and adores her. (don't we all!) They almost fight over her! My friends daughter has had some major health problems. Due to these problems it would be wise if the girl did not carry children of her own. As we talked about this today, I mentioned how it may be a good idea for them to adopt so the little girl could see how special it is and that she could love a child this way just as much. Well they have already thought this and plan to hopefully adopt in the near future. I said until then they could love on Ava! Then it hit me here is another way that Ava has had a purpose for her life. Used so this young girl could learn that love is unconditional. Oh, I wonder what the future holds!! :)

P.S. Today was suppose to be Ava's first haircut. The hair stylist talked me out of it, so Ian got his cut instead! Thank the Lord! He needed it!
I will post a picture later.