Wow, It's Been A While...

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted! Time has flown by and my little baby, is no longer a baby! We have officially entered the toddler stage and I can already see the "Terrible 2's" sinking in. She wants so badly to talk and just can't quite get the words out. She is really coming along with her animals. Thanks to daycare (so very appreciative of all the work they do), Ava knows what a cow, dog, lion, bear, cat, and sometimes frog, chicken, and pig say! We had our first trip to the zoo over Spring Break and she loved all the animals. Her favorites oddly enough, were the Hippos and the Rhinos.

In just a few short months she will officially be two years old and I am absolutely shocked at this realization. I feel like it was just yesterday I was in the hospital as big as a cow! There are so many things I could say, but for now I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and been there for me in the past few years. Y'all are such a blessing and Ava and I both would be lost without you! Here are a few pictures to catch you up on my growing munchkin!

We were not a fan of Santa this year!

Chowing down on some fresh broccoli!

Checking out the dance floor!

Playdate with our buddy Jackson!

Ava's Check-up!

This week we had Ava's 15 month check up with our sweet doctor, Dr. Bocchicchio. It was the hardest one yet. I have become so accustomed to Ava's sweet nature and easy going attitude that it never dawned on me that it wouldn't last. I'm sure in years to come, it will return, but as far as right now, we are just not having any way but her way (or at least that's what she thinks). She screamed and cried and clung to me (and Poppy) the entire appointment. Even getting her height measured threw her into a terrorizing scream. You thought that Ms. Mary was pulling her legs off the way she was crying. Through all the poking and prodding, we managed to make it out of there with three really cool looking bandaids and a milk. We opted not to give her the flu shot as of right now, so please pray that she doesn't catch it from anyone! We feel at this time, with the little interaction that she gets on the day to day basis, she doesn't need the shot.

Her percentiles are:

Head: 98%...yes that's right, big brain!!
Weight: 80% (23 lbs. 6 oz.)
Height: 50% (30 3/8")...we are getting smaller and smaller with each visit.

We also found out that she has 9 teeth now! One molar has squeezed through on the right side, and we are patiently awaiting the arrival of the other 3 that are trying to push their way through! These are definitely effecting her more than any of the other teeth. She's a tough little girl, but I'm really looking forward to when she gets all her little teeth in!

I love this beautifully curious girl!

I am a Prayer Warrior!

Tonight has been a night I don't think I will ever forget. 

Every night I lay in bed and talk to God until I fall asleep. Every night during this time, I think to myself, "I should really be on my knees right now."

I truly feel like I was struck by the hand of God as I started this routine tonight. For the first time in a long time, I climbed up on my knees, folded my hands, and went to work. I prayed like I had never prayed before and I felt my heart overflow with such warmth and joy. I thanked God for an amazing time with my family, the past week of relaxation and opportunities to catch up with old friends, and my expanding confidence in myself as a Christian. Most of all, I prayed for the people in my life. There are many different reasons why I prayed for these people, but most of all, I prayed that God would touch them in a way only He could do.

I am a Prayer Warrior! 

For the first time, I KNOW what that means! I understand the power of prayer, and from now on I intend to use it, as much as I can, and as often as I can.

After praying tonight, I literally smiled so huge and chuckled to myself I was so amazed at what had just happened. I was so hyped up that I had to once again, pray for a slower heart rate so I could fall asleep. It didn't happen, and I feel it was because God was pushing me to share my excitement. Yes, it's 1:30 in the morning, and no I do not feel like I could possibly sleep if I wanted to right now. God really has a sense of humor, because I really NEED to get some sleep right now :P

I look back on my life the past couple of years and am just amazed at how my life has changed. I was headed nowhere fast, and by nowhere, I mean straight to hell. I was falling fast. But God saved me. He gave me I think the only wake up call that could have really gotten my attention. She is the most beautiful wake up call I have ever seen, and I can't thank God enough for her. I don't think she will ever understand what her existence has really done in my life. People compliment me all the time on how great of a job I'm doing as a single mom and how it must be so hard. I thank them on the outside, but on the inside I marvel at their statement. I'm not doing this alone; not in the least bit. God has led me every step of the way. He has provided me with parents that continue to support me in every way possible. He is my rock. When I think I can't take it anymore, He is there to hold me up and to help me through. I truly stand in awe of Him.

Words cannot express what I am feeling right now and the thousands of thoughts that are playing in my mind. This is something that has to be shared, and being that it's so early in the morning, I didn't feel right calling anyone (you can thank me later) :P Thank you to all who never gave up on me and continued to pray for me through the years. Thank you for "harassing" me about having a relationship with God and making me feel like there is still hope for me. I once felt like there was no saving my soul, my life. I can see now how far off base I was about that. Thank you for caring for my spiritual well-being. I love you!

SARAH

I am in love!

Ava's Birthday

Ava's first birthday party was last saturday at the park! We had a lot of fun swinging and crawling all over the playscape with our buddies! Unfortunately (but really a blessing) Ava is a dainty eater, so there wasn't really a lot of smashing going on with her cake! I stepped in and improvised, but just for the video's sake. After we played in the park, we went to the splash park and played in the water to cool off. It was really nice seeing some friends and I'm so thankful for the whole day!

Ava's Cake!

Smash Cake!

Swingin' with Jackson!

Grammy :)

In the water dome with Bryce!

(video coming later)

I love Christian Fiction.

The best part about reading Christian Fiction, in my mind, is the impact it has on my daily reflection in the Word. Currently I am reading the latest Kingsbury book in the Bailey Flannigan series, Leaving. I love getting lost in this made up world. The people in these books are truly amazing individuals who seem to know what life is all about. Whenever I read these books, I tend to look up a lot of the scripture in the book that she incorporates in the story. A lot of it I am familiar with, but I love looking it up and reading what is before and after the verse(s). In this book, Matthew 6:34 comes up frequently. I remind myself of this scripture on a daily basis, who doesn't? After seeing it several times in the book, I decided to look it up and read more of the surrounding text. I love Matthew 6:34, but the verses leading up to that really left me thinking:


"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 


Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?


 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 


But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 


Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 25-34

As I read this, I asked myself how many times a day do I sit there and fret about something I cannot control? I get upset because I can't afford the things I wish to afford, or I don't look exactly how I ideally want to look, or I can't eat at all the fancy restaurants. What does that really matter? Wearing fancy name brand clothing is not going to matter at the moment I meet Jesus. He's not going to ask me if I drove the coolest car in town. Why worry about what people will think of you by bringing up His name or telling them the good news? I will be rewarded in Heaven for doing His will, not mine.

I felt the need to share what was on my heart; these verses really hit home for me. I have a stressful year ahead of me, but I know these words will always be here to comfort my soul and get me through it.

Here is a parting picture of my princess who is turning 1 in 2 days!

I love her wide-eyed look! She has such a beautiful personality!

Picture Updates!

First Time Swinging!

Gig 'Em!

No Fear, Uh oh!

She's an Avid Reader!

We went to the lake last week:

Gorgeous day at the lake!

Lakeside Nap!

Cheese!

Love this picture :)

My beautiful princess!

Look at my toys!

Wweeww, that water is cold!

We were playing peek-a-boo with the towel. She was cracking up :)

Video

Ava loves standing on the futon and watching the cars go by outside: