A Perfect Brunch!

Adiah had his first shower on Saturday.  My friend Cait gave me the cutest little brunch with my book club and some of the board members from SAA in attendance. She had tons of yummy food. My mouth waters just thinking about it again. I forgot my camera and everyone's batteries were dead or dying. Luckily, Cait was able to get a few before her battery bit the dust! 

There were crepes and waffles with every filling you could imagine. Little Quiches and sausage balls, YUM!

Cait made me the cutest diaper cake! I think the "A" will be great for photo's when Adiah arrives!

Opening some gifts!

I am looking at the cutest little swimsuit for Adiah next year, but from my face you would think I am dying or something!

Here is a group shot of all who came!

These are the cutest cookies and they TATSE delish!

I feel so blessed to have great friends here. They made it a special day! Thank you Cait for all your hard work! I loved it! :)

I Remember...

Yesterday marked a ten year anniversary for America. I remember the girl running into our class opening the door scared. Looking at Mr. Watts (our math teacher) and saying "We have been hit, America has been hit". He walked out the door and shut the door. We all took it as a time to play around while he was out of the class. I was curious, but didn't really know what she was talking about. Then I remember Mrs. Garner (another teacher) walking up with tears in her eyes. As I watched through the window I realized something real and sad had happened.

I remember Mr. Watts walking back in and trying to explain the weight of the issue. As a ninth grader I don't think I grasped the whole significance of the situation. I knew many undeserving people died, I knew it was an outright attack on America and the freedom we stand for, I knew it was a very sad day. My parents sheltered me though from a lot of the footage and clips. So yesterday when Ryan and I watched clips and memorials of 9/11 I think it really hit me how chaotic and scary it was for all of those in New York at the time. I began to cry and we talked about the people jumping from the windows, how they were clinging to the sides of the building just trying to get a fresh breath. Ryan and I could not even come up with words on what we would do. Would we have jumped? Would we have just hung on until we crumbled with towers? It was a helpless cause either way because they were doomed.  

 I remember where I was, I remember how I felt, I remember praying, but what I truly remember the most is hearing all about the heroic stories of people helping people. How America came together and stood together. How I was proud to be in a country that had so many people willing to sacrifice their lives as they went into the towers to help evacuate those still inside. I am proud to be an American!

 I lift up those who lost loved ones and that God will poor out His peace on them. Each one who died is truly a hero! Thank you!

via

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Audra's Wonderland! (Me Coming to Terms with Her Being Four)

Days in Audra's world have been moving very fast. Ok, I am not positive they are going fast for her, but they are going fast for me.

She has turned the BIG four, and mysteriously it seems overnight she has become a little girl... not my little tiny baby. It actually has been happening over time (go figure), but it has really started to sink in for me she is growing up.

As I look at her as her mom, I can't help but be extremely proud. She is growing into such a beautiful person inside and out. She is a rule follower and loves to be a helper. She melts my heart in so many ways.

Recently I have been sorting through all her baby clothes, and of course I got sentimental and a bit weepy. Audra and her gentle heart tried to comfort me. We looked at her baby clothes together and she would hold up something and say "look Mom, it still fits.... Nah... I'm just joking" and laugh hysterically. I couldn't help but laugh at her and she made the process a lot easier. I finally looked at her and said, "Audra you are such a big girl now. You are growing so tall." She thought for a moment and replied sweetly, "Mom, I don't think I want to get any bigger. That way I can always be your little girl." I held back a tear and told her how she would always be my little girl but that it was good she was growing. She gave me a big hug and kiss and went back to playing with the clothes. For that sweet moment though it touched me how much she wanted to make me happy.

I can't get enough of her hugs, kisses, and "I love you's". I realize that one day they won't come as often and probably won't be even said in the same way, but for now I am enjoying my sweet little girl and enjoy this season of my sweet BIG four year old!