Decisions, Decisions!!!

It seems that these last few weeks have been full of decisions to be made, not just ordinary decisions like should I wear black or brown sandals today, but major decisions that will affect not only me, but also my family and our future. Some decisions have been fun (like picking out paint colors) . . .
some exasperating, some frustrating, some easy, some hard, some prayerful, some very spontaneous. All, and all, the decision making process has been good, even great and exciting especially when related to our new home.

Although I will say that I have been somewhat "afraid" of some of the decisions I have had to make, I have always felt God's hand, even in the smallest of decisions. And I guess that is what is all about. God gives us free will to make many decisions for which we take for granted. It is in times though when so many life changing decisions have to be made that I really appreciate the free will God has given me as well as the awesome responsibility he has entrusted in me and I am humbled. I am also reminded of the one most important thing in any decision making process, that I need God to help guide me and to help me to know that whatever my decision it will be in His plan for me as long as I have faith in Him.

The Pre-K Graduate!

It is official! Emma-Caroline is now a graduate of Pre-K. On May 26, 2010, Emma-Caroline graduated from Sacred Heart Preschool in a sweet ceremony at the church. She wore the dress I wore when I graduated from Kindergarten that my grandmother Josie had made for me. I think she would have been proud to see her great-granddaughter in the dress she had made. Emma-Caroline's Nana and Great Aunt Brenda traveled to Knoxville from Memphis which made the day even more special. We are so proud of our little graduate!

Getting ready to perform.

All of the pre-K class of 2010

Sneaking a peak in the pews.

Waiting her turn to graduate.

My sweet girl!

Receiving her diploma from Miss Nancy

The three who have been at Sacred Heart Preschool since babies, Harrison, Emma-Caroline and Jenna.

Proud of my little graduate!

Emma-Caroline and Jenna

Nana and Emma-Caroline

Emma-Caroline and her teacher Miss Jennifer

Emma-Caroline and Miss Nancy

Miss Candi Smith, our wonderful Preschool Director!

With her friend Celestina

Construction Zone!

Our new house that we are moving to is undergoing a face lift as I write this. It started out as a rancher looking house with a beautiful gourmet kitchen, floor to ceiling windowed sun room, and an amazing outdoor living area and backyard. These are the things we LOVED about the house and the reason we wanted to buy it. The other parts of the house were somewhat stuck in the 1950's when the house was built, so we consulted with an architect who drew up some awesome plans. We signed a contract and construction began. It's an awesome process to watch and one that the boys and girls as well as adults of the new neighborhood have been intrigued with.

Ready for a face lift!!!

Digging up the driveway!

Family Sun Room when former owners lived here.

Kitchen

Outdoor living space

Fly Through Our Window

Pic by Darby from "Fly Through Our Window"

Hi Blog Readers of "The Avery House" and other blogs out there. I have been meaning to share with you about a blog that I enjoy reading and where I find helpful tips on cooking, photography, decorating, and general every day life. It is called "Fly Through Our Window" and it is written by a girl I don't know named Darby. I like her style of writing and I also find her blog very inspirational in a whimsical kind of way. One of my friend's Sarah shared it with me and I am now sharing it with you for your own personal enjoyment. The pic posted is one of Darby's from her latest post. Check it out at http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/.

12 Years!

Twelve years ago today, we began our life journey together as husband and wife.

I will always cherish the moment. . .
I met you . . .
First loved you . . .
Laughed so hard with you . . .
Cried and put my whole trust in you . . .
Ached because my heart hurt and I missed you. . .
Shouted at the top of my lungs and said "YES!" I will marry you . . .
Said "I do" and began a whole new wonderful and amazing life with you . . .
Howie, you are my best friend, my husband and the person I am so fortunate to spend the rest of my life with. Happy 12th Anniversary! All the best is still to come.
Love, Me

In Memory of our Dove, Paulo

It is with a heavy heart that I am letting you all know that we have lost our beloved dove Paulo. We are not quite certain what has become of Paulo. He has been spending many happy hours in his cage on our screened in porch since it has been so nice outside. On Saturday night, I checked on him and said good-night. On Sunday morning, his cage door was wide open and he was no where to be found. We have searched high and low for him in the hopes that maybe he is just sitting in a tree enjoying the life of a non captive bird. But as the days have passed, our hopes of finding him are growing faint. Paulo was born in captivity and has lived with us over the past nine years, he would not be able to survive in the wild. I inherited him from a lady who taught Pre-K and he became my classroom pet. She had not named him and had labeled his cage "Las Palomas" which is Spanish for doves. I named him Paulo as a take on the word paloma. His coos were a delight to the students I taught both in Texas and here in Tennessee. One of my students who had been displaced from Hurricane Katrina, was so excited to be in our classroom because her middle name is "Dove." Her parents saw it as a sign from God that everything was going to be OK even in such difficult times as losing your home to a hurricane. He also brought our family much peace and joy. Emma-Caroline especially loved talking to him, and taking care of him and has been especially hurt by his disappearance. She even asked our pastor at our church to pray for him. Father Howard graciously prayed with our family for Paulo which brought us all much comfort. We loved Paulo dearly and we will miss our peaceful feathered friend. I can only hope that he is now flying among the heavens with our Father.

And They Lived Happily Ever After . . .

On Friday, May 14, 2010, my cousin, Michelle became Mrs. Josh Dore at a beautiful ceremony at Del Monaco Winery near Cookeville, TN. It was a beautiful ceremony and Michelle looked absolutely beautiful! Emma-Caroline and Sophie had the honor of being flower girls in her wedding. We are so happy for Michelle and Josh and wish them everlasting years of happiness in their marriage.

Kelly, Michelle, Katie, and Nicole before the ceremony
May I now present, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Dore!

My sisters Kelly and Katie with Emma-Caroline and Sophie, Such beautiful ladies!

Two sweet flower girls watching the bride and groom dance.

The beautiful bride, Michelle and the girls

Tale as Old As Time . . .

Last evening, Emma-Caroline transformed herself into Belle of Beauty and the Beast before we entered our carriage (aka the mini van) and drove to Downtown Knoxville to see the Broadway Production of Beauty and the Beast at the Tennessee Theater.

We arrived on Market Square first to dine at Cafe 4 on such wondrous delectibles as the "Grilled Cheese Dipper."

It is a highly recommended entree by Princess Emma-Caroline and her Queen Mother.

Mmmmmmm!

After dinner we strolled over to the Tennessee theater with our escort King Howard (aka Daddy).

We quickly found our seats

and enjoyed a delightful performance of "Beauty and the Beast"

It was truly a magical evening fit for any princess.

Emma-Caroline and one of her friends from school

Emma-Caroline's 5 Year Check-Up

This past week I took Emma-Caroline to her 5 Year Check-Up at Dr. Shults' office. She has never minded going to the doctor before, but I had a feeling after this visit, she would not want to go back. Unfortunately, my hunch proved correct. Despite some tears, the visit went well and Emma-Caroline escaped with only minor "injuries" from the shots and finger prick. Now she is good to go for kindergarten!

We started our visit here. All smiles and eager to see Dr. Shults!

Then we proceeded to the next step, the urine sample. EC was stage shy so we ended up having to bring this back later in the day. LOL! (PS, this is the empty cup!)

Next came the blood pressure. More intriguing than scary to EC. She was all smiles.

then the finger pulse. Still all smiles!

The hearing test was a hit! I was starting to rethink my initial fear that she would be scared of the doctor.

Height checked in at 46 inches which puts her in the 96th percentile for height.
Weight: She weighed in at 43 lbs,

putting her in the 40th percentile for weight.

Still all smiles for Dr, Shults while drawing her

self portrait.

Yes, this is going rather well. She's not scared at all!

Then this happened!

And it was all over from there. The finger prick, followed by shots did not set well in my little five year old's head. And from that point it was. "I NEVER want to go to the doctor AGAIN! EVER!

But a visit to the treasure chest and a promise of ice cream helped stop the tears and we survived. Whew! I'm glad that one is under our belts, and there will be no more visits to the doctor. At least not for a little while!