The One Constant

Looking back over our year in 2010, there have been many changes . . .
New year . . . new decade.
New age . . . for all of us.

New House . . . new HOME.
New school . . .new job.

New opportunities . . . to volunteer.

New opportunities . . . to be involved.

New trials . . . new tribulations.

New friends.

New adventures.
New worries.
New scares.
New joys.
New celebrations.
New heartbreaks.
New perspective.

One constant.
God's love . . .
in family
in friends
in celebrations
in tribulations
in lessons learned
in laughter
in tears
in everything.

The One Constant.

God's Love.

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas Day was a beautiful day here in the Avery House. It was a day of rest, fun, excitement, joy, love, wonder, . . . It was our first Christmas in our new home. We are blessed and happy and thankful for all that God has provided for us.
Our day began early, as I am sure all parents with young children know. Emma-Caroline tip-toed into our room and quietly whispered to me, "Mommy, do you think Santa has been here?" Sweet girl! We had to wake Sophie, Howie and Nana so that we could all venture to the family room together. Before we made it to see what Santa had brought, the girls discovered that their Elf on the Shelf had brought them some goodies and placed them in the stockings on the door (This is an added tradition we started when we first got our elves.)
We then ventured to the family room to find Santa's gifts.
The girls were excited to find their Just like Me American Girl Dolls, clothes, pets, and bunk beds. Sophie named her doll Emma Rose and Emma-Caroline named her doll just Caroline. We like naming things after ourselves around here it seems!

Later the girls open gifts from Nana, Mimi and G-Daddy, Aunt Linda and Aunt Brenda, Grandma Beverly, Aunt Rhonda, Aunt Bess and cousins Elizabeth, Ellen and Diane, as well as presents from Mommy and Daddy.
Sophie was the most excited about all of her gifts. The Zhu-Zhu Pets were a hit!
Emma-Caroline loved her ballerina doll from Aunt Brenda.

Both Emma-Caroline and Sophie received beautiful silver butterfly necklaces from Aunt Linda.
We opened presents in "shifts" only stopping to eat breakfast. The girls were so excited about all of their gifts.
Even after breakfast we still had gifts to open!
Emma-Caroline showing off her American Girl Doll and carrying case from Mimi and G-Daddy.
Howie was excited about his socks from Nana!
Sophie was thrilled with her Dora Dollhouse.
Still more presents!
The favorite Zhu-Zhu Pet. Below, Nana got some favorites too!
We truly had a wonderful day together. The gifts that surround us are wonderful, but the greatest gift of all is God's love shown to us through Jesus and the gift of love that comes from family and friends. We hope all of our family and friends had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Please continue to pray for Edie of Life in Grace http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/who lost everything in a house fire three days before Christmas.

Celebrating the Reason for the Season!

Luke 2:8-12; 13-14 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Our Christmas celebration began at our church, the church where we were married and have celebrated our lives together for 13 years. I always feel the presence of the Holy Spirit when I am at our church, not just it's building, but it's people who love us with a great passion. We are blessed to be in such a wonderful place and blessed to be loved by such a wonderful God who sent His only Son to bring us Peace and Light. And this is why we celebrate this wonderful day we call Christmas. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tragic loss a faithful friend has faced during this season of Christmas. Edie of Life in Grace http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/ lost her home three days before Christmas in a house fire. Her family escaped unhurt and that is a blessing. She is an amazing person who trusts in God. She has truly inspired me and I ask for your prayers during this time for her and her family.
We are blessed and we celebrate the Birth of Christ on this day.
May He bring you and your family peace and happiness and love.
After Christmas Eve services we had a wonderful dinner at our friends the Pearson's house. It is our tradition that was started 8 years ago when Howie and I moved back to Knoxville. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends who feel like family.
These smiling faces are yet another reason we celebrate. Just look at these sweet blessings!
This last pic was the brain child of Davis. Pretty cute idea, I think. We hope that you all have had a blessed Christmas Day! I will be back soon with pictures of our day today. Until then, Merry Christmas and much love!

A Visit with Santa Claus!

After two failed attempts to visit jolly old St. Nick at the West Towne Mall, we finally were able to see Santa just before he leaves for the North Pole. Whew! That was a close call! We really love visiting Santa at West Towne Mall so we were willing to wait in the line that wrapped around twice and lasted an hour and a half. I was proud of my girls for being patient in the long line and for making friends with the other little girls who were also waiting patiently to see Santa. It was worth the wait for sure!

Christmas Cheer with Friends

Another one of my favorite traditions at Christmas time is getting to spend time with our friends here in Knoxville as well as those who may live out of town, like my friend Robin who lives in Ohio with her husband Rob and their three children.
On Sunday, we had a nice Christmas brunch over at the Taylor's home where we ate a wonderful breakfast and spent a few hours enjoying each others company by the fire.
Sophie giving "Mista Scott" a hug for giving her a bee pillow pet.
Yesterday, my friend Robin came by for a visit with her daughters Paisley and Lillian. We always love getting to see Robin and her kiddos and had a wonderful time visiting and playing.
(Robin and her sweet baby girl, Paisley)
We will continue our Christmas Eve tradition with the Pearsons this Friday and I will post pics from that soon. It is so wonderful to have such wonderful friends and Christmas time just makes the opportunity to get together that much more special!

A Little Holiday Cheer and Elfin' Fun!

It is our first official day of Christmas Vacation 2010! I am happy to report that we are all still in our PJ's and enjoying "being lazy" on this day where we really have no where to be except home! All of us except, Howie, who has to drive to Bristol for a meeting, (poor Howie). The girls are having a ball playing downstairs in the playroom, and I am having fun playing around with Jib-Jabs "Elf Yourself" I didn't want to spend the $4.99 to download the movie forever so here's the link if you'd like to check out "The Avery House" in Elf form http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/sGdd8i4UuLJx7XLSOpiY .
In related news, we have been having a merry little time looking for our elves, Deedle and Jingle each morning. Those little fun-loving Polar dudes have kept us hopping all over the house looking for their latest place to land for the day. They are pure magic and fun at "The Avery House."
We have also been enjoying all the Christmas cards we have been receiving this holiday season. It's so much fun to hear from and "see" everyone. If you have sent us a card, you are likely here in our house. It's like having everyone over to our house for Christmas all the time.
And here is a greeting from "The Avery House". We wish everyone a warm, blessed Christmas!

Sophie's Christmas Program

Last evening Sophie performed in a beautiful Christmas program put on by Sacred Heart Preschool. I was so proud of my little 3 year old belting out the Christmas songs with her classmates. We also were delighted to see our friend Cate singing in her first Christmas program at SHPS. She did a fantastic job too! I feel like my posts are short, but sweet these last few days before Christmas. Enjoy the photos of Sophie's program and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Sophie and Cate preparing for their Christmas Program "solos"
Miss Cate and her mom Sarah!
Sophie with her teacher Miss Michele!
Cate's brother Max and Emma-Caroline were practicing their super reading skills by checking out the list of singers in the Christmas program.
Max and Emma-Caroline: two super cool kiddos!
Miss Candi, the Sacred Heart Preschool Director giving an intro to the program.
Miss Cate rockin' the Christmas tree costume and singing her heart out!
Cate's 2 year old class with her teachers Miss Norma and Miss Karen
Such a pretty little Christmas tree!
Here's Miss Sophie with a few of her 3 year old class friends!
This girl was born to perform! She had the BEST time singing on stage!
Sophie's whole class. She is the second from the left near the Christmas tree.
Singing her heart out!
Applauding for herself and friends at the end! Such a sweet Christmas program!