In God's Time

Last Thursday evening, I packed my bags, loaded up the car, said good-bye to the girls, Howie and dogs, and drove myself to a beautiful retreat site on Watt's Bar Lake called Grace Point in order to participate in a spiritual retreat called Cursillo. As I drove the 40 miles to the retreat site, I felt anxious. I was concerned I would be uncomfortable in my more rustic camp style accommodations. I am not a campy, rustic type girl. I know this, and more importantly, God knows this about me. I had even packed my travel iron (yes, I really did pack it) in hopes that perhaps I might be able to sneak in a bit of ironing while I was on my retreat. As I entered the gates of Grace Point, I prayed this simple prayer, "Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you know that I packed my iron and that perhaps that is really silly of me since I will be at a camp site this weekend. Please let me let go of my need to have my clothes ironed so that I can fully enjoy this weekend as you have meant for me to." I drove up the hill to my final destination and was greeted by many smiling faces of those who would be taking care of me on my weekend at Grace Point. I was led to the girls Tree House, and as I entered and was shown my bed, the lady said to me, "Amy honey, we have you set up right here. Did you request an outlet be near your bed?" I was shocked! No I hadn't requested an outlet, but sure enough, my bed was located next to one! I had read in my devotional that morning before coming to the retreat that no request is too small for God to be asked if we come to him with complete trust. No, I didn't ask for an outlet, but it was provided for me anyway. The simple thing of an electrical outlet graciously provided to me left me with a sense of peace that transcended any kind of understanding of my own making. We were asked to give up our other electronic devices and time pieces that weekend which I gladly relinquished. It was a weekend spent on God's time in which I was blessed over and over again with love, grace, renewal, and many gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is a time that I will always cherish and carry with me in my heart for the rest of my days here on earth. Although I can't fully explain the moments of grace that I experienced in my weekend I will say, it began with that one simple act of trust in letting God take care of all my needs and unfolded into a beautiful weekend walk with my Father in Heaven. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ~Matthew 7:7

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 Two years ago, Emma-Caroline came home from preschool all a flutter about how the leprechauns had gotten into the toys and books and had strewn them all over her classroom. They had also turned the milk green and had left gold coins and goodies for the kids to find. What??? I was shocked! I had never heard of the leprechauns doing such things. Apparently I was in the dark about the happenings of the little men in green in the classrooms around Knoxville.

 At the time, Emma-Caroline asked me if the leprechauns were going to be visiting our house. I was in a quandary. I didn't want to disappoint Emma-Caroline and her expectations of the funny things the leprechaun might do at our house, but we were getting ready to put our home on the market to sell and I wasn't about to have a leprechaun "mess up" my house! The leprechaun instead visited the back of Howie's car leaving treats and goodies for the girls in all colors of the rainbow. Thus began our leprechaun tradition here at the Avery House.

 Leprechauns do indeed come to our house, but they are particularly fond of Howie's Volvo and leaving treats for the girls there. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon. We picked Sophie up at preschool and she couldn't stop talking about those silly leprechauns and all of the stuff they had done in her classroom. Last night, Sophie said, "Mommy, do you think the leprechauns are going to pinch me in my sleep?" Just to be sure that they wouldn't, Sophie dressed herself in a green tinker bell night gown.

 This morning, the leprechauns did not disappoint. Outside in the back of Howie's Volvo station wagon were all sorts of goodies for the girls left by the leprechaun.

 Sophie squealed in delight that the leprechauns had been to our house. I actually don't think I've ever seen her more excited! I'm so glad we celebrate this little tradition at our house now. It's so much fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Taking the Training Wheels Off

This past weekend, Emma-Caroline requested that her Daddy take the training wheels off of her bike and that he teach her to ride it two-wheeler style. 

 After church on Sunday, we took Emma-Caroline up to the cul-de-sac and so began to path to being truly a big kid.

 With a tiny bit of jitters at first, a few pep talks, some coaching from Howie, and a whole lot of cheering from me and all the parents in the cul-de-sac, our girl learned to ride her bike without training wheels.

  I am so proud of our sweet Emma-Caroline for her will, patience, determination and can-do spirit.

 She did it!

Way to go sweet girl!

Turning One Year Older Now and Then

 I celebrated my birthday on Tuesday, March 13th. My actual birthday was a beautiful sunny day in Knoxville. The daffodils were in full bloom and all of the birds were singing their most favorite songs. It was a great day and this week has continued to be one beautiful day after another. I was completely blown away by the amount of birthday wishes I received on Facebook, It sure does make you feel loved to see so many happy thoughts just for you on your special day. My mom surprised me with a photo of me on my 8th birthday.

 As I looked back and remembered my special day at 8years of age, I remembered how awesome it was to have all of my cousins and friends over to eat cake and ice cream, wear a party hat and open birthday presents. Parties were simpler back when I was 8 and it was AWESOME! I am thankful for each one of the 30 birthdays since I turned 8 that I have celebrated and for all the friends and family who still come out to say, "Happy Birthday!" I am one blessed and lucky girl!

It's Heaven to Be Seven!

 I truly enjoy celebrating both of my girls' birthdays each year. I am not a parent who bemoans their child turning one year older. Yes, I remember the birthdays that have come and gone and think of how cute they were on their first birthdays, but really, every birthday and year that passes is just another opportunity for us to celebrate and enjoy a whole new adventure together. I love each new age and look forward to being a part of all the new things that my girls will experience as they grow each year. Today, Emma-Caroline turns seven. We celebrated with 24 friends from all areas of her life including school, neighborhood, church, ballet, and friends from old. Everyone had a wonderful time together, and it was awesome to watch my little girl enjoying herself independently with her friends at her party. I will post more about her party later, but just wanted to say for now, Happy Birthday sweet Emma-Caroline. You are a blessing to all of us and I look forward to the adventures you will have in this next year while you enjoy being seven. Here's a little preview of our morning celebrating Emma-Caroline turning seven.

 Anxiously waiting to open her presents from family.

 Excited about her present from Grandma Beverly and Aunt Rhonda!

 Reading Aunt Kelly's card.

 Blowing the horn Aunt Kelly attached to her present.

 New sewing kit from Auntie Kells!

 Sophie looking on at the Barbie Pet Vet she picked out herself for Emma-Caroline. Sophie was so excited to give it to her!

 Cool crafts from Mimi and G-Daddy!

And a new sewing machine from Nana! Wow  . . .

It is Heaven to be Seven! More to come on her party at the Strike and Spare Family Bowling Alley!

Grandparents Day 2012

Bearden Elementary hosted it's annual Grandparent's Day just recently.

 We were so happy that Nana is in town to celebrate Emma-Caroline's birthday and that she was here to come to Grandparent's Day too.

 Although not all of Emma-Caroline's Grandparents were able to attend this special day, she wrote a very special paragraph for all of them.

 Emma-Caroline was able to take a photo with Nana show her the first grade classroom and introduce her to Ms. Ellison. You know we love Ms. Ellison and we are excited that she won Elementary Teacher of the Year for all of Knox County. She is truly awesome and we have been blessed to have Emma-Caroline in Ms. Ellison's class this year!

Emma-Caroline also picked out a special book to be dedicated in her honor for the library. Now we are gearing up to celebrate one little special first grader who will be turning 7 very soon!