Ayda's Happenings

Each stage with Ayda seems to bring a whole new level of fun, entertainment, and sheer joy. I always get a little sad when I can tell she is leaving one stage and heading for another. But when we get to that new stage I realize it is just as good as the others we have been through. Here are some clips of different times I have been able to catch her on video just being her! Though I miss when she was teeny tiny and would just snuggle with me all the time, I also love that she is talking and constantly mimicking the things that I do!

(Just a side note...Whenever I leave to go somewhere and she is staying home I leave with my purse on my shoulder, keys in my hand and my water bottle. Makes sense that is what she always grabs when she is pretending to leave too!)

One Year Ago...

Kevin and I were talking tonight about it being a year ago that he graduated. One year ago we began our journey to following God to where He wanted our family to be. We thought we knew the plan but we were wrong. Then we thought we figured it out again and we were wrong again. Finally we both heard the answer at the same time and had peace at the same time. It has been such a year of trust, faith, confidence, patience. I admire Kevin for the way he has led our family to what we truly feel is the right place. Though it has been difficult to say good bye to friends and family in Atlanta, it has been equally easy to see his practice begin here in Florida. We have made new friends and we are seeing our life really get going here. I am so thankful. So one year ago we had a bunch of people over to celebrate Kevin's huge accomplishment of graduating from Life University. And we look forward to this next year and all it will hold. We are praying for patients to come to him and experience wellness. Thank you for all your prayers you have lifted up for us this past year! We are so thankful for where we have been, where we are and where we are going!

March 2009

March 2010

The Office is Open!

Kevin's office opened last week! We are very excited and it looks awesome. He graduated this time last year and though it has been a long year of figuring out where to go, it has been well worth it. We both still feel so strongly that we made the right move. This year has been such a time of patience and faith but we are excited to start this new chapter! Please keep us in your prayers as Kevin begins this business. He is doing a fantastic job already and I am so proud of how well he has led us into this as well as continued being the best husband and daddy! Enjoy the pics of his office!

How to make pumpkin muffins...

Ayda and I spent last week at my mom's house for a lovely visit. It was packed full of time with friends we miss so much. On Saturday my mom and Ayda planned for a quiet day at home. And what better to do on a cold Saturday morning?!? Make muffins of course!

My mom started making Pumpkin muffins with my nieces a few years ago. They were not too much older than Ayda. Now anytime Natalie, Abigail, or Jack (he quickly joined the crew) come to her house she knows she better have muffin mix and chocolate chips ready. Well another Grandchild has joined the party! Ayda was quite helpful in making muffins and she definitely loves to eat them!

First make sure you have your ingredients ready to measure out and pour into the bowl.

Then dump the mix into the bowl (and try not to miss the bowl causing a cloud of messiness!)

Have someone read the directions to you (till you can read them yourself) while you play in the muffin mix to "make sure it is still good".

Then carefully pour the oil into the bowl.

And get your whisk and stir away. Be careful not to lose control of the whisk and fling the batter all over the kitchen and floor (good thing mom has eager dogs willing to lick up any mess)

Here comes the fun part...throwing the chocolate chips into the muffin batter!

Or...eating the chocolate chips that were supposed to be thrown into the muffin batter!

And last...enjoy the yummy muffins when they come out of the oven!

Ayda had a blast making, and eating, the muffins. She has my sweet tooth indeed which is why these treats are limited to special occasions! It was so fun to watch my mom make muffins with another kiddo sitting on the counter! The tradition continues!

Just a Bracelet

My brother, SIL and their kids gave me a really pretty beaded bracelet for Christmas. It is hand made from Uganda and supports the ministry my brother now works for, Pearl Ministries. I found myself saving it to wear when I was going "out" and if it matched my outfit. I wanted to save it for special occasions because it was pretty and so unique. I wanted to protect it from wear and tear.

On a different story (don't worry the two will connect), my brother, SIL and their kids are anxiously awaiting a phone call regarding their adoption referral for a baby in Africa. The process started years ago as God began working on their hearts and preparing them for this child to join their family. My SIL tells of the story beautifully on their blog. They have been waiting for a awhile to finally know who their baby boy is, how old he is, what his name is. He is already part of their family, though he is not physically with them yet. My nieces and nephew (ages 2-5) pray for him and talk about him daily. There is already a sweet bond there.

I, as a very proud Aunt, have been thinking so much about this little man as well. If you know me, you know I adore my nieces and nephews so much. So I am getting anxious and excited as we all await the phone call! I spent 2 months in Africa while I was in college. The people there stole my heart and I would love to one day return there. When my SIL told me they were adopting from Africa my heart melted. My excitement for having an African nephew was immense. But at that time it was still so abstract. She told me in November 2008. We knew the process would be long. I began praying for him and their many hours of paperwork, financial sacrifice, his life in Africa (whether born or unborn yet). But during this time of waiting for the next step to begin, I find myself praying for him so much more through out the day. Which brings me back to the bracelet...I decided to wear it till they receive that phone call. To remind me to be in prayer for them daily, throughout the day. I know my SIL's heart jumps every time the phone rings at their house. They are anxious parents awaiting the arrival of their child. In this case, though, they don't have the assurance that after 40-42 weeks of pregnancy, he's gotta come out. I have noticed the past day or so that my bracelet is beginning to look worn. Some of the design on the beads is fading. I would think that would disappoint me to some level since I love this bracelet. But it hasn't. It has brought me joy to see a tangible feeling on my wrist giving me more reason to pray. God sometimes lets us have that wear and tear as He orchestrates a beautiful story or lesson for us. I know my brother and SIL are full of faith and patience, but also are so very ready to meet their little baby. It's exhausting I am sure to wait for something so out of your control to happen. So, I look at my bracelet and remember to pray. And I will have it on my left wrist till that phone finally rings and it is the adoption agency saying "We have good news!". I feel in my heart that day is so soon!

On The Go!

The lack of posts is purely because we are on the go! Now that everyone is feeling superb again we have been out and about almost everyday! And it has been glorious!!! Here are a couple pics I took of Ayda the past week!

We have had some beautiful days here. Ayda loves to go outside and just play in the yard!

Taking a break from "mowing" the lawn and picking oranges.

She was determined to get the orange to stay on the lawn mower and push it around. Unfortunately she was never really very successful. But she sure tried!

She was "talking" to a bug in this picture. It was so cute watching her!

Finally a relaxing morning to sit in the toy box and read a card!

My Grandmother gave this to Ayda and I couldn't wait to try it on her. We had a day in the 70s and I must say she looked pretty cute! Thanks Grandma Alice!

That's it for now! Hope everyone is staying warm north of here. I think we picked a good winter to fly south! All the snow everywhere is crazy!!!