Room for Change

A lot has changed in the past year. Here is Ava in her room before anything was moved in or the walls painted.

 

And here she is a year later in that same room. 

She is taller, walking, climbing, and  spinning. Her hair is longer and more red plus she is saying new words all of the time (diaper, cracker, nose, bath, Michael, and so many animals sounds). I am a little apprehensive to think how much she will have changed by the time next year rolls around. We love our fiery red head!

Eleven Years

I probably post this picture every anniversary but it's the only one we have scanned in from our wedding. Getting married eleven years ago is not long compared to our parents or grandparents but it is long enough that the use of digital cameras was a very new thing for wedding photographers.

Yesterday we did our main celebrating ~Taste of Texas lunch with complimentary dessert, bowling, arcades, ice cream for dinner, Menil museum, Half Price perusing, movie at home and I got to pick out and arrange beautiful flowers at a downtown flower shop. We did this all in one afternoon/evening. Talk about making good use of a free night of babysitting.

I absolutely love being married to my husband. He makes me laugh like no one else. He knows me like no one else. This year has been challenging for our family but it has made me realize more than ever that he is God's perfect provision for me. He isn't perfect, but most days I could say he comes pretty well close. I pray that our children have spouses they love and cherish just as much.

Happy Anniversary Hunny! Amor Vincit Omnia!

Independence Day

We had a great time this past week filled with food, family and lots of fun. Independence Day celebrating stretched into a four-day affair. Gavin spent the night with his grandparents the night of the 3rd so it was just Miss Pris we took to the neighborhood parade. Her little flag dress I got for $1 at a garage sale before she was born and this is the second year she has worn it. I would say that was a bargain.It reminds me of when Pollyanna is draped in the flag for her musical performance.

 

 

We left to pick up brother but he was having too much fun playing with his cousins so we snapped a few of Miss America. She willingly obliged for quite a while and her Me Me's festive decorations lent to some gorgeous backdrops.

 

 

 

 

She has changed so much since last year.

  

We later chowed down again at my parents' house. These two are interacting more these days. I think they kind of like each other.

 

I don't have any pictures, but I loved seeing Ava's chubby little toes grubby from running around in the grass. She absolutely loves it outside which means I am always chasing her down with sunscreen to protect that fair skin. 

We had a relaxing end to our weekend with some Half Price book perusing and Sunday afternoon naps. I snapped a few more pictures of these two before church.

 

And to keep it real, here's just one of many outtakes.

A friend of ours has always insisted it is Independence Day and not just the Fourth of July. It is kind of like saying Happy Holidays to him instead of Merry Christmas. I can understand because Independence captures the freedom that we celebrate. I am so thankful to be able to be a participant in our country's freedom but even more blessed to have the freedom we have in Christ.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is The Lord." (Psalms 33:12 ESV)