Ava

Ava, three years ago today I was blessed with the gift of you. Each day Your infectious spirit makes me love you even more. I can be in the worst mood, and then see your sweet smile and immediately I am happy. You are my little bird and I pray that God blesses your little life.I found this poem by E.E. Cummings that says exactly what my heart feels for you. Happy birtday little bird. I love you
Love forever, mommy!
I carry your heart



I carry your heart with me.
I carry it in my heart
I am never without it
anywhere I go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling
I fear no fate
for you are my fate,my sweet.
I want no world,for beautiful you are my world,my true
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Listen to Life

2010

Okay I am back. Well for a minute anyways. Life has been crazy for the last year, but in an excitng way. I am half way through practical nursing school. Isabelle is almost done with Kindergarten. Ava will be three next week, and Matt is living the dream as a firefighter. School is exhausting, but I love it. I have the most amazing teachers, and have made some great friends. I am in love with O.B. but Matt reminds me that I have loved every rotation I have been on so far. I graduate August 24, 2010, and I can't wait! Isabelle loves school. They learn so much more than I did. She reads a book everyday, tells me about astronomy, and all sorts of neat stuff. Her teacher Mrs. Tumblin is a dream, and we have just had the best experience. We had a bit of a health scare a few weekes ago, when we were told that Isabelle had pulmonary stenosis, and that her murmur sounded bad. God, however is amazing, and after a trip to the cardiologist we were told that her heart is in great shape. We will have to go back in five years if the murmur is still loud, so that we can begin preventative measures. He did suggest we start her in sports, so that her heart learned to be stressed. Which brings me to the next big news. Izzy is playing softball. I know this is scary to anyone related to me, since we all know that my athletic skills are somewhat lacking, but let's not forget that she is also part Matt, who is very athletic. I am also proud to report that she is a natural and one of the only girs who didn't twirl around in the field, or throw dirt. Her games are Tuesday and Saturday, and I hope to see some cheerleaders in the stands. I already told her that she has a really good cheerleader in heaven watching, and that he was probably thrilled that she didn't face the backstop when she got up to bat like her mommy did. I know this is short, but I barely have time to sleep. I will try and post again soon, I love you all, and hope God blesses you.

fifty sure is nifty

Wow! It is hard to believe that the world has been blessed with your beautiful spirit for so long. I also can’t believe that we have known each other for half that time! I think if I was ever granted a wish it would be to go back in time and see you before me. To, see you as a child, and teenager. I imagine that you were probably like a feather floating and fluttering through life stopping only long enough to let people admire your beauty and grace. You are the most amazing woman I have ever met, and although you’re a bit spastic. I am enjoying seeing myself turn into you more and more. Thank you for being my mom, and thank you even more for just being you. I had a plan to post a blog about how much you mean to me, but then I found an old blog that honestly says everything, so I am just reposting it. I love you mama, and can’t wait to see what the next 50 years hold. Ummm oh lord I just got a visual of the next fifty. Menopause for you and me!!! Allie’s teen years… Oh lord Isabelle and Ava’s teen years. You possibly turning into nana. Me definitely turning into you. Loss of memory, loss of sanity, loss of gravity for body parts that we now hold dear. Did I mention loss of sanity. Watch out world here we come. Well I am going to go pray for Allen and Matt now! Happy fiftieth birthday I love you.


My mom and I have been through alot together in our twenty five years together. We have been at the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. We have pushed each other to the limit, and picked each other up. we have fought, and cried. We have laughed and screamed. She has saved me, and I believed that every now and then I have saved her. I love her more and more everyday, and find that I am becoming more and more like her. I don't tell her enough, but she is my rock. she always has been. I imagine she always will be. She is my mama. The best one I ever had. The reasons I love her are neverending, but here are a few things that make me love her.
When I was very small I was often very afraid of everything. She was always patient, and never kicked me out of her bed whenI would sneak into it. She is strong as nails. She often went hungry in the mornings, so that I could eat. She never intentionally talked badly about my father in front of me. She is really quirky, and makes me laugh. She tells it how it is, and doesn't back down. She always make the holidays so much fun, Even though she can get a bit carried away, especially at the holidays. Like the year we had 11 trees and a wreath as big as the house. DON'T ASK. She has a heart as big as the sky, and would give anyone the shirt off of her back. She has boiled water on the stove to give me a hot bath. She has come to my defense when I was to little or weak to defend myself, and has loved me despite of all the pain I have probably caused her. She loves the lord with such ease, and grace. She is my mama, and the most incredible woman I know,
Thank you mom,
I love you 10,000,000 times around the world and back again.
Love your girl!

giveaway

Well this just made my night. Not only did I log on and see that my sister in law Dana had a new post, but even better it was about a give away where everyone wins. Yep I said it everyone wins. All you have to do is blog about Lewis Designs, which are by the way spectacular. Even if there wasn’t a giveaway I would head on over and check them out. They are perfect for so many different things, and would make great gifts, too. So check it out. (www.lewasdesigns.com)I have fallen in love with several of the ideas for kid’s rooms. Oh and I love the Dandelion. It is so happy and whimsical. If you blog about it then you get to chose between three adorable wall decals; A medium size caterpillar, baby swirly bird which I love, and a baseball. How awesome is that. Oh and you get to pick the color. There are other giveaways to check out. Thanks Dana for posting, but this doesn’t let you off the hook. I need something new very soon. Oh and some pictures too. Have a great night everybody, and don’t forget to check out lewas designs. The web site rocks.

Love Lex

Matt is Home

Just a warning the tears are all ready swelling in my eyes, so this blog may be a little messier than usual. Matt is officially a firefighter. The graduation was spectacular, and I honestly don’t know how to express my gratitude to everyone who has encouraged and supported him. It seems like yesterday when he joined the rescue squad, and the fire in his eyes was very evident. He had found what he was going to do for the rest of his life. He has seen and faced a lot of tragedy over the years at the rescue squad, but he has also helped save many lives. He has also found a new type of family. A band of brothers who sometimes have more drama than most teenage girls, but who would always stand beside each other with a love that runs deep. I am not going to lie and say it has been easy. It hasn’t there were times I wanted to take his call radio and throw it off a tall building. I have been frustrated many times, but it has all been worth it. Just to see him achieve what he has worked so hard for is worth all the frustration in the world. I can’t say enough about the Williamson County Rescue squad and all the wonderful people who make it what it is.
Now Matt is off to Hendersoville to make a career out of his dream. I know that he will still be the same firefighter he was a few months ago, but I think he is a little more sure of himself now, and will make a terrific addition to the City of Hendersonville. I know this road will be long, and that the dangers will be tremendous, but I am going to pray that God keeps him safe, and his mind clear. I am so proud of my fireman, and am so excited to have him home. Now I must run, because Matt’s baby brother is graduating high school today, and I have to get ready. Have a blessed Sunday. Oh and the pictures are some I had from the rescue squad, and the large group picture with Matt laying down is at the academy.

Isabelle is in kindergarten

Well It’s official my baby is no longer a baby. She just graduated from preschool. I would love to say that I am one of those moms who get teary eyed at every step in her child’s life. However, it is hard to get teary eyed when you are too busy giggling. Isabelle definitely brought the entertainment this year to the Forrest Hills pre school graduation. From, her excited waving to all of her fans in the audience or her conversations with herself through out the program. The best was when she was taking the stage to except her umm huh diploma. When the teacher called each child’s name they would also announce what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some were police, vets, teachers, actresses, and so on. When they called Isabelle’s name to come up to the stage Ms. Debbie announced that she wanted to be an artist, but Isabelle quickly signaled for her to come down to her level and started whispering and pointing to her school mates. Ms. Debbie listened quietly, and then announced that Isabelle would also like to be a vet. And that’s my child. She is just a free spirit that moves wherever her imagination takes her. I love that about her. I can’t wait to see the mark she leaves on this Earth. She has been the biggest blessing in mine and Matt’s life and we are so blessed to have been given such a gift.
Speaking of gifts, the gratitude I feel towards Forrest Hills Baptist Preschool is far reaching. Not only did Ms. Debbie and Ms. Sally help get Isabelle ready for school. More importantly they helped plant a seed inside her heart. One that is blossoming into a love for God that is far beyond it’s' years. It is amazing to see her little eyes light up as she talks about Jesus and how much he loves us, and how much she loves him. As a mother nothing could make me more proud. I am just so grateful that she was in such a nurturing loving environment. Every day we were met with warmth. I could have been having the worst morning, but the minute I saw the director Ms. Carolynn my mood always shifted. Her words were simple but always with meaning. “We’re so glad you’re here”! It never failed to brighten each day. There were also her daily bible verses that she handed to all those who passed. It was just an incredible place to be. I am so grateful that Isabelle’s preschool memories will be bright, and I pray that all her school years will be as spectacular as this one. What a beautiful day it was. I will never forget it.