A Mother's Day post: from bitty to biggy

This little chickie has gone from:

 Bitty

Sarah Avery 7 Mos

to Biggy

Sarah Avery 5.3 years

AND she is so much fun, she is adventurous and she has a heart of gold. On this Mother's Day, I am totally thankful for my daughter who is full of compassion for others, who is healthy, thriving and who makes her Momma's heart melt everyday.

I can always remember wanting to be a mom, even wanting to adopt a child one day. As I got into my 30's, admittedly, without a husband, I began to really question if I was going to get to become a mom. I can remember tears flowing with short and long consistent prayers, asking God, is it time yet? Where is this man, a husband for me and how is it going to happen? Well, thankfully, whew, it did! And thankfully a short time later, little baby Avery came. She rocked my world with her beautiful little self and continues to amaze us everyday. However, I don't think there are many days that go by without me wondering if I am a good mom who is doing the right thing, the biblical thing, the healthy thing, the safe thing, etc.. Motherhood is definitely the most challenging and scariest thing.. It's also a good thing that I have a husband who shares these things with me and shares these responsibilities :) And thanks be to God for grace, everyday!

Mother's Day also reminds me that there is sadness for some people too. To name a few; ladies who are waiting for a mate, those who haven't been able to conceive or Mother's who aren't living, or babies that didn't make it. We have 3 little babies that didn't make it and are in heaven. Yes, it is sad, I certainly didn't want to lose them, but I know that God has given me comfort in the loss and there is a plan far deeper than I understand.

On another note,  I am very thankful for my Mom who continues to amaze me with her strength/fortitude, unending love and servant attitude. And thanks to my Mom and Mother in Law who spend a day or two a week loving on my child while I am at work. To all the other moms out there, Happy Mother's Day! Hope you have a great one full of love and good health.

Aves

I have so much fun with my little girl when I am off of work. We love to get out and do fun things she enjoys and just love spending time together. We often play with friends or do some type of kid activity. She is already 4 years old and I feel like she is growing up way way too fast. She loves to dance in her own little creative way, play dress-up, make up elaborate stories involving sea creatures most of the time and LOVES to play with all her little siblings (her stuff animals that she says are real and are her sisters or brothers). She wants me to lay down with her everynight as she goes to sleep and put my head on her pillow with her. She always has to have a cup of water on her nightstand for her to gulp as she slows down and starts falling asleep (and she doesn't have accidents in her bed which amazes me). One of the things that she has been doing lately is having what Matt calls MFM's.. Meltdown for Mommy. She is ok without me for certain periods of time, but there is definitely a clock that goes off everyday that it is time for Mommy to be back in the picture. We love her so much and wish that these sweet, fun and remarkable years wouldn't go by so fast.

here is the biggest news...
Matt and his Dad are starting a new business/national franchise in the Birmingham area called

 Mosquito Squad

It's kind of a big deal for us :) so please support us and be on the lookout for our new slick truck around town. We begin spraying for the nasty little skeeters in March. Check out our website when you get a chance and sign up for service beginning in March.

http://birmingham-south.mosquitosquad.com





I'm back

It's been way too long and there are many great things to share with you. Be on the look out for some new posts :)

It's been a long time.....

I think I am coming back. It's been 6 months and I have realized that I loved reading back through my blog enough to put the effort back into doing it again.

Don't know how to catch up, so I am basically going to start where we are today.

Life has really been nuts for all of us, we have been so busy. We have been able to do a lot of fun stuff this summer and we have pictures to prove it.

I'm going to start off with this picture. This little almost 3 1/2 year old still loves to be rocked and still loves her paci's. Soon, this stage will be over, but for now, please please, look at this little sweetie!

Another major stage

So I don't forget:

SA and I were driving in the car Monday night after a dinner party with friends. She is really into telling stories, making stories up and sharing them and it is super cute and very funny. So, as we were driving she wanted to hear about the day that she was born out of my tummy. She then tells me after her birth story that she has a baby in her tummy. I explained to her that she did not have a baby in her tummy and she asked me "why". Thus began about 17 more "why's". It took about 5 why's for me to figure out that oh my gosh, my child is asking the "why" questions. So, we are here and they continue and I am having to use my already clouded brain/memory to give her explanations. And I am LOVING it~

Embrace the camera Thursday- December 16

http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/

I love this age

I have often debated in my head over and over, which age has been the best. So far, I like 2 1/2. I am sure that I will do this as she grows through each stage but the two's have been a lot of fun so far. One of the many things she has overcome is the fear of the potty. She woke up one day and decided that she wanted to wear panties from now on and it has gone so great, except one thing.... Pooping. Isn't this a lovely blog post topic? She was so scared to do that and would hold it for up to 8 days at a time. We did have to resort a few times to using an aid to help her because she was in so much pain. The ped said it was all a control thing. So after a few times of having to "help her", she decided to try going on her own. NOW she is fully potty trained. We are so so excited! She has had about 4 total accidents in her bed and doesn't have accidents in her naps or waking periods. She has done so great with potty training and we are very proud of her overcoming her fears of the toilet.

We like to go to this old timey park in Warrior and use their ancient slide and merry go round :)
She is a master climber and slider

One of the things that she attempts to be super good at is technology. She is all about looking at pictures on the computer and my cell phone. AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO GET THERE! Notice her outfit? She is really enjoying her two's, NAKED! When she is inside, at times she flat out refuses to wear clothes. So we allow it most of the time!

Another thing that cracks me up and has since the very beginning is how my child sleeps. She can definitely find a comfy position.. But does this actually look comfortable? It must be because she can work this position for most of the night.

Until next time. May you enjoy your days full of play, sleep and if you have children, the joys of their laughter.

paci

When you have a two year old, there are just a few things that you wonder if your child will ever grow out of. I have begun to question lately if she will be able to give these two paci's up...The logical part of me knows that she will, but here lately, I do wonder, but mostly, I think it is adorable how much she loves them. The last several nights I have asked her what she is thankful for in which she replies: "I am thankful for my paci's and my blankie"...This girl is for real! Here she is in her most recent loved position. Taking the 2nd paci and lightly brushing her cheek or nose.

And here she is in the old faithful position. Holding her 2nd paci with one hand and with the other, with 1 or 2 fingers massaging it or plucking it like you would a flower petal. Hopefully by her 3rd birthday, we will be able to transition to her only depending on God, her parents and her blankie.

Some fun times, part 2

This child loves to take a bath...

It's truly some of her most silly times!

The new umbrella that she had to go buy after last week seeing that other kids had their own umbrella's at church.. Oh the peer pressure for this $3.48 find.... :) This was an early evening picture after her bath and she had to go outside for a moment.. Of course, no pants... oooops.

This is her new facial expression.. It's called the "grumpy face".. She can do it on commandSavoring every last drop. She loves the rain and especially when she borrowed Georgia's boots for a week~ Time to buy her some of her own...

Hope your week is full of adventure and giggles like her's has been.. Love to you all!

some fun times, part 1

PEAR Pickin,
Our friend Tonya invited us and a few other friends to go pear pickin in Alabaster at one our Lieutenants house. She had a ball, lots of good times seeing how to pull the pear off a tree and how you can also just shake the pears off!
Sarah Avery and Cara DawnRunning around with Brodie

Sweet hugs from each other. They are just a week apart!

Another of God's wonderful little creationsGood times at Dr. Kyatt's office. SA loved getting her teeth cleaned and she especially liked using "mr thirsty". The expression you see on her face is one that I would like to continue to see in the future (hopefully).

And Action~ It's panty party time. This child loves the fact that she is out of diapers and into big girl panties. If this is offensive, please tell me and I will remove this picture.. I just think it is so fun to document these big moves to being a big girl.. She is really proud of herself!

We sure have had some great times around here. It's fun being 2 1/2! stay tuned for part 2...

Embrace the camera Sept. 2

Embrace my daddy
Daddy Matt and SA
This daddy loves to play and be silly with his daughter.

He is such a fun daddy who doesn't want to miss anything.

He helps her mommy so much by taking great responsibility with his daughter.

Most importantly he teaches her the truth's about God and his goodness.

Embrace the camera Thursday

Big independent big girl week~
First time polish 5 days straight!

Generation to generation

Just had to post this picture that Matt's cousin Rebecca took... How totally precious is it.. This is Pop and Mamee, Matt's lovely grandparents. They were out at the lake and Becca snapped this adorable shot.. Oh how we love them!

Avery is one very very loved and blessed child to follow an incredibly godly legacy.

Independence again and again.. and a little running too

A few weeks back, Matt's cousins Becca (below left) and Alli (next to Matt) were visiting from Raleigh. We so love when his family visits. We love to all group up at Matt's grandparents, Pop and Mamee (pictured below) house and enjoy each other. Lately, independence is showing up a lot at our house. In funny ways, scary ways and in some enjoyable ways. The other night I went to check on her before I went to sleep. And when I glanced in her crib, this is what I saw.. Her dipaer laying next to her and her pajamas back on just so.. I laughed to myself at first. Then I just put the diaper back on her while she was asleep. Since this moment, it has happened 3 days in row.. Thankfully, there hasn't been any tee tee accidents. When she does this in the morning, I take her straight to the potty.

During playtime, she has been creating stories for her toys and lining them up, organizing, take care of them and overall playing all by herself. Her favorites right now are her two princesses and prince from her princess castle.

This is her castle, and they were all sitting down for "tea"

She also has a little frog, and loves for it to sit on biggie frog.. Too cute!Her ideas make me smile a lot And this is the scary part. She is a RUNNER! It has been happening for the last several weeks. I have spanked, lectured, cried and worried over it for about 3 weeks now. Here is one of those moments at Matt's grandparents. He caught her in plenty of time because thankfully, he is way faster than her, and the fact that she was more worried about her backpack at the time.
This is coming back down the hill after one very upset Mommy and Daddy.

Parenting has been very challenging for several months as we work through these independent times. Thankfully, it is the Lord who is revealing to us needed answers..

But these times, make it all worth it.. We were making a dish to take to a friend's house. She is a pro at cracking open eggs. Don't you just love how she got ready for her cooking duties? Visor to keep the hair back and a sucker to enjoy!

Mixing up the spinach.. Good job SA... You are so big!

This is our life right now. Having fun discovering independence and also obeying Mommy and Daddy for it pleases the Lord.

Embrace the camera Thursday

Doing my best to show her big girls don't need paci's.

A Woodsy Adventure

A local city adventure with friends, nature and a Gogurt!

We met up with the Thomas family, Sherry, Mark, Lily and Elle at a new park (to us).

I love this pic of SA, Lily and Elle walking. They are so funny, SA was not going to let that gogurt Mrs. Sherry gave her out of her sight. And the momma of the group, Lily wouldn't be without her little stuffed animal, and the leader here is Elle. They were helping SA get up this huge boulder. Such helpers!

Relaxing on the rock! Look at those trees! And how bout those faces? toooo cute!

Happy to have a gogurt

Swinging like monkey's

So much fun. Oh how we loved being outside in the 105 degree heat.. ha! But for real, it is always fun to get together with friends like this and it is funny to see SA interact with kids that have siblings. The three of them are quite a team and they just loved on her and well they babyied her too. wink.

Little Mark was there but we didn't have any pics of him. I think he was off exploring with the other two boys that were there