Daddys girl!

I came down our stairs into the living room to find this:



That's right Kevin was sound asleep with Averi just playing on the couch next to him. could she look any more relaxed though? She is quickly becoming a daddy's girl!

Sleeping!

Averi has never been one who sleeps well unless in her bed... I mean she will sleep other places but not nearly as well as she does at home. So needless to say I was shocked the other night to find her snoozing in her jumper! I was in the kitchen cooking and had not heard her for a few minutes, I walked in and this is what I found... could she be any sweeter?

Alayna making brownies!

My god daughter, Alayna, came over on Saturday to spend the night so she could go to church on Sunday with us. Since Kevin had to work at applebees I surprised her with a visit from one of her favorite people, LINDSAY. Before Kevin and I got married Lindsay and I were roommates and therefore Lindsay also built a strong bond to Alayna. She spoils Alayna to death and is always loving on her! On Saturday Lindsay brought over brownie mix and, even though it was bed time, I let Alayna help her make them! Thank you for coming over and spending a sweet evening with us Linz!

family pictures

A friend from sunday school, Jeff Marshman, http://jeffmarshman.blogspot.com/ took some amazing pictures of our family a few weeks ago. Jeff is very talented and we are thrilled with our pictures.

Weekend

As I said in my previous post I took Kevin walking on a real swinging bridge... this is not one of the bridges you find in places like gatlinburg where they are designed for you to be able to walk on as part of a tourist attraction. These bridges are designed so you can get out if it rains and the low water bridge is flooded over so they are still used on a consistent basis... I have to admit it seemed a whole lot scarier walking it this time then it did when I was a kid! Oh and by the way we left Averi with my Nana, we wouldn't dream of taking her over the Ky river on a swinging bridge
Averi was of course spoiled this weekend... she practically spent the whole weekend on my Nana's lap! What fun they had, Averi thought Nana Sheffel hilarious!
Averi also had fun playing with my cousins little boy Willie... I can not believe he is only three months older then Av.

Jackson weekend

This past weekend Kevin and I had the privilege of visiting with my family... my aunt (whom I call Nana) and my uncle (Papa). We always have so much fun visiting them and I love showing Kevin around. This trip was especially nice as I got to show Kevin the house I lived in when I was in eighth grade and got him to walk on a real swinging bridge (over the Ky river), the same one we walked as kids when the low water driving bridge leading into our hollow was flooded over... Kevin was a little nervous about it and I have to admit it seemed a lot scarier this time then it did when I was a kid!
Kevin also had some bonding time with the boys. About eighteen of them went across the river and up in the hills to camp out and hunt. Do not ask me why you would want to hunt and sleep in such cold weather but they did and Kevin said he had a BLAST! What fun it is to go back to the hills of KY and visit sweet family, it is truly home!
The following pictures are of the house I lived in when I was in eighth grade,the swingingg bridge, my cousin and her children willie Kyle and June Bug, and ofcourse Kev av and I

The appreciation of life

Brooke and Ruthie... two of the strongest women I know!



Sweet Ruthie and her son Corbin



Me and Ruthie... How I wish I was in Florida with her




When my sister Ruthie and friend Brooke both told me they were expecting children I assumed in nine months I would be holding precious babies in my arms, as did they! Well as I posted before my friend Brooke miscarried a few weeks ago and yesterday my sister discovered she too had begun bleeding and lost her little one. Never having experienced this incredible loss I can not say I understand and am in some ways at a loss for what to say at all!
Both these women have lost children they have never seen but were already so deeply in love with them, I know they are in pain... Brooke's pain has begun to heal although I am sure the wound is still deep in her heart... Ruthie is still in shock, a miscarriage was not expected.. it will take time and prayer for her to begin her healing process- but I know my sister and I know she is strong she to will rise up praising our Lord.
These losses have touched my heart so deeply and made me appreciate my own daughter that much more!
Thank you Lord for giving me Averi and allowing me to watch and feel her grow in me for 38 weeks and 3 days before she was placed in my arms... I lift up my sister her husband and son...touch their hearts, especially tonight as the pain is so fresh... comfort them and allow them to feel your presence more vividly then ever before! We praise you Lord even when we do not understand why because we know you are sovereign and you reign over all, including our unborn children!
Ruthie has asked that everyone pray for her, her husband James and her son Corbin. Pray that the Lord will heal their wounded hearts and that they will continue to praise God throughout this hard time!