Kreative Blogger

Thanks Kate for passing on this award...I was surprised and excited to see you had passed it to me! As I think through things that I love, it is hard to come down to just 7....I'm blessed and thankful for so many things in life, but here are 7 that stand out above the rest!

1. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
I love my Lord and it is my desire to serve and honor him in my life! My prayer is that I would live life in such a way that Christ is exalted!

2. Bubs and my Babies

I love my husband Jon and my sweet little ones, Ava and Emet! I am blessed to have a husband who loves me, encourages me and challenges me daily! My little ones bring so much excitement and joy to my life...there is never a dull moment with them!

3. Family and Friends

People come into our lives for a reason, or we come into theirs, and for the way my family and friends have touched my life I am grateful. My Mom and Dad have always been a constant love and support in my life. Jon's family welcomed me as part of theirs when got married. There are those friends who I know I can call anytime day or night for any reason and they will be there!

4. Photography

I love taking pictures and would one day love to do it as a job. I enjoy taking pictures of most anything, but I'd have to say right now my favorite photo opp would be capturing the special moments with Ava and Emet. A picture is worth a thousand words and I want to remember these days with them as they go by so fast!

5. Football

As an Appalachian State Alumni and the wife of a former ASU football player, this is a given. I love Appalachian Football...game days in Boone, tailgating, and a packed out Kidd Brewer Stadium...GREAT!!! The Mountaineers are the best...back to back to back National Champs, 2005, 2006 and 2007! Clemson football ...I married into a family of die hard Clemson fans...so I do love Clemson football too!

6. Vacations

The beach or the mountains...I love both places. Winter in the mountains and hitting the slopes on a snowboard is my idea of a great winter vacation. Sun, sand and surf...a beach vacation with the people I love is much to be desired!

7. Sun Drop and Sweet Tea

Being raised in the south there are things we eat and drink that you can't get in other areas of our country. I grew up drinking Sun Drop and Sweet Tea and to this day these remain my beverages of choice!

***The Kreative Blogger Award was passed to me and now I am passing it on. Liz, Sheila, Christine, Christy and Melissa I can't wait to hear about the things you love!***

Swingin' Into Spring

Thanks to John Faircloth for making such great additions to our playground! John came over on Tuesday and Jon helped him add on to our playground. They added the extension with the swing and the rings. They also built a ladder on the open side of the platform. What a great way to start off spring! Ava was thrilled! We will be ready for the weather to stay warm so we can get out and enjoy our new playground!

Taking Steps

Emet began taking steps along our furniture yesterday. He was taking a few steps at a time while holding on to the footstool. I am amazed at how fast he is growing and changing!

Maybe a little off balance...

"Mom, do you see me?"

Sweet Boy!

Sunday Morning Snuggle

Sunday before church...so sweet!

Emet's Day with Mommy!

While Ava was at Nana's, I was able to spend the day with Emet. It isn't very often that I get time with just my son, so this was a real treat. We ran errands and then came home for lunch and a nap. He woke up early from his nap and since it was such a pretty day we headed outside. I put him in the jogging stroller and he rode, while I ran around the church parking lot. (I must say the jogging stroller is much easier to push when it is just Emet riding in it!) After our jog, he rode in the swing for a little while. We were enjoying the warm weather and soaking up the sun!

He loved the swing!

An Overnight Visit

We were planning to see Nana on Monday and it didn't work out. Ava was upset, so I told her we would try and see Nana another day this week. It worked out for Ava to spend Tuesday night at Nana and Papa's house and then spend the day Wednesday with Nana. She was thrilled! She wore her new bathing suit and got in the whirlpool on Tuesday night...and enjoyed the day Wednesday with playing with Nana! Ava helped me pack her clothes...she picked out the bag to put her clothes in and helped me organize them on her bed!

Organized and ready to go...we just need to put it all in her bag!

So Excited!!!

Ava's Backpack...her overnight bag!

Better Late Than Never

Jon has been working all week on a paper he turned in this morning. When he has a paper like that, I don't get much time on the computer. So, this post is from a week ago, but better late than never right?

We made the trip to Hickory last weekend to visit my parents. We got to their house Thursday evening in time for dinner. Once the kids were in bed we played cards with Mom and Dad. Mom headed out Friday morning for a cruise...so we only saw her for a little while. Jon worked on his paper most of Friday and Dad and I headed to his work with the kids. We visited with Dad's friends at work and had lunch in Lincolnton. Ava enjoyed playing with the beach ball, riding her bike, blowing bubbles and Pops' Corvette while we were there. It was a great visit, and as usual, it went by too quick!

Pops, Jon and Ava in the Corvette

Emet, Pops and Ava

Ten Months

March 4 marked ten months for Emet. He is growing and changing so fast. In the past month he has put on probably close to two pounds, which is a great thing because he weighed so little. He is pulling up on things, throwing balls, crawling everywhere and touching things he isn't supposed to. We have started the "no touch" training, which is challenging! He is a joy and I am reminded each day that he is a gift from God!

Tracey's Visit

I always enjoy getting to spend time with Tracey, so having her and Bailey at our house for three days was great! We enjoyed the snow on Monday, a little bit of shopping and Chic-fil-a on Tuesday and just getting to catch up. I count it a blessing to have Tracey in my life. She is a great friend and such an encouragement to be around! I love you Tracey!

Bailey, her little girl is three months old, and it was a joy to have another little one staying with us this week too! Ava was quite the helper between Emet and Bailey. I think she gave Bailey more attention this week though! She loved helping give Bailey a bath and getting things for Tracey!

Emet, Ava and Bailey

Snow Day!!!

For those of you that know Jon, you know that he is enthralled by the weather...especially winter weather. Sunday afternoon after church Jon began watching the websites and waiting for the snow to start. He was so excited, that even after Metamorphosis and very little sleep, he stayed up until 4:00 a.m. just to watch it snow....I love the snow too, but I was tired and knew it would still be there in the morning!

While Jon was glued to the computer, my good friend Tracey and her precious little girl Bailey arrived at our house Sunday afternoon. Tracey, being from Boone, also loves snow. With the possibility of snow, which would be Bailey's first snow, she was also very excited!

We enjoyed waiting for it waking up to a winter wonderland on Monday. Jon and Ava headed out to make a snowman, (which Ava named KK), Nana and Papa came by to play with Ava in the snow, Tracey and I took Bailey and Emet out for pictures and Brittney came Monday afternoon and took Ava back out to make another snowman (this one she named Ava).

Ava...ready to play in the snow!

Bailey and Tracey

"Mom, it is soooooooo cold!!!"

Nana, Emet, Papa and Ava

Emet and Ava

Bailey, Tracey, Ava, me, Jon and Emet

Ava, Jon and "KK"

"Ava", Brittney and Ava

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is always a fun weekend! Churches in the Durham area get their youth together for an in town retreat. Our youth are split up by ages and stay in host homes. We have small group Bible studies and large group meetings with all the other churches. We enjoyed Brock Gill's illusion show on Friday as well as his clear presentation of the Gospel. Saturday we went to Ridgecrest for a Stop Hunger Now project and then headed to the bowling alley for some fun and a pizza dinner. We also celebrated Brittney and Jamie's birthdays...they turned 15 yesterday! Saturday night there was a Rock Band challenge between the churches and our guys won! We heard a great praise and worship band and listened to one of the area youth pastor's present a challenge to the students to Live Love and surrender all to follow Christ. Live Love was our theme for the weekend! We had a blast and I enjoyed hanging out with and teaching our high school girls! They are a great group of young ladies and we had a fun time together!

Jon, John and Ryan at the Stop Hunger Now Project

Weighing and Sealing the Meals

Allison, Jessica, Danielle and Brittney

Happy Birthday Brittney and Jamie!

Feedback for Jesus

Rock Band Challenge Winners!

High School Girls

Middle School Girls