Saturday, May 30, 2009

Car Seats and a Cup Holder

Friday night we headed to Babies R Us in quest for a new car seat. We had been telling Ava she was going to get a "big girl" car seat and that Emet would get her old one. She kept insisting that she didn't want a new car seat. She wanted her old car seat. Once we were in the store, I began pulling car seats down and trying them out on the van bench seat they have in the store. Ava tried them out and quickly got over wanting to keep her old car seat when she saw the new ones came equipped with a cup holder! That was the selling point for her...she'd have a cup holder! So, after looking at all of our options, having Ava test about 3, we decided on the Graco Nautilus. This is a 3 in 1 seat. She will use it now with the harness belt but it also converts to a highback booster and a backless booster. The car seat will grow with her. I am pleased with our purchase and so is Ava!
Moving Ava to this seat also means a big change for Emet! He is no longer in his rear-facing baby carrier. He has graduated to a front facing car seat. We are hoping that he will enjoy facing forward!



Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Walker Scott Fitzmorris

Three weeks ago the Fitzmorris family welcomed little Walker into this world! We went through Shelby to meet Walker and visit with Leigh Ann, Brandon and Davis on our way home yesterday. Walker is ADORABLE and his Mommy is looking great too! It was good to get to see them, even though our time together is always too short. I'm looking forward to getting back to Shelby sometime this summer to spend some more time with Leigh Ann and her cute kiddos!

Ava, Walker and Jon snuggling on the couch!

Our attempt at a group picture...they get progressively harder to take!


Momma and Walker


Me, Walker and Leigh Ann


Me and Little Walker...isn't he cute?

LaRue Family Reunion

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Flat Rock with my Mom's family. All 25 of us stayed at the Highland Lake Inn. Each family had a cabin room and all of our rooms were right together. In front of our rooms was a large field with swings and hammocks. There was a pond with paddle boats and fishing on the property as well. Ava enjoyed the goats, turkey, chickens and peacock...she especially liked talking to the turkey and hearing it "talk" back! The weekend was relaxing and laid back. The men (and Mom) played golf, we shopped and the guys had a couple of intense basketball games!
I enjoyed getting to spend time with my family. We don't get to see each other very often, so to take the time to be together this past weekend was really special. I hope the tradition continues and that we will go back year after year!
It was a long weekend, so I took lots of pictures...even more than I am posting!


Ava in the hammock...

Emet too!


Maverick, Ava, Linda and Clara in the paddle boat!


Mom, Ava and Jon in the paddle boat!

My Little Man!
(I'm entering this photo in a contest...what do you think?)


Sweet Kiddos

My Mom with Kaleigh
(Kaleigh is my cousin's little girl.)


Cooper, Bob and Riley fishing...look closely, Riley caught something!

Emet and Pops enjoying the hammock!


Thought this was really sweet...Clara and Kaleigh!


Mom and Dad


Jon and Ava at El Paso...we ate Mexican on Sunday night!



Campfire Fun...Emet and Jon munching on s'mores!

Ava and her "marsho!"

Katie...my cousin...she was our campfire entertainment. She plays the guitar and sings really well! Ava enjoyed her songs and is asking to sing Baby Shark and Princess Pat!

LaRue, Kaleigh and Jesse after their boat ride!


The Basketball Teams
Riley, Cooper, Bob, Rusty, Maverick, Jon and Jesse
The LaRue Gang

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Sugar and Spice

My friend Kate has an adorable blog and an even more adorable little girl! Kate and I taught together at Rolesville. She is teaching second grade right now and has some of my little darlings from last year. She is a graduate of Clemson and a HUGE Tiger fan! She is hosting A-Give-
Away-A-Day this week on her blog. If you are in the market for some cute baby items visit her blog, enter the contests and maybe you will win!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Say Ahhhhhhh!!!

Ava made her first trip to the dentist today! She was brave and did a great job. Mrs. Lisa counted and cleaned her teeth. She noticed right away that Ava was a thumb sucker and encouraged us to try to get her to stop. We know the "no more thumb sucking" will be a hard battle to fight! Other than that, Ava's teeth looked great. No cavities and plenty of space between her baby teeth means that hopefully her mouth will have room for her grown up teeth! Dr. Cecil came in at the end to check her too! There were a few tears at the end...I think his head lamp scared her a bit...but she got over it quick! The highlight of her trip was the goody bag she left with! They loaded her up with a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, stickers, a sugar free sucker and a small toy from a treasure box! We even registered to win a stuffed animal they are giving away!

I'm ready Mom!

Counting Teeth


Dr. Cecil and Ava

All Done!



Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Last Class Blast!

Ava has LOVED her gymnastics class this year! Tonight was their last class blast...the last class before summer session! We have enjoyed going to the gym each week and Ava has learned so much. Jon and I reflected on her time in the class and know that it was not only fun for her, but also good for her. She was in a structured setting and learned to follow directions, walk in a line, wait her turn...not to mention she is much more coordinated and stronger as a result of gymnastics. She can support her weight on a bar and do a forward flip (with a spotter), do her spider hang all by herself and countless other gymnastic skills. I contribute her learning and success to her coach, Christen. Christen was a great coach and truly invested in these little ones! We are looking forward to continuing to watch Ava grow as a little gymnast!

Ava with her gymnastics buddies!


Stradle...pounding on the floor during warm ups!
Climbing out of the pit!
An attempt at a class photo...they are only 3 years old!

Chasteen Cousins

We were able to get to spend some time visiting with the (other) Chasteen kiddos on Saturday! Carson, Bryn and Lydia were with Don and Scarlet for the weekend and we took advantage of them being in town! It was good to see the kids play together, even though our time was much too short. On Monday, Liz came to pick the kids up so I took Ava and Emet back over to play again. The kids played, went to see the geese with Nana, Liz arrived, we ate a quick lunch and all too soon, our time with our sweet cousins was over! We had a great time though...here is a glimpse of the time we had together on Saturday evening!

Bathing Babies

Jon gave Bryn and Ava a pony ride!

Tiger Carson waitng for his bedtime snack!

The girls wanted their snack too!


Let's Clarify...

Jon was a little confused when he read my "Not Me Monday" post, so for those of you out there like him, reading and not quite understanding...(I really did those things). That's the point...hope you enjoy reading my "Not Me Monday!"

Monday, May 18, 2009

Not Me Monday

I got this idea from Kate who shared a link to an amazing blog...check it out! MckMama has an incredible story. Go see for yourself! She is hosting a blog carnival, Not Me Monday...so I am going to give it a try!

I DID NOT get up this morning to read my Bible and spend time with the Lord and then go for a 30 minute run. No, not me! Hopefully this will be a new pattern...time with the Lord, running and a shower all before my kids are up and running for the day...who me, no not me!

I DID NOT run errands this morning and go spend some quality time with my nephew, nieces, mother-in-law and sister-in-law, no not me. Don and Scarlet kept Carson, Bryn and Lydia while Liz was at her brother's graduation this weekend. Liz was picking them up today around lunch.

I DID NOT put a sick little boy to bed for his afternoon nap today. This one makes a Mommy's heart hurt. He had a fever and needed some Momma love and a little bit of medicine. He woke up fine and so far, no more fever.

I DID NOT go to the mall by myself and enjoy shopping for clothes for a family picture. All the while, my kids and hubby and home playing in the yard and making breakfast for dinner! No, not me.

Unfortunately I DID NOT watch the Canes get scored on twice in the first half of the first period...maybe they will come back and beat those Penguins!

I'm going to work on making this better. Any advice or comments you have to share to help me I'd appreciate. Try it yourself...post a Not Me Monday!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Reflecting on ReThink

The conference we attended yesterday was great...and although I mentioned it in my previous post I didn't share any of the great information we heard and learned. There were several things that stuck out as we listened to the speakers yesterday. I'd like to share a few with you!

1. Family Equipping Ministry: With this type of youth ministry the focus is not on entertaining youth and just doing more programs, but rather teaching, training and equipping them to become ministers of the Gospel. This type of ministry also involves parents. It is a hope and prayer that the teaching, training and discipling of students would start in the home, with their own parents. It isn't our desire to have simply "moral" students in our ministry, but students who treasure Christ and believe in eternal realities.
*These notes came from Steve Wright. He wrote a book on this type of ministry and is on staff at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh.
After hearing this talk, I was burdened to spend more time with my own children, teaching and training them in God's Word. I want to set aside time daily to share Bible stories, sing songs, and pray with my kids.

2. The Church and the home should be working together for the good of the Gospel. There are hindrances to reaching families and because of sin families and marriages are under constant attack from the enemy. Our country is a "drop off culture." Most parents of children that are old enough to be involved in activities can relate with this. We drop kids off at music lessons, dance lessons, sports practices...and expect their teachers and and coaches to train them in these areas. Sadly to say, for a lot of kids, this is a reality at church. Parents simply drop their kids off because they want their kids to be taught the things of God, but parents themselves are not showing a desire to grow and learn in this area. Church shouldn't be a "drop off" place for kids, but rather a haven where families can come to grow in Christ together.
Our children are going to follow us. They will go where we go, do what we do and say what we say. Hearing this reminded me that I have four little eyes on me all the time. I need to live my life in such a way that when they follow me, I am not ashamed of where they go, what they do and what they say!
Our lives should be Gospel Centered. We do not need to focus so much on the temporal things, but rather on the eternal!
*These notes are from Randy Stinson.

I know some of my thoughts may not have flowed quite as well as I would have liked. But these two speakers shared things that spoke to my heart and I wanted to share them in hopes that they would encourage someone else!

Friday, May 15, 2009

ReThink

Last night Jon and I took Ava to the Murray's. Ava stayed with her good buddy Addison and the other three Murray girls, Piper, Faith and Cordi. Laura and Raymond were brave and oh so kind to take in another 3 year old and add to their already house full of girls. Ava was so excited about going to Addi's to sleep over. I don't think I've seen her so excited about anything in along time...she was literally bouncing off the walls waiting to go!
After we took Ava to the Murray's it was off to take Emet to the Perry's. Emet spent the night with Nanney Janet and Larry. Janet said he was showing off for their company and that they loved having him!
Why did our kids have sleepovers last night? Well, today was the ReThink Conference at Providence and Jon and I took advantage of this and went on a date night last night, even stayed in Raleigh and headed to the conference today. We had a great date night eating at Champps, walking around Southpoint and just enjoying our time together. This morning we went over to the ReThink conference for a refreshing day of teaching and training in youth ministry. Some of our friends from college, John and Pepper Berry, walked in as the conference was starting. It was a great time for us to catch up and spend some time fellowshipping with them! The conference was designed to bring to light the importance of the family within our church and youth ministries. What a great day!
We picked both kids up at the Perry's on our way home...Laura had dropped Ava off earlier today. The kids were both great and had enjoyed their time away from home! They were tired and ready for bed when we got back to our house!

Addison, Cordi and Ava


Me, Jon, John and Pepper

Jon and John


Me and Pepper
(I'm laughing in the picture because they were teasing me about stopping our speaker in the parking lot and asking him to take our picture...Jon and John said he probably thought I wanted a picture of him when I walked up to him with our camera, but I just asked him to take our picture. In my defense, I asked him to take the picture, then realized who he was...oh well! They got a good laugh and I don't think he minded! )

Larry, Emet, Ava and Janet when we went to pick the kids up!



We were blessed by the conference, time with our friends and our dear friends who cared for our children so we could have a night and day to foster our marriage and ministry. Thanks to the Murrays and the Perrys for loving our kids and taking such good care of them for us!

He Is Standing Alone....

Our little man started standing alone on Monday this week! He is walking (and sometimes running) behind his push toys. It won't be long before he is walking, or running, on his own. I better get ready!

Pushing the Mickey Mouse Truck

Standing Alone

Monday, May 11, 2009

Growing, Growing, Growing!!!

Ava and Emet had their well checks this morning. They are both growing and doing well! Here are their updates!
Ava
36.5 pounds (90 %)
38.5 inches (75%)
She is only a pound heavier than she was at her 2 year check up and she is 3 inches taller!
She had been off the charts with her weight, but we were glad to see that she is back on the chart and that her percentiles are relatively close!
Emet
18 pounds and 12 ounces (5 %)
28 inches (5%)
Emet has gained 3 pounds in 3 months...a big deal for him! I am thrilled that he is actually on the charts. He had been below the chart since he was 4 months old. He is growing and doing well. He also got his 12 month round of shots today. His skin is extra sensitive and we may go see a children's dermatologist at Duke. He is one of the best in the country. Hopefully he can give us some advice that will help little man's legs!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Week In Review

What a week we have had! Jon had his last paper of the semester due Friday morning. He worked hard all week and had to pull an all-nighter on Thursday night! I went to a Women's Banquet at our church Thursday evening and since Jon was locked away working on his paper, Christy came to keep Ava and Emet. Ava was so excited about having Christy over! Thanks Christy! I even got to enjoy a little bit of time with her after the banquet. Ava got sick with a cold and ran a fever on Thursday and Friday. Her fever broke right after we went to the doctor on Friday morning...she has been fine since...go figure! Friday night I went to a Stampin' Up party and had a blast! I bought a Baby Boy packet of paper and stickers to use in Emet's first year scrapbook. After the party some of the ladies hung around to work on their scrapbooks...I was able to get four pages done in Emet's book. I am way behind, but having fun looking back at pictures from his first year! Yesterday we took the kids to the Faircloth's pool. This was Emet's first pool trip...he doesn't seem to be a big fan yet...probably because the water is still so cold. I went to a baby shower for our pastor's grandson yesterday afternoon and saw Brook, one of our seniors at church, all dressed up and ready for her prom!

Last night my sweet husband and kids took me shopping for Mother's Day. We went out to Southpoint, picked up P.F. Chang's takeout and ate in the food court, and of course went to my favorite store...The Loft. Jon was very patient (and the kids were good) while I tried on clothes. I found some cute things and got, what I think, was a great deal! Thanks to my hubby and kiddos for a great Mother's Day treat!

This Mother's Day morning, I am home from church with a sick little boy. Emet caught Ava's cold and woke up with a low grade fever this morning.

I'm blessed to be the mom of two great kids and I love them dearly. I am thankful for a husband who encourages me and supports me through the blessings and challenges of motherhood. Every moment with my kids is a gift and I treasure my time with them. I hope all of you mothers have a great Mother's Day and remember what a privilege it is to care for the children in your life! Happy Mother's Day!

Ava and Jon on Friday night when I got home from Stampin' Up and scrapbooking...remember Jon pulled an all-nighter on Thursday! They were both exhausted!

Emet's first dip in the pool...

"...it's so cold!"

Enjoying being held by Daddy (out of the water)!


Playing Around the Pool



Not so much liking being in the water!


Brook...all ready for her prom!