Phew we pulled it off!!! *YoungLife Banquet 2009*

So...last night...we "kicked up our heels for Lincoln YLife"...and it was AMAZING!
We kept it....Simple and Real. Our hope and prayer was that people from our community, parents, donors, etc would come and see our hearts for loving kids to Jesus through the mission of Young Life.
And we certainly did so...with our awesome kids that shared their stories and experiences with Young Life...along with tons of help from out committee...God showed up and the message that we love kids...was written on our guests hearts! LOVE it!

At the end of the banquet, I turned around to see 20 leaders singing happy tenth birthday to my Avery bean. I've never seen her blush like that...at that moment she felt So loved...So celebrated. It was precious. And I was thankful.

Mom and Dad made it again....as you can see their smiling faces! Aren't they the cutest ever!! They are so awesome to make the drive during the week...they've never missed it!
I went to bed thanking God for the amazing blessings I have in my life that I know I don't deserve. What a treat it is to walk in this life and to be loved and blessed...and then to love and bless others....

To all you YoungLife peeps...keep on being "real" with kids and loving them through your life and actions....There's nothing sweeter than the family of YL.

*Ten Years Blessed*

...Ten years ago my life drastically changed. I became a mommy to Avery Marie Elizabeth...

At 19, I had no idea what the next ten years would hold....

God has used mommy-hood to refine me into who I am today...because of Ave I am more selfless, I have learned how to die to my own needs...daily...though sometimes I'm not very good at it :( But each day is a NEW day, and I love being a mommy! Through this refinement, I often come home and laundry isn't done, dishes are in the sink (which, if you know me, I'm OCD about clealiness :-)), my laundry isn't always done, but Ave's is, I'm sporting one pair of jeans, but Avery is getting to dance, play volleyball, and sleep in a cozy warm bed in an area we feel safe. And more so than my cleanliness OCD - which, I've begun to let go in exchange for...... doing my absolute best in raising Avery. This doesn't just mean playing multiple games of Uno, or Webkinz, or coaching volleyball games, or rushing to lunch at school over my lunch break, or trading all adult movies for kid movies...but more than that its praying and creating an environment where she can become a young lady who has a beautifully refined character...one that points people to her Lord and Savior...the one who gave her to me to raise on this earth...ten sweet years ago. I often drop into bed at night...and look up...thinking "Lord...how on earth am I doing? Can you just send me a message in a bottle? Am I doing you proud? Will she love you when I'm not around? Will her life point people to you?" And next thing I know, I'm waking up to the sun shining and Lola wagging her tail... :-)

And time for me to start a new day...TRUSTING in Him that I AM doing okay...and reminding myself that today is a NEW day...and that He is still walking with me on this journey that began ten years ago with my 8lb 11 oz baby girl :)....Phew! I am one thankful Mamma! :-)

Last night I went to tuck in Aves...we did out routine...devotional, prayers, snuggle, and then...9 kisses on the cheek, 9 eskimo kisses, and 9 butterly kisses...And then I said "man...tomorrow its 10 eskimos, 10 cheeks, and 10 butterflies!" To which Avery replied "oh, sad...do 9 again mommy!"

Aw....I love it. I love that she loves my kisses. Who doesn't love their mom's kisses...

My mom still kisses us on the cheek...and nothing compares. It just feels like "home"...

***Thank you Jesus for turning my mess into something beautiful.....

*Breckenridge*

So...Ave and mom got to take a road trip to Breckenridge! I had a word conference, and she got to come along! She was super excited! Our trip was so fun! We stayed in a mountain view room...to die for! It was absolutely beautiful!
We had a great time...just being. Together. We went from shop to shop, tried to catch snowflakes on our tongues....and walked a lot. We even enjoyed a cup of coffee together (okay...she had a chai tea) :), walking around the quaint little town of Breck! So cute! Loved every minute of it!
I wish these days would last....Forever. Life is sweet being a mom. Its refined me in so many ways. I'm so thankful.

*Roots and Wings*

So...last night Ave and me were walking Lola. She was telling me about a thing at school they are doing to help raise money for pencils for children in Pakistan/Afghanistan who are learning to read and write. She was SO excited about it! She said "mom, we can bring a quarter, and that will buy 25 pencils!" It was too cute :)
She was asked to read an announcement at school this morning...and so as we were walking, she would say her lines. Very monotone of course...
So I was trying to help her be more expressionful. I wasn't successful. :)
We were all excited this morning...heading out for school and for her to read her announcment to the school. And then we got to school, and I was about to park - and she said "mommy I actually don't want you to come and listen. It really isn't a big deal...so why don't you just drop me off at my regular spot." Of course, I couldn't just say "okay" and drive off. I had to have my moment of "oh, really? Are you sure? Mommy would love to hear your announcment!!!!" But she assured me that she wasn't up for me coming in. SOO...being the mature mother who doesn't NEED her daughter that I am...I dropped her off with a quick I love you...and headed to work.
Oh, how quickly they grow. In a way I was sad...she isn't stuck to my leg like the first YEAR of preschool. No, its quite the opposite. :)
She's blooming into a young lady...who still needs me, close...but not that close. And the wider her wing span gets...the more I have to let go.
Phew...and so it begins....

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.

One is roots; the other, wings." Hodding Carter

Fruit Cake & Ice Cream Link

So in January I promised the link to this incredibly touching podcast about God's grace - well, here's the link to buy the message on DVD. You'll have to search for it online a bit more. It use to be free. BUT if you can't find it, you definitely need to invest in it! Its amazing!

http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2559

*kisses for Avery*

This is some SERIOUS Lola lovin'!!! haha! She loves her Avery :)

*Pumas*

So...school is in full swing! Ave is a 4th grader. Can you believe it?
I know, right? I am mature enough to parent a 4th grader. How does that happen?
God is gracious :) Thats how. :)
Volleyball is about to start. And Heidi and me are coaching again this year. We are sort of good cop/bad cop. ha! I am the the "lets have fun - keep you chin up sweetie, you'll get the next pass, etc" and Heidi is the "hey, if you don't want to play ball, sit on the bench." So, we are a PEFECT pair when it comes to coaching.
Avery said she wants to play husker volleyball. So cute! I LOVE big dreams...so Ave, "dream on baby girl!"
We had some girl drama last night. Eesh. I think I'm praying for all boys in my parenting future?! I wonder how God feels about that request? :)
Avery is a delight however. She's so smart. Sometimes I want time to stand still so I can love her more, teach her more, play with her more....
This fall we are JUST doing volleyball for ten weeks and dance. That's it! Nothing else. I'm SOO excited. That means lots of mommy/Ave time. Lucky me!
ta ta for now.
clas