America.....one BIGGGG party!!

I received a comment recently from Emily and Mia's Grammy stating that Avery was probably going to believe America was just one big party with all the running around and partying we have been doing. Now that I look back on our pictures from the last few weeks Grammy is probably right. We have been going what seems like non-stop since we have been home. Just in the last 9 days we have had 2 baby showers, 2 housewarmings, baby dedication, mother's day, several dinners with friends, 2 work visits, and a welcome home for Aubriana. WHEW!!!! Maybe that's why my blogging has been lacking the past week. Thankfully, our schedule is starting to slow down a little.

So now we will take a look at some of the events of our last week:

Me, Christie, and Erin at Christie's baby shower. Christie and Anton leave Saturday to travel to Ethiopia to adopt Quint!! Next Monday is their Gotcha Day!! We are so excited for them and can't wait to welcome the next little one into the posse.

My co-worker (and partner in crime)Keysla just purchased her first home. She had a huge backyard BBQ to celebrate the occasion and a great time was had by all. Here are Avery and I helping her to celebrate!! Congrats Keysla!!

The biggest event of last week was Aubriana's homecoming!! Wednesday we all trekked back to the airport to Welcome Home Valerie, Gary, and Aubriana. It was a different experience for Paul and I to be on the other side of the glass wall waiting for a newly enlarged family to arrive. Aubriana is an absolute doll and we are so blessed to have her and her family as our friends!!

Here she is making her Texas debut!!

Me and Val with our daughters. It's been a long road V.....can you believe we finally have them home?

Little Miss Avery has been becoming more mobile everyday. She still does not like to be on her tummy so we think she will probably skip crawling but with her walker she is definitely all over the house. She is also now getting to where she will try to walk when you are walking with her and she even moved herself around some of the furniture recently. She also has an activity center where she can go around in a circle and I swear sometimes you would think she is on a Nascar track with the rate she is moving!!

She found herself in a little predicament: she somehow maneuvered her walker under the table but then could not figure out how to duck her head to get back out!! Don't worry Mommy came to her rescue!!

After one of Kelby's baseball games he tried to entertain her on the tire swing. She was not very impressed.

She continues to eat anything you put near her mouth. Paul and I have naively been cutting all food in minuscule little bites and giving it to her. We went to dinner with Kathy and Bill Saturday and Kathy gave her this whole piece of quesadilla. Because Avery now has 2 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth she was able to bite and chomp down on the whole thing.

Avery's first quesadilla......Good Stuff!!!

Sunday, of course was my first Mother's Day!! Not only was it special in that regard but also because we had Avery dedicated at church that same day. The Lord had blessed us so much by allowing us to be parents to this beautiful little girl so it was fitting that on this my first Mother's Day we were also able to pledge to raise her in a Godly way.

Avery getting ready to make her big debut on stage!

Our children's pastor spoke first about the how children are a gift and how special they are.

Our senior pastor saying a prayer over Avery. Notice how Avery is "holding" the microphone too? She always wants to be in charge.

I can't say it enough.....she is so freakin' cute!!!!

My family......I am one very lucky mommy!!!!

After church we managed to snap a couple of pics of all the mini-posse members. It's very hard to believe that last year at this time Emily, Mollianne, and Mia were the only kids in the group and now look at all of these!! Soon to be expanded even more!!

Sandra was very happy to celebrate Mother's Day and a grandmother for the very first time!!


Sunday evening our family all went over to Chris and Danette's for a Mother's Day dinner. We are so blessed to have our family live close by and be able to see them frequently!

Avery playing with one of their puppies. She was not quite sure what to do with something so small.

We put some squeaky shoes on her for the first time and she loved "walking" all over the house just to hear them squeak!!

You know your country folk when your Mother's Day celebration also includes the kids showing you the snake they killed in the neighborhood the previous night.
Kelby holding up the "big catch"!!

OH.....I forgot to mention some of the most exciting news. We are officially booked for Avery's first trip to Walt Disney World. Those of you that know us in real life know that we are Disney theme park freaks. Prior to beginning the adoption journey we visited one of the parks every year. Well, after skipping 2006 and 2007......we are back!! October 2008 Avery will make her first (I am sure of many) trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!!

Thanks for checking in with us, hopefully I won't fall so far behind again anytime soon!!