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Phew, its been a while. Life has been crazy busy with the new job, getting ready to go to Vegas and planning a 1st birthday party.

I realized, after I received several phone calls and texts, that I left the job situation up in the air. I am working with my mom now- doing marketing, advertising and sales. So far so great!

Vegas Baby, a bit of work and a bit of play. It's Dustin's first time going out West so I am very excited for him and I cant wait to share pictures.

Can you believe we are planning for a first birthday? It's just crazy talk! Miss Avery Cate is growing up more and more everyday. She is just on the edge of free-style walking. She will drag someone all over the place with just the security of knowing there is a finger near by but I'll think she'll let go any day now. (that sounds so dramatic)

Mother's Day Tradition

I was celebrated as a mother last year, 7+ months pregnant. It was both exciting and not really "real" at the same time. I am very excited for Mother's Day this year. I dont need gifts or fancy meals but just a day to hog my baby girl. I can hold her and cuddle her all I want and I'll have an excellent excuse for being so stingy.

Over the years, as our extended family grows, holiday meals have changed. (Ex- my grandfather always did Christmas breakfast but my little brother, I mean cousin, and his wife have picked up the tradition. ) I am very excited for Dustin and I to adopt the Mother's Day festivities this year. Ours has a twist though, it's pot luck. I am not the family chef - they prefer not to eat my cooking and I prefer not to cook. They'll bring a yummy feast and we'll provide a refreshing outdoor environment (including a new garden where plants are thriving), plates, cups, drinks and an adorable laughy baby and spunky pup to play with.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers Day Delima

I need gift ideas for mothers day! I feel like I get worse and worse at picking out gifts. I thought it would be easier with Avery, I'd just give a napkin with her picture, mug with her picture, towel with her picture, garbage with her picture... It's not me.

I dont like junk (my baby is not junk but stuff can be) so I dont encourage junk.

Do you have any clever and useful gift ideas? I am a little behind...

Bittersweet Byes

(Anyone still here? I dont blame you if you're not. I haven't been.)
I have three (including today) more days at my job. It's bittersweet, really. So I am embracing these last few days with my coworkers and friends, very surreal.

I have great things ahead and I will share them with you in good timing.
(No, sorry. We are not pregnant.)

Change

I'm pretty sure I've expressed that I am generally not good with change. It scares me and most of the time it is pretty difficult.

Change is swirling around me like crazy and I am doing my best to hang on tight. It's good change, but it's still hard. At times I let myself stay static just because it's easier, not because it's best.

I am enjoying the change in season though, even if it means we need to dodge a few storms. Kinda like life.

Special Meaning

We receive daily Lent Devotionals from our church and each are written by various members of the congregation. Yesterday, Maundy Thursday, was fast paced for me. We missed the service and the reenactment of the Last Supper and I didn't open the devotional until bedtime. Reading the story of Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) reminded me what this week, and the last 37 days (I'm not good with math) are about. I read each sentence a few times, each time a little more intense than the previous. After the author's prayer, which sought openness to allow us to change lives for Jesus Christ, I discovered the devotional was written by my grandfather. He is a retired Methodist preacher, he married Dustin and I and baptised Avery. His words have a way of soothing the soul. It was beautiful.

I hope you have a blessed Easter Weekend and, of course, I hope the bunny is good to you!

AaaaChhooo

Allergies are in full bloom for our family (Mommy, Daddy and Baby). Nasty noses, itchy throats and red watery eyes.

The weather has been beautiful, well other than the tornadoes, and we finally replanted our garden. (Note: It's a mini garden so don't get too excited, just plants and flowers.) Last summer's garden was gorgeous and lush but it didn't survive long at all. This year we spent more time focusing on the ground and making sure our dirt was suitable for plants. If this garden makes it (Hooray) we will add to it next year.

Are you gardening? Do you know of any plants that are novice tolerable?