"That man that lives berry, berry far away...."

A couple of days ago you asked me if I knew the name of "that man who makes people small, big."
Apparently he is a man that lives "bery, bery far away" and can make small people big and big people small. He has two handles - one small one (to make small people big) and one big one (to make big people small). Each day you elaborate on the story a bit more. Today you told me that he lives very very far away down that street.....all the way down that street. And that you know he speaks but you have never head his voice.

I have tried to figure out where this idea came from but you offer no information there. You asked Grandma what his name was. She said "Henry" and you seemed fine with that name.

You are very interested in "getting big." You desperately want to grow up but as far as I am concerned you are growing up fast enough. My dad used to always tell me " Don't wish away your life, time goes by fast enough on it's own with out you having to wish it away."
Amen to that Grandpa! He is a wise man, my dad. Maybe I should ask Grandpa if he knows the Man that can make small people big.

Things to Remember

I DON'T WANT YOU TO EVER LOOSE SIGHT OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

Be Kind. Be understanding - Seek to understand. There is always a missing part to someone's puzzle that you can't always see.

NEVER and I mean NEVER rely on a man or anyone else for your happiness or ability to survive.

*****TRUST YOUR HEART. It will never lead you down the wrong path. It may lead you down a more difficult path but never the wrong path.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL. It will only make you stronger.

*****Learn from your mistakes.

LAUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY! SMILE AT STRANGERS.


*****Love unconditionally. Love with your whole heart.

LOVE YOURSELF.

*****Travel. Experience new things. Step out of your comfort zone.

HAVE GRIT. Make your actions speak for you.

****ALWAYS be grateful for what you have. There will always be people around you that have more than you and there will always be people who have less than you.

KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED. That there is nothing that you could ever do or say that will ever change that.

****You will get more from people if you are honest and upfront with them and you will get more out of life you never have to carry the guilt of lies in your heart.


Ava, you already are a strong spirit. You are determined and need things to be your way. I pray that you keep this but that you also keep the compassion that is in your heart. That you work hard for all that you want in life but take the time to enjoy all the beauty that surrounds you. Don't expect things to "just happen" , MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, because life happens with or without your input so make your life amazing. Fill your days with all the things that warm your heart. It doesn't have to be extraordinary, it can be simple and ordinary.

My life is simple and ordinary but you, my sweet, are extraordinary. Thank you for every little smile and hug. Thank you for every single moment. You have changed my life, you have changed your daddy's life (a child does that), but I had NO IDEA just how awesome it would be.

You are 3 going on 17..

Sometimes I feel like I have 2 teenage girls in the house....the only difference is the actual teenager listens to me and responds the FIRST time I ask her to do something, not the 15th time like you Miss Sassy pants Ava.

You are as sweet as you can be but you have a switch and when you decide to flip that switch...watch out world.
Anyway....You are 3 years and 4 months old. You weigh about 28 lbs...according to the Publix scale that you LOVE to get on each time we go.
~You refuse to let me brush you hair, put it up or in barrettes so I am the mom with the cute little girl who has a ratty mop on her head. I have been talking about cutting your hair and you say you are "ok" with it. With that said, we are going to have a "beauty parlor day" and you are getting a hair cut, mani/pedi and your makeup done.

~You are a puzzle maniac these days. At any given time you will have 3 floor puzzles going at the same time.

~You call your daddy "The Queen". It makes me laugh every time. And par for the course..I am ALWAYS Mother Gothel. It's my hair... (yea, sure it is)

~You daily tell me what kind of lunch you choose, it's either "home lunch" or "school lunch". If it is on a white paper "school" plate though, you will eat it. The power of suggestion is amazing.

~You miss Hazel and Grandma and always ask if they are going to come pick you up or if we are going over there. You now want to go to Aunt Katie's and have a campfire and you are always making Uncle Dave a birthday cake. Uncle Will is now your brother and almost everyday on the calendar has been Uncle Scott's birthday.

~Blue and Green are your most favorite colors. Blue has been your favorite color since the beginning but now green is a close second.

~ You can count to 10 in spanish. Bueno!

~It is VERY IMPORTANT to you that you are able to do things your way. You can get very frustrated if you feel that you are not being heard or listened to. That is when you scream and tell us "NO! Listen to my words!!!"
You will then catch yourself and realize that you are screaming and will try to calm down and then say "May you listen to my words now?"
So stinking sweet.

~When you want to ask a question, it always starts with "May"...very polite. "May you read this to me?"



~Bed time is still a bit of a chore (for Mommy and Daddy) I usually fall asleep with you...not the greatest thing but I just love the quite sweet moments of bedtime. I'm just being selfish....

~You have been to two movies in the Theater: Monster's University and Frozen (you are sleeping the Princess Anna in the picture above) You did so well in both of them.

~ You can entertain yourself for hours now by pretending that you are your teacher, Mrs. Land, and anything and everything that you can find are your friends at school. Soap and Shampoo bottles in the shower, stuffed animals, stickers, markers, beads, etc. Each time it's a different scenario that you act out from school. We always say our "Thanks" before we eat dinner.
You need to be the Door holder whenever we go anywhere and the line leader. (i think it is safe to say that you love school)

You brighten my day each and everyday Ava.

A New Year - 2014

The beginning of the new year always brings a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. I normally don't make a New Year's resolution. I could say, I'm gonna exercise, eat healthy, etc. etc. etc yet, I know enough about myself to know that it would only be an empty promise to myself. I am notorious for being plagued with a chronic case of "no follow through". My intentions are always on point. My plans are made with a sincere heart and my ideas are grand and imaginative, I just sometimes am more talk than action.
Having a child has truly brought this shortcoming to the forefront of my mind. So for this year, I am making a New Years Resolution :

Take action on the ideas and plans that I make and if I don't think that I can, don't promise it.(to myself or anyone)

I hope that I am held accountable by those I love and know. I intend for this year to be productive and rewarding. I hope to challenge myself and my comfort zone.
I always want to do everything and say yes to everything but reality shows - you just can't do everything all at once.

I want to set an example for Ava- if you say you are going to do something then you had better do it. If you make plans with someone then you had better keep those plans.
So If I want to set that example for Ava.. I had better become that person.

I love my life with the child in it. With this beautiful, strong, independent child with the most tender heart. I don't have the ability to give her all the finer things in life but I do have the ability to provide her with the tools to make her life great. To give her love beyond measure, support for eternity and courage to always be true to her heart. I can teach her to be kind when others are unkind and to always speak the truth. I want her to always see the beauty in people and the wonders that this world has to offer.

I have grand dreams for you Ava and I will do everything in my power to make your dreams come true.