Mother's Day

Yes, Mother's Day was a week ago and here I am, just now writing about it. Did everyone give up on my ever blogging again?

So, Mother's day was of course very special for me this year. It was never an upsetting thing for me, Mother's Day, just because I was not a mom yet. I just focused on celebrating my mother of course, and so it was never a hard day for me. Rather, it was always a good one. I guess the Lord was gracious to me in allowing it to be that way. But I have to say I was looking forward to this one. Ava was home and just in time to celebrate that special day with her. What a gift! I have to say I was a little sad though that day. It does bring about thoughts about her birth mom and how she must miss Ava. A lot of birthmoms have to give up their children only because they know they do not have the ability financially to care for them, not because they don't want them or love them. So, I was a little sad for her that day and my thoughts went to her often. Does she wish she could kiss those darling, puffy cheeks the way I am able to now? Does she miss those dark eyes looking back at her so sweetly? Oh, the thoughts are almost too much. It makes me so thankful to have her and in fact, makes us all the more aware of our responsibility and of how precious it is that God has given her to us.

Anyway, it really was a good day. We went to my parents house in Athens. Their house in on a lake and surrounded by woods so it's incredibly peaceful out there. That Saturday the neighborhood folk had a picnic so I took Ava down to the clubhouse for that. So many people came up to see her. My parents had been talking about her in their excitement so several were aware of our situation and were so excited to meet her. Okay, coloring aside, do my mom and Ava look alike in this picture or is it just me? It makes me laugh!
The next day was Mother's Day and my brother and sister-in-law came over with their two boys. Brooks is 6 months older than Ava and he really got a kick out of her. He just smiled and smiled at her! So cute! He was a little jealous when Ashlie was holding Ava, and so he decided to just climb right on up there with her. I think they'll enjoy playing with each other as they get older. I bet Ava will just be following him around everywhere!

My parents, they have a knack with babies, let me tell ya. They could put any baby to sleep--they just have the touch. They worked in the newborn nursury at church for as long as I can remember. Maybe that's where they got all their practice! It's as if babies know that my parents are good like that and they just relax with them. I wish I knew their secret. This weekend was the first time that Clark, my brother, got to hold Ava. He had to work hard to get her to smile at him, but it finally worked. Usually she is so smiley but sometimes it's like she's playing a game and will just make you work at it for a while. We had a nice dinner, steaks, salad, potatoes, the works. That's the place to go for relaxing--unless ALL the grandkids are there and then that's a different story altogether. But there's enough room for everyone to sort of spread out or go outside for a walk so I guess there are quiet moments here and there.

I have so many great pictures from this visit. It was hard to choose which ones to put on the blog! I want to post them all. Somehow I got away from the weekend with no pictures of me with Ava--on Mother's Day at that!! How did that happen?!? I guess I'm always the one with the camera, therefore.....

Ava had another really good week. No major struggles yet. We go to the doctor tomorrow for a well-check. She just seems to continue with the flow. Great baby. Sweet sweet gift from God. I got an E-card from someone in my Bible Study last week for Mother's Day and the message on it sums it up for me..."God gave you to ME?" That is exactly how I feel! You for ME? How could it be that He saw fit to give me such a wonderful little thing? I don't understand, but why question it! I'll just enjoy it and know that it's just simply GRACE.

I have to blog about this weekend tomorrow. I have some great pictures from the week too. This girl is growing like a weed--she's growing out, not up though! Everyone who has seen her recently, for the second time, comments on how big she's gotten!

Hope everyone has had a good weekend and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.