What a nice surprise!

It really wasn't even in the forecast, but it's been snowing on and off all day today! At the moment the snow is REALLY coming down and I would say the clumps are about the size of a half dollar coin...they are HUGE! I would love to show video of it, but the google video is not working at the moment. Oh well...I was just like a kid earlier. Elle didn't want to go out in it so I ran out in the backyard by myself and tried catching snowflakes in my mouth. I only came in when Elle was yelling something at the top of her lungs at me from inside and Ava was taking a nap. I love snow!!!

I'm tired!

Yesterday was a long and interesting day. We woke up and Shawn looked at me and said "Wanna go to Frisco?" So, we all scrambeled to get showered, eat breakfast and get dressed before Ava's first nap and headed that way. We thought we would try and see if we could get Ava's picture taken, something we've been meaning to do for a few weeks. We get pics taken at the Picture People and there is one at the mall in Frisco. We called on the way and they didn't have any openings that day so we just figured we'd stop in once we got there and see maybe if they had a cancelation. When we asked the people at the desk, one of the photographers said that if her next person didn't show, we could take their place and what do you know...they didn't show (which is rare at the Pic. People). She also happens to be in my opinion the best photographer up there, especially for babies and young kids. So, we scooted right in and snapped off around 30 pics of Ava with a few with Elle also. They turned out MARVELOUS! The best pics of Ava yet!!! So, later that day we came back to view them and try to pick out just a few from the 30. It was so hard! So she printed them out for us and we headed home. About 15 minutes out of Frisco we were looking at them again and both of us just said that we thought the color was off or it looked flat or something. Just not nearly as nice as what we saw in studio on the screen. Mind you these were digital prints so when you go messing with digitals and "fixing" the lighting and such, it can really change the overall color of a person and give them odd tones. So I called and they said we could come back in a work on them. Remember we were 15 minutes out with 2 sleeping kids in the car. But, we turned around anyway and I sent Shawn in to work with them to make them look better while I drove around the mall for 30 minutes. Finally, he was done and when I saw them again they were PERFECT! So, after a little shopping where Shawn FINALLY found some tennis shoes and we both a few other necessities, we headed home. Now Frisco is about a 1 1/2 hour drive, maybe a little less....about 10 minutes outside of Greenville, Shawn asked where his cell phone is. I haven't had it so I start looking around and then he looks up and says, "I'm pretty sure I left it in one of the shoe stores when I was trying on shoes." Well, no turning around now. About an hour after we got home we got a call from a shoe store letting us know that they had his cell phone. So, where do you think Shawn and Elle are this morning....that's right, Frisco, getting his cell phone. It works out well though because I really needed to do some cleaning and reorganizing so I've had the house mostly to myself all morning. So, that's our adventure from yesterday. So to see all the pictures we took yesterday click on the following address and it's the album dated 1/29/07. Enjoy!
http://smilestore.picturepeople.com/my/images?allsets=true To log in, contact my email and I'll give you the password and stuff, but I don't want to put my email address on the blog.

Daddy went to the beauty shop

Elle putting her "contacts" in

Elle and her "baby"

Here's Elle putting her crib to good use. Boy, those dolls these days are getting more and more life-like!

Evangelism U

Here are some pictures from yesterday's Evang. U. Shawn said that it could not have gone any better than it did. There were a little over 200 people there and I think it went great! There were 3 inflatables for the kids to play on when class wasn't going on and that went over really well. Here are a few pictures of us playing on them.

13

I have seen a few blogs that do something called "Thursday 13" on their blog. They list 13 of something every Thursday. I like this idea since I like lists and for whatever reason I have had a list of people in my head lately that I wish I kept in better touch with. Either I have lost contact with them completely, or just have a hard time staying in contact. They are:
1. Becky Bashton-best friend in elementary-wrote each other for years before losing contact a few years ago.
2. Angie Brooks/Willis-best friend from ACU-moved to California a few years ago...had a hard time keeping up--you'll notice she does comment every once in a while :)
3. Bruce Beaver-best guy friend all through H.S.
4. Lana Litton/Page-best girlfriend all through H.S.
5. Andi Usrey/Quisenberry-good friend in H.S. and college
6. Gary Binkley-H.S. friend
7. Karli McMillian-good friend in H.S.--then met again later in college and became better friends
8. Esme Sheasby- youth minister wife :)
9. Laura Jackson- friend from Tyler
10. Wendy Cupples-friend from Jackson, Tennessee
11. Jennifer Ellis-another friend from Jackson, Tennessee
12. Pam Richardson-last preacher's wife here at Johnson Street
13. All my women friends at Camp Blue Haven-for whatever reason it's just impossible to keep up with them!

Just for Lesley

My wonderful sister-in-law, Lesley, reminded me today, that my blog updating has been unsatisfactory this week. Please forgive me! I'm not sure why I haven't updated...just not a lot to say this week. I'm sure that's weird to hear, coming from me. Anyway, we've been good this week. Elle got a fever yesterday and is still fighting it today, but seems to be doing much better. It's back down to 99 and she is gaining her appetite back so I'm not sure what is going through her??? Ava is doing great also, but not napping all too well lately. She usually sleeps exactly 45 minutes and then goes straight into the scream until I come get her. Maybe that's the reason I haven't updated lately! She still sleeps fine at night, but who knows what's going on with the daytime...this too shall pass. Ava plays with her feet ALL the time now. She also is trying to roll onto her stomach but hasn't gotten the momentum up yet. She goes half way and then rolls back to her back. She is just in a really sweet stage right now. Elle and I just returned from a trip to the library. I rarely spend one on one time with her outside the house, so I think this will become a thing we do together after daddy gets home. She thoroughly enjoyed it today and I love children's books also so I get to go through all the books and pick out the ones I want to read her. Shawn has bible study for the youth tonight, then tomorrow night will be preparing at the church building for Saturday. Saturday is Evangelism University and he is expecting around 230. It will be an all day thing so I'm sure I'll be in and out enjoying as much of it as Ava and Elle will allow. Then Sunday, he has a devo that night and then we breath on Monday. We are thinking about taking Elle bowling because we have free coupons. I think she would like it thought the ball would be about as heavy as her! The girl is just small! As for me, I have officially lost 10 lbs. since around Thanksgiving and am now 3 lbs lighter than I was when I got pregnant with Elle! Can't tell you how good that feels! All my clothes fit very nicely! Well, enjoy the pictures and send your thank you's to Lesley for reminding me to get to it and update!

Ava is really starting to try standing lately. She really likes to.

Ava in a not-so-happy mood

2nd Opinion

Well, I have a not-so-flattering story about myself to air. I went to the dentist a few weeks ago and was told I have SIX, yes that's 6! cavities that need to be filled. I have always had quite healthy teeth and there have only been a few years in my entire life that I didn't see a dentist every six months. A year ago, I had my annual x-rays done and was told I had two areas of decay and that if I flossed and brushed consistently, they probably wouldn't get any worse. So, for the first time in my life (almost) I started flossing....not always every day but regularly. So how in the world when I went back last month did I all the sudden have SIX cavities. So, today I had an appointment at another dental clinic for a second opinion. The good news: my first dentist wasn't trying to rip me off....the bad news: I still have 6 cavities. I have an appointment in March to get everything filled and it will set us back around $350! YIPPIE!!! I love to burn through money especially for cavities (can you sense the sarcasm?) I am looking forward to sniffing lots of laughing gas :)

Finally....SNOW!

We have actually had a little of the white stuff in the last few days. Sunday we had ice and sleet but by Monday it was slowly beginning to melt. I figured that was the end of it. On Tuesday it was bone-chilling cold here. Just a cold that I can't even describe. This morning I woke to sleet falling outside and everything once again coated with the white stuff! All schools are having a snow day today and Elle is quite interested in it. Ava doesn't care for it and the cold seems to take her breath away which I don't think is pleasant for her. Here are some pics of the snow/sleet/ice that we've gotten. It's highly unusual nowadays to get this stuff here in Texas! Also in unrelated news Elle can now spell her first name and recognizes the letters that make up her name! Of course it helps that there are only two different letters in her name, but we were so excited to hear her say "E-L-L-E spells Elle!"

More Random Pics

I just cram both girls in one carseat...saves money and room in the car!

Nana and Poppie come for a Visit

Yes, Ava's bald spot is really bad and everyone at church laughs at it.
Nana and Poppie happy, with stoic little Ava
Now, there's a little smirk for Nana!

Random Elle moments

Elle said she wanted to watch Cinderella in her tent, so Daddy and Elle got in the tent and watched it on her DVD player. This was too cute!
Pucker up Baby!

4 months old

Saturday, Ava turned 4 months old, which means she's finally out of the 4th trimester!!! YIPPIE From my experience with Elle, at around 4 months old, everything starts to go way smoother....at least for a while! :) We had a nice cold weekend. My parents came and spent the day here Saturday. Elle had a lot of fun. Today we awoke to NOT ice which we were suspose to get overnight. I hate when they get my hopes up and then don't follow through! They are saying we still have a good chance of ice tonight, but I am not holding my breath. Shawn had to cancel a youth thing that was going to be tonight in Dallas since they are pretty much for sure going to get icy conditions. No matter where I live it always seems to be just out of reach of the "fun" weather! Oh well...

4 month check up

We took Ava to her 4 month check-up this morning. She now weighs 13lb. 5 oz. and is 25 inches long! She is doing wonderfully and it very healthy. It is so great to hear that your child is healthy. Nothing is sweeter to a parents ear. I will put her 4 month picture up later because she isn't actually 4 months yet...not till Saturday. Also speaking of this weekend, we are suspose to have a major cold front come through and possibly snow/sleet/ice on sunday and maybe monday! YIPPIE!!! Well, everything else is quiet here. Shawn's next youth thing is the last weekend in January and it's an all day Saturday deal called Evangelism University. It's something he started here a few years ago. He invites all the congregations in the entire region to come and gets speakers to teach the kids different aspects of evangelizing those around them. If we don't start teaching this to our children at a younger age, what will happen to the church? I can say as a 28 year old that I don't remember ever getting any "formal" education on how to conduct a bible study much less just bring up the subject to other people! I am a big advocate for Evan. Univ. if you can't tell. Anyway, that's our lives right now. Everything is actually mysteriously quiet here the last week or so.

Priceless

Elle's 1st Human Drawing

Art is important to me and I'm hoping some of my genes have worn off on Elle. Saturday she drew her first "human" drawing. I think after listening to her talk and watching her, she has probably had the ability for a while now, but not the desire. I've asked her before to draw me a person and she wouldn't do it, but when I asked today, she just whipped it out. Gramme was drawing on the paper too so that helped. The first picture is of Daddy and of course it's done in pink. She also did one of Gramme with pink hair, and the next day she drew Ava's face in blue. If you want to see those, you'll have to make a trip to Greenville! I'm thinking of framing them...just kidding....but I am really proud of her! :)

Gramme came this weekend!

Shawn had his annual winter retreat with the kids this past weekend and I didn't want to try going it alone all weekend so I asked if Barbara would come and help me. We had a great time and it was nice to not be all alone with the girls all weekend. She was a big help. The pictures I added are of Gramme singing songs to the girls. They were both mesmorized by her. Elle, I expected to be, but Ava just wouldn't take her eyes off of Gramme when she was singing. It was really sweet. Thank you so much Gramme for coming and spending the weekend here!

Our newest painting

Barbara brought our newest painting from my Dad when she came this past weekend. I absolutely LOVE this painting. It's going over our fireplace and it just looks awesome. As you can tell by the picture, it's very large! We aren't going to be able to frame it as long as we live at this house because there's not enough clearance for it to be on the mantel if we did! Thanks so much Dad for our newest picture!

Cute pictures of Ava

Well, it's that special.

Let's Switch

Elle has started doing something kind of funny and pretty smart! We are really working on limiting her TV time since that's all she wants to do and never wants to do anything else. At anyone's house we go to, she heads straight for the TV and parks herself in front of it. So what she does is she will go up to Shawn and say "I'll be you Daddy, and you be Elle." Then she says to Shawn "Elle, do you want to watch Elmo?" knowing that Shawn will say "yes," and then she thinks that means she can really watch it. Amazing what their little minds think of. In other news, we are looking forward to the weekend with Gramme. She is headed this way as I type. Shawn is leaving for the winter retreat this evening so I really didn't want to go it alone with both girls this weekend. We are really excited for her to get here!!! Maybe I'll actually remember to take some pictures and post them.

Heavy Hearts

I wasn't going to write about this but I can't get it out of my head. As I write this, Shawn is attending the funeral of a man from our congregation. His name was Jeff and about 3 months or less ago, he was diagnosed with cancer. I don't remember the specific kind, but I believe it was lymphoma. He has been in the hospital nonstop since the day he went in for internal bleeding. Anyway, he was in his 40's with a wife and 2 daughters, one that is about 19 and one that is about 21. He died New Year's Day I believe and it's just hard to even grasp what they are going through. Not only was it a bad cancer and aggressive, but within 3 months of finding out he had it, he's gone. I'm sorry if this is sad for you, but I know that many of you read this and are prayful people. Please tonight, when you're dozing off, remember the Wallace family and pray that they find some sort of comfort in all of this. And also say a little prayer of thanksgiving for your health and your families health.

Ava rolled over last year!