A big heart....

Today, when dropping Avery off at school (day care) she received one of the nicest compliments from one of her teachers.  For the holidays, her day care was collecting canned foods and coats for the needy.  We brought in a few cans of food and Avery, very carefully and delicately, began placing them in the big box that was used for collecting all the food.  One of the teachers looked over and saw the pride and love that Avery had as she placed the cans inside.  This teacher stated: "For someone so small, Avery has one of the biggest hearts I know". 

That made me smile.....and feel very blessed.  Avery has a loving, caring, and giving heart.  I pray that her heart never gets hardened by circumstances or situations that happen in life.  She does have a big heart!!!

Off to the North Pole

On Sunday, April, Avery and I made a day trip to Chattanooga.  While there we visited Rock City (which Avery declared was "COOL") and took a train ride to the North Pole.

The North Pole, you ask?  Why yes!  We boarded our train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Authority and despite a short ride, we certainly ended up at the North Pole.  While there Santa boarded our train car first.  Avery was like a deer in headlights.  She was a bit shocked that Santa came right on board and sat down with her.  "W", Avery's Magic Elf, went along with us, so Avery had to show Santa that she was taking good care of him. 

This was such an enjoyable trip for all of us.  Hopefully, this will be a memory that Avery holds special. 

Waiting....

During children's church last Sunday the topic was on Advent.  Aleesa, one of our ministers and a close friend, was leading the lesson and asked the question, "What are we waiting for?".  I'm sure Aleesa intended for the children to respond by saying "We are waiting for Christmas" or even "We are waiting for Santa".  Avery promptly raises her hand and responds "We are waiting for church to be over!!" 

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day...

Today the weather was very rainy and dreary.  In fact, it was one of those "stay in my pajamas and watch lifetime movies" kind of day.  However, when I dropped Avery off to school I realized that although it was a yucky day weather-wise I had more sunshine standing beside me than most people see in their lifetime.

I am blessed!!!

Picture

We went to Christmas Village and we got Avery's picture made by this really sweet Lady, Mary! Here it is!

Happy Trick or Treat!!

Last night we had a fun evening Trick or Treating.  Avery's Nana and Poppa drove down from Decatur.  Their reasoning was that "Avery is almost five and we have never seen her on Halloween".
We enjoyed their company!!

This year Avery finally understood the "Trick or Treating" concept.  She had a ball running from house to house.  She kept cracking me up by knocking on the door and saying "Happy Trick or Treat". 
I will post more pictures soon!! 

Here's more photos:

  

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Over the weekend we had fun at the Pumpkin Patch.  Later we spent the afternoon carving our pumpkins.  Here's the evidence:

Does he just push a button?

The other day Avery and I were talking about how God was all around us.  I mentioned that I knew that God was with me because I could feel Him when the wind was blowing and could see him as the trees were swaying in the wind.  She questioned if God made the wind.  "He sure does, honey.  God makes everything" was my response.  She wondered out loud, "Hmmm...I wonder how he makes the wind?"  Not sure how to explain this one, I simply replied "I'm not sure".  Without skipping a beat, she proudly stated "I bet he pushes a button".  I couldn't contest that answer....maybe he does. 

"Did he get bit by a shark"

Last night we were watching Dancing with the Stars.  Avery has fallen in love with this show and enjoys dancing while the competitors are also dancing.  Last night she saw the dancer that was the injured Army veteran (I think his name is JR) and asked many questions.
"How did his face get like that?"-- He got hurt while serving in the Army.
"What is the Army?" -- It's a group of people that protect us and keep us safe.
"How do they keep us safe?"  -- They work all over the world and make sure that our world is safe.
"Why?" -- They just do honey!
"But how did that man get hurt?"  -- I think his Army car caught on fire.
"Why is he in the Army?"  -- Because he wanted to protect us.
"How does he protect us?"-- Hey Avery, you know that Pop (April's dad) is in the Army.
"He is?" -- Oh, yeah, he is and he worked all the on the other side of the world.
"Did he keep us safe?" -- You bet he did!
"Where was his Army?" -- He worked in another country.
"How did he get there?" -- The country was on the other side of the world-- all the way across the ocean.
"DID HE GET BIT BY A SHARK?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

And that was the end of the conversation......

Hmmm...

This week has been pretty boring.  Avery hasn't said or done anything real crazy or outlandish.  She is a happy kid, though.  She beams with joy.  While I know her days ahead will never be 100% sunny, I always hope that she will be able to see the bright side in any situation. 

Right now we are trying to get her to decide on a Halloween costume.  Everyday she names something different.  Right now her top choices seem to be: 

• shark (with sharp teeth and tennis shoes)
• gray whale
• Princess Tiana
• Police officer
• hair dresser

Choosing a Halloween costume is obviously no easy feat.

What do YOU think she should be for Halloween?  Leave a reply and tell us what you think!!

I feel Him

This evening we had to make a trip to Publix.  Avery, for once in her life, was behaving exceptionally well.  We were almost finished with our shopping and was on the yogurt/milk/cheese aisle when I went ahead of April and Avery.  I couldn't hear what Avery said, but I overheard April say "Avery, you should tell that to your mother".  Typically when I hear April telling Avery that she needs to tell me something, I don't know to prepare to cringe or laugh.  You never know what she's going to say, and I knew it must have been really good or really bad if April wanted Avery to repeat it. 

As I walk over I see April and Avery both smiling and I became very intrigued as to what Avery was about to say.  I looked down at her and she tells me "Momma, at night when I go to sleep I feel God in my heart".  Wow.....I really wasn't sure at all how to even respond. I leaned down and gave her a big kiss and told her that hearing that made me very happy and proud. 

Shortly, Avery and I headed to the cookie counter to get her a cookie (she earned it because she was very well behaved) while April went on to get in line to check-out.  As we were walking, I asked her if she only felt God in her heart at night or if she feels Him in her heart all the time.  She told me that she feels him all the time.  Next I asked her "Avery what exactly does God feel like when He is in your heart?"  Without skipping a beat, she replied "Well, it means that He loves me". 

Sometimes the simplicity of a child's perspective can make everything come into focus.  I know that today God was working through Avery to show both April and I of his unwavering love.  God used Avery as his messenger to let us see that perhaps we need to become more focused on Him.  Avery FELT God...I know that God is with me, but maybe I haven't taken the time to FEEL Him lately.  Thanks to God and Avery for opening my eyes and my heart tonight.   

More than a pretty face...

This morning Avery and I were able to go to one of our favorite restaurants before school.  Seriously, nothing beats a chocolate chip waffle from Waffle House. They also have pretty decent coffee. Avery and I both love mornings that we get to spend at Waffle House.  The folks that work there know her by name and automatically know what she plans on ordering.  This morning, however, we arrived at Waffle House at 6:30 am, which was before our usual cooks and servers arrive to begin their shift. 

One waitress went on and on telling us how she thought Avery was a beautiful girl. Avery hears this often and unfortunately she doesn't always respond appropriately.  This particular lady went and got another waitress so she could see Avery.  There they both stood just calling Avery pretty.  Sometimes these moments are awkward for me and I can tell Avery gets tired of this....I mean come on, she really is more than a pretty face.

However, this morning I couldn't help but laugh.  While both women were going on and on talking about Avery's looks, the first waitress turned to me and asked "She is your daughter isn't she?".  "Yes, she is" I responded.  The waitress replied, "Yep, I could tell....she looks just like you!!"

So does that make me pretty?  Am I that beautiful?  It must be so.....

Until next time!
Ginger

Avery's top 5 Songs

I asked Avery what her favorite 5 songs are and here is her list.

1. Standing on the Promises
2. Blessed Assurance
3. Tik Tok by Kisha
4. I gotta a Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
5. "Washed in the lamb" which is really titled Are you washed in the blood

Luckily she likes all different types of music.

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How do you get to Heaven?

Avery asked as we were driving down the road. Then she asked can you take an airplane? No baby you can't take an airplane, I responded. Well then how do you get there, she asked? Well God takes you there. How. She responded. Well the wind takes you there after you die. Well is our house there? No Avery, God has a big house for us and it is super cool. Well if our house is not there then I don't won't to go to heaven. Avery, heaven is a great beautiful place and you do want to go there. You have a long time to worry about all this. Well, I am not ready yet, she said.

Me either I replied.

Happy Wednesday.

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Translations

Think of this as a dictionary. I will help you out and give you the translations :)

Egg and a Hat = Japanese steak house where they cook in front of you
Chick A Lay = Chick Fil A
This day after today = Tomorrow
Punch Fly = Punch Bug
Blanket is Broken = Can I sleep with you?
Makeovers = Left overs
This day = today
You are not an attorney = We are still not sure about this one!
Hannah on Tannah = Hannah Montana
Green store = Walmart Neighborhood Grocery Store
Blue Store = Walmart Super center


These are just a few that I could think of quickly. Luckily we managed to go to dinner last night and not have any deep conversations. :)

Thanks for reading!

Late entry-- parakeet = Pedicure       Thank you CC!

Well what can I say...

I am new to this blogging thing but I felt like I had to share with others about my daughter. Let me start with some background info...

Avery McKay is our adopted 4 year old that has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.  She was a closed domestic adoption and has been with us since she was 3 days old.

She says things to us that I sometimes cannot believe.

Right now she is in a death/ dying mode and most of her questions are stemming from that. Here is one of the conversations that we had a few weeks ago :

Avery: Does grass grow over Daddy T? (her grandfather that just passed)
Me: Yes
Avery: Does someone mow it?
Me: Yes
Avery: Doesn't that hurt him?
Me: No baby he is dead and does not feel it.
Avery: How does he not feel it? Did he not get buried?
Me: Yes he did but his soul in heaven it is just his shell that is buried.
Avery: What is a soul?
Me: (having to stop the car and pray for a good response) Well you know the feeling when you are scared that is in your body, or the feeling that you get when you are really happy, or the feeling that you get when you are sad?
Avery: Yes
Me: That is our soul. It is what is in your body that helps you to have feelings.
Avery: Do you think that Mille (the dog) is still in her kennel?

I only wish this conversation never came up again--but it did! More to come later on that.

What 4 year old thinks that deeply?