Don't eat Gumbo!!!

Avery informed me that you shouldn't eat Gumbo.....'cause it gives you Galleria.


:-)

Cope and Hope

Last Wednesday we had the opportunity to be with Avery as she donated her birthday gifts to the Children's Hospital Cope and Hope program.  I think Avery was disappointed that she didn't get to go to the floor and see in the children.  Instead the director let Avery see the Clinic waiting room and spent time talking with her.  Avery, though, was pretty much disinterested.  The director went on and on about how kind it was for Avery to be so giving, but Avery really didn't think it was a big deal.  She was very humble about the whole situation.  She did enjoy pulling the wagon through the hospital lobby and felt like a big kid to be able to do that.  However, the whole donation process was pretty mellow.  It was almost as if Avery felt like that is just what you do....so making a big deal out of is pretty silly.

I am most proud of her.  While we did plant this idea in her head, she was the one that made it grow.  She certainly has a giving soul and it showed on this particular day.

The big number 5!!

Avery recently celebrated her 5th birthday with a fun party at Storyville Station.  She truly enjoyed the Princess Tea Party, the games downstairs, and the slide.  Mostly, it seemed to me, that she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.  This is the first year that we allowed her to invite children outside our small circle of friends.  Because of that we had an unusal make-up of people, but everything was perfect nontheless. 

One great thing about this 5th birthday was that Avery chose to donate her gifts to the Children's Hospital Hope and Cope Program.  Avery certainly did not come up with this idea on her own, but embraced the idea when it was mentioned.  We hope to raise a child that enjoys giving to others, that understands that what we have is a blessing from God, and takes pride in making others feel special.  Tomorrow is the day that we will take the toys to Children's Hospital.  She is so excited about doing this and can't even describe the enthusiasm that she feels. 

I will post pictures soon of her birthday and of time spent at Children's Hospital.

Till next time...

Just up there being DEAD!!

The other night after saying our nightly prayers, Avery tells me "We forgot to pray for Nanny".  (Nanny is Avery's great, great grandmother that recently passed away at the age of 91.)  So we stopped, prayed for Nanny, and proceeded to our nightly rituals.  Avery, however, wanted to make sure that we knew that Nanny was still in the ground "in her casket" but was confused how she was also in heaven.

  I attempted (very good I might add) at describing death in this way:  "Avery, do you remember when you had that dream about flying in an airplane?  Even though, in your dream it was like you were in that plane, truly you never left your bed.  Your brain was in the dream but your body was still right here in this bed.  Dying is sorta the same way.  Nanny's body is still in the ground, still in the casket, still covered in dirt.  But her spirit, her heart, her soul, her brain...all of those things are up in heaven with Jesus and everyone else."

While I know this analogy is a bit off base spiritually, it seemed to have made sense to her.  Her body language and facial expressions made me think that this actually got through to her.  I felt pride in myself thinking that I had finally explained it in an understandable way. I liked the way this conversation was going.

Avery stopped and asked, "What do you think Nanny is doing right now?".  Well, knowing how much my Nanny loved to cook and understanding that she was the best cook ever, I responded by saying "Oh, Avery I bet she's up in heaven cooking up some good 'ole chicken and dumplings".  "I bet she's fixing some biscuits and chocolate gravy because that's my favorite" stated April.

Avery responded by saying "Well, I think Nanny is just up there being dead".
Not knowing how to respond, we proceeded right to bed.

Maybe, just maybe, the conversation wasn't as good as I had thought.....

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!!"