Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas 2009

The pictures are all out of order because I'm annoyed the Colts just threw away a perfect season and I'm pouting. lol

I was a bad Mommy and didn't take pictures of every gift - they had too many and the video camera was on so ....yeah - I was lazy. lol

Descriptions Under Pictures:

What? We gave Mommy a decent annual pajama photo after only 10 pictures and no one cried?

Too cute for words!

Kris and I at the movies on Christmas Eve. We took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.

I had wrapped box, in wrapped box, in wrapped box over and over for their final presents (Bella a iPod Touch and Ava a new bike. Here they are working on Isabella's gift.

She thought she had went to all that trouble for a pair of shoes! lol

Finally!

Ava on her bike. I wrapped the little bag that goes on front and the water bottle and then had the bike hid in my trunk for about 3 weeks.

Ava working on her last present.

Activity Center

Voice operated password journal.

Ava with her Dora twin brother and sister.

Isabella with Wizards of Waverly Place Hair stuff.

Ava with her Barbie bath.

Ava HATES and hates is putting it mildly for anyone to brush her hair so I thought this might encourage her to not fight it so much. Tinker Belle hair cair.

Wizards of Waverly Place magic spell wand.

Littlest Pet Shop

Ava with a new petshop. We only have about 200 already....

The girls checking out their gift from Santa - 2 short haired hamsters. Yes, I have lost my mind. They named them Ferb (Isabella) and Chumpy (Ava - that is her nickname Isabella gave her as a baby).

Ohhh, clothes - yeah! lol But, Isabella is always giving me the peace sign when I take her picture.


Ava playing dress up at our friends house on Christmas day.
The girls had a great Christmas this year and got way too much stuff as usual but I did good and bought them stuff they would *hopefully* play with vs just buying stuff to open.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Slacker

I will post pictures of Christmas - I've had bronchitis and pneumonia for a week now and still feel yucky. I have a good excuse this time...not just laziness.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Funeral

Ava and I are heading down south to Mitchell to be with my BFF whose Grandmother died unexpectedly on Saturday. My heart breaks for Stephaney. Her Grandmother was like a mother to her and Steph adored her and her Grandma taught her so much. Please pray for their family during this time.

Steve will remain home with Isabella and get her off to school Monday and be home with her all Monday night. Tuesday he doesn't work until late morning so he'll be able to get her ready on on the bus. I don't know the arrangements for visitation or the funeral yet so I'm not sure if I'll be home in time to take Bella to piano this week or we just miss or I ask someone else to fill in taking/picking her up. My head can't think that far ahead yet. Will know more today.

I have to come back Tuesday late afternoon/ early evening because Isabella has a music program and art show at school at 7:00 pm..

My mind is mush....but all will be ok. This will be the first time in almost 8 years of Isabella's life Steve has had complete responsibility for her. He's never had either kid for 24 hours alone. Too bad its not Ava he's stuck with. I'd like for him to enjoy some of my crazy. lol

Friday, December 11, 2009

I stand corrected

We were present at a "dairy farm" not a milk farm.

I can't help I'm a city girl......hahahhahha

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Farm

I'm a city girl these days - have been for about 20 years. Grew up in small, rural town - no stop lights when I was even growing up. I'm use to the convenience of having several choices in grocery stores within a couple miles of my house. I'm use to not having to go to WalMart (I despise the place), I like having 2 different Targets I get to chose to frequent, I like I'm 15 minutes from 3 major malls. But....I love driving out to a small little town my mom grew up in (can't even get ATT cell service there). I love bringing my girls from the fast paced life we lead here with the hustle and bustle of being on the go with church, the gym, friends, music lessons, school - the list goes on and on.

We use to only visit this side of the family twice a year. Every Memorial Day we'd go to visit and then we'd all meet in Knoxville at one of my aunt and uncles. For years after I graduated high school I didn't go. I was too cool for all that mess. No cable TV, no internet, playing corn hole outside - the list goes on and on. I'm so thankful - I *am* cool enough to appreciate family now.

In April we found out my Uncle - the pillar of our family - was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. He is a good, God fearing man. A great leader, loyal to his family, friends, faithful husband, great uncle. Just the best guy around. This diagnosis shook the family the pieces. We couldn't stop thinking about it. We decided to start getting together once a month to visit. The entire family (aunts and uncles) meet once a month and eat and play cards for about 48 hours. Its the best time - seriously.

I love my aunts to pieces - during my struggle with all my miscarriages - my aunts embraced me, wrapped their arms around me, studied scripture with me and helped me understand what was going on. Had I been still too cool for them - I would have missed out on it.

I'm sure Steve has a hard time believing that when I visit in Lawshe - I love serving the men of my family. Lightening would strike me immediately if I ever served Steve a meal poor guy. Sorry Steve!!!

So, on our most recent visit (the day after Thanksgiving while all you other nuts were up at the crack of dawn getting those fabulous deals) - the girls and I were with family. We met up with my aunts and uncles and had dinner then went to a farm. A real farm. I guess its a cow farm or a milk farm. I don't know proper terms. The cows could sense I wasn't a big fan of theirs and they snorted and snotted to let me know they got my vibe. After watching them get milked we went into the barn next door and got to see some baby calfs.

Now, I could have done without this part because my hair sucked in and sealed the smell of all the cow poop in the barn. No one else got to experience this part - but me. I took one for the team that night!!!

So, here are pictures of my fearless city girl Ava meeting some new friends.










Sunday, December 6, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

Annual torture of taking picture on Thanksgiving morning. ---no making fun of Ava's outfit - she's a high fashion girl.
This was what Ava ate the entire meal - almost 2 1/2 hours at Maggiano's some of the best food around and she ate bread - the entire meal. She didn't complain so I can't complain I guess.

Family photos..




Next post will be of our trip over to Lawshe, Ohio visiting my uncle.



Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Who Knew?

Who knew you could have almost daily/weekly struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome 11 years after an attack and how it can change you.

I went back to my Psych Nurse Practictioner and she got out her little handy dandy notebook and read word for word to me. I was glad to have an answer for how I was feeling but down right pissed off no one bothered to address it before. Some of the comments were isolation - I stay isolated or like to stay isolated. Unwillingness to accept love - that one took a long time to break through with but I still have the comments I make of feeling i'm not worthy of the love from the people around me. She said that even when Steve works nights it triggers it. Nice - huh? Being married to a chef who works nights - but Im on the right med so I should be gold to go.

End of story - she tweaked meds just a bit. Will start weaning in 6 months after the holidays of a med that my family Dr. put me on that probably isn't doing anything but she's pleased with how things are going!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Open Book

Anyone who knows me knows I am an open book. I don't hide or censor my feelings or thoughts (even though there are times I should) and I pretty much lay it all out there about whats going on with me.

I saw a Psychiatric Nurse Practioner about 2 1/2 weeks ago and when I say my life has done an 180 - I really mean it. There are many reasons for why I went, many reasons for why I waited so long to go.

Growing up, I never struggled with depression. Never really struggled with anxiety - yeah, I would get nervous when I had a test in school but nothing life debilatating. I had both girls and never experienced post partum depression. Anxiety kicked up a notch after being a mom but that was to be expected, especially with my type A personality.

During my pregnancy with Ava I had severe back pain. After I delivered her it only got worse. I spent a good year working with Dr's trying anything and everything - trigger point pain injections, steriod epidurals, accupunture, pain patches, pain meds, exercise, traction, tens unit - the list goes on and on. During this time my pain management doctor told me I had "Little Miss Perfect Syndrome" and I should possibly consider going on some medicine to help me cope. It took me about 6 months before I was willing to give it a try.

I was depressed dealing with the back issues for over 3 years but I wasn't really what I considered depressed - I was more "frustrated". My anxiety level dealing with 2 small kids 24/7 thrown on top of my Little Miss Perfect Syndrome sent my anxiety into a tailspin.

Moved to Indianapolis and Dr's still kept treating my symptoms as me being depressed. Now, I was getting depressed after hearing them tell me I was depressed. I would see the drug commercials with the check off boxes to see if you were depressed and I would only answer yes to about a 1/10th of them. But - hey, they are the Dr's - they say I'm depressed - I must be depressed. No one was addressing my anxiety.

A few months ago - in an Oprah kinda light bulb moment - I realized I wasn't really living. I was barely surviving. I was getting up each morning doing just what I had to do to "survive". I actually dreaded going to bed at night because I knew I had to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. I found no joy in anything I did and I was overwhelmed so easily. I felt so sorry for Steve and my girls that they had to live with someone like this. I know I couldn't have been a fun person. I remember driving home from the library one night and told Steve I think I should go and see a Psychiatrist because I was getting tired of our family Dr. just throwing new meds that some rep was probably giving him a trip to win if he prescribed x amount of prescriptions. I had a med for depression, a med for anxiety, a med to help me sleep - the list could go on and on - and guess what - my life still sucked!

I have shed many tears with dear girlfriends discussing my struggle. I have the absolute perfect life. I have a faithful, loyal husband. I have 2 beautiful, smart, funny healthy girls. I live in a gorgeous house, I drive a great car, I am able to be a stay at home mom - forever. Heck, I don't even have to cook most nights. But - I still hated my life. I knew I needed help.

So, I humbled myself and called a "stress center" and made an appointment with a Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practioner with lots of initials behind her name. lol She spent 2 1/2 hours discussing different scenarios with me and seeing how I responded, she asked me countless questions and she LISTENED. She was so frustrated with my family Dr. for not picking up on my signs and following what she felt was the typical "oh she's a young mom and is depressed" scenario. After talking with her she told me that my problem was my anxiety and it was ruling and controlling my life. I was controlling and handling it with excessive - obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Plus, the anxiety was so overwhelming to me I was almost paralyzed. I couldn't do hardly anything around the house without it totally stressing me out. Now, no one really enjoys cleaning toilets and dusting - but the thought that I needed and had to do it, again, sent my mind into overdrive and would keep me up for hours upon hours.

11 years ago I was brutally attacked outside my apartment complex in Raleigh. After 2 1/2 hours with this new NP she made it clear this is where it all started. It all made sense - even Steve couldn't believe we missed it. Since the attack happened I have a horrible time in crowds. I break out in cold sweats, get head aches, get dizzy - and quite frankly even a little bitchy. Any plans during the week or anything that throws a kink into my schedule of "no schedule" gets me worked up for days. She switched a lot of the meds I was taking (had me to discontinue them) - and prescribed a new med specifically for anxiety. The last 7 days - once the meds have had time to really start working - I feel like a completely different person. Steve notices it and probably appreciates it the most. Poor guy - what he had to suffer through. As he was walking out the door to the gym tonight I told him - for the first time in a long time I could actually say I felt happy.

So, bottom line in my open book post - if you are struggling - humble yourself to find the right medical professional that will listen to you and address what you are going through.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Thankful

I shouldn't have jinxed myself. A few posts back I was gloating about Isabella being thankful for such sweet, non-material things. I guess that Thankful list was just a warm up for the long essay she had to turn in that came home today. I will quote her "I am most thankful for...."

  • Jesus, God, (ok giving major props that these are the first two on her list), my two cats and candy. My mom (I'm behind candy and the cats now???), Dad, Ava and my friends. I am thankful for my turtle and fish. And acorns. (hmmm - acorns - really?) I love banana pie and blueberry bubble gum. My family and video games and Texas. (this must make her Dad majorly proud). I love dogs. And nachos. (again, another proud Dad moment). I am glad to have the sun too. I love doughnuts and smores. And Sponge Bob (Mother of the year is coming my way - I can feel it in my bones). I like Halloween. I love animals. I am thankful for fruit roll up. I am happy for bumble bees (she must have smoked some crack before this because she is deathly afraid of bees). And hot air balloons. And my birthday. I love my teacher.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nerd Alert!! Nerd Alert!!

Most parents fight constantly with their children to do their homework. Not us. Isabella is the type that does her homework on the bus during the 20 minute ride home. Thank goodness she is beautiful and popular or else this kid could be majorly isolated and made fun of! LOL

Sunday, November 8, 2009

So Much Fun!!!

Steve and I had so much fun at the Colts game today. Great seats - for free!!! And we hooked up with Dan and Kris at halftime. And - the Colts won!!! Yeah!!!

Steve, me, Dan and Kris at halftime.

My BFF Kris and I.

Steve and I - me forcing him once again to take a picture with me.


Saturday, November 7, 2009

Week in Review

It was a great week! Steve was on vacation all week and while we didn't really do anything major it was great to have him hanging here at the house. It was also a great treat for me to be able to run errands and go to the gym without Ava in tow.

Yesterday I took the girls down to my moms for the weekend. I dropped them off, ate lunch and hopped back in the car and headed home. A vendor of Steve's gave him tickets to the Colts game on Sunday - so the girls spend the weekend with Grammy and Pa and Steve and I get lots of dates. Mom and Terry are going to bring them home on Sunday.

Last night we went out and grabbed a pizza and beer then did a little shopping. I have a slight obsession with Christmas ornaments. I just can't stop buying them. A few years ago we ditched all the ball type ornaments and have a "family" christmas tree. Steve loves (I think) my memory as we pull out the ornaments each year. I can remember who gave it to us, when or why they gave it to us, where we were when we bought it, what year we bought it and so on. Each ornament on the tree has a personal meaning to us and I just love it!!

Also, each year when we get together when my moms side of the family we do an ornament exchange. The idea is to buy an ornament that represents you or that we can be reminded of the person each year when we hang it. I love having those memories each year and an ornament from some of the most important people in my life! Plus - as a family we all buy an ornament that kinda represents us this year. I collect tea cups and saucers as well as porcelin tea pots. This year I found a tea cup and saucer ornament so I got that, I got Isabella a piano since she started piano this year, Steves is a cowboy santa with a guitar and Ava's is a frog - because she is all about frogs!! I also got Isabella a turtle one to wrap and open on Christmas because she got her turtle this year. We also buy ornaments that are personalized with their names - my mom started this tradition. And one final tradition we do is buy a picture frame ornament with the year and put our family picture in it. Its fun to see how we've changed each year as a family.

Isabella brouht home a "I am Thankful" project the other day. She had to write what she was thankful for and draw a picture. She wrote " I am thankful for my Mom (yeah, I was first!!! lol), Dad, sister, my fish, my cats and turlte. And God." The picture is of all the the above - although I literally spit my coffee out when I looked at the picture closer because she drew really big boobs on my person. lol Then she drew clouds and an angel and God in the sky. Gosh, I love this kid to pieces!!! Stuff like this just warms my heart and makes me think I'm not that sucky of a parent. She gets what is important to her and didn't draw superficial things. When we were talking about the picture she said she felt bad that she wrote God last because he was the who "started it all and made us all and he should have been listed first".

She is really reading her bible and wanted to grasp and believe. I know some churches and people really push for kids to get baptized young but I think it is so important for her to make the decision on her own with full and complete understanding of the sacrifice Christ made for us. She's really close.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Halloween 2009

A little late but here are some pictures from Halloween!

Steve and I have a big weeekend - so I'll be posting pictures Sunday night or Monday for sure!




Friday, October 23, 2009

Religion and Politics - uh oh!!

This is a first for me I think. I usually keep the blog pretty main stream about my family but I've just been in such a spiritual funk lately and so frustrated, annoyed and kinda fed up with so much of it all.

So, the topic that is brewing for todays post is God and Prayer in schools and Homosexual persecution. How's that for some hot topics? lol

I guess what started the whole thought process (while sweating it out on the stairmaster today at the gym) - I was looking at Facebook and saw banners/posts about Keeping God in schools. Ten years ago I would have been plastering it all over the place and argued until I was blue in the face as to why God and prayer should be kept in schools. But, as I mature I look at it differently. What if the banners were "Keep Allah in our schools", "Keep Buddah in schools"...as Christians - we would be FURIOUS since we/I do not believe my God is the Muslim Allah or Buddah or any other God. I guess I feel like to other Christians I am such a Rebel for feeling this way and even more admitting it.

Do I believe prayer should be allowed in school? Absolutely - and it is. Children and students and teachers pray daily in school. But, do I believe in organized teacher, student led prayer? No, I don't. What if your child's teacher is Jewish and they were telling our children when they prayed in Jesus name they were not praying to our Saviour and Messiah? Would we not be outraged???

I just feel that Christians who are so passionate about these things take a step back and see it from the other side. If you feel passionately about having prayer and God in your childrens classroom and curriculum then I would suggest private christian schooling or homeschooling.

Now, onto the next topic. Why are Christians and churches so darn judgmental? Especially to Homosexuals? Why does organized religion and Christians chose to exclude and down right degrade others when they talk about it? Fighting and banning gay marriages? Why this issue? Why the passion behind this issue. Yes I am all familiar with Matthew 19:5 that says "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh". But the bible also says - "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed be kept pure for GOD will judge the adulter and all sexually immoral".

But yet - I have belonged to churches with pastors who have been divorced, elders who have been divorced, leaders in the church with known admitted affairs, pastors and leaders who were not virgins and pure when they were married (that were also christians at the time of marriage). Where is the outcry of this? I guess these are accepted "politically correct" 'sins' to commit.

Maybe I'm more passionate about it because I'm closely related to this subject because of my sister who is a homosexual. She's probably cursing me and wanting to knock me out for talking about this. lol The persecution and down right nastiness she's had to experience and endure is not fair - and this is including persecution she received from her own family - me included. Most of the persecution and abandonment is from the church and "christians".

How often does the bible speak about worry and the sin it is in our lives. But, I sure don't see churches not allowing admitted worriers to join the congregation. Or telling those who worry they will burn in hell. Christianity is a PERSONAL relationship with Christ. I don't know what anyone else's personal relationship is with God - and it doesn't involve me. I, along with anyone else, do not have a right to be so down right judgmental when it comes to those who are not like us.

God is so compassionate, loving and full of grace to us - to us who do NOT deserve it. When can we start showing the same compassion for our fellow mankind? I will end my rant with these words - spoken by Jesus himself - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22: 37-39.

Next!

Ava was the next to get the fever and cough. Life has been tiresome the last week in the Garza household.

I know we are prayed over and prayed for. Thank you all.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

On the mend

Isabella is doing quite well and I would say she has recovered. We are still going to keep her out of school an extra day. We had planned to send her back today (I think it was today I'm so confused from lack of sleep) but she spiked a fever yesterday afternoon so that ended that idea. Plus, while talking to her teacher she said that every single kid that returned to school that was diagnosed with h1n1 went home the same day they returned because fever returned. So, I would rather keep her out a day so to make sure the other kiddos in the class and school remain healthy.

This morning Ava was acting run down and sick - I took her temperature several times and it came up normal. I made them breakfast and during the course of that Ava wound up throwing up. Not a great way to start the day. After a bath she took a nap and seems to be totally fine.

Fingers crossed tomorrow is an easy day for me.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

H1N1

Isabella tested positive today for the H1N1 flu virus (swine flu). Thankfully, I was able to get her in to a local Pediatrician in the town next to where my mom lives. She was able to be started on Tamiflu within 14 hours of the first time her fever and cough hit.

She is doing pretty well - as long as I keep on schedule with the motrin, tylenol and tamiflu she remains comfortable. Otherwise if I'm even 30 minutes late on any of the meds she gets miserable pretty fast.

Isabella has asthma and the virus has been hitting kids with asthma harder than others so that is really where my concern lies. Praying for a speedy recovery for her, protection for me, Ava, Steve and also my mom and Step dad since we were staying with them when her symptoms first arrived.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Famous

This is a scanned copy of a mailer being mailed out from Maggiano's corporate offices. When Steve brought a copy of it home and showed it to us - Isabella said "I'm lucky, my Dad is famous!" lol

This is the outside page...
opens up to a picture of Steve. He looks like someone said something really funny. :)
and the bottom portion of the inside of the advertisement has the following at the bottom with a business card to peel and bring in.




Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ramblings

This blog post is going to be about tons of different topics - all over the place.

This morning as I was getting my coffee mug out of the cabinet (my favorite coffee mug by the way. A huge, huge mug Steve got for me on a business trip in Chicago) slipped out of my hands, shattered and then knocked over a large glass that was on the counter. Both shattered and the heavy pieces of ceramic from the coffee cup as well as the shattered glass fell on my foot and sliced it open. I knew immediately it had to have cut me because the pain was pretty intense. The girls of course started freaking out when they saw the blood. I kept thinking to myself all of this before a cup of coffee - probably going to be a bad day. lol Isabella kept pleading with me to sit down and put a band aid on my cut (she is a huge worry wart). I finally got the glass all cleaned up and thrown away and bandaged up my foot. I had to use 3 bandaids because the cut is so long. Its fine now as long as I don't walk on it - when I walk on it it pulls the cut apart because of the location. But, all is well now.

Then, shortly after I go to call Steve on my iPhone and it isn't working properly. The only way you can hear is if you put it on speaker phone. Also, they can't hear me unless its on speaker phone. I called and have an appointment at the Apple store for 6:40. Since its less than 30 days old the rep told me they would probably just give me a new one. I am going to be quite upset if all the new apps I bought don't transfer over. I spent $20 of applications the past couple of days. My neighbor Jenny gave me $20 in iTunes gift cards a couple weeks ago.

The girls went Halloween costume shopping last night. They didn't like what the Party City type of stores had so we ordered some they saw online that they liked. Ava is going to be a devil - how appropriate and Isabella is going to be a ninja. What the heck is a ninja?? And a girl ninja?? Oh, well - she's never been mainstream with her halloween costumes anyway. lol

Steve and our new neighbor Shane as well as Mark and Amy went in together and had all of our yards airated (I don't know how to spell that) and then Steve went and got grass seed and seeded all 3 of the yards. Hopefully its not too cold for the new grass to grow. One thing we don't ever argue about money wise is with the money spent on the yard and flowers. I love having a nice yard and nice flower beds and working each day making it look nice.

Two posts in one week - am I back to the old, long winded, almost daily posting Alisha???? We'll have to wait and see.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fabulous Family Filled Weekend

Warning - there are many, many, many pictures of me in this post. lol I was determined to get pictures of me with all of my aunts and uncles as well as take pictures of the weekend. Half of the time I bring my camera with me but feel embarassed walking around snapping pictures and even when I do that - I'm never in the pictures because I'm the one snapping. After looking at the quality of these photos it makes me really, really want a D-SLR. But, that will probably wait until the yearly managing partner bonus in June. I can wait until then.

What is kinda sad about these visits to Ohio is growing up we would visit as a family twice a year. Every Memorial Day and also at Christmas. After I moved away to North Carolina I didn't go back at Memorial Weekend or the Christmas gatherings. When I was pregnant with Ava I decided to go with my mom for the Christmas get together. Everyone meets at my Uncle Dale and Debbies house in Knoxville, Tennesse and we spend the weekend together. We eat and play cards the entire time. After that Christmas visit I decided to head back and see everyone over Memorial Day - it was even more fun than Christmas time. Since then I have went every memorial day/New Years weekend and spent the weekend with family. Then since we found out my uncle Dave has lung cancer the family has got together every month since May and will continue to do so as long as he is sick. I will take a miraculous healing and gladly give up the monthly visits if it means my uncle is around on this earth for a long and healthy life.

I love my aunts and uncles to pieces but what makes me love them all the more is how they treat my girls. They love them like their own grandchildren. They play with them, hold them, read with them, feed them, buy them things - they just are wonderful with my girls and I'm so, so thankful I've made the effort the past 5 years to spend time with them again and really get to know them better.

Ok, enough sap - onto the pictures. Descriptions under the pictures...

Isabella and Max. We stay at my moms best friends house when we visit. She has a beautiful golden retriever named Max. He is the sweetest dog around and my girls adore him. He slept with Isabella every night. Head on her chest all night long.

Here is Max cuddling up with Ava. He is such a loveable dog.

Isabella and Mommy

C.J. (my cousins son), Tonja (my cousin), Delaney (my cousins daughter) and my aunt Barb.

My sweet, sweet niece Dialycia and me.

Me and my uncle Eddie. If you have ever watched the movie Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase and you remember the Eddie in the movie - well, my uncle Eddie resembles him quite a bit. He is the ultimate dumpster diver, yard sale shopper and auction bidder around. The last two visits he has brought my girls toys and gifts. They are quickly learning Eddie is one of their favorite people. lol Eddie wants to go on the Amazing Race with me. I'm kinda scared of that scenario - I think his patience with me would run thin - but it would be an adventure I am sure.

My mom and I.

My uncle Dale and Ava. When I was a little girl - I think around 18 months old I would stand in my uncles hand and he would walk around holding me up with me standing in his hands. I snapped a quick picture of Ava doing it. I want to scan the picture of me and post these pictures side by side. This is a great memory seeing this picture.

Here is Eddie delivering the "goods" to Ava. You know what she was the happiest about??? This diaper bag they give away to new moms in the hospital with formula samples in them. She kept saying to everyone "I can't believe he gave me the bag too!". It was cute.

Me and my sweet girls. Ava doesn't look to excited to have her picture taken with me. :)

Self portrait of Ava and I. ( I warned you all there were tons of pictures of me in this post. lol)

My uncle Dale and Aunt Debbie.

It was my Uncle Dave's birthday and Ava was right by his side the entire time. I love this picture of the two of them.

This is my Uncle Merlin (my moms fraternal twin brother) and my aunt Mary.

Dave and Barb and I. This shirt is NOT flattering on me at all. lol

Playing cards Sunday before heading home.