What a Storm

On Monday evening, Knoxville had another storm. The wind was strong and the rain was hard. We were not home. We had been at Papaw and Nana's for dinner (which was delicious). We waited for the storm to end before going home. Then the power went out. We could not get in our house because the only way to get in was with the garage door opener - which did not work without power - and/or a key I had left hanging on the refrigerator. So, needless, to say, we had a sleepover at Nana and Papaws.

Also on Monday, we spent the afternoon after school at the pool. We are spending as much time in the pool before it gets too cool.
Jody is working in Dallas, Texas this week. We miss him.
We have a busy week planned. I will update through the week.

Exhausted Birthday Girl

I think this picture of Aubrey tells how she feels about her birthday weekend!! I could not resist taking this picture when I saw her sleeping on the couch. I think it tells what a great birthday weekend she had!!

From Aubrey

More Birthday Fun for Aubrey

Today we continued the celebration by going to lunch at Wasabi's after church. Wasabi's is one of Aubrey's ( and all of ours ) favorite places to eat. She had a good lunch. The people at Wasabi's sung Happy Birthday to her and played the birthday drum for her. She enjoyed this except for having to wear the chef's hat that Wasabi's wants the birthday person to wear (it did not really go with her outfit!!).

What a Fun Day!!

On Aubrey's birthday, we spent the day at Splash Country. We had a great time. The weather was not too good when we got there - it was cloudy and sprinkling, but it cleared up and was great by mid morning. It ended up being sunny and beautiful. There were not many people at Splash Country so the lines were down for all the rides. Taylor and Aubrey had friends go with them. The girls also wanted Nana and Papaw to go with them. Thanks Nana and Papaw for spending the day with Aubrey on her birthday. She had a great time because you all were there with her.

Last night we had a party for Aubrey at our house. Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating the night with Aubrey.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBREY!!

Happy Birthday Aubrey

Well, my baby turns 9 today....

It is hard to believe that 9 years ago today, Aubrey was born. She was born 8 weeks early. She weighed 4 pounds 6 ounces when she was born. She was so tiny and so frail. Yet she was beautiful and she was a fighter. She had some rough days in the beginning of her life because she was so small and born so early. Yet, she was strong. She began to grow and get stronger and she has been healthy since her birth. We thank God each day for her health and her life.

I was looking at some pictures the other day and thinking of the day she was born and I simply can't believe we are 9 years into this journey with her...

Let me share 9 things about Aubrey that I love...

1)She has spirit. All that know her have no doubt about this.
2)She has passion. When there is something she wants, she will strive with everything in her to get it.
3)She has a sweet and caring heart.
4)She observes and listens to all going on around her.
5)She has a sweet laugh.
6)She loves to dance and sing.
7)She loves her family.
8)She loves clothes and fashion.
9)She is becoming who God has created her to be.

This is the Bible verse I claim for her...

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


Over the next 9 years, she will move from girl to woman and begin to peruse God's plan in HER life.... I KNOW she has amazing gifts to share with the world....I only pray that I help her discover those gifts.

Happy Birthday baby girl...
You are so loved!!

Dancing at the Sevier County Fair

On Thursday, Ashley's Dance Academy danced at the Sevier County Fair. All the groups did a great job and had a good time. Here are some pictures of Taylor and Aubrey dancing with their groups.


Thanks for going with me mom (Nana) to watch and cheer on the girls!!

I am back!!!

I am feeling much better and I am so glad. I feel normal again, except that I do not want to eat, which may be a "new normal" for me. I have always enjoyed eating and could always eat a good meal or enjoy a good snack. I still get nauseated when I eat and I do not want to eat more than a couple of bites. But that is an improvement. I had a test last Friday. I hope this is the worst test that I will have to do ever. The stuff I had to drink so they could X-Ray parts of my body was disgusting. I feel sorry for everyone that was near UT Radiology last Friday. I was a horrible patient. I do not ever want to go through that again. I have 2 scopes this Friday. I am hoping they are not as bad.

Thank you to everyone who has called to check me and the family, for the cards, for the visits, for the transportation for Taylor and Aubrey, and especially for the prayers. I especially want to thank my Mom, Dad, and sister who basically had to care for me and the girls the first week I was sick. Jody was out of town because of work and I was too sick to take care of myself - let along my children. My mom would cook for us, take me to appointments, get my medicine, make sure I took my medicine, transportation to dance classes, cheer practice, and many other things.... She would let me sleep all day while caring for Taylor and Aubrey and doing everything I should have been doing. She would let me sleep on the couch while she cooked supper and made sure my girls were taken care of. Thanks Mom, you are the greatest. I am sorry that I have worried you and Dad so much in the last few weeks but I do appreciate ALL you both do to take care of me and my family. You all are the best!!

Thanks to Jody to. He missed the first week of me being sick because he was out of town for work. He would call and want to know how I was feeling but unless he talked to someone besides me, he did not get much information. I would be to medicated, sick, or asleep to talk much. So, he was away and not really knowing much about how things were going on at home. I am sure this was hard for him. However, last week he was home. He had planned on taking a few days of vacation last week because we had planned on going camping. However, those plans changed. So, he got to stay home and take care of things at home. You did a good job Jody. Thanks for all your help!

We have lots planned this week. I will keep you posted on our happenings for the week.