My Wish

All right I now that this may be a little over the top but their is a popular song out right now by Rascal Flats called My Wish and I love it. It is so right on the money for the way we want things to work out in life for our children, friends, family and even ourselves. As today is Ava's birthday I wanted to share the lyrics because they express all most perfectly what My Wish is for her!

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if your faced with a choice and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
And if its cold outside show the world the warmth of you smile

(chorus)
But more than anything, more than anything,
my wish for you is that this life becomes all the you want it to,
that your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, that you never
need to carry more than you can hold, and while your out there getting where your getting to, I hope you know that somebody loves you, and wants the same things to,
yeah this, is my wish

I hope you never look back, but you never look back,
all the ones who love you, and the place you left,
I hope you all ways forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
oh, you finds Gods grace in every mistake,
and you always give more than you take

(chorus)

I know this might be a little silly, but for some reason this song seems to move me, I really love!

Ava

Here are a few of my favorite pictures that I just got taken of Ava. They definitely show her cute personality!

What's New?

It seems likes Ava's birthday is kinda how I gauge time in my life. Since she is turning two next week and we celebrated her birthday this past week, I have been reflecting on how my life has changed over the past year and even over the past two years. Here are a few changes:

Change in the last year
1. My JOB! Whether this is good or bad at this point I can't really say today. There have been so many pluses to my new job, but it has been really stressful for me lately. I have been working between 55-60 hours a week, and it is wearing on Ava and I. The good news is I will probably be hiring a few people this week. Yeah!

2. My hair. It is longer and darker! Actually it is the longest it has been since I was 12.

3. I have gained 25 pounds. AHHHHH, what happened?

4. Ava, she is blossoming by the second! I can't believe how much a kid changes in just one year. It is amazing. There are days when I wish she was this little cuddly new born again, but I do love the person she is becoming. She has the funnest personality! She keeps me on my toes, and I don't know how I was ever even a little bit happy with out her.

Changes in the last two years

1. My area code. Ava was born in Cali and we now live in good old Utah. Definitely a good change. I have been so happy since making this change. I LOVE living near family!

2. I am now active in the church, and I am the Mai Maid advisor. What? Can you imagine me trying to teach 14 and 15 year olds. This seriously scares the crap out of me. Definitely very humbling.

3. The change from being a single 20 something to a being a single mother. Talk about identity crisis. But I have recovered and I am actually learning who I really am. Its weird how that happens. You lose yourself in someone else to find out who you are. Sounds backwards but it is how it really happens.

4. The strengthening of family ties. I think that I have reconnected with members of my family. Katie and I have become closer than ever. I don't know that I could have made it through the last two years without her. She has definitely been one of my biggest supporters and examples through all of these changes. Thanks Katie!

Happy Birthday, Early!

Ava's second birthday is next friday on the 17th, but she will be celebrating at her Dad's this year, so we are celebrating together today. I can't believe that it has been two years all ready!!! Time sure does fly by. Ava was born on a Wednesday morning after 22 hours of labor. I have never seen a baby with such a cone head, but she was still beautiful. I remember when the nurse brought her in later that morning after I had gotten some rest being timid to unwrap her, and then when I finally did I saw these beautiful little dainty fingers. She has the pretties long fingers! I fell in love with instantly. I think that the only love that is at first sight is between parents and their children. She was a great baby and is turning out to be a good toddler too! She is really into coloring, having her finger and toenails painted, books, her babies, necklaces and bracelets, and putting on lipstick. I could have never imagined that she would make my life so wonderful. I am so lucky to have her and I thank the heavens for her everyday!

A cute picture

Most of you have probably all ready seen this picture of Ava on Katie's blog, but it was just too cute to not post on my own blog. I swear that Ava just seems to get cuter and cuter with every passing day. She is starting to talk a ton! I can't believe some of the concepts that she is starting to grasp. Carly said that when she said "Mommy work, later". It makes me feel better to know that she knows where I am during the day and that I will be home later. She wasn't very cooperative during her picture shoot, but I think we got a few cute ones.!