Basically Brooks

Since we've been home together for two weeks, I thought it'd be really fun to update everyone on what some of Ava's new top sayings are. They are random. They make no sense. But they always make us laugh! 1. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. 2. Actually.... (most of the time it end with "that's mine") 3. I'm not mad. She must be the funniest child on earth. These past two weeks have been such a blessing. We have had countless hours of family time and I wouldn't have had it any other way! Even though I have the best job ever, I'm kinda wishing we could have just a little bit more time off together! (Christmas Break is just a sneak peek of summer break!)

Today is an exciting day for us! It was the first day we didn't have to wake up to our alarm clock. It started out with Ava waking up a little to early for a Saturday, so we all climbed into our HUGE full sized bed and slept for almost two more hours. Ava woke up and she and I spent several minutes talking and laughing and whispering "secrets" like "wake Daddy up." We giggled and laughed so much and the whole time we were just being silly and lazy, I couldn't stop thinking of how blessed we are. I hate when I realize how many things I take for granted. I am so so so excited about having the next two weeks off together as a family. I think the #1 best thing about being a teacher and being married to a teacher is our breaks off together. We LOVE doing everything together! I am so fortunate to be married to someone I can't stand to be without! Our plans for Christmas Break include finishing up our Christmas shopping and wrapping, taking naps every ...

I've been caring for my sweet, sick baby today. Even though I've been thrown up all over multiple times today, I just can't help but reflect on my sweet child. Therefore, I have come up with a list of things I love about Ava. (This post will have to be continued over several posts because it's crazy how wonderful she is. These are just some things I've been thinking of since about 3 o'clock this morning. I love how she..... 1. falls asleep each night. (Talking and singing like crazy, covering me up with her blanket, a letting her feet plop down hard on the bed, over and over.) 2. dances. (It's a little provocative, but totally cute.) 3. calls suckers "popasicles". 4. talks about the people she loves when we are laying in bed. 5. says yes...which for the longest time came out as "nes," and now has developed into "nest." 6. tells me and Kyle not to look at her when she is about to do something wrong. 7. sings a song an...

Wow! It still feels insane to say that our little girl is two years old now! We just can't believe how fast the past two years have flown by! We have cherished every moment with her and truly enjoy parenthood. It is a beautiful gift from God. I've been terrible about updating things lately, and have literally been meaning to do a birthday post for about 3 weeks now. Better late than never though! Ava's birthday was on a beautiful Saturday and we had her party at our house in the back yard. Lots of family and friends came out to celebrate. I'll just let the pictures do the rest of the story telling! The spread. Mmmmm.... Tastefully Simple Beer Bread (made with Sprite), veggie tray, apples with caramel dip, chips, cheese, olives, crackers, meatballs four types of dips.....I could eat like this every day! (And then I'd be on the Biggest Loser). The gift table. Enough said. The beautiful birthday girl. Let's get this party started. It's time to get...

We have had a new addition to our little home. His name is Whitman Nash Brooks and he is the sweetest dog I have ever been around. Let me tell you the story about this sweet little dog and how he became a part of the Brooks family. For Fall Break, and to celebrate my sister's birthday, we went on a little trip to Nashville. Our main purpose was to 1) eat at Chipotle and 2) take Ava to the Nashville Science Center. For some reason, I woke up way early on Saturday and went ahead and got ready, got everyone else to get up and get ready, and we headed to breakfast and then the Science Center. It opened at ten and we got there at nine. A few minutes after we parked, a huge truck and trailer pulled in, and the trailer had a dog on it and said Nashville Humane Society, Mobile Unit. I got out and asked if there were really dogs in there and if I could take a look around. I went in and there were three wild puppies and one little white dog, named Whitman, that looked at me pleadingl...

The lyrics to this song are simply beautiful. We are sitting on the couch, playing with Ava, and spending some quality time together and Kyle has this song playing and it just makes me want to cry....so beautiful. I promise my posts aren't just going to be song lyrics from now on, but I wanted to share this sweet song! Its always been a mystery to me, How two hearts can come together, And love can last forever. But now that I have found you I believe, That a miracle has come when God sends the perfect one. So gone are all my questions about why, And I've never been so sure of anything in my life Oh I wonder what God was thinking,when he created you. I wonder if He knew everything I would need, Because he made all my dreams come true. When God made you, He must have been thinking about me. I promise that wherever you may go, wherever life may lead you, With all my heart I'll be there too. And from this moment on I want you to know, I'll let nothing come between us, and ...

I have always loved this song. It is just simply beautiful. I was listening to this song, by Ginny Owens, this morning and I really listened to the words, and the song became so meaningful to me. We have gone through a lot in the past few months, and I know that the Lord has a lot more in store for us. Things are always changing and always will, but the one thing that will remain the same is God's love for us. We have to trust that He has a perfect plan for us, and that everything we are enduring, or everything we will endure is for His perfect plan. While it seems bad now, in the end, it works out for the best. I never in my life thought that the mess we were in a few months ago would turn out so perfect. We are so happy, and to God be the glory! Take a moment to read these beautiful lyrics and listen to the song on YouTube. I hope that it touches your heart as much as it has touched mine! The pathway is broken And The signs are unclear And I don't know the reason why Y...