28 days of 'Thanks'

I don't have the discipline or time to post everyday what I am thankful so I am wrapping 28 days into 1 blog post (these are in no particular order).

1 - Ellie and Avery for they are the true loves of my life.  Don't get me wrong they both test my patience nearly everyday I love them more than words can express.
2 - Josh - He is my best friend and the one who keeps me in check. He also has the cutest dimples that he has so graciously passed on to our girls!!!
3 - Mom - She is truly the sweetest, genuine and caring person that I have ever meet.
4 - Dad - He drives me bat shit crazy (sorry for the language), but its true.  I think it's because we are more alike than I care to admit.  He doesn't know a stranger and would do anything for anyone.  I am his little girl and well he is my daddy and I love him.
5 - Grandparents - I was fortunate to know all my grandparents and have fond memories of them all.
6 - JCCF - I love working at the Johnson County Community Foundation.  Not only did we grant over $900,000 in 2013 to deserving students and organizations I get to work with 4 amazing women.
7 - Fall - The best time of the year!  Watching Avery jump in leaves, trick or treat and ride in the combine is priceless.
8- Combine Rides/Farming - It reminds me of being a child and riding the rounds with my Dad (or Stanley).  It is also a blessing to be able to share this with our children.
9 - Paula Thomas is our cleaning lady.  She saves me from wanting to kill my husband.
10 - Discovery Daycare takes great care of my babies and has already taught Avery so much.
11 - Poop in the potty!  Yes, it is the small things in life that make my life easier.  Nothing is more sweet than Avery running out of the bathroom screaming 'Mommy I did it!' haha!
12 - Kyle - He is one of my best friends and literally is a lifesaver whenever we need anything.  He inherited my mom's big heart!
13 - Kelsey - Kyle hit the jackpot when he found Kelsey and she agreed to put up with him.  She is the BEST SIL and Aunt to my girls.
14 -   In-laws - I am very fortunate to have very caring and loving in-laws!
15 - Duck Dynasty - There are not very many shows that Josh and I both like, but Duck Dynasty is one that we can agree on.  It seems to be a true 'reality' show.
16 - My high school friends.  Each and everyone one of them I have wonderful memories with.  I will not name them all they know who they are.  When we see each other we can pick up right where we left off.  I also love watching our kiddos play together.
17 - My college education.  Not really the education part but the experience of attending PU for 4 years.  I made some great friends and have some great stories. The corner of Maple and Lutz will always have a special place in my heart!
18 - Sissy and Lola.  Yes I said my dogs.  They are always there and granted I did love them probably a lot more before I had children they are still great companions.
19 -  Uncle Steven and Aunt D - Though we don't see them as often as we would like.  They have made quite the impression on my little girl.  I can't mention 'Tucky' without Avery going on and on about Uncle Steven and Aunt D.  They live on a farm with cows and chickens and Avery is in heaven.
20 - Piggy.  Avery has a ratty old pig that she absolutely has carried with her from day 1.  She loves this piggy and there is something about him that I love too.
21 - Royer's - We have wonderful neighbors and I can't say how thankful I am they are there.  Avery loves Hadley and I hope Avery and Reese will be great friends too.
22 - A. Nicki - She is one of the funnest, nuttest and loving Aunts a girl could ask for.
23 - The Whaley's - This includes a huge group of people and the numbers continue to grow.  I have wonderful Aunts and Uncles that taught us all about Faith, Love and Family.  My cousins are truly remarkable individuals and all have beautiful families.  Can't say enough about all the wonderful memories I share with these peeps.
24 - Peanut Butter M&M's - My go to candy to satisfy my sweet tooth.
25 - My health. We all take this for granted but I can't imagine living with some the aches and pains that some live with everyday!
26 - Steph and Laura - We have been the best of friends since grade school and still are today. I can count on these two ladies for anything.
27 - Jenny - Though we didn't come friends until later in life she is truly my long lost sister.
28 - 31 years - I have had such a remarkable life filled with love and laughter.  I can't wait to see what the next 30 years has in store for me and my family.

"Mommy I pee on the potty"

I don't say enough how much I appreciate Discovery Daycare at Johnson Memorial Hospital!!! They love and care for my sweet baby everyday when I go off to work (which isn't always an easy task leaving my baby)! 

Avery is a Frog and in the Frog class they start potty training.  Every night I look at her sheet and it says "tried" in the potty section.  Now granted I have not started training at home because I am 8 months pregnant and the thought exhausts me.....anyways.  Around 11:00 today I got a call from daycare and that usually means Avery is sick or something else is wrong.  Today it was a happy little girl on the phone saying "Mommy I pee on the potty."  Her excitement and the phone call was just what the day called for!  I am so glad even though I missed her first "pee on the potty" experience that her daycare took time to realize this was exciting news and called to share it with me!

Big Girl Bed

Last night Avery officially became less of a baby and more of a little girl.  We moved her to a big girl bed and she loved the bed.  Took her a little while to fall asleep, but after she did she slept all night without getting out.  My little "baby" is growing up soo fast.  Only 5 more weeks until we welcome Ellie Nicole to our crazy home.

Jumping on her new bed!

Slept all night! Success!

Summer is Flying by....

Not sure where the month of June went.   Work, weddings, market and chasing a 2 year old will definitely keep a pregnant mommy busy.  We have scheduled the arrival of Ellie Nicole for September 9th unless she decides to come earlier.  Avery is learning more and more everyday and her vocabulary is continue to expand.  Ring Around the Rosie is one of my favorite songs to hear her sing.  Posies and Ashes don't really sound like that in her version which brings a laugh to everyone one who has had the privilege of hearing her sing it. Avery has the worst meltdowns and am hoping little Ellie will have better control of her temper.  However, her smile and blue eyes win me over every time.  I have included pictures of the fun times we have had in June/July.

Franklin Splash Pool

Aunt Kelsey & Avery Hanging out at the Pool

I am asked daily if we can "Play Water"

Shaving Cream in the Tub - Best Idea Ever!

Sidewalk Chalk & Summertime Fun

Fair Fun

Hadley and Avery Playing - Avery prefers rolling in the gravel while Hadley is making a town.

Fourth of July

31 of my favorite things of May

Today's post are my FAVORITE 31 things of May.  I am thankful for each and everyone!

1. Puddle Jumping - Avery has jumped in every puddle this month and there has been a lot.  3 changes of clothes sometimes in 1 day. 
2. Chocolate Milk - Avery's drink of choice and hearing her ask for it never gets old.
3. One More...PopSicle - Avery's favorite treat.  We had to make the limit at 2 or she would continue to ask and eat 1 more....
4. Garden Show - First Sign of Spring
5. Great Neighbors - We have wonderful neighbors and they have an adorable little girl named Hadley that Avery loves to play.  Avery stalks their house to see if she is out. 
6. Sprinklers - Another sign summer is around the corner.  Pure joy...
7. Beautiful Spring Days
8. JCCF Spring Grants - This spring we awarded over $80,000 to deserving organizations serving Johnson County.  Makes work such a joy!
9. Fishing - First trip fishing resulted in no fish, but a great memory. 
10. Windows down
11. Farmer's Market - The start of my Saturday morning routine for summer.  Love spending the 3 hours with one of my best friends.  I always am ready for it to end by Fall, but miss the time with Jenny.
12. Mother's Day - I felt truly appreciated this year.  Josh got me a beautiful necklace with mine, Avery's and the new baby's birthstone.  Avery also decorated a flower pot for me (with the help from Daddy and my wonderful sis-n-law).
13. Tractor Rides/Spring Planting - I love that we are able to still be apart of the agriculture community.  This industry has taught me so much.  I hope Avery has the same wonderful experiences we did. 
14. Garden Planting= Planting the garden is always back breaking work, but oh so worth it for fresh produce later in the summer.
15. JCCF Work Dinner - Meeting people that love Johnson County and our community as much as I do.  Makes my job easy and very rewarding. 
16. Summer Maxi's - One of the best parts of summer especially to accommodate my ever growing belly.
17. Growing Belly - Yes, I am not one that loves to be pregnant, but my growing belly is a blessing knowing that I have another special healthy gift from God inside me. 
18. Tan Lines - My husband definitely has the best tan lines! He also is adorable when he is tan!  :)
19. Dancing with my Princess - Avery loves to dance with mommy.  This consists of twirling in circles and I get really dizzy.
20. Playdates with Friends - Thankful for my long time friends and their kiddos.
21. Kyle's Birthday - I hated this guy a lot when we were growing up, but it turned out he is OK.  Now, I consider him one of my best friends.  Plus he married the sweetest girl!
22. Strawberries on the Square - Another reason why I love Franklin.
23. 2 Year Old Ponytails - The sweetest ponytail is that of a 2 year old.
24. Memorial Day - A day spent with family.  This year it was just Josh, Avery and I playing/working in the yard most of the day.
25. Piggy and Paci - I appreciate these two things because they can provide a sort of comfort to my little girl that I can't even begin to understand.  P.S. The Paci will be gone very soon!!!
26. Flowers - Wedding season begins and my front porch flower pots always puts a smile on your face.
27. Mowed Grass - The smell of fresh cut grass can change my mood in a instance.
28. Parent's Anniversary - 36 years and still counting.  So thankful for their wonderful example and love.
29. Milkshakes - My drink of choice!
30. Avery Kisses - She grabs my cheeks and plants a big kiss on my lips.  This will NEVER get old!
31.  Avery's Last day in the Monkey Class - Avery moves to the Frog class and leaves my favorite teacher Paula.  It will be a rough transition for Avery and Mommy.....

Busy, Busy, Busy

Avery is at the stage that she is always on the move!  She is chatting all the time and is stringing more and more words together everyday.  I love reading books with her.  She will pretend to read and then flips the book around and says "You See?"   I am sure this is what they do at school during reading time and I love that she is sharing it with me.  She is now able to count to 10.  We are struggling with our colors she knows all of them, but has no clue that the grass is green and the sky is blue.  We will get there....

We have been busy the last few weeks playing outside.  Waiting on the ground to dry out so we can get the crops and the garden in the ground!  I am sure I will have quite the little helper when the time does get here.



We start making them work early on the farm.  She loved pulling up the grass around Mommy's berry bushes. Let's hope the enthusiasm continues!

She loves to get dirty!  It's always straight to the mud puddles.

Mom's 4-H club visited Campbell Farms and of course we tagged along to see the "baby cows."  Avery loves all "animuls."

Josh was much better flying the kite than I was.  She kept chasing the tail and saying "I catch it." haha!

Fun at the park! 

Josh and I found out this week we are having another little girl!  We are thrilled and I think Avery will be a great big sister!  Tonight she brought in her baby before bed and rocked her to sleep and sang Rockabye Baby.  Melts my heart!

Gator, Bear, Tears and Sun

Avery turned 2 on Thursday and we couldn't have a had a better day.  We cleaned, baked and then had family over for dinner.  Avery got clothes, books and a gator her expression was priceless and watching her try to drive it was even better.  She did pretty good, but she is still so petite it is a stretch for her to hold the pedal down continuously.  I am sure she will catch on pretty quickly.

Oh the excitement of opening gifts.  I think Josh was just excited!

This was taken right before Kyle asked if she wanted him to put that on Red for her.  Kyle and Kelsey left for Vegas early the next morning.

Princess and the Frog B-day card.  When you opened the frog's lips popped out for a kiss.  Avery kissed the frog several times throughout the evening.

Pure Joy!

Let the good times roll.

Sunflower birthday cake decorated by her daddy!  Pinterest inspired....

Avery loved the polar bear.  If she only knew he wasn't such a friendly cuddly bear!

Friday we continued her birthday celebration with all her little buddies and a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo.  Avery loved seeing "Nemo", seals and the polar bear.  That was all we were able to see this trip to the zoo.  I first was disappointed when I realized my camera didn't have it's camera card in which meant that on Thursday evening it didn't have it in either.  So needless to say all the cute pictures that Kelsey had taken for me on Thursday were not there.  They had probably saved to my camera but Thursday night I took out the battery to make sure it was fully charged for our zoo trip.  Avery melted after we went through the dessert exhibit and stopped to take a drink break.  She was tired and over the zoo.  We had left that dirty elephant paci in the truck and she was all out of sorts.  Needless to say once Avery is tired so is her pleasant attitude!  There was no reasoning with her to finish touring the zoo to see the best part (elephants, tigers, giraffes, etc.).  Josh and I walked what seemed like miles out of the zoo with a screaming child!  We got back to the truck and she got her paci and passed out immediately.  I then shed a few tears of disappointment. 



Fun at the Zoo (pre-meltdown)

We waited for all her friends (that are much more well behaved) finish touring the zoo.  I had packed lunches for all 12 kiddos and 12 adults that were able to join us to celebrate Avery (grumpy).   She woke up after about a 20-30 min. power nap with a much better attitude and was able to finish the day with her friends having lunch.  Luckily, Josh's mom and grandma were up and I had a wedding so I left for a couple hours to take a much needed break from my "sweet" little Avery. 

Lunch with friends!

The rest of the weekend was beautiful so we spent most of the weekend outside playing.  We have great neighbors and we ended the weekend visiting and watching our girls play outside getting dirty for over 2 hours.  Overall, this weekend was WONDERFUL and I have the sweetest little girl and family (minus the hour meltdown at the zoo). 

The pictures I have posted are all thanks to Josh's mom.  She always has a camera and burnt me a CD before she left of what she had taken.  So thankful we were able to capture some moments of this weekend!

"Egg! I find you!"

There is nothing more precious than a child hunting eggs, clapping and entertaining the people around you in church.  We didn't make it through the sermon, but we gave it our best shot. 

Avery was not impressed with the Easter Bunny at first.  She eventually warmed up to him and before we left she was sharing toys with the "bunny" and high fiving.

First time coloring eggs.  I was completely impressed on how well she did. 

Avery had to carry as many as possible before putting them in her basket.

Best picture I have of her in her Easter dress.  As soon as I put her in the dress she started spinning and saying Princess Sophia.  Princess Sophia is one of our favorite cartoons on Disney Jr.

This wind up chicky was a much better option than the real ones Josh wanted to get at Tractor Supply.

Fun with Family!

The Whaley Clan is ready to hunt eggs.

"Egg! I find you!"

Things Avery is obsessed with....

 

Avery loves to paint her toes and we do so about 2-3 times a week! 

 

 

 

Stickers are apart of our lives everyday.  Avery recieves a "report card" from daycare and they put stickers on those "report cards."  So needless to say I have stickers all over the back seat of my truck.  She takes them off and sticks them wherever she would like.  So today we shared a Jimmy John's sandwich for lunch.  She immediately tore the wrap stick off and chased "Wola" around the house.  Lola is my doxie that is scared of her own shadow and terrified of Avery.  She shakes when Avery is in her sight.  I really thought that today she might have had a heart attack.  Luckily she survived and Avery was quite proud of herself. 

 

 

This picture just makes me laugh and wonder if I live with Al Bundy.  Yes I know, my child still has a paci that has an dirty elephant attached to it.  I know this is becoming an issue, but I am weak!

 



 

New Year and New Life

December was extremely busy.  Josh and I went on a cruise at the beginning of the month to celebrate my 30th.  We had a great time with friends and the weather was perfect!  When we arrived back the the hustle and bustle of the Holidays were in full swing. 

 

Uncle Steven stealing hugs and kisses.

 

Kyle loves to pick on Avery.  Most of the time when they are together Avery is saying "No Kyle." 

Avery loved Christmas and was excited about opening her gifts.  We were overwhelmed with all thegifts and love we received this Holiday season.  Avery's BIG gift from Santa was her own little

kitchen.  She bakes cookies almost everyday. 

After the Holidays the Winter Blues hit or so I though!  I was exhausted and the short, dark, grey days were not helping.  Mid-January I had some strange feeling that I might be pregnant......  Sure enough I was right!  That at least explained why I could barely keep my eyes open mid-afternoon and my bed time came earlier and earlier each night.  So we are happy that we will be adding another little Minton to our family in September. 

Josh has been working like crazy and has been out of town a lot.  Avery and I have survived and frequently have been napping together over the last couple months.  Now that I am out of the first trimester I am starting to get my energy back (Thank goodness).

Avery is quite chatty these days and is able to string more words together each day.  As we sat around the dinner table the other night and Poppaw was talkling about their vacation Avery says "Poppaw no stop...please".  Well, everyone laughed so of course she continued that evening anytime someone was speaking.  She still does it and we are working on it.   I have to admit it is pretty hilarious when she says it!

 

Saturday we went and visited the Easter Bunny at Imagination Station.  Avery was unsure of the Bunny at first but by the time we were leaving she was high fiving the Bunny and sharing toys. haha!

Now that I have some energy back I am going to start blogging again at least a couple times a month.  I know there is so much more that has happened over the last couple months, but my memory isn't the best lately.