Redeemed- 6/13/13

I am enrolled in the School of Kingdom living.

This is a one year class that I am taking through our church.

My boys fondly refer to it as "Jesus cool." (Jesus school)

This year has been amazing.

It has been a year of personal growth, transformation, restoration, community, and all around goodness.  

Within the class we are broken up into sub groups called missional communities.

I must say that my missional community is the best.

This group of people went from strangers to friends quickly.

We laugh, we cry, we hang out, we pray, and encourage one another.

A few weeks back I felt a strong nudge to be baptized.  

This has been something that I have been wrestling with for several years.

I pretty much received word from The Big Guy that it was time.

I mentioned it to my Missional Community that I wanted to be baptized.  

Like right NOW.

This act of bravery led to 7 others desiring the same thing.

The room was electric.

I will never forget this night as long as I live.

I was happy and free.

Our leader held us off that evening.

The following day I asked my neighbors to use their pool for the baptism and our evening was set.

Our leader and his wife baptized 8 of us.

6/13/13 will be a day that I remember forever.

I have journaled the details.

I was surrounded by God, my family, and my friends.

I felt Him smiling down upon us.

He was there and His presence was thick.

Oh happy day...

Momma Birthday Fest 2012- 2

I have the best husband.

I REALLY do...

When I got home from dinner with friends

Satch had the red place mat set and the house decorated for the morning.

I love how he takes care of me.

Red place mat set for the birthday princess.

Here we are enjoying our traditional birthday breakfast as a family.

I am making a wish before I blow out the candles.

A girl can dream...

Once we got home and had dinner we celebrated once again over cupcakes.

Birthday gift from my boys.

Thanks to my family and friends for making my day so special.

Y'all sure know how to make an "old girl" feel loved!

Momma Birthday Fest 2012- 1

On Tuesday night I had plans with my friend Cristina.

Here was the plan.

She was picking me up for dinner.

What she forgot to tell mention to was that we would be joined by 9 other of my favorite ladies.

Needless to say I was very surprised 

and greatly humbled that they all took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate me.  

I had such a great evening with all of these girls.

Each one of them is such a blessing in my life!

The birthday girl wearing her crown.

This is the party that I happened upon.
It just so happened to be for me.
Very cool...

I was also surprised with some adorable baby goodies.
I adore these newborn hats made by Erin.
Which one will we use?!?

Who Dat baby. (thanks Brittany)

Now a party would NOT be complete without 'staches.
Seems that we are all suckers for the 'stache.

Thanks girls for such a fun night.

Very sneaky and I love it!

This year is already off to a great start!

"I do" today, tomorrow, forever... 5 year anniversary

5 years ago today is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life.  It was the "best day" in a series of best days to follow that have changed my life forever.  On April 8, 2006 I said I do to my Prince Charming.  

The Blushing Bride

The dashingly handsome groom.

The day was PERFECT.  It was the most beautiful day imaginable.  The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the angels were singing!  We were married outside in the French Quarter 8 months after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  I remember tearing up as my Dad was about to walk me to hand me off to my Groom.  Kenton had the BIGGEST smile that I have ever seen on his face.  Yes, it was THAT big.  (you can see it in the picture)

The perfect spot to say, "I do."

Followed by the kiss.

We were carried off by a carriage ride

 to dance the night away and celebrate with our closest family and friends.

We had the most wonderful evening with dancing and savoring the moment.

Oh yeah, we even did a little 'stachin!

Even though our wedding was "just a day" it was a beautiful start to the life that we have created together.  

Life is constantly changing, but the changes over the past 5 years have been monumental!  We went from the city to the suburbs and are toting around 2 beautiful boys!  

A few months ago just the two of us were having dinner at our favorite sushi spot.  We used to have dinner at this very spot every Friday night.  5 years later we are living the dreams that we used to imagine.  Such an awesome feeling!  Our life is crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Happy Anniversary Lovey..... cheers to our "forever."  

All my love,

Ayia

Photo Booth

Satch and I went to a really fun wedding on Saturday night.  Shortly after we arrived Satch disappeared for a bit.  Apparently somewhere between me and the bathroom he ran across this awesome photo booth.  Needless to say he has never passed a camera that he didn't like.  ;)  He came back with a set of pictures of himself.  We got a REALLY good laugh out of his solo shots and hit the photo booth together.  Yes.... we probably spent more time taking pictures of ourselves than most.  It was great fun!

She's back.....

Hello "Self" welcome back...

I can honestly say that for the first time since being pregnant for Roman that I am beginning to feel like myself again.  Geesh.... gestating and rearing children sure has a way of taking "you" out of "you."  It was truly a struggle between the lack of sleep, round the clock nursing, nurturing a baby, raising a toddler, being wife to a husband AND a part time career.  Lately I feel better.  I am able to focus more on my mental, spiritual, and physical self.

My husband and little nuggets will always hold center stage, but over the past few months I have been feeling a tug to expand myself outside of the four walls of our home.  I know that sharing my talents and passions with others will help to balance me more as a wife and mother.  Isn't it crazy how that works...

Here is my current list of favorite things to do:

• Listen to Pandora radio while creating things in my kitchen.  (blogging, baking, crafting)  I turned on music and turned off the television set in November. I was tired of the constant "noise."    
• I signed up for a photography class.  This is something that I have wanted to do for quite some time.
• Go to dinner once a month with some of my college girlfriends
• MOPS
• I was recently asked to sit on an associate board for a missionary organization.  I am still wondering... me?  This one is  defiantly shaking me out of my comfort zone.  Last night we met for the first time.  I was fortunate enough to share a meal with a group of selfless individuals who serve a purpose much greater than ourselves.

Fun Valentine kitchen project.
Love bugs and

What can I say, but life is good...

hearts...

 

Girls Christmas Get Together

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." The other night I hung out with some of my favorite high school girlfriends for our not-always-annual Christmas get together. A few of us started this tradition about 5 years ago. Thanks to Naomi for keeping it up! It is such a treat to catch up with some of my favorite gals. We chat about times old and new, nibble on goodies, drink a little wine, and celebrate our long lasting friendships!

Here we are together again 15+ years later.

Pixie, Germaine, and Aimee as beautiful as ever.
The stories go on for hours...
Here I am with Naomi~ the maid of honor in my wedding.
Gathered around the kitchen table. The place where friends meet.
It was great seeing all of you! I look forward to sitting around the table with all of you in 2011!

MOPS Christmas ornament exchange

Today I hosted a Christmas ornament exchange for my MOPS group. (mothers of preschoolers) I joined the group with heavy persuasion from Kenton. Each week at church they would promote the local chapter of MOPS. It is not that I didn't want to join, but I just didn't know how much I would be able to participate/contribute considering that I work 3 days a week. I decided to give it a go and I'm so happy that I did. I randomly picked a seat at the same table as some pretty amazing women and mothers. We are all very diverse, but mesh very well together. We have children ranging in age from 6 years- 7 months and another on the way! We got together at my house today for great food, fun for the kids, adult conversation for the moms and lots of Christmas cheer!

Yes, I love parties! I just do... I love a reason to make pretty things and share with others.

Since the moms were exchanging ornaments I thought it was only fair that the kiddos would go home with an ornament too! These cute little reindeer were compliments of Griffin and Roman.
Boys will be boys! They are just made that way. They could not get enough of the Christmas train.
And girls will be girls. Sweet and dainty little ones...
We did not have a shortage of boys today!
Cupcake time! Looks like fun right? Too bad I don't have an "after" picture of me with the dirt devil cleaning the aftermath. My options were to clean it right away or buy a new rug. Yeah, they made it rain!

Roman..... in arms ALL DAY! I have a situation on my hands with this one. He is just so cute, squishy and cuddly!
Emma~ Miss Thang! I heart the flower in her hair. The bigger the better!
Paul is about to destroy cute Mr. Reindeer.

We were able to spend a fun day with our precious children.
And say goodbye to Janell~ our faithful table leader. Good bye Friend~ until we meet again! Best of luck with your new life!!
I love this photograph. It sums it all up for me!
Just a few dudes and a bounce house.

This looks like a little guy convention. They all played well together!
And for the grand finale a group shot. How hard can this be? Okay.... let's set up the shot. Thanks to Nate the most fabulous FOUR YEAR old photographer. Here we go...
Okay, almost..... Let's give it another try.
Wait.... is this thing on????
Guys wait for me!!!
Merry Christmas to all!!