Rodeo, Run & Fun

Riding her pony "Fancy"

Ava feeding the little goats

Popo, Aunt Ell, Ana, Reid & Ava right before leaving

Sunday was such an interesting day! Immediately after church we took Ava to my parents house so that she could go to the Rodeo with Popo (my Dad) and Aunt Ell. Every year the two of them take the older kids. They are getting pretty out numbered so I am sure pretty soon they will need another adult. They all looked so cute. My mom had bought the kiddos pearl snap shirts to wear & they were so excited.

After dropping her off the rest of us went to eat some Italian food and then Wayne, Kalli & myself came home for a nap. My nap was quite quick because I was meeting my friend from church for a run.

We had such a great run. This was our first actual outdoor run together. I started off thinking, "there is no way I will be able to finish", but after about 10 minutes I was good. We talked and talked the entire time which made it go by really fast. I found many reasons during this run that God opened this door for me. You see, Wayne & I have really been struggling with disciplining Ava, we feel as though sometimes all we do is spank and spank and spank with no better results than what we started with. God knew I needed someone, another mom, a trained and experienced mom with an extremely stubborn, strong-willed child. My friend began talking about her oldest daughter and some of the experiences they had with her. As she was spitting out details of stories from when her daughter was three, I felt as though she was talking about Ava. She had no idea that at this very moment in our lives we are dealing with some of those exact same circumstances. God blessed me so much, beyond my wildest imaginations, with her stories and outcomes. I told her how hard I struggle and she assured me that I need to keep pushing forward. I really needed that. I needed encouragement and did not know until that run just how bad I needed it. She is a blessing to me and I look forward to our next run. Her daughter is now eight and extremely sweet, caring, polite and respectful. I know that I have these moments to look forward to, but I needed an extra push. To go for a run, talk and come home feeling so motivated and encouraged is all I could have asked for.

So, I got home and Kalli was up from her nap and we played and played. It was so nice to get some much needed one on one time with her. She laughed and talked and wanted so badly to jump. It was really cute....she thought she was actually jumping but her feet were not coming off of the ground. I had so much fun with her and I think she had fun also.

After we put her to bed, I worked on my homework and then about 9:45 Ava got home. I was so excited to see her and love on her and kiss her. She talked for 45 minutes about all of the things that they got to see and do at the Stock show Rodeo. She was wired!! However, after much talk and many questions, she actually looked and Wayne & I and said, "Ava's really tired." So without any problems, we put her in bed with Hannah Montana Music and she went sound asleep.

It was truly and blessed day. Enjoy a few pics from Ava's Rodeo adventure.