Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble-Gobble, it's Turkey Day!!!

We have so much to be thankful for this year...

another year with Gavin, another year of giggles, hugs and kisses...

so, so thankful! We love you Gavin!!

This year is extra special because I am thankful that on this day four years ago, I married my best friend. I love you Adam and here's to many more Thanksgiving/Anniversaries together!!!

Over due pictures from Halloween...

I just realized I never posted pictures from Gavin's "FIRST" Halloween!! You are probably thinking first?!? The first two Halloweens he was in the hospital... so I wanted to put some pictures up of his first Halloween at home!! Gavin was not a big fan of his costume, but he got the hang of it after he realized everyone else was dressed up. We had a great time, Mimi and Papa came over and we had dinner. Cousins Camryn and Carson came by to take pictures. It was a great night!

Gavin and his "pirate" cousins!

Gavin going trick-or-treating to his friend Danny's house...

Trick-or-treat!

Prayers for Baby Reed and Owen

Over the last few months I got connected with Keeley through Max's mom, Kelly. Keeley is Baby Reed's mother. Reed and his twin Braden were born last week. Reed was born with HLHS and he is now on the waiting list for a heart transplant. He is at the top of the list. Keeley has been such an inspiration to me, she is so faithful and strong through this. I have never read a negative post on her blog, she is always uplifting! I don't really know how to ask for prayers for children who need heart transplants, because in the end another family is loosing their child. I know it is all a part of God's timing and plan, it's just hard to wrap my head around it. I have also been connected to Baby Owen (HLHS) through blogging, his mother Andrea is such a sweet and loving mother. Owen is now waiting in the hospital for his new heart. Please pray for both families as they face the up's and down's through this journey.

The joys of picture taking...

Fit throwing...

Refusing to get his picture taken...

More interested in the quarter...

Totally worth it!!

Stayed tuned for the finished product!

Prayer Request

Please keep Max in your prayers... he went in for emergency brain surgery on Friday night. I talked with his mom Kelly several times last week, so this came as a complete shock to me, as I am sure it was a complete shock and very scary to Kelly and John. Kelly has been such an inspiration to me and she cares so much about children with illnesses. You can read Max's story here. Please, please keep him in your prayers, hopefully he will be discharged soon!

The Winners are....

Cassie, Andrea and Allison... yay!!

Email me your address @ afgk03@gmail.com and your gift will be in the mail! Thanks ladies for commenting!

Pay It Forward...

I don't usually participate in the"blog surveys/contests"... however, I read about "Paying it Forward" on my wonderful sister-in-law, Erin's blog and thought it would be fun! Here is the very cute polka dot frame I received in the mail a week ago...Now it is my turn to "pay it forward." What am I talking about, you ask? I am paying it forward with a premeditated act of kindness. Would you like to receive a fun gift and then give a gift in return? THE RULES: The focus of this is to do an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and "pay it forward."I will send a small, fun gift to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and then the game will continue!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!! If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment!! You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. Doesn't this sound like fun!!?? All of you lurkers out there who never comment, now is your chance to prove to me that you read my blog. :) Let the games begin! Good luck trying to be one of the first 3 commenter's!

Praying for Gavin...

We have always prayed for Gavin, even before he was conceived. But I never really put much thought to pray for each activity that Gavin is involved in during the day. I ran across a blog post talking about praying for children and using bible verses to pray over them- praying for seven activities, for seven days. So I have decided to use the same format, but pick my own verses for Gavin- verses that apply to him and his age. I encourage each of you with children to do the same. I can't wait to see what God reveals to me in doing this! I am so thankful for Gavin and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him!


1. When he wakes up/gets dressed: "I prayed for Gavin, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give Gavin to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." (Adapted from 1 Samuel 1:27)


2. When he is eating: "Lord, as Gavin grows teach him that life is more than food, and the body more than clothes...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Adapted from Luke 12:23, 34)


3. When he is away from us: "Lord, please be with Gavin as he is away from us because we know that the One who was born of God keeps Gavin safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (Adapted from 1 John 5:18)


4. When he is playing: "Lord, please do not let Gavin forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Adapted from Hebrews 13:16)


5. When he is taking a bath: "Lord, give Gavin clean hands and a pure heart, and let Gavin not lift his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let Gavin receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Let Gavin be a part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When he is going to bed: "Lord, give your angels special charge to accompany, defend, preserve and provide safety for Gavin, day and night" (Adapted from Psalm 91:11 and Psalm 4:8)


7. When he is sleeping: "Lord, we ask that you continue to give us wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we raise Gavin" (Adapted from Proverbs 2:6)