The Letter Game... "A"

So my fellow blogger friend Tara tagged me with a fun game where you have to name 12 things that you love, that begin with the letter that has been chosen for you. My letter is "A":

1. AVERY- My first child's name. The most precious gift from God. I decided to name her AVERY because it was sentimental to the family and because I LOVED IT! Chad's grandmother and grandfather are buried in South Arkansas at a little chapel named "Avery's Chapel". I always wanted to name my daughter with an "A"... and when my sister in law Missy mentioned that she wished someone in the family would name their daughter Avery, it stuck with me. Avery means courageous.

2. ANGEL- Angel because I believe in them and believe that God puts a protection of them over us daily. Most importantly because I lost a baby in February '08 and I truly feel that God put Avery in our lives as an ANGEL, she is my true angel. . .

3. APRIL- April is my Birthday! April 21st! This year Avery's shower will be April 25th. I love this time of the year. I enjoy seeing all of the trees blossom! I also like April because of Easter. I feel like it's the month that breaks the winter months into spring! I also like the weather April brings.

4. AUTUMN- Another favorite time of the year. I love the leaves and everything that fall brings. I had also thought about naming my little girl Autumn, and might still do it if I happen to have another girl after miss Avery.

5. ANIMALS- Being pregnant I especially have a LOVE for animals... I love all kinds of them! I can't stand to see a dead animal on the side of the road... it makes me sad because God created all of these little beings! PLUS, I love my Pickle. He is the greatest dog and my one and only! I couldn't imagine life without the little rug rat! It's so cute because now that I am a "stay at home dog mom"... he follows me around the house helplessly and cries at everything, little baby!

6. APPLES- I LOVE THEM! Nothing beats a good ole Apple! I love to have them as a snack with peanut butter! YUM, my fav!

7. AIRPLANES- I sort of have a fascination with airplanes. Since I was little I grew up flying in them and would travel all over with my parents. My grandfather who has passed owned an airport called "Jolliff Aviation"... (Jolliff is my maiden name). He owned several planes and some of my greatest memories as child was flying when we would go see them. They would even fly to our house and pick us up so we didn't have to make that 7 hour trip! My dad can even fly and has his license, but he hasn't ever flown us kids. My brother to this day would DIE to get his license to fly, and will do it before long I am sure. My Uncle Perry flies a private jet for the Lambert's who own "Lambert's, home of the thrown rolls" in Springfield and Sikeston Mo. My Uncle Donnie flies American Airlines and has been a pilot for 25 or more years and flies internationally all over the world! My husband and I share the interest of flying and enjoy watching planes fly over our house since we live near the airport. Some nights we talk about sitting in front of the runway and watching them fly in and out. It's been a great joy of my life and they are so peaceful. The only time I hated airplanes was the 8 hour flight to Hawaii and back.. oh my, I don't think I can do that again.

8. AARON- Is my precious 29, (soon to be 30 year old), brother. Aaron is a great guy! We couldn't stand each other as kids but I think now as we grow older it's because we actually are so much alike! I use to lick my french fries so he couldn't eat them! (What a brat)!! Growing up he always wanted to do what was right. He always thought of others and had SO many friends. He was so popular in HS, especially with the older crowd and I was so jealous! Now that we are grown, we cherish our relationship and love each other so much. He always gave me advice through college with boys and told me to do what was right in all things that I did. Aaron has been married for 6 years to Tiffany who is one of my best friends. She is awesome! They own a fishing business called "Hook Line and Sinker"... and Aaron is BUSY BUSY BUSY! Aaron loves me being pregnant and just stares at my belly and tells me that I am so cute! He can't wait to be an Uncle and still calls Avery his little menut. He tells me to rub Avery for him, haha- so cute! I'm so thankful to have such a strong relationship with my brother, someone I can truly call a friend.

9. ART- These days while being pregnant I have ventured into the artistic world. I enjoy painting and trying new things! Crafting is so much fun and there are so many things you can do to make things look a step better than how you bought them... adding fringe to lamp shades, painting, drawing etc...

10. AMAZING- Amazing is for the AMAZING GRACE that God has given me in my life. Without my Lord and HIS graciousness to me and my family, I don't know where I would be. I am so thankful to my Lord in Savior for setting me free of anything and everything in my life.

11. ARKANSAS- Cuz it's "A.R.K.A.N.S.A.S for ARKANSAS FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT"... for the Arkansas Razorbacks!!!

12. ASHLEY- Well, that's me! A few more things that you didn't necessarily know about me: I am a free spirited, fun loving girl that enjoys life way too much. I rarely get upset and try to look at the bright side of everything. I am not perfect by any means, but I try to look at life as way too short... and you only have a short period on this earth- so why not make it the best! Life is too short to not smile at everything, laugh at anything, and be happy. Sure we all have our days, we're human... but laugh it off! I enjoy the small things in life... visiting with friends, taking walks, being creative, camping, hiking, being outside, water skiing, shopping.... you name it, I will do it. "Happiness is not in our circumstances, but in our ourselves. It is not something that we see, like a rainbow, or feel like the heat of a fire...happiness is something we are, so love it and embrace it"

Hope you all have enjoyed 10 things that are special to me that start with the letter "A".. I could have gone on to 100! Speaking of Easter in my # 3 for April, check out my new table escape for Easter!