Lil' KidQuest & more...

Just a picture of our cutie having a snack

Wed., Thurs., & Firday of this week, Ava and I spent the mornings at North Boundary Park with about 170 preschoolers. Crazy right? Actually we had a ton of fun. We (all the adults) were so amazed at how well behaved the kids were. You see, this is the first year that Discovery, our church, has done a KidQuest for preschoolers. Usually in August there is a KQ for older kids. Since we had younger kids, our Director Stacie, had asked Dana and me to lead the music. Normally Ethan, our worship leader, would do it, but with the little kids, they felt a woman's voice might be better. So the month or so leading up to KQ we got together, learned the music and recorded a CD for the kids to practice with. (Man I hate hearing my own voice on a CD!)

Once KQ was here, we weren't too sure how things would go, but it was great. The kids LOVED the music and jumping around and doing motions to the songs. I jumped around with them and let me tell you, thats the most exercise I've gotten in a while :o) This Sunday the kids are going to come to church and sing two of their songs in front of the congregation.... and boy are they excited about it!

When I wasn't doing music, I helped out in the snack tent. We had a different snack each day; a teddy graham ring master and stand, a sugar cone clown, and a graham cracker animal cage with animal cookies. All of which were sugary sweet and messy!

Although Ava looks incredibly upset in this picture, she had a great time too. Every one kept commenting on how good she was. At this moment she had just finished her snack and wanted out of her stroller.... and of course I'm trying to take a picture. And while I was singing the Bice kids passed her around, and even a few others joined in to play with Ava. I seriously think if I would have let him, John Bice would have taken Ava home!

Ava posing in Mommy's t-shirt...my name tag is still attached

moving in this shirt is harder than it looks!

resting

here I come

And I thought I'd share a quick video of Ava crawling. I know it might be a while until we see some of you, and by then she could be walking.... AAAAAHHHHH!

moving forward...

For the past two months Ava has been up on her knees rocking back and forth, getting up on her toes in push up position (she can do a better push up than me!), balancing back and forth on each arm, and so on and so forth. She has been desperately trying to crawl, but just hasn't gotten it figured out. She isn't sedentary though, she can roll anywhere she wantes to go, do 360s on her tummy, pull herself across the floor with her arms, and even crawl backwards... just not forwards. Then this past Thursday after taking one crawling "step" and then stopping to rest on her stomach, she took off.... and hasn't stopped since!

playing with Mia and Hali at Daddy's soft ball game

what?

peek-a-boo


cheese!

"I'm coming to get you Mommy"

This past weekend we made a trip down to VA to see my Grandmother and suprise her for her birthday, she'll be 80 this week. Ava loved getting to be outside on the farm, seeing the animals and crawling anywhere her heart desired, that is until we stopped her. It was a short trip time wise, we were only there one night, but a long trip as we had to stretch the trip out over four days... it was exhausting, but nice to see family that we don't see often.

So now that we're back we're trying to get back to our routine, and I'm praying it doesn't take long. Ava isn't good when it comes to sleeping somewhere other than her own bed, I guess she gets it honestly as Nathan and I are the same way. So she slept horribly the whole trip, and I spent two nights sleeping on the couch with her so she wouldn't wake everyone else in the house. Unfortunately her first night back in her own crib wasn't as great as I thought (hoped) it would be. This morning she was up at 1am on her knees in her crib looking over the railing, crying/screaming. After about an hour and a half, she finally was so tired she passed out. (She'll sleep as long as I'm holding her, but the minute I put her down she is wide awake again... not fun). But so far, her naps have been pretty routine, which gives me hope for tonight.

We hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend!

taking it all in

here I go...but how to do this while holding the camera case?

oh so tired, I'll army crawl instead

breakfast - sitting in the "ancient" high chair - used by 4 generations

fairy princess with her wand

Happy Mother's Day

its a day late, but thats okay. This weekend was a really nice weekend for us. My Mom came up on Saturday so she could be with us on Sunday when Ava was dedicated at church. But since she was here on Saturday, we took the opportunity to get out of the house for a while, and to let Nathan have some alone time with his "toys" as I like to call them. Actually he is working on some personal engineering projects, and having a lot of fun doing it, but doesn't often get the time necessary to make any real progress.

Our shopping trip was short and sweet. We hit just a few stores like TJMaxx, Walmart, & Famous Footwear where I found some adorable shoes for Ava, but figured I should wait until she really needs them, (Kids shoes are expensive and they grow out of them soooo fast!) Finally we hit Kohls where I realized how much I missed that store.

Then that evening after dinner, Nathan and I headed out to a movie. It was great to get out for a while and we knew Ava was safe at home with a trusted babysitter. (we only have a couple people we trust to watch her.... there are many reasons, so please do not be offended if we don't ask you to babysit.) Anyway, we saw Star Trek, and even though I didn't ever watch the tv show as a kid, I really enjoyed the movie. I did come out thinking I might be deaf and seeing flashing lights for a while though.

Then on Sunday morning we headed to church. The dedication was pretty quick but nice, and we recieved a CD of the pictures they used as well as a child's bible. (I think we have 3 of the very same one... we'll be giving 2 away.) After church we headed to lunch with our dear friends the Spaniks and the Walkers, as well as Mom and Jon's Mom in tow. Once back at the house, we took a few pictures and then Mom headed home and Nathan and I did a few things around the house before relaxing for the evening.

It was a really nice Mother's Day. I hope I can make Father's Day just as special for Nathan.

the beautiful flowers Nathan gave me. Funny story to go with these, for Valentine's Day he also bought me flowers, but they never came! So when he said the flower guy was coming (he didn't want me to miss him, just in case) I laughed and said "are you sure?" My husband is so sweet.

our child dedication at church, Jon and Val also dedicated Hali.

by this point Ava was done with pictures... if you'll notice her headband is on the other side of her head, and Nathan kept trying to fix it for the picture but every time he did, Ava would just rub her face against my shoulder and mess it up again.

Happy Mother's Day

to all the mothers in our lives

the last month in pictures...

I decided to skip my shower this morning and upload as many pictures as I could while Ava was taking a nap (don't worry I'll get a shower later!)... well, Ava just woke up and so this is the best I could do. Enjoy!

peek-a-boo

Mommy and Ava

best friends

Ava and her best friend Hali

Ava and Aunt Kristi

Daddy can always make me laugh

my Ducky... I lost him on a trip to Walmart...oh so sad

*Superstar*

I love trying to be like Daddy


its a carrot, its good for me right?

I found new ways to have fun

all dressed up for Easter, but no smile

our Easter photo by Tanisha

can you see my new teeth, I have 6 now!

I'm ready to go shopping Mom!

(right before our trip to the outlets)

we had some sicky days....finally feeling better now.

rolling around

what is this stuff?

not too sure about the grass

this is what Ava did while we washed cars last Saturday

yummy pickle

the bloomers say it all!

I'm trying to move...

busy, busy, busy...

that about sums it up... We'll get back to you as soon as we possible can!

its out there...

Its out there, its really out there... my Grandfather said so.

My Grandfather, Jack Funk, went to his heavenly home on Sunday night shortly before midnight. For the past 8 months he has battled pancreatic cancer, something we all prayed he would beat, but knew it was almost impossible.

Last Thursday Ava and I made a quick trip down to see my Grandfather, and I'm so glad we did. He desperately wanted to see Ava, and I would have done anything to make him happy. In his final days my Grandfather told us many things, and honestly, we believed maybe he was hallucinating...that is until it all began to click. He knew we wouldn't understand, but he told us anyway of the things he was seeing, and even at one point he believed he had died... and he may have, or God may have just come to him while he slept. Either way, my Grandfather saw Heaven. And even though he was weak, could barely speak, and definitely couldn't walk very far, he wanted to drive downtown and talk with people and tell them that Heaven is really out there!

I've always believed Heaven was out there somewhere, and that I'd never really know until my time came... but this past week, I got confirmation. I truly believe my Grandfather saw pieces of Heaven, and I can't explain the joy that fills my soul to know that some day I will be there too.

His obituary:

John F. "Jack" Funk, 75, of Philippi, went to his eternal home on April 5, 2009.

Jack was born in Jane Lew, a son of the late John and Kate Funk.

Surviving are his wife, Judi; one son, Fred Funk, and wife, Amy, of Bridgeport; two daughters, Linda Long and husband, J.D., of Philippi, and Susan Armstrong and husband, Orton, of Vienna; one brother, Jim Funk of Clarksburg; and one sister, Judy Mossburg and husband, Don, of Knoxville, Tenn. Jack was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Sarah Funk Berry Ann and husband, Nathan; Danielle, Jack and Andrew Funk; Amanda, Chelsea and Shelley Long, Erin and Morgan Armstrong and one great-grandchild, Ava Reese Berry Ann. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Chad Armstrong and sister-in-law, Dorothea Funk. Jack was very close to his family including his nieces and nephews and many cousins

Jack graduated from Jane Lew High School, Alderson-Broaddus College and West Virginia University. He served in the U.S. Army in San Francisco, Calif. He served as recreation director of Wicomico County in Salisbury, Md., for four years. He taught and coached at Alderson-Broaddus College for 32 years. He was a member of the Philippi Baptist Church where he served on many boards over the years. He was a member of the Philippi Kiwanis Club where he has served as president and vice president. Jack was active in many activities in town and was happiest when he was involved with the young people. His presence was always noted at athletic activities at the college and in town.

At his request he will be cremated and a memorial service will be held in Wilcox Chapel on the Alderson-Broaddus College campus at 2 p.m. on May 3, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, Jack would be happy for donations to be made to the Coach Jack Funk Battler Room in the Alderson-Broaddus Coliseum, which will offer academic support to athletes, the Jack Funk Scholarship at AldersonBroaddus College or to Mountain Hospice in Barbour County who made his journey home so much easier.