My Shy Little Girl

Ella Grace is VERY shy. She will even tell strangers she is shy when they try to talk to her and she isn't interested. With children, she wants to play so bad but sometimes is too shy to ask others to play. She wants ME to ask them. I'm trying to help her come out of it a little. She did so good today!

We have the sweetest little girls that live next door. They have been over to swim a couple of times, we shot fireworks together and have played in our yards together. We haven't seen them in a while, but tonight we were playing out in the backyard and so were our neighbors. I told EG to invite them over to play. She told me to. Ha! I told her if she wanted to play, she had to invite them. For a while, she was fine talking to Alexandra through the fence, passing leaves and sticks back and forth and even trading silly bands.

Finally, she got up the courage. The girls came over and they jumped on the trampoline, played on the swing set and played hopscotch. EG had such a good time and almost cried when they had to go home.

Such sweet times. Such a sweet girl.

I can't believe she is going to be FOUR in 21 days!!!

Oh, and right before she drifted off to sleep tonight, with eyes closed she said, "You're my best friend." My heart is full!

A-Camp

We are gearing up for the first ever Walk Now for Autism Speaks in Little Rock next weekend. Our family is completely overwhelmed by the support of family and friends that have walked with us through this entire journey. The support is so evident by the $1,900+ that has been raised for Autism Speaks in Evan's name ("Evan's Voice," our team name). There is still time to join our team or donate by going to:

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=335892&lis=1&kntae335892=E155F47CC9F64287BA19CA674DE9A655&team=3782242&tlteam=0

We are immensely thankful and blessed by everyone's support!

With all that said, I wanted to share some pictures of Evan from A-Camp. What a wonderful experience for these kiddos (who just happen to have autism) to get a true camp experience. I'm so incredibly grateful.

Probably my favorite picture from camp. Evan and Ms. Ashley watching canoers. Evan really took up with her and she was so good with him.

Loving on his lead teacher, Ms. Carol. Precious, precious lady!


Making a yummy snack with Ms. Rachel (She is Evan's speech therapist and has worked wonders with Evan's overall communication. Just amazing.)

Dancing with Ms. Ashley

Craft time! They made the cutest crafts every day!

Hat is complete. This picture cracks me up!

Evan and one of the many volunteer counselors that made camp possible.

Catching a bug. It lived on my kitchen counter for a week. =)

As much as I wish Evan didn't have autism, I have made some of my best friends through our journey. They love my kid and they love me. They are some of the most self-LESS people you will ever meet. People that want to make a difference and DO...one child at a time (and one parent at a time).

Please Pray for Elizabeth

Please pray for Elizabeth Parsley. She is the sister of a dear friend and also volunteered at Evan's A-Camp. She was in a terrible car accident and the family and doctors are desperately wanting her to wake up on her own. Specific prayer needs are listed here.

http://prayingforliz.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Woo Pig Sooie

Last night, Derek and I went to the Hogs game in Little Rock. We have tickets to both games they will play here. It's nice they consider two games in Little Rock as "home" games because we wouldn't leave our kidlets to make they trip all the way to Fayetteville to see them. We are now 2-0. It's funny because I don't really understand football. I was on the dance team in high school and cheered in college, but I really don't get it. I mean I understand about touchdowns and first downs and field goals, but anything deeper I just don't care about. Ha! I love the tailgating, calling the Hogs, the people watching, and the half-time show. Other than that, I'm happy being the only one seated during most of the game. Usually, my seat ends up being the one right next to the big guy that has had one too many and is quite loud. Sigh! I was so happy because this time I sat right next to a sweet couple, who like me, sat almost the entire first half. =) They left though, after the little girl behind us spilled her Dr. Pepper down his back. That's the sort of thing that usually happens to ME!

I am so excited Derek and I get to start our new Life Group at church tonight. This is the first one we have gotten to participate in because I have always been worried about child care. We have two new members to our family. Bethany and Katie are two very sweet 20-year-olds that now watch our kidlets when we need to go somewhere. The great thing about both of them is they are great with Evan. He LOVES them (and, of course, so does EG). I look at these two young women, who have their heads on straight and whose priority is serving Christ. They are so much more mature than their years. I wish I could have been more like that at 20! Wow! We are so blessed. It has been so good for Derek and I to get to go on dates on occasion and for Evan and Ella Grace to have someone new to play with them. We came home the other night and what a great feeling that while we were gone, Katie was sharing Bible verses with Ella Grace. Just precious!

Autism Speaks Walk

Derek and I are forming a team for Evan for the upcoming Autism Speaks Walk in Little Rock on October 2nd. I have a special place in my heart for this event because the last one I participated in was in Tennessee hosted by my very sweet blogging friends, Meagan, Megan and Lauren.

If you would like to join our team, go to

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=335892

Evan's team name is Evan's Voice. You can join our team or donate by supporting a walker. Every donation is making "Evan's Voice" heard that we want to stop autism from reaching another child and family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

This Kiss, This Kiss

One fun thing about my new job at Ella Grace's Mother's-Day-Out program is that I get to see things I normally wouldn't. Last week during Praise and Worship, my class was sitting directly behind Ella Grace's class. She was sitting by a very cute little 3-year-old boy that we know from last year. I noticed he was looking at EG all dreamy-eyed. He kissed her on the cheek, and then grabbed her hand to hold. I thought it was precious, but when I told Derek about it precious wasn't what came to his mind.. LOL!

We happened to run into this handsome little boy Friday at the park. I think they must have planned it. =)