I plan life.a lot.But many times life has better plans for me than I could have ever imagined.When I took this picture there I had a completely different idea in my head.  {life is so much better than what is in my head}

 We put this swing up when we bought the house.  It gets used just about everyday.When I look out the window and see it sitting empty, I worry about what it will be like when the girls no longer live here, and the swing stops swinging ...

 From the moment I walked into Ava's party, love was overflowing throughout the room. It was Ava's first birthday, and I was there to cover it for Country Weekly because this little doll belongs to one lucky mommy and daddy... Amy and James Otto. I couldn't turn my head without my eyes being met by little bits of love disguised in hot pink and blue. Amy and her family had outdone themselves with the amazing decor and thoughtful entertainment perfectly fit for a one year old. But there was someone in the room whose eyes were bigger than mine, and that was little Ava. I have never seen a one year old baby who was more appreciative of their first birthday party. Ava blew me away with how she went around the room and took in each detail that had been lovingly prepared for her. She danced to the music, played the games, hug the presents, and kissed the guests. These two amazing parents had spent a year creating a miniature version of themselves. At the end of the party I was hoping that the Ottos would adopt me too, but no such luck. The party was over and I had to go. I am just so glad this little monkey gets to stay with them forever...

  For years my niece Molly didn't speak at all. She is autistic. For years I was dying to hear her beautiful voice. Then one day she finally spoke.  First a word, then a phrase, and then full sentences. She had a lot to say.  All that time in silence, she didn't choose to keep her words inside. They were trapped inside her sweet mind. Now that Molly has the ability to communicate through words, she says the things that the rest of us are thinking. The tables are turned and we are the ones keeping our words inside. I called the other day to speak to my sister, and Molly happened to be using her phone at the time. My guess is that I interrupted a video that she had been watching on the phone. She answered the call, and I could hear her as she walked throughout the house calling for my sister.  I tried to talk to her, but she just kept repeating "Mom? MOM?" in different exasperated voices and tones.  And finally a sentence ... "I don't believe this!" ... and then silence. She hung up on me. I was left with the phone in my hand and a silly grin on my face.  How many times have I called someone who I interrupted and they probably would have loved saying that to me.  So simple, yet so to the point. When I later got my sister on the phone, she made the moment even better by telling me that Molly {who is obsessed with Grover and ...