Great Strides!

Well, it is that time of year again.  Last year Ayla's Army raised over $10,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research....we want to blow that very impressive number away this year! 
My very talented sister put this video together.  It is just a few minutes long and is a great way for you to get an idea of what someone with Cystic Fibrosis goes through on a daily basis.

I would LOVE it if you would watch this video and then donate to Great Strides! 

Ok....now that you have seen how cute Ayla is.....click below and donate!!!  Be a part of finding a cure for Ayla and everyone with Cystic Fibrosis!!!

I've Been Busy!

My Mom, Sister and Niece came up from Florida for a visit. Since I don't have a girl......I thought it would be fun to make some stuff for Ayla.

I am most proud of this outfit.  I had never made pants before.  Luckily my Mom had....and she was my supervisor.  We basically made them without a pattern and I thought they turned out really cute!

This is Nolen's new smile.  I promise, he has eyes in there somewhere.  He even has dimples under his eyes!

Gavin.....so grown up!

Miss Ayla in her new outfit!  Pretty cute if I do say so myself.

We had a great time.  Eric was out of town for his new business venture, Bone Rush.  So, it was just us girls and all the kids.  We didn't do a lot but had fun just hanging out and laughing.  I really miss my family and it is so nice when I get to see them.

I'm pretty sure this guy LOVED all the attention he got.  I think he was even more spoiled after they left than he was before.

Nanu and Cohen.

 Mommy and Cohen....could he be any cuter?  No, he could not.

Krista and I got feather extensions....in case you are wondering what is in my hair. Hers are turquoise....because she is more funky! Right Krista?

Go Ayla's Army!

While we were in Destin we participated in Great Strides.  It is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and my niece Ayla has Cystic Fibrosis.  We all had on our Ayla's Army t-shirts and most of our family was there.  It was really great to get to be there and be a part of it.
 I am sooooo proud of my sister.  She definitely out-did herself and raised a whopping $9,500!!!  Her goal was $5,000 so she did an amazing job. 

Ayla's Army!

Miss Ayla herself!

Nanu having some fun on the slide!

Gavin

Nolen

Papa playing with Ayla and Nolen.

I believe in miracles.....

Most of you know about my Niece Ayla.  I had requested prayer for her a few weeks ago.  She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was born and her whole life is a miracle.  She spent the first few months of her life in the hospital and has endured 3 surgeries.  A few weeks back we thought she may have yet another surgery in her near future for a blockage.  She was transferred to Shands and responded to treatment and her blockage did not require surgery!  A miracle in the form of good ole constipation!!!!
Let's face it....the economy is not great and Eric is a builder.  So....budgeting is very important for us!  We have had to be very smart with our money and with all this fertility stuff---lets just say it has been rough.  To make a VERY long story short.....we finally got a contract on Eric's house!!!!  The way it all came about is nothing short of a miracle.  At Church on Sunday we took communion and our Pastor said three different prayers....if you felt like you needed prayer in one of those areas then you were to stand for that prayer.  Obviously, I stood for physical healing-DUH!  We also stood for a financial need.  Eric really felt like God spoke to him during that prayer and told him to expect a call on the following day about his house.  It happened and he showed them the home Monday night!  They LOVE it and signed the contract last night!  We KNOW that God sent a buyer for that house....and the timing was perfect.
So....we KNOW that miracles happen and we are hoping and praying for another miracle this month!  We already have 2 amazing miracles named Gavin and Nolen....whats one more right???  Thanks for the prayers....keep 'em coming!

Prayers for Ayla!

As most of you know...my niece Ayla has been in the hospital since last Thursday.  She was transferred Friday night by ambulance to Shands in Gainesville--a VERY long ride. 

Doctors were very concerned thinking that Ayla had a bowel obstruction.  However, once Ayla got to Gainesville it looked as though she did not have a bowel obstruction--but perhaps good ole constipation.  This is a total answer to prayer....so many people were praying for her.  Obviously, our fear was that Ayla would need surgery and we definitely did not want that. 

She is doing ok but still in the hospital.  She has had a couple of x-rays and each day things are looking better.  Poor baby has not had a single thing to eat or drink since last Wednesday and is a little "grumpy"--who wouldn't be?. 

Please continue to pray for Ayla that she will poop and fart (ha...there's that word again Mom) ALOT and feel better.  Also, that she will be able to EAT and DRINK soon!

My sister is keeping everyone updated on her blog....so check it out!
The Breathing Room

Nanu, Krista and Ayla came to town!

Mom, Krista and Ayla came up for a visit! They planned it out so they would be here for Nolen's Birthday.

We had a great time--a little shopping, great food and some snow! What more could you ask for?

Nolie polie


Mom had the bright idea to use a lid from a plastic bin as a sled.....didn't really work so well--it was a little flat.


Ayla LOVED the snow!


Nolen, Gavin and Ayla


A little Cousin lovin....

Go Team AYLA!

I am pretty much the proudest sister ever. I have been bugging--I mean encouraging my sister to start a blog FOREVER! Aside from being a fabulous writer....she has a story. Her and her husband have been through more in the last few years than most people go through in a lifetime.
They have a beautiful little girl Ayla who has cystic fibrosis. For a long time...Krista chose to deal with everything privately but now she is ready to share. She has educated herself on anything and everything having to do with CF. It is a long story....and you can read all about it on her blog--her breathing room.

http://www.thebreathingroomcf.blogspot.com/

Anyways....the point of this post, aside from bragging on my sister is to drum up support for
TEAM AYLA! Krista has joined with Great Strides to raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis research.

If you live in the Destin area you can join us April 24th for a Run/Walk for CF. If not...you can donate money to Team Ayla by clicking here:

http://www.cff.org/great_strides/AllisonGifford

Come on all you Knoxvillians....you know you want to take a trip to Destin, Florida in April. Who doesn't--right?