More Pictures of Mother/Daughter Banquet

Here are the rest of the pictures I have from the Mother/Daughter Banquet. A few turned out dark...not sure why. Anyway, ENJOY!

Click on the picture to see more!

Mother's Day 2008

2008 MOTHER OF THE YEAR ~ WHAT A SHOCK!

Our Women of Worth group choses a Mother of the Year for each Mother-Daughter Banquet. I was honored this year to receive this award. My mom had the privilege to write the tribute which is below. Thank you again, MOM, Cheryl, Sue and whoever else was involved. This will truly be a Mother's Day I won't forget.

Me with my precious daughter, Abigail

Sarah Jean Avery was welcomed fresh from the hand of God into the home of Phillip and Cathy Avery and sister.....Naomi on July 16, 1977. Sarah was her parent's little "princess" which is the meaning of her name. She brought joy into their home. Having an older sister who is developmentally challenged forced Sarah to become the older sister in many ways. At an early age Sarah became her mother's right hand and could be counted on for assistance in bringing a diaper and picking up toys. Sarah was there to welcome her only brother into the family 2 years later. Then her baby sister Hannah arrived 2 years after her brother, Phillip. Sarah began kindergarten at Milan School District. When her family moved to Ohio she attended her first Christian school at Wesley Christian School. Then attending Malta Christian School when her little brother was old enough to attend school. In 1986 the family moved back to Petersburg, Michigan and she enrolled in Holiness Christian School. With pride Sarah's parents watched her excel in school. Sarah became interested in playing the piano so quickly a piano teacher was found and soon Sarah developed the talent God bestowed upon her. Perhaps because of her sister's handicap Sarah matured quickly and was a very dependable young lady. She was sensitive to the Lord's knock upon her heart and opened the door of her heart to Him early in her teen years. At age 16 she graduated from high school. In the fall she left for college but not before giving her heart away to Tony Watters. She attended Union Bible College for 2 years then on Nov16, 1996 Sarah became Mrs. Tony Watters. January 2, 2000 was a very exciting day for the new family as they stuffed Sarah in the back seat with her mother and grandmother for the whirlwind trip to St. Joesph Hospital as they begged Sarah to please wait to have the baby she just couldn't wait to deliver. Sarah did make it to the hospital but just barely. Abigail Dawn was such a delightful easy going child like her mother. She brought such happiness into Sarah and Tony's life. Perhaps this sweet healthy baby caused her parents to momentarily forget that life also has battles that helps build faith in God. But their faith would soon be tested for two years later on Dec 9, 2002 Zachary David Watters was born with a Cranial syndrome that required 2 serious surgeries. Sarah was a model of Motherhood as she stayed by his side and prayed for him. She has made so many trips to the U of M Hospital that she feels like she could do it blindfolded. And for Zachary this will be an on-going process. Zachary told his grandma when he is scared at the doctor's visits his Mom helps him because she is with him.The stress of her son's syndrome began to sap Sarah's own physical and emotional strength. But her doctors weren't very helpful. Offering cliches instead of relief. Then Sarah's world became darker as she experienced 2 losses within 14 months of each other. God held her up with the loss of each child. Finally Sarah found a doctor who would listen and within minutes diagnosed her with Fibromyalgia. Though this disease may never offer recovery, it was a relief for Sarah to know that the symptoms she suffered from had an origin and she continues to be strong through it all. With God's help her disease may go into remission. She is a beloved daughter, dear sister, dependable Mother and devoted wife. She loves God with a fervent heart. Sarah has been an example of tenacity (refusing to give up) though the trials are severe. Sarah is a hard worker. She has worked as a telemarketer, fast food server, resident aide, and day care provider. She enjoys, reading (especially Karen Kingsbury) and scrapbooking. She collects apple decor in the kitchen, and Thomas Kincaid in the living room. As a sister in Christ Sarah is exemplary. She is caring and always ready with a listening ear. Though she may not have all the answers she is always ready to cry with you in pain or rejoice in your blessings. Zachary says he knows his mom loves him because she let him buy rollerskates and he loves her because she makes the best brownies for his preschool class. And there is never any left to bring home. Abigail says her Mom is the best because she loves her Dad. There is no doubt in Abigail's mind that if God chose a Mother of the Year He would chose HER Mother.

This is what I received....a basket FULL of goodies

A little encouraging word...

IF NO ONE ELSE NEEDS THIS LITTLE REMINDER I DO....VERY ENCOURAGING WORD!

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And when you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, but they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

I've Been Tagged

Let's see...rules first. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
Enjoying the newly wed life
enjoying PEACEFUL days (I love my children but there is NO PEACE & QUIET ANYMORE ~ I WOULDN'T TRADE THEM THOUGH)

Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Go to work
2. Fix Supper
3. Laundry
4. Help the children with homework
5. GO TO BED!!!

Snacks that I enjoy:
CONNS Potato Chips,
Crackers & cheese ball

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Be debt free
2. Help family become debt free
3. Buy a nice car
4. RETIRE LOL

Three of my bad habits:
1. Keeping myself cooped up at home
2. Procrastinating
3. Neglecting to clean out my van

Five Places I have Lived:
1. Milan, Michigan
2. Britton, Michigan
3. Petersburg, Michigan
4. Deerfield, Michigan
5. Zanesville, Ohio

Five jobs that I have had:
1. Child Care Provider
2. Resident Aide
3. Telemarketer **YUCK!!!**
4. Hardee's
5. Best of all....MOMMY & WIFE

Five people I want to know more about (A nice way to say TAG!)....
I think pretty much all my readers have been tagged. If you haven't....COUNT YOURSELF TAGGED!!!

A Kodak Moment

We have a room upstairs that we have a table set up to play games. The family had been playing games and then my sister had to go to work for a little bit. The games were going to continue when she got home.....but things became very quiet upstairs and when we went to investigate here it what we found.....Zachary sitting on the table, head on the game that was to be played and SLEEPING!!! Talk about giving mommy a heart attack...after getting over the shock of the scene I HAD to count it as a Kodak Moment...ENJOY!

Not sure whether he is praying to win or what LOL

AWWWWW....prayer time is over now it's nap time! Zachary actually fell asleep while waiting for Aunt Hannah to come back. Unfortunately, he did not get to play the game.

Happy Belated 27th Birthday!

Yes, I am 2 days behind again! Hannah Eve was born on March 29th, 1981. She joined 2 sisters and 1 brother. Yes, she is the BABY! She doesn't like to hear that (HEE HEE) because she is 27 years old now (LOL), but being the Older Sister I get to remind her of that regularly. Getting serious now...(ahem ahem)... Hannah has brought much joy into our lives. Oh as sisters or even just family there are many ups and downs, but we still stick together. Thanks for being there when we've needed something. I know it's been frustrating being 'single' but hang in there....If a man is in God's Plan you will find him. We love you! Happy Belated Birthday, BABY SISTER!

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In West Virginia

Hannah posing pretty as a picture

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At Domino's Farm

Hannah posing for a picture for her sister *SMILES*

Hannah with Niece Abigail & Nephew Zachary
....then....
Hannah with Sweet Sister Sarah LOL

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At Golden Corral

Hannah enjoying a Birthday Meal at Golden Corral

DON'T YOU DARE TELL THEM IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!
(I DID IT ANYWAY ~ HA HA)

The waiters & waitress' singing 'Happy Birthday' to Hannah

I LOVE YOU, BABY SIS!!!

Easter Pics

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Not all is wrong when things go quiet in the play room. This is where Zachary was found when he was being so quiet....fast asleep in the toy box! Yes, he was actually sleeping in this picture. He emptied the toy box, climbed inside and went to sleep. How could I pass up this picture! He's so HANDSOME (yes I am prejudice in this case LOL)