Garris Girls' Update

Drum Roll Please.....................The first installment from "daddy". It's been a long time in coming, but here we go. Cyndia has her hands full with the girls, so i thought the least i could do was write a few lines since we haven't given any updates in quite some time (sorry!).

In April we had the chance to visit my parents and sister, but not in Lincoln, rather Peoria, IL. We decided to meet up at about the half way point so no one had a crazy-long drive. We hung out for 4+ days and had a great time. Rylee was just starting to show a lot of her personality at that point, and she loved spending time playing on the floor and also petting Ozzie (meggan's dog). Ava fell in love with the swimming pool! We were so happy to see her enjoy, as the previous summer she was not so sure about how she felt about being in the water. Grandpa even convinced her to go under water - wow!

Rylee has started "army crawling". She has not yet mastered getting up on all fours, but that hasn't stopped her from pulling herself across any room when she is motivated enough. She has 4 teeth now, as her top two teeth have come in over the last 3 weeks. She is starting to make it through the night now. Sometimes she is still up around 5:30, but more often than not recently she is waking up after 6am, which the doctor says is officially "morning" for a baby (even though daddy would like to disagree!). Rylee has a new favorite toy that she holds on to with all her might - ava's barbie doll. Ava has graciously allowed Rylee to hold it all day long :) Rylee keeps a death-grip on her hair, no matter if she is eating, being carried around, or playing with other toys on the floor. It's pretty funny.

Ava is growing so fast! She is now 37 inches and 32 pounds. She is officially potty-trained! We are so proud of her! We still put a diaper on her when she sleeps, but even then she is doing really well most nights. She is so strong-willed, and it was quite a battle between her and her mom for a few weeks - but finally mommy won and convinced her living without dora tv, playing outside, or going to the zoo was not worth pooping in her pants! She is such a big girl now, it makes me a bit sad. She is also a sponge. We have to watch everything we say around her because not only does she learn the new word right away, she understands how to use it in perfect context. So we have heard things like "they need to turn those freaking sirens off daddy" (tornado sirens), "that sucks" or "that's not cool daddy", and finally, my favorite while we were in traffic, "Go Suckers!". Yes, we are very proud parents :) She is a joy and we love the stage she is in right now.

Cyndia and I will be heading to Marco Island, FL for me to perform a wedding in two weeks. I am pretty excited to get away for a few days, and i think she is too - except for the worries about the girls. Her parents are coming and I think will have a wonderful time.

Enjoy the photos and videos from the past couple of months!

Quick Update

Hello...It's me, Cyndia that is...not Corey...of course...I have tried to update the last couple of weeks with many shots of our girls, and a few new things that they have done. It has been quite the last couple of weeks, that's for sure! I was reflecting the other day on how much time Corey and I used to have to be able to do things; like just lay in bed for hours and talk about dreams we had, or things that we would like to do and still haven't done, or even what we would eat for the day...Now life has turned into one big planning session...When will the girls get fed? When will they go down for naps? What will we eat for the week?...When will Rylee be consistent in her sleeping patterns...Of course you get the picture...There are days that I can easily complain about my life situation...and poor Corey bears the brunt of my "woe is me..." BUT recently I have been trying to enjoy the days for any positives that they may give me...even if it's the fact that Ava listened to me once out of 20 times...or that Rylee shot me a smile even though she took a half hour nap...or Corey told me that I look beautiful even though I know I have dark circles under these tired eyes...I have much to be thankful for...I have two beautiful daughters...that are sweet when they want to be. Ava randomly tells us that she loves us throughout the day...she rubs my feet unsolicited, and gives the greatest hugs and kisses. Whenever I get frustrated with the day I often mutter under gritted teeth, "God help me!" Ava immediately comes to me, rubs me on the back and says, "Mom it's okay..." She has such a gift of compassion. I eagerly await the day when I see Rylee's personality come through like this...and see all the things that she will do, that we laugh and take great joy in with Ava.


Corey has been such an incredible husband...he recently preached at Sawmill Campus, and so many people were touched by his message. I love seeing him be used like this. He really is such a good pastor, and father. We have really been enjoying, and experiencing way more freedom in the roles that we have been given at Sawmill Campus. We are so blessed! Easter went well, and we also threw an Easter Egg Hunt that served the community. We way underestimated the amount of people that were going to show up and had far too little eggs, but the event was a success. I invited 3 people to church, and one in particular really stuck out to me. He had a son that was crying because he only got one egg. I overheard the little boy, and quickly stole some of Ava's eggs to place in his basket. He of course thanked me and said that I really didn't need to do that. He talked about how his son had autism, and how hard it was for him to have gotten just one egg...My heart ached for him. He talked about how they really didn't have a church home yet, and really wanted a place where they called "home." It reminded me of how much our desire is for this church to be a "home" to everyone...and how much more I want to see things happen...for people to find their home, their community, where they feel loved, appreciated, and cared for.

Rylee is sitting up really well now, trying to pull up, and can do 360's on the floor. She is eating a ton, laughing a ton, and still as tiny as ever. She is so strong willed, and extremely resilient. She can take much abuse from her big sis. She has two teeth now! Precious smile as ever. I love it.

We are headed off to Peoria to visit our wonderful family from Nebraska for a couple of days, and hopefully get some rest and good memories...we are all excited...especially a Miss Ava that can't get enough of her grandparents and Aunt Mae Mae.

Well that's it for now...stay tuned for more pics...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey, Ava, and our little peanut Rylee

Rylee Eating...

She loves to eat everything...but can't keep it all down...bad acid reflux :(

Such a Big Girl!

Rylee eating in the high chair...

Easter & Egg Hunt 2010

Not the best shot...but at least everyone is looking at the camera!


Okay....somber Ava...but Corey and I look good :) Our pretty girls in the Easter
Dresses that Abuela got for them. They got compliments left and right!

Ava and Abuela at the Easter Egg Hunt that we threw as a way to

serve the community through our church. It was a success! Over 200 kids came!

Getting ready to grab some eggs! She got 10!

Please forgive this video coverage of the egg hunt...I think I even say during the video, this is horrible! HA! BUT after looking at it, it wasn't so bad! :) Love the smile at the end!

Friends...

Ava & our good friend Morgan who spoils Ava with gifts & time
Don't they make such a cute couple!?
Ask Ava who her boyfriend is, and she says, "Jordan!"
My girls fighting for Matthew's affection!

Ava chillin watching the Cavs game with Mike & Joe

My Best Friend Ginny's 3 year old Charis, and Ava.

Ava is so tall!(I don't think she gets it from me!)

Zoo Fun

Bears...
Flamingos...

Cuties...Notice the background..a love spat occuring :)

Big Elephant...

Kangaroos...

Gorilla (s).. :)

So Kell & I took the kiddos over to the zoo, which we have decided will be a weekly deal around here come summer time! YES! We had a wonderful day and the girls slept in their strollers while we talked about life...such a sweet time, and such a sweet friend I have...Praise God!

to view some awesome pics of our little ladies, visit the following link:

http://www.slide.com/r/Fow53JC94z8AtMMrNAmicsEfU9WrBwWk?previous_view=lt_embedded_url