Beautiful Girl

So, I just left Ella's room, putting her to bed, and had a really hard time tearing myself away. I came out and tried to explain to Chris how incredibly smart, and funny, and sweet our child is and ended up in tears. I'm so scared I'll forget these times and miss them SO much. I LOVE that she just randomly tells me "Mom, I really love you." I LOVE that she wants to snuggle while I read to her for hours every day. I LOVE that she just asked me if she could please have some homework because she's going to school soon and then asked "Why are you cracking up?" when I laughed. I LOVE that she tells me everyday that she wants to be taller and taller like a giraffe. I LOVE that she loves to help me cook. I LOVE that she is so honest about her emotions ("Mom I'm fwustwated!" or "that weally scawed me"). I really want to be like her in so many ways. I wish my focus was as good as hers when she's working on a puzzle or spearing fruit with a toothpick. I wish I was as good at saying no to food when I'm not hungry. I could probably learn from Ella's example how to take compliments instead of deflecting them. She's creative in solving problems and funny on purpose and so loving even to the dog or her dolls when no one's looking. I'm SO in love with this beautiful girl.

Ho Co Fair 2008!

The fair was a lot of fun! We got to hang out with the Boons, Christys, and lots and lots of farm animals. I can't believe it was a year since we went last time! It's flown by. Ella was scared of the huge cows and pigs but somehow by the time we got to the petting barns, she became a new child! She was SO excited to touch everything that she almost fell into the baby goat pen trying to reach them. We ate deep fried oreos (yumm) and corn dogs (Chris loves them) and drank lemonade. We were anxious to see if they had the pig races like last year where little piglets race around a track to get oreos. This time, Ella got chosen to cheer for one of the piglets and won a necklace which she's proudly worn for the last 3 days. Our favorite fair moment was when the emcee at the pig/duck races said "These ducks are really young so they might need some help to get around the track. Who do you think should help them? Who comforts you and helps you and guides you?" All the kids started yelling "Mommy! Daddy! Our Parents!" and with no prompting, Ella yells "JESUS!!" Awwwww! I love that girl!


Peering at the sheep


Wheelbarrow riding with Dad

This is her "Oh my!" face before touching the baby chick

Trying to feed the sheep with her buddy Joel

This wheat felt amazing! Theresa and I sat there with our feet in it for a good 10 minutes. We eventually got the husbands to get shed their socks and shoes and get in also. Who knew there'd be anything akin to a spa treatment at the fair!

Ella really liked this bunny. She reminds me most times we see rabbits that they like carrots but she does not.

Last year's fair pic with daddy. Her hair was so short and she was just so little!!

This year's fair pic with Daddy. They're both so adorable!

Ode to Playgroup

We started going to a Playgroup when Ella was only about 2 months old. It was really for me at that point-to get out of the house, get advice from other moms, and begin to let Ella begin to become the social butterfly that she is. We've continued to be part of the same playgroup for the last 2+ years. We've laughed together a lot and our kids have grown together and we've benefited from each other's parenting successes (and learned from each other's failures!). Overall, it's been a blessing to get an evite for every other wednesday for these past 30 some months. What a blessing you all are in my life and Ella's. I hope for MANY more to come.




Ella sang at the top of her lungs most of the time she was playing in the pool. I think it distracted her from the fact that the water was freezing!

Trying on a helmet was SO exciting for her! We mostly have tiaras around here.

So, she wants to be a football player and a cheerleader...sounds good to me!

Random Update and Pics

It's been a pretty good week so far and Ella has had her "terrible two" moments but she managed to get all of the kids on her schoolbus again! She got a Curious George stuffed animal and a Mickey Mouse puzzle for her "prize" and was very happy. She is obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (the show and all the characters) right now. Her cutest current phrases are "are you happy?" (she asks all the time and then says "good! I'm happy too!") and "can I help you with anything?" which is a wonderful thing to hear. We're working on potty training again but in a laid back sort of way. We've been able to spend some time this week with old friends from Virignia Tech Navs and it's been awesome. We really miss being connected to the mission and vision and community of the Navigators in our daily lives. I really hope God leads us back to that in some fashion in some season of life. Now for some recent pics of the little one...


Cousins :-)

More cousins

Playing guitar with daddy

Playing "dentist" (she likes getting her teeth brushed if she gets a paper towel bib and to recline-it's hysterical)

I surprised Ella and crawled into her crib one morning, she wasn't as pleased as I'd hoped

She liked it once Daddy came in and "fweeked out" and wanted to take our picture

It's a little hard to tell but yes, somehow Ella and Hannah were inside this DOLL tent, yes, a tent for dolls, not children...

And finally...Marissa graduated! She now has a Masters in Community Arts...YAY Marissa!

Oooo-check it out

My friend Libby just posted about this website where you can get free blog templates...super cute. Check it out if you're looking for a new look :-)