4th of July Photos

Ellia eating grass - doesn't like the feel of it, but sure enjoyed eating it.
4th of July babies/children in all their colors. (Ellia isn't thrilled about sittin)

Ellia on the trampoline - she loved it.
Team Detlor celebrating the 4th.
Daddy & Ellia being goofy for the camera

Daddy & Ellia watching the fireworks. Little missy wasn't scared of them at all.

Proud to be an American

This past Friday we celebrated our country's Independence. I love 4th of July celebrations and you can bet Team Detlor will be teaching our children the importance of this holiday.

Some words to my favorite 4th of July song are:

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Hope everyone else had a good holiday and took a moment to remember all the past & present veterans.

And the answer is..................

In the 10x10 ultrasound room the Detlor clan stood & sat anxiously anticipating the gender of Detlor Team Member #4 .......and after pushing on my stomach, shaking my stomach and wiggling the ultrasound wand thingy....................the tech determined it's a G I R L.

She is pretty sure even though the little booger wouldn't open her legs at all. She sat cross legged the entire time!! The tech finally did the zoom in from under the bottom and we could make out it was a girl.

We will have the ability to double check in 4weeks when they repeat the ultrasound for some better pics of the heart. (no worries though)

So the squabbling/bickering over names continues. And as one friend put it "Ellia gets a sister, the new little one gets lots of cute clothes and Bill gets vastly outnumbered."

New Kids On The Block

That's right I now hold in my hand my ticket to the NKOTB concert on 11-22-08. No you aren't seeing things this 31 year old, soon to be mother of two is going to the NKOTB concert.

Ohhh, those were the days - back when I was 12. Back when my wall was plastered with Teen Beat magazine posters of NKOTB and other hotty boy crushes. Back when my babysitting money and allowance was spent buying the latest scrunchy, Aqua net hairspray and Teen Beat magazines.

NKOTB was my 1st concert. One that I almost didn't get to go to. But my father insisted it would be okay and to let me go even when my mother objected. So my friend Andrea and I waited in line for 8hrs at Bell Square to buy our tickets. Then the night of the concert we made signs, got all glamorized in our "cool" concert gear and headed to the T-Dome to see our favorite guys. (I have pictures of us - I will have to find them and post them) I was in love with Joey and she Jordan. We were convinced we were going to meet them and marry them.

Flash forward 19 years.......I am 31 years old, pregnant (well newly given birth) & going to see my "guys" again. Ohh, yes pregnancy..... My due date has been stated as 11-5 or 11-9 somewhere in that vicinity. So if for some reason this baby comes late I will literally be a week post birth going to this concert. But it will all be worth it. So on 11-22-08 my five friends and I will hop into a minivan, pop in the newest NKOTB CD and jam our way down to the T-Dome to see our guys.

Just so you're all clear my husband thinks I'm crazy. He thinks all of my friends and I are crazy. I think he's just scared that he will have to watch a newborn and a 13 month old alone that night ;o)

Till the CD comes out & the concert arrives I will "Step by Step" my way through my pregnancy, tell my husband "You got the right stuff", "Keep on Smilin" cuz "I'll Still Be Loving You" and as I head out the door he'll probably say "Please Dont Go Girl" but I'll be "Hanging Tough" at the concert with my guys.

Girl or Boy ???

Next Wed we will arrive at the Doctors office with much anticipation and excitement. Wed 6-25 is the day we are set to find out the sex of our 2ND child.

Bill, Ellia, Grandma Detlor, Grandpa Detlor (G&G as we like to call them), Aunt Susan and me of course will crowd into the very small Ultrasound room with the technician. We will all stand there, I will lay of course and we will wait for her to say "it's a ________"

We all have our opinions on what the 4Th member of Team Detlor will be. I of course am convinced it's a girl, Bill thinks it's a boy, G&G are still undecided but I secretly think they want a boy, Not sure what Aunt Susan thinks, Nana & Papa (in Florida) are convinced 100% it's a boy. I wonder who will be right?

Till then I will lay awake nightly thinking about the positives of both. Another little girl could mean matching Christmas & Easter dresses. How cute would that look in pictures? It would mean we wouldn't have to buy a thing. Thank goodness for Ellia's hammy downs. Of course this would mean the bickering of girl names would continue. A little boy could mean lots of blue & daddy would finally have a wrestler. Most importantly a boy would mean no bickering about names as we do agree on a boy name. Both could be very fun & I would be happy with either.

So till next Wed I will wait in anticipation, continue to think of girl names and pray that this one will be as care free as it's older sister was to showing her private parts. WARNING PG-13 - To which Bill said " That will be the last time she ever opens her legs"

Why did you get married?

It's Friday night and my "Friday Night" friend just left. Melinda often keeps me company on Friday nights when Bill works late. Tonight I got pizza and she brought the movie - "Why did you get married"? A Tyler Perry movie. Now, I am a huge fan of Tyler Perry. Anyone seen "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" - Funny movie. He is a great comedian and tells about life in an African American family.

The movie was based on 4 couples marriages and the struggles they go through. I sat there watching this movie crying & laughing. But mostly I sat there and found myself thinking about my wonderful husband.

Why did I get married? I got married because I found the love that I'd been searching/dreaming/praying for my entire life. I found the man who loves me for me - no matter how much weight I gain & how much acne I have on my face with this pregnancy. (and it's bad - trust me)

Everyday I am amazed by his thoughtfulness, love, his amazing patience with me, his strength, the peace & security he brings to our marriage & home. He never ceases to let the day go by without telling me at least 3x how much he loves me, or how beautiful I am or how about the fact that he still brings me flowers at least 2x a month (Gotta love the Costco roses - and I do). Lets not forget all the sacrifices he has made for our family this year. His love for our children and I is AMAZING - and that is why I got married. Because I cannot live without this man!!

Florida Trip - Beach pictures

Fun in the sun

Sitting in a tide pool splashing around w/daddy

First time playing at the ocean & in the sand

Too cool for shades

What a cute baby!

Ellia loved the sand - liked to eat it

Bill & Ellia enjoying some shade

Crack Kills (my nephew playing n the sand)

Ms. Ellia had 3 swimsuits while we were on vacation and she used each one. I think my favorite was her camo green & pink flowered bikini. (She got the most compliments on this one - or should we say "ooh's", "ahhs" & "how cute") She loved it all the beach, the sand & the sun. It was so much fun to see her excitement and joy.

The best part of our vacation was watching Ellia take it all in through her little eyes. Her squeals, laughs, giggles & those beautiful smiles. It made it all so much more fun.

Florida Trip - Family

On the plane to Atlanta & Yes, Ellia is in her Pjs

Bill & Ellia taking a play break on the floor of the Atlanta airport

First Time meeting Uncle AJSnoozing with Papa
Ellia & Nana
Aunt Christy & Ellia

Uncle Tom & Ellia

Snoozin with Great Aunt Debbie
Laughs with Great Uncle Ron and Great Aunt Susan

Eating Popcicles with Cousin Thomas, YUM YUM!!!

18 weeks pregnant

Guess the statement "every pregnancy is different" is really true. At least it is for me this time around. I had morning sickness, am still tired, bad acne and have weird gagging/heartburn/indegestion. None of which I had with Ellia. This pregnancy is proving to be more challenging and at times not as fun. But I know in the end it will be all worth it and I cling with every ounce of life to the Lords promise he doesn't give us more than we can handle.

Coming soon.......vacation pics & pregnancy pics

Coming soon to a blogspot near you......pictures of our vacation to Florida & pregnancy photos of baby#2.

Three week countdown till we find out if baby#2 is a boy or a girl and we are still undecided on girl names. Who knew picking names could be soooo hard.

1st Mothers Day

Sunday was my first official Mothers Day. It started with Bill making me breakfast. Paula Deen's french toast casserole and bacon. (bacon like what was served at Aunt Beth's brunch - rubbed with brown sugar) It was Yummy!!!

Bill and Ellia got me some very beautiful cards and a necklace like in the picture. (Not quite as few diamonds) I love it!!

At church our pastor spoke on Mothers and how we wouldn't be here without them. How important they are to us, etc. Bill leans over and says "What about the sperm, children wouldn't be here without the sperm either". I just laughed....I love this man.

After we got home from church Ellia and I took a little nap and Bill's sister Susan came over for lunch. Bill again cooked. This time he grilled steaks, baked potatoes & asparagus. It was sooooo good. After lunch we just chilled out. It was nice lazy afternoon.

Bill not only cooked all day but he did the dishes all day!!!! Cant beat that. I love Mothers Day. To quote Julie, "Mothers Day is better than your birthday" And I would have to agree.

My first Mothers Day was Wonderful!! I have a GREAT husband and a beautiful little girl.

Cousin Sarah's wedding

The wedding of the year was this past weekend. Bill's cousin Sarah got married to Dr. Daren Benson at the Portland Art Museum. Champagne colored silk hung with candles serving as most of the lighting. The ceremony was very elegant. However, I will say the reception was the BEST, but more on that in a minute. Bill missed most of the ceremony because our dear sweet Ms. Ellia wasn't going to settle down and be quiet. So Bill waited in the foyer with her till she fell asleep and then he caught the vows & kiss. (the most important I guess) It ended up being the best because our seats were right next to the gospel choir that sang through out the ceremony and Ellia wouldn't have slept through that.

The reception was on the third floor in the Grand Ballroom. As you entered the Grand Ballroom you were ushered into a seating are with candles along white couches & chairs. While bartenders took your drinks you were served hors' durves. (the crab cakes were the BEST) Then you passed through the red drapes to the Red themed reception. Each table was draped in red table cloths and linens. The center pieces each had red roses & flowers. They were stunning.

The bride & groom entered and promptly danced their first dance. It was the sweetest thing to see them dance & hold one another. Then the party got started with dancing, great food, toast's and cake.

It was a great evening! We had a blast and it was great to see two people so in love get married.

Spring Snow - April 18th & 19th

Ellia loved the snow this time around. She kept touching it and even put it in her mouth at one point. It's hard to believe it snowed so late in the year. We now have documented proof for her scrapbook of Spring Snow 2008.

11 weeks, colds & ear infections, & travels

I am 11 weeks pregnant and I feel like I am 20+ or even 30+ weeks. My back is already aching, morning sickness thankfully came & went but the tiredness is here with a vengeance. Having a 6month old active child, a house to run & being a wife are very challenging the 2ND time around. I can't just sleep when I want to or not make dinner. I have others that are now dependant on me and sometimes...shhhhhhh...it's not fun. But none the less we are marching along - to our own song.

Then on top of that the last few weeks in the Detlor home have been very Interesting. Ellia came down with a cold that I thought was teething symptoms. Then I got the nasty cold. Before we knew it we were both down for the count. Grumpy, coughing, not sleeping, Grumpy, runny noses, Grumpy...did I mention Grumpy? Bill looked at me one evening and said "its not fun having both of you sick". So this cold lingered & lingered. Ellia was showing little signs of getting better but not improvements like I had. So last Friday I took her to the doctor and found she had a full blown ear infection. We are now on antibiotics and she is finally showing signs of improvement.

This past weekend we traveled to Portland. ( the same trip we will be making in two weeks for a family wedding. ) Ellia traveled better than we thought she would. And she slept in a pac-n-play for the first time. Yeah!! We did have a great time. But it was go, go, go, go and when we got home late Sunday evening we CRASHED. All three of us.

So as you can see there has been a ton going on in the Detlor household the last few weeks. But we are taking it all in stride. We are surviving. God is giving us the Strength, Determination, Peace, Love & the Joy. As I sit typing this Ellia is blowing/spitting bubbles (her new thing in the last 24hrs) on my lap & trying to type with me. I love these moments and this is when I am reminded how Thankful I am for my daughter and my husband.

Go Team Detlor!!!!

Phish Food

So tonight I am laying in bed watching Oprah ( the show today had the pregnant man - don't get me started) and Bill asks me if I'd like some ice cream. The strange thing is that I had been dreaming/salivating about Phish Food just this afternoon. Now, for those of you who don't know Phish Food is a product of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Phish Food is a mixture of chocolate ice cream, ooie gooie marsh mellow, Carmel & fudge shaped fish. It is a wonderful but deadly combination.

Bill gets up and runs up to the store to buy me some. (Thank heavens for the new Safeway up the street) He returns a few minutes later and brings me a bowl - to bed. And I the loving, thoughtful, pregnant wife respond with "Thank You" .......uhhh,

WRONG

I say...."where is the carton? I always eat it out of the carton". It is at this point that I think my husband is going to loose it. He offers to run downstairs and get me the carton. I decide that this isn't necessary. I tell him "I'll eat it just this once in a bowl"

It's gonna be a long 9 months in this house.

Please Pray

As I sit here typing Ellia and I are both sick with a cold, cough, runny nose, fevers etc. We are both miserable. However, I managed to log onto the computer to check emails, myspace and blogs.

Imagine my wonderful surprise when I went to CF Husband. CF Husband is a blog that follows the life of Nathan, his wife Tricia - who is living with Cystic Fibrosis and their tiny, beautiful daughter Gwyneth Rose.

Please Pray ......... Tricia is on stand by for a double lung transplant. They got the call this morning that this could be it. They had a close call last week. Please pray that these are the lungs that will work perfectly for Tricia. And please pray for the organ donors family.

Lord, you know what you have planned for this beautiful, amazing family who have touched so many lives from their computer. Please be with them, touch them & give them peace as they wait out these next few hours. And if these should be the lungs for Tricia please help the surgeons, nurses, and Tricia as they undergo the process of the surgery to give her new life.

Nap time fun

Why is it kids don't like naps? They are crying, fussing, rubbing their eyes but dont want to sleep. My little blessing, Ellia has decided this week she doesn't like naps any longer. She has decided to throw a fit each time I try to put her down for a nap. Yes, a fit. She may be only 6months but she is throwing full on fits. Arching her back, pushing me away, crying, throwing her binky out of her mouth - the whole nine yards. The other day I left her in her crib for an hour hoping she'd fall asleep. I got my workout that day - every 5-6 minutes running up the stairs to retrieve binky, pat her back, soothe her etc.... To no avail.
Finally, after an hour I picked her up, put her in the swing and called my friend crying on the phone.... "She wont sleep and I dont know what to do". My friend offered my comforting words, advice and a few laughs.

Know what my precious little girl is doing right this minute? She is in her crib sleeping - decided she'd take a nap today ;o)

Which side of your brain do you use more?

My friend Shannon has this on her blog Wind Scraps and I found it very interesting. I had fun taking the quiz. Take the quiz and see if you are Left brained or Right brained. Don't forget to tell me your score. Bill and I scored the same on this test... go figure...

You Are 30% Left Brained, 70% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Easter 08

So here is Ellia's Easter picture. Isn't it cute?? She loved that bunny a little too much. She kept trying to eat him, pull his ears and just plain grab him. Mr. Bunny was glad to see Ellia leave. ;o) At one point Ellia didn't want to corroporate to take the photos and I started to get a little frustrated. Bill ever so gently reminded me...."I want you to remember this is all for you, and Ellia could care less" And I snapped back "You're damm right it's for me". I quickly apologized for jumping all over my husband and prayed "Lord, just give us 1 good picture" and guess what out of all the pictures this was the BEST one. Thank You Lord!

For Tricia:

Here is my list of things that I can't wait for Tricia and Nate @ CF Husband to experience with their precious, baby girl Gwyneth Rose. All of my experiences are new as my baby is only 5months old but none the less exciting and fun:

• Her first cold where she coughs and has a runny nose. So you rush her to the walk in clinic to be told she's fine go buy a humidifier
• Typing on the computer (as I am now) and her trying to type with you
• Feeding her baby cereal for the 1st time & having her spit it out all over herself & you
• Her first Christmas outfit
• Crying when she can't fit that Christmas outfit any longer
• When she discovers her feet for the first time
• Rolls over all by herself and you clap for her - only to have her start crying because you scared her with your clapping
• Her cute & adorable feet - I love, love, love baby feet. Just something about them
  
• Chunky rolls on her legs, arms and little dimples over her hands
  
• When she reaches out for you and you realize she really does want you
• Having her cry and nothing can soothe her except mommy (Sorry Nate) - This is the BEST feeling ever

You guys have sooo much to look forward to. Have fun & enjoy the ride. They grow up fast.

Time to Announce...........

So the word is out....it's time to announce our 2nd pregnancy. The 2nd line here is light...but it's there. A bit of a shock as you can expect...but none the less we are happy. Ellia and baby #2 the "bambino" will be 13 months apart. We are living/breathing proof that it only takes 1 time (w/out protection) to get pregnant. Think it's time to call cousins Jason & Christy for advice. :o)

New Detlor Family photo

This is our new favorite family photo. We took Ellia to the waterfront last week and got this great picture taken of our little family. Ellia can finally wear her little Boston Redsox hat that G & G got for her at Fenway park before she was born. Bill was thrilled of course!

"Don't hope to be. Choose"

The other day Bill's cousin Sarah wrote a blog about her wedding that is coming up very quickly. At the end of her blog she wrote the words "Don't hope to be happy. Choose." This statement has had me thinking for days. It so made an impact on me that I knew instantly I was going to blog about it very soon. With the help of Bill's other cousin Julie I was able to get some blogging questions answered and here we are.

Now back to the "Don't hope to be happy. Choose." statement. Isn't this statement the most basic of instructions for life. Isn't it so easy that we sometimes forget about it and find ourselves in the hope mode of life? I know I have at times. There's a song with the lyrics "Wishing and hoping" and the tune to the song is so easy you find yourself singing along. Don't get me wrong I love the song & it is in one of my favorite movies of all times (My Best Friend's Wedding) But life isn't about Wishing and hoping its about CHOOSING:

1. Choosing to love the Lord & accept His gift of salvation
2. Choosing to be obedient to the Lord
3. Choosing your mate & to fulfill your vows
4. Choosing your child's name ( you do hope here, hope they like it)
5. Choosing what type of toilet paper to buy ( threw this one in just for fun)
6. Choosing to be happy every day No matter what happens
7. Choosing to rely on the Lord because He promises are real and He will guide & direct us

For the past two months I've been following another blog CF Husband and it is here that I found out about Nate, his wife Tricia and their beautiful daughter Gwyneth Rose. Tricia is suffering from Cystic Fibrosis and is currently waiting for a double lung transplant. Their miracle baby girl was born very early due to complications from the CF. I will admit I am a bit ADDICTED to this blog. I check it at least once a day sometimes more. I've shared their story with Bill and he too checks the blog. We then began praying for this couple and their daughter daily. Their story is an amazing one of life, love, and CHOOSING. They have made the choice to be happy, to roll with whatever God throws at them, to go against the odds and face life head on. Their story is so inspirational that I cannot help but read it. Before Sarah posted her blog with the statement "Don't hope to be happy. Choose" I told my husband and mother-n-law that Nate & Tricia were choosing to be happy and that in turn was having an impact on me just by reading their blogs. Even though they are 3000+ miles away they inspire me every day.

They are truly an inspiration and living example of the statement "Don't hope to be happy. Choose" And when I find myself starting to hope about life and all it brings my way I will remember the "Don't hope to be happy. Choose" statement and I will CHOOSE to be happy and Thankful for all that the Lord has given me.

Mother of all blow outs

This sweet face had the mother of all blow outs today! Yeppers and I was out at Costco when it happened. I almost cried.

The day started so nicely. Ellia all dressed in her pretty little denim dress with red tights, red hairbow and black mary jane shoes. We were headed to have lunch with Auntie Susan at work and then onto Grandma & Grandpa's for a pre Valentine Day visit.

As I pulled into the Issaquah Costco to buy flowers for Auntie Susan I smelled a nice aroma. Now anyone reading this know's what I mean by "aroma". She was sound asleep and wasn't squacking so I figured it wasn't too bad and I would just change her in the bathroom when I was finished buying the flowers. Apparently that wasn't a good idea.

As I began to take her clothes off in the Costco bathroom she began to cry....cry...cry....cry and CRY. Which echoed off the walls of the bathroom all the way down the hallway to the cash registers. She had pooped out the sides of the diaper and up the front & back. Yes, that's right out of every single opening of her diaper. Her outfit was COVERED in a thick, pea green poop substance. (Want you to all get a good visual here) I had no choice to but to strip her down and give her a spit bath with baby wipes right there. All while she is screaming her head off. And then if it couldn't get an worse.................... She pee'd........Yes, she was so worked up that she pee'd right there on the changing table. Which you guessed it turned the thick, pea green poop into a nice runny, pea green substance. Any part of her body that I had just cleaned up was now dirty again. It was at this moment that I almost broke down into tears. I managed to keep my composure, clean her up and give her a nice cuddle & hug to calm her down.

We then walked over to visit Auntie Susan who was very understanding about my ordeal. I had to tell someone as Bill was at work and I was desperate to tell someone about our bathroom experience. The rest of the day went very well, but this blow out will live in the history books and in stories until Ellia is old & gray.

Latte Love

My Husband is the BEST!!!

Yesterday morning I awoke with a huge hunger for an apple fritter. Bill offered to go to the store and I wasn't about to say no to an apple fritter:O)

A little while later he came home with doughnuts, milk and a Starbucks Latte for me. But the best part was he also gave me a card. When I opened the card it read Lots of Latte Love - Happy Birthday. But he had crossed out the Happy Birthday and written "Happy I love you day".
It brought tears to my eyes.

I am married to the most sinceire, loving and wonderful man EVER! Everyday I am blessed to be Mrs. William Detlor.

Love Never Fails

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for old people. I think they are the cutest most adorable people in the world and I cannot wait to be a cute old, hat wearing lady.
So when I got this email today from my uncle about an old man I had to read it. And as I read it I was brought to tears. I dont know where he got it, but it read like this:

It was a busy morning, about 8:30 in the morning when a man in his 80's, arrived to have the stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9am.
I took his vitals and had him take a seat, know that it would be at least an hour before he would be seen. I saw him looking at his watch and decided since I wasn't busy with a patient that, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, and got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound I asked him if he had another doctors appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired about his wife's health. He told me she had been there for awhile and that she was a victim of Alzheimers Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she dosen't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me but I still know who she is"

What AMAZING Love this man has for his wife!! Isn't this how the Lord is with us? Even when we are busy with our families, friends, housework and just plain life he still know's who we are and where our hearts are. This email brought tears to my eyes and two gentle reminders....

1. The Lord loves me no matter what and is always there for me
2. My husband is like this man and will be like him even in old age & I can always count on him

It also reminded me of 1 Cor 13: 4-8
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
and the key here.......... LOVE NEVER FAILS

Growing like a weed

Ellia is 4 months old! I cannot believe that 4 months has flown by. Litterally it has flown by us.
She had her 4 month checkup today. She weighed in at 15.12 pounds and is 25 inches long. She is just growing, growing, growing. And I am still breastfeeding about 60 - 70% of the time.
Ellia loves to swing, play in her exersaucer, still getting used to the Bumbo seat (having toys like in the picture help her stay seated). She is cooing , laughing and smiling all the time. Bill loves to make her laugh by pretending to sneeze. Ellia thinks when you sneeze that is the funniest thing ever.
Having Ellia in our lives has made our family so complete. We thought we were so content, and we were. But adding her into our little family has made it more complete and us more content. It's hard to put it just right into words, but I am sure you will all understand my point here. We love her sooooooo very much and every day we thank God for blessing us with such a special little girl.

Snow Day

Yesterday, Bill and I awoke to 4inches of snow on the ground. We were very excited to take Ellia out to play in it. (Not her first snow - as it snowed on Christmas, but her first "real" snow day) Even passing up a phone call from Cousin Julie so we could go out and play. Sooooooo, we get her all bundled up in her snow suit and make sure she is toasty warm. And she falls asleep. That's right before we can get her out in the snow she falls asleep.

So in all of these pictures she is asleep.

We decided to have fun for her and we built her a snowman - "Harry" - while she slept in her bouncy seat on the front porch. Then Daddy helped her make snow angels and you guess it she slept right through those too. Oh well Bill & I had fun playing like little kids in the snow, we got some fun pictures & it will make for a fun story when Ellia gets older - how she slept through her first "Real" snow day.

New pictures of sweet Ellia

I dont wanna

Do you ever feel like this picture? ??
Ellia didn't want to take pictures with her friend Sophia. She was crying and all upset.

When I got home and downloaded the pictures and came across this one it really made an impact on me.

This picture sums it all up. This is how I feel on the inside sometimes when life throws me challenges. When my husband or God tells me something that I need to hear but dont like. Or something I need to do that I dont want to do.

This picture will serve as a good reminder. It's funny & cute for Ellia but do I really want to look like that, even on the inside? A picture is worth a million words.

8 Things that drive me CRAZY - inspired by Julie

Here's my current list of 8 things that drive me crazy:

1. All the attention being paid to Hilary Clinton and her crying episode yesterday in NH

2. When my darling husband leaves the lid open to the baby wipes and they dry out

3. The fact that to loose weight you actually have to diet or watch your calorie intake

4. When Ellia wakes up in the middle of the night and wont go back to sleep

5. The neighbors dogs that bark all the time - plus I feel bad for them as they live outside full time and its too cold & rainy for dogs to live outside all the time

6. Drivers who text while driving - Bill and I had this young girl just last night driving in front of us very slow and when we pulled around her she was texting. Where are the police when you need them?

7. When people call my cell phone and dont leave a message. Do they want me to call back or not?

Last but not least:

8. People who leave their Christmas lights up after New Years & turn them on every night- its January 8th people TAKE THEM DOWN -

Next to be tagged - Kim, Shannon & Cora

2008 is HERE!!

Wow, time has flown by so fast. Ellia is 3 months old today. In three months Bill and mine's life has changed soooo much. We are enjoying being parents and are so happy. Ellia has changed our lives so much. She has caused us to slow down and enjoy life. And we cannot wait to see what 2008 brings.

Yesterday, I went to a Beautiful memorial service for a great man of God. He died unexpectantly last week. I was nervous, anxious & sad all at the same time. His service was held at my old church and I saw people I hadn't seen in many years. And although it was hard it was also so wonderful for many reasons. As I sat there hearing all the stories of his life it brought a smile to my face. This man truly had found the meaning of life. He loved the Lord so much and knew he was nothing without Him. He didn't just talk the talk he WALKED it. What an amazing testimony to have at the end of your life. I was very privileged to have seen his life with my own eyes and to have known him. Seeing everyone again was easier than I had thought it would be. It was actually very good for me and I had a wonderful time catching up with everyone.

As I recalled the service later with Bill (he wasn't able to attend) we discussed how we'd like to be remembered. We both agreed that life is too short and it's time to be who God has called you to be NOW. We both agreed that a man's richness isn't found in money but in the happiness he finds in Jesus. Once you have that & understand his forgiveness & goodness you will be filled with many more riches. Great friends, family and a relationship with the Almighty God that can't be squashed. What a wonderful testimony to have & to leave to all of your family & friends when all is said and done.

What is your 2008 going to be about this year?

First Christmas

Yesterday, we celebrated our Lord's birth and what a blessing it was to celebrate. The day was so wonderful and exciting.

This year Bill and I celebrated with our new little girl, Ellia Lorraine. She is only 2 months, 3 weeks & 3 days but whose counting. The excitement of the day for us was lived through her. We had decided to not really buy Ellia anything because she is so young and doesn't need anything. But her daddy couldn't resist and surprised me with a bunch of gifts for our baby girl. He enjoyed watching her and I open them up. Later at Bill's parents house I got to experience the joy & excitement of watching Ellia open presents with Grandma and Grandpa for the first time. It was so much fun to see the excitement in their eyes, the joy and even some tears as they shared this special day with their first grandchild. (I had told Bill to tell them to not buy her anything cause she is so small. But he promptly said "I will not tell my parents they cannot buy Christmas presents for their first grandchild")

Yesterday it really rang true that this day isn't about the gifts but about the people we love. As Bill and I laid in bed last night we recounted the day's events. Our daughter's first Christmas, opening presents with Grandma, Grandpa & Aunt Susan, my new cookbook Deceptively Delicious (that I have wanted for months) and last but not least Ellia's first Christmas snow. All so much fun and many memories made. It was at this moment that I began to cry into my husband's shoulders. You see I was raised in a very poor home. Life in my home was good, but I being the oldest knew just how poor we really were. My parents always tried to do a good job but lights got turned off, phones were disconnected and yes evictions occurred. Christmas's were sparce most years but we still had each other. And as I opened presents yesteray I was humbled. Not by the volume of gifts but by the loving family that I have been so blessed to become part of. After 2.5 years of dating & marriage they have accepted me & brought me into their family with loving arms. As much as I prayed for a husband I prayed for his family. And God really answered all of my prayers. My husband is the BEST but his family is equally great. From his mom & dad, sister, aunts & uncles and cousins (and cousins wives) they are all soooo GREAT and I have grown to love them all so much.

So as I type this blog I am crying - tears of Joy. For I am the most Blessed woman EVER. And this Christmas filled with first's was the BEST one I could've ever dreamed of.

Love - The ultimate sacrifice

So I have to admit I had forgotten about blogging and the fact that I had a blog. Clearly seen by the date of my last blog. What triggered my brain was seeing my husband's cousin's blog page. And I noticed that we had the same back ground. However, I win - I had it first.

So this got me to thinking and here I am blogging again.

Since my last blog I have gotten married. We celebrated our 1st anniversary this July and in October we had our first child - Miss Ellia Lorraine. She is wonderful and has added so much joy to our lives. We absolutely adore her and have fallen madly, deeply in love with her.

With parenthood we have discovered new and exciting things. And yes even some scarey things. But with it all we have found a new sense of joy & love. The instant that Ellia was placed on my chest this outpouring of love invaded my body from head to toe. It was the strangest feeling but yet the most comforting all at the same time. I loved her when she was in my belly but the moment she was out of my belly it was so different.

If I love Ellia like this then I can only imagine the love the Father above has for me. He loves me more than I can fathom, more than I love Ellia. This used to seem so overwhelming and almost to the point of unbelief. But now with Ellia in my life I have come to understand and yes even appreciate it more. I find myself understanding this sacrifice more and more every day. He gave his own son who laid down his life for me - a sinner and died. I can only imagine the Father's anguish as he watched his one and only son dying on the cross. I dont know if I could give Ellia so sacrifically to save this dying world. I continue to be blown away, humbled and gratefull for this gift of life. And to think it took a 6lb 15 ounce bundle of joy to bring me to my knees and teach me more about His ultimate sacrifice.