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.

Where has time gone?

Wow, its been a long time!!!
My last post was soooo long a go and so much has happened I dont know where to begin.
I look at my blogs and last year was a crazy time. But things are looking up.

This last year I met the most wonderful man ever. He's kind, funny, cute, honest and much more. We had been dating 5mnths when he proposed on our Christmas trip to my family in Florida. I said "Yes" of course and we are planning our July wedding.

He is an answer to all my prayers for so many years. He is proof that prayer does pay off and that God does hear even the little prayers. Such as praying for a man to be a good dresser. Know how to dress himself and like fashion. Bill, thats my Fiance, is a great dresser. Sometimes I think he enjoys shopping more than me!

Life has been good to the two of us and we are both ready to jump feet first into this huge thing called MARRIAGE. We are excited, anxious and scared all at the same time. But so ready to start our life together.

To those who read this and are waiting for that special one, dont give up!! Hold on and keep praying! God does hear you and he comes through.....I am proof of that!