Friday night was the finale...complete with a musical extraordinare. Ella was all about the music. And the dancing. It didn't seem to bother her that the only ones dancing were her buddy, Kerri, and herself. They were too cute. My favorite part was when she and Kerri decided it would be more fun to attempt a somersault on the stage =)
Ezra enjoyed watching the performance...for at least 10 minutes. Then he was content to chew on the back of the pew and Jeremiah's keys.
Man, did we have a blast this week...but, we are ALL so wiped out! They have been sleeping champs all weekend.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
VBS...day four
Ezra has made quite the rounds this week. As I walk through the church each night I have numerous people stop me...
"That Ezra, he is such a sweetie!"
"You just watch, he'll be walking any day now"
"Man, he is strong"
"He just about jumped out of my arms to see the puppets"
"Let me tell you what he did tonight..."
I love how the nursery workers at Grey Stone love on my son. They truly didn't just "watch" him this week. They played with him, strolled him all over the church and parking lot, got him to take his first steps walking behind a walker, put him in his pajamas & lotioned him up for me every night, and just loved on him. He smelled like perfume every night from all the hugs and kisses =)
Apparently on their nightly rounds, he would reach out to different people and practically lunge himself into their arms. We are really going to have to work on getting him to come out of his shell =)
"That Ezra, he is such a sweetie!"
"You just watch, he'll be walking any day now"
"Man, he is strong"
"He just about jumped out of my arms to see the puppets"
"Let me tell you what he did tonight..."
I love how the nursery workers at Grey Stone love on my son. They truly didn't just "watch" him this week. They played with him, strolled him all over the church and parking lot, got him to take his first steps walking behind a walker, put him in his pajamas & lotioned him up for me every night, and just loved on him. He smelled like perfume every night from all the hugs and kisses =)
Apparently on their nightly rounds, he would reach out to different people and practically lunge himself into their arms. We are really going to have to work on getting him to come out of his shell =)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
VBS...day three
As I was walking down the hall to pick Ella up from her classroom last night, 3 different people stopped me to say, "sorry, but Ella has not stopped eating tonight...good luck getting her to bed!"
Hmmm.
I look into her classroom and sure enough, Ella is sitting at the table, eating, with her back to me. She turns around and the entire lower half of her face is covered in frosting and sprinkles. Usually she is running to me as soon as she glimpses me standing in the doorway.
Nope.
She just turns back around and keeps eating her cupcake.
Here's what else she ate:
LOTS of fruit loops (that were supposed to go onto a necklace)
A WHOLE thing of cotton candy
Gummy bears
Kool-aid - full strength (she never gets even full strength juice at home!)
and thats all I know about =)
And, of course that was after she all but licked her plate clean of her lasagna and salad at dinner.
She went to bed fine. But, her tummy has been...shall we say "unsettled" today.
Hmmm.
I look into her classroom and sure enough, Ella is sitting at the table, eating, with her back to me. She turns around and the entire lower half of her face is covered in frosting and sprinkles. Usually she is running to me as soon as she glimpses me standing in the doorway.
Nope.
She just turns back around and keeps eating her cupcake.
Here's what else she ate:
LOTS of fruit loops (that were supposed to go onto a necklace)
A WHOLE thing of cotton candy
Gummy bears
Kool-aid - full strength (she never gets even full strength juice at home!)
and thats all I know about =)
And, of course that was after she all but licked her plate clean of her lasagna and salad at dinner.
She went to bed fine. But, her tummy has been...shall we say "unsettled" today.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Conversation with Ella
Ok, so heres the skinny on how things went down in the hood...
Daddy: Ella, did you have fun tonight?
Ella: YEA!
Daddy: What did you do?
Ella: I jus pway wif my fwends
Daddy: I peeked in on you and saw you dancing with the puppets.
Ella: Yea, an you poopyed on me!
Daddy: What?
Ella: an you poopy on me!
Daddy: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Daddy: No, I peeked in on you, I didn't poopy on you!
Ella: Yea...
Ah my kids...I love them.
Daddy: Ella, did you have fun tonight?
Ella: YEA!
Daddy: What did you do?
Ella: I jus pway wif my fwends
Daddy: I peeked in on you and saw you dancing with the puppets.
Ella: Yea, an you poopyed on me!
Daddy: What?
Ella: an you poopy on me!
Daddy: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Daddy: No, I peeked in on you, I didn't poopy on you!
Ella: Yea...
Ah my kids...I love them.
VBS...day two
We peeked in on Ella during last nights opening assembly. She loved the music and was dancing and twirling and clapping and smiling so big. She may not understand yet the whole concept of worship, but how beautiful was her child-like worship of our Lord.
Unselfconscious,
not trying to entertain,
not trying to "look" spiritual,
just delighting in the music and movement.
Beautiful.
I could learn a lot from her.
Unselfconscious,
not trying to entertain,
not trying to "look" spiritual,
just delighting in the music and movement.
Beautiful.
I could learn a lot from her.
Memory Tuesday =)
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all of my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all of my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Introducing...
My newest brothers and sisters:
Olivia Jeane - 16
Rachel Ann - 14
Tia Ruth - 11
Jonas William - 13
Caleb Daniel - 9
Court is over and it's official.
Welcome to the family!
Olivia Jeane - 16
Rachel Ann - 14
Tia Ruth - 11
Jonas William - 13
Caleb Daniel - 9
Court is over and it's official.
Welcome to the family!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
VBS...day one
Tonight kicked off Grey Stone's vacation bible school. Let me just say, they know how to do VBS the right way. My favorite part...the free meals every night =)
Ella was so excited to go to "ace-ion school" all day. Ezra was exited too, I'm sure. Ella walked off without a backward glance tonight into her class...and I caught a glimpse of my little girl growing up.
This year is exciting for me because Jeremiah decided to do the youth VBS at a separate week later this summer. Meaning, he gets to go with us, eat dinner with us, etc. I usually don't see him at all the whole week of VBS...so, I was all for this new schedule.
When I went to pick Ella up tonight, she just looked at me and did a weird excited bird-like scream. And then proceeded to jump and shriek her way over to me. She was just a bit wound up.
Poor Ezra wasn't so excited about all the activities. Actually, Sundays are just hard for him. He missed his morning nap. Then his afternoon nap was cut short in order to make it back tonight on time. His normal bedtime is 7:30pm and VBS doesn't end till 8:30pm...needless to say, he was done =)
It should be a fun week!
Ella was so excited to go to "ace-ion school" all day. Ezra was exited too, I'm sure. Ella walked off without a backward glance tonight into her class...and I caught a glimpse of my little girl growing up.
This year is exciting for me because Jeremiah decided to do the youth VBS at a separate week later this summer. Meaning, he gets to go with us, eat dinner with us, etc. I usually don't see him at all the whole week of VBS...so, I was all for this new schedule.
When I went to pick Ella up tonight, she just looked at me and did a weird excited bird-like scream. And then proceeded to jump and shriek her way over to me. She was just a bit wound up.
Poor Ezra wasn't so excited about all the activities. Actually, Sundays are just hard for him. He missed his morning nap. Then his afternoon nap was cut short in order to make it back tonight on time. His normal bedtime is 7:30pm and VBS doesn't end till 8:30pm...needless to say, he was done =)
It should be a fun week!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Ella The Bossy
We had to run to Lowes tonight, which just happens to be right next to Chic-Fil-A. We decided we might as well do dinner while we were out =) Of course, anyone with kids knows that you can't eat at Chic-Fil-A without allowing time to play on the playground.
Ella raced through her nuggets in record time. Then we let her loose.
There was a bunch of kids already playing, but Ella, never one to meet too many strangers, joined right in.
I overheard this conversation:
Ella: I just hafta go down the slide. No screaming. No screaming, ok?!
Other kid: You're bossy.
Ella: I jus haf to slide. No pushing. Hafta be patient.
She then proceeds to take her sweet time going down the big slide.
Ella raced through her nuggets in record time. Then we let her loose.
There was a bunch of kids already playing, but Ella, never one to meet too many strangers, joined right in.
I overheard this conversation:
Ella: I just hafta go down the slide. No screaming. No screaming, ok?!
Other kid: You're bossy.
Ella: I jus haf to slide. No pushing. Hafta be patient.
She then proceeds to take her sweet time going down the big slide.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
You learn something new every day...
Today I had my first experience calling poison control.
Yes, it was for Ella.
She decided it would be fun to eat her tube of tinkerbell toothpaste. Not the entire tube, thankfully, or else we'd have really been in trouble.
However, until today I had no idea that the "sodium fluoride" in toothpaste is toxic to children.
Go read it on the back of your tube of toothpaste:
"If any amount of toothpaste is swallowed, more than used for brushing, immediately contact your health care provider or poison control."
Of course, I looked up what sodium fluoride can do to children. Scary things.
Hmm...and they market this with bubble gum flavoring and cartoon characters on the outside?
We were fortunate that she didn't eat enough to have any cause for concern. We were just told to have her drink some extra milk.
Oh Ella, if it's not stitches, it's swallowing coins or eating toxic substances...this girl is really going to keep us on our toes =)
Yes, it was for Ella.
She decided it would be fun to eat her tube of tinkerbell toothpaste. Not the entire tube, thankfully, or else we'd have really been in trouble.
However, until today I had no idea that the "sodium fluoride" in toothpaste is toxic to children.
Go read it on the back of your tube of toothpaste:
"If any amount of toothpaste is swallowed, more than used for brushing, immediately contact your health care provider or poison control."
Of course, I looked up what sodium fluoride can do to children. Scary things.
Hmm...and they market this with bubble gum flavoring and cartoon characters on the outside?
We were fortunate that she didn't eat enough to have any cause for concern. We were just told to have her drink some extra milk.
Oh Ella, if it's not stitches, it's swallowing coins or eating toxic substances...this girl is really going to keep us on our toes =)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Prayer Request Update
I wanted to give an update on my parents. For those of you who don't know, they are currently in Ukraine adopting 5 children. Yes, five =) You can read more on their story here.
So far, things have gone really smoothly. The region of Ukraine they are in is very modern and we have enjoyed being able to stay much more connected through email, blogs, and even skype. They will be bringing home 5 new children, 3 girls and 2 boys...ranging in age from 8 to 15. I have seen pictures and they are beautiful! As soon as I can I will try to post some pictures here.
We are praying hard that they are in the "home stretch" and will hopefully be returning home in less than 2 weeks. A lot has to happen before we will know for sure, so keep praying!
Below is an excerpt from my moms blog about a recent outing they were able to make with the kids:
We took all the kids - 5 and Ben to see Kung Fu Panda in Ukrainian, McDonalds for lunch and then we went clothes shopping--- We spent alot of money today but it was fun. Watching the older girls in a store choosing their own things was priceless. Since we were not sure of exactly who we were adopting we were not able to buy any clothes before hand... hence we outfitted for Kiev and flight home 5 kiddos. Oh how wonderful that sounds--- flight home!
I laughed about the shopping part...sounds like those girls will fit right in at home=) I can't wait to meet them!
So far, things have gone really smoothly. The region of Ukraine they are in is very modern and we have enjoyed being able to stay much more connected through email, blogs, and even skype. They will be bringing home 5 new children, 3 girls and 2 boys...ranging in age from 8 to 15. I have seen pictures and they are beautiful! As soon as I can I will try to post some pictures here.
We are praying hard that they are in the "home stretch" and will hopefully be returning home in less than 2 weeks. A lot has to happen before we will know for sure, so keep praying!
Below is an excerpt from my moms blog about a recent outing they were able to make with the kids:
We took all the kids - 5 and Ben to see Kung Fu Panda in Ukrainian, McDonalds for lunch and then we went clothes shopping--- We spent alot of money today but it was fun. Watching the older girls in a store choosing their own things was priceless. Since we were not sure of exactly who we were adopting we were not able to buy any clothes before hand... hence we outfitted for Kiev and flight home 5 kiddos. Oh how wonderful that sounds--- flight home!
I laughed about the shopping part...sounds like those girls will fit right in at home=) I can't wait to meet them!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Memory Monday
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Conversations with Ella...
Ella came running to me last week and told me, "Mommy, I've got black eyes!" She had just been looking in the mirror and discovered her pupils.
I was telling Jeremiah about that this morning and Ella was there, listening:
Jeremiah: Ella, those are called pupils.
Ella: No Daddy, they're not poopy!
I was telling Jeremiah about that this morning and Ella was there, listening:
Jeremiah: Ella, those are called pupils.
Ella: No Daddy, they're not poopy!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Round two
We started round two of our remodeling project at our house this week...the downstairs.
We are sheet-rocking (I don't think that's a word, but I can't think of another way to put it) the 2 bedrooms. Jeremiah got one room completely drywalled and mudded this week. Once the bedrooms are done, we will move onto the bathroom.
We also got one of the front flower beds weeded today. It only took me 3 hours =) Those were some serious weeds.
I'm excited to get working again...
but, I'm also ready to have everything done.
I'll be posting some pictures later this week of some of our "finished" projects.
We are sheet-rocking (I don't think that's a word, but I can't think of another way to put it) the 2 bedrooms. Jeremiah got one room completely drywalled and mudded this week. Once the bedrooms are done, we will move onto the bathroom.
We also got one of the front flower beds weeded today. It only took me 3 hours =) Those were some serious weeds.
I'm excited to get working again...
but, I'm also ready to have everything done.
I'll be posting some pictures later this week of some of our "finished" projects.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Flashback Friday: The Wuggie Norple Story
I first discovered this book a decade ago, reading it to my little brother, Ben. I remember laughing so hard that we nearly fell off the couch.
It's about this family (Dad: Lunchbox Louie; Mom: Bigfoot the Chipmunk; Son: King Waffle). Every day Lunchbox Louie walks down the hill to Thumderbolt City, where he works as a whistle fixer. While he's at work, Bigfoot the Chipmunk chops up onions for supper and King Waffle hits a big rock with a little hammer. In the evenings, Lunchbox Louie brings King Waffle a present. Well, one day, Louie brough home a tiny orange kitten named Wuggie Norple. And...
We'll, I can't really remember exactly the rest of the book...but, I know some of the other characters in the book included:
Papercup Mixmaster
Exploding Poptart
Freckleface Chilibean
and...
Laughing Gas Alligator
Have any of you ever read this?
I went looking to find it this year as a birthday present for Ben, and was so saddened to find out that it is out of print. Sure, I can buy it off of Ebay for $100...can't quite justify that.
Also, unfortunately, Durham County Library doesn't carry it. Oh well.
If you ever need a good gift idea for me...now you know =)
What are some of your favorite childhood books?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Be encouraged...
Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
My morning...
I think it's kind of ironic how I just posted about how much I love being a mom...then I have a morning like today:
Ezra was up way early.
Thus, Ella was up way early.
Therefore, we ALL were up way early.
Ezra was extremely cranky due to the aforementioned early rising. Also, he just cut his 1st tooth and was up several times during the night.
Ella peed in her bed. And strategically placed it to miss her mattress protector. It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't just done it yesterday too and I hadn't taken the whole mattress outside, scrubbed it down, and let it dry in the sun.
Ella has been especially defiant this morning. We have already doled out consequences for lying, pushing Ezra, feeding Ezra her breakfast, and not coming when I called her.
Did I mention that it isn't even 10:30am?
Ezra was up way early.
Thus, Ella was up way early.
Therefore, we ALL were up way early.
Ezra was extremely cranky due to the aforementioned early rising. Also, he just cut his 1st tooth and was up several times during the night.
Ella peed in her bed. And strategically placed it to miss her mattress protector. It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't just done it yesterday too and I hadn't taken the whole mattress outside, scrubbed it down, and let it dry in the sun.
Ella has been especially defiant this morning. We have already doled out consequences for lying, pushing Ezra, feeding Ezra her breakfast, and not coming when I called her.
Did I mention that it isn't even 10:30am?
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Mommy Movie Night
Jeremiah had a student event tonight, so it was just me and the kids.
We made the most of it though...pizza and a movie. Ella ate 4 whole pieces. Wow! Ezra came in a close second at 1/2 a piece. The movie of choice...Finding Nemo. Still good, even after watching it 200 times. Ezra seemed to like it too and would laugh when Nemo came onto the screen. Although, he seemed much more interested in crawling in and out of the tent I set up in the playroom =)
Have I mentioned before that I love being a mom?
We made the most of it though...pizza and a movie. Ella ate 4 whole pieces. Wow! Ezra came in a close second at 1/2 a piece. The movie of choice...Finding Nemo. Still good, even after watching it 200 times. Ezra seemed to like it too and would laugh when Nemo came onto the screen. Although, he seemed much more interested in crawling in and out of the tent I set up in the playroom =)
Have I mentioned before that I love being a mom?
Chubby digits...
We started doing finger foods for Ezra about 2 months ago and now that his pincer grasp is more developed he is quite good at getting most of the food actually into his mouth.
The result of this is that he has increasingly become discontent with babyfood.
As far as feeding stages go, I have to admit the babyfood stage is probably my least favorite...and I am quite excited to move into the self-feeding stage. So, over the past few days I have been experimenting with phasing out the babyfood and just doing finger foods.
Bananas, peaches, oranges, quesadillas, cheerios, cheese, pizza, avocado, pasta, broccoli, scrambled eggs, pancakes, grapes, blueberries, mango, pineapple, black beans...He has yet to meet a food he doesn't like =)
Man, does he make a mess though!
The result of this is that he has increasingly become discontent with babyfood.
As far as feeding stages go, I have to admit the babyfood stage is probably my least favorite...and I am quite excited to move into the self-feeding stage. So, over the past few days I have been experimenting with phasing out the babyfood and just doing finger foods.
Bananas, peaches, oranges, quesadillas, cheerios, cheese, pizza, avocado, pasta, broccoli, scrambled eggs, pancakes, grapes, blueberries, mango, pineapple, black beans...He has yet to meet a food he doesn't like =)
Man, does he make a mess though!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Flashback Friday: Seminary Days
I can hardly believe it has been two years since Jeremiah graduated seminary. It seems like we have been out of "school mode" for so long. We have some of the best memories from that time in our life...
Our newlywed days...
SO MANY sweet friends...
The crazy thunderstorms we would all watch from out porch (and the prone to flooding parking lot)...
Ella's pregnancy...
The 1st 6 months of her life...
Graduation...
Now that we are in the "real" world, I realize just how special that time was. Of course, I am so thankful for the stage we are in now...but it is always good to look back and reflect on God's faithfulness through all the stages.
Our newlywed days...
SO MANY sweet friends...
The crazy thunderstorms we would all watch from out porch (and the prone to flooding parking lot)...
Ella's pregnancy...
The 1st 6 months of her life...
Graduation...
Now that we are in the "real" world, I realize just how special that time was. Of course, I am so thankful for the stage we are in now...but it is always good to look back and reflect on God's faithfulness through all the stages.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Recent pictures
Ella is such a fish! I literally have to threaten "consequences" to get her out of the pool =)
Ezra, on the other hand...not so much. We are getting him used to the pool slowly. He actually played in it today for a little bit without crying...woohoo!
"Look Mom...I swinging by myself!"
Ezra the crazy! He is into everything now. Nothing is safe =) I have a feeling that all of my pictures of him from now on will be like the one below...on the move!
He is actually sitting still (for a few seconds at least) in this one =)
Ezra, on the other hand...not so much. We are getting him used to the pool slowly. He actually played in it today for a little bit without crying...woohoo!
"Look Mom...I swinging by myself!"
Ezra the crazy! He is into everything now. Nothing is safe =) I have a feeling that all of my pictures of him from now on will be like the one below...on the move!
He is actually sitting still (for a few seconds at least) in this one =)
Maybe? Oh, I hope...
I think I am finally over the worst of MY allergy season for the spring. I was able to spend extended periods of time (longer than my usual 10min threshold) outside over the past few days without paying for it later. Woohoo!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Memory Monday
2 Corin 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness."
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness."