Nice little Sunday

I just started feeling well enough on Sunday mornings to head back to church. I didn't think any of my fellow church goers would like me to get sick near them so I stayed home during my bout with the lovely morning sickness. If there is one day of the week that has been my favorite since Tom has been away, it has to be Sundays. It's the only day that feels a little different from the rest. This past Sunday was Ella's first trip to church without a diaper on. (We are in the middle of potty training) I prayed very hard she wouldn't have an accident all over the pew. God listened. She did great and as her little reward we went to Starbucks (I told her it was a reward, but really I just wanted a hot cup of tea and piece of lemon pound cake). The guy at Starbucks made Ella her very own vanilla milk so she thought she was absolutely awesome by that point of the day. I love the little outings we share just the two of us. I know when Tom gets back it will be the three of us and then soon after...the FOUR of us. Oh and Ella stayed dry the whole time. Ahhh the proud moments of potty training. Here's a little peek at our morning...

Ella likes to read her Tag books...lazy parenting b/c the pen reads for her. Keeps her occupied though!

Doesn't every family have a photo shoot before church?

She's striking a pose.

She finds the camera lady to be quite boring.

I just thought her outfit was super cute.

At Starbucks with her big girl milk.

The Shack

I had quite a few recs to read The Shack. I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. Without giving away the entire plot, I will tell you it's a novel about a father, his worst nightmare (one of mine as well) and his unbelievable journey to find happiness and God's love. I didn't expect to like this book as much I did. If you have ever suffered a heartache, the loss of a loved one, or any other life changing event where you blame God (as I have many, many times before unfortunately) this book will bring a new light to your life. Go ahead...give it a try. I would love to hear opinions if you do read it or have read it. It's the center of huge controversy right now, but I believe that's because religious nuts get involved. People have to remember this a work of fiction about God's Love, not to be taken literally, but figuratively. http://www.theshackbook.com/

PS Tom... that's book #6 for 2010 so far. 18 to go;)

Happy Friday!

Ella says "Party like a rock star/princess this weekend!"

We have a DATE!

Tom will be HOME on April 12th. He called me this morning bright and early to share that fabulous news with me. We can start an official countdown now. 81 more days or 2 months and 3 weeks. Whatever sounds shorter. And it's my mom's birthday that day so it's a great day all around! We can't wait to have the man of the house home. (just in time for grilling season and lawn mowing time!)

Last few days in FL

I'm finally getting around to posting our last few days of pictures in FL. This might sound crazy for me, but I barely had out my camera. I have so many beautiful shots in my head of my dad playing with Ella and my mom reading to her and Granny P building "hard" puzzles with her...and I didn't take a single picture of it. Real bummer, but next time I will be sure to take more so Ella has plenty of photos with her family.

New Year's Eve at Granny P's house...coloring with Grampy Larry.

We kept her up so late, but she finally passed out 5 minutes before the ball dropped. On the phone with Tom of course!

Ella at the small zoo. Her two grandmas took her there and to lunch. She had a blast! And I was able to rest that day:) She spent the night prior at Granny P's house and apparently no one wanted to take care of her wild hair!

Yes, my child does love Michael Jackson.

Word on the street is, these geese were mighty mean and chased Ella all around (behind the fence of course!)

Lovin' life!

Little monkey

Our last night in town we had a few friends come over for some food and drinks and lots of fun! Here I am with my HANDSOME Godson Aidan. I mean seriously...how stinkin' cute is he??

And the best part is...he LOVES me! Look at that smile!

Bridget (Aidan's mama) with Ella...beautiful blondies:)

Ella convincing Grampy Larry to play castle with her.

Party time.

We really had a great visit. It was nice to get a few breaks from being a mom 24/7 and to have my dad cook for me (he's the best cook in the world). I appreciated it a LOT. Ella is at the age now where she remembers everyone she meets. It's fun to look at the pictures or videos we took from the trip and have her name all of our family members. You may be far from us, but always close in our hearts and minds. (Awwwwww!)

The Artist

My Mother-in-law decided to take up oil painting after she decided she doesn't do enough for herself. It's her way to achieve a little peace and happiness. She works so hard with her job, has raised five beautiful children and after a stressful last year she was ready to start her New Year off on the right foot. This is her first painting and I just had to share it. I think it's absolutely incredible. Tom and I want her to paint us one of Charleston...maybe of the Battery or Rainbow Row? Just a subtle hint.

Playdates galore!

For those of you who don't know, it was a real trend among my group of friends back home in FL to have babies in Fall 2007. It makes me a little sad that Ella will never be that close with the group as they have playdates all the time back home, but we certainly enjoyed our time with them while we could. Each child has SUCH a different personality and I have to say my friend Kim's daughter, Ally, is one of the funniest toddlers I have ever encountered. You can literally have a conversation with her like she's an adult. All of the kids are adorable and I miss them and their mamas more than they'll ever know. We can't wait for the playdate in April! Hopefully the mamas who couldn't make it (yes there are more but they all had new babies in December including Kasie who had twin boys) will be able to make it to the next one. To view all of the pics (sorry I didn't always have my camera at every playdate) click here.

Playdate at Sheryl's House

Miss Ally with Jaimie

Ella hoarding toys again.

My sweet Godson, Aidan

Aidan with his mama Bridget

Kim & Ally, Sheryl & Makayla, Me & E, Alicia with Hayli & Taylor,

and Bridget with Aidan & Ethan

Makayla really is enjoying this:)

Playdate at Bridget's House

Did Ella actually eat any of the cream cheese off her bagel? Or is it all on her shirt? And apparently she's hoarding the cell phones now.

Beautiful Ally

Ethan has the coolest room! It's huge and really reminds me of Toys R Us. The kids were kept busy the whole time with his array of toys! Our friends Steph, Ellen, Mary and Christy stopped by as well to get a feel of how crazy these playdates can be!

Ethan and Ella (Ella totally digs Ethan)..what...his shirt says so!

Nicole and Miss Katrina... I love her because she has the MOST adorable cheeks that you could kiss all day just like Ella has!

A fight between Ally and Ella. No surprise there. But check out how everyone just laughs. And of course I'm taking photos.

Ally trying to explain herself to Stephanie

Ella found Ethan's tickle me gloves and wouldn't take them off!

Group shot!

Visit with Ella's Great Grams

Ella's Great Grams (Tom's grandma) came to visit and it was wonderful to see her. She just celebrated her 75th birthday in November! Doesn't she look great? Ella got to play with her second cousin, little Johnny, too. Fun for all!

Me, Ella, Uncle Phil, Grams, Lil Johnny and his big sister Katie

Look at Ella's left hand in this picture. LOL. She's just chillin'

My sweet elf

Grams, Ella and Granny P!

1/4 left!

Tom will be back in our arms in three months and we absolutely can't wait. We have so much planned for when he returns. He's taking a month of leave to spend with his family and we will be headed to FL for a Disney adventure, lots of date nights (right grandparents?) and plenty of family togetherness. Oh and it will be a roadtrip. But it's ok because I will just be on cloud nine to have him back and so will Ella. Why wouldn't I want to spend 20 hours in the car with my husband I've barely seen for a year? :)

PS I started my second trimester today and I've been feeling GOOD for a week now. Thank you Lord. Six more weeks until we find out BOY or GIRL!

Have a Little Faith

I finished the first book of 25 I am determined to read this year. My husband thinks that's a crazy goal and asked where I would find the time to read 25 books. Little does he know, I will be locked up in my room reading when he gets back and has total control over Miss Ella;) Muahaha!

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom is a book I bought for my dad for Christmas. He introduced me to Mr. Albom's books and I have loved every one of them. I loved Tuesdays with Morrie so much, I decided to teach it my first year as a 10th grade English teacher (show those kids a slice of humanity!). My students loved it as much as I did. I wasn't surprised it was chosen as their favorite, but if anyone remembers the novels of their sophomore year...yikes. Can't really compare! Although I do love me some Jane Eyre... Back to my story. I bought this book for my dad in hopes he would read it quickly and let me read it next (which is exactly what happened! Works every time.) My eyes were opened reading it. Wide opened. Especially from this Sermon posted in the book (and no this book doesn't scream religion at you. It's about faith, yes, and the two heartwarming journeys of faith for two men...and for Mitch himself.)

From the Rabbi's Sermon:

A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer. It reads simply, "He sleeps in a storm." The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man. Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley. Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly. So he dashes to the barn. He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed. He runs out to the field. He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins. He races to the silo. The doors are latched, and the grain is dry. And then he understands. 'He sleeps in a storm.'

"My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of 'I could have. I should have.' We can sleep in a storm. And when it's time, our good-byes will be complete."

This particular excerpt was my "ah-ha moment". God put us on this Earth for a reason. What is my purpose for being here? I think sometimes as a mom, I feel that I am never doing enough. I should volunteer more. I should go back to get my Master's Degree. I should have a career to help with finances. I should be more involved in our church. The list is really endless. I should. I could. Instead, what I need to do is live the life God has given me and have a little faith I am doing exactly what God intended for me to do. I am truly inspired though to be a better person, mom and wife. The book gives us pause to rekindle our faith and realize our lifetime here is so short in comparison to what comes next. To live life to it's absolute fullest, but don't forget to have a little faith.

Lunch with a celebrity

Ok maybe not a real celebrity, but Ella sure does think she's one. Once Aunt Monica put those sunglasses on her you would have thought we were dining with Nicole Richie or one of those other giant sunglasses-wearing celebs. She even broke out the big Washington's to pay for our meal;)