Ellie :D

So some updated phrases from Ellie (You can tell we are working on Potty Training :D)

1. She was at my parents last week, she came home and said "Grammy tried to feed me Tooter Tots (Tater Tots) but I didn't like them"

2. She now comes up and asks "Did you pee your pants, or put tooters in them" and " Benny poops in my pants, Mommy, not Ellie, Ellie puts hers in the big or little potty"

3. She told me "Mommy, you have my brother in your tummy, but what I really want is a sister, she is in my tummy so she will come faster"

4. Ellie: "Can I call Grammy?" Mommy: "Sorry, Grammy is at school." Ellie: "Well, then can I call Uncle Michael, Aunt Natalie, or Aunt April?" Mommy: "Sorry Ellie, they are in school too." Ellie: "Can I call Gumpy then, or is he at work?" Mommy: "Yep, sorry Ellie, he is at work." Ellie: "Well, then let me call Daddy, and don't tell me he is at work or school." Mommy: "Daddy is at school." Ellie: "Well, I'm getting busy then..."

5. "I'm getting to tired to pick up all the toys I got out, but guess what Mommy, Benny isn't" :D

6. Ellie "Mommy can I snuggle with you" Mommy "Sure!" Ellie "I'll be RIGHT back, let me get my blanky and myself" :D

7. "Mommy, your belly is big enough to float now."

8. Any time we run out of something "The store has that, let's go, I'll go get my penny for the horsey or for Larry/Bob" I think she thinks you can ride Larry and Bob from Veggie Tales like you do the penny horse.

9. "I just want to go with you" Said to which ever of us is leaving, and then "Well, you know Benny REALLY wants to go to, why don't we all just go?"

10. Grandma Vance came over last Thursday and made us a wonderful dinner, Ellie helped her make cookies. Before Grandma Vance left she was telling Ellie she had to go home and make dinner for her family. Ellie walks into the kitchen and says "Grandma Vance, are these for my fambily, or your fambily?" Grandma Vance tells her they are for us. "Oh goody, I really like cookies you know"

Princess Beauty

My parents took our whole family (including grand kids) to Beauty and the Beast last night. What a blast we had. Even Benny was "enchanted" with the story. He sure loves action...

The last few weeks Ellie has started making forts that she calls castles, and she always says she is Beauty. She sure had fun. It is sooo great making fun memories with the kids...I sure can't wait until we have more time to do more family friendly activities all together.

Life

Nothing to exciting happened here this last week. This was David's spring break, which was nice, but I am sure it didn't feel to him like we did too much fun stuff...Benny, David, and I all got sick towards the middle of the week...Thank God for health insurance yet again. Crossing our fingers that Ellie doesn't get it now.
David started back at Saint Marys tonight which is incredibly exciting. He was so ready to start again. Ellie has been cute as ever! We are so thrilled that Benny is starting to feel better too!
I feel slightly frustrated as I am going in to this weekend, but I know the Lord will provide and his timing is so much better then ours.

Annie...

We took Ellie to see the play Annie last night. I was VERY impressed with how well behaved she was. She sat through the whole performance, which lasted from 7:00 until 10:20 ish with only a 10 min intermission.



She especially liked the doggy, and the Christmas tree. She was so excited to watch all the singing and dancing. As well as being able to go "bye bye" with both Mommy and Daddy.

It is also so refreshing to have such lovely weather. Although, I really can't wait until it gets much warmer. We would love to be outside, but I'm afraid it's just going to get really cold again and then we will end up with more respiratory issues again. Oh well...Michigan weather...

Our Praise Today!!

David got an ok from the Dr. to return to work next Monday the 8th! We are so excited!! He also just successfully completed his first full set of classes. What a great start to this week. Hope everyone is doing well, and we thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support of the last several months.

Family's that Serve

In our church service yesterday they did foot washing. Talking about getting over yourself and serving each other...Jesus washed the disciples' feet as an example of becoming the lowest of servants. But equally important is the understanding that we must maintain a living relationship with the Head of the Body Who is Jesus Christ.

Who do we become humble to and become a servant to? This is a choice...Choosing to be a servant builds trust. How do we turn our everyday tasks into opportunities to serve and "wash each others feet"? "Washing feet" means that you have someone's back...

If you are a servant, you must let go of:
1. Power and Position - Will you give up everything? Philippians 2
2. Your Agenda - Are you willing to change your plans for the better of someone else?
3. Unforgiveness

I think one of the most touching things was watching Ellie wash her Daddy's feet. David washed and dried mine, and then I went to wash his. Ellie came up and helped us. It was sooo precious.

God is here -- Even in the hard times

Had a good day today, minus Ellie not wanting Mommy to leave this morning. It is so hard to go with her in tears. I know these times go away all to fast and you just want them back...How do you not miss it all when you are at work all day?

My heart just breaks to for our friends who lost a father/daddy today. The reality of there story and walk with cancer just seems to close for comfort. I just can't imagine what they are going through. However, through it all they have "Praised you in the Storm." Prayers and petition definantly being sent there way through this very real storm...Makes my petition and prayer to the Lord on behalf of other friends and believers that have been through big storms recently even more etched in my mind as well. What a rough few months this has been. Makes me really wonder what is going on, feels like the devil really wants a hold.

It definantly opens my eyes to the strength and depth of relationship and trust they have with our Heavenly Father. I definantly "covet" that. An area to continue to grow in. Also, an eye opener that I especially still have some healing of my own to do after the last seven months. I have to say this is still a very real fear to me. It will probably take quite a while for me to continue to work through. To be totally honest, I don't know if after getting that cancer diagnosis if the fear will ever go away, or just continue to be a constant in the back of my mind.

New Job

So...guess I should "start" with this...I started my new job yesterday at Saint Marys...It was great...

I am sooo excited to be back! I am really hoping we made the right choice for our family, and with life being so crazy.

Consistency just seems to be the key we have been missing. It will also be really nice to know what hours I am working and to be done at the end of the day. I won't have to come home and make phone calls or be on-call or any of that.

Also, David is doing very well with school and loving it! I think the homework and study time and such can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, but that happens to everyone. He is doing so well and we are so proud of him!!

So thankful for radiation to be done and counting down the days for him to be back at the hospital working. God is so very good!

Benjamin is talking, crawling, and trying so hard to walk. Such a little cutie with such a great smile. Everything has him so excited. Today, he learned how to push the buttons on the little people boat so it sings. He was very enthralled.

Elizabeth is sharing, just really warms my heart to see her be so caring. I love all the little cute things she comes up with.

Like:
1. "Ellie painting her teeth" last night with her tooth brush and tooth paste.
2. I got home from work tonight and Ellie greets me with "Mommy, your home, I'm not, but you are, I'm visiting." She decided very quickly to be home so she could snuggy with Mommy. Then I got to read my little ones bed time stories with snuggles tonight...priceless...
3. Ellie asked for "Larry Bob (VeggieTales)" in the car and I put in the Juniors Bedtime Songs one, she says "Mommy, Benny doesn't like the nigh nigh one, we NEED the morning songs, well, I guess we can sing Twinkle, twinkle, cuz I'm beautiful at that one." :D
4. Ellie has made "Tigger all cozey with Daddy" :D Just as long as he "Listens and obeys right away" :D
5. So Ellie goes up to Daddy tonight "I want to watch a movie, Can I watch Abby Gadabby with you?" Daddy "Mommy, what is she saying?" Ellie "Mommy tell him please" Mommy "From Sesame Street" Daddy "Ohhh..." :D
6. "Mom, I'm getting busy playing, so I can't call Mimee right now." then she comes to me and says "Mommy I NEED to go potty in the little potty, but I can kubuz (because) I just can't" She is just too cute...
7. Ellie "The Doctor took the itches out of my eye, Mommy" referring to stitches on her left eye, pretty good for a 2 and a half year old :D
8. My two-year old sees the sitter this morning, grabs my leg and cries "can't I just go with you to work all day Momma" as much as I need a break sometimes, this always breaks my heart...
9. My mom takes Ellie to Family Christian Stores, she tells Ellie "Grammy loves you soo much Ellie, and we I don't see you I miss you so much, I haven't seen you all week." Ellie is really quiet, looks at Grammy and states "Everyone loves Ellie, Grammy." :D Too Cute :D
10. Drove around seeing all the "Christmas Came" with Ellie and Benny :D Sooo much fun, I love how she processes things :D
11. I was just informed by my two year old that we forgot to do school today and now her homework is going to be late, I guess I'm in trouble ;D

In Christ Alone...

I suppose I should not be surprised at how the Lord has provided for us this far, but it brings me to a place of amazement and wonder as I sit and think about all the gifts and blessings we have been given. Even amidst the struggles and "why God" moments we have had over the last several months. The Lord is good, his love really does last forever, his grace really is sufficient and new every morning...

This song was played at our wedding...what a great reminder everyday...

The Last Few Weeks

Life has been quite interesting...can't wait to see where God takes us from here...
...Got the new job
...David's arm
...Ellie turns 2
...What is our new normal
...School...what's next
...Housing
...Work
...What to do about Porter Hills
...Surviving until August's pay check
...Cleaning, organizing
...Two under two
...How to build a relationship with your spouse in the midst of life
...Almost three year anniversary
...Desperately need a vacation
...Detroit Zoo Tomorrow
...Hanging with Robyn tomorrow night...hopefully
...Time for bed...

Prayer 05/08/06

You've opened my eyes and my heart -- you have allowed me to live and breath and experience more then I ever thought possible.

How often do you find someone whom respects you above anything else, who constantly goes far beyond for your every whim and desire?

What could be more completely satisfying and/or perfect?