A sunny day for a parade...

Ready, Set, Maybe...

Sunday's Seven

This week I'm thankful for...

1. a quiet, morning cup of coffee before a little one gets up

2. the amazing love of God that I heard described as "more than a post-it love note"

3. a fridge and pantry full of food

4. this time at home to be with Ellie

5. laughter with friends at Starbucks

6. Marco...

7. ...and celebrating four years together

Sunday's Seven

I've been reading some other blogs the last few days and have come across a couple that post a wonderful list on Sunday. Their lists are about things they are thankful from the week before. I'm finding that sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in the rhythms of the day-to-day that I forget to pause to say "Thank-you" to the One who has given it all. So...here is my first, Sunday's Seven list:

1. being challenged in my relationship with God to slow down, listen to what He is saying, and then doing it

2. nights of rain and days of sunshine

3. a new book from Costco to read

4. a heart converstation with my Mom on Skype

5. a surprise visit from a friend at church this morning

6. time with my family at the park

7. hearing Ellie laugh when trying the swings for the first time

Dear Ellie,

Tonight you woke up with a start just after 10:00 pm. I'm not sure if you had a bad dream or if your stuffy nose and cough from your cold startled you. I went into your room, lifted you up from your crib, and sat down in the rocking chair. At first I tried to hold you close to me with your head resting on my shoulder but you wanted something different. You wiggled and squirmmed until you had turned yourself around and were facing out. I gently tucked your arm behind my back, wiped the tears from your eyes, put my hand on the side of your cheek, and then you immediately put your head on my chest. You lifted your other hand and rested your fingers on my arm. I wasn't ready to lay you back down after you settled and were calm. Instead I held you, your head resting against my chest, feeling those tiny fingers against my skin, listening to the steady rhythm of your breathing, your body perfectly cradled in my arms. I wished time would slow down and almost stop. I wished I could hold you like that for a long time. My eyes welled up and tears fell down my cheek. I was speechless except for one prayer silently whispered, "Thank you, Lord for my Ellie. "

Love,
Mommy

Hiccups, Giggles, & Jumps

At 8 months, Ellie...

* made 6 plane rides to North Carolina and Thunder Bay, Ontario. She was a wonderful, little traveler. Now she has been to each coast of North America.

* and her mommy (and daddy too) are thankful to be home for the rest of the summer.

* measures 30" long, has blonde hair, and dark brown eyes. We've been told that she has very distinct eyebrows :).

* is wearing some 9 month clothing but mostly fitting into 12-18 month clothes.

* doesn't like to play on her back anymore but likes to sit up to see and reach for things around her.

* can push herself backward when on her tummy.

* is very ticklish and laughs every day.

* makes gaga, baba, aaahhhh, mama, and murmel sounds.

* LOVES food! So far she has tried applesauce, pears, peaches, bananas, and orange wedges,

sweet potato, carrots, peas, green beans, pumpkin, cucumber, and corn on the cob,

cereal, yogurt, chicken, and crackers.

* has no elbows, knees, nuckles, or ankles...a little chunky monkey!

* uses her pointer finger and thumb (and sometimes her whole fist) to pick Cheerios and Puffed Wheat off her highchair tray.

* celebrated her first Father's Day!

I can't believe that Ellie is 3/4 of the way to her first birthday! I know this summer will go by fast!