Oh, Outdoor Fun!!!!

This summer is quite different from our typical summers since I can't do as much as I normally like to do away from home. To compensate, I enjoy playing with Carson and Ella outside during the day. Aunt Lizzie shoveled all of the old sand out of Carson's sandbox, I washed it, Trisha and I bought new sand, Lizzie added all the new sand, and we had the perfect play area for Carson and Ella. Well that is what we hoped anyway. At first Ella would NOT get in the sand, so Aunt Lizzie had to hold her. Then by the time she adjusted to the new texture, Carson decided he was too old now for the sandbox! It was too boring! Ella continues to enjoy playing in the sandbox each day, and there are times Carson will join her too.

Ella and Carson both enjoy the new water table they received from Phil and Sarita!

Ella at Sixteen Months!

This is Ella's face when you ask her to show you what is in her mouth!

I am so thankful I was able to be HOME and watch Ella grow over this past month!

Ella at Sixteen Months

• Walks, Walks, Walks
• Has completely changed over to whole milk (no more formula)
• Loves for Carson to chase her
• Runs around everywhere
• Loves to play outside
• Loves, loves, loves shoes (Her pink Crocs are her favorite.)
  
• Loves to put on her mommy's necklaces
• Loves to eat real food and is willing to try just about anything
• Doesn't like any juices at all
• Will NOT drink from any sippy cup, and we have brought and tried them all
• Pitches fits by throwing her body on the ground, kicking her feet, and putting her head straight down on the floor
• Loves to hug her baby dolls
• Thinks Aunt Lizzie is her mommy
• LOVES her Aunt Lizzie to pieces
• Loves to eat Gerber puffs
• Says maa maa, thank you, s(h)ues, shoo, dad, bye bye, hey, cracker, ga ga ga, Trish
  
• Walks to her changing table when she knows her diaper needs to be changed
• Begins pulling down her pants when it is time for a diaper change
• Enjoys riding in the car but must have milk on every trip
• Naps everyday about 11:00
• Takes her daddy by the hand and walks him to her crib every night when she is ready for bed
• Cries herself to sleep at nap time but not at bed time
  
• Enjoys playing in her sandbox and at her new water table
• Must have her pacifier clipped to her at all times
• Unattaches her pacifier string and throws her pacifier over the crib then stands and cries wanting it back
• Must have shoes on all of time
• Loves to give hugs and leans in for kisses
• Cannot stand for someone else to hug or get close to her mommy
• Loves to stand on the bed, look in the mirror, and raise her hands up to say "yay"
• Has learned how to point to her head, eyes, ears, and piggies (thanks to Trisha)
• Loves for someone to play "This Little Piggy" with her toes
• Eats all of the time
• Still has not had her twelve month shots
• Now has ten teeth
• Loves to have her teeth brushed
• Winks with both of her eyes closing at the same time
  
• Continues to melt her mommy and daddy's heart every single day
  

An Amazing Team That Will Always Be!

I have been blessed over the past nine years to work with the most AMAZING team ever!! Throughout the years, our "team" has changed somewhat physically in the building, but we have always remained close as a team of four or five! If it were not for these four special girls, I would have NEVER survived an entire school year. I truly believe that your coworkers are one of the most important components of your job! God truly blessed me with the best ones ever!!!! Last week, we had the opportunity to celebrate my 31st birthday! This birthday celebration was definitely bittersweet because next year our "team" will be down to one. Sara, Carolyn, Deb, and I will all be beginning or continuing our teaching careers at new schools! I pray that we will continue to remain as close as we have been despite the fact that we won't be a door or hallway away. We will definitely have to keep the tradition of our morning phone calls except for this year we will all be so thankful for the one to two minute drive rather than the thirty minute drive. Our conversations will definitely be much shorter!!!!! I love you girls so much!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for bringing a smile to my face each and every day!!!!! I will truly miss seeing you each and every day!!!!

Thursday Thirteen

With Father's Day quickly approaching, I decided to let Carson take control of the beginning of this post!

Thirteen Things I Love About My Daddy
1. When we play baseball
2. When we laugh about BFFs
3. When we watch baseball on the computer
4. When he teaches me how to play baseball on the computer
5. When he takes me to ball games
6. When he takes me to the movies to see Kung Fu Panda
7. When he takes me to Atlanta
8. When he plays outside with me
9. When he sits in the back of the van with me
10. When he gives me hugs everyday after work
11. When he takes me to school everyday
12. When he sits in the water with me at the beach
13. When he comes home to play with me



Thirteen Things Ella Loves About Her Daddy! (with Mommy and Aunt Lizzie's help!)
1. When he calls me "Beautiful"
2. When he gives me my baths every night
3. When he changes my poopy diapers without gagging
4. When he holds me in his lap while he tries to eat
5. When he finally got me out of his and mommy's bed and into my own! (okay, that came from Mommy)
6. When he fixes my morning bottles
7. When he completely spoils me rotten
8. When he dresses me in blue jeans every single time he dresses me without Mommy's help
9. When he "carefully" tosses me and catches me
10. When he turns me upside down
11. When I see his heart melting everyday
12. When he picks me up after coming home from work
13. When he teaches me to love baseball as much as my brother

Daddy, you are the BEST!!!!! We love you!!!!

Another Saturday...

Saturdays are always bittersweet for me. Today marks the seventh Saturday since the accident. Of course, I never wished it would have happened to me, but I now realize more than ever that I am not in control of my life. Sara's mother has been such an inspiration to me throughout these last several weeks. Her positive motivating cards help me view this experience in a much different manner. This week I received this poem from her, and the words have taught me so much!

The Life I Planned

Has someone seen the life I planned?
It seems it's been misplaced.
I've looked in every corner;
It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize--
Things missing that were dear;
Promises I'd hoped to keep.
And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see,
Hands I planned to hold;
Now absent in the pictures;
Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned?
Did it get thrown away?
God took my hand from searching;
Then I heard Him say--

"Child, your ears have never heard,
Your eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans I have for you
Are more than you can dream.

You long to walk by sight,
But I'm teaching eyes to see;
I know what I'm doing--
'Till then, you must believe."

He's done so much, I felt ashamed
To know He heard my moans.
To think I'd trade in all He's done
For plans made on my own.

I wept over His faithfulness
And how He'd proved Himself;
How He'd gone beyond my dreams
And said to myself,

"No, my ears have never heard,
My eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans You have for me
Are more than I could dream

Yes, I long to walk by sight
But You're teaching eyes to see;
You know what You're doing--
'Till then, I must believe."

I felt His great compassion--
Mercy unrestrained.
He left me mourn my losses
And showed to me my gains.

I offered Him my future
And released to Him my past.
I traded my dreams
For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead;
No certainties at all,
Except the presence of the One
Who will not let me fall.

Are you also searching
For a life you planned yourself?
Have you looked in every corner?
Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard,
Your eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans He has for you
Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by sight,
But He's teaching eyes to see;
He knows what He is doing--
Child, step out and believe!

Every single day God blesses my life!!! Just within this past week, I am WALKING again just with God's powerful hands leading me. I can walk without the use of a walker or cane. And for anyone who has been by my side throughout this journey, you know that was my ULTIMATE
goal! The simple task of walking to a thirty year old person who had walked most of her life, was definitely a blessing I had taken for granted! God was also my co-pilot this week as I ventured behind the wheel of our new vehicle for the first time. Driving again comfortably is definitely something that is going to take a long time. So, for now I will stick to the safer streets of our neighborhood.

Words could never express how much all of the support and prayers I receive daily continue to mean to me!!!! I know and accept fully that I still have a long road ahead of me!!!! But, I also know that God is faithful and will continue to guide me!!!!!!

A YUCKY Consequence!

I won the bet.

I get to do whatever I want to her drink.

Here comes the low fat spray butter.

I had to add her favorite.. Dr. Pepper! :)

This contains Hershey Syrup, Dr. Pepper, Coke AND Spray Butter AND tea *when she was went to the bathroom*

Here she goes! yuckkkkkkk

On Monday night, Trisha and I decided to return to making bets with Wii bowling! Trisha was able to come up with the night's bet! She decided that whoever lost would have to drink a drink concocted by the winning player! Of course, I won so the fun began... I was kind and only made her have two drinks!!!! I love our Wii bets!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celebrating Life!

Last year I thought my 30th birthday party was AMAZING! This year, the word AMAZING took on a much different meaning! I am so AMAZED and THANKFUL to be alive! Last night, Kelli, Josh, Savannah, Izzy, Freddy, Sabrina, Tripp, Will, Brian, Carson, Ella, and I celebrated my 31st birthday a little early. We met for a fantastic time together at Wild Wings! I could NEVER thank Kelli and Sabrina enough for all that they have done for me over these past six weeks! They are truly phenomenal life-long friends! Girls, this night will definitely have to be added to our List of Memories!

Nine Years Later...

Friday was such an amazing day for me! My first set of students graduated high school. I always said that I wanted to attend their graduation. After my accident, I wasn't so sure that would be a possibility any more. So, I made that one of my goals right from the beginning! I thank God that He not only provided me the opportunity to attend, but that he allowed me to STAND during and after the ceremony. This will definitely be an experience I will never forget!!!!!

Trisha and Sarabeth I am so very proud of you!! I love you both so much!!!!