Ella walks .... Really! This time I mean it!

It was a whole month ago Ella took her first steps, and yet she has stubbornly been refusing to practice walking. She's just a super-efficient crawler, and I guess just hasn't felt the need to polish up on this new skill.

Anyway, in the last couple of days, she has been off and going, in that adorable new-walker style: Toddling unevenly with her arms held out to help her balance and a big 'ol smile on her face. She's got it now!

Avery's First Day of Preschool

Avery had her first day of school ... ever ... yesterday! Even though she's been in classroom settings with Sunday School, VBS, etc. this was her first all-day school experience. It made me a little nervous, as we prayed together that morning, when she interjected, "God, please don't let there be any green monsters there." Wow! What did she think school was going to be like, poor thing?

Well, as every mom knows and could have predicted, it was harder on me than it was on her. She had a great day and loved it! She talked all about it the whole way home ... what she ate for snack and lunch, who she played with, what her teacher said. Thankfully, she's looking forward to going back next week!

Why I'm Sitting at Home on the 1st Day of School

So, ever since I've become a mother, I've wanted to stay at home with my kids. In fact, when I was little, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say, "A mom." It wasn't until I realized that I was expected to have a career, too, that I decided to be a teacher.

For the past three years, I've been so fortunate to have the "perfect" teaching job, yet still I felt the call to stay home full-time. Unfortunately, Ben and I just really thought it was impossible financially. His job had been super slow for the past year and a half. Every summer, we would crunch the numbers, and then come to the same conclusion: We needed my paycheck and benefits. Plain and simple.

This summer, thanks to an amazing bible study, I learned to put things into perspective, ask myself the tough questions, and listen to what God was telling me. My heart kept tugging at me and whining, "I want to be home with my girls!" But this time, something (or I should say someone) was tugging at me, too. Scriptures I would come across suddenly jumped out at me and screamed, "Do it! Everything will be OK." Discussions in my small group gave me examples of others who had listened and obeyed. I even got signals from situations at work that seemed to push me in that new direction.

As I continued to think and pray on it, I began to realize that it wasn't just me that was wanting this, it was God wanting this, too. So, feeling completely at peace with the decision (yet having no idea what would be in store for our future) I resigned from my job.

I wish I could say that Ben felt at peace about this decision, too, but he didn't. He was nervous and kept wanting us to make a "back-up plan, just in case." The amazing thing, though, is that even though he didn't feel the peace and comfort, he trusted mine. Because of his trust in my faith, he supported my decision completely. What a great hubby!

Anyway, here's the cool part: On the very day that I quit my job, Ben's boss told him, "We're going to make some changes that are going to benefit us both." We didn't know what that meant exactly, but we were optimistic. Then, the following week we found out ... Ben was going to be gaining another subdivision! Having two neighborhoods means more homes that he can build! His hard work and God's perfect timing - what a great combination.

Well, here's the even cooler part: After a few weeks of building in both neighborhoods, Ben mentioned to me, "You know, if I continue to average 4 houses a month, then I will make about '$XX,000' extra this year." Why is this cool? Because that is almost exactly what my salary was!!!!!

We had been waiting for almost two years for Ben to get a raise, get a better neighborhood, make more money, etc. and yet it didn't happen until we stepped out in faith. Then, almost immediately, God rewarded us.

Now for what I think is the coolest part of the whole story: A week or two ago, I overheard Ben telling someone about how his business had been picking up and things were going well. And he told that person, "Yeah, God is good." Ben may not have experienced the faith and peace as early as I did, but he sure does have it now!

Ella Walks!!

Finally, Ella took her first steps this evening!!!


She has been standing on her own for several days, with her feet planted firmly and stubbornly to the ground. She just didn't quite know how to move forward.

Today, for some reason, she decided to go for it!! (Hmmm, I wonder if it could have something to do with the fact that her big sister is out of town for the weekend? No one there to "help" ... I use that term very loosely ... her?)

Whatever the reason, she did it! I wish everyone who loves her could have been there to see it and cheer her on, because she was just so excited and proud of herself. Life will never be the same for her.

Rainy Day Fun

We had a wonderful summer rain the other day ... Hallelujah! It was so enticing that Avery decided we should go outside and play in it. (Please excuse the topless look. We could only find half of her bikini! When you have a 4 year old that helps put away her own clothes, sometimes you never know where things will end up!)

After all that jumping and playing, the girls were worn out. It's very rare to see them both this still and cuddly together!

Odds and Ends

Ella Fights Back
Ella got tired of Avery picking her up against her will ... See the bite marks?
(I have to admit, I was kind of proud of her.)

Pedro Comes to Visit

We had a surprise visitor show up on our doorstep the other day. The girls were fascinated. Heck, so was I!! How many times do you see a random turtle wandering the streets of Houston suburbia?

Ben decided to give it a name. Then he took it out back by the creek in hopes that our new little friend would find his way home. Hope to see you again sometime, Pedro!

Little Miss Thing

Our laid-back little Ella Bella is developing quite the personality. In addition to learning how to stick up for herself, she is also throwing mini-tantrums (but they are soooo tiny, they're funny.) Here she is being stubborn and not letting me change her diaper. She looked so cute I just had to snap a pic.



Showing Off

No story here. These are just two of my recent faves. Love my girls!!!

Two Updates

(1) Avery and I have been working on her letter sounds, and she knows about 75% of them now. It has been so much fun watching how quickly she learns. Yesterday, I decided to get out a book with very basic beginning words in it. I showed her how when you put together the sounds that letters make, you read words. Then she tried it herself, and she read her first word ... CAT !!! I am a very proud mommy!

(2) Ella had her 15 month checkup today. She is still not walking (which the doctor says may be attributed to the growing slump she had around 9 months), but is otherwise doing great. The BEST news is that, after being classified as "failure to thrive" six months ago, she is now officially out of the woods, perfectly growing, with absolutely no obvious detrimental effects. We are in the clear!! Praise God!

Precious Princess Dance Camp

Avery spent last week at the neatest dance camp. She learned about being beautiful inside and out, having a servant's heart, and knowing she is a loved daughter of the King. She learned a new scripture each day, and did a craft that went along with it. For example, one day she made a purse and decorated it on the inside as well as the outside. This reinforced, " Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

All of this was in addition to dancing every day, which Avery loved!

On Friday, the girls dressed as princesses and performed two dances for the parents, served us cookies and punch on a tray (complete with curtsy), and participated in a ceremony where they were honored with their Princess of God sash and apron.

performing one of the dances

giving me a "thumbs up" after the first dance

Princess of God

Mommy and her princess

Alone Time With Ella

Avery spent the week in LJ with Mom and Dennis, and it has been WONDERFUL! Not only did I need a break from my very active 4 year old, but Ella needed one, too.

We spent the first part of the week just hanging out together, bonding. She got to do everything alone: She didn't have to share bathtime, toys, Mommy and Daddy's attention, etc. Without having her bigger sister there to "help" (aka hinder) her, she began standing on her own less than a day after Avery left! She also started speaking more. She now says uh-oh (but it comes out, "Uh-ooh"), dada, and no no.

Avery had a great time getting some one-on-one attention from Mimi. She went to VBS every morning, and dance class in the afternoons. She also got to take a much-anticipated trip to the beach and had a blast.

It was a fabulous and restful week for me! I haven't had this much time to actually hear myself think in, well ... about 4 years! I am so thankful to Mom for giving me this mini-vacation.

Avery Turns 4!

We had the best two days ... celebrating Avery's birthday twice!

On Sunday, we went to Sunday School (which she loves) and then got to spend the day with Nemaw and Grandpa, who were in for the weekend. After naptime, Mimi and Pawpaw joined us so Avery could open her big present - a dollhouse.



Then it was time to get ready for her party. She had been saying for six months that she wanted a Cinderella party. However, she's really been into watching Snow White lately, so although she insisted she still wanted a Cinderella party, she wanted to dress up as Snow White. So she got a surprise early present - a Snow White dress to wear to her party.



Avery loves McDonald's, so that's where her party was. About 17 of her friends joined us, along with moms, dads, and siblings, so it was a busy and fun place! All of the children were invited to dress as their favorite princess or fairy tale character. I guess Snow White is not just Avery's favorite, because there were FIVE of them! They were pretty cute, all running around and playing with each other. Avery had a wonderful time.

some friends

"Happy Birthday to You!"

After the party, she opened presents at home, and had fun trying out some new things. The next day, which was her actual birthday, she got to go to her first day of VBS. She had an awesome time there. That evening she had yet another party to go to, this time at Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate with her T-ball team. She had a blast with Daddy and the boys from the team, and it was the perfect end to a very special occasion.

opening presents with Ella's help

She is so proud to be 4! She's been saying things like, "4-year-olds don't go to time out. 4-year olds make good choices. 4-year-olds do what their mommies tell them to do. " Well, from this mommy's point of view: So far so good!! A mommy can hope!!

I can't believe my baby girl is now a such a big girl. I marvel at her intelligence, and her fiesty spirit, and her beauty, and just still can't believe that God would give us such an amazing gift. I am so blessed.

T-ball

Avery's been having fun playing T-ball this season, with Daddy as the coach. She's the only girl on her team, and LOVES her pink bat and pink glove. She really enjoys batting and running the bases, but playing the outfield is not her favorite thing (not enough action for a busy girl!)

Ben has been doing a great job coaching! It's really neat to see him interact with so many 3 and 4 year olds, and to also have that really special activity for just him and Avery.

I realized I hadn't posted any pics of her playing, so here they are.

the only girl

picking flowers in the outfield

gotta have the pink bat

really becoming a good hitter

with Coach Daddy

Ella's First Word?

You know your child spends too much time at daycare when her first word is ... Jackie.

Yes, that's our babysitter's name. Summer can't get here soon enough.

Last Day at Disney

playing at the Lego place

posing with Cinderella (holding Minnie Mouse dressed as Cinderella)

Ella loves her Minnie, too

riding the carousel

posing with Daisy and Donald

posing with Mickey and Minnie

looking for our airplane

Ella asleep on the floor of the plane

watching a movie

our first plane ride!!

On Saturday we spent a long morning in Downtown Disney, where we shopped, ate lunch, and played with a few of their attractions. They have a really cool Lego store where Avery spent quite a bit of time.

The plane ride both ways was an adventure in itself with two small kids. Ella wasn't a happy camper either way because she was so tired, but Avery thought it was fun, saying "Wheee!!" at takeoff. Once Ben figured out the only way Ella would sleep was on the floor by our feet, she happily passed out. (Hey, you do what you gotta do, right??) Avery enjoyed looking out the window, watching movies, and chewing gum.

Disney World Day 3

sleepy girls

Cinderella left Avery a present to wear to her Royal Table!

Dumbo was one of the faves

the whole family

enjoying lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table

meeting Jasmine

Snow White was great with Ella

exhausted from a fun day

On our last day at Disney World we got up early, as we had the other days, and headed back to Magic Kingdom. This time Pawpaw and Mimi came along with us.

We rode classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Dumbo, and we revisited some of Avery's favorite rides from the first day.

For lunch, the girls had a special treat. We all got to go inside the castle and eat at Cinderella's Royal Table. The food was delicious, and many of the Disney princesses came by our table to visit. Avery and Ella both really enjoyed it.

As always, we went home after lunch to nap (and this time I did NOT ask Avery what her favorite part was!) We returned with just Avery later that evening. By the time we left Magic Kingdom late that night, we felt that we had done it all, and were exhausted, but feeling so fortunate.