Because I can't go on a vacation...

Because I can't go on a vacation...but, desperately wish I could...I decided to share some pics of what I consider to be one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to. I stumbled across my study abroad pictures the other day and was filled with such wonderful memories as I looked through them, I just had to share a little vignette from the trip! I studied abroad in Innsbruck, Austria for 6 weeks in the summer of 2004.  It's so hard to believe that was nearly 8 years ago!! We had 3 day weekends to travel Europe and 3 "flex" days that we could use to make our weekend getaways a little longer.  One of my best friend's Lindsey and I decided to take a trip to Milan, Italy then head on to Cinque Terre to the city of Monterosso.  Just a side note...I give Lindsey sole credit for starting this blog.  She begged me to do one when I got pregnant with Ella.  I told her I wasn't sure about the pregnancy blog, but that I would promise to do it once Ella was born.  I'm so grateful that she stayed on me to do this.  Thanks to her, I have over a year of life in the Herrin household documented, love to spend my down time writing, AND have received what I like to call "free therapy" from being a blogger.  Thanks, Linds!!

Back to our trip...We started the first leg of our trip with a large group of people in Milan (a.k.a. Milano as the Italians call it) and planned to separate from the group to head to Monterosso just the two of us.  Milan was interesting to say the least.  The town has some gorgeous parts and some okay parts.  Perhaps the most memorable part of Milan came when there was argument between two of the guys we were traveling with who both wanted to sleep in the room with Lindsey.  We had to sleep 3 to a room so that meant Linds and me plus one of the guys (these were Brent's best friends I studied abroad with so it wasn't like these were just some weird random guys...just FYI).  One of the guys slapped the other in the face during this argument as Lindsey and I watched from the window.  We still joke about the time two guys fought over sleeping in the room with her!  One of them did end up sleeping in the room with us (the slapper)...unfortunately for him, we had a king bed and I slept in the middle--so he didn't even get to sleep next to Lindsey...ha!  Funny memories.

The next day, we headed to Monterosso without any set plan or lodging accommodations.  We were told that an American named Sean was a tour guide there and that he could "hook us up" with finding a place to stay.  The train ride from Milan was so overcrowded that we had to sit on the floor of the train and there was NO AC in the dead of summer. Thankfully we sat next two British girls who were on their way to "summer" at their house in Malta...that must be the life!!  They had just graduated high school and were taking the next year to travel before they started "University"...um once again, how amazing.  It was hot and sweaty, miserable, and stifling on the train, but at least we had them to talk to!

We switched trains somewhere along the way and the second train was much better.  We arrived in beautiful Monterosso early that evening.  It was a gorgeous hodge podge town of color by the sea.  Amazing and perfect.  Unfortunately, it was some big weekend there and everything was booked-- NO AVAILABILITY!  We found the Sean mentioned earlier and he got us set up with the hostile from H***.  That night, we went to a little local restaurant and got a huge bottle of wine, vowed not to go back to the hostile, and decided we were going to sleep on the beach.  As we laid on the beach chairs flipping out about our lodging situation, some college age guy from Spain approached us.  We informed him "no speak Italian" and he informed he us he spoke Spanish and Italian... With Spanish as our only semi-common language,  we attempted to have an hour long conversation in the limited broken Spanish Lindsey and I knew with this random dude.  This continued until the security guard told us he had to leave the private resort.  Eeeewwww...back to the hostile.  Adios amigo...we never saw "our friend" again that trip.

We woke up the next morning with a positive attitude ready to take on the town.  Sean took us on a paid boot tour of the ocean and coastline that was amazing.  There is nothing like seeing all the colors from the see.  We went snorkeling and it was awesome. We also spent the day basking in the sun of the Mediterranean with was perfect! That night, we discovered this FABULOUS restaurant on a rocky cliff.  The food was delicious and the local wine superb.  After a delicious meal and a couple of bottles of wine...we were okay with heading back to the hostile that night!

We were planning to leave the following day, but there was some sort of train strike going on so we couldn't get tickets until Monday.  So...we checked ourselves into a NICE hotel that finally had availability and enjoyed the luxurious (compared to the hostile) accommodations!!  We spent the day enjoying the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea and Italian culture.  All in all, it wasn't perfect, but looking back it is a wonderful memory in one of the most GORGEOUS locations on earth.  I would definitely go back AND definitely plan to go back someday for a well planned, more high-end vacay with Brent.  But, Linds, I'll never forget our first trip together and I'm convinced I wouldn't have had more fun with anyone but you!! xoxo!  Friends, enjoy the pics of the the beach...what a perfect day to reminisce!

Linds and K in Milano!!

Apparently they have Blockbusters in Milan!

Random Italian men (still in Milan)...they let us sit on their motor cycle

Arriving in Monterosso...hot, sweaty, and tired...but excited!

View from the ocean

You can barely see our little restaurant on the cliff

Boat excursion

Our dinner date at our amazing restaurant...night #1

Dinner with our Aussie friends...same restaurant...night #2

Teaching Patience

Ella is 15 months now, but she seems to be 15 months going on 5 years old!  She's so independent, opinionated, and already knows what she wants.  I guess this has kind of surprised me...it seems kind of early.  She is now choosing which Wiggles DVD she would like to watch.  This includes showing her dissatisfaction if you dare put the wrong one on.  She also likes to pick out her own snack from the pantry and wants to be the one to choose the book we are reading.  She definitely knows what she wants and sets out to achieve whatever it may be.  Along with this "goal-oriented" behavior comes a trait that is difficult to correct at such a young age...Ella is very impatient.  She doesn't like to be kept waiting or have her valuable time wasted.  She expects her needs to be met the moment she decides what she wants.  She will follow me around the kitchen while I'm making her meals, snacks, or water/milk and go "eh.eh.eh.eh.eh" as loudly and as urgently as she can until she gets what she wants.  Like a drill sergeant. We tell her no and to stop...words I'm sure she knows, but she doesn't really care...she is bent on verbalizing our cue to get moving...ASAP.  A tiny part of me finds it comical (although I keep this from her) because I can't believe a child this young is doing this.  More of me feels a sense of panic...Oh my gosh, if she's this assertive now...what's she going to be like as a teenager??  I've talked to the doctor about teaching patience to a 15 months old and have done some reading too.  Apparently, patience is modeled and taught through positive reinforcement at this age. First, I  ignore any impatient behavior or say a quick "no" and continue what I am doing as if she isn't screaming at me at the top of her lungs when it occurs.  Here's the other part, any time she does anything patiently and waits, I praise her...and then praise her some more.  Sounds simple enough.  But, it made me realize how ironic it is that it's harder to remember to praise her for doing the right thing, but so easy to become aggravated and corrective when she doesn't do what I perceive she should do.  I need to work on this.  Don't get me wrong, she is praised and loved from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to bed, but I need to remember to really focus on the positive and ignore the negative.  When we can communicate with one another I'm sure it will be much easier (I hope).

This patience thing seems to be such a prevailing theme in our house.  While Ella is working on learning to have the patience to wait for her snack, we are working on learning to have patience when it comes to figuring out our long term life plan.  And I'm reminded more and more why the virtue of patience is so difficult (I so see where you're coming from, Ella).  I believe it's innately human nature to want things figured out and settled right when we perceive they should be.  I doubt many people enjoy that elephant in the room constantly reminding you..."you don't have a clue what you are doing..."  It's so difficult.  I think in the midst of this, as we figure things out, God is reminding us the importance of learning to be patient and to wait for an answer.  I'm finding myself relating to Ella in that I want to yell "eh.eh.eh.eh.eh" until a definite plan falls out of the sky.  But, I know that it's useless and silly.  God has a plan for us  and every day we are inching toward figuring it out.  We've sifted through so many options, made evaluations based on what Brent wants in his career, and are leaning towards a very exciting adventure.  This adventure will require lots of PATIENCE, but will hopefully be fruitful in the end.  More to come on that later!

So...I have been reminded that you have to live the virtue of patience to actually teach your children how to be patient.  We are blessed by this reminder that we must live what we preach.  If I want Ella to be patient, I have to show her that Mommy has to be patient too.  We continue to pray for and to work on patience...Ella will have to work on having the patience to wait long enough to let the Wiggles DVD load without a meltdown while we work on waiting to learn the plan God has for us!  Both scenarios are proving to be individually challenging.  Lord, help us to have faith and to be patient enough to know that everything will work out how it is suppose to.  And help us to teach Ella how to be patient as well by being good examples.

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Baxter...seriously??

A blurry but recent "mug shot"
...see how sad and guilty he looks!

Baxter is going through some sort of emotional crisis...seriously.  I'm not sure what is going on...but it's gotta stop.  I'll lay this out there and take full responsibility-- We have never given Baxter the structure, training, or boundaries a dog like him needed to be well behaved.  We dropped the ball on dog training, but we also have a VERY difficult dog.  For a little over 3 years, we have tolerated Baxter's unruly antics and charades, but this is no longer an option.  He's got to learn discipline and we've got to follow through with it.

What exactly is going on??? Well... In the past month he has become increasingly more needy.  He will throw his huge head on you and FORCE you to pet him.  He does not back off.  He is less aware of his size and Ella's size and has knocked her down while being unruly on several occasions which is totally dangerous an unacceptable.  He is becoming more neurotic and chews at himself constantly (he has flea meds, so it's not fleas).  He tries to lunge through the glass door to attack our awesomely nice postman every time he sees him.  He has become territorial and is becoming aggressive towards people entering the property.  NO no longer means NO...he does as he pleases.  And his most disgusting new behavior (as if the others weren't bad enough)...drum roll please...the dog who only had 1 accident as a puppy has started MARKING.  It started with moving boxes and has moved on to mattresses and Ella's belongings.  This makes me LIVID...I just can't tell you how much it riles me.

SO-- we've hit a brick wall.  Baxter has got to SHAPE UP or literally we can't do it anymore.  We are people that take responsibility for our animals.  We have kept, cared for, and loved Emma Bear the Cat for the past 8 years even though we are not cat people and will continue to care for her unless she finds a wonderful home (**side note--she is still up for adoption).  And we will continue to do everything we can to keep Baxter...we adopted him and want to follow it through...he is our pet.  But, some days he just makes it so hard.  So here is our next step...Baxter will be enrolled in a doggie training boarding school program when we move to Roswell that will last 2 to 4 weeks (depending on how long he needs).  This program is not cheap, but we have to make the investment to rescue ourselves and him  from this craziness.  He will board with 2 other dogs also in need of intense intervention training and will hopefully be returned to us a new dog with a mastered set of commands.

With Baby Girl #2 coming this summer, we have no time to waste on disciplining an out of control Baxter and we can't risk Bells getting hurt.  We love him, but his behavior has got to go.  Operation Chill Out Baxter starts in exactly a month...I'll let you know how it goes.  In the meantime, I literally have to watch him like a hawk when he's in the house so he doesn't mark.  I mean, I expect to have to watch Ella that carefully, but my 3 year old dog...not so much.  It's really perturbing me.  The only issue is, if we don't let him come inside or out of his kennel, his neurotic behavior worsens and the marking and the unruliness escalates...it's just a vicious cycle.  Baxter, seriously...can you just chill out...seriously??  It would greatly be appreciated.

15 Months

On St. Patty's Day, Ella turned 15 months old!  That can't be...where is the time going??  She's definitely not a little baby anymore and asserts her independence more and more each day.  Her 15 month check-up went great.  Her stats: height 31 inches {65th%}, weight 22 lbs. {65th%}, and her head {80th%}.  Dr. Ben's report: "Healthy, happy, beautiful...she's great"... always music to a mother's ears.  She did have to get 2 more shots...I thought we were taking a breather after the ones she got at 12 months.  Apparently NOT...the CDC chart said we had two more yesterday....darn.  But, Ella took the shots like a champ and wasn't even fussy last night...what a trooper!!  She woke up raring to go this morning!  Dr. Ben told me that we have one more Hepatitis A shot to go at 18 months and then she will not have anymore until she's 4!!  I'm really looking forward to the day that a healthy check-up doesn't constitute Ella being poked with needles...she's starting to give those nurses the stink eye when she sees them!

So, here's a little snapshot of Ella at 15 months:

Favorite foods: blueberries, strawberries, veggie hot dogs, white american cheese, peas, smoothies, beef tacos.  She will still eat anything and everything except for grits (smart girl...I can totally relate with her on this one).  And yes, she is still obsessed with Whole Milk.  In addition to 3 hearty meals and 2 snacks a day, Ella drinks close to 30 oz of milk.  I asked Dr. Ben if this was normal or healthy or going to clog all her arteries and give her a heart attack.  He said no, that as long as she was eating full meals, 30 oz of milk was fine since she wasn't overweight.  Fine by me...that whole milk is loaded with DHA, so hopefully it will make her really smart!

Favorite hobbies: reading books, being outside, dancing, and daredevil stunts that involve climbing.

Ella LOVES to read.  This is the honest truth, we probably read between 30-40 books a day.  The teacher in me BEAMS every time she brings us a book to read to her!!!
{Just had to take a 15 minute typing break because she wanted me to read to her...I'll never turn down a chance to read with her!!}

Ella loves to run around outdoors...barefoot of course.  I have always hated shoes and Brent is pretty much barefoot all the time too.  She had no choice but to inherit this hilly billy habit of ours!  Everyday she stands next her stroller and says..."ah, ah, ah" like lets go for a walk.  I'm trying to teach her to say "go"...but so far no luck.  She loves to go on walks and screams for joy while we look at the trees, cars, birdies, doggies, and the gorgeous homes in Ardsley.  We are going to miss our pretty neighborhood so much.  It's sad to think that she won't be able to remember living in such a beautiful historical area!!

DANCING-- she LOVES to dance.  I have to believe that she inherited this trait from her Uncle Brandon.  He's got some moves and so does Ella.  She is still addicted to very into the Wiggles DVD, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing."  She is allowed to watch it 2 times a day (that is the extent of her TV time).  Even though she has a 2 per day limit, approximately 4-6 times a day she will walk over to the TV and say "Dee, dee.  Dee, dee" for dancing.  Then, she'll start moving her body back and forth in a dance motion.  She is obsessed with "dee-ing" (dancing).  Sometimes she'll raise her arms in the air, sometimes she'll shake them in front of her..she has a variety of dance moves.  I've bought several other Wiggles DVDs and I can honestly say that none of the other ones hold a candle to our old trusty Wiggles "Dee" Video...it's the best by far.  Ella loves music and anytime music comes on in the car or at the grocery store, she starts moving her head with the rythym.  I really hope this means she'll be musical and hopefully a good dancer too!! :)

Language: Language continues to be an area that is "emerging".  She picks up a couple of words here and there that she learns and probably has a working vocabulary of around 20ish words, but she doesn't quite have the desire to utilize these words as a form of communication yet.  I have spoken to the doctor about this aspect on several occasions, but he has assured me that her language development will come in time--especially by the age of 2.  I am hoping he is correct.  I do think it will develop, but I guess I feel like she is so communicative in other ways that she should be talking more!

Monkey See, Monkey Do: Ella imitates everything we do.  If we leave a pair of shoes out, she tries to put them on and wear them.  She likes to get in the basket that holds her clean diapers and take the diapers out and try to put them in the diaper genie like mommy and daddy do.  She has attempted to put a diaper on Baxter (now that was funny).  She likes to pretend she's cooking in the kitchen and use the oven mitt to pretend to take the dinner out of the oven.  She still loves to wear the robe belt.  Ella also likes to give hugs and pat you, just like we do to her.  If we forget to put our water cups out of reach, she will pick them up and *attempts* to drink out of them (this usually leads to a big cup of spilled water).  She loves to brush her hair and our hair. She brings us our shoes for us to put on after she takes them out of the closet.  She tries to feed her stuffed animals and dolls her milk and food.  She also strolls them around in her mini-stroller, hugs them, pats them, and "takes care of them."  In the last 3 months, we've seen this caring/ independent side develop the most.  It really warms my heart because I know she will be a wonderful Big Sister.

Ella is a blessing and so much fun.  I am so incredibly grateful that I get to stay home with her each day and spend this priceless time with her.  I am truly fortunate.  This opportunity is something I do not take for granted and I feel so lucky that Brent feels the same way I do.  The past 15 months have been wonderful and the exciting part is there is so much more fun to come! :)

Here are a few pictures of the happy girl I took this morning.  We've already had a busy morning of reading and playing and now she's down for a nap!

Packing, packing, and more packing..

We have been packing for months...I'm not exaggerating.  As soon as we decided that we were definitely moving, we started packing.  We did this to prevent a series of chaotic moving episodes we've had in the past...I won't go into detail...but we wanted to finally do it right the 4th time around.  So, we have basically packed everything we don't need (i.e. most of our stuff) except for kitchen supplies, clothes, linens, cleaning supplies, some of Ella's toys, and staple pieces of furniture.  Ironically, once you get down to it, there are not that many things in life that you actually "need."  

This weekend was no exception, we packed and organized our way through the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the U.S.  While many people we out enjoying the gorgeous weather and green beer...we were inside packing.  We decided not to take Ella to the parade after much debate.  It was during her all important nap time, we knew parking would be a nightmare, and Brent was on call and needed easy access to our car in case he had to go in.  So we made the decision to have our Saturday morning breakfast @ Clary's...we all wore green of course...work on packing and laundry, and Brent took Ella for a nice long walk and to the park.  My sciatic nerve was out of control that day, so I had to lay on the couch while they enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Needless to say,  our St. Patrick's Day was very tame and uneventful...but hey what can you really expect from a pregnant woman,  a one year old, and a man on call??  We decided that we are going to come back when the kids are older and I'm not pregnant, get a hotel room right downtown, and enjoy the festivities with our Savannah friends!  That sounds like a great plan to me.

Back to packing...What makes packing for our latest move challenging is that we have to divide our belongings into two categories: things that will go into storage and things we will need to live at my mom's house in the basement.  Additionally, we had to sort through and pack all the newborn baby stuff and make sure that made it to my Mom's house as well.  We've had to be highly organized in this process.  Organization is a struggle for Brent and for me...but we have managed quite nicely.  Most everything in the house is (somehow) packed and we did it while having Ella here the whole time.  I have to say I'm pretty proud of us!!  Ella in herself is a full time job...packing + Ella = an amazing feat if you ask me!

In this process we have gotten rid of A TON of "stuff"...this ranges from close to 40 pairs of shoes, old clothes, home decor we are no longer into, furniture from college and the first year of our marriage, and tons of papers we no longer need.  I made a promise to myself that the next time settle somewhere, we will have everything in it's place and nothing we do not want or need.  So, we have done A LOT of purging of the old in anticipation of the new to come.  It's liberating...it really is!  We've had some sad moments like..."I remember this was the first piece of furniture we bought after we got married" or "wow. I can't believe we no longer have your old TV.  I remember coming over to your apartment in college after class and watching Sports Center on in" {Brent}.  But hey, time marches on and living with things from the past because you're afraid you'll lose the memory is no way to live.  We'll always have wonderful memories of our time in college and the first couple of years of marriage...we just won't have the water stained coffee table to go with it!

So onward we press...just counting down the days until the move is over and done with.   The anticipation alone is exhausting.  I feel like once we have the move under our belt, we will be be able to figure our permanent life plan.  After that, I hope to avoid seeing boxes again for a VERY LONG TIME!!

But, all the anticipation and wanting everything to come together perfectly aside, the take home message that is becoming more and more clear is that all the stuff of life isn't what really matters.  What matters is that we are all together-- happy and healthy.  That is the true measure of happiness and being blessed!   And we managed to have a little fun while packing too...see some pics of Bells below:

Out back enjoying the gorgeous weather
and chasing the doggies!

Helping Mommy with dinner

Daddy taking a break...Ella piling all her toys
on him...such a a little sharer!

Asking us to put on "dee" aka the Wiggles video
"You Making Me Feel Like Dancing"....
She walks up to us and says "dee, dee" and starts
dancing so we'll put the video on!  She has a limit of
two times a day...so sometimes she gets a little mad
when we won't put it on!!  It's so cute!

Recent iPhone Pics

We love this little girl & couldn't be more blessed by her bubbly personality and love for life!!  She makes us smile everyday!  Life is good. Here are some recent iPhone pics (some are a little blurry).

Ella and George getting ready for lunch

Ella and George in the packing container

So much fun in the ball pit

Sweet girl!

Loving her new Ella Cottage...thanks Murns Family!

Totally blurry, but this is a pic of her running out
of her cottage like football players run through
those signs before a game!! 

Our Saturday morning ritual...Breakfast at
Clary's...Ella loves it!!

Happy

Just brushing my hair with my little teal brush

Watching the Wiggles on my car

Reading a book and saying "titty" for kitty over
and over again

What's in my toy box??

Always contributing to Dolce's weight gain

Holding her new duck and balloon after a trip to
Publix...they are so sweet to her at that store!

I'll carry my stuff in, Mommy!

Good-Bye Granny...Until We Meet Again

Me giving Granny some sugar

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26


My Dear Granny passed away yesterday evening at the age of 86.  After a very long time of being very sick, Jesus took her into the light of Heaven to be with her husband, daughter, parents, and brothers (one of whom she had not seen since he passed away from cancer as a child).  What a GLORIOUS homecoming.  I picture her in a beautiful, healthy body with her natural red hair flowing, perfectly in place with sunkist skin.  No more pain, no more suffering only joy and peace.   You see, if I could pick one thing that defined Granny it was her faith.  She loved Jesus deeply and unabashedly.  Her life was built around her faith even though she faced many struggles.  Through everything, she was a devout disciple of the Lord and I know yesterday at 7:30 p.m. she was rewarded with the one the thing she wanted more than anything-- Eternal Life in Heaven.  She was hands down the biggest influence in my spiritual life because she lived what she believed.  One of the things I have always admired is someone who isn't just a Christian when life is good and happy.  Even when times were tough, she remained SO faithful.  As I work on my spiritual evolution, I hope to find myself becoming more and more like her.  She never wavered and always trusted.  Thank you, Granny for being such a wonderful example to us all!

Kristen and Granny--Love this pic of her!

There were so many things I loved about Granny.  She was as feisty as a little whip.  Granny was a natural redhead although she kept it blond-- I truly believe she's who Ella got her red hair from--they are a lot alike.  At only a little over 5 feet tall, you wondered how she stored so much spunk in that tiny body!!  Granny was really funny...  I love how she always kept her sense of humor.  Even with Alzheimer's and terminal cancer, when I was visiting with her in October, I told her she looked so pretty.  She said, "Oh, you know I'm just really, really old" and laughed.  Always the whippersnapper! 

Kicked back on the couch

Granny had many talents.  She was a beautiful piano and organ player.  I have so many fond memories of being at her house as a child and listening to her play the organ and sing Amazing Grace while my brother and I played in the den.  How comforting and reassuring are those memories and the words to that beautiful song in the wake of her passing.  So lovely.  She loved jewelry and getting dressed up. She was a wonderful baker and down home Southern chef.  She would spend hours in the kitchen preparing soul food that trumps any I have ever had and will ever have-- Paula Dean has NOTHING on her!!  She LOVED the ocean and being outside in her swim suit--even as a grandmother!  She was a fish at heart.  I could go on forever about my Granny...so many precious memories.

Granny and I sunbathing in the California sun!

I'll leave you with one of the interesting stories about Granny...she had so many wonderful stories....and that was her tie to ELVIS PRESLEY!!  Granny was a telephone operator in Memphis back in the day.  Whenever Elvis would place a call he would ask to be connected to his little operator--a.k.a. my Granny.  All the other operators knew that she was Elvis' operator and would transfer the line to her.  They would talk and he'd tell he where he was or where he was headed.  He was usually placing calls to his Mama.  He told her if she ever saw him to let him know she was his little operator.  Well...she did see him outside of somewhere in Memphis and wanted to go say hi and my grandpa told her to get back in the car that they were leaving.  If it had of been me, I totally would have gotten out anyway, but Granny didn't and so Elvis never got to meet her, unfortunately, but I think it's cool that she was his "preferred" operator!


Dearest Granny, ENJOY every minute of heaven. Thank you for your unconditional love and for always making me feel special, loved, and beautiful.  Please watch over Dad and help him to find peace in knowing you are in a better place. I know everyone up there will enjoy hearing you play the organ!  Take a trip to the ocean you love so much and give Pappy a hug for me!  I will meet you there someday-- I'm sure you will be an amazing tour guide.  LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER!!

AMAZING GRACE....

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.  How precious did that Grace appear...the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...His word my hope secures.  He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

Daredevil

Standing on the table...don't worry we're right
behind her...

In the past couple of weeks, our child has turned into a little Daredevil.  I know she doesn't get this from me because I am the least thrill seeking person I know.  I can't even stomach roller coasters.  As a child, the church would take trips to Six Flags...I'd promptly declined the invite...when I spent 6 weeks in Europe, the group I was traveling with all took an amazing trip to Interleukin to go canyoning...I opted to travel with my friend to Florence to marvel at the art instead.  Ella just didn't get this streak from me!  Brent is more adventurous than I am...he loves roller coasters...but he hates heights!  All around, I wouldn't say that we are the most daring couple.  But Ella is a stunt woman, daredevil for sure.

It all started about a week ago.  Until then, Ella had been incredibly cautious.  She was so cautious I think it's partly why it took her over 12 months to walk...she was afraid to fall.  Um, wait, where did that fear go??  She now RUNS through our house full speed ahead when she needs to get somewhere.  She likes to climb over the door that does not open in her Cozy Coupe to get inside just because she likes the challenge, instead of sitting on little moped looking toy, she opts to stand on the seat.  Anything that is dangerous...she's going to do it.  She can climb onto anything now.  This includes couches, chairs and ottomans.  The other day, she climbed onto the chair, onto the arm of the chair, onto the table where the lamp sits so she could bang on the window.  I shouldn't have let her do it...I know...but  I was seriously trying to figure out how well she can actually climb.  The answer...she can climb really well.  We now have something blocking the chair so she can no longer scale up to the window.

The real kicker though is the face first mosh pit dive off anything with any height.  This began Friday.  She climbed up onto a small red ottoman that we had off to the side (everything is kind of rearranged b/c we are packing).  Brent walked over to take her off, right about the time she literally jumped and dove face first toward the hardwood floor.  Thankfully, he caught her.  The second ocurrance happened yesterday... it was dinner time and we had ordered take out.  We were pulling everything out of the bags when Ella jumped up on the couch, turned around and mosh pit dove off of the couch onto the rug.  She landed on her knees without injury...Thank Goodness...we were very lucky.    SOOOO, new rule at our house, if you can't be within 5 feet of her with your eyes directly on her...she needs to be in the playpen in case she decides to climb and jump.  It's the only way we can guarantee she will stay safe.  She is a wild one for sure.  Somehow our cautious little baby has turned into what seems like a daredevil toddler just overnight.  We are just praying she works through her wild streak as a small child...don't think I could handle her going sky diving or bungee jumping someday.  This may be a normal toddler thing, but for us it's all new and we find ourselves shaking our heads saying, "Did she really just do that?" very frequently these days.  Oh, Little Miss Wild Thing, what are we going to do with you?? :)

Screaming and pointing to her belly button

Smile...notice the red in the corner of my eye... I was mad
I had to take a nap and bumped my eye by accident :(

Horse back riding in her underwear...

Talking while she drinks from her sports cup...
please note doctor says this counts as a sippy cup!!!

Peak-a-boo...I love boxes