School shopping: Part One

We have completed part one of school shopping for Ellie: New jammies (Yes Mema, those are Elephants on her jammies) and new school supplies! Can you believe she is old enough for school supplies? SERIOUSLY! Next I will buy a new box of crayons, a set of sharpened Ticonderoga pencils, and a big bowl of crisp apples. Those aren't required on her list but they are my three favorite things to buy in fall. :) I know I am such a school nerd but I love this time of year! Just think, coming soon....first day of preschool outfit! Oh my cuteness! (Ironically, her choice is the purple flower dress that I wore when I started preschool! How funny!) Love to All, Ang

Poulsbo

This weekend, we took a trip to the Olympic Peninsula. Our good friends Rob and Melissa were married on Saturday so we made a mini-vacation out of it. We had a great time, the wedding was AWESOME, and we discovered the hidden charm of Poulsbo. It is right on the water and the downtown has a cute strip of bookstores, coffee shops, boutiques, etc. Congratulations again to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor!

The Bride and Groom

Look how handsome my hubby is!

Father/daughter dance

On the dance floor with glow sticks

Ellie cuttin' it up on the dance floor!

Taking a break with Mommy Back to dancing!

At the hotel...Ellie wheels her own luggage now!

Downtown Poulsbo for lattes, bookstore, and woodfired pizza! Such a cute place!

An Early Birthday Present

Dan and I decided that this year, we wanted to get Ellie a swing set for her birthday. I never had one as a kid but I remember how much I loved to play on my cousin Katie Rae's. Anyway, Dan and I have been so excited and we wanted Ellie to have time to enjoy the swing set before it gets too cold (although I know she will be out there rain, sleet or snow!), so we decided to give it to her now. After Ellie went to bed last night, Dan worked in the dark with a spotlight to have the swing set ready for our little girl this morning (that is one of those things that I just love about Dan). When she woke up this morning, we told her we had an early birthday surprise for her. I wish you could have been here to see her shock, excitement and total joy. She was so happy she actually got quiet! She didn't know what else to do or say but smile and run right for the swings! Happy Soon-To-Be Birthday Ellie! :)

Gymnastics

We took Ellie to her gymnastics lessons last night. She looked so darn cute in her leotard we had to take a picture. She LOVES gymnastics...as I'm sure you can tell! Click here to see a string of videos from her practice last night. Enjoy!

Sunday School Lesson

Today at church, Ellie's Sunday school class learned a verse from the Bible. OK, so maybe not learned a verse so much as created very cute fridge art around it! :) In any case, I was struck by how a Sunday school lesson could reach my heart so easily. Here is the verse:

God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient... Galatians 5:22-23

It was such a good reminder to me to keep my heart filled with God's spirit instead of selfish things. I am very happy but can always be a bit more loving, peaceful and especially patient! And on those days when I am feeling impatient, unhappy, etc. I need to remember God's love for me and not try to fix my mood with earthly things (although a latte ALWAYS helps a little!) There is another verse that comes to mind (though I forget the citation) that says,

Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things.

I swear that was written for me! The minute I am feeling yucky, I realize it is because I am focused too much on trivial matters and my heart is full of the wrong stuff. So after Sunday school, I asked Ellie what she wanted to do for the day and she said, "Go to the park." So we went to the park and of course went straight for the swings. As I was pushing her on the swing, I asked her what her favorite part of Sunday school was. You know what her answer was? "When you came in, Mommy." Seriously, I started crying right then and there in the middle of the park. I must have looked ridiculous but my heart was overwhelmed by the simplicity and sweetness of her response. A glutton for emotion, I probed further: "Ellie, are you a happy girl?" "Yes, Mommy." "When are you happiest?" "Moooommmm (eye roll)! I'm happiest at the park, with you! And I'm happy at home." Big smile. Seriously, little children are the best reflections of God's spirit. Unadulterated by earthly things, their hearts are full, and their happiness and love are so pure. It seems that I have much to learn from my little one! I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and find time to reflect on what is filling your heart. Love to All, Ang