a date . . . well, sort of!

On Sunday we had a surprise birthday party to go to for our friend who lives in beautiful Corona del Mar. We had a great time especially because we got to hang out with our dear friends, Heath and Abby!!!! These are straight out of the camera (from my little point and shoot) - if I wait to do some editing I might not get them up right now - so here they are.

Bad lighting - I know, but me and my friend Abby - love the dress Abby!!!! :o)

The guys - the all played baseball together in High School - sorry the professional photographer got in my way . . .

so cute!!!

us girls again - don't you love the view off his back patio!!!

loved the flowers

all the guys! recognize anyone???

three buddies! So sweet to see friendships that last and get better and better!
Happy Birthday Gary - we love you!!!

cute couple!!!

santa barbara

A couple weeks ago we decided to go up to beautiful Santa Barbara for the day - before we were tied to the school calendar. We took the girls to the zoo, played at the park, saw some friends, and had a yummy dinner at this great fish n' chips restaurant! So, better late than never, here are some pics. The Santa Barbara Zoo was really neat - such a nice size and you could get pretty close to the animals. It was a great way to end our summer.

maternity photo shoot

Last weekend I was given the opportunity to take some pics of a couple who are expecting their second baby. I decided to start a photoblog that would be dedicated to my pictures - I'd love to get your feedback - feel free to check them out here.

it happened and WE survived!!!!

Today was the day . . . the day that my baby started Kindergarten and, Praise the Lord, all went well!!!! Ellie did have a little meltdown last night . . . and by "little" I mean HUGE!!! But God was gracious and she woke up happy (probably because she didn't have to wait until 7-0-0!!) and ready to go to school.

Getting ready to go

The Backpack

Our Little Kindergartener

Just the Four of us

With Papa and Tilly

On our way . . .

Checking the place out

Ellie and some of her fans (aka cousins)

Sending her off

How did this happen? One day we were changing her diaper
now we are sending her off to school!!!!

Yeah! Alyssa and Parker made it - parking was a zoo - so Papa ran
to grab the kids so they could send Ellie off in style.
Ellie was so glad to see her cousins!

Ellie and Mrs. Walker

Not so sure about this . . .

Standing in line . . . really not sure about this whole thing

getting more comfortable

we got to stay for a little bit to do a craft

Our Craft

Pick-Up - All Smiles!!!

In front of the school with her first Green Panther Paw
(part of their reward system!!)

At McDonald's - special lunch - ready to do her craft
(a present from Alyssa, Parker, and fam)

McDonald's with two of her cousins - Caleb and Brett

A new friend - we actually ran into her at McD's - and come to find out they go to the same school, but different classrooms.

why can't time just stand still????

The day has come that I have dreaded since I found out we were going to have a baby . . . the day that my precious little girl would leave me . . . ok, she isn't getting married (although I hear that that will be here before I know it), no, tomorrow Ellie Grace becomes a kindergartener!!!!!!!!! I can remember people visiting us in the hospital oohing and aahing over our new little baby girl and telling us how quickly the time would go . . . well, unfortunately, they were all right!!!!! But, why??? Why does the time have to go so quickly? Why can't I just bottle her up and leave her right where she is? My dear friend, Abby, in her godliness, reminded me that it is our job to raise our children to leave! What????? I've repressed that part, but she is so right! God has given us these precious gifts and it is our responsibility to raise them and teach them how to be responsible, God-fearing adults. That doesn't make this transition any easier!

I am so thankful that my babies have been born in the late winter/early spring - that means that I get to have them at home a little bit longer!!! I have really been in denial about this whole kindergarten thing - I've done the fun stuff willingly - the shopping and stuff, but tomorrow the reality will hit me whether I am ready or not . . . tomorrow we will walk our little girl into the school and hand her off to a teacher that we barely know. I am . . . trusting God for each moment - as I write this I can barely see - my eyes are filled with tears - what will tomorrow be like????? I was thinking today that for the past 5 years 5 months and 1 day Ellie Grace and I have been together (minus a few days here and there) - we have done everything together! 24/7 - 365 we've been together! And now there is going to be a 3 hour and 20 minute period of time where she will be somewhere without me . . . I know that she will have a wonderful time and this will be a great time of learning (for both of us), but it is weird to think that she won't be with me in the mornings.

What am I thankful for???

• All of the sweet memories I have made with Ellie
• That I have been able to be home with her since she was born.
• That she is a sweet and loving little girl who loves Jesus and is excited for school and learning.
• That I get to spend some time with Lily alone before baby #3 joins us.
• That Ellie's school welcomes parent helpers! Got my TB test! I will be there!
• For friends like Abby who remind me that God has given me these gifts and it is our job, as parents, to train them to leave.
• That Ellie knows to eat the healthy snack first and then the unhealthy one (little things we've been talking about - so silly, I know)
• That we have so many more wonderful memories to make!!!!
• For each and every stage that she has gone through - each one has been better than the last - she is a real delight to my heart.
• I love mornings - when the girls come out of their rooms and snuggle with us . . . so precious - I guess that will have to be relegated to the weekends.
  
• That God blessed me with my sweet girls . . . they are truly a heritage from the Lord

If you think of us tomorrow - pray that I will not cry so loudly that I disturb all of the other children/parents around! Seriously, pray that God will give us the ability to actually let go of Ellie and send her off to her classroom. Pray that Ellie will go and have a wonderful time and that she will make some new friends!!!!

Here are a few pics of Ellie through the years!