Ella's First Birthday Party

Three weeks ago, we celebrated Ella's first birthday with a family party at home. Abby and I planned the little details for weeks. Ella may not remember her first birthday party, but she will look back on the pictures and know without question how much we adore her and wanted every minute of her day to be special! Oh how she lights up our life and adds to our family in a way we never could have imagined.

Things didn't go the way we expected that day. Earlier in the week, Ella came down with the Coxsackie virus. She had a high fever for the four days leading up to the party and the day of she woke up with a full body rash all over her body (the last stage of the virus). Because of the sickness, we called our friends who were coming with kids and understandably they decided not to come. Then, the morning of the party, we got a phone call from my dad informing us that Cory was in a motorcycle accident the night before and had just gotten home from hospital. As we started to process the sad news, my mom called to say Casey got a head injury while out in the shed that morning and they wouldn't be coming. Needless to say, it was a hard morning for everyone. Not only were the plans for Ella's party changing quickly, we were sad and in shock over Cory's injury. We were praising God that the accident wasn't much worse and thankful that he could be home resting with family. We knew there was nothing we could do to help that day, so despite the events of the morning, we did our best to do what we had planned...celebrate our sweet little girl's first birthday.

Everyone was sad to suddenly miss the special day. For good reason, the guest count went from 14 to 2 in a matter of minutes, but Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex were still on their way for a party! So, I got to mixing the punch and setting up for Ella's garden party.

our rashy little birthday girl 

I loved the decorations for the party. Pink and turquoise. Lots of fresh white hydrangeas. Balloons and ribbons. Birds and birdhouses. Little white gardening pails filled with utensils. Pictures of Ella. Pretty and girlie and garden-y. Some would call it shabby chic. It made my heart happy. 

a photo timeline of Ella's first year 

For food, we had: tea sandwiches (cucumber and creamcheese, tomato, cheddar and watercress, chicken salad), cups of dirt, chips, veggies and dip, fruit salad, caprese bites and cupcakes for dessert.

delicious dirt 

time to eat!

 I just LOVE her garden party dress. It was so pretty and perfect. 

Ella wasn't really herself that day. She was uncomfortable from the rash and pretty fussy, but she still gave us some smiles. She loved her birthday hat and really loved her first taste of chocolate.

Bells did not have much of an appetite that day (which is VERY uncharacteristic of her). I'll never forget the moment the chocolate pudding hit her lips for the first time. She went from screaming and pretty inconsolable to complete delight. It was adorable.

Yummy chocolate and a worm to go with it!

Ella opened her gifts with LOTS of help from her extra willing big sister. She received lots of new outfits, a little doll, pool/sandbox toys, a Fisher Price smart phone and a storybook with Nagymama's voice reading to her. Then, we went outside and played in the water, which included a fun water balloon fight.

pretty flower cupcakes 

With so many family members not at the party, we attempted a Google Hangout, so everyone could see Ella have her first cupcake. It was quite the ordeal trying to coordinate so many people at one time and then having microphone malfunctions, but it was memorable!

Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex 

We love you Bells and are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents! Happy birthday to our precious little gift. Being your mommy is such a joy and privilege!

Abby: 3.5 years old

Dear Abby,

I love that you call yogurt, yogrit. I love that you replace your l's for w's. Ella becomes Ewwa. Hello is hewwo.  I've noticed in the last couple of days, you are starting to self-correct and it makes my momma heart happy and sad. I love seeing you grow, but the days seem to go by so quickly. It's amazing to think you are three and a half years old. Maybe you can consider slowing down a bit? :)

Today you walked into the kitchen and said, "Wow Daddy, I can't believe my eyes." You often start your sentences with "Good news..." or "Sad news..." Your phrases are adorable and make your Daddy and I look at each other and smile every time.

You love books more than ever. We go to the library at least once a week. The hardest part is convincing you when we have to return some books. You get kind of attached. After some hard work, we can usually come up with at least five books you don't need anymore, but then we come home with another 15! Bookworm math? You get that from me. I love how excited we both get to come home, curl up on the couch and read them all together. Two weeks ago, we went to a new library (jackpot!) and when we walked in your eyes got really big and with the most genuine expression, you exclaimed, "Oh Mommy, this is so beautiful!"

Your heart for your little sister is so sweet. You have been so passionate about planning your sister's birthday party and making sure she has all of the special things a girl needs when she turns one. Balloons, cake, presents and lots of homemade pictures from her big sister! When I walked into your room the other day, Ella had a whole lot of something in her mouth and I wasn't sure what it was. No big deal, you had just "cooked" her dinner and fed her a huge dust bunny you found in the corner. You promised that next time you would stick to play food and I promised to sweep your room a couple more times a week. Tonight, you heard me ask Daddy to check Ella's tempurature when he went in to see why she was crying. We asked you to stay in the hall, but you followed him in very seriously and whispered to Ella (though she was half asleep), "Ella, Mommy and Daddy are going to check your temperature, but you don't have to be afraid. I'm going to sing you a song...rock a bye baby..." Ella is so blessed to have you as her sister and she knows it. Her face lights up and she squeals every time you walk into the room.

You remind us often that you want to be a Mommy with three kids (two girls and one boy). You love the pool and playing outside. Until today, you have not let anyone push you on the swings because you like to control how high you go. Today, you let loose and fell in love with being pushed high on the swings and having the wind blowing through your hair.

The weather fascinates you as much as it does your Daddy. You often open your pretend cell phone and pretend to check the weather. Daddy teaches you how to observe the clouds and you decide if you think a storm is on the way. Recently, you initiated this conversation with us in the car:
A: Who makes the weather? The weatherman?
M: Not the weatherman.
A: Then I think it is the One who protects me and is with me while I sleep. It must be Jesus! That's it Mommy. The weatherman tells us about the weather and God decides what kind of weather we are going to have.

In other news, you seem to be giving up your afternoon nap. More proof of your big girl status. An adjustment for us all, but you are loving quiet playtime while Ella is asleep when you can do some big girl activities in your room.

Words can't fully capture the wonderful little girl you are. You bring so much joy to our family. You bless each of us and help us to grow in ways we never would have imagined.

Your prayer last night melted my heart and was such a precious glimpse into your childlike faith in God.

Dear God, Thank you for the day and for my bed. Thank you for giving me a bed to sleep in and food to eat. Please protect me when I sleep tonight and help me not to go in to Mommy and Daddy's bed tonight because I really shouldn't. Ok, Heavenly Father, ok? Oh, and please help Ella to feel better. She's my sister. Thanks. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I love you sweetheart! Love, Mommy 

Uncle Cory Becomes a Police Officer

Last week, we celebrated a very special moment with my little brother. Uncle Cory graduated from the police academy. We are so so proud of him! My heart overflowed with joy as I watched him realize a dream. He has worked so hard to graduate from the intense program and be hired by a great police department. It has been amazing to watch the physical, emotional, intellectual and personal challenges he faced in the program grow him as a person and prepare him for what's next. We are confident that God has great plans for him!

Joe and Ella were sad to miss the ceremony because of Ella's virus, but met us at the celebration BBQ afterward. It was a great day!

had to be on Grandma's lap :) 

Proud Daddy

serious lookalike picture 

love. 

priceless pic 

me and my momma 

Though Nagymama insisted on not having a special birthday party for her, we surprised her with a 80th birthday cake at Cory's party.  Perfect!

quality time with Papa 

I'm thankful for God's grace that has made every opportunity possible for my brother and God's grace that will get him through every new obstacle. Waiting is the hardest part, but there is so much to learn in waiting. So much valuable learning in the process. We learn to slow down. We learn patience and tolerance. We learn self-awareness. We learn that life is a journey to be walked and not a destination to arrive at. Waiting grows our character and matures us. We can rest in the waiting because it's there that God is preparing us for the next thing. No mistakes. God will give you the strength to get through anything when you turn to Him. We love you Cory!