So I woke the other morning to these!

The other morning I woke to find these on both barstools and hanging on cupboards (made by Ellie and Zoe). So great!

Grieving!

So in preparation for our little guy - who will be here shortly, we decided to redo the bedroom in our basement for Ellie to move down to. She has been so excited and we painted it pink and it's darling. Her first night down, Zoe was planning on sleeping with her but that only lasted a minute until Zoe was back upstairs and Ellie had to brave her first night in the basement alone. She teared up and was nervous but went down to sleep. When I came back up from tucking her in, I lost it and started to cry, realizing that she's old and I will no longer here her great comments made from her bedroom after she's been tucked in. I'm seriously been grieving that my oldest is growing up and can sleep downstairs by herself now. The 2nd night, I put a phone in her room and called her from my cell, and the two of us talked for 50 minutes (she's right underneath me). It was such a precious hour as she shared her thoughts about life with me. She began talking about a relative who's an alcoholic and how next time she sees him she's going to talk to him about how alcohol isn't good for him and if he'd go to church and read his scriptures he's be much happier. Then she's going to invite him to church and before he comes she's going to talk to our Bishop and let him know that this certain family member, "who has a problem with alcohol" is coming and ask the Bishop if he'll say a few words about why alcohol isn't good for us. I also got parenting advice regarding Zoe and was told that I threaten and don't follow through and If I would follow through more, Zoe would behave much better. Since that night we've spoken on the phone every night and I treasure that part of my day!

Ellie Gets Baptized!

Ellie!

Before the Baptism

Matt's sweet polyester one piece suit!

Ellie was so excited for her baptism and one of the best parts was having her aunt Alex fly home from New Jersey to be there (which was all a surprise). Ellie was so happy for this special day and has said, "I wish dad would have held me under the water longer, it was such a spiritual feeling". I told her people would have thought he was trying to drown her, not baptize her. When she walked out of the font and I was helping her get changed, she was just crying. I thought she was freezing and asked her if she was cold and she said, "no I'm not sure why I'm crying, I think I feel the spirit." She and I cried the whole time I was getting her changed and then Matt met us at the bathroom door and started to cry. It was such a neat experience and a neat day. We were so happy to have so many friends and family there to support her. She is such a wonderful girl! She bore her testimony the day after and thanked her Heavenly Father for the gift she'd been given and said she knows it will help her with her "trials in life". She's an old soul!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY ELLIE!

Ellie turned 8 on May 31st. I seriously can't believe it! I have no idea where the last 8 years have gone, but I do know they've been the best 8 years of my life. Ellie is the neatest girl with the most unique personality. She can entertain herself all day long and is so easy. She has more faith than anyone I've ever met and her testimonies in church each month melt the whole wards hearts, as she tells stories and lessons learned throughout the month. I love you so much Ellie!

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT ELLIE:

1) Her witty and unique personality

2) Her care and concern for others (possibly excluding her sister)

3) Her strong desire to do what is right

4) Her imagination that never ends

5) Her QUESTIONS and deep thoughts that I truly don't have answers for

6) Her disregard for what others think and her desire to be who she is, despite if it's cool or not

7) Her smile (or lack thereof). She's so her father's child

8) Her love for animals. I'm convinced she's going to do something great with this someday!

School's Out for Summer

Just a few pics of Ellie's dance festival, Marsh's School's out Party and the girls! Love love love summer!