Summer 2013

Well, I'm not as behind as I thought I was. I didn't think I had written since Elsa turned 18 months! Yeesh.

Gosh, I thought all of the changing would slow down, but Elsa learns new things and does new things every day. I wish I was better at documenting it all. I do have a little journal that I write letters to her at least once a month, but even then it is hard to remember all of the funny things she has done and the sweet things she has said. Her most recently accomplishments/my most recent head aches are (not really, they make me laugh, I just can't "pee in peace" anymore):

- turning on her light in her room
- unlocking the dead bolts on the doors
- opening the microwave
- unlatching the cabinet locks
- bringing her chair into our bathroom, climbing on it, and grabbing the toothpaste  and sucking it out of the tube

and the good ones:

- throwing away her dirty diapers in the trash can
- taking recycling out to the garage
- sweeping the kitchen floor
- continues to clean up her toys and books before nap time and bed time
- collecting sticks in the backyard to help daddy start the grill
- getting the news paper at the end of the driveway and bringing it inside
- pedaling on her tricycle

We are loving our new home. We've met just about every body on our street, and a few other families throughout the neighborhood. We've had quite a few of them over for dinner, which has been nice to get to know them all individually. I'm getting more comfortable entertaining people, but it still isn't a comfortable thing for me. I always thought hosting would come naturally considering there are few times I remember it being just my family in our house growing up, but I guess I didn't inherit that chip. My mom is the queen of hosting and making everyone feel comfortable stopping by, grabbing a meal, or living in a bedroom for an indefinite amount of time. I hope one day to be as selfless with my space as she has been. 

Reading with Daddy

Enjoying the pool in the back yard

We also switches churches in February, which has been amazing for us. We loved our old church, and still miss it, but the community we have at our new church has been a blessing. And it is nice not having to drive 30 minutes to church on Sunday, though the drive was well worth it while it lasted. There are 3 other families in our neighborhood that go to our church, whom also happen to be good friends of ours. We also joined a small group a couple months ago for the first time since we've been married and instantly felt connected to the people in it. One of the other women in the group goes to the same gym I attend, so we see each other most mornings of the week. Our girls are the same age, so they get to play together in the childcare at the gym, and in Sunday School at church.

Marbles Museum with our new small group friends

Elsa, Elsa Elsa....My doctor couldn't even help me out. Whenever she thinks she is being laughed at, she cries...hysterically. It doesn't catch me completely by surprise seeing how her daddy and I are two of the most sensitive people we know, BUT, we laugh because she's so darn cute! Yet her crying takes the cuteness, almost, right out of it. It is so sad! She also seems to be getting more timid around other people. She does not like the attention being on her. At home, with mom and dad, she is her fun, goofy, sweet, silly self. But anywhere else, give her an hour before you get to see her glowing personality. It's a shame, because she is stripping people of the joy she is capable of bringing. She really is the sweetest little thing, I just wish everyone else could see that...this too shall pass. Hopefully quickly!

Look at that cuteness

We have loved this phase so much, that we booked a vacation! Ok, i'm kidding. I really am going to miss her terribly. We are leaving Elsa with Gigi and Pop for 6 days while we go enjoy the Bahamas. Every marriage needs this. Can't wait! We leave in just a few weeks! 

Elsa has turned into quite the fish. She runs and jumps into the pool, preferably when Shane and I are out of reach (don't worry, she's safe), goes to the bottom, and pushes off with her legs and bounces herself back to the steps of the pool. No floaty attached might I add. Quite impressive for the shy, sensitive,timid one. Just don't let strangers, or friends of mom and dad, look at her, or it strips her of her momentum. Ok, I might be exaggerating. 

Elsa has really gotten into the movies, The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. We let her watch The Sound of Music at our house, but Mary Poppins is a treat at Grandma's; Shane and I are not big Mary Poppins fans. She also loves Veggie Tales and sings the theme song in between singing the whole Sound of Music soundtrack.

Most likely watching The Sound of Music 

She had memorized a couple bible verses and repeats them before bed at night, sings Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace, and Silent Night. It warms my heart. She also prays. The last prayer was thanking God for blinds, fans, and pillows...Dark, cool, and comfy. That's my girl.

The mom of the little girl I nannied last year has off June and July, so it has been Elsa and me all summer. At first I felt lost not having an obligation each day of the week, but I adjusted quickly. :) I adjusted so well that I told them I was not going to nanny this coming school year. We will miss her though. Her and Elsa really enjoyed each other.

At Elsa's birthday party

Shane started a new job in April or May, which he has been enjoying. It's within the same company, but in a department he is more passionate about. He loves what he is learning and enjoys who he is working with. I'm very proud of him. 

Elsa had her first dentist appointment and was a champ. Though, I don't see how you can't be good with a personal flat screen TV above your reclined chair. The hygienist and dentist were so kind and encouraging. No cavities! I just have a nugget of information. Gummy vitamins are one of the #1 causes of cavities these days in kids! Crazy, huh? So stay away from chewy yucky vitamins, fruit snacks, raisins, etc.

First dentist appointment

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the rest of the
pictures!

Pullen Park

Fun with cousins

Easter weekend in Monroe

Loves getting her toe nails painted

Loves reading books

Strolling with Grandpa

Picking strawberries this summer

Elsa's 2nd birthday party

Watching videos of herself on Daddy's phone

swinging at the neighborhood park 

Waverly Place splash ground

Walking to the library with her buddy, Lochlan

Being Miss Priss in Mommy's shoes

Marble's Museum with cousins

YMCA playground

Celebrating Uncle David's birthday at IHOP

July 5th party, watching fireworks

BFF

Celebrating Shelby and Will getting married!

Feeling like hot stuff in Uncle Tim's truck, on the way to Monroe for the weekend. 

Popsicles with cousin Noah

 Playing in the bunk beds at Ikea with Aunt Megs and Noah

Helping Daddy wash the car

on a 'nut-run

Jesus Calling

If any of you have not heard of this devotional, I highly recommend it. I'm not usually a big fan of devotionals, I would rather just read my bible. But the author`s story behind this particular one is so neat.

Anyways, so many of them have spoken to me, but I'll keep it short and just share today`s.

She writes as if Jesus is speaking to you...

"I have promised to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Your deepest, most constant need is for My Peace. I have planted Peace in the garden of your heart, where I live; but there are weeds growing there too: pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief. I am the Gardener, and I am working to rid your heart of those weeds. I do my work in various ways. When you sit quietly with Me, I shine the Light of My Presence directly into your heart. In this heavenly Light, Peace grows abundantly and weeds shrivel up. I also send trials into your life. When you trust Me in the midst of trouble, Peace flourishes and weeds die away. Thank Me for troublesome situations; the Peace they can produce far outweighs the trials you endure."

Happy birthday Lizzy!

Happy birthday to Lizzy!  We could not have picked out a better friend for Elsa or Elsa`s mommy!

Life at the house

We have already enjoyed the new house a lot. It's definitely been an adjustment, but a good adjustment.  We closed on the house on Valentine's day, which was oh so romantic, and moved in on the 15th, with the help of a couple friends. It went so smooth. We had packed everything up into boxes before Friday, so thankfully it was quick. We started around 9:30 and were finished at 3. 

Since we opted out of cable TV, and just got internet a couple days ago, Shane has made himself at home most nights in the garage. He says that the garage is his, and the house is mine...I'm ok with that. Right now he is working on building a headboard, but that is just the first thing on the list. I have been good, with his help, about not craigslist shopping for furniture and such, because he was so insistent on building what he could. It may take longer to have what we want in the house, but it will be worth the wait. He's a talented fellow. 

We have a little play ground in our neighborhood that we go to most days at long as it is not too too cold or wet. We also have a big park that our house backs up to. There is a trail in the woods behind our house that leads to it, so we have also spent a lot of time there. I hope I never take advantage of being able to walk out of the house into a big yard rather than a stairwell and a parking lot like we had at the apartment. Oh the little things. 

Here are a few pictures of the past couple weeks. I haven't been good at taking pictures, but hopefully I will get better.

Happy Valentine's day, Elsa. Daddy got you a flower...and a house. 

Grilling out in the new backyard with the grill that has been sitting in our closet for 2 years. 

Shane didn't waste anytime. All his tools were set up and in use within days. That will be our new headboard soon...

Playing at the neighborhood park. 

Eating snack and watching daddy work in the garage. 

Myrtle Beach

The weekend before we closed on the house, we took a trip to Myrtle Beach. Shane's brother and sister-in-law gave us a 3-night stay at a resort in Myrtle Beach as a Christmas present. This was the first time we went away together without Elsa. Shane has left her a few times before now, but I had never been without her over night. It was time for the momma to get away ;) We had a great time! We went to the outlets Saturday and Sunday afternoon, played putt putt golf, ate at mom and pop places for breakfast, and splurged at places like Outback and Carrabba's for lunch and dinner. We slept in (which wasn't really a luxury since Elsa doesn't wake up until 8 or 8:30 anyways) and stayed out past 7 (which WAS a luxury). We definitely missed her, but we couldn't have had more fun, and it was perfect timing, with the hectic week ahead of us. I told Shane last night that it was time for another Myrtle Beach trip...it's only been 3 weeks.  

Walking around Barefoot Landing

Putt Putt

We bought Elsa some Reebok Flex shoes at the outlets. They are so stinkin cute.  And the perfect toddler shoe (light, flexible, easy on/off) She's out little crossfit girl.

Thank you L and G for that. Y'all really spoiled us.