Ellie at 16 Months

I want to do every now and then blogs mainly for myself to keep for memories of Ellie as she grows. So much changes over the course of a year. So much changes in even a month! I don't really expect anybody to read this apart from people closest to Ellie. Mainly for my record to keep for her. :) I will print these and put with her baby book. But feel free to read if you don't mind one proud mommy!

Ellie's current vocabulary:

*Ball
*Bow
*Blondie
*Baby
*Bye-Bye
*Mama
*Dada
*Mimi
*G-Daddy
*Dog
*Hello
*Hey
*That
*Water
*Up
*Down
*Uh-oh
*Yeah
*No
*Stop
*Yay
*Please
*Thank you
*Outside
*Light
*Cheese
*Ho Ho Ho (Santa)
*Tree
*Bird
*Done
*Ok
*Hot
*Eye
*Mouth
*Bless You (when we sneeze)
*Rock rock (for rocking chairs and rocking the baby dolls)
*Yuck (her name for poop)

Ellie knows the following animals and their sounds and makes the sounds:

*Dog
*Horse
*Owl
*Bear, Tiger, Lion, Dinosaur...anything that *roars*
*Elephant
*Monkey
*Bird

Body Parts Ellie knows:

*Eyes
*Nose
*Mouth
*Ears
*Tummy
*Hands
*Belly Button

Ellie has been learning at ballet class to walk on tip toes, kick, jump, and twirl. She has accomplished all of these, yet she performs them at home constantly, and observes more at dance class. Ellie has started to enjoy running alongside me in the house or in the yard just short little paces. It is like a game to her. I am so excited to get her into running as she grows! We love having dance parties together.

We have started a little mini mommy lead pre-pre schooling which is all just fun to Ellie. It should be. It should be interesting, exciting, and fun! We learn animals, body parts, colors, shapes, alphabet, and numbers. She has already sang, "ABC" and stops after "C". We read books, sing songs, practice puzzles. We do crafts, science experiments, and we even do exercises and massage to teach her about touch, feel, her body, and how her body is able to move. It is all just a bunch of play, but productive playing.

We LOVE going outdoors for exploring, wagon rides, bubbles, chalk, playing with toys and Blondie. We love our play dates with all our friends. Ellie is involved in Hike it Baby Greenville, Mommy and Me Ballet at Sterling Studio of Performing Arts, Kindermusik of Greenville at Village Arts, and Easley MOPS. (If anybody ever has any questions about these groups feel free to hit me up!! All are so amazing and I couldn't allow Ellie or I to go without any of them!)

Ellie is very sneaky and mischievous like all toddlers, I presume. She is very smart. Yes, I am her mother, but...she is. She is smart in so many ways. Spend time with her and you will be amazed. She is clever. She also knows she is cute and she says hey, or hugs you, or claps her hands like she is proud of herself whenever she gets caught getting into things. It is hard to keep a straight face most of the time. She also hilariously tries to put everything back in order and straighten up in a fast frantic when she hears my feet coming.....then she stands up straight and holds her hands, wears a big grin and says, "Hey!" Sneaky. It is so cute but she still gets her lesson. Gentle love and a pop when necessary. She never even flinches at her poppings. She just smiles and wants to distract me to another item to play. And that is what we do...we proceed and keep loving and playing!

I have been all about Palmetto Basics and how to optimize love and minimize stress in loving and leading your little one. Love and play are so very crucial and important in their strong and happy development. I am so bi into playing with Ellie hands on. People call me crazy for how silly we are or very energetic. I am. But I had this baby to do all I could to give her the best world possible and it is fun getting down on the floor with her at her level and exploring with her....sometimes that means singing the same song or reading the same book, or pushing her around the house in a tray pretending it is a buggy over and over and over again because she wants to, it makes her happy.

Ellie can sing the starts of a few songs. ABC as mentioned previously, Jesus loves me, and some Kindermusik tunes, Riding in the Buggy, Baby Baby My Sweet Baby.

Ellie's favorite play item are baby dolls and stuffed animals. She holds as many as she can at once in her arms, rocks them, kisses them, pats them, sings to them, feeds them, tells the "sh sh sh" to calm them, and tucks them into their crib. She is a nurturer.

She is also stubborn, strong willed, and independent. This will be AWESOME for her adult self. Currently, it makes mommy have to channel in a lot of deep breathing and patience. But I also kind of love it even now because she is pretty great with a fork which she demands to use, she is already almost completely dressing herself, she even tries to change her own diapers which I hope is a sign we can potty train in a few months (fingers crossed), she likes to comb her own hair and put her bows in, and feed herself. Now, she does none of these things perfectly but she is determined to do so and that is really rather awesome. I do love this spirit about her, even when I want to just do it and make it go faster. If we don't let them try when they are curious we are putting such a bock on their independence and neurological pathway development. So take a deep breath and help show, teach, and guide. In saying that, I can also say Ellie is like her daddy and loves to see how things are done and then try and imitate or replicate. For example, she has a tea set with a dessert tray that comes apart. She does not play with the tray as a tray for crumpets, she plays with it as a puzzle that she constantly wants to take apart and put together. She loves when Eric and I sit with her and we guide her in assembling and disassembling. She even knows which piece goes next now, and her coordination for these small pieces are really being honed in as she continues practicing. I love this about her. I do not have this mentality or brain. I am a person who wants it already put together and hates taking time to read directions to figure it out.

Ellie is in love with jewelry, make-up, purses, shoes, accessories, and animals. These are a few of her favorite things.

When we go places, people think Ellie is quiet and reserved. She is a very observant child who watches and examines everything before partaking of it. Give her about 20 minutes and you will see a wild one pop loose. But she is always listening, watching, and preparing to mimic what she observes. Another reason to really be aware of our surroundings, music, words, actions, and reactions.

Ellie is a HAM!! She LOVES to make us and friends laugh and to be the center of attention. She loves to put on a show and just be so stinkin' funny!! When she sees you laugh, she laughs all the harder.

She loves snuggles, kisses, hugs, and playing games of tickle attack, chase, and games where we pretend we are going to "get her!" She still loves peek-a-boo and hiding.

The never ending comment we get about Ellie is how tanned she is. She is not tanned, lol, just has a very beautiful skin tone. She got that from Daddy. This mama lathers that baby up in sunscreen and long sleeved swimmers in summer. We appreciate the notice people take in how pretty Ellie is. She is very beautiful. She is also very smart, funny, and kind!

I love her smile and her dimples. I love her sweet eyes. I love her hair and how soft and blonde it is. I love the way Ellie takes off in excitement with her arms and hands thrown backwards and her face and chest bent forward like a little airplane. I love how she holds her hands behind her back when she is looking things over or walking around.

She currently still has 10 teeth (this includes top molars).

Every day with Ellie is fleeting faster and faster away. She is truly a very sweet and easy tempered, loving, helpful, and thoughtful little baby. She blows my mind with the amount of love and care she already gives. She changes every day and learns something new every day, for real! I love being able to keep a record here for myself.

Teddy Bear Luncheon

I wanted to share this with all the mamas and daddies out there who are not currently aware of this spectacular event.

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, SC hosts a Teddy Bear Luncheon every year to benefit the medical needs of others. This year, the proceeds are going towards the Adolescent and Young Adult Inpatient Cancer Center. Because of the generosity also provided by the Hyatt Regency of Greenville, 100% of the proceeds benefit this facility for cancer patients. When I learned that, my heart was swollen with gratitude for this community and their compassionate hearts.

The tickets for adults were $15. Children ages 3-12 were $10. We were encouraged to bring a brand new teddy bear or stuffed animal to be donated as well. For $30 and the donation of a precious lovie for a child to hold, Eric, Ellie and I were able to enjoy a delicious sit down meal, entertainment provided by Wade Hampton High School Drama Team (wonderful job), Photo opps with classic Christmas characters, cookie decorating, and a photo with Santa Claus. It was well beyond worth it. Even more so considering that our money is going to help cancer patients. I am so thankful for this community who is not using health care abusively to make money, but to help, truly, help, love, and serve, to do no harm, to those in need. Amen! As a former medical professional (before taking on my best role yet as mommy)...a large majority of my passions lie in healthcare, surgery, and touching lives who have lost hope. This event was SO much more than seeing Santa....again....it was all about the joy of helping others and exposing Ellie to that service and nature.

I couldn't recommend this event any higher to all upstate residents to attend. I am thankful my friend, Julie, shared with me so that we could be part of it! Ellie, 16 months, enjoyed every single aspect. She laughed and smiled and watched intently at the drama team, she smacked down on green beans, mac and cheese, and chicken, she danced, and enjoyed all the stuffed animals surrounding her. We loved seeing her joy, as well. Ellie was also enamored with the Festival of Trees! So beautiful. Check them out, y'all!

Y'all...add this to the Christmas docket for your families next year!

Beets!

I love adding new healthy and color rich foods into my diet. I am in love with how food is medicine for your body!

A while back, on the hiking trail, a sweet friend of mine and I were chatting about food and things the babes eat. I explained to my friend Shelly that I had never eaten beets before, yet I had considered having Ellie try them once and just bought her canned beets. Ellie detested them and then I was totally turned off. Eric had mentioned to me that he too, hated beets. So, after telling this to Shelly, she was like oh no! Don't eat canned beets! She told me to get some fresh beets and roast them and told me I could even do them up with other veggies.

So this week, to motivate me further to add beets into my diet and to get me to try them, I did a quick search on the benefits of beets. Y'all. These are sooooo insanely good for you. So, I peeled them, quartered them, and cooked them in a little grass fed organic butter and seasoned with a little Mrs. Dash original. I made them alongside onions and carrots. Note: Even the leaves are good for you. I am going to add mine to a smoothie next time.

Verdict: YUM! So so so so very good!!! I loved them. They actually are not too very different from potatoes but offer so many more healthy benefits! I want to eat them very frequently, now.

Be warned....and thankfully...Shelly warned me...poop and pee will turn red....but its worth it hahahaha! So don't be scared.

Even Ellie ate a couple. She still preferred the carrots over them. She has the same tastes as her daddy.

So go try beets, y'all! Fresh beets!! Not the canned!

Oh My Heart!

Well I am on a heart healthy high today, y'all! Woo!! If y'all could see me today y'all would see some Pentecostal Holy dancing and hand raising, shouting and smiling to God above!!  I swear Ellie thought we were gonna bring down the house jumping and squealing like two nanny goats!!

I went to my sweet cardiologist today...can I just say what a blessing and a treasure she is?! I swear she is like a sister, a friend, and a wonderful doctor all in one. This woman basically literally has my heart.  I never like check ups, but I love seeing my doctor and her staff and look forward to it because she cares for her patients on a personal level which just keeps the communication open and is so good for heart patients. What better way to care for one's heart than to love it and have it opened up to you?

Well y'all, I just have got to keep testifying praises to the King Lord God Almighty!! I do NOT know what He has planned for my physical heart. I don't. I know one day....hopefully a long time from now...God's will is in charge of that...I will have my pulmonary valve replacement surgery. But today was SO encouraging.

My doctor really encouraged me in my health and reminded my spirit how important my nutrition and running are and how pivotal they are to my being so healthy. At this current time, we won't even have a time estimated of when to expect my surgery. Just keep living a healthy and happy life! I mean how awesome is that?! How so totally awesome is that.....my heart has not digressed since me meeting this precious cardiologist 5 years ago. I'll tell you that just is not normal or expected.

I will also tell you this: GOD baby. GOD! I know I write this constantly but how could I not?!! GOD created my life intentionally with a busted up and very sick little heart no doctor ever thought would beat more than mere hours outside the womb. God created my heart that way on purpose. God allowed my heart to be a case study to help doctors and other patients. God allowed my heart to lead my Daddy to salvation in Christ Jesus. God allowed my heart to connect me to so many unique and wonderful people and an upstate wide community. God has created my heart defective to glorify the power of His very being in ways I may never know of or see. God is allowing me the honor of one day having open heart surgery again in order to serve Him and glorify Him well. Humanly, I do not ever want surgery...I mean who does? But, my life is NOT my own. My life is passionately created for God and I feel that power and worth all over my being and soul. I know that if God does have me to have that surgery one day, that it will be to serve a great purpose for others, for me, and most importantly for His glory, for others to see His miracles, love, and power. I am not as healthy and strong as I am because of my own will. I may run and mostly eat healthy to take care of my body, but GOD is the One Who gave me the natural ability to run, find a way to breathe deeply when I run hard and far, to beat records I never thought I could, and God is the One Who has made me fierce, a fighter, a strong. You see, HIS Spirit is the one that dwells within me. My spirit is dead, but HIS is alive!! And powerful!! This is God! This is Him!!

My doctor even encourages me to be strong and better. I respect her so deeply that there are hard times when I want to give up on beating a PR or I want to take a nap but I run instead and I think, "Dr P would be so proud." I really look up to people who love me and care for me and who I respect. Her knowledge and skill is impressive, but it is her nature and manner that encourages me to keep pushing. She is like big sister vibes for me. That is what everyone needs to find in any and all physicians. True caring power.

She also makes me feel excitement about the future of my one day surgery. She has told me that my good running and active performances now will improve significantly when I get that shiny new valve. Any you know what? When she told me that...I got a little happy flush in my heart that made my the eyes of my heart see goals I can only dream about accomplishing in running. Things that I want to do but just cannot. I am here and now setting a goal for myself. Two goals actually. Because I feel so encouraged and strong in Jesus and by my Doctor and even with myself.

Pre-Surgery (Current) Goal
 **Run 5k in 23 minutes flat.** (Current best time is 24:32)

Post-Surgery/Recovery One Day Unknown Goal
 **Run 5k in 21 minutes flat.**

For those who don't know better.....30 seconds cut off a time is (at least for me) astronomically hard....especially when I spent a whole year going from 28 minutes to 24:32....and I don't always get that best time when I run. I have to really push....but I push safely. I always listen to my lungs and my body.

I have dreams of being a great runner. I believe with God and Dr. P on my side I can be what I was never allowed to be in school or by the standard of life and medicine.

*Dr. P....if you see this...thank you for helping me to defy medical rule. You are really and truly a gift from God and I hope you know how important you are to my life and my family. God made and created you so wonderfully and I am so glad for the purpose and plan He gave your life so that you may connect with me and help me and all my friends in the ACHD community.

Removing Parasites

Giggles for the someecards. It is light hearted but still...I am going to be pretty real here. The best thing I have yet learned in my adult life is this: Detach the Parasites.

This needs to be shared with anybody needing to be set free of the things that has been using you as a feeding trough, a life source, not letting you fully stand and shine in your own light and energy. It is something God has shown me in scripture, Sunday School, Worship Service, and Bible Study. I am here to testify.

I have always thought myself to be a compassionate, loving, serving, hospitable, and going out of my way friend and person. I was voted "friendliest" in high school. I have been labeled "bubbly" "happy" "perky" and "outgoing". In college, I planned all the parties (decent ones, I didn't "party") and hosted or co-hosted. I baked and cooked all the things I possibly could. I picked up the pizzas. I picked up the supplies. I did the decorating. I did the invitations. I cleaned up. Now, it always made my heart so so happy to do these things BECAUSE I loved those people I was serving so deeply. Those people loved me and poured into me the love of Jesus.

After college, began work, college friends moved away. I remained best friends with my current best friends to this day. One whom I went on to work with until I had Ellie, another who has been living away since graduating from Clemson. Work turned me into an introvert. So weird. I was the most outgoing, hosted and attended every party, went on every hike, excursion, trip, etc. Suddenly, I was tired and just loved my bed and Disney movies and cheese fries. In fact, my best friend Lauren (twin) asked me to go to the Monster Truck Rally one night in Greenville. (neither one of our ideas of a night out). I was already in pajamas and watching the Lion King and I told her no, I wanted to stay in for the night. Knowing how honest I am and not doing anything I don't want to now at this point of life, Lauren let me be. But then, I changed my mind as I remembered it was not always about what the activity content was but more about what attitude you have and whom you share the experience with. So, knowing Lauren and I could make a riot of a time out of it, I called her back and said I would go. The next thing I knew, we were wearing our "Red-neck" plaid to really embrace the evening, eating at California Dreaming looking very out of place. The Monster Truck rally was actually super super fun and we laughed soooooo hard my abs hurt so bad all the next day. It is now one of our fondest memories. This girl, is a treasure.

That experience taught me that life should be filled with people who provide the following:

    1. Excessive Laughter
    2. Truth, even when it hurts
    3. Unconditional love and forgiveness (I later really learned this one all too well).
    4. Strength and accountability in your relationship with God
    5. Acceptance of all your quirks and weirdnesses.

So, there was a time not so very long ago in my married and maternal life where I then learned that sometimes, you have to cut off any people or any things that simply do nothing but act as parasites to your joy, sucking all the life out of you. People that are not like Lauren. No friend is a friend if they constantly harp on your or put you down...even done so in a so called "sarcastic" manner. People are still created with feelings.

In my personal experience a parasite is someone or something that does the following:

   1. Sucks away your joy
   2. Drains you of all your energy
   3. Makes you feel guilty or that you need to create excuses to please them/it
   4. You have to defend them/it to outside loved one's view points
   5. Drag you down, make you play with fire in your beliefs
   6. Disrespects your beliefs
   7. Does not lift you up, strengthen you, motivate you, build you up, challenge you to improve
   8. You can never please...it is work to please...leaves you mentally and emotionally exhausted
   9. Takes offense to truth given in love
   10. Does not encourage your lifestyle in a Godly manner

When I was allowing my parasitic lifestyle to happen, I didn't realize it had begun. It was gradual. It was not until I realized how bitter, exhausted, and rude I had become, and filled with desire to hide from the parasites that I realized the "parasites" were indeed extracting from me all of my joy, energy, happiness, and making me feel worthless. Which I am not! God has shown me better than that!

But how do you remove a parasite? I can assure you no matter how gentle or abruptly you remove the parasite it is not without pain. I had hoped to slowly detach from mine. I didn't want to hurt feelings, I didn't want there to be a thought that I did not love or care for, I simply wanted to just be free of the parasites. I eventually had to abruptly jerk the parasites away because it was turning into a scab that wouldn't heal. It made me sad to feel I had possibly hurt the parasites in the process but the real truth is, the VERY SECOND I ripped it away.....I felt SO MUCH relief. It was truly as blood rushed back into my veins. My spirits were lifted, I had an outlook to a free and happy future without obligation, judgment, and a stronger relationship with Jesus. I reunited with the very best friend of my life by being able to see the love of Christ again and not the "love" of a parasite that needs you but doesn't necessarily want you. I began smiling at Wal Mart for goodness sakes!! I even started having conversations with random people again! Then, even more recently I got involved with an amazing MOPS group which is basically a bible study for moms full of love and service to others as well as each other! I even get to help in hospitality which is my spiritual gift and help lead discussions! I was not just pumping blood in my veins again, I was pumping the power of the Holy Spirit again! Emily. Sweet little Emily that I am known to be by the grace of God and my good parental raising, was back! I lost my bitter and ill-compassionate coat, my lack of desire for people, and became loving and joyful and happy and glowy, bubbly, sacrificial Emily again!! I am far from perfect, Lord have mercy, so so so far. But the best thing I can do to please the Lord is to love those parasites from afar with prayer, forgiveness, and true hope all is well. I don't have to be caught up in it, to love it. An unholy attitude would be to hate and not forgive for the parasitic ways of the parasite, but the truth is, your parasite is God's to handle and if it is a person, God loves them and so shall we...but from a safe distance. Keep this in mind. I am so glad for the adult lessons God has given me and the joy He has given me with the wonderful people in my life who let me be me as long as I am my best self in the name of Jesus! Let nobody or no item steal you or your spirit! And remember to detach in and with love of the Holy Spirit. This is not a "you suck....literally!" war. Let all you do be done to glorify God.

Ellie's First Christmas Light Experience!

EEEK!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!! And while it is not always fun to see your little baby grow up, it is occasionally such as times you get to share a new experience with them and see their faces light up, their excitement, smiles, and joy!

Everyone knows I take Ellie to LITERALLY every single event I can find for her because while I know she will not remember them at this age, each new experience or repetition of an experience creates and enhances new pathways in the brain. So, I keep her super active and explorative and she soooo loves it! Well, God willing, Christmas adventures will be no different. We are hitting up every Santa, festival, market, parade, Breakfast, toy drive, and cookie party we can!

I had to do my research on Christmas lights around us as I grew up going to a lot of places that just don't exist anymore. The families grew older, died off, and those family members left behind just didn't seem interested in keeping it all going. Not to mention Roper Mountain Lights are finished forever now, too.

I did, however, recall my childhood and a time or two with my oldest niece and nephew years ago before I met Eric, when we went to Hollywild's Safari of Lights. Not only were the lights beautiful, but the experience was top notch to us. If you go to Inman to Hollywild while they are open this holiday season, only, you must include the "deer forest" in your experience. For those who are unaware, this is an incredibly cool experience in which you drive your car in a field full of goats, deer, cows, buffalo, llamas, and sheep, and they come to your car and eat crackers that are provided for you....right from the window of your car!!! It is so so so fun! Adults will enjoy this as much as the kids. I have always loved this and was ecstatic to share this with Eric and Ellie...both of whom had never been.

Ellie was mesmerized by the lights. She stared, never blinking an eye, pointing and shouting and squealing with excitement.

When we had finished the feeding, we retired to Santa's village where we got out of our car and went to take a photo with Santa, ride ponies, feed more animals, and gather around a toasty bon fire where hot dogs and other concessions were being sold. It wasn't just a fun event, it FELT like Christmas. There was magic. We were all laughing so hard, so excited. The three of us were a bunch of kids together. I loved even the looks on Eric's face as he fed the famous "Zonkey" (Zebra + Donkey). Eric had such a childlike nature explode and it warmed my heart to see my family enjoy my own childhood memories and traditions.

Grocery Pickup is a Game Changer!

I've clearly been under a rock and y'all are probably fluently versed on grocery pick-up. Heck. They even have grocery delivery now....say whaaaa?!! But I take forever to hop on the band wagon. I hate change but eventually I come around. Even when it is a good change. As in, I also just got my first iPhone. I know, I know. Just welcome me to the club.

Anyway, I finally decided I would up my mom game by eliminating a monday'ly' task and optimize play time with Ellie by simply ordering what we need on Wal-Mart's grocery app. It was sooooo easy and mindless. Another reason I hate change, I am not much for learning new things. So old school. But it was literally mindless. I just typed what I needed and "Bam!" added it to my cart. I simply pushed a "check in" button to let W-M know I was on my way and they came out to me at my ETA...already knowing I had arrived. Like, how cool is technology?! They loaded my car up for me while I sat cozy in the heat listening to non mommy music----flashbacks of all the early 2000's pop. Oh yeah. I Ashlee Simpson'ed that Pandora. No shame in my game. I was alone....oh!! That is the best part...totally kid free. I chose evening pick-up on a Sunday night. This way, Eric is home and puts Ellie to bed, and I am home in time enough to walk into silence and relax....not that the car ride alone with my throwbacks wasn't relaxing enough. See a dork with a messy bun jamming out in a Camry singing at the top of her lungs and fist bumpin'? Oh, hey.

So....yeah....totally recommend grocery pick-up to those who are still living in the olden days like me! Hahaha! Maybe in a year or two I'll finally do grocery delivery while y'all are on to the next big design in grocery engineering and innovation! Ha!

Another 13.1 done

Well. My racing season was supposed to start back in September; however, thanks to Hurricane Florence, a violent 4 day stomach bug, and moving, I have missed 4 races. I don't know what God wanted me to get from that or if He was simply protecting me. In any event, I embraced it and thanked God for what He knows that I do not.

Yet, those races were supposed to be my friendly little warm up to doing another half marathon. I have not ran a half since 2013. I ran a full in 2014. Either way, I have ran nothing greater than a 10k in a few years. I don't ever train because running is a God given gift for me which is so cool as I am not even supposed to be alive; yet, it is true, it is a more comfortable sport if I am consistent. So, I was fully aware this 13.1 run was going to be attainable yet painful muscularly speaking. I only did a 10k to warm up ahead of time the race week. Normally I would do 10 miles, but I was right here at race week and you are not supposed to run at all the week before a big race.

I have no goals when I do long races other than to be happy and enjoy the clearness of mind, my music, and the scenery. I enjoy the fitness. Somebody once asked me at a gym, trying to get to know me, what I liked to do for fun? I lauhed and said, ummm....this?! I love fitness. It makes me happy. I am not a gym junkie, a meathead, or anything crazy.....I just really love to feel my body relax with exercise and my strength grow both mentally and physically. That can mean yoga, running, obstacle courses, dancing, anything active. Of course I love a good shopping trip, movies, and anything outdoors as well. But ask me to go running or to join in on a strenuous hike with lots of sweat and muscle gains and I am all in. Anyway. Side tangent.

So I signed up for this half which took place in Lexington, SC which is about 2 hours from home. Some friends from college days and my first years of working will know that Lexington was my weekend home before meeting Eric. My sister and her family used to live there and I was actually looking for surgical jobs and apartment searching there to be with them more than 4 days a week. But then Eric happened. Then Josh got a job in GA. So that was all she wrote for Lex. However, I decided it was time to put a long distance race back on my docket and found this half in Lex. I signed up and figured I would drive down morning of (laughs, snorts) *yeah right!* and would run and come back home. Ummmm....reality check little dreamer....you would die. I need 8+ hours of sleep. And I can't have coffee soooooo.....

....I got a hotel. I wanted Eric and Ellie with me so badly. But those who are part of our intimate circle understand how impractical that is right now with all Eric has on his plate this current semester. Like...if Eric's current load in life was a literal plate of food.....even the fattest man/ woman (not to discriminate, lol!) would not be able to finish the plate of food. It is so much. So, I know he would support me from afar and I as his wife supported him by not making a big deal of him coming with me because I know he needs rest, Ellie time, and time to accomplish other daily living tasks that get put on the back burner during the week that only he can handle. Not to mention the drive and the time of the race would just be miserable for little Ellie and she doesn't need to sit out in that. That being said, this was my first race ever not having a cheerleader or a running partner. All alone. A few nerves ensued. I wanted my pre-race Eric good luck kiss. I wanted to see Ellie looking at me proudly. But, it was peaceful on one hand because I was back in a place that used to be home to me as well as able to do whatever I wanted for one whole night without anybody needing me. So what did I do pre-race night? Got outback cheese fries, put on cozy jammies, and laid in the middle of a fluffy king sized bed with a pillow fort and watched HGTV. Not too shabby!

The race itself was incredible. Like so so good. Very well organized, clear and apparent path markings, lots of cheerleading, hydration every mile, and an awesome finish and medal. I imagined Eric and Ellie and Pam at every big milestone. I pictured them at the finish. I broke my own 13.1 time and I broke 2 hours. I finished the race in 1 hour and 58 minutes. I never stopped running other than to drink water from miles 9-13.1. I never felt bad but naturally was ready for it to be over. I was entertained by seeing how much my little town had changed and grown. I was all alone with no runners in sight in front of or behind me for about 3 miles. It was very relaxing. I just felt calm which helped me to breathe so well, which helped me to run very well. After crossing the finish line...I jello wobbled up some stadium stairs, and got in my car to drive home to my family. I took an epsom salt bath and relaxed the rest of the day with my fam. It felt good to be back at it. I think I will run at least one half a year instead of having a 5 year gap between the big races. I have ran a full marathon but honestly after 16 miles it just sucked. I may do one again but only with Pam. Half's are where it's at for me!

Grace

We know that God is gracious as He pardoned all of our sins because He loves us more than our complete un-holy natures. As a follower of Christ, I am meant to be a gracious person. But I am human and have many flawed areas in my human nature composition. I don't give others much space for error when it affects me. I am a very loving and kind person, but not easily a gracious person. I set expectations in my mind and I find it hard to divert from those when the product is sub-par. I am not gracious with myself, either.

So, God gave each of us here on earth other Christian brothers and sisters who help *gracefully* direct each other into a better place with our Spirit. For me, without her even knowing it, mine is my dear friend, Anna Bargeron. Anna is my hiking friend, mom friend, and my family photographer for life. But she is also the brightest example of Jesus I have encountered in a long time and she is refreshing to be around. I recently heard a tale from other hiking mom friends of a hike in which Anna and her two beautiful babies and her very nice camera (remember, she is my professional family photographer) partook in to a beautiful waterfall. I believe the story details were a mush of this: Mama Anna wanted a photo with her babies. Babies had already been struggling that day as all the babies in the crew do every so often....and Anna takes a slip or perhaps back up too far into a large rock or boulder....regardless of the finessing of the details, a stressed mama's camera lens was lodged between her thigh and boulder, dislodged, and went for a daredevil dive over the waterfall.

She had had a day y'all and this was the cherry atop the whipped cream on the ice cream sundae. Yet, my soul mentor portrayed a beautiful example to all of our friends and the children present of a graceful nature and heart. Y'all know home girl had to be dying, screaming, and breaking down inside. But, she merely made a face of anguish and only repeated how everything was fine. I was not on this hike with her I will remind you so it is evident how beautiful her grace is that it traveled back to me.

It was a tale of tales in our hiking group. A tale I took home with me and that really grew my Spirit that day. Often I reflect on that story now and her nature and response and her grace with everything that was that day. I had a conversation with God in the shower as I thought about it and I asked God to help my Spirit to pause, reflect, think, and have grace before I responded to people. I have such an unforgiving and unkind fuse with those that I find incompetent, lazy, rude, or careless. I still do not have a lot of tolerance for such characteristics in behavior yet, I feel that the Holy Spirit is working on my soul and my Spiritual heart and eye sight to remind me to first breathe, smile, and watch my voice and tone. It is the most complicated thing for me. I am truly flawed at offering grace like God.

Why is it important? Well, folks, I'll tell ya. First of all God could have chosen not to have grace on all of mankind and our sinful natures. He could have easily chosen as the King of all creation to condemn us to Hell without a chance at eternal life with Him. And the reason we have a choice to love God and live eternally with Him is because of His grace to forgive us of all of our wrong doings and sinful attitudes, mindsets, and behaviors. We have wronged God over and over and over every single day. We have cursed Him, lied to Him, disobeyed Him, ran from Him, turned Him down, ridiculed Him, spat on His great name. And every time we do this, we forget how God deeply loves us so much that He sacrificed His own son to bear our sins so that we may be considered clean and washed white that we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Holy Spirit must fill our hearts. It is not enough to simply believe. Satan believes God is really after all. We must ask for our souls to be filled with the Holy Spirit and thus our actions will look much more like that of God. The fruits of the Spirit after all are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control. All of these work together and daily I know I need to tune myself to the heart of the Holy Spirit.

Just wanted to share how God decided to grow my Spirit, which I hope is a continuous growth all of my earthly life. Thankful for hiking trails with mamas who love Jesus and friends who love each other well!

Hike It Baby 30 September '18

Another Hike It Baby Challenge on record!! Last challenge I was so focused on the mileage that I more than doubled the challenge goal. This time, being that I have Ellie involved in three other groups alongside Hike It Baby to get her toes wet in all sorts of adventures, it was harder for me to make the big hikes I love and enjoy because of the days of the week they fell on. However, I am thankful that stroller walks outside with our friends still count towards our mileage. This time, knowing our schedules would be different than back in January when the last challenge commenced, I wanted to focus on just being as present as possible for the sake of keeping community with this special family of mama friends and babies. The big hikes are so good for my physical state, but the strolls are so good for my mental state. Every hike, no matter the shape and form, the time and the distance, the location or the weather, makes a beautiful impact on both myself as an individual, as Emily, as a wife, and as a mother, and to Ellie as a growing, strong, fierce, and mighty little girl. These mamas all come from different places in many ways. Each of their perspectives, and more importantly their smiles and hugs for both me and my baby girl, are what make the "hard to get out the door" mornings into amazing days.

So my personal challenge was to make the 30 miles, and to offer grace to myself in the time I had available to get out there currently, and to just focus on soaking up my good friends' good vibes.

Stats for September:

47.95 miles
2450 minutes outside
Infinite amount of laughs and smiles
:)
Love you my little Hiking family! So so much!

Beechwood Farms, A Pumpkin Tradition

For the past two fall seasons, The Three E's have made Beechwood Farms their Pick of the Pumpkin Patches. (As well as for all farm needs and fun).

I love it there because of the beauty, the Christ centered customer service, care, and farming. Each and every person on the farm, no matter the role they play, has treated my family like cherished treasure, no matter if it is the busiest day yet, or a day when everybody else is at school and work and Ellie and I want to enjoy the crops and the the market they have.

It was wild to think this was already our second trip taking Ellie to pick out her pumpkin. Last year, she was barely big enough for her baby carrier, and she couldn't do much. This year, Ellie had an opinion about which pumpkins she chose. She loved the hay ride, train ride, horse rides, and the picnic we had on the grounds. She spent 15 minutes saying hello to goats and begging me to put her in the cage with them. "No Ellie, you are not a goat." Inserts foot to high rung on chain linked fence...."Ok Ellie, stop being a smartie and stop climbing. Rude." Lol!! She is so stinking determined with all that she does! Flicker was going to find a way to run away with the goats. Her goal of the day.

Ellie picked pumpkins and walked with them cradled in her arms against her chest and tummy, proud as could be, and accomplished. What a joy to watch the baby grow up in the same special place year after year.

Now the pumpkins adorn our new front porch and Ellie and Eric both helped me decorate with them.

Ellie will visit Beechwood Farms again this month with her Hike it Baby crew for a pumpkin picking fun day!

Ellie will be involved in a bajillion fall and Halloween activities, but this is one of my very most favorite things we do!

OUR Home

Well. If you have known me, or Eric and I as a unit over the last five years, then you know well by now that even when Eric and I first started dating, knowing we wanted to be married almost immediately, that we wanted to eventually sell Eric's home, and create something of our own. We looked for homes then, we dreamed, and we had ideas. Then we put those dreams into motion, sold our home, God provided land, God gave us OUR home. It took 4.5 years of earnest prayers, heartbreak, pining for something we couldn't even see, much patience, and loving teamwork. But we did it by the grace of God.

Neither of us had an emotional connection to the house we first lived in together. It was never "ours"....Ellie only lived there for three months, herself. Heck, as much as we hated the living conditions of the rental home we spent 10 months in, it was more like home than the beautiful and nice home we left. Ellie hit all her big milestones in the rental. It was our first big endeavor together as a couple. It was a waiting place for our home.

And now I can finally sit here in the living room I dreamed of always, and type to you dear ones, that God is ever present. It is not in the least bit "turmoil" to live in a gorgeous home that just happens to not be a house you love. It is not "turmoil" to endure negative living situations and surroundings while you build a home God allowed and provided. It is not "turmoil" to walk one day in the shoes I wear that again, God Himself provided. I have seen true and raw turmoil. In this country and outside of this country. People who are thankful to find even a covering over their head, clothes for their backs, and water safe to drink. I have seen turmoil. My story is NOT one of turmoil. I was blessed with too much grace from God the moment I was born and allowed to live a full meaningful life.

But, living in a situation that is not what you desire (figuratively or realistically) can be a bit like being in the doldrums and being in that period of waiting. Waiting on something you know all the details of is hard enough. Waiting on something you can only dream of is near agony. Especially when it is your surrounding daily environment and you want your family to be in a place that belongs to ....well....your family. God made me wait. God has always made me wait. I believe it is His favorite personal lesson for me. I always always always am made to wait just beyond the point of heartbreaking aggravation faithfully on God's perfect will. He swoops in to set me free just as my strength is failing...I fall on Him. But, even when I am to a point I feel crumbled, I still thank God. No matter what it is about...not just waiting on a home for my family....anything, children, a job, an important answer, truth, or understanding beyond human understanding.

In this case, I saw God take plots of land away from me. Homes away from me. Give others land I thought I wanted. I saw God provide me with His words. I felt God write them on my heart. I felt God acting out His promises. I saw God's promises come to fruition. Through tears, heartbreaks, and doubt. God always had planned where the Three E's should live. He has much to do here through us. Many to bless in these walls. He gave to us so that we may give to others, so that we may glorify Him. HE GAVE. He took away--- so that He could give the perfect home. God gives His children free will to make their own choices, however; if we are truly His children, seeking His will, we will find His will, even when it doesn't look or feel like we think it should. And this will of God's is always incomparably better than we had planned for ourselves. The light of the truth of His will is always bright. God made us wait, suffer in the waiting, and then He delivered. We will not forget. And what He delivered was what we pined for, only so much better than we imagined for our own selves!

What a blessing to be in my first HOME with my best friend husband, and best friend daughter. To see a clean slate washed clean and given to us by Jesus, just like our hearts are done to by Jesus. This home is filled with the Holy Spirit, Praise God. Never shall I forget His words on our frames, under our foundation. Blessed be His Name. This is a perfect temporary Home until we enter our true Forever Home, with Him.

Ellie Lately

Now that we have passed the one year mark, I don't write out monthly updates, but this does not mean she does not grow and change every single day, in fact, I think more now than ever! So for my Ellie record keeping sake, Here I am to blog about what Baby girl has discovered, learned, done, etc. in the past couple of months.

Ellie has added a lot to her vocabulary lately. "Uh-oh", "No" (and even the shaking of the head), "Don't", "Gimme dat", "Please" (but she prefers gimme dat...working on it y'all.) "Thank you"...(still working on the consistency of this one). "Whoa" "Mimi" "G-dad" "Ellie" "Baby" "Block" "Ball" "Bow" "Bracelet" "Boo" (for peek-a boo) "Eye".

She is learning her animals. She knows what dogs are (easy one around here). She barks and pants like a little dog, too. She has learned what an elephant is and the sound it makes....though she does it terribly, lol, her elephant sound is always consistent and I know to what she is referring.

She has learned where her tummy, eyes, nose, mouth, lady parts (by proper name as I believe in learning proper anatomy), hair, and belly button are located and what they are called. Especially "eye".

We are working on colors. She is very interested in her color/ French cards I made her (not stressing french yet...she needs English first, but we mix it in occasionally. No I am not fluent, but I am preschool level LOL!) She loves to look at the colors and point and call them something of which I am not sure, so we are working on that everyday and she finds it so fun and interesting.

Ellie attends Mommy and Me ballet at Sterling Dance studio in Easley and is loving the class. She loves the music, props, friends, dancing, and interaction with mommy. She alos loves her tutus.

Ellie is loving continuing with Kindermusik with MRs. Rosalind Cross at Kindermusik of Greenville. This class has truly been a blessing in our lives and I only wish I had started Ellie at this at 6 weeks old. Every day, we have fun at home, carrying what we learn there home with us and putting it into use and practice. Ellie remembers the songs, tries to sing them, she remembers the motions to each song, the routines, she anticipates the bouncing, up and down movements, and the rolling and rocking on our backs. She hears me humming the songs as I cook or clean and starts dancing and humming to them, then grabs my hands for me to do the interactions with her. We practice rhythm on her instruments at home, listen to sounds and make sound with the books they give, and we cuddle, massage, and change the tones and levels of our voices for a lot of fun, interactive, imaginitive, and wondrous play time. Her eyes go wild with fascination and she just squeals and shrills with utter overwhelming joy!! It makes my heart so happy and blows my mind with fascination as in only a few short classes, I can see how much her brain and skills have developed. We are in love with this class. Worth every single penny.

Ellie has been a climber since before she walked. Such strong shoulders and arms. Today, as a matter of fact, Ellie grabbed the top of the entertainment piece of furniture, and pulled herself up off the ground, hanging on with her hands. She did a dang pull up!! What the world?!

Our only and biggest struggle with Ellie (praise the dear Lord in Heaven above) has been getting Ellie to want to sit at the table with proper table manners and eat. We started baby led weaning at 6 mos old...and while she has always done well at the mechanics of feeding herself, even using utensils, the problem has been the stubbornness of a child who does not want to sit for more than 2 minutes, yet wants to go and play. We have been battling for months teaching her patiently the table manners of sitting and eating, and when finished sitting and playing with her table toy while we talk and let us finish. We interact with her at every meal, we do not allow any screens ever, we believe in true family meals at the table talking. She loves that, but she also loves to not sit for very long. However, all that to say, it would finally seem, knock on wood and praise Jesus, that Ellie mostly is good at dinner tables now. She sits right down in her chair, feeds herself, and is good mostly up until Eric and I finish eating, too. It actually feels like we can enjoy our own food now without deep breaths, anxiety, and stress. That has truly been the only issue I have really had with parenting that has felt crippling/ will this pass?! She is a very very good baby, but this has been her struggle and therefore, mine. So praise God we finally seem to be turning a new leaf in this area.

Ellie loves teeth brushing time.

Ellie loves to comb her own hair.

Ellie loves to wear mommy's jewelry and purses.

Ellie loves playing with friends at MOPS, Kindermusik, Ballet, and on the Hiking trail, as well as the nurseries at church and the Y. She loves playdates with her friends, and loves to watch them, then join them.

Ellie loves to test boundaries. As in, she knows she is not to touch like anything at all electric, (TV remotes, DVD players, phones, wires, etc...) so she loves to place one little hand on the item and holler to me, "Hey!" and when I say, "Ellie! Get your hand off that!" She runs away laughing. Stinker. Same with dog food. She wants to eat it constantly. Luckily it some fancy schmancy organic, gluten free, hoopity snoopity stuff since Blondie has a special tummy. Because Ellie has definitely had some. Oh well. But her favorite thing to do is pick up a piece, stick it in her mouth, (VERY well knowing she is not supposed to) and look at me and go, "Mmmm!" to which she knows I am just gonna come dig it out of her mouth and pop her behind. She thinks that is hilarious and runs off laughing. Oh boy. I've got a strong willed one on my hands. But I love that for her future. She will be a strong, determined, goal achieving, limitless little woman. I encourage this strength in her....but guide it in the right direction. Test your limits, Ellie, but do NOT disobey your Mommy! Lol!

She loves sorting items an objects into different boxes, buckets, or bags. When she has a project on her mind, she will not be distracted from it. She is set to achieve it. If you try to distract her, she will grunt and push you out of the way. Again, love it, but let's keep it respectful little lady. I don't want to be kept from achieving my goals either.

College Girl Dreams

College Me: aka- good girl, tree climbing, swing dancing, hibachi eating, Jesus lover

Life is a funny little thing. Nobody talks about this better than Thomas Rhett Akins in his song, "Life Changes."

When I was in college, I remember I always pictured, imagined, dreamed, believed, and pined that I would do college with my future husband. That I would meet my husband at school, have study dates together, walk campus together, have pizza dates, cook meals in one of our apartments, and learn about being on our own, together.

I didn't have that. I was a single pringle for a long time--but so glad I was because if I wasn't in the arms of Eric then I would have been miserable anyway!! I intentionally stayed single and waited to give my heart away to the man God created for me. But that is another story.

Now, I have been having the opportunity since 2016 to be dating a college man and doing life with him. This semester particularly, so far, has really put my past dreams into perspective and play.

My husband, Eric got an associates degree in Chemistry at Ferris State University in Michigan. He had always dreamed of becoming a chemical engineer but the logistics were just not yet in place for that to happen for this young, hard working, fully self reliant young man. He got a wonderful job immediately upon graduation as he was dressed for the part and prepared with a resume for recruits at the company he has had the blessing of giving his skills to for 13 years now. He started with the company in Michigan, where he is from. In Kalamazoo. Some time went by and a little life happened and Eric started back to school at Western Michigan in pursuit of a chemical engineering degree. But, life, God's will, said not yet. God moved Eric to South Carolina to continue his work for the same company. Always holding on to his engineer dreams. When we met in 2013, he spoke to me and another friend of ours about how he had been looking into going back to school now. He had prepared mentally and had mapped out a course schedule and a plan. But God still said no. Not yet. Not while you are yet unmarried and childless and have every desirable thing at your fingertips. God made Eric wait until 2016. Just as we started trying to get pregnant. Just as we decide to sell our house. God sent Eric back to school. The opportunity came to him, not he to it, this time. Work had been going well for Eric, successful moments, and this lead to his boss at the time that God put in Eric's life, encouraging Eric to go and obtain his dream of becoming a chemical engineer. And Eric seized that opportunity. 2 years now, in school. From Greenville Tech now at Clemson, he is taking it all super slowly as to maintain a full time career and being a full time husband and daddy.

We laugh so hard lovingly at God and His perfect eternal perspective and plans for us. Sure, God, of course. Have this big journey start now....now that all the big things (happy, but big) things are on our plate! We must be crazy. Eric had been back to school for 3 months when I told him I was pregnant. Then, 2 months after Ellie was born, Eric still in school, we listed our home, sold it, moved to a rental and began building our dream home. All while taking 2 or 3 classes a semester. Big over my head classes.

So back to the college girl dreams idea here.....I had always dreamed of being in school with my man....whew...honey. Now I am. I am blessed blessed blessed to be the cheerleader of Team Eric in this picture. It is hard work on us both. It is way different than I ever pictured. Probably because 18 year olds don't usually have babies, homes, multiple dogs, careers, and the need of naps. Lol! Eric does not see Ellie almost any night during the work week. When I see him, it is to kiss him, feed him, and hear him snore beside me as bed time is only moments after he gets in. Our weekends are for each other. We are each other's best friends and we want to see one another. I am blessed to get to see most of my friends during weekdays. We love seeing them on weekends too, but primarily, weekends are for us to just unwind, vent, play, and nap together. Sometimes on weekends Eric still has to study. I am so proud of him. It is hard on me as I feel like a single parent 5 days a week but I have help from my mama, my Hike It Baby crew, dance crew, and Kindermusik crew, and now my MOPS crew! But as hard as it is on me to help him even when he gets home and allow him his needs to unwind and relax, eat, and be human for a moment too, trying to take the weight of the family on my shoulders as to allow him all the relaxation and peaceful environment he can have, I remember it is all so much harder on him than it is myself. He doesn't get to see his baby girl often at all. He gets up at 3:30 every morning, he skips meals running from work to school to work to home (I deliver food as I can), studies even when he gets home, and never really gets a break until semester end. I am honored to be the helpmate God chose for Eric to encourage him in this time, to help him, to feed him, to serve him in any way I can as he daily serves us with hard work at career, and hard work at giving us a better future while obtaining his dream.

My college girl dream was to be with the man I would marry, doing life together. That is all I wanted. And guess what? God delivered that dream. Later than I thought I wanted. Differently than I thought I wanted it. But God's plans are always better than our own. They are meant to best glorify Him and so I have to praise God for this time in our lives. We are learning a lot and growing together daily in this season. I am so thankful this dream worked out the way God had intended because I couldn't imagine any different. The way God carries out a plan likely does not make sense to our tiny human brains most of the time. But that is why FAITH is so important. I have faith that God has our best interests as His children at hand and heart. It is evident to me He does. He has answered my prayers and desires 50x's more than I could have ever dreamed up. And HE deserves the glory and praise for all aspects of my life and Eric's, our life together.

SkyTop Apple Orchard

It is the *almost* Fall season!! Commence all the things that make me think of flannel, pumpkins, fall colors, cool breezes, and hay rides! First up, apple picking!!

I grew up going to SkyTop Apple Orchard. Growing up there means I started in college with good friends and since then have gone almost every single year with family for donuts, cider, apple goodies, and more than anything else, the views atop that mountain.

Now that I have my own little cutie, I wanted to get her in on ALL the fall activities! I invited our dear friend, the Hardy family and their son, Sam, who is 6 months older than Ellie, to join in on the fun! What a blast! The Hardy's secured a red wagon and we loaded the kids up to be pulled around. Ellie was not too sure about that for a short while, but came around to it. The babies looked at goats and chickens, then helped us pick and eat some apples. We took a tractor ride together, and then played on the playground all before getting BBQ in Hendersonville.

It is so awesome to have other family friends to experience life with. Simple moments and big moments. To experience God's creation with, and to share recipes with. They helped make a wonderful day an incredible day full of laughter and stories! Sharing memories with the ones you love and are so comfortable with makes life as sweet as apple crumble. ;)

Birthday Buddy

Jayden, my first and oldest nephew, and I have only 3 hours and 20 minutes that separate us from sharing the same birthday. I was 18 years and 364 days old when that big baby boy nearly 11 lbs. entered the world, stealing my heart.

He changed my world and he changed me. Jayden is not only my nephew, but he is just like a little brother to me as well as nearly like my own child. My heart had never up until meeting Eric and having Ellie known the immense amount of love that it could behold. I then, as a young college girl, started spending my weekends less and less with friends and more and more with Jayden. I took care of him in the middle of the night when he woke up, I took him on dates, I took him running, I experienced nearly all his firsts with him, I got to see how holidays are way more fun with a little one than with just as your own self. In fact, I remember working as a CNA and having to work weekends and holidays and being so sad as I was single and childless meaning I was the last person allowed to ask off for these days. I understand now as a mommy how important it is for mothers to be with their babies on holidays if possible, but I loved that baby as my own and I couldn't imagine not being with him for Christmas! I was heartbroken. We have always had a special unique bond. We fight like siblings and fuss and annoy each other but we also get each other unlike most others do. We are really super close buddies.

With life having changed so much for both of us since his birth (3 new siblings for him, a husband and a daughter for me, new state and town for him, too), I no longer see him every weekend yet I still see him a couple times a month which is a blessing.

To celebrate us turning 9 and 28 next weekend, Jayden and I went on a special birthday date this past Friday as he was in town for the weekend. I called him up and asked him where he wanted to go. I told him he could go anywhere he desired. Chick-fil-a it was! Jayden got the spicy chicken deluxe. He opened all my doors for me and threw away the trash. He also got a frozen lemonade drink. He and I talked about roller coasters, cars, volcanoes, food, books, and science. I gave him a Harry Potter temperature changing mug of the Marauder's Map for his nightly tea and book time at home.

It overwhelmed me as I sat with him talking and watching him enjoy his meal the amount of special bubbles that over took my heart. I fear he won't think me as fun or as cool now that we are both getting older. He used to call me a big kid....he literally thought I was a kid who was tall...even after I married Eric....and I just wondered, am I still cool Aunt Emmay? Am I still interesting to him? His laughter reassured my fears. He was so interested in my words and he was laughing all the time! He complimented my messy loaded down camry full of Ellie toys, snacks, hiking gear, ballet gear, and extra clothes. He made me feel special and I hope he felt special, too.

There is nothing quite like the first child in your life that makes you see the world through a new pair of glasses.

Happy Birthday, Birthday Buddy!! I love you!!