Ellie the Ballerina

Since before I knew I was pregnant with a darling little girl, I knew if we had a daughter, I would want her to try all the sports, musical, engineering, etc. activities she could get involved in. I want her to do whatever Ellie is passionate about. Whatever God blessed her with for her talents, gifts, and interests. I want her to praise Him with her passions. But particularly, I want her to get involved with dance. I LOVE dance! It is such a beautiful sport and requires so much discipline, too. And let's be real...the tutus and the sequins don't hurt! Haha!!

When I knew I was pregnant with an Ellie Clardy Gladden, I messaged a friend I trust dearly with all things focused on Christ centered parenting. Christy Sydow. She is one of the few moms I know that I aspire to be like in raising my child. She is just a mom who stands out to me for going against the world and the world's values and who instead seeks God in her parenting values. This is my desire, too. So, I knew I wanted Ellie to be involved in dance but I did not/do not desire her to wear skimpy little outfits or be ridiculously sexualized as some dance companies do---and parents think it is so cute....your worth is so much more than that in my opinion. Bash me all you want. It is just my belief. It is just not right for me and the daughter I want to raise in this world. Modest is Hottest is one of my beliefs. So I asked Christy to recommend to me if she could, a dance studio near us that was Christ focused or at least not a skimpy frimpy kind of place. I have a role and job to protect my daughter's innocence and modesty. I was so pleased when she immediately named Sterling Studio of Performing Arts in Easley. She really just seemed to like their overall mission in what they do and how they work. She had heard so many wonderful things, herself about them.

So now I had my studio pinned down and I began following them on Facebook, dreaming of the day I could enroll my little ballerina! To say I have been anticipating it like a child for Christmas or Disney world (heck, an adult for Christmas or Disney World!)....is a massive understatement.

I did my research and learned that Sterling has a Mommy and Me class that starts at 18 months old. So as a new dance season approached and registration began...I emailed the studio to see if it was acceptable to start Ellie a little under aged to get her toes dipped into it. Besides, she will become 18 months through the season as it is. Much to my joy, I was told to give it a go!!

So here we are!! We are taking Mommy and Me dance together and it is soooo cool! I am so thankful for the patience and "bubbliness" of Carrie Sterling with Ellie....as Ellie is not 100% able to fully get what is going on just yet! Haha! But it is so nice to be able to practice the stretches and dance moves, to be involved with a new friend for Ellie who is so sweet to her, to watch Ellie discover, and have fun with the props used in class and to watch her try to imitate what is being performed. I cannot wait to see how Ellie will learn and grow as we continue this activity. I am so happy to be a dance mom (but without the drama, please! Hahaha!) It is a great way to bond with Ellie, teach her new disciplines, and get her involved! Looking forward to all that is ahead!! Thank you, Sterling Studio!

Ellie's First Birthday Party!

First of all, God is just awesome! Ellie's First birthday party was a pool party which we held at my parent's neighborhood pool. We had it all to ourselves. The clouds were dark and gray, it had been a week of rain and the day of the party, August 4, 2018, it was set to be a 20% chance of rain.....and it did rain all the way up until the party. I was in "go mode" from my 6 A.M. alarm clock to get showered, fed, balloons blown up, food, decorations, and supplies delivered to Kingsland for an awesome party. I prayed for the skies to clear. If you know me, you know there is no "stop button" for my "go mode" until all is in place and ready. So, I messaged my best friends to be in charge of praying that morning as I was too wound up with party details and things to accomplish before the party to even muster the words I needed to pray. My little prayer warriors came through, and the sun came out, all clouds cleared up, and my nerves dissipated with the clouds. Of course, Mama and Daddy would have just had the party at their house had it rained, but I wanted everything perfect for my birthday princess! Mama, Daddy, and my brother Josh all set up everything for us so beautifully. Mama also did all the cooking and food prep. Eric and my Mother in Law helped Ellie to have a good morning so she would be happy for her party. My family is awesome.

Her theme was "Ellie-phant" as this is what we all lovingly call her and has always kind of been her thing. Eric came up with the theme and I thought it was just too precious. Though, we only really made the invitation the theme element. Pink and gold were her colors. We used her decorations from the shower my mama and sister threw for us last year! So it was extra special.

Tip Top Cake Shop in Easley created the perfect cake and cupcakes for our little one. Not only do they always taste amazing, but they are always spot on with exactly what I request and fantastic customer service. They are my "cake person" for life.

Ellie had almost all of her sweet friends she invited to attend and it was so sweet to watch her look around and see all her friend's sweet faces and their parents whom she loves to love on as well. Ellie invited her family and her closest friends.

Ellie swam in her float with her buddies and splashed around. The bigger kids liked playing corn-hole and shooting water guns and playing games.

We served a taco bar, prepared especially by my mama!

When it was time for the smash cake, we sang her "happy birthday" and then blew out her gold "1" candle. Ellie was the  type who didn't do much with the cake....she was more curious as to why everybody was circled around her staring at her, hahaha! She got a few good bites and then stuck her tongue out to lick it! Her 4 older cousins finished it off like vultures!

She opened presents and we 3E's are so grateful for the love showered on our baby girl. Not just on her birthday, but every day. It is a blessing to have so many friends who love God and display that love onto our little one.

We were thankful that Ellie's Nana (Eric's mama) was able to come all the way from Michigan for her party and to be able to stay with us a few weeks and get some Ellie time! Ellie really loved playing with her Nana!

Thank you with all of our hearts to our dear friends, near and far who made this day so so special for Ellie! It made this little Mama's heart overflow with joy and pride!! We are truly blessed that God has placed each of you not only in our lives, but in the life of our precious growing daughter. We are most thankful for how each of you is a beautiful example of Christ and we are thankful for the trust we have of our child in your presence and swarmed in your love as you reflect the love and behaviors of Christ! That is what living life is all about in the first place, so what a great way to celebrate the life of Ellie in the company of such filled people! We love y'all!! Muah!!