The Lion King - Ellie's First Movie - Our Circle of Life

Okay, so we all know I'm not a fan of screen time for Ellie.Blah blah blah. (No judgement to others so don't hate me for making a choice for my own kid's well being- all research and factual based reasoning- I'm a nerd). Now that she is two, I am still not gonna plop her down in front of a screen of any sort unless I am a desperate mess of stressed out tears who can't get anything done such as cooking the supper so we can all eat and not be hangry ('cause ain't nobody happy then!), or an occasional family movie night. I just desire different entertainment for her. And she is the happiest kid I know so who cares?!

I was going to take Ellie to the Easley dollar movies on her birthday weekend to watch "The Lorax." Yet, I felt a sad pang that Eric would miss Ellie's first movie experience because of his ridiculously insanely crazy work and class schedule. (Praise God, that semester is DONE!) I just really love for him to be included. After God, my family is my number one biggest priority above all else. One night, Eric suggested to me that "The Lion King" should be Ellie's first movie! I thought, "Yeah!! This is excellent!" It is super awesome and special because we could and did go the day after her birthday after Eric's final exam, and as a family! But the most special aspect is this: The original "The Lion King" was Eric's first movie, too!! I mean how cool is that?! So heck yes we had to do it.

I expected and prepared my expectations as well as Eric's that Ellie would only be interested in the first ten minutes and we would probably end up leaving before the movie got well into the plot. Eric thought differently. We ate at Tin Lizzy's (LOVEEEE their queso and chips!!) We got Ellie a popcorn and settled into our chairs and waited for the movie to begin. Oh boy. We all know the incredibly power that even the animated version of "The Lion King" possesses with that beautiful sunrise over the pride lands with the strong voice of the African tribe singing a joyful song..."The Circle of Life." It makes my soul jump with joy and it certainly got Ellie's attention. All the animals!!! She was pointing them out, calling their names, making their sounds! She was dancing, she was smiling, she was having fun! She stayed attentive and involved with the emotions of the movie throughout until the last 25 minutes where she walked up and down some steps eating her popcorn and watching the movie from different heights. She ended the movie back where she started, in daddy's lap. It was a very special family outing and very successful as well! Go see it!!!

Ellie is 2

Two has always been my favorite age on a kid. I love that Ellie is still like a baby but very much a little person I can have little conversations with, run and play with, who still snuggles me, yet also can do small chores to help me out. She thinks chores are fun for now. She loves to help.

I never in my life thought I would have a baby. But when God put that deep desire in my heart, He gave me literally the exact child I had envisioned in my mind that would be running around our home. A blonde, brown eyed, dimple faced, long legged, little girl named Ellie. I use to say I wanted to marry an Eric. And then I pictured my Ellie. God must be the one putting these ideas and images in my head because He has literally allowed me to draw pictures of my life in my mind and He gives them to me in just the way I pictured....yet, in different time..His time...and in the way that best glorifies Him. So when Eric and I used to talk about having a little Ellie one day....God gave to us the exact little face I pictured. How awesome. How humbling.

I love everything about Ellie. She has SO MUCH personality. Oh my heavens she is such a character!! She is goofy! She gets loopy and crazy when she is sleepy. She is stubborn and sassy. She loves dresses and twirling in them. She thinks clothes are "cute" and is a lover of all animals, particularly dogs. She shrills when she sees dogs like its the best day of her life. She has awesome facial expressions and dance moves. She bumps her shoulders, waves her hands in the air, shakes her hips, and bounces on her legs when she hears a tune worthy. She loves music and playing instruments. She loves reading books. She loves baby dolls. But, I believe reading is her most favorite thing in the world. She loves playing with blocks especially with her daddy. They build things and she uses her imagination so vividly already. She tells me she is building a lion, a boat, a giraffe. Her imagination is endless. She loves airplanes, cars, trucks, boats, and water. She loves to pretend she is a robot with daddy. Blowing bubbles is a favorite. She loves kissing and cuddling. She loves to do her hair and makes sure she has a hairbow every day. She takes my hand and says, "Come! Play! Help!"

She is so so so smart. I'm not going to apologize for being a proud mommy. I hope all mommies show their child as much pride and love in their children. Ellie knows all of her colors. She can count to two. She knows the shapes circle, star, and heart and can even draw a circle and something sorta like a heart. She is an expert climber....it actually scares most people who are with us and that actually annoys me to be honest (though I appreciate the concern...I am her mommy...nobody cares more than me, I promise). I like her love of climbing. If I teach her fear, she won't try new hard things. She needs to explore, climb, and learn her boundaries and limits. I will never allow her to get into a situation too dangerous and I am always right there to catch her if necessary. I love how strong she is because of being allowed to climb! It is so so good for her and excellent for her development! She still goes barefoot as much as possible and I can see very evidently how awesome her balance is because of it. She loves flowers, swimming, and inspecting critters in the yard. She speaks very well. She has up to 5 word sentences and speaks fluid sentences frequently. She communicates very well with us and it is rare we don't know what is being said. The last few months leading up to two years, Eric and I have been blown away as she speaks several new words and full sentences to us almost every single day. Her vocabulary is expanding so quickly! Now we are also working on her French alongside her English. If she has an English word or sentence down pat, we say it twice, once in English and once in French. We also are now teaching colors in French as she has them down pat in English. I will soon have to get myself past my elementary level of French to keep teaching her which I am so excited about. If you know about my French background this will all make sense, and if you don't feel free to ask and get filled in. But, her learning French, and myself particularly becoming fluent in it is important to us. And if she is learning now as she is...then she will be set up well later in life!

She is potty trained wearing panties all day and pull ups for night time! She is sneaky and mischievous and can fins a loophole or a way around her command with ease. So smart. I have to really watch her sneaky self! She is in love with her cousins who are her very best friends. She loves waterfalls, and big mountains. She loves to help garden but runs when the sprinkler comes near her. She is just the funniest, most adventurous, exciting, full of life, strong willed, independent, loving, little girl and I am so so so thankful she is mine! Happy 2nd Birthday, Ellie!!!

Pickin' Peaches

I have never been a lover of peaches. I had them once as a child and never wanted them again. It's clearly a sin since it's our state fruit and all but....can't do it. My friend Laurel got me to try some last year and I mean, it was not bad or anything, I just don't love them. Regardless, I want Ellie to have every possible experience out there, therefore; we took her peach picking at Chattooga Belle Farms in Long Creek, SC.

First off....if you haven't been to this farm..GO!!! Oh my goodness so beautiful out there!! I mean wow! The land, the atmosphere, the restaurant, the little store, the fields....I wish we had gotten married there. So beautiful and so peaceful....even with a near two year old.

We got our basket and admittedly, had no idea what qualified as a "good" peach, but we did our best!! It was more than anything about the experience and the family time. Ellie liked picking the peaches and putting them in our basket. I love the texture of a fuzzy peach.

There was a gorgeous storm rolling in and we got to watch it roll and dance over the mountain tops as it made it's way to us for a brief moment before it swayed away to the other mountain tops in the distance. It was beautiful. Nothing like a mountain storm. Then we ate lunch in their little restaurant and oh my gosh, y'all! So good!!! The bread, the fig jam and goat cheese!! All the heart eye emojis, please!! Very well made food and the most beautiful views to take in while we sat there.

After we picked the peaches, we sat on the terrace and watched some beautiful glass blowing art being performed and we read a book about picking peaches to Ellie. Let me tell y'all about this book:

I want to include a story book for Ellie in all of her adventures because little ones learn best by experience and reading. Plus it's just great bonding time fun! Besides James and the Giant Peach, I had not heard of a young children's book regarding peaches. My sister, the highest most academic scholar I've ever met had not even a suggestion for me. So I did what all good millennials do. I reached out to Facebook. And I got a few good options. The winner for us though was a book suggested by my friend from high school, Allyson Simmons. She is friends with Hillary Salter who wrote Peaches Just for Me; illustrated by Noel Salter. Hillary and Noel Salter are a family of peach farmers locally in Columbia, SC. Well, I just love supporting local and I love supporting farmers. Their work is hard, endless, and soulful. They put all they have into what they do and always have the sweetest hearts. This little book is just adorable, sweet, and Ellie loved it! A great little children's story. I urge you all to get a copy! Here is a link to get yours:

https://www.amazon.com/Peaches-Just-Me-Hillary-Salter/dp/1720053251

Get out and support your farmers, make some memories, and play play play with your littles!!

Mommy & Me and Funfetti!

I love happy memories and special traditions. I love giving to Ellie all the things from my childhood that made it so special.

When I was quite young, though I don't remember my age, I was given by a family member...an older second cousin of mine, a gift of a funfetti cake mix with sprinkles and a yellow apron my size that said, "Mommy & Me." The gift was intended for me to make a cake with my mama! And that is just what we did.

I was so young that I cannot remember the details but I know my dad and sister were out one night, and my mama and me dove into the gift to make our cake! I put on my apron and I loved it. I have always remembered this little apron. We made the cake and I remember licking the batter off the spoon that this funfetti flavor was amazing! I had never had it before. I felt so special baking with my mama. Mama recalls this next event, though I do not. She said when the cake was baked and the frosting was on, it was time to shake sprinkles on the cake. But my sprinkles went everywhere all over the floor!! Mama said I was quite distraught over this event but she thought my reaction was so sweet and she made it all better again. All I remember was having fun with my mama, baking a delicious cake, and wearing a very special apron.

So now, I want to do all the kitchen things with Ellie! It is so so so good for bonding and learning and really just making sweet memories. We bake together a lot. But recently, my mama was cleaning out and found my yellow Mommy & Me apron!! It was just as I remembered it. She showed up to my house to help me with Ellie one day and gave me the apron and then a special surprise out of her bag she drew. It was a Funfetti cake mix with sprinkles!! For me and Ellie to bake together and recreate the memory! And that we did! My favorite part of it besides seeing her in my old apron, was watching her with the icing. She would smooth some over the cake, then resort to stuffing globs of it into her mouth....all before putting it right back on top of the cake to spread more icing! Ha! She had a great time! It was a special memory!

What memories from your childhood are you passing down?

Ronald McDonlad House Charities of the Carolinas : 30 Years!!!

Last night, I was winding down to fall asleep and was scrolling through my feed. A post caught my eyes from our awesome Kindermusik of Greenville teacher, Rosalind Cross, regarding a play date at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville as they celebrate 30 years and a new wing recently built. She would be giving a free Kindermusik class and there would be cookies involved! My heart started pumping fast; I was so excited!

First- do you know what this charity is? Let me give you a brief understanding. Ronald McDonald House Charities are all over the world. In particular, I am speaking on two of them in this blog. Today we visited the one in Greenville near Greenville Memorial Hospital. This charity provides a temporary home for families whose Children are in need of long term medical attention. The house is located right across from the hospital in walking distance. They help provide a comfortable solace and a bright light in a dark time. They essentially remove any and all other concerns from a parent's mind so the family can focus on the attention of their sick child. Ronald McDonald house provides 3 solid meals a day, snacks, housing, and entertainment for the families who stay, all at no cost to the families.

My family was fortunate enough and well blessed to stay in the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston when I was flown by Helicopter from Greenville to MUSC to undergo my first open heart surgery at days old. My family had enough on their minds with an older daughter and a newborn who they expected would die of multiple heart defects doctors were not sure what to do with. Having a warm family in the Ronald McDonald house who provided all the tangible means of living as well as emotional support was a lifesaver truly to my family. I am forever grateful to them and moved by them.

Pic: My mom has photos in album of their time at the Ronald McDonald House at MUSC; I do not have those in my possession, however; I have a photo of me in the MUSC playroom during my 3rd open heart surgery playing at a McDonald's station...thought this was still appropriate. :)

So today, I had the honor and blessing of being able to financially support this beautiful charity and show my daughter a fun time as well as teach her about being a cheerful giver as God calls us to be! The most important thing I will ever teach Ellie is not academics. The most important thing to equip my daughter with is the love of Christ. We give, not to receive, but to be a blessing to others. And just as the Ronald McDonald House gave to us, we give back to them in gratitude. Being there today and seeing my own child running through the halls and playing on the playground was wild. It made my eyes form tears as I thought....look how far I've come....that my own daughter could be here today to learn about this place and be so healthy and her mommy to be so healthy.....that I can actually stand here, alive, today, healthy and strong and give back....we are blessed by the hands of God. Who can you help today?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

The Cheerful Giver

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Healthy Blueberry Crumble

Ingredients:

- 3 cups blueberries fresh or frozen.
- 1 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup of sweetener (I usually use raw local honey or pure maple syrup)
- lemon juice
- 1egg beaten
- 4 tbsp unsalted melted butter

Directions:

- Preheat oven 350F
- Grease 9x9 casserole dish. I use olive oil spray.
- Pour all blueberries in the dish.
- Lightly coat to your desire the blueberries with lemon juice. I used a fairly good amount.(I don't often measure).
- Now, in a bowl, mix beaten egg with almond flour and sweetener. It will be a course wet texture, thick.
- Top berries with the mixture slightly mixing it in, dispersing it as desired among the berries.
-Drizzle melted butter over top.
-Bake for about 35 minutes or until berries are bubbling and crust is golden brown.

Voila! Bon appetite!

4 years His Wife; 6 years in His Life

I would rather have lived my life completely single than to have ever ended up with any other man besides Eric. Another man would mean settling. I don't settle. I have a determined spirit and my spirit is praise God, full of the Holy Spirit Who I trust to guide my life according to His will.

I felt like I was single foreverrrrrr. Everybody in college had found their spouses and weddings were rolling out everywhere my first 6 years after high school. I had envisioned being married at 22, the week after graduating as a "pediatric cardiothoracic surgical nurse first assistant" from "Clemson". Ha!! God sent me from my Clemson journey to Greenville Tech. I finished in 3 years total of college becoming a Surgical Technologist with a job lined up before I ever graduated. Meanwhile, no boyfriend. I didn't want just a boyfriend. I wanted my husband. My husband. I longed and pined to serve this man that God created for me...just for me! I longed to cook him meals, give him a warm beautiful home, and have so much fun being silly goof balls together...whoever he was.

As I've told Eric in the past, before I ever met him, I would wake up most alert and startled in the middle of the night and I would feel so called by the Holy Spirit to pray for "my husband....whoever he was". I was not called by the Holy spirit to pray for him to come into my life...no, God woke and shook my soul violently awake to pray for a man who was mine yet I'd never met, to cover him in prayer and lift him up. I could feel that this man was in need of love, hard times were on him, challenges. I didn't know what on earth he could be going through...I couldn't even put a face to the man I was praying for, yet; rest assured, God told me "pray for him." And that I did in the dark of my room sitting up in my bed. Interestingly enough these moments were happening for me in 2012 and 2013. A time when Eric was going through possibly one of the hardest things a person can go through apart from losing a child...I don't think anything would be worse than that! But he was going through what at the time was the worst time of his life, not knowing what a blessing it would be for all involved later. I would pray him through and cover him in scripture and my heart would pine to meet this man I was praying for and that God promised me I would meet...eventually. And finally one Sunday morning service in the sanctuary.....oh wow...I get goose bumps and tears in my eyes remembering this....I saw this gorgeous beautiful man who was tall and had these perfectly placed dimples with almond golden brown eyes and these strong shoulders and arms and the Holy Spirit inside me burned and flared and spiked and God told me, "Him!" I practically swooned right there as I sang!

I DO NOT believe in love at first sight. To love someone is to know them...all their crap and darkness and uglies and to still see the best of them and desire them. But I do KNOW that when I laid eyes on Eric Gladden...God immediately revealed to me that he was my husband. And would you believe that from that very day forward of June 2, 2013....we have never been apart. He equally was pushed by the Holy Spirit and from the very day I laid eyes on him, we have talked and talked and never been apart again. Only....ONLY GOD does this....can do this....will answer prayers like this....plan something like this. I fully can grant the success of me finding my greatest love and the success it is to God Almighty!! Since the day I first saw Eric, he and I have been together. So so so awesome!!

In our 6 years of life we have grown so much. Eric has taught me how to do laundry....(was so so so patient and gentle and loving to me when I messed up lots of his shirts). He taught me to drive a truck, let me go through multiples of paint colors on the walls of his first house as I tried to make it feel like my home too. As I tried to figure out my tastes as my own person in her own big grown up house. Oh the hideousness of the colors I went through. He is so patient and chill. He always has encouraged me to do what I want, what makes me happy. Even if that meant painting his walls crazy colors. I have wrecked our cars, gotten major speeding tickets, and broken many things and all he does is hold me, kiss me, and gently help me. I do not fear my husband, I do not fear messing up or being an imperfect person. I don't hide things from him or feel the need to. When I do something stupid I go to him first for help and a fix and understanding. He is always there to take good care of me and never puts me down! I have literally never once in 6 years been made to feel bad about myself in any way. Only sweet things come from his lips to me....even if I am annoying he no worse than silent! Lol!! He is so so so calm and loving and doting! I would have wracked any other man's nerves up a wall long ago with my pillow fluffing, uptight, perfectionist personality. But he loves these things about me and he is the ying to my yang, the almond butter to my apple, the cheese to my fries! He has watched me grow and mature with my desires changing and my needs changing in my own life and growing all through my 20's. (Because he is so much older than me y'all know) Lol!! Well, he is! He was already 30 when I met him and I thought my dad was gonna kill me! He has supported me. Man has he supported me so immensely much! He has followed me to countless speeches I have given on heart health, recorded all of my news appearances, he goes and gets me food when I am hangry (my greatest love language.) He got me my puppy Blondie when he swore he would never get another dog. We have been to Africa together and loved on children and served people in the name of Jesus. He held me and my sweaty body when I felt deathly ill in Africa with some new germ to my body and was throwing up everywhere in a bathroom that was not as cozy as mine. He even missed going on the Nile River just so he could stay with me while I slept off the bug in my room under my mosquito net. His love for me in so close to that of God, only nobody can actually get that close, but Eric is as close as humanly possible. Patient and selfless. Loving and the heart of a servant. Humble and kind.

I love being his wife and his best friend. I feel loved, supported, cherished, desired, protected, provided for, top priority after God, and I feel by his actions how thankful he feels to have me. He makes me feel special when I feel like blah.

We have had many adventures. Over the past near 3 years, we have taken on the adventure of him going back to school, having a baby, selling his old house, building our dream home, having a beautiful healthy baby Ellie and trying to figure out how to survive all this chaos. Our first three years were full of crazy spontaneity and no responsibilities. Now we are as packed as can be and happier than ever, no matter how hard the juggling is. This is marriage. Working as teammates in the different phases life brings and remaining deeply in love and supportive of one another. We expect in 2 years time we will reach a new phase in our marriage when school is over, Eric is a Chemical engineer, and our almost 2 year old is a preschool wonder! We know time never slows down and we don't wish it away, but we are always wishing for our next fun trip or experience together and praising God for the time He has granted us together.

Eric Gladden is truly truly more than I prayed for. I prayed for perfect....only God could deliver more. I love you, Eric Gladden. I am so thankful God weaved our paths together as He had always planned from the start of creation. I love you darling!! Muah!