Thursday, July 14, 2016

Ellie's Heart

I'll have overnight guests here tomorrow night - so while I have a minute, I wanted to sit down for a minute and write about my girl. She'll be 4 years old on Saturday.

Four years old has always been one of my favorite ages, mostly because they say really funny things. They're potty trained, they're a little easier to communicate with, and they are hilarious. Ellie Paige is no exception to this.

It's no secret that my girl is full of personality. I love talking to her and getting her point of view on things. She has so many questions and so much spunk. But she also has a whole lot of heart. I feel like I spend a lot of time talking about all the funny and sassy things Ellie says. Speaking of sassy... she thinks that's the word for sweaty. All Summer she's been telling me that she's starting to feel a little bit sassy. But I want to take a minute to talk about her heart.



Ellie is quick to apologize. She stomped up to her room last night at bedtime, arms crossed, upset with me that I was telling her it was bedtime. I walked in to help her put on her pajamas. I found her sitting in her chair, scowling with her arms crossed. "I'M ANGRY" she said to me. "Go potty" I replied as I pulled some pajamas out of her drawer. She marched into the bathroom all pouty. About 45 seconds later she appeared in the doorway.

"Hey, Mommy? I so sorry I said no to you. I so sorry I wasn't being nice."

Then she runs in for a hug.

Whenever she's starting to get upset, her little mouth turns into a frown and she tells me that "I'm starting to get a little bit of tears!" and then that curly mess of a head falls into my lap and cries. It really is the sweetest.



Words can not express what a good big sister she is. I am floored. She is so quick to bring me a diaper before I even ask. She is sweet with Jack and loves to sit on the floor and play with him and make him laugh. She dances for him, sings for him, holds up stuffed animals and gives him toys. She wipes his mouth. She stands up on the bottom of his crib and talks to him when he wakes up from a nap. She calls him "My Jacketty Quackers" or "My baby" and asks to hold him. She sings "Your Sissy is here! Your Sissy is here! Your Sis is here so IT'S OH-KAY!"



She loves family hugs and asks for them often. She adores her Daddy and when she gets in trouble she says "please don't tell my dad." Little does she know that there's literally nothing she can do that would keep him from loving her.

She's obedient. She's teachable.



She got hurt today, and about 45 minutes after the injury she crawled up into my lap and asked me to "pray to God for my cheek."

So, we prayed.

She dances. She does tricks. And after she does them she says "MOM! WAS THAT AWESOME?!"



I adore, adore, adore, adore that girl of mine. Today I picked her up and asked her "How come you're the sweetest girl there ever was?"

"Because God made me!"

"How come the best girl in the whole world gets to live with me and Daddy?!"

"Because God said I should live with you!!"

I'm so thankful.

I'm so, so thankful.




Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Big Plans Tomorrow!

Okay - here's the plan:

Tomorrow I'm dropping my kids off and I'm driving to the Big D. Dallas, Texas y'all.

Well, McKinney to be more exact. It's trunk show time with my dear friend Liz and I'm going to drive all the way there all by myself!

With no kids in the car.

And no car seats.



I should be packing right now and getting myself organized, but instead I'm fantasizing about the car ride and all the silence and also all the singing and all the play lists.

Let's state the obvious things right off the bat:

1. I will totally jam out to "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" complete with Celine hand gestures. Full on belting. No shame.

2. There may be a Whitney Houston medley.

3. Broadway - The Hamilton Soundtrack. Duh.

4. Dixie Chicks.

5. There will probably be a good hour with no music or singing at all. Just quietness.

Let's state what there WILL NOT be in my car:

1. The Frozen soundtrack

2. Bible verses sung by children

3. "Everything is Awesome" from the Lego Movie

4. Questions. No one will be asking me any questions.

But here's where I need your help - should I listen to an Audiobook? If so, which one? Can I also be honest and tell you that I've never listened to an Audiobook? Am I missing out?

Any music I should listen to?

Please advise.

This is very important in helping me avoid packing. Thank you.