Ella at Two

Out of the lips of babes

When I put Ella to bed this evening I read her a couple of books like I usually do. Curious George books are her favorite these days - along with her "pray" book. As a parent (and pastor) I want her to learn Bible stories and learn who Jesus is and decide to follow Him. While I've read some Bible stories with her she doesn't always sit still the best for those - however, she loves her "pray" book.

We do pray before meals together as a family - we all hold hands around the table and say, "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest..." If we happen to forget, she makes sure to remind us. I say a prayer with her before she goes to bed. I also hold her hands as we pray - just like we do before a meal. She always ends the prayer with her own "amen." It's really quite precious.

Lately, as she looks at her prayer book, she folds her hands (like we're all taught as little kids), brings them up to her face, says her own prayer (in her own gibberish) and ends it with an amen. She did that a number of times this evening. It's so incredibly precious. What I don't understand is where she learned to fold her hands like that. Neither set of grandparents taught her that and Jeremy and I haven't. So where has she picked it up? Is it innate? She goes to church but when prayers happen there how many people really fold their hands and bring them up to their face?

Wherever it has come from, I hope that her desire to pray continues, that she commits her life to Jesus, and that nothing steals her innocence.

DVBS

Daily Vacation Bible School is a tradition that goes back as far as I can remember. I have memories of sack lunches, Bible stories, teachers, recreation and music. As a kid I went through 8th grade as a student, in high school I helped out with rec and now that I am a pastor at the church I've taught for the past7 years. Each year has it's joys and it's struggles. As the time approaches for the hyped up week of Bible School I look forward to it with anticipation. And it never disappoints.

This year, the week began for me with a fever, an achy body, sore throat and stuffy nose. However after a little rest, I snapped out of it and continued the week with enthusiasm. By the end, I was ready for it to be done. I was away from Ella more than usual and things around the house were being neglected.

Tonight was the open house and program. While listening to the singing and watching the faces of all the kids I was reminded why I love Bible School. There is little as good as listening to their voices singing the truths of scripture. I fought a lump in my throat, while smiling as I watched the actions, throughout the entire program.

Bible School is a place that is safe and fun for these kids. Here they are accepted and loved unconditionally. Here they run after the "cool" high school kids who chase them in return. It's here that they express their love of God. This is where relationships are formed and strengthened.

I love Bible School and look forward to packing a lunch for Ella when she is old enough to go.

Time flies

It's been a long time since I've posted. There have been many written in my head but they don't make it to the computer. This is mostly why...

The one decent picture taken in the studio a couple of weeks ago. It figures that the photographer's daughter is the one who can't sit still.

Not sure what's happening here. Being silly with dad I think.

We were waiting in a restaurant with friends and grandma Bix and Hunkapapa. These are Bix's glasses - she was being a complete cheese ball.


When she wants milk, she really wants milk - even if it means she gets the jug herself. She'll go the fridge, get the jug, bring it to us and after her cup is filled, she'll take the jug back. The first time she did it we laughed and laughed.

Ella loves to feed her stuffed animals and her baby. She is nurturing and loving.

Who are they?

Last night while we were watching TV an advertisement for the Simpsons came on, Ella called them "monkey." I laughed.

Backet

Jeremy and I have discussed the fact that while we want her to be well-rounded - enjoying music, theater, art, and sports, we don't intend to push Ella into any activities that she really doesn't have an interest in. We have seen too many kids involved in activities that they don't enjoy simply to please their parents or because they feel pressure from peers or directors and coaches. These kids are miserable and usually end up not being all that successful at anything.

However, we can't help but be happy when in the last couple of weeks Ella has developed a new passion for basketball. She spots basketball hoops outside from blocks away and is learning to dribble - yes it is true! She doesn't have it mastered yet, but she's still young. No longer does she want to look at her "baby" magazines, but instead goes for the Sports Illustrated and the articles high-lighting March Madness. This morning while I was gathering laundry upstairs she made her way up the stairs, carrying the remote, begging to watch "backet." And she was thoroughly distraught when we went to Sterling Hall for Schmeckfest on Saturday afternoon and she discovered that the hoops were folded up and there were no balls in sight. Last time she was there she had found it highly amusing to watch mommy play basketball for the Alumni games. And enjoyed running out on the court herself.

On the flip side, Grandma Bix brought her to Schmeckfest musical rehearsal the other day and she was mesmerized by the nuns and danced along with the kids. And she loves to play the piano and is beginning to sing along.

I think she will be well-rounded after all. Now all we need is to get her onto the soccer field and mom will be happy.

The face of our little angel. She makes me happier than anything.










The light was perfect. The face adorable. My guess is that either "Elmo" or "Bee" was playing on the TV.
















What is cuter than little feet and toes of a little angel? Not much I say.

Another Tooth!

I never would have thought there'd be this much excitement over a tooth. But finally, one more tooth has emerged. Ella's first 4 teeth popped out around 9 1/2 months. There has been no action since then. She's 17 months. Now, after many predictions and much anticipation there is one more tooth with more that I can feel just about poked through. Ella has been gumming her food for months which has limited her to some degree on what she can eat. Perhaps this will be her turning moment in the food department. She had a fussy night last night and a rough afternoon - but if it means more teeth, we'll put up with it. The old wives' tale is that the longer it takes kids to get their teeth, the better their teeth will be. Here's to good teeth!

On a side note, I thank God for stores like the Et Cetera Shoppe in Freeman. I put the manager, who is also a friend of mine, on the look out for spring/summer clothes for Ella. She grows so quickly and with our budget being what it is, I knew I couldn't buy her all new clothes. Today I bought a whole box of clothes - that are mostly quite cute and will do just fine for hot summer days playing outside - for $30. The average price per item: $1.00. Thanks Kris!

Our little dearest

We've been having so much fun with Ella these days. She's happy, energetic, silly, and loves babies. She's talking more but still only has 4 teeth. (We're trying not to be too worried.) She loves to wash her hands when she's done eating and is beginning to let us know when she has a dirty (of the smelly kind - as if we couldn't tell) diaper. She plays in the refrigerator whenever we're not looking and is a puzzle master. In general, she never stops moving. I'm not sure how it's possible, but she gets cuter every day.

California Experience

Jeremy and I were recently in La Jolla, CA for the winter board meeting of ISWNE of which Jeremy is president.  The weather was beautiful and the company was grand.  While the view from our room was crappy (hello stucco wall) the hotel was on the beach.  Here are a couple of pictures from outside our hotel.