Ellie helping mommy cook

Ellie & Braelyn

This past weekend Ellie and I traveled to Dallas for Janna's baby shower. Janna looked so dang adorable (as always). She gave us the best "hostess" gifts. So thoughtful and genuine. We stayed with Auntie Julie and BFF Braelyn. Ellie & Braelyn are toooo cute together. I think they look so much alike (dark eyes, same color hair, full lips, and oh so cute!) They did their normal hitting, pulling hair, and screaming at each other (normal 2 year old behavior!) but before we left they were clearly so sad to be leaving one another. Ellie kept whining for Braelyn to come home with us. She even told her "get in ruck" (get in the truck!) Braelyn kept saying "I want Ya Ya" (I want Ellie). It was beyond precious. Here's a video in the laundry room before we left.

Grandma Dugan

Grandma Dugan passed away last night around 9:30pm. My heart is at peace because I know she is in Heaven...how incredible to meet Jesus, sit at His feet, and walk the streets of gold. I'm looking forward to that day! I got to say goodbye to Grandma yesterday. Thankfully my cousin, Tracy, came over during Ellie's nap time so I could go talk to Grandma. We could tell she was dying and in the "final stages". I was sobbing as I talked to her. It was such a weird cry...I was so overwhelmed with happiness that she was about to meet sweet Jesus. I was/am excited for her. I didn't feel like she was really "living" anymore since she was confined to a bed at a nursing home. Her health & mind had been declining and she wasn't really herself anymore. Now she's really living! Now she has health and no more pain.

Grandma was in love with Ellie. I tried to take Ellie to visit her at the nursing home once a week or at least twice a month. Grandma would look over from her bed, and cheerfully say "Well, I'll be...there's my little Ellie" "Hi Ellie Ellie Ellie" "I bet her daddy just loves her" "She's my sugar pot" "Hi Sugar Pot" "I love you love you love you"

It was so sweet to hear her dote on Ellie. Grandma always doted on me and showed me how proud she was of me. She was such a great encourager. She always showered me with compliments and made me feel special. I hope I can do that for my family, friends, and most of all my children and grandchildren. I believe in the power of words and my grandma spoke such uplifting and promising words over me. She always told me that I was smart and made good choices. She told me that I could do whatever I wanted to and that I would be good at it. What an impact that has made on my life. .

Here is a pic of Ellie and Grandma in the summer of 2008. I kept telling Grandma that Ellie was nursing and didn't eat real food. She ignored me!

The next picture was taken in July 2009 and Ellie was having fun feeding crackers to Grandma!

I look forward to seeing Grandma & Grandpa Dugan again when the Lord calls me home. I love you Grandma.

Hawaii

Last week was amazing for Brett & I. We took a vacation to Hawaii. We stayed in Lanai for 3 nights and Maui for 4 nights. It was incredible! I missed my baby Ellie, but at the same time it was a good break for mommy & daddy. She stayed with Grams & Papa and I know she had a fun time. I ask her, "Did you have fun with Grams & PaPa" and she says, "YES!!!" really loud and excited! Valerie sent cute pictures to keep us posted during the week. I would look them over & over and think about how big she looked. Here are some of the pics we got while away. It is such a blessing to have such amazing grandparents for Ellie. What a privilege for Ellie to have them in her life.

Zinnia & Ellie

We put Zinnias in our garden at the beginning of the summer and they now look like they are on steroids! They make my heart happy - such pretty colors and so cheery. Brett got this adorable picture of Ellie in the garden. PS, her hair looks short but its actually in a ponytail! 

Going to the Pool

This video was taken over a month ago. Ellie doesn't say much but she looks oh so cute! 

Let's go to swim lessons

Here's a video of me letting Ellie know we were starting swim lessons that day :)

My little monkey is on her 4th day of lessons (as of today) and can blow bubbles, kick, dog paddle, and get out of the pool at the deep end. The only issue we have is that she screams "mommy" the entire lesson. I'll try to get video of that today!