It's Just Ella!

Yes, I know this is a little late and yes I know I should have gotten this done sooner, and there is no excuse....so this is about my Ella and her birthday!

I should have known when she was born that she would do things in her own time. After all, I labored for 18 hours before a c-section had to be done, hoping for an answer for why she wouldn't come....she wasn't ready. Should have known then that my precious baby would do things her way and not a moment before she is ready.



And when she got here, she let everyone know she what she thought and her ever faithful brother there to console her. Much like today, he is the first to her when she cries, the first to hug her and ask what is wrong. And she will be the one who will always voice her opinion whether you like what she says or not....It's just Ella.

She is a talker when she is ready to talk. She will follow me through the house as I'm cleaning or doing laundry always telling me stories and what I wouldn't give sometimes for 5 seconds of peace, but .....it's just Ella.



She loves to be silly and dress up. She loves to always climb in my lap and give me a hug, rough sometimes, but a hug just the same. And I will gladly take them any day or time.....


I love that she has a sense of adventure and that she isn't afraid of too many new things. She is willing to take on challenges, on her terms of course. However, if she doesn't, well don't even try to persuade her, because, well, it's just Ella and there is nothing that will change her mind....



It's not that it's JUST Ella, it is just who she is plain and simple. I wouldn't trade my sassy, strong-willed, opinionated, adventurous, silly loving girl for the entire world...No words can fully describe her except....ELLA!!!


Happy Birthday sweet sweet girl! I love you to the moon and back!

Fast and Furious July

Well, June went lazily by and I couldn't wait for July to get here. Mostly because we had a few things going on and I was really looking forward to them. We are slowly adjusting to my parents not being here. It has been a little tough for the kids, because they enjoy sleeping late and with them not here they have to get up when I go to work and I take them to where they need to go.



Most of our June was spent at the pool and pretty much July has been too. I have been trying to teach Ella to swim to not much avail. I think next year are going to be swimming lessons (ahem Casey? haha).



July we had a family reunion at Lake Kickapoo. We have so much fun and the kids always have a blast. It is so good to see family and visit with those who we only get to see once a year.





Then of course was Ms. Ella's birthday! She turned 5 this year and is growing up way too fast. She is becoming her own beautiful person who is opinionated, stubborn, sassy and unpredictable. I love everything about her. Her and all of her PINK flair!







Then we go on vacation!!! I was in such a need to get away. It didn't matter where we went or what we did as long as we got out of Childress and away from all the stress of daily life. So we went to Galveston. The kids enjoyed the beach, the hotel pool, Moody Gardens and doing nothing in general with me and my mom. Since my parents have helped us out so much, we thought it would be a good idea to have them go. My dad, of course worked, so my mom did get to go and get away for a while herself.We started our trip with a short stay at my sister's where the kids got to play and have lots of fun.



Of course we have to swim with them and my sister will probably kill me, but I love and miss laughing with her. She was trying to put some goggles on and we started laughing so hard when she got them on and I just had to take this picture....


After spending a few nights with them we went on our way!! We played on the beach a few days and spent some time in the pool at the hotel.








I do have to say that I love gerber daisies, but after seeing the beautiful orchids at Moody Gardens, I may be changing my mind...they were absolutely beautiful.



One of the pyraminds there is the discovery pyramid and is very hands on. It has a big life size operation game you can play and the kids loved that.


On our way home we stopped and played again with my sister and her boys at Chuck E Cheese's...


Loved nothing better than being with my family this past month and being able to laugh and relax. Much needed rejuvination before school starts.