God's gifts

As we were reading the story of David playing the harp to calm King Saul, I was explaining that playing the harp was David's gift from God. That He gave him that talent. I then asked Elli what she thought she was good at. She said, "ballet, plie's, and twirls." I then said I thought she was saying she was good at dancing. She agreed then I told her that she is good at that because God chose to make her good at it, and that we all have different gifts. I then told her things I thought she was good at. I said, "Elli, mommy thinks you are good at making others feel loved and encouraged." I gave a couple examples of how she helps kids in her classes (church, preschool, ballet) when they are sad, she likes to give gifts (later that day she took a granola bar to the man measuring our roof!), and that she gives the best hugs. I explained that I thought God also gave her the gift of encouragement. She then said, "Mommy, you are making me sad by talking about sweet things." I pray God continues to make His gifts known to Elli as she grows into the woman God made her to be.

Toys for a neat freak!

She told me I need a close up.
We made this mask outside today on her playset. She wanted to look like an Indian as she practiced the monkey bars. Now she is dancing like a pigeon with the mask on. Love it!

Today as I was attempting to clean house, I noticed that there were toys everywhere! I have a princess book on my nightstand, there is a pinwheel in my bathroom, a baby doll is sleeping in the guest bed, a dog toy has made its home in the laundry room, there are tub toys in both tubs, the formal sitting room is home to Dora and ALL Elli's instruments, the formal dining room has Fergi's cage and toys, there is a bat and ball under my bar stools, a horse has its stable room by the back door, many toys are all over the living room floor as well as about 10 balloons, and I have a frog sitting next to me on the kitchen table as I type. I decided to leave it all where I found it. I love being a mom to the most fun, imaginative, sweet, ball of energy in the world. Thank you God!

Elli visits the Ice Cream Truck!!!! June 8, 2011

Enjoying her oreo avalanche!
Collecting her change and her treat. She was so very excited for this!
She counted out $4 from her bank, the store section, and used it to buy her $3.50 ice cream! She did a great job paying for her treat.
What to pick. She stood here for a little while, then her eyes lit up when she saw the oreos!

Elli has asked to get ice cream from the ice cream truck several times. (Her first few years of life it was the music and dancing truck, but now she knows the truth. That truck that drives around our neighborhood doesn't just stop so kids can dance, it actually has ice cream in it!) She finally had the chance today. The excitement was real!

Seth's dedication, Sun, June 5, 2011

Yes he is almost two, but that doesn't matter. Kyle and Meg have missed the dedications for one reason or another until now. Their pastor made a great charge to the congregation to come along side Kyle and Meg and help them raise Seth to love God. Then he charged Kyle and Meg to train him in the ways of the Lord. Finally he prayed over Seth and Kyle and Meg. It was a sweet time. Seth did great and even waved, "bye bye" on cue.

A day with the boys! June 3, 2011

Elli and I went to Leah's to watch the boys for a couple of hours. We loved it!

(Wesley, Luka)
Elli is a very good big cousin. She has always had a mothering spirit and it shows when she takes care of these boys:)

June 2, Strawberry Picking at Jackson's

The gang before th strawberry picking.
Pick a few for the buckets, pick a few to eat. Caroline and Madilynn walked all over the place eating strawberries. We joked that we should have weighed the kids before and after!
Emma Grace did her fair share of picking too! (mostly to eat)
A little snack for these two.
And now the kids are showing off the harvest! What a great day to go. Sunny, warm, but not humid. Cannot wait to make a pie!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend at Norris Lake

OK, we were posing, but the camera went off before Brent and Leah could run in. They were there, I promise! We were getting ready to eat our cupcake cones for Heather's birthday celebration.
Making breakfast casserole.
Ready for the pool!
They were ready for their first boat ride.
Brent and dad went golfing, but the rest of us went out on the boat for some riding and then swimming.
Elli was not afraid this year, at all!
The boys were out there with us, enjoying every minute...of getting out of the water. JK They calmed down after the first shock.
Evening ride out to get some ice cream.
And this group shot is blurry. Not doing too good on the group pics. Leah stayed back with the twins because they wanted to go to sleep.
Happy birthday Heather!

One Carefree Day!

Elli wanted to pose in front of our pretty rose bushes!
She thought a bun would be a good idea for rising her bike today.
Getting to be such a big girl.
Cannot get over how she loves to pose for pictures. She picked out her outfit, said it was perfect for riding a bike, and then asked if I could take her picture:)
How I love days with nothing to do but play.

Elli's Graduation from Cedarville Learning Center

Never a picture without a pose!
Family picture in front of the Opera House.
So happy Kyle, Meg, and Seth could come.
Gonga and Papa also made it out. (Jenna and Justin had to leave right away because Justin's sister was having a baby!!!!)
How do you get 14 5 and 6 year olds to all smile in the same dirention at the same time!
Elli getting her "diploma" from Mrs. Liz. I missed the hug! (her diploma was a poem about sunflower seeds with a few to plant. She was so excited!!!!)
She was so lady-like up there. She got a little embarrassed with all of the staring at her and taking pictures.
Getting ready to go back up on stage for her graduation, after her preschool program.
The program was called, "The Diary of a Preschooler." The kids sang some songs, recited some poems, and read some stories. This was Elli putting letter "R" on the coconut tree for the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom." Fun graduation at the Opera House.

Storms!

Some hail next to a golf ball. We found some bigger than this even! Our screens were torn, siding broken, grill cover ripped, and many dents in our downspouts and Elli's swing set. Other than that, we were all safe.
Hail on our deck.

We lost power for a couple hours so we played UNO by candle light, ate ice cream by candle light, and then made a sleeping bag in out room for Elli using our flashlights:) The power came back on just as we were going to bed, so Elli slept in her room.
The storm blew our grill and furniture across the deck. We thought it may have been destroyed, (because of the noise) but not so. Thankful for that!
Elli was a little nervous, so I told her how great God was to make these storms. She then noticed some lightening and asked Brent if he had seen the amazing lightening. She slept through the rest of the storms that night and even during her nap today. I love that she is learning to turn some of her fear into awe of her Creator.

Bad Situation Room

Elli will be going into a new ballet class next year. She asked what room she would be in. I told I wasn't sure but maybe the middle room or the one at the end of the hall. She replied, "Oh no mommy. That room at the end is the bad situation room. There are big girls in there that wag their hair, get on the floor, kick their legs high and wag their hair some more. It is totally a bad situation." I am glad she is learning what is appropriate and not appropriate for dancing:)

Lucia Hope Raymond, May 23, 2011

Elli got to hold her Monday night.
Brent's turn.
Lucy only about an hour old here. I was so excited to be part of her entrance into the world. Paula made it look so easy to have a baby! I LOVED being there. Cannot believe I didn't pass out!!!!!
How very sweet is she?
Proud brother and sister Andrew and Lily. The other two girls came later to meet their newest sister. So fun.

Dragons game

We walked by at the right time to get this picture! She was going to get her picture with just Gem, then Heater walked up, she got scared, and I had to hold her:)
The man in the red shirt in front of us, snagged this shirt and handed it to Elli. She was so very happy!!!!
Posing before the game in her own Dragons shirt that Heather and Gary got her for her birthday.
And we may have our own little dragon! She is pretty good at hitting the ball. Look at her determination. She can hit it far too!
She took a break to hit her shoes with her bat. She said she learned it from watching the dragons:)