From the Mouth of A Child

This was when I could actually eat cheesecake!

As you can imagine the last four months have taken a toll on me as a wife but also has a mom.... it is so difficult to drum up energy to play and enjoy time with my very active 7 year old when I feel as though I have been hit by a car.

Last night we were in our jammies at 5:30 and snuggling on the couch (because that is what I had the energy for).  As I started to braid her hair, I commented that it had been a long time since I had braided her hair and she said, it's because you have been in the hospital so much.   I guess my three trips to the ER have made an impact on her, but she also may be thinking that every time I went to the doctor it was a trip to the hospital.

When Ella sees me struggling, she will often come up and give me a hug and pray for me on the spot, that does my heart good to know that my child is praying for me.  I think if I hadn't been crying already I would have started the first time she prayed for me.

Every morning before school Ella would help me get out my supplements for the day.... I wrote how many of each on the top of each bottle and she counts them out and she makes me my Relax Max Drink while Joel makes my smoothie.  The only down side to it is the a few of the lids are the same size and they may or may not have been switched last night - but I caught it after just one day of take an extra B vitamin or two.

We have had to do life a little different the last few months.  I have missed some of her games and activities which I hate to do, but she has handled it as well as possible.  We have eaten supper on the couch a lot, we have watched a lot of Tiny House shows, and played a lot of Rack-O - but for such a time as this.... this is what we do to get by.

On good days we go outside and I sit on the chair and she plays, and helps me in the garden.  Now I don't want to paint a picture that it is always daisies and roses, because it surely is not.... we struggle I struggle to be patient, I struggle to be energetic and Ella struggles to be understanding, and struggles to not complain about not being able to do something she wants to do.

All this to say - I am so thankful for my little family and all they have done for me.  God knew that I would need them and I have needed them and continue to need them to help me walk through this journey.  When I don't feel like I have much to be thankful for..... I am reminded I am blessed beyond measure with a family who loves me and I count that as a true blessing from God!

So thankful for these two blessings!!!

Day 20 - Elfina's Advent Adventure

Today is cookie baking day!  And Ella and Elfina got to help put it all together.... Ella did really well cracking the eggs all by herself and using the hand mixer for the first time (that made me a little nervous, as I pictured everything flying all over the kitchen).  We were also excited that Mim showed up unexpectedly and we could start sharing the cookies that we made.  

Day #20

Let’s put on an apron and make a mess

Making cookies together will be our success

We will make them for friends, neighbors and such

A few we will eat, but not very much

Enjoy the time in the kitchen with mom

Perfecting the recipe, it will be the bomb

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 31:31 

Love our Monster Cookies

Day 19 - Elfina's Advent Adventure

Today is a helpful Elf day.... today is all about helping out the people you love.... so why not start with Mom and Dad.... Ella's job today (with the "help" of Elfina) is to do three jobs around the house to be helpful.... she was also encouraged to help her Mim today but she slept in so she didn't get to find the Elf before going to Mim's house this morning.

Day #19

Today your job is to be a helper elf

Just like me, but really yourself

I need you to join me to do three jobs today

The jobs are your choice, but your mom and dad have a say

Also it would be nice if you help Mim as well

She loves you and your help would be swell

Verse of the Day: Matthew 19:19 

Though this day didn't go exactly as planned.... Ella was helpful and did so some things to help around the house... and she even helped our neighbor put salt on his driveway.  I also didn't get any pictures.  

Day 18 - Elfina's Advent Adventure

Today's Advent Adventure involved singing at a fundraising Coffee House.  Though it didn't go exactly as I would have planned.... it was pure Ella fashion.... we didn't get to have Elfina on the stage but she enjoyed the show.

Day #18

Let’s take the stage, and sing a song

Maybe we can even ask Mommy to sing along

Please don’t forget to take me tomorrow night

I want to meet your friends and I’ll be a sight

They won’t forget me, but better yet

We hope they remember Jesus who you have met

In your heart, he lives

So tonight let’s sing about the love He gives

Verse of the Day: Psalm 100

Ella and her friend Kaylee

Day 17 - Elfina's Advent Adventure

Today we are hunchering down and staying in for the morning.... yucky wintry mix outside makes the idea of staying inside all the more exciting.  So today is Gingerbread house making day!!!  Today's verse talks about building on a firm foundation - the rock!  Jesus Christ!  I thought that was fitting for our gingerbread making.

Day #17

Christmas time is coming soon

So let’s get busy and build a room

Or a house that is, made out of gingerbread

Let’s get out the candy, please don’t eat it instead.

We need to be sure the house has a good foundation

Because Jesus is the Rock of our Salvation

Verse of the Day: Matthew 7:24

We had a great time working on the house together.  She is really improving using the piping bag, and of course she is excellent at her tasting skills :)  

Day 14 & 15 - Elfina's Advent Adventures

This was Ella's entrepreneur day.... in the summer and fall - Ella has a Veggie stand so she decided she wanted to make pretzels to give as gifts and sell at Cruisers.  She enjoyed our pretzel making event.  

Day #14

I have been practicing the spelling of your name

Decorating the counter was such a fun game

Today you can do a project with your mom

You can make chocolate covered pretzels that will be the bomb!

Quality time with your mom making snacks

Is good for the heart, and that is a fact.

So have fun making treats, and don’t make too big of a mess

I am sure they will look great, and be a success

Verse of the Day: Prov. 1:8

Today was mommy/daughter day.  We spent the day together, shopping not only for the gifts that I needed but also for Ella to learn the importance of giving.  So she was given money to get something for a friend as well as herself.  

Day #15

For today’s adventure we must leave for the car

No worries Ella we won’t be going too far

Let’s head to Selinsgrove, to have a girl’s day

I even have this gift card, for you to pay.

But don’t spend too much just on yourself,

Also buy a gift for a friend and share your wealth.

Verse of the Day: Prov. 17:17

Though I am pretty tired from being gone all day - it was a nice day of shopping and Ella did well looking and chosing gifts.  Now if we could just get through this I want everything stage :)  

A Stocking for Kit - Ella & Elfina's Adventures Day 7

Today's Adventures had Ella and Elfina making a stocking for Kit (Ella's American Girl Doll).  Last year during Advent we made a stocking for Lucy (Ella's other doll) so we thought it would be fun to make one for Kit as well.  So Ella found Elfina in the closet with my stash of felt thrown all over the closet.  Kit and Lucy were right there as well watching Elfina make a mess.  Here was her note this morning....

Day #7

I am glad that you found me

I am not trying to hide

I was looking for some fabric

To help out a friend of mine. 

You see Lucy has a stocking from last year,

But Kit wasn’t around so let’s make one my dear.

I need some help because I am not good at sewing

But together we can work and figure out what we are doing

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 2:10 

In addition to making the stocking for Kit - we also spent some time talking about what it means to be God's creation and his workmanship.  It was a fun day of crafting together.