Ella's first swim

The last couple of weeks my sister and her family have been visiting from Texas, and Shaun was able to go over to her in-laws home a couple of days and take Ella swimming. Unfortunately, most days I was working, but I got to join in on the fun a couple of times at least.

Ella LOVED the water. She didn't even seem to mind it on the days the Texas kids thought it was too cold. Of course, her dad was right by her side the entire time, probably wishing she were just a little older so he could throw in her in the air. In time though, right?

We love you Michelle, Jackie, Katie, Nathan, Lacy, Sarah and Mike. We wish you lived closer, but appreciate you making the effort every summer to come spend time in Virginia. Attached are a couple of pictures of Ella (of course), but also of Michelle and the kids (after Mike had left for Singapore so maybe we can photoshop him in one of these days when I own and know how to use photoshop:)

Ella's First Feast!

This week marked a major milestone for Ella. Not only did little Ella go swimming in a big pool for the first time (which she absolutely loved... more photos to come on that one), but my gal also had her first feast. Maybe most of us wouldn't consider two teaspoons of rice cereal feasting, but for her little body that's quite the meal. That's right, move over soy milk, make room for something heartier! She just keeps getting cuter and cuter as that little personality begins to surface.

Tag, You're It!

Eight Random Thoughts:

1. My baby slept through the night for the first time last night. I'm thinking it probably wont happen again any time soon, but it sure would be nice!

2. Target is my happy place, and I wish I got to go there more often. I also wish I had more money to spend when I went there.

3. I love brownies (this statement speaks for itself)

4. My husband only has one year left of school, and I am planning a trip to Maui when he graduates. Where there's a will, there's a way!

5. Although I'm a social worker by day, I am thinking of transitioning to interior designer. Sure it may be a little less noble, but I can't help but walk into a room and envision the possibilities. I'd love to have someone else's money to spend to do it too:)

6. Did I mention my husband has one year left of school? So maybe I did, but this thought occurs often enough to mention it twice.

7. I love The Office. I can't help myself. I actually hate Michael but it's the Jim and Pam thing that keeps me glued! Dwight is very humorous too.

8. To my surprise, I have really gotten into this whole blogging thing. It's a great way to keep a family history, and have family and friends be involved even if they're farther away than we'd like.


RULES
1) each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2) people who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3) at the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4) don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.


I tag: Veeda, Stephanie, Heidi, Jen, Grace

Ella's New Swimming Pool

I'm not much of a writer like Becca, so without further adue... Ella and her new swimming pool.

Keep on keepin' on

Today's blog title is one of my favorite little sayings. I picked it up one summer when home from college and hanging out with some of my favorite friends at what we liked to call "the Warrenton Epicenter" (that was a nickname for my house, because there was really no where else to hang out in Warrenton). As was typical in those days, the phrase related to relationships. When heartbreak came, which it always did, we would say, "keep on keepin' on!" Today I am blissfully married, so I have to keep on keepin' on for a completely different reason. It seems that raising a four month old, working full time, supporting a husband in school full time, having a small part-time counseling gig, and having a husband who caddies whenever you're not working, as well as having very busy roles in church have left me to simply endure. Maybe next week my goal will be to endure well, but today it's simply endure.

Today is Saturday, a day I typically look forward to. But with Shaun having classes this morning followed by a day at the golf course working, Ella and I have been left to our own devises. I usually cringe at the idea of taking her out as it seems to not work so well with her little routine, but today I thought I would defy logic with whimsy because by golly I was in the mood to go shopping. Needless to say two hours later my whimsical side admitted defeat, and I returned home with a heavy heart, while Ella returned with a heavy diaper!

Despite our incredibly busy lives, there are still simple moments like having your baby fall asleep on your chest, or having her burst into laughter at the site of your smile, that make it all worth it. And even though she puts a slight damper into what otherwise could have been a great day of shoe shopping, I'm so grateful for the time I get with her. She's grown a ton, and I know I've been absolutely awful at posting photos of her (please see the above paragraphs as to an explanation:), so here I've posted a few recent photos for everyone to see! She's rolling over now and is getting so strong! I guess you could say she "keeps on keepin' on" too, and in all the right ways:)