yeah, it's been a while

Hi everyone. If anyone even checks this :) Sorry I haven't been around to write. The summer is always crazy around here. Steve goes into warp speed around the house and Ella and I get to help. :) I have to go put Ella to bed now, but I promise I will write soon!!!

God loves to laugh

So as Ginger said on her blog, the retreat was wonderful, and I really enjoyed getting to know some new friends. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone in the world. That God loves to see us come together and spend time as His children. I bet He had a ton of fun watching us laugh and smile and have our hearts warmed by the love He pours out on us through other lives, and uses us to pour out love on others!
It's so crazy to think that He uses ME for good! What a cool thing to be able to do. You're awesome God!
So let's keep getting together and getting to know one another and let's see what He can do. He's got a wonderful sense of humor (look at a nake mole rat) and I know He loves to see us laugh as well!
Game night?

Women's retreat

So most of us grew up at GSCC and know about the infamous Women's Retreat. Well, this year I finally gave in and am going tomorrow. I am excited because I'm going to room with three young moms that are in my bible study group and Pam Vredevelt is speaking, which I have wanted to meet her for a long time and am excited to meet her.

I think what definitely NEEDS to happen though is a girls' weekend at the beach with all of us. I see you all here and there but I think it would be fun to get away, watch Arachnophobia with popcorn and play Racko. Nothing like the good ol' days.

Ella is continuing to be a cute as ever, and we're beginning to figure out she is a little version of Karina! Doesn't want to crawl, wants to walk. Is so aware of her surroundings and I think will have a bit of perfectionism in her. I saw Karina yesterday and told her. I think it's awesome, but Karina didn't seem to think so. :) oh well.

We like to torture her by making her do things we think are funny, but she doesn't always think so. I got all of her stuffed animals and surrounded her with them and put her halloween "chick" head on her. She wouldn't smile for me! I thought it was cute. She thought annoying.

Then last night Steve decided instead of changing her diaper, he would make a hat out of it. She liked that one a little better, but again I think we were much more amused.

Have a great weekend!

What's new with us

This is the upbeat blog with updates about our quickly growing daughter and what's goin on in our lives.

Ella is 7 months old now, which is crazy. She hates being on her stomach and only wants to hold on to your hands as she walks around everywhere. Steve's mom got her a walker that she sits in and cruises around. She likes to be chased around while she runs away and if I'm in our computer room, she will walk down to the door and peek in. She also loves looking at the cute baby in the mirror and talking to her.

She officially got her first tooth! My life is so exciting, I know. She's starting saying "da da da da", which Steve is convinced she knows she's saying it to him. I humor him and let him believe that, even though a couple weeks ago it was, "ma ma ma ma."

We are doing great. Steve is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, cause he's getting old and his body is worn out from doing the physical labor of an electrician. He's almost finished his degree in engineering, but the last time he took classes for that was before Iraq. He also is considering going to Alabama to train to fly helicopters. It's the same training that Jake Freshour went through and it's always been a dream of his. Last night he asked if I wanted to move to some warmer climate...

He also is going to Germany the end of April for his annual training through the Guard... lucky bum. And of course it will be during our 1 year anniversary, but there's no way I'm letting him stay home cause of that.

I have started teaching dance classes again and I'm loving it! It's so nice to get out of the house and talk to actual adults instead of baby talk.

Otherwise, we're just hanging out having fun!