Thank you notes from a Three Year Old

Even with our power out for part of the morning, today was a fun day. 

Ellie Kate and I wrote thank you cards for her birthday presents. I wrote the notes in ink pen. And then she would color them with her crayons. But she didn't only scribble on them. She would color over the words as if she was trying to write the words herself. And she found the "E" several times and would say "Ellie Kate!" where I had signed her name. I would say who the card was written to, and she would say their names again. 

At first, she told me to draw toothpaste, a toothbrush and floss. It was sweet, but unless you've seen us in the past two days, you'd have no idea why I'm drawing toothpaste on your thank you note... But you see, I went to the dentist yesterday. And they send you home with the standard mouth cleaning kit of toothpaste, a toothbrush and floss. And Ellie Kate's been carrying them around like treasures ever since. 

She also had me draw pictures on the cards sharing what's important to her and what's on her little mind. I drew a granola bar, and she colored it, saying, "I love gra-ola bars!" 

She wanted me to draw "Lightening McQueen's music." That's what she calls the soundtrack to Cars, and she wants to listen to it all. the. time.  

She handed me the bright red crayon and called it "Elmo's red" wanting me to draw "Elmo's piano." It took me a second since her little pink piano has Hello Kitty on it. But then I remembered that at the end of every "Elmo's world" episode, Elmo plays his piano. Then, she wanted "Ellie Kate's piano." So maybe his piano made her think of hers also. 

Oh, and I almost forgot, she had me draw candles and a cake and write "Happy birthday to you!" on one of the cards. She then sang the entire happy birthday song to herself. (This girl loves to sing!)

I loved seeing her mind work as she picked her crayons and said the colors. 

Maybe it's because I expected her to just color a few scribbles on the pages... Or maybe it's because I wasn't even sure if I would be able to keep her interested long enough to color on each of the thank you notes... But seeing her little mind open up was so special and precious. seeing the creativity and understanding the project we were doing. She's far more open and willing to share than most adults, myself included. She shares her hugs and kisses. She shares her joy. And she shares what's on her little mind, like loving granola bars!

I wanted to share the story because each card recipient gets a little piece of it to keep. And all together, they represent this amazing little girl who just turned three!

Operation Christmas Child 2013

Yesterday, we went shopping to fill our Operation Christmas Child boxes. It was so much fun filling our boxes and finding just the right gifts to put in them.  My sister, grandpa, mom, daughter, and I went out in the morning, and then Hubs, Baby Girl and I went back in the evening for Hub's box.  

I am overflowing with thankfulness and love and will cherish this memory! 

I wanted to find a little stuffed animal doggie for my box (for a little girl my daugther's age) because Baby Girl loves dogs SO much. I was disappointed in the lack of stuffed animals and prayed while I searched the toy aisles.  I started looking at some small Disney stuffed toys of Mickey, Minnie, etc. when I came across Lady the dog.  At first, I just thought, "Oh, this is so cute. Baby Girl would love this." Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks that this was the dog for my girl box! 

Later that night, one of the main things Hubs wanted was a soccer ball for his boy box because on all of the mission trips and countries he's been to, they always play soccer.  Low and behold there were smaller, real soccer balls that fit perfectly in his box! 

Hearing why everyone picked out what they picked was so encouraging and eye-opening. My mom picked an entire outfit from underwear and socks to a dress and shoes for her boxes. She chose this because as a child, one of her older brothers bought her an entire outfit when her dad died (she was a child at the time), which meant so much to her. I forgot about that story, but as soon as she said it, I remembered her sharing it before. She can still tell you exactly what that outfit and shoes looked like because they meant so much to her.  

I was so glad that my sister and grandpa came too.  Seeing their joy and giving.  My grandma passed away on Sept. 8th. So it's a blessing to include my grandpa in new memories. He told me several times that this was one of the biggest blessings that he's been a part of.  My sister has two boys but filled her box with tons of girlie Hello Kitty items.  It was busting with goodies. When I asked her why she chose a girl box, she said she rarely gets to buy girl things besides for Baby Girl and a sweet neighbor girl.  And she went all out girl style. And in her letter, she reminded the sweet child who will receive her box just how SPECIAL she is to God. 

The whole experience was so touching. 

I think I'm most blessed because I've been reading Franklin Graham's book about OCC. He wrote the book because they're celebrating 20 years and over 100 Million boxes delivered!! This book is filled with amazing, only God could do that, stories....from the receivers, to givers, to distribution planners, to how OCC came to be, to the importance of the logo, to those who follow up with the children and do Bible studies with them.  It's truly ALL God at work through His children.  I wish I could share every story with you. 

I recently prayed that God would use me for what He's doing.  I have no doubt that He put this book in my hand (and that prayer in my heart).  What a blessing to get to be a part of this amazing ministry! I would love to share this book with EVERYONE who wants to read it.  The good news is that it's on sale at LifeWay right now. 

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/operation-christmas-child-P005540523?intcmp=LWMain-Best4-OperationChristmasChild-20131104

"Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer." (Ps. 66:20)

p.s. I know a lot of friends already fill boxes for themselves or with their children. But if you're interested or this is the first time you've heard of Operation Christmas Child, check out www.samaritanspurse.org for all the details of how to fill a shoebox for a child. The children who receive these boxes are so grateful. For many, this is the first gift they've ever received. And with every shoe box, the child learns of the love of Jesus Christ. 

Also, it's not too late to fill a box for 2013. National Collection Week is Nov. 18-25, 2013. You can find where to drop off your box on their website as well.

24 Years of Service

We're so proud of Hubs' dad. Today is Papa Dan's last day serving as a fire fighter after 24 years of service.

Papa Dan is a name he received from the fire house. And it seems to be a pretty good reference to who Dan is to his fellow co-workers.

There was a luncheon today at the station. And we could not believe all of the trucks that came from surrounding stations to honor Dan.

Several firemen shared what Dan has meant in their lives. You could tell there were a lot of memories and a lot of respect. They shared about his character and witness and how Papa Dan has encouraged them not only in their work but also as men, husbands and fathers.

As his family, it was an honor to share this experience together. It was great to see all of his children so proud of him.

And it seems fitting that Papa Dan has decided to remain a part of the Pike Fire Fighters as chaplain.

*Top pics of Papa Dan in his fire fighter gear were taken by Jer.

**Just have to mention that I didn't get pics of all of Hubs' siblings. We didn't take these until the end and some had to get back to work/school.

Baby Girl turns ONE!

Above: Our one-year-old!

Above: Daddy made us pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

Today was such a good day. It was one of those perfect, we're gonna remember this for a long time after, kinda days.

Hubs took the day off work to celebrate Baby Girl's big day, and we went to the zoo. This was Baby Girl's first experience at the zoo, and we all loved being together outside with the perfect weather.

Even the drive to the zoo was fun.  We took our new to us family vehicle out for the first time. Plus Baby Girl moved up to a big girl car seat for the first time. I think she thought she was hot stuff. (I think we all thought we were hot stuff. :)

Above: Big Girl loving her new seat!

The zoo was so much fun that we all crashed and took a nap when we got home. It felt good to just enjoy our day together and not stress over how to accomplish the day or what to prepare for the next thing.

In the evening, the grandparents came over to celebrate. They all love Baby Girl a great deal and have been extremely supportive of us this past year. We are so blessed and thankful.

Above: First cupcake.  No problem. 

Above: Baby Girl knew how to get her present...

Above: ...and that there's something good inside.

Above: She even stopped to smile for the camera on her own.  I may have taken just a few pictures of this girl in her lifetime and told her to smile for me. 

As today approached, it has really made us think back to last year at this time. Hard to believe that it has been a whole year since the first time we held her in our arms. A year and a day ago, we were checking into the hospital to be induced.

And I have wanted to take Baby Girl to the zoo since even before that day. Since we knew we were having her, the zoo has been in my dreams to share as an experience with her. And today, it happened! And we had FUN!!

Baby Shower

Just before Easter, I was invited to a baby shower for a friend.  This was her third, and she already had a boy and a girl.  So, it was more of a girls' night.  And we had such a good time.  I wanted to share this experience for two reasons...

1. If you're looking for something fun to do with the girls that's stress free (no cleaning, cooking, etc.), have your event at The Flying Cupcake.  The one up in Carmel is a pretty good size.  Everyone bought a cupcake, sat around a large table for an hour and talked.  It was great!

2. It is so refreshing to get together with a group of women and be real! I loved not feeling any undertones of uncertainty or trying to out do each other.  It was just women being open and sharing and talking about real life.  I guess it was refreshing to be around people sharing about giving birth and having babies since I feel as if I've been in a cocoon for a while.  I've asked my friend if she would share her friends so we could do this again. I think the feeling was unanimous! :)

My friend the week before she had her baby girl.  

You can follow her amazing blog at messageinamasonjar.com.  

The current post on her blog shows pics of the new sweet babe and her other darlings.

The women at the "shower."

 If you haven't been to The Flying Cupcake. It's darling.  I love the shabby chic style. 

I saw their delivery van shortly after, and it cracked me up! The logo of the cupcake with wings is on top of the van.  You can't miss it! 

Organizing might be understatement

Recently, our house has been in an organizing frenzy.  

It all started with the kitchen pantry.  I was tired of seeing everything pushed around trying to make space for the baby food.  So I went to the only sensible place to go... The Container Store.

I had looked online and thought I knew what I wanted. But once there, I was overwhelmed with the selection and amazed by the vast amount of ideas you could get from the place.  I also thought I had narrowed down the options to two narrow shelf options. But once there, I knew neither would work.  That's when I went to the professionals.  The guy working with me was so helpful.  I was a basket case trying to decide which I wanted and if I wanted to pay more than what was originally in my mind.

But as soon as I got our new drawers home, they were a fit perfect.  I am now a huge believer in elfa! LOVE! And I can see myself slowly putting them in every possible space in the house! :)

(above right: pulling things out from the pantry and cabinets.
above left: new elfa system. Love.)

Once the baby food and pantry were all looking so fine, I felt that I needed to tackle the rest of the cabinets. It only took a few more trips of returning and getting more of containers that worked, and we were off and running.  And yes, I did the shopping, reorganizing and putting it all back in one day.  I like to finish what I start!

I have to remember sometimes that the mugs are by the coffee pot, but at least, there's room for the baby's items in an easy to reach place.

(Above: Organized pantry and elfa shelves. And after creating this pantry three and a half years ago, we now have pantry doors.  They're in the process of being hung.  We're so excited and will have more in a future post! Yes!!)

Once I finished this part of the process, I had a full on BITE from the Organizing Bug.  I've went on to organize every top closet in the house.  Baby Girl's room even got a little shuffling around of furniture to help it feel a little more spacious. Ha! :)

But one of the organizing places that has really made me happy is our new "Command Center."  I have been frustrated for a while with our kitchen table being the catch all.  As things come in the house, they just get dumped there.  And, I'm the biggest culprit!!

Well, I couldn't figure how to remedy the problem until I came across an inspiring article in Real Simple called "Organizing Challenge No. 3: the command center."

I wanted a place in the kitchen to pay bills, keep mail and post upcoming events.  Instead, we have places scattered between the bedroom and back office where we do some here and some there.  So, when the article suggested bookshelves, I knew I was on to something.

 You can see in the picture above that we already had shelves by our kitchen table, but there were mostly used for displaying dishes, cookbooks and pretty things.

But since reorganizing the shelves and creating the new command center, a great deal more has a new home.  I brought a few things up from the back office (i.e., stamps, envelopes, etc.) for paying bills. And we also have our own cubbies for current projects we're working on or reading...including one for those items that are always laying around to remember to give to someone else.

I added a basket to the table for when I don't have time to put everything away.  I can "dump" items in the basket until I have time to take care of it. That helps with keeping the table a little more tidy.

And we added a super cool magnetic pin board for upcoming events, invites, etc. However, it replaced the clock.  And that is one thing that I have had a hard time getting used to.

So when we recently came across this clock at Target (perfect feel for the kitchen and for my coffee-lovin' Hubs), I couldn't resist snatching it up at $20.  Now, I can have my cake and eat it too! or in Hubs case, coffee.