Everett(J.J.), Isaac, and Waiting for a Baby

Philippians 4:6-7 " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

My parents left today after being here for 9 days, as I was cleaning, I had alot of time to stop and think. Without getting into the whole story, I was on the internet after Thanksgivng looking at Foster Children up for adoption. There was a little boy that captured my heart. One of the cutest things you have ever seen. His name was Everett. Long story short, because of alot of circumstances (the social worker contacted me today) I don't think Matt and I will pursue him. (It is not just him but he has a sister with alot of problems and they have to go together, among some other things.) I also looked up a boy named Issac that I am waiting on info. ( I haven't told Matt about him yet...Oops! Matt sometimes thinks that I have lost my mind, but he goes with it. It doesn't hurt to look.)

To be honest I am stuggling a little bit today ( I love the blog thing...it's my therapy, and my prayer list). When I get weak and doubt what God is doing, my mind quickly turns to Ivy Elliott. The most perfect picture of God's perfect plan, His faithfulness and Love. How can I doubt what God is doing when He has given me such a gift in Ivy? I couldn't have planned her better for my family myself!

As I'm anxious about completeing my family and wondering when that baby will come. I am so thankful for Scripture, That God wants me to lay my burden on Him and let my requests be made known to Him. I am thankful for His peace that passes MY understanding. I know that whatever He decides will be for My family's best interest and I WILL wait for that....it's just sad waiting sometimes. I'm so thankful that He has given me examples in my own life where He has been faithful. Thank you Lord for that! So.....I'm still growing....and waiting.

(picture of the day I met Ivy and held her for the 1st time. She was a couple hours old.)

Like Mother....Like Daughter

First of all....Happy New Year Everyone!!!! Here's a cute story.....On Sunday, I went to pick Ivy up from the nursery. Her teacher, Elisabeth, said,"I hope I'm not in trouble but Ivy kept taking my hand and leading me over to the box of donuts (that are for the nursery workers), she kept asking for a donut (even though she had breakfast at home before church)so...I took her and we hid in the corner while she ate the donut, then we give the children 2 crackers during nursery but she kept asking for more so...while the other children had 2 crackers, I gave Ivy 4." I took Ivy and walked away shaking my head....I have no idea where she gets that behavior from! Hee Hee! Happy New Year!

Ivy Turns 2!!

Christmas Eve, Ivy turned two. My mom and dad flew in from Iowa. It was a fun day. Matt and I woke her up by singing "Happy Birthday", then we went down stairs for breakfast and she saw her red vintage looking tricycle from Grandpa and Grandma Elliott. She loved it so much that she sat there and had breakfast on it. She thought she was hot stuff. I thought I was getting the flu so Hollie took her shopping and she had a nap at her house. Then when I got back from the airport we celebrated her birthday and opened presents. Next year she proubly wouldn't let me wait until dinner time to open presents! Daddy and I told her it has been the best two years of our lives!!! With her birthday and Christmas there were way too many presents for our townhouse!!!! I need to remember that for next year!

The Best Ice Cream Ever! (....a.k.a. Fat Mommy)

OK....Matt brought home the best ice cream ever from work. It is called "Graeter's". It is irresistable premium ice cream. We had the cookie dough and it was the best I have ever had. I need to find out where to get it....Now why is Ivy eating an ice cream bar you ask? The answer is that she wanted some of my Graeter's ice cream and Fat Mommy didn't want to share so I gave her a Healthy Choice Fudge Bar....I am just trying to promote healthy eating in my child.She stood in front of the mirror and watched herself eat it....I know...I know...but the Holidays are alomost over!

Ivy doing dishes

Today I was trying to get things done in the kitchen and Ivy was getting impatient so I let her do some dishes. Tonight I let her wash some more. She was doing great. I turned around to tell her good job and she was getting herself a drink from the faucet. Doesn't this remind you of the Thanksgiving picture? I really do feed my child!!!
Today was a fun day going shopping with Aunt Hollie. We love you Aunt Hollie!
By the way....Fat Mommy is still going strong! I am truly enjoying Holiday Goodies.....My pants are a different story...they are begging for more room. I ran into a lady that works at the gym at Baja Fresh of all places. I was tempted to hide but felt good when she recognized me. That means she didn't forget that I am a member! She said,"See you next week." I thought.....if your lucky! Hey, It's the Holidays!

Sarah and Ivy

We love Sarah! Sarah is Ivy's babysitter and today was her last day before Christmas vacation. Since Ivy's birthday is Christmas Eve, Sarah brought her birthday and Christmas presents. (Which was so nice of her and she didn't have to do). Ivy opened up her Birthday presents with Sarah. She got a Disney camera and a "My Little Pony". Sarah said that she was taking pictures like crazy!
Words cannot express how much we love Sarah and are so thankful for her. It is great to be able to leave your child with someone that you trust and who loves your daughter.
Sarah, we will miss you and see you after break! Have fun at home in Canada!
P.S. I didn't quite get around to brushing Ivy's hair today. Oops!

Ivy Elisabeth Elliott

Ivy....almost two. In the midst of a week full of discipline, reminders, trouble, training and sometimes frustration... I thought it was important to tell you what a joy you are to my life. Because you were born around Christmas, I almost wanted to give you the middle name Joy. Your dad stopped me because he thought 2 middle names were enough. But joy fits you. I think back to this week when we had some trying days of disipline and I wondered if you even liked me. Then as I put you to bed you reached up and squeezed me so tight I thought my head was going to fall off and you puckered up your lips to kiss me. As tears came to my eyes I knew that you were showing me how much you love me. Even though I wait for the day of hearing a trace of those words coming out of your mouth, this week that hug and kiss...those "lovies" were enough for me. I love you so much and besides my salvation and my relationship with your dad, you have been the greatest blessing in my life. I couldn't have picked a better daughter and only you could bring me to say,"Thank you Lord that I did not have a baby of my own." because then I wouldn't have you and my life would not be complete. You are a gift. I'm forever grateful for everyday we spent together. I can't wait for tomorrow's rainy day so we can spend the whole day inside, snuggling, kissing and having fun. I love you,Mommy