The Ellis Family

Waiting for results...

2011-04-24T20:39:00.003-05:00

So I told myself I wouldn't count down the days till Kiersten's test results came back on whether she has Alper's Disease or not. The doctor first said it would be 21 days, but then he said 21-28 days. I wasn't going to count. That would just make me a nervous wreck. But now I know, it's about the time I should be getting results back, a mama just knows. I don't know which day for sure, but I started getting prepared to get the results last Friday. I decided I would not let my fear, nerves, etc., get the best of me. I was going to spend the weekend with my family celebrating Jesus sacrifice for my life. We had a wonderful Easter weekend. Now that it's about to be Monday, I of course still have a little yucky feeling in the pit of my stomach, but at the same time, I feel at ease, Because He Lives. This has always been one of my most favorite hymns, all year long, not just at Easter time. I didn't hear it in church today, but those sweet words of this hymn were somehow whispered into my ear, Because He Lives.

Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives,
All fear is gone,
Because I know,
He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
just because He lives.

I love it how a particular song you haven't heard in a while can come into your life at just the right time. Amazing. It can only be the works of God. I feel God is hearing me and I know whatever news I get this week, everything will be okay because He lives!

May God bless you today the way He has blessed me!

Kiersten update and Birthday Pics!

2011-04-20T09:41:00.010-05:00

I know there are a lot of people wondering about Kiersten. If you don't already know, she was in the hospital a couple weeks ago for a little over a weeks time. Her seizures started back up after her medicine levels dropped. We were definitely a lot stronger this time around, because our God molded us to handle this type of situation last time we went through this. However, he's not quite done with us yet. This week sometime we should be getting some results on whether Kiersten has Alper's Disease or not. It's nerve-racking, but I know our God is so BIG and full of miracles, and I'm praying for that, a miracle. Please pray for the same! Her seizures have been under control since we left the hospital! She had about 50 while we were there, so the fact that the Doctor got a handle on them was a huge blessing! Reading about Alper's Disease made me feel so happy that my little girl has made it this far! So I feel this would be a great time as any to post some of her 2 year old birthday pictures!

The Decorations and food for My lil' monkey's monkey party!

Gotta Have Monkey Bread! Thanks to the MIL.

Monkey Cupcakes!Cookies that were in the goody bags!

I made this big coloring sheet! Great activity for 2 year olds!

She loves shoes so much!

Signing thank you for her presents!

Her Best Buddy!

Special thanks to my great friend Nikole for capturing all these pics of K's special day!

Update on Crazy Baby K!

2011-03-07T10:51:00.003-06:00

Well, last week Kiersten had 2 seizures while at school. They were very short, staring out into space-type. She had been sick the whole week prior with high fever and congestion that kept her from getting a full rest at night. So it is believed that is what triggered the seizures, but also in combination with as she gets bigger, she is naturally weaning herself off her medicines. We went for her neurology appointment (6 month check-up) and as the Doctor looked her over, he believes everything seems fine. She's a little more clumsy lately, but he said that's typical after the seizures and should go away soon. It definitely hasn't stopped her any, she's always on the go! We are going to have blood drawn today to have her levels checked and that will help the Doctor decide how much to up her medicine.

I'm so thankful we have medicine that can help keep these seizures under control. Even though it was a shock for me to face the fact that she still isn't seizure free and we have to start the 2 year countdown again to be off the medicine, it was a reminder that: she's doing much better than before and that God is still in control. I just can't forget that!

Look how much she has changed in one year! She was just so drugged up then!
Now she's so much better!! LOVE her!

This is the Stuff...

2011-02-21T14:24:00.004-06:00

Crazy, I know...2 blog posts in one day! I feel so very blessed, and I feel like I need to climb on top of my roof and scream it out loud. The furthest I went was facebook, though! I updated my status, pretty radical, I know! I posted that I'm thankful for the birds singing, but it's not just that they are singing. It's the fact that our amazing God created these beautiful little creatures that can chirp out such wonderful melodies. There is also something about the birds chirping that remind me that God created this huge world, but he also created me, and what am I going to do with His creations? Am I doing all that God has planned for me, right now, in this moment. I love it how our thoughts, and God's word, and the music we hear can all come together and makes sense as if it is God standing right before us saying, "Do you get it? Do you get this message I've been trying to give to you?" I'm thankful. I'm thankful for all the material things in my life. I'm thankful for all the laundry in my life. I'm thankful for a sweet, gorgeous, wonderful, loving, hard-working man that takes care of me. I'm thankful for my kids that drive me so crazy that I wonder, was there ever a time I was not crazy? I'm thankful for this gorgeous weather. I'm thankful for family members that love me. I'm thankful for Jesus who died for my sins. I'm thankful for my health, the fact that I can see God's beauty, my hearing that I can hear those sweet birds. I'm thankful that I get to hug my children everyday and tell them that I love them. No, I promise I'm not losing it at the moment. I'm just having one of those emotional moments where I feel overwhelmingly thankful for all that is in my life. The good and the bad. I'm finding joy in what God has for me. I heard this song today and it helps describe how I'm feeling! Enjoy! :)

Caleb's party

2011-02-21T12:54:00.010-06:00

On January 17 my oldest baby turned 8. This birthday kind of hit me hard, because it was that day that I realized, in just 10 short years he will be graduating high school. I have just those 10 years to make sure I raise Caleb into a young man God wants him to be to continue his future. Caleb chose to have a Dr. Seuss themed birthday party. I was so excited because last year it was Bakugan, see I already hear some of you saying Baku what? Anyways...we had his birthday party at the Selwyn School gym, where Beau works, and it was a great place for 9 boys to run around and not have to worry about anything getting broken! Here are the pictures from his party for the family members who couldn't make it.

Caleb with his welcome sign!
Thing 1 Thing 2 Cookies for favor bags!
I had Caleb and his friends take a picture (like the the pic below) for the thank you notes.
Here are the Thing 1 & Thing 2 cupcakes!
Green Eggs and Ham (sandwiches)
Red Fish! Blue Fish!

Pin the Hat on the Cat!
Crazy Carleigh!
My Baby K!
Caleb made out pretty well, I think!
I absolutely love planning my kids parties, sometimes it makes me wish I was a party planner! K just had her 2nd birthday this week so I will try to post pictures from that party tomorrow!

I'm backkkkk....

2011-02-03T17:15:00.012-06:00

Well, while I'm snowed/iced in with nothing to do! The last 3 days were going well, but now the cabin-fever is starting to settle in! I can't believe I'm about to say it, but I definitely am missing school. I know I will be eating those words later. We have had a great break though! Playing games, watching movies, and baking in the kitchen together! Carleigh had a high fever due to the flu (thankful she had the flue shot, which made the experience not so bad) so the break gave her the time needed to feel better. Hopefully Beau, Caleb, and I will be able to stay flu-free this season. Kiersten had it the week previous to Carleigh.

So, now that I took a year and a half off from blogging, I have so much to say and I guess I just need to find the time to blog all of it! :)

What has the Ellis family been up to?
Beau is still athletic director at Selwyn the private school here in Denton. He does a great job at what he does. He's finishing up with coaching the high school boys in basketball and will begin coaching soccer in March. He continues to play soccer with his friends on Sunday nights and any other times he can squeeze it in!

I am putting myself, yet again, through 15 hours of school this semester. I'm suppose to have 4 classes in the summer and start student teaching Fall of this year, and graduate May 2012. Just found out one of the classes I need during the summer is not offered. So...what am I to do? Well I was suppose to meet with my advisor tomorrow to find out, but they are closed now. It may or may not put me a whole semester off, but somehow I will get that degree in my hands one day. I am getting my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Grades 4-8 in Language Arts with an ESL certification. My schedule is so good this semester! I'm going to school on Tuesdays & Thursdays with one class on Wednesday afternoons. This leaves M/W/F during the day to do homework so I'm not having to struggle with the balancing of school and being mom. So I think this semester might go a lot easier than the last...I'm hopeful anyways! :)

Caleb just turned 8 in January! With this birthday came the realization that he will be graduating high school in just 10 short years! *tear* He is such a great big brother and am so proud of him. Caleb is doing very well in school and he loves it! He's going to be tested for the gifted and talented program (EXPO) in the next couple weeks. He will also start soccer practices to get ready for the Upward soccer season in March. He keeps busy with all the books he's reading. He loves all the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' books.Carleigh, oh our crazy little 4 year old! She's so humorous these days! She is all about being a princess, and obsessed with getting married! Really??? She continues to ask me about when she can get married to her prince and wear a pretty white dress. Carleigh also is doing very well in school. The teacher told us at her conference that she is so advanced and she has never done this before, but wants to start working with Carleigh on reading. (This is the 3 year old class) She loves her brother and sister so much! She always wants to just be with her brother and a little mama to Kiersten.Kiersten is doing so great! She has now been 1 year free of seizures! We feel so grateful that she is doing so well. She still isn't talking, but has definitely found her voice over the last couple months. We are slowly working on the potty training thing. The other two kids were pretty easy to potty train, Kiersten however, is S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N!! Good thing she is so stinkin' cute! I think she know she is the baby of the family. Her personality is coming out so much and her facial expressions are priceless!Here's a picture from when we saw Beauty & the Beast the other day!

Tomorrow I will be confined in the house yet another day, so you just might get lucky and have back-to-back blog updates! :)

Blakes Birthday at the Ellis house

2009-08-03T04:02:00.006-05:00

It's something about when we all get together, we are goofy. We have had two cake fights, yes in the middle of Lori's kitchen and she was in it too! Well, maybe not the first one. We just always seem to cut up and have a great time, even when melting toy soldiers and sticking them to the balcony posts at Russ and Lori's old house. So even just having a birthday dinner was fun! It all started when we saw the brownie cake ready to be eaten. I believe Beau and BJ were making a smiley face with their fingers. Beau was trying to cut something so I "fixed" it and made into a star.

I sat down and showed Blake. I pretended that I was going to put my whole hand into it. That's when he proceeded to smash my hand in it. Yep, that would be my handprint.Russ took the cake away from us, but then tricked Carleigh some how and got some on her head. This picture is also funny to me because you can see that BJ has taken ownership of her little drumset! I'm guessing she was being a bit loud!Tarynn adding her print!

Uh-oh, Lori's comingShow the cake real fast!Lori, "What did y'all do?"
Happy Birthday Blake!
And, yes, we still ate the brownies!

Iowa Trip

2009-08-03T03:03:00.011-05:00

Beau's grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and we went up to Iowa for the anniversary party over 4th of July! It's always neat getting to see everyone again! I definitely married into a wonderful family! So with all three kids in tow we drove the 13 hours to get there. The kids did great! Here are some of the pictures from that weekend!

This was a night on the town:
Uncle Bob, Aunt Shelby, their gorgeous daughter Megan and her honey David

Me and Beau's Aunt RhondaMama Ellis and her amazing daughter-n-lawsOh good grief, the engaged!
Blake acting like we are just too crazy to take a picture with!Me and my Sister-n-law (Tarynn) in a week!!From Left to Right: Cousin Taylor, Tyler (Jenna's bf), Cousin Jenna, and Blake All night long, it was fun to try to mess up any picture I took. I only put a selected few up, but I had many more.
BJ's Hand

Thank you BlakeOh, and thank you BJAgain, BJ, and what, no smile Lori?? Look at Blake smiling and looking all normal in the background!
Oh sweet kiddos! They really do love each other!

Watch out, Carleigh is driving by herself!Sweet Ava serenading us!Beau and his Aunt HeatherAunt Shelby and Baby K The humidity really brought out Carleigh's curls!

He didn't know I could capture his goofy side so fast with my camera! He was pretending that was his pacifier!

Me with Grandpa Ellis! Love him! Sad I didn't have a picture with Grandma Ellis :(Watching Fireworks Carleigh saying, "Wow" after every firework!She liked using the little Norwegian cup!
Apparently Carleigh gets carsick! She looks so pathetic. We of course were a few miles away from the nearest gas station.Got her cleaned up and she was fine!

One of those "God is truly amazing" moments. Isn't this so pretty?

I know, it's like I disappeared!

2009-08-03T02:40:00.005-05:00

So be very prepared for lots of pictures! I feel so behind on blogging. I guess I'm just not one to stay caught up as others. Here it is, almost 3 in the morning (I couldn't sleep, thanks to my nap earlier this afternoon) and I found myself just looking at other blogs, facebooking "stalking", when I realized I could actually be updating my blog. So now I'm at the fun part, when I think, how far back do I really need to go, because I'm just that behind! Kiersten has changed so much, and we have just had a LOT of stuff going on lately. I will try to go in order of what I remember to have taken place first. This was a random visit out to my Aunt Robin's house before we left for Iowa.

Here is Kiersten with her GiGi (My Nana)

Smiling with Great Aunt Robin

Worn out some other random day!

For some reason I just love the carseat pictures!

The next few pictures were after church one Sunday! We were color coordinated so of course had to take some pics.
Carleigh cheezin' it up!

My Sweet Caleb!Gotta love a squishy baby!!

Random pictures from March & April

2009-04-17T10:54:00.009-05:00

Beau's Casino Night at his the school he teaches at!

Playing a little bit of Texas Hold 'em!

Big brother Caleb burping Kiersten! I love added touch of the boppy in this picture!

Before school one day! Check out all of Caleb's poses in all these pics! My little model!

Julie I still LOVE that picture in the background that you took of me and Beau!

Who knows with this one!!

The copy cat in the family!

This is Kiersten's tummy time after 5 minutes, nap time!

Aunt Kristen helping Carleigh feed the baby! "Like this Aunt Kristen?"

Kiersten just staring at the animals above her!

Carleigh and her, "Backpack, Backpack." She is quite proud of it!

The hat she suckered me into buying for her! She loves Dora right now!

I love taking pictures of them at the start of the day!!

She really does love her bath time now!

Happy Girl! This was actually just yesterday!

Big Bow Time!

Spring Break!

2009-04-15T17:14:00.008-05:00

We had a wonderful Spring Break! My favorite day was when Beau and I took Caleb and Carleigh out! We had not had any alone time with just the 4 of us since Kiersten had been born. Since my good friend Trisha told us how much fun she had taking her son to the Children's Museum in Dallas, I thought that would be a great place to go! Who knew there was other places to take your children besides Chuck-E-Cheese or McDonalds??? HA! Caleb said he had fun, but did inform me that Chuck-E-Cheese would have been closer! After the Children's Museum, we went to Rainforest Cafe. Probably would have rethought this if we knew how long we would be waiting to get in! Once there, we had a great time though!

Looking for Dinosaur bones!

Blowing Big Bubbles!

My little fireman!

Exploring the farm!

HAHA!! Milking the cow!

They always smile good with Daddy!

This is what I get! Gotta love 'em!

Carleigh only wanted to hold Calebs hand while we were walking the mall! Thought it was so sweet!

Caleb trying to wait patiently to get into the Rainforest Cafe, I mean you can only look at the store for so long!

The two handsome guys in my life!

Trying to keep her entertained while, you guessed it, waiting!!

They are just so photogenic!!

Me and my first daughter! Wow, that sounds weird!

Now, you can't go here with kids without order the Sparkling Volcano!

I know you want to see us all enjoying it! It was quite yummy!!

Going for the big bite!She was REALLY enjoying it!

Carleigh makes me laugh!

Figured out later the camera lens was fogged up from the mist from the rainforest! That's why these are blurry!

Carleigh is just so sassy!

Wonderful blessings of mine!

2009-03-25T19:35:00.010-05:00

Here are some new updated pictures since Kiersten, of course has already changed! Can't believe she's already a month old and getting so big!

First time Caleb held his new baby sister!

One of the first pics with all three kiddos together! Love them!! God is so good!

She wasn't happy with her first sponge bath at home! She now is happy during bath time!

Carleigh doing her regular check-up on the baby!In her wonderful boppy!! Thank you Laura!

Ready to go!

First time he fed his sister!

His hand seemed so big next to hers!

Big Sister always wanting to hold her "Baby Kisstin!"Mimi & Kiersten
Sleeping soundly in the bassinet! I love when they throw their arms up like this!

Gotta love the cheeks!

Great Aunt Rita & Great Grandmother (Gigi) with the girls!Carleigh feeding Kiersten for the first time!Proud Uncle Blake stopping by!A few photos from Aunt Robin after her visit!

We are truly blessed!

2009-03-20T23:42:00.008-05:00

Yes, it is me and I survived yet another natural childbirth!! I didn't forget about my blog! Its amazing how busy you get after having your third child! I have wanted to update this forever, but the minute I sit down, I actually just want to sit, or maybe sleep! On February 16, I was blessed with my 8lb 4oz. baby GIRL Kiersten Marie who was 19 inches long! As I type, she is now realizing I'm getting something done on my to-do list and starting to wake up!! That is perfect timing, just like a new baby!! :) But I will take every bit of it!! Anyways, gotta make this quick! We were definitely surprised! Those who don't know, we waited the 9 months to find out what the sex was! I think everyone should do that!! It was very exciting!! The entire family took a poll before I had Kiersten and everyone raised their hand to say it was going to be a boy! Beau and I were in shock for at least a couple days! It was a wonderful surprise! So here are some pictures from that day!

Beau and I waiting for the pitocin to bring on the pain.

Beau & Caleb waiting...

Carleigh waiting...

The kiddos seeing Kiersten for the first time!

Beau and My Amazing Dr.

Mimi & Kiersten

Nana with all her grandchildren

Proud Uncle Blake

Big Sister couldn't wait to hold a real baby!

Our little copy cat with Aunt Kristen!

Great Aunt Robin with KierstenOur Newest Blessing

Close Up!

Going Home Outfit

Carleigh looking in on Kiersten!

Just a quick note to Jennifer! Don't believe everyone when they say the third is the quickest! My labor with Kiersten was the longest! But I will pray it is quick for you!! Congratulations on being in your 3rd trimester!! Getting closer!

Justing waitin'

2009-02-09T19:15:00.003-06:00

Well I'm closer to my due date! I was suppose to have a sonogram before my Dr. appt. this morning, but both ladies that perform the sonograms were out sick. So it is rescheduled for Wed. I was ready to see how big the baby was from the sono though, because that was going to tell the Dr. whether he wanted to go ahead and induce or not. I've gained 2 lbs in the last week and baby's heartbeat sounds great. GUESS WHAT?? I have made it to 3 cm dilation!! All by myself!! No medicine!! Okay, maybe I'm kinda going overboard, but with both Caleb and Carleigh I never went passed 2 cm until I was induced! So it's sorta a big deal for me! I'm only 25% effaced though, so there is still work to be done! I went walking tonight to maybe help speed up the process. Braxton Hicks or actual contractions?? Don't know, but they are way more intense, so I know it shouldn't be too much longer! Still irregular though. If I make it to my Monday Dr. appt. then I will set up a time and day to be induced! I'm very much ready now, bags are packed, camera and ipod charged, kids valentines all ready for their parties, house is clean, laundry done, etc. Just waiting now....

Christmas pics, Caleb's Party, & Prego Update

2009-01-28T10:28:00.012-06:00

Okay.... FINALLY an update!! I know some of you were wondering where I have been! I've been cleaning and sleeping. Back and forth. I don't know whether I'm in the "nesting stage," or the very fatigued stage! They both come and go! Just think with my lack of blogging I'm getting you use to how often I will be blogging when the baby comes!! Maybe I should teach Beau how to get on and update this thing!! First I'm going to start with a couple of Christmas photos that I said I would put on here a while ago.

Christmas Eve with the Ellis Family

Christmas morning-Caleb's scooter from Santa

Carleigh's "Scary" Baby from Santa-I can now report she's playing with it now!!Putting together the legos Caleb got from sister!Christmas at Mimi & Pappy's house!!The ornament Caleb picked out for Pappy!Mimi & Carleigh at Aunt Robin's- Robin had fun with this picture!

Caleb had his 6th birthday party on the 17th. He had requested for a surprise party. So I had him come in like 5 minutes after everyone else had arrived. He loved it! He wanted to have people jump out and yell surprise! Of course he told me after the kids had their invites. So it was fun talking to the parents a week before the party, the "surprise" plan. We had just a few boys from his class come to the house for his Mario party. I made a Mario so we could pin the hat on the Mario. It was simple, we had cake, presents, and then silly string! It would have been nice if someone told me that the boys would love silly string, but it would be gone in like 5 minutes! I was planning for it to take up 30 minutes. God blessed us with a gorgeous day to be outside for that silly string, so I threw out some balls and they went nuts playing soccer and then tag!! The kids seemed to all have fun!!! Here are a couple of pics from that day!

Believe it or not, Caleb was actually surprised!!The boys were pumped for picture time!My little Mario!!

The silly string that lasted maybe 5 minutes!

So I now have 3 1/2 weeks to go!! It's the big countdown!! At my 34 week appt. (6 weeks left) I had a sonogram, baby looked great, we still don't know the sex!! (Starting to drive me crazy, now that I'm trying to get things prepared) I know the surprise will be so worth it though!! They were also able to see about how much the baby was weighing that day. The baby was 5 1/2 pounds! Doctor Wilson said that day that he will probably want to induce me at 38 or 39 weeks because if not, I might have a 10 pounder!! I thought Caleb was big at 9lbs. 2oz.!!! I think it would be great if he induces at 39 weeks, that would be on Valentine's Day!! Of course, any day will do! Just a healthy baby is what I'm wanting!! My most recent doctor's appt was on Monday, (going weekly now), I gained 3 more pounds and am measuring 1 cm larger. I'm actually shocked that this is the first time for me to measure big with this one. I always measured larger with Caleb and Carleigh. Since I am now he has already set up for a sonogram at 38 weeks so we can see the size of the baby. I can't wait to see how much the baby is weighing when 4 weeks prior was 5 1/2 pounds! Just makes me think of having the sonogram the day before Caleb was born and the sono said he was 8lbs 10oz. and he came out bigger!! Here's a pic of me at 36 weeks, even though Beau says I already look bigger.

Just a few things to melt the heart!

2009-01-05T21:54:00.003-06:00

We had such a wonderful Christmas! I will post pictures soon! Caleb got his Spiderman scooter, so we woke up early Christmas morning with him riding into our bedroom shouting, "Look what Santa got me!" Carleigh loves putting her babies "night, night." So Santa thought it would be a clever idea to get her a baby that actually closes it's eyes when laid down, and open when she's up! Didn't know a baby like that would terrify her. She barely makes her way over to another toy if its next to the "scary baby." Good job Santa! I had such a great time with the 4 of us all being together! Only 7 more weeks until this little family of 4 grows to 5! I feel so blessed that God has given us 2 beautiful, healthy children and that He has chosen to give us another child! I'm blessed that I have these children to love on, but also feeling their love for me as well is incredible! My most favorite thing though, would be seeing Caleb and Carleigh loving on each other. Walking into the living room and Carleigh (blankey in hand) leaning up against Caleb, with him choosing to have his arm around her while watching cartoons. Or just the simple hug and kiss before bedtime. Carleigh will get upset if we're trying to put her to bed and she hasn't given kisses to her "Caebu"!

Angels we have heard on High!!

2008-12-21T11:10:00.002-06:00

I'm not doing too well on this blogging everyday thing, am I?? With class parties and baking this last week, it's been sorta crazy! The saddest part for me is that I haven't been able to read other peoples blogs, which is my favorite thing to do!! So today, I thought I would combine some ornaments and decor to play a little bit of catch up! Anyone who knows me, knows my love for angels! When mom let us go pick out an ornament, I fell in love with this angel ornament, the clay type. Something about those clay ornaments, I love! They are so unique to me! So I have ended up with a bunch of these on my tree!
I found this cookie jar one year after Christmas, during the big sales! I thought I would get it ahead of time to give to someone for Christmas the following year, but of course when the next Christmas came around, I loved it too much. What's on it?? A clay Angel! I just wish I could change the Happy Holidays to Merry Christmas! That's all I have to say about that!My first Christmas as a Mama!! My mother-n-law gave this to me! I love it! The star that floats behind it says, "Angels are mommies with wings." With the way I took the picture you can't see the wings on the mommy, but they are there! I always think of how special that first Christmas with Caleb was, watching him open up his first set of Christmas gifts! So this holds a lot of memories for me! Thank you Lori!Another Angel ornament that I love!! I believe Beau and I were together for our second Christmas during our dating years. We were having our Christmas with his parents, and remember I'm just the girlfriend. So I felt extremely special when Lori pulled out gifts from under the tree from Beau's grandma Ruthie, and there was a gift for me!! Lil' ol' Me!! I don't know if she knew my love for angels, or she just happened to get it right, but this was definitely special to me. It still is!! I felt so loved! I just love the memories that can flash when you pull one item out of your Christmas boxes!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care!

2008-12-16T11:00:00.002-06:00

These stockings are so special to me! Every year I'm so excited to put them out, and actually I make sure I'm the one that gets to put them out! I love looking at them! Beau's mama made each of these for us! So when Beau and I were married I got my very own cross-stitched stocking! Definitely made me feel like part of the family! Lori has a talent! She knows how much I love angels, so she did good! This picture doesn't quite do them justice! They are so detailed! So, this is my favorite decor for today!

Hey Santa!

2008-12-15T12:23:00.003-06:00

So one of my favorite things to do this time of year is get the new picture with Santa!! This was going to be one of my favorites to blog about one day this week, so here is my frame that holds the "Santa" picture! I love it! Didn't love the price I paid though! Love those prices in the mall to smile with Santa! This picture is from last year!

Are you ready to see this years??

Here it is...Christmas picture with Santa 2008!!

I love these to adorable kiddos! My little model boy Caleb and Carleigh, so upset, but doesn't she look pretty!?

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, really, I am!

2008-12-12T07:58:00.002-06:00

These ornaments are from my dear friend Jessica! I can't remember for sure which Christmas it was from, but I'm pretty sure it was in our stage where we thought it was cool to where a white t-shirt and jeans with a flannel shirt tied around out waist, along with socks and birkenstocks. Haha...those we're the days! Did you make these Jess? You were always so creative! I love them, they bring me back to my youthful days when all we listened to was Jesus Freak by DC Talk!! Bet you didn't know that two of my favorite ornaments were from you Miss Jess!

Oh Santa, you were good to me!

2008-12-11T10:38:00.003-06:00

I mentioned that I would also be including Christmas decorations along with posting my favorite ornaments. This is my Velveteen Rabbit! I saw it and wanted it so bad for Christmas when I was maybe...8 or 9. That same Christmas I wanted the Super Nintendo. Santa had left them both for me on Christmas Day! I love this Velveteen Rabbit! Santa could have probably gotten away with leaving only this for me! I get excited all over again when I pull it out of many Christmas boxes! It was neat this year to see Carleigh's excitement. She plays with it at times, but those times are very limited! Look how good it looks still and I've had it for awhile!!

Congratulations Bryan & Heather!!

2008-12-11T07:43:00.005-06:00

I have been away from blogging, but I have been busy! One of my closest friends went in on Monday to be induced to have her little girl! So on Dec. 8 little Miss Finlee Avis arrived! 7lbs 12 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long!! She is just beautiful!! I have been ready to have my baby just because of feeling uncomfortable, but after meeting Finlee I'm extremely eager to meet my own now! Plus then I can hold my baby all I want! For some reason Heather and her family just won't let her go!! HAHA!! I will show you pictures and you will see why! I'm so proud of Heather!! This is her first baby, so you're usually a little nervous, but she did great!! Oh... and good job Bryan because without you I guess there would be no beautiful little girl. I suppose you did help some! LOL So I will stop talking now and show some pictures!!

Modeling the hospital gown prior to Finlee's arrival!

The proud parents!!The generation picture! Heather's mom and memaw!The Beautiful Finlee!! Welcome little girl!!

My goldfish Daphne!

2008-12-08T07:57:00.003-06:00

Is this so me or what?? I am the one that bought this for myself! I saw it at the store one day and fell in love with this prissy goldfish! I don't know if you can tell but she's got ruby red glittery lips! I love the Christmas tree right smack on her head! She should have cut back on the eyeliner though! Oh, and yes, I have named her! Daphne is one of my favorites!

Awe...memories from ornaments!

2008-12-06T11:51:00.003-06:00

This is an ornament from my mom! She gave it to us obviously the year Caleb was born. It was really neat to have our first "family" ornament. When I see this though I think of our first Christmas together as a family. Most of you know that Beau and I didn't live together until we had married, (Caleb was 18mths.) so when Caleb was almost 2 we had our first Christmas with the 3 of us together. That was a special Christmas for me!

Happy Birthday Mama!

2008-12-05T09:58:00.004-06:00

Today my mom is one year older! I'm so happy to have such a wonderful, loving mother! She is definitely a best friend and I don't know what I would ever do without her! I look up to her and hope that I will have her wisdom one day! Thank you for all you do in my life mama! I love you!!

Jessica's copy cat! :)

2008-12-05T08:28:00.006-06:00

Okay...I know I don't get to update my blog daily, so this won't be an everyday thing for me. I have started at least checking the blog everyday because I want to see what Jessica and her mom list as their special ornament for that day. So...I want to participate as well! The only thing different I will be doing is also including some of my favorite decorations that are around the house! For my very first ornament I want to share with you will be...
It reads: Together Forever Chelsey & Beau! After we had been together just a little over a year while dating, it was our 2nd Christmas and I gave this to him! I love looking at it and remembering that I knew for sure he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with! Haha, whether he liked it or not I said together forever!! This is my all time favorite one to hang each year! Well, now I feel like I need to include a picture of us! I love this man God blessed me with!!

Ellis Fam Lately...

2008-11-30T16:37:00.006-06:00

We have had such a great break! A lot of family time together, which I love!! We had a great Thanksgiving day with both my family and Beau's family together! Lots of great food and memories! We even managed to get the dads to play catch phrase with us! Another day during our break we packed a picnic and took the kids to the park! That was fun for a our little family of four! For the first time, we decorated the house, Christmas Style, before Thanksgiving. I'm not big on doing this, but my hubby wanted to clean out the attic his first day of break. Who knows why, but he did. So while having everything down from the attic, we figured it would be best to go ahead and put out Christmas decor. We did wait to decorate the tree though. After family pictures last Saturday we came home and decorated the tree while in our attire from the pictures.

Carleigh the little helper!

Caleb putting the first ornament up!Daddy helping Carleigh out! Caleb's got it down!Carleigh thinks you attach the ornament to the light!Now she gets it! After every ornament being hung, she yells, "Got It!"Caleb got a hold of the camera!Daddy helping with the high points!I had been seeing it all day and couldn't resist taking a picture!Hmmm...wonder where Carleigh was hanging ornaments....Caleb was excited about hanging the star!

On the 5th day God made the birds to GLIDE ACROSS THE SKY!!

2008-11-22T11:50:00.009-06:00

So let me tell you about my morning yesterday!!! Carleigh's time to be at preschool is 9 am. I told the teachers I just can't do that, so I made my new time of arriving at her school 9:15. Because it's just a preschool, they really don't care, but at least I'm consistent on the 9:15 time. They were having a Grandparent's Tea yesterday, beginning time: 9am. I was bound and determined to make it there on time, because I didn't want grandparents waiting on little Miss Carleigh. I felt I was doing good on my schedule, getting myself and Carleigh ready for the day. I was getting Carleigh's clothes out and I heard an AWFUL, LOUD NOISE! It continued...I knew the weather got a little colder over the night and it had been windy, but I didn't remember anything about sleet in a weather report. It sounded like really loud sleet, hail, or something like that. Did I say that it was loud?? It caught me off guard and really scared me. I made my way out of Carleigh's room and look out the open window across the living room. It looked clear outside. I was confused....I still heard the noises and realized that the sound was coming from my right. I turned into my kitchen and looked up. That's when I saw it...it was huge...right on top of my skylight, but wait, there was like 4 more of them!!! Yes, it twas... a BIG BLACK BIRD right smack in the middle of the skylight!!! Maybe big isn't right... HUGE!! It totally scared the heebie jeebies out of me!!! I was able to do what you're suppose to do in this sort of crisis situation, grab your cell phone and take a quick picture, run out of the kitchen because you know they are trying to make it in through your skylight to come in and peck your eyes out or something. Okay... maybe not that extreme, but the thought did cross my mind. I remember when I was little I wanted to see a scary movie, I was probably like 10. My mom said, "Oh I have a scary movie for you, it scared me when I saw it, it was "The Birds." So I watched this "scary" movie and thought how lame! It didn't scare me at all when I was younger, but it's funny how now when things like this happen I can now be scared because of this movie. Haha, thanks Mom! Seriously though, if you would have heard the constant pecking and clawing to my skylight, which I'm sure is just hard plastic, I just knew they were going to be swooping their way in any moment. I'm including the only picture that I could get, and the black thing is just the head of one. They were huge!!! Thankfully they didn't make their way in. So long story longer...I didn't make it to Carleigh's school till 9:10. Grandparents weren't totally shocked that I was late, but teachers were surprised that I made it 5 minutes early. HAHAHA!!!

Prego Update

2008-11-17T21:46:00.003-06:00

I had my doctor check-up today and all is going great! I have gained 4 lbs in the last month. That's really good for me since I'm the one that tends to gain double that in one month!! I'm measuring 27 centimeters, so 1 cm larger then I'm suppose to be, but I have always measured larger!! Doc didn't seem to mind! I did the glucose test today! So yummy orange drink for me! I'm thankful it's never bothered me to drink that! It taste like a Sunkist that's gone a little flat. Luckily for me, I like Sunkist and I'm majorly craving it during this pregnancy! Which brings me to another thought... I really hope my love for Sunkist and Welches Grape Soda didn't have any effect on my glucose screening. They each have 53 grams of sugar in each can!! So yesterday I refrained from having one! This morning I decided to eat a couple of bowls of oatmeal instead of my 3 bowls of frosted flakes! I was pretty proud of myself! The baby is moving like crazy, haha, probably from all the sugar intake! Caleb was just watching my stomach yesterday in awe and he said, "Mama, that's so weird." I think he was pretty amazed by it! I have to also brag about my doctor for a minute!! He is so amazing and you can just see the love of Christ in him! He is a wonderful man, and I'm so fortunate to have a doctor with my same beliefs! Normally people don't like to wait to see their doctor, but for me it can be a treat! If we're waiting to see him, it's usually because he is delivering a baby! You can see his love and passion for what he does. After he delivers a baby he comes back so energized and even more excited about life then before!! Shouldn't we always be this excited about life??? God gives us this one life to live, why not be happy during it? I definitely have a lot to be happy for!! I'm so thankful for a gracious God who loves me unconditionally, this healthy pregnancy, my 2 healthy adorable children, an amazing husband, my loving supportive family, and a wonderful doctor who isn't just about making money, but who is genuinely interested in my life, health, and my baby! Thank you Dr. Marc Wilson for your awesomeness!!!

Finally some Halloween pics!

2008-11-13T16:15:00.008-06:00

Here are the pics from the kiddos trick-or-treating! We were able to go with Beau's Uncle Randy and Aunt Heather with their two adorable children Ava and Bradyn! It was great!! So, I know I'm kinda late on these, but here ya go!

My pretty pink poodle!

My Incredible Hulk!
Are they cute or what??
Little Miss Super Girl Ava! Can we say gorgeous?!

Bradyn the Chicken with those pretty baby blue eyes with proud daddy!!

Getting some candy! Carleigh kept picking everything out with peanuts and she's allergic!!

Doing a chicken dance maybe??

Cuties!!

Ava, Momma Heather, & Carleigh

I love this picture!

Ode to my Father-N-Law

2008-11-08T14:56:00.006-06:00

It came to my attention that I had not said a thank you to my father-n-law, Russ for all his help with Lori's party! He helped a lot, in providing the food, which was a BIG weight off my shoulders! So here's a special thank you to you!!

Thank you Russ for helping with Lori's big day;

Without you there would have been no other way!

You provided all drinks and great food,

and you were even in a good mood!

So thank you Russ;

For never throwing a fuss!

With you I always have a ball;

I couldn't ask for a better father-n-law!

Lori's 50th BDay Party

2008-11-05T20:55:00.010-06:00

HAPPY 50th Birthday Lori!!! So I threw a surprise party for my mother-n-law's 50th birthday and of course it never ends up being a surprise, especially for Lori!! HAHA!! She figures everything out, but it was fun planning everything! I think everyone had a really good time! I know I did! It was a great turnout! Lori has a lot of really wonderful friends. Beau's Uncle Randy and Aunt Heather drove all the way from Iowa with their two precious little ones, Ava & Brayden! Now that is a lonnnnggg trip! It was so sweet that they came though!! Phyllis & David flew in from out of state just for Lori and I thought that was really sweet!! So thank you to all the people that came to the party and a special thanks to Beau for helping me out and keeping me sane before the party. Thank you Miss Tarynn and Heather for helping me set up for the party! Oh... BJ & Blake thank you for doing whatever I barked at you to do!! It really did help!! So finally here are some pics from that shindig!

The Food!

I had pics all over the house of Lori and her life thus far!

The yummy cake!!

Lori the Bee!

Lori's Buddies!

Randy and Beau (a blind referee)

My two dads-Russ the other Bee and my dad Spock!

David, Phyllis and Aunt Sandy!

Blake, Tarynn, & BJ

Uncle Randy & Cutie Pie Bradyn!!

My mom (the prairie lady) and dad with my Carleigh, who refused to put on a costume!

Me (I'm a fat little girl) & Miss Tarynn!!

Heather & Bradyn!!!!

Tarynn and Caleb the Hulk!

BJ and Tarynn flirting!! Haha!

Me with the parents!

Cute!

Lori blowing out the candle in the birthday cake that she makes us blow out for all our birthdays! It was payback! Ha!

Lori saying thank you for the party! LOL Now I really look like a fat kid!

Oh the kids having fun!!

That's not the end of the party, but my battery on my camera said it was exhausted, so it wouldn't take anymore pictures!

Gotta love these kiddos!

2008-10-29T16:17:00.020-05:00

Carleigh is going to be a great little mommy to this new baby. It really makes me smile to watch her with her baby dolls. She carefully supports the head as she brings the baby to her chest, and gently pats the baby's back while saying, "Shhh, it's okay baby." I never tried to encourage tv watching, but do allow the kids to watch some cartoons to allow the chance to get supper started, etc. Carleigh never watches tv though, never really seemed interested in any show. I have noticed that she is glued to the tv with a couple of shows though, Baby Diaries, Baby Story, Bringing home baby... are we seeing a trend? Well, I saw her doing something today, that she must have gotten from one of these shows. She repeatedly readjust the baby onto her chest, you know when the baby starts slipping, or wiggles a little bit, and you have pick the baby back up and re-lay the baby on your chest? That's what she does, but not every once in awhile, but over and over again! I love it! I just probably won't be able to leave Carleigh in the same room with the new baby without adult supervision.

I went to Caleb's school to eat lunch with him today! I loved how his face lit up when he saw me, wait...was it him seeing me or the McDonalds in my hand??? I may need to reevaluate that. I knew I was going to eat lunch with him one time this year, but wasn't really in a rush, until Caleb asked me to come see him for lunch. It made me feel so special. I know I need to take advantage of it now to come see him, especially in front of his buddies, because I'm sure things will change in the years to come. They had a couple of tables reserved for kids and their parents in the cafeteria, so I was excited to actually have that lunch time with my boy-just the two of us!

Carleigh just had her 2nd birthday party this last weekend! This came way too fast!! Really? 2?? Of course she showed no personality at her party, but once everyone left she let loose and we couldn't get her to stop talking! It was a fun day! Here are some pictures from her party!

My Caleb

Krystal & Carleigh

Dad, Aunt Robin, My Nana, Jared, his adorable Klaire, Beau

Lori, Dustin, Tarynn, & BJ

Heather, Brandon (Kristen's BF), Russ, & Kristen

Me & Heather and our pregnant bellies!

Beau & Blake

Caleb so excited about the bowling set Aunt Rita got Carleigh!

Sooooo....I went to Walmart today! By myself and loved it! Not to go get groceries, yes I needed to pick up a couple things, but it was more of me spending forever there just going down all aisles and looking at everything! It was so nice! I walked into the Christmas section and I have never really felt in to big of a rush to enter the Christmas season, but I am soooo ready this year! Maybe it's the pregnancy... I do just love this time of year! The smell of pumpkin, or cinnamin, they are both fabulous! The colder weather, apple cider, scarves & hats, homemade cookies.. just a few of my favorite things!

Just a few more random pictures!

2008-10-22T12:50:00.020-05:00

Pappy (my daddy) and Caleb at Braums

First day of school

A little bit of UNT tailgaiting!

Russ & Lori (Beau's parents)

BJ and his girl Tarynn!

My girl has got the look!

Kiddos with Nana (Beau's mama)

God's amazing rainbow to remind us of his promises!

Me and my Mama!!

Daddy and Carleigh

Caleb supporting the Longhorns, he is such a Beau junior!

Updated Pics!

2008-10-22T12:34:00.008-05:00

Daddy cleaning car and kids "helping", okay just playing around!

Daddy getting them!!

My precious kiddos!!

2008-10-22T12:07:00.002-05:00

Carleigh with Mary Kay's
Amber Suede Lipstick

Carleigh after getting into my
Red Salsa lipstick, but it looks
more pinkish on her.

Happy and Healthy!

2008-10-20T14:13:00.004-05:00

I had my doctors appt. today and found out that I only have the marginal placenta previa!! Thank you Jesus!!! I'm just embarassed that I didn't put all my trust in Him right away. After I looked up information about placenta previa, freaked myself out, cried, worried, cried, worried some more, I finally said Okay Lord, it's in your hands. I then go to the doctor feeling better about things only to find out I worried and cried for no reason! Why do we do this to ourselves??? Why do we stress about our lives when God already has everything mapped out for a reason? So I feel great! Heard the baby! He or She has a lil' heartbeat that sounds great! I gained 4 pounds! Another wonderful praise: I think Carleigh is finally done with her bug she had!! So she was excited to go back to school! I can't believe she turns two this week! As I'm trying to finish last minute details on her CareBear Birthday party I will try to put some pics of the kids up! Oh and I voted today! Thought I would go ahead and do it!! So now you go do it!! :)

My Beau! What a man!

2008-10-15T10:47:00.004-05:00

Eight years ago today, Beau and I went on our first date! It was the DHS homecoming dance! Go Broncos!!! It was like a dream come true for me because I had liked Beau since 7th grade and this was now our senior year of high school!! He made me wait long enough right?? I would have to say he was definitely worth the wait!! I want to take a moment now to say thank you Beau! You are a wonderful husband, father, and friend! You make me so happy!! Seeing you play around with Caleb or just cuddling with Carleigh, it truly warms my heart! I'm very proud of the man you are and am soooo excited about spending the rest of my life with you!! You bring me lots of joy! I love you honey!!! I want to also thank God for bringing Beau into my life! I feel so blessed and special that God gave me such a loving husband!

20 week sonogram

2008-10-10T23:23:00.002-05:00

I had a sonogram a couple days ago. Everything looks great with the baby. We still don't know if it's a boy or girl, but from what the sonogram shows, we think we just might have it figured out. Won't know for sure till the baby comes! There was one thing they noticed in the sonogram. The placenta is sitting completely on top of my cervix, which is called placenta previa. I have another sono in 4 weeks to see if the placenta has migrated up where its suppose to be. Please pray that it does! It can cause problems and early delivery if it doesn't, but right now is the time for it to move if it's going to. I know this is all in the Lord's hands and I feel so blessed that I have a healthy little baby growing inside of me!

2008-10-02T12:06:00.000-05:00

School or No School??

2008-10-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

I was so excited about Carleigh and Caleb going to school because that would give me the freedom to get all my stuff done then return to mommy duty after I picked them up from school. This week Carleigh has been home because she has some type of bug. I have enjoyed her being home so much though. It makes me wonder if I did the right thing to put her in school so soon. It's a great school and she seems to really enjoy it! There are only 4 more kids in her class with 2 teachers! Gotta love that ratio!! The selfish part of me wants to keep her at home with me all the time. I know she needs the interation with other kids though!! So now I'm contemplating keeping her home Tuesdays and Thursdays. Obviously I would be having the same feelings with Caleb, but he now being in Kindergarten has to be there! I still can't believe he's already in, his words, "big people school." So.. I will pray about what I should do with little missy and I know God will hear me!

I guess this is what it is to blog...

2008-10-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I have never "blogged" before, but Krystal got me interested. I thought this would be a neat way to put up funny stories about the kids and update photos for friends and family. I really don't have anything to say at the moment except that it's really exciting that I'm starting to feel the baby kick even harder. Carleigh felt the baby today and jerked her hand away with a very shocked look on her face. It was priceless!!