A Look Back at '08

So, I know I'm pathetic and at this point, probably shouldn't even post my look back at '08 post when it is almost MARCH. Seriously...how is it already March? But I told myself as long as I finished before March 1 I will feel okay with myself. And here it is Feb. 28th, 10:00 p.m. :-)

To say it was an incredible year would be an understatement. I have never had a year full of more adventures and more traveling.

January '08, Amanda and I took a roadtrip to Houston. It was one of the best weekends ever! We had so much fun! Amanda's mom so graciously hosted Ella and I, along with Amanda and Jackson at her house. It was so fun to wake up each morning and to see the babies' faces when they realized they were both waking up in the same house. There was so much squealing going on.

We were incredibly spoiled by Bibby all weekend!!







And Beth's coffee...I was practically squealing every morning getting to have some that. She knows how to make GOOD coffee!!

You can read about our entire weekend and all the fun things we all did together by clicking on these links! It's been fun to relive.

Weekend at Bibby's Part One!
Weekend at Bibby's Part 2
Weekend at Bibby's Part 3

The first week in February '08, my family took a 7 day trip to DISNEY WORLD!! I've said this before, but I can not tell you how much I LOVE Disney World! I would go there every month if I could. This was a dream trip. We got to celebrate Ella's 2nd birthday there. We had not only my family, buy Heath's mom and sisters came too! It was the greatest time.

I blogged about each day, so there's a lot of links, but it's worth it. Especially day 3 when Ella gets her first haircut at the barber shop on Main street!
Disney World Part 1!
Disney World Part 2!



Disney World Part 3 & Ella's 1st Haircut!




Disney World Part 4!
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Disney World Part 5!


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Disney World Part 6!
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Disney World Part 7!


Upon returning from Disney World, Ella & Jackson had a combined 2nd b-day party at Pump It Up! They are only 2 days apart and practically have the same friends, so it just made sense and was so much fun. Great place to have a party.
Ella & Jackson's Combined 2 Year Birthday Party!
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In March '08, I got the opportunity to travel to Honduras with our church for a week long mission trip. Our church takes a group every year and this was my second year to get to go. It was an AMAZING trip!

I get to go back on this trip this year and we leave in 6 DAYS!! We definitely need your prayers. I will post some prayer requests in the next few days.
Honduras Part 1
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Honduras Part 2



Honduras Part 3


Honduras Part 4

June '08 - DEEPER STILL
I don't really need know how to express that the gratitude I felt for this trip. It was beyond a dream, beyond my imagination. I was able to sit under the teaching of two women whose Bible study teachings have meant so much to me over the past several years and has helped mark so many milestones in my relationship with the Lord. But not only did I get to get a good Word from them I also got to spend LOTS of one on one time with them. I still can't believe I got to do all of that!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Beth and Amanda.
Deeper Still Part 1

Deeper Still Part 2

Look...it's Big Mama & BooMama!!!



Photo by Rich

Deeper Still Part 3
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Deeper Still Part 4

Deeper Still Part 5

July '08 AFRICA!! AFRICA!! AFRICA!!!
Y'all I am still reeling from the fact that my husband I got to spend two weeks doing ministry in Africa!!! I don't really have words for this trip either, but i am so grateful. Doing the Lord's work is so fulfilling and He will take you on some wild adventures. (I still need to finish blogging about this trip.)


You can find the links on the right side of my blog.

September '08, I got to lead Genesis Part 2. I have a group of ladies at the church that are working our way through Genesis using Kay Arthur's Precept materials. It was another very fun, very interesting class!
Genesis Bible Study!

What we learned.

October '08 - This was certainly one of those difficult times of the year. The unexpected passing of our good friend Ileeta is still something we are all trying to deal with.
Ileeta

Also in October, my family took a trip to Colorado to visit other family!! It was TONS of fun!!! I can't wait to go back.
Colorado Part 1


Colorado Part 2




In November, my family was able to take a trip to San Antonio to visit my sister and her husband. They have just recently moved there and I see lots of fun San Antonio trips in our future!


Overall, it was a great year, but not because it was full of fun travels, but also because in the midst of all the fun adventures I got to go on, it certainly was NOT without it's trials. Not only did I deal with the loss of a good friend, but my husband was laid off from his job in '08. It was a year of learning to lean more and more on the Lord. It's been very difficult at times, but what we learned in '08 can not be replaced. I am so thankful for every blessing, even the blessings of difficult lessons.

My hope is that at the end of '09, I can say that I am even more in love with Jesus than in '08!

Birthday Parties & More

After the decision to cancel Ella's birthday party Saturday morning, she amazingly started to perk up. And by 11:00 a.m., was almost totally fine. She ate and drank and played all day. So we decided to go ahead with our family party that was planned for 5:00 that night.

Ella's two cousins, Zach and Ethan were coming and that would have been tragic if she would have missed the fun that they have when they are together.

It was a great evening. Ella had so much fun playing and running.






Zach's birthday is 3 days after Ella's, so every year we have a combined family party!


Ella & Zach





Singing Happy Birthday to Ella & Zach! 2-21-09 from Janelle on Vimeo.

Ella & my Uncle Jim


And I wonder where Ella gets her sense of humor.








One of the things my mom always gets Ella for her birthday is a new pair of pink New Balance tennis shoes. When we went to the New Balance store this year, she was a size longer of course, but it almost took my breath away how big just one size bigger looked. For the first time, they actually looked like kid shoes and not itty bitty baby shoes.
I just think they are the most precious things.


Ella giving my grandma a big thank you hug!


Ella was such a good girl to share her new pink "Darbie" (that's what Ella calls it) car with Dada!


So Heath and I bought Zach Twister for his birthday. So of course we had to break it in.


Heath had us cracking up. He ended up having to get in the funniest positions.
Like...the splits. Here's angle #1


Angle #2


Balancing on his tip toes.


And the final result!


My mom & Ella had been working on Valentine presents for all of us and Ella was SO excited to give us our surprise.




It was such a fun party!

At 10:00 that night, Ella was laying in my parent's king size bed watching Dora with my mom, Zach and Ethan. This would be the point where the "More" comes in because she threw up I think everything that she had ever eaten or drank in her life. Bless her heart, I felt so bad for her. After that, she went down hill. She didn't throw up anymore but had plenty coming out on the other end. I am so thankful though that she had several good hours that day to have fun!

Sunday wasn't much better. But Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday have been great! I'm so thankful she is finally getting over this nastiness!! Thank you all for your sweet prayers on her behalf!!

Ella Update

Ella is still very puny today. Bless her, heart she has just been laying around on the couch with us all day. Right now she is sitting beside me eating a bowl of cheerios while we watch Shrek.

Please pray that she can kick this bug. It seems it is staying with her longer than the normal 24 hours.

Yesterday she was doing better for several hours, so we went ahead with our family party at my parents house. She had a GREAT time with her cousins and I thought she was over it, but at 10:00 last night she threw up again and has been feeling pretty sick ever since. I will post some super cute pictures of this party tomorrow.

Ella never noticed she missed her friend party! I am so thankful for that. And we went ahead and postponed her party for March 21st. We even froze the amazing cake. Thank you all for your support in that decision and not thinking I was weird.

And thank you all for your prayers and your sweet concerns!! We appreciate them all!

You Gotta Roll with the Punches

Everything is ready for the big party.

The Food...


The Party Favors...


The Decorations...


A New Party Outfit...


And the ADORABLE cake my Mother-In-Law made...








Only one thing is missing...The Birthday Girl.

Sadly, we woke this morning to a sweet birthday girl throwing up. Heath and I waited a couple of hours to make sure it was a stomach bug. A few more throw ups later, we knew what we had to do. We both had our cell phones going calling everyone on the invite list to let them know the party is cancelled.

I was so bummed. I feel so bad for Ella. She was so excited about her party with her friends she loves so much!! Thankfully so far, she hasn't seemed to notice it didn't happen. And she is already feeling much better. We are laying on the couch watching our 3rd movie of the day.

We are going to make the best of this day though.

Sunni, Xavi, Clara and Ava came by for a few minutes so they could give Ella her present. They stayed outside so as not to contaminate the babies. It was so sweet of them and they brought the cutest wrapped present EVER with an adorable Dora Cash Register inside. Ella has already been playing with it.




I am thinking about rescheduling, but the problem is, our next available weekend is March 21st. Next weekend we have the Focus on Marriage Simulcast at our church and in two weeks I leave for Honduras. Is it weird to reschedule for an entire month out?

Ella is the just the sweetest girl. Even when she's sick and miserable she is so precious. I am so thankful she is mine. And we have such great friends & family!! Thanks y'all for being so flexible. We are sad we missed getting to see you today.