Easter

We had a really great Easter. The weather was beautiful the entire weekend, but a wee bit chilly on Sunday. MeMe, PaPa and Uncle Josh were in town from South Carolina and Ella loved every minute of it. She spent the entire weekend outside and I thought I would have to pitch her a tent (considering I knew how) because getting her to retire in the house for the night was undoubtebly an act of congress. She was truly in her element! This was technically Ella's second Easter, but the first one that she actively participated in. She loved her basket and had an absolute fit to get the "dut" (duck) out of the cellophane as quickly as she could. Next, we all found out that she has a true love of jelly beans...

I don't exactly know how many she had, but I do know how much she was enjoying herself and I just didn't have the heart to tell her she couldn't have anymore. Besides, what better way to celebrate the resurrection of our heavenly father than by submerging yourself in one of life's true pleasures!! I think he'd be proud. Later that afternoon, she found the bag of the extra eggs that unfortunately had not been used by the Easter bunny and as she muttled through it, picking up each one with great anticipation of what might be inside, she opened it, looked in both parts intently and said, "gone gone." Now, before you get mad at me for letting her play with empty eggs and not receiving any satisfaction from her efforts, let me tell you that when she wasn't looking I would sneakingly fill one and place it back in the bag. I mean, she had most definitely eaten her weight in them anyway what was a few more. She's just so much fun to watch! So we had Easter basket fun that morning, went to church and then came home. I prepared lunch, it was the first time I had done an entire meal for Matt's family...I was told it was good and I'm hoping since there were no leftovers that they were telling me the truth! It was fun anyhow and I guess after three years I'm finally beginning to step into my new role as wife, mommy and homemaker! It was a big adjustment for me to go from working outside the home to being a full-time wife and mother. And I'm learning a little more everyday exactly how blessed I am to have been given not only the gift of motherhood, but also the opportunity to stay at home with Ella without having to miss a single moment of watching her change and grow. Being her mother is my god-given right and most times I can't believe He trusted me with something as sweet and precious as her. This was the first easter we were able to spend with the Euten side of the family, I think they enjoyed it as much as we did. To all of you that have family, grandparents, in-laws or any other in the same town-be thankful. It is such a true blessing to see your little ones with these people that mean so much to us and play such important roles in our lives. It is without a doubt so wonderful to see them loving each other!! It would be nice to have moments like these everyday, but we take what we can get when we can get it. Everyone left after lunch when Ella went down for an afternoon nap, which was more of an afternoon hibernation. We didn't hear from her (or Matt) for an uninterupted 3 HOURS! For those of you who have or have had kids you know that this is a small lifetime and wonderful opportunity for some quiet peace and relaxation!! We later continued our Easter fun with a fashion show of some more Easter goodies, when Ella rocked out her new gollashes and sunglasses, she's such a superstar! They are a little big, but she fully insisted on wearing her "boots" for even the days to come since then. If only we all could look so fabulous in rubber boots. I believe those are of course more jelly beans stashed in her right fist also accompanied by however many were stashed in her cheeks. Surprisingly, she did sleep rather well that night despite the sugar for those of you that were wondering. On Monday, Uncle John stopped by and spent the afternoon with us on his way back to Auburn. We had a nice visit at the house and Matt grilled out that night. We wanted to send him back with a full tummy. After dinner John helped Matt with Ella's bath and proceeded to tell him that he had always thought he wanted boys, but was beginning to think that he might like to have girls!! Yes, she has a way of changing your heart. I mean who wouldn't want a little girl that likes to dress up AND play with fish...it's a win, win.