Our 4th Anniversary!

Four years ago today was by far one of the best days of my life. Second to only the day Ella was born. Matt and I began our lives together on this day and it obviously holds such a very special place in my heart. Matt and I didn't date for long. In fact, I've only known him for 9 months longer than I've been married to him. We met in March (yes, for the FIRST time), were engaged in June and married in December...of the same year. I guess our relationship is a testament to the ever popular phrase, "when you know, you know." Or maybe it's just a testament to how miraculously our Lord works. When I think about the two months between the time that we met and the time that we got engaged it seems like such a short amount of time just rolling off of your lips, however, it seemed as though the Lord stopped time during that two months for us so we could know and learn about each other in the way He wanted us to. Matt prayed with me, about everything, but mostly about us from the beginning. And though we liked each other... a lot, we didn't want to do anything outside of the Lord's great will. I had never prayed with someone else in this way before. Until this point my relationship with my heavenly father was personal, except for with my family. And sadly, Matt was just about the only boy that I ever dated that said the blessing at dinner. Needless to say, my eyes were open from the start. It amazed me how different we were as people, but how perfect we were as a couple. By Easter, I was in love, but didn't dare say anything for fear it would "freak him out" and cause him to go running for the hills away from the nut job that wore her heart on her sleeves! So, he said it first and I followed suit. Crazy or not, at least we felt the same way. Every year I'm reminded of the work that the Lord did in our lives that year and every year I grow more thankful that He loved me so greatly that He would give me someone that was such a perfect fit. I prayed for Matt my whole life...so did my mother. And when it comes right down to it he's so much better than anybody I could have picked for myself. The Lord answered my deepest prayer when he put Matt in my life...he gave me everything I always wanted and even better the things I didn't know I wanted. So, Happy Anniversary, Matt! I love you with my whole heart, thank you for marrying me on this day!

Thanksgiving

Ella and Lissa

Ella and Uncle Zach...where he goes, she follows

Playing with Moe's, the neighbors cat...there's not an animal she doesn't like!

Precious moments...

I love Lissa and Aunt Juli, I ask about them several times a day!

Reading with Honey

Hangin' with Daddy...literally!

CHEEEEEEEEEESE!!

I love my Boppa!

The Party!

Ella's party was last Saturday. We had everything beautifully decorated outside at the gazebo, but as luck would have it the wind was just a little too much to handle. Everything had to be moved inside at the last minute so we all wouldn't blow away. However, we all had a great time and were joined by our wonderful friends and family. Ella was so fortunate to have all of her grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandmother attend. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful with their gifts and we've been busy all week enjoying our new things! Here is the birthday girl in her new rocking chair from MeMe and PaPa:

Enjoying some food and waiting for everyone to arrive...again, most of the decorations were still outside!

The yummy cake

Blowing out the candles, which she did really well!

Daddy, Mommy and Ella

Opening gifts

Here we were listening to the sweet poem that my very talented Nana wrote for Ella. This is the very pink fur vest that she gave her...we've worn it everyday since!!

FIVE GENERATIONS: Ella, Mommy, NaNa, Boppa and great great grandmother Hazel, we call her Mimmy. She had on her fur coat as well, she and Ella made quite the pair!

Ella and Jenny, who brought her a 120-piece food set that I thought just might end our friendship, but Ella has done surprisingly well at keeping her food in her refrigerator.

Kissing on baby Luke's...

The "after" party!

We really had a wonderful time and are so thankful for everything! I must admit the 2nd birthday was extremely enjoyable. Ella knew exactly what was going on and was very excited. She didn't cry this year when we sang Happy Birthday, she joined in and loved the ongoing attention. What a difference a year makes! She's been singing Happy Birthday to herself since mid-October and has just recently stopped. We celebrated this birthday for over a month with one small party, 2 trips to Chuck E Cheese and one actual party! I'm afraid she might be mildly disappointed next year if the festivities don't linger quite so long!

Happy Halloween!!

Ella had a fantastic Halloween. She enjoyed trick-or-treating very much and to say she exhausted by the end of the night would be an understatement. We went to my aunt's house to trick-or-treat with cousin Elissa. Ella ran the entire time in an attempt to keep up with her and was more than ecstatic at the candy that was filling her bucket. After the first house, she looked in it, her mouth and eyes opened wide and she said, "Look mama, I got some candy!" She was just the most precious thing running from house to house dragging her tail behind her. Here's some pictures from the night!

Ella and Lissa in deep conversation before the big night.

Enjoying a treat afterward. She only "sampled" about eight different suckers

Mama and Ella

Daddy and baby "Lukes," who was supposed to be a skunk but slept through the festivities! He woke up in time for dinner...go figure.

Happy Birthday, Ella!

What a wonderful day! Matt went in late to work so when we woke up Ella opened her presents, he made us all breakfast and we spent the rest of the morning playing and just enjoying each other. Ella tried on her new princess gown right away and then wasted no time learning the in's and out's of her new kitchen. She loves to cook, always has. She's constantly playing with mama's pots, pans and utensils at some designated area in the house. I think she's excited to have a "real" place of her own now to prepare her masterpieces.

The funny thing was that later that afternoon as I was making our lunch, I peeped around the corner at her in her kitchen...she was opening her refrigerator door and taking out a cup that Matt had put some sweet tea in earlier that morning for her. She took several sips and then placed it carefully back in her fridge and closed the door. I can only imagine the array of surprises that I'll find opening that door!

She also got a very fabulous dress-up dress and slippers from Honey. She had to try that on as well. Isn't she amazing! She was funny in her fancy bell sleeves.

Her favorite was probably the slippers...she couldn't stop looking at them and yes, wore them around the house for the rest of the day regardless of how big they were.

Here's the close up:

Tonight we took her to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. She had a great time. We took her last year for her birthday and it was amazing the difference that just one year makes. We couldn't keep up with her!

There were two things she enjoyed most. The slide was the first one. After about two runs of assistance she quickly caught on and no longer needed us. She even waved and could look at other things as she came down. She would go up the stairs, through the window and down the slide repeatedly. We spent a good majority of our time here.This was the second, the Chuck E Cheese car or as she referred to him, "Chuck E Bear." I don't know, maybe he was too big to be a mouse so bear was more realistic. She put the token in all by herself and when it was over she would hold her hand out and shout, "Mo money, please!" That's scary...at two and we already know how to ask for money!!

Eating pizza and watching the "show"

This is the best picture I could get. She LOVED Chuck E. She wasn't the least bit scared. She could spot him a mile away and would leave whatever ride or game to go and give him a hug. She wanted him to follow her around and couldn't understand why he wouldn't do what she was telling him to. I believe she thought he was there FOR HER!Happy 2nd birthday, sweet girl! We love you so very much, you make every day so much fun and we are so blessed to have you. Thank you, Lord for our Ella bear, she's just the most precious gift.

'Twas the day before Ella

'Twas the day before Ella and I was at work,
managing Abercrombie, going berserk,

On a not-so-busy Saturday, they didn't need me,
so I left my assistant with my responsibilities.

When lunch rolled around, I headed toward home,
to be with my husband, for he was alone.

Then I was so tired I thought I would sleep,
a well deserved nap, I'd needed all week!

So three hours later I awoke from my slumber,
and into the kitchen, where Matt had my number.

He had bacon-wrapped filets ready to cook,
rice that was steaming and beans off the hook!

For he was awaiting the game on TV,
South Carolina was playing Tennessee.

When all of a sudden my eyes looked down more,
at the puddle of water that was now on the floor.

Not knowing what to do and feeling quite stuck,
I ran to the bathroom and stood there in the tub.

"Matt, please don't panic, but I think it's time,"
"And my pants are all wet," I said with a whine.

He scurried around the apartment gathering our things,
tripping over shoes as if he had wings.

I said, "Please don't fall, I need you alive,"
"for I am in absolutely no condition to drive."

So into the Chevy we loaded, me on my towel,
Anxious for what would happen in the next several hours.

Down the highway we flew discussing some names,
for now would be the time to agree on the same.

So Ella we decided really was great,
and along to go with it, what better than Kate!

We got to the hospital, and got all hooked up,
just in time for the game, gee, Matt was in luck!

We began our long night at Williamson Medical Center,
my mother showed up first to be my great mentor.

I labored all night, contractions galore,
but after 3cm I could take no more.

So in came the doctor to alleviate pain,
Epidural was surely the name of the game.

Matt stood by the monitor, watching the lines,
"Hey Abby, what about that, did you feel it this time!?!"

The next morning came slowly, but made us quite glad,
for we were able to look at the baby girl we now had.

She was round and all pink, from her head to her foot,
and a love I'd never felt just after one look.

She had dark hair and eyes and ears that were bent,
there was simply no doubt she was heaven sent.

Her little round mouth and small button nose,
were as cute as her arms that were covered in rolls.

It was the happiest moment we'd ever known,
it was no longer the two of us, we weren't alone.

We had a bundle of joy to add to the clan,
the Euten's were now two girls and one man.

Matt knew he would never be quite the same,
for this little angel was the one to blame,

For after just a few hours he was wrapped around her finger,
he felt his heart swell, it was a real stinger.

The days since then have quickly flown by,
two years have passed in the blink of an eye,

And I'd like to take this moment so that I can say,
Ella, have a very happy "almost" birthday!!

"Jesus Loves Me"

The first time she sang this to me I was laying down with her to go to sleep. She looked at me and said, "Sing Jesus." To which I replied, "I want to hear you sing it." I didn't know that she really would do it! I didn't even know she knew all the words! You can imagine my surprise. When she finished I was simultaneously laughing and crying. I ran into the bathroom, where Matt was trying to get in the shower, and beckoned him to come into the bedroom...I can only imagine the terrible thoughts that ran through his head. When we got back there she did it again for him and we squealed and celebrated...so much for bedtime!

Yes, she did get jelly beans for singing this...I was afraid she wouldn't do it for the camera. However, when I took it out she smiled and said, "You gonna take my picture?"