Eli

I need to do this while I am thinking about it for all of those who told me I need to document Eli's developments....let's just say I am awful at documenting with pictures or words, and thought I could get better. I haven't. If anyone has any advice please let me know!

Eli has become more strong willed and independent (wanting us often to walk behind him or pulling us to where he wants us at that desired moment). We at first thought this was a result from his "schedule", but we realize now it's a natural part of growing up. At times though we become frustrated.
He loves certain country music videos (basically if they have blonde hair or have a guitar he loves it).
He likes to take walks to the stop sign and back daily. He wants to go the same way every time and stop at the same places to point out certain things.
He could do puzzles the majority of the day. My mom got him some 24 piece puzzles and he loves to attempt those, but those still require a lot of help from us. Oh how he enjoys them though.
He climbs up his highchair and sits and waits for his food (part of his independence).
He goes down the stairs holding the rail by himself (he went down on his tummy backwards for the longest time, but now thinks he is a "big boy" and can do it himself...we are still right there at all times in front of him when he does this because we believe in "safety first").
He wants to be a helper with everything (dishes out of the dishwasher, washing clothes, wiping up messes, dusting, etc.).
He still likes his routine and schedule, and we are grateful for this!
He is starting to do things with other kids (like puzzles and cars...just starting...hasn't mastered the social world yet, but he is making progress).
He likes things his way or no way, which can often lead to time out.
He loves to give kisses.
He likes to see himself in the mirror and give himself a kiss too (I still don't know if this is a good thing).
He would like nothing more than to have one on one time with someone all day. He loves people!

There is an update on Eli...more to come.

Another week

Maybe my new goal should be a weekly post, because that is what it has seemed to be recently. We have all had follow up doctor's appointments this week and are all healthy for the most part, which again is a reason to know and understand that we are blessed beyond anything we deserve. We finally had a weekend at home with just us and it turned out pretty well. It was good to get to relax and enjoy just being together. We were able to celebrate the birthday of Chris last week with our family and Mom Keith's birthday this past weekend. So, it's been fun to get to join in those celebrations and enjoy a little extra family time! Last weekend, I was reminded how grateful we are to have such wonderful parents who love us and Eli more than I could ever express in words. What a precious gift that is for us!
The girls in our small group have started a study of the Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore. We have just finished our first week and I am sure there will be more to write on this subject. Overall though the past week has been a really good reminder that God's word does not come back void. As long as you continue to immerse yourself in it and just be obedient to be in it it will change your heart, and mind to look more and more like that of Jesus. Just like you can't return rain and snow to the sky, you can not return the words of the Lord that you have let into your soul. It can't be done.
This week we have been reminded that God is our Protector and Shelter, and that we need to rest in His promises.
Just as I have been reminded about how blessed we are to have such an incredible family I have been more reminded that we have such a gracious and glorious God. I praise Him for both of those reminders (not that I had completely forgotten...I just take it for granted too much).
I leave with Psalm 121:1-8 A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Reporting on a month

Well, it's been nearly a month since I have sat down to update this. I know it's sad, but if you could have seen us at points during this lapse you would understand why I haven't felt like spending too much time infront of a computer, or in the same position for longer than a short period of time. Again, I preface some of this by saying that we are so incredibly grateful for our health, and realize that we could always be so much worse than we are when we get sick. Yet again, we (Eli and I because somehow Chris seems to be the picture of health because he never ends up with what we get) got sick. It started with Eli and then ended with me, but yet again we are for the most part healthy. So, if you are reading this, pray that we can remain like this and enjoy this season for a little bit.
It all goes back to a conversation I had with my good friends Jenny and Brandy about Mother's Morning Out.....so, I jumped all over it. I didn't realize it was going to start the next day, so I had to act fast. I enrolled him in a two day program. We got him a little lunch box for his snacks and everything. The next day, Wednesday, he went, and two hours later they called for us to pick him up. Not a very good first day for the little guy. Poor thing. We were determined, however, to try it once again. Friday morning he went, and I picked him up earlier, and by that afternoon he was so sick. It was awful. He would seem better and worse at different times, so it was hard to tell. We did not take him to the doctor until the next week. Diagnosis: severe ear infection in both ears and upper respitory infection. He was sick and by that time so was I. It was rough. I waited to go to the doctor until this week, which was probably a little longer than I should have. I had a list of things, which included walking pnemonia. However, they gave me some powerful medicine, and I am pretty much completely better. It's just been a rough two weeks.
This past weekend, while I probably looked like I had major issues, we went to Nashville and got to see our family and stay with my sister. It was a wonderful weekend, and am so glad we went. I just wish I had been less under the weather, but those around me had so much grace.
Needless to say the doctor wanted us to pull Eli out of school right now. This was sad at first, but we love and trust our doctor. We understand that his immune system is still a little weak (hence the reason he seems to get sick so often) and that the best thing is to not take this step just yet, but soon.
In addition to this my computer has had a very bad virus, which I think is still present, but just hiding a bit, so I haven't wanted to deal with the issue all the time. Hopefully though for right now it is under a little bit of control and I will be able to update more often.
Which brings me to yesterday....before I end this very random post.....my incredible husband turned 30! The Lord healed me so I could enjoy and celebrate this day with him. Last week we went out and I was an awful date because I was so sick, so last night we had so much fun going out to dinner and just hanging out. He is taking this new chapter really well, and I am so honored to be his wife. So, it was a wonderful day yesterday and we love him so much!
Overall, we realize that we are blessed. The Lord is so good and shows Himself in all things, and we don't deserve that. Though we have watched a lot happen the past month, we have learned and seen Jesus do great things.
Eli is saying Hi right now and pulling on my leg so I better go. More updates soon.