The first Debate

It's been a while since my last blog. I'm staying busy most days with errands, planning ella's first b-day party...which is now only one week away...and keeping her entertained. I want to do better writing about the "everyday happenings" of our life rather than just big events. I often find more enjoyment in reading the blogs of others than writing on mine.

Now to the focus of this blog. I watched the debate last night. I have never been really into politics and half the time I haven't a clue what they are really talking about but I have found myself very interested in this election! I'm not sure if it is that I am older now, or because I have ella now, or because I feel the direction of our country could really be affected by this election...but I find myself watching Fox news more and more as the election gets closer.

I was really impressed by McCain in the debate last night. He seemed older, wiser, much more knowledgeable... like a grandfather who you just know is smart and would make sure you are safe. I know he isn't perfect. No one is.... and I am surely not looking to our government to solve the political or moral problems of our country. But I have to be honest that I am scared for America and for my family if Obama wins. I am scared that he will lead our great country even farther from our Christian heritage. Do people (mainly those who profess to be born-again believers of Christ) realize how liberal he is? I find it odd that so many Christians are supportive of Obama. I feel that any born again Christian who votes for a president who is clearly against marriage as defined by God and against life (pro-Choice)...really needs to think closely about their walk with the Lord...as these two issues are of extreme importance to God! Seems like many don't care these days....I know it is 2008 but PLEASE! They were his design and plan. Who are we to change them. What will this country be like for ella and my niece and nephews and for their children? Will it be safe? Will they have the freedoms that we enjoy today? I feel so passionate that it is my responsibility to vote for a president who not only sounds good, looks the part, but is the closest in line with my biblical beliefs. Sorry if you're bored but I am really burdened over the outcome of the election in November. I am praying that Christians will rise up, stand united and that truth will prevail.

Stay tuned...the next post will be about ella's big day! I can't believe she's almost one!

11 Months

Check out my new doo!


I'm not feeling good!


Mischeif!

Ella turned 11 months yesterday and I just cannot believe that my baby is almost one. Everyone says...I mean I hear this at least everyday..."Enjoy it because they grow up fast!"....and it is happening! I am loving this stage as I have loved every stage of Ella's first year!


Ella's 11 month accomplishments
-We've finally mastered the wave!
-She's awesome at playing peek-a-boo! It's her favorite game right now!
-She loves for me to sing the Itsy-Bitsy Spider.
-She tries to use any object as a phone! Her latest phone was a highlighter!
-She knows that the remote is supposed to be pointed at the T.V.! (I can't believe what kids pick up from observation!)
-She can say mama, dada, papa, jack-jack(tries to), Aaaa for addie. (Papa is her favorite word right now.)
-Her favorite food are graduate apple slices and still her yo baby yogurt.
-And finally...last week she took her first steps. She is still cautious but gets brave when someone has a toy she wants!
I love my Ella girl!

Fripp Island

The cousins looking at the beach!




Kev pretending to blow out his candles...we left matches at home!


This past weekend we went on a little vacation! This vacation was an unexpected gift from some of our friends and we had a great time. We invited my sister, brother-in-law and their gang to go with us..so we all packed into a 2 bedroom condo for the weekend. We had a great time relaxing (when we weren't chasing kids) and hanging out! We went to the beach on Saturday morning and I've decided that the beach is really hard at Ella's age...between her the eating sand...sunscreen getting in her eyes...and chasing her...WHEW! I'm hoping next summer will be easier! We rented golf carts on Saturday and drove around the Island. The kids loved this! On Saturday night we grilled out and I made Kevin a birthday cake! Oh yeah..and we watched Clemson get killed! Poor Papa! We had a great mini-vacation!

Happy 30th Kev!

Silly Daddy!

Handsome Daddy! (This is actually a fake smile)

"Daddy, stop cutting grass and come play with ella!"

I love my Daddy!

This weekend Kev will turn 30. It's kinda hard to believe that he will be officially out of his 20's. I mean 30 used to be so old! Now it is looking younger and younger to me..as I am not so far behind myself! I always want to make Kevin's birthday special...and yet I always feel that I never can top what he does for me. He is awesome at surprising me and he is a great gift buyer. Kevin is hard to shop for. He doesn't get excited over much.....materially speaking..except maybe a new tool or gadget and to be honest I just don't have a clue. I think we own half of Sears in our garage already! I mean Kevin is the guy who has figured out that we can save money if he eats 3 granola bars a day for his lunch...totaling out to a whopping $11.00 a month! I mean really babe! He is also the guy who is determined to wear his tennis shoes until they can walk away on their own. At the present they are two years old and have holes on both sides! He reuses everything...even saves his brown paper lunch bags! (You'd think he'd grown up during the great depression!) Although he is VERY frugal...he is also the biggest giver I know and he takes great joy and giving to me, ella, our families, friends, and even strangers. He loves to give to others out of what God has blessed us with. I love this about him! So...how can I make his 30th special? Is there a gift that will get that wow!!! this is what I've always wanted reaction!! How can I let him know that I love him and I can't imagine what I'd do without him! Happy 30th babe!~ Julie

Fun with Friends

Lisa opening a baby gift from us!


Lisa and Julie

Kev, Ella, Julie, James and Jane at Myabi's (I don't recommend this with a 10month old!)

The past two weekends have been fun and busy. We've enjoyed catching up with friends of ours who live out of town. Last weekend we took a little day trip to visit our friends Josh and Lisa. Lisa was my college suite mate for a short time and we have stayed in touch throughout the years (thanks to Lisa..she is much better at it than I am)! We enjoyed catching up, introducing them to Ella, eating at a delicious pizza place and shopping around. Lisa is due in about 4 weeks with their first baby...it's a surprise but I'm thinking it's a boy! We are excited for them as they enter the parenting stage of life. They have definitely waited for this as they have moved all over...including Alaska as Josh serves our country in the Army! We are so thankful for the sacrifices they have both made for our country!


This past weekend we had friends at our house. We met James and Jane on Kev's work trip to San Diego. We sat at the same table one night and quickly discovered that they are believers as well. It was awesome to meet another young christian couple at an event like this. We often feel like we are swimming up stream at these corporate events. We hit it off immediately and it was great to continue our friendship this past weekend. We ate out a lot, went to the Dave Ramsey conference, watched some Olympics and enjoyed visiting together.

The Big Scary Vacuum

So I am usually not a deep and meaningful thinker...but I have been trying, as I have recently gone through the bible study Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer....to listen more when God is speaking to me. The other day as I was vacuuming the Lord spoke to me. Our old, heavy, and yes very ugly, green vacuum has proven to be...might I say terribly scary to our little Ella. In fact, it doesn't even have to be on to scare her. The other week I got it out and never got it done, and so it sat in our hallway ALL week. It's presence scared poor Ella girl all week long. Every time we'd walk down the hallway she'd just stare at that ugly old thing and refuse to crawl past it. It's so funny because to her I guess it is a giant, green, mean monster...not that she even knows what a monster is yet! This past Thursday I was trying to get my housework done early and actually complete it all for once and I still needed to vacuum. It was almost Ella's bedtime and Kev was working outside in the yard, and so I knew if I was going to get the job done I better just do it. Rather than just make Ella suffer through I decided to try holding her. Let me add here that our vacuum is heavy and I always feel like I have had a good work-out upon completion...and my type A personality won't let me miss any corners or spaces...I want it all covered...so I got out the big green monster...picked miss E up and began vacuuming! She didn't even make a whimper, grimace or even a little cry. In fact, she was happy and just held on as mommy took her for a fun ride! It was then that the Lord reminded me that my presence with Ella was making all the difference. In my arms she felt secure despite the fact that her one and only fear was roaring so close below. He reminded me that I too need to cling to Him with my fears and only then will I find peace and security! (And even enjoy this ride called LIFE!) Just as Ella's mommy my presence makes a difference...God being my heavenly father...His presence should make ALL the difference.

10 Month Pictures