Elle turns 7

I can hardly stand it. My little sponge cake is 7 today and is growing at a rate entirely outside my comfort zone. Why is it that time just keeps speeding up on me!! So here are a few tidbits of love and information on one of the sweetest, most wonderful girls in the world.

Elle is the epitome of goodness. She has the most beautiful eyes and people comment on them all the time but it is what's behind those eyes that I love so much. Oh, she is so good. She loves all things tender and spiritual. She seems to feel things deeply and has a quiet reserve in sharing it all with others. I can often see that she is soaking in a situation and is very thoughtful about what is going on around her but it is not easy for her to express it all in words. As her mother I have learned to read the silence. I have learned to be patient and listen a little longer because if you wait long enough, she has so much to say.

Elle with her Grandma Hartley

I love how unique she is and she has no problem being different, in fact the thrives on it. The whole family loves whipped cream on their pancakes.....Elle hates whipped cream and she proudly says "I am different than all of you." This is a small example but I love the confidence that she has about who she is. There is no cowering if she isn't in line with the group, she proudly declares the difference. She just seems so happy in her own skin. I LOVE that about her.

Elle is smart. She reads voraciously, loves school and is an excellent student. She is loved by all her classmates. When I go to school the one thing that I notice is everyone fights over who gets to sit by Elle. Yet I wouldn't ever say she is popular, the word I would say is LOVED. The girls just all seem to love her. They all hug her when she walks in the room and she is so easy with all of them and happy to see them.

Elle is funny and laughs from her belly often.......She once asked me why she wasn't magic. She was so sad that she didn't have any special powers and I told her that her power is that every time she laughs I can't not laugh too. She loves to test her power out often.

She is happy in almost any situation. She never complains, she is never bothered by things. She just goes with he flow. I rarely see her rattled by any situation...............except any public speaking.......she hates that!!!!

She radiates!! She sparkles and commands attention when she enters a room.....not by being loud and boisterous but by her beauty and grace. People take notice of her quiet beauty and sincerity.

Ellie Pie, I love you so much. I feel so blessed that I get to be your mother. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You are my sponge cake with strawberries and Kiwi on top!!

Weddings

My Sister Laurel and her new husband Bruce

Today I am a little sad. My Niece, Nephew and Sister are all getting married (last weekend and this week) and I am not there. With this being the first week of school and Chris out of town I couldn't make it and today as I saw pictures of Andrew's wedding and all the festivities I felt so sad to not be there.
I am so happy for them, they are both marrying incredible people and they are so happy. If they ever read this.............Andrew and Janelle and Brittany and Chase; I love you and am so happy for you!!

My Sister's wedding was a surprise. She was divorced several years ago and has been dating Bruce for a while now...I guess she figured that everyone was there in Utah and it was a good time to tie the knot. I found out the night before she got married. I am very happy for her also. What a blessing to have found a good man that she loves so much.

Brittany and Chase

Andrew and Janelle

Too much to tell

Well, that was quite a blogging break. I am so filled with gratitude for this past month and there is really no way to write about all the events that have transpired, in fact that thought is very overwhelming, but I will give a quick update on some of the highlights. First my Sister, her family and my Mom came to visit for 2 weeks. There is just no way to describe how great this was. We laughed and cried and I will cherish the memories from that time forever. I just loved seeing my girls play with their cousins, get love from their aunt, and sit and listen to their grandma's stories. What a treat.

Of course we had to go to Pop's......once or twice!!

The girls spent one whole day playing outside in the rain making mud pies!

My girls will never forget this special time with their grandma.

Sophie, Is she scrumptious or what?

Chloe had a big "Back to School" party. They had a fashion show with dresses made from napkins, played tons of games and Chloe pranked them with her "Helga" spoof that was so funny Chris and I had to join in and we laughed and laughed. It is so nice to have a basement so that the party could happen and Chris and I could sleep soundly. I think they went to sleep at about 4am and we didn't hear any of it!!

Last but not least, the girls all went back to school this week. They are all so happy and love their teachers. Olivia started middle school and I have never seen a girl love school so much. Being the social butterfly that she is she is really in her element. Ava started pre K. She goes for 2 hours a day and she LOVES it. Elle is always happy and making so many new friends. Chloe is just happy to be back into the swing of things.