Prayer update

I'm heartbroken to pass along news that our friends Scott and Liz had to say good-bye to their son Cole Alan on Saturday after he was baptized surrounded by family.
Here's a note they shared from their pastor:

After a long time of being held in his mom and dad's arms, embracing the wholehearted love and many kisses from everyone, and spending precious time alone with his parents, Cole went to his heavenly home to be in God's presence and to join his family member in heaven. The strength and power of love was real and the pain of loss was real. Elizabeth and Scott walked through it being truthful to themselves. I have never witnessed the kind of powerful presence of love that existed between them and among the family members anywhere else.

I hope everyone will continue to pray for Scott and Liz through this tough time. And I'm planning to donate blood as soon as possible in honor of Cole, since both he and Liz needed so much in the hospital. Blood supplies are low nationwide so please join me in giving this simple gift.

Laughter, with a few snorts

I'm feeling overwhelmed and humbled by all of the blessings in my life and family. Here's some much-needed levity on this Friday morning.

Prayers

We just heard tonight that some dear friends out in Connecticut need prayers sent their way. Our former neighbors, Scott and Liz, unexpectedly welcomed their son Cole on Monday night. But he was born at 25 weeks, which means he has some health problems to fight his way through. Liz also had a very scary time with the delivery, but is recovering. Please pray for all three of them to have strength and courage through this difficult time. Thanks everyone!

Welcome weather!

Not sure the weather could have been any better yesterday. When I felt the temperatures rising in the afternoon I quickly abandoned our initial dinner plans and prepped a BBQ feast. We enjoyed steak with mushrooms and onions, sweet potato and grilled asparagus. It tasted like summer!
As Ellie and I set out for our afternoon outing I realized it's time for regular sunscreen applications, since I can barely drag her back in the house these days. I got plenty of SPF 50 on her already rosy cheeks — and then it smelled like summer! I'm sure I'll be complaining about the heat and humidity before too long, but right now I say bring it on. We need a nice thaw after the long winter.
Here's a shot of Ellie carrying a big stick (though not speaking softly). She found this tree limb in a yard and insisted on taking it along with us. I actually had to break part of it off to aid her efforts. Even then she kept tripping over it and finally settled for walking backwards and dragging it. But who can resist that cheesy grin?

Slip slidin'

On our trip to the park yesterday Ellie insisted on wearing my hat... which was slightly too big for her. I was happy, though, since it was super windy and chilly here. We started off with some stick-collecting in the yard . Finally made it to the swing set at the park (by which time she'd changed her mind and refused to wear the hat)...

And then rounded out the visit with some time on the slide. I've discovered I can get her to smile for the camera by saying "Don't smile...."

Enjoy Ellie's unique sliding technique :)

Outdoor art

We enjoyed some beautiful weather this weekend, which gave dad and Ellie a chance to play with sidewalk chalk. Ellie is still more interested in pouring the chalk out and then putting it back in the container, as opposed to drawing anything on the sidewalk... but I guess the chalk lasts longer that way :)

p.s. I also finally found the camera... which was put away in the drawer. Brian thwarted me by trying to get us organized!

Ooh, bup

I hesitated to blog about this thus far because I can picture Ellie being embarrassed about it in 15 years or so... but it's too funny not to share :) For a few weeks now, Ellie has been announcing when she has gas. Or when dad has gas, for that matter. (I'm a lady.) She's also been sharing the news when one of us coughs or sneezes. She says "bup" to share the news... or "ooh, bup" if it's particularly loud or exciting (?) Brian is thrilled by this development, and I can't say it doesn't crack me up, too. But I'm not encouraging the behavior like Brian is! He's very proud of her new talent. When I picked her up from daycare today, her teacher Becky excitedly told me that Ellie had farted during the morning and then proudly said "butt." Maybe that's what she's been saying all along when we've heard "bup"... hard to tell. But I hope you've enjoyed this potty-humor-themed posting. Sorry in advance, Ellie, since I'm guessing dad will pull a copy of this out just in time for your first date.