tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40661788651050280122024-02-07T00:50:40.976-07:00The Wizard of HawsEllenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-40941756200125372142017-04-23T16:42:00.001-07:002017-04-23T16:42:33.927-07:00One Set of Footprints<div class="MsoNormal">
Today at church we were discussing how we can follow the
Savior, serve the Savior and know our Savior.
The teacher used the poem “Footprints in the Sand.” If you don’t know this poem, pause and go
read it. After reading the last two
stanzas the teacher pointed out that if
we truly knew our Savior we would recognize his footprints in the sand and not
have to ask the question, “Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there
for me?” I like her thinking here and
hope desperately that I will recognize my Savior when I meet him but it got me
thinking, do I actually agree with this poem?
And guess what? I don’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The concept behind this poem is that in the hardest times of our lives
the Savior will scoop us up and carry us.
People may have experienced this feeling, I personally have not. Because in my hardest times in life I find my
options are either to sit down and pout (essentially stalling out any progress
and frankly making the hard time much worse) or I can choose to move forward no
matter how hard.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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My question here is do I truly believe the Lord would carry
me? Being carried is passive. Anyone can
be carried. But isn’t the point of this existence to become more like him? To be tested, even if it is super hard? <o:p></o:p></div>
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See I don’t believe we only see one set of footprints
because the Lord decided it was too hard and scooped us up. I hope these are
the moments when I quit trying to walk my own path, quit believing I could walk
side by side with the Lord. I hope it is a sign that I started fully trusting the path Heavenly Father has set
for me. I didn’t trust my footing and so I stopped, listened and very deliberately tried placed my feet in the correct places. Is it one set of footsteps
because this is when I truly began<i> following</i> my Lord?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wouldn’t it be more profound to look back at your life and
find that at some point you truly committed to being a follower of Christ and so from then
on, just one trail was found? My Savior
gave his life for me. He died so that I
could try. I don’t want to look back on my life and see pout prints in the
sand, I don’t want to choose to be carried.
He died so I could try. I want to
try. I want to be able to always be
progressing and hopefully aligning my path to always be more in sync with my
Saviors. <o:p></o:p></div>
Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-28691284303377554942013-08-12T20:42:00.000-07:002013-08-12T20:42:18.049-07:00Ovak-HaiIf you get a little blushy or nervous about words like uterus, ovary and infertility then allow me to jedi mind trick you. This is not the blog you are looking for. Because it is about to get real up in here, time to write down our story.<br />
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In 2002, Josh and I were married and we waited exactly six months before trying to having children. December* of 2002 was the first of many many months to come where no seed found fertile ground. About 5 months into trying I had debilitating abdominal pains and got the diagnosis and label of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). My ovaries thought it would be fun to grow multiple cysts and then to let those suckers burst like pinatas of pain. Brutal. The doctor that diagnosed me also advised that pregnancy would probably not happen.<br />
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This is where we decided to introduce humor. My ovaries earned the nickname Ovak-Hai. Like their relatives the Uruk-hais, the most evil and devious Orc's from Lord of the Rings, my Ovak-Hai decided to attack at the most random times.<br />
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Now I can list all the medicines that we took, dates and types of procedures, let's just say years and years of treatments were happily taken in the hopes that we could have a baby. But fundamentally what it boiled down to was that technology didn't have what I needed to procreate without spending astronomical amounts of money. Large enough amounts of cash that Josh and I figured out treatments that "may possibly" lead to pregnancy equaled the cost of an adoption. This is where we decided to stop. For us it wasn't worth the 30% chance of pregnancy when we could put the money away and be placed with a beautiful baby at a much higher rate of success. It might take years but at this point years seemed like nothing.<br />
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December 2010 my father, an obgyn and infertility specialist, decided it was time to have the talk. He quizzed me about what we had tried and when we had last participated in treatments**. Then to my surprise (which in hindsight is silly) he told me about all the advancements since our last try. And so we decided to go for it again.<br />
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This time through some heavy handed spiritual inspiration, no really the Spirit practically hit me in the face, we landed with the right doctor. At my first appointment I explained our long history and that the last doctor we saw said I could not conceive. In return he told me, "Ellen, you'll be pregnant by September or October." And I'll be honest, I laughed at him. But I'll be damned, he was right.<br />
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In August we were placed with the most amazing baby boy for adoption. He had an extended hospital stay so we never finalized our adoption until September 1. And people, for the first time in my life I ovulated that month. So Josh and I had the talk, stop treatments and raise our boy or just keep going. We chose to keep taking treatments because I think neither of us actually believed we'd get pregnant. But we did, the second ovulation of my life and with a three month old child in our home***.<br />
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In the last six weeks we have been able to celebrate a first birthday and a second birthday for our beautiful sons. It has been a brilliant time. But rising from the cake crumbs is the return of the one Ovak-Hai. That's right I have one ovary. Not one doctor or ultra-stenographer caught it, not until I was being put back together after my c-section was that little tidbit discovered. But I'll tell you what this one little Ovak-Hai punk has rage issues. And so it just goes about business growing cysts and blocking fertility. Further debunking the idea that "it will just be easy" to get pregnant from here on out. Sigh.<br />
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But don't give up on us, if the plan is to have more children in our family it will happen. Whether by conception or adoption it will happen.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*As a side note, it is a terrible idea to try and get pregnant in December. It is a memorable month for obvious reasons so as the years roll by without success it is hard not to grieve a little during a month that should be joyous. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">** This is my second rant. People with medical condition need breaks. Sometimes you have to stop forcing it and get cool with yourself again. These breaks and your treatments are frankly no one's business. By the end of our fertility journey I just started over sharing. It proved to be the fastest way to get people to stop asking questions. People want to know, but they don't want to know. I just decided if they were going to ask, there were either all in or completely out. Most people opted out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*** Rant three: People don't adopt and get pregnant as a regular practice. We were lucky. Our adoption had not relaxed us or taken the stress off. That is not why I got pregnant. I got pregnant because of a good doctor, loads of pharmaceuticals and luck. Most importantly, it was the plan. The Lord knew that E Man needed to be the big brother. This fact is confirmed to me often as I watch our sons play with a special familiarity. I have no doubt they new each other before their arrival and had this process all worked out.</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-6688048250459147452013-02-08T21:26:00.002-07:002013-02-08T21:26:39.756-07:00WWARD?As aforementioned in this blog I have vivid dreams. Vivid is kind of an understatement. Crazy colorful miniature mind movies is more like it. Starting about five years ago Alan Rickman started appearing as a pretty regular character in my dreams. Before you get all "whoa, she's wacko" let me just say I understand this is certainly special. Clearly my mind has picked Mr. Rickman as the visual manifestation of my subconscious. And I think that actually that is pretty innovative of my brain. Alice had the Chester Cat, Pinocchio had the cricket, Tim Burton has Johnny Depp. I have Alan Rickman. <br />
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The first time Mr. Rickman showed up he as a character in a novel that I clearly need to write because five years later I still remember all the details. In this novel Alan is the moral compass of the book, guiding our heroine on a journey where she correct past missteps. I think my mind liked him as the moral compass so much it just kept using him to keep me in line.<br />
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And so three to five times a year Alan Rickman appears in a dream. He always introduces himself, "Hi! I'm Alan Rickman." He's never dressed as Snape or Colonel Brandon, just as Alan Rickman. Then he narrates, clarifies, or point me in the right directions. In the last dream he showed up to tell me I need more time with a friend who challenges my thought process and makes me a better lady. Pretty good guidance. Alan, he's like that. Always looking out for me. Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-25358536977370591422013-01-08T17:06:00.000-07:002013-01-08T17:06:24.828-07:00Hearts & FartsThis is just something I've got to document so 16 years from now I can look back and remember how grateful I once was that our son can pass gas. <br />
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See E Man was born with two holes in his heart. An ASD (atrial septal defect) and a VSD (ventrical septal defect). Heart holes are not cool. E Man was suffering heart failure by the age of 2 months. Over a very long year, he had bi-monthly visits to the cardiologist. Long doctors appointments, always at least 2 hours. He suffered from what we believed to be acid reflux. He would have this scary intense gagging spells. Where he'd gag so hard he'd develop red spots on his forehead, his eyes would roll back into his head and he'd grasp for you to help him calm down. These attacks would happen multiple times a day. Anytime he had gas or had eaten he'd gag. It sucked, totally heartbreaking to simply hold a child while they suffer and find yourself saying again and again, "You are doing so good. It's going to be okay." Ugh.<br />
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At 14 months the doctors finally decided he was ready for open heart surgery. And yes, it was scary but our boy did great! He was smiling within 24 hours and was released quickly from the hospital. Recovery was not ideal, he developed a staff infection, but our boy never lost that amazing sparkle. I think every nurse was in love by the time he was officially sent home.<br />
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And here we are 3 month out from the surgery and our boy is amazing. He is constantly on the go, just recently learning to crawl. He laughs loud and yells louder! But I think the thing that pleased us the most is that he can burp and fart without all the gagging. I never thought I'd cheer for farts but I do. The reflux and gags are completely gone! How you might ask are toots tied to heart surgery? I asked our surgeon the same question and he said to me, "Your body does extreme things when suffering heart failure." <br />
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We are so thankful for our amazing son and for his killer personality. We are thankful for modern day medicine, heart surgeons and nurses. And yes, we are thankful for farts.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-75140203738095147622012-09-01T13:31:00.002-07:002012-09-01T13:31:10.008-07:00Color Wheel House of TerrorTidbit of wisdom: If you are not permanently in love with the color dark forest green, do not...I repeat DO NOT paint or buy a home with walls this color. Why? Because two coats later, it is still dark green! I'm guessing at least four coats to cover the dark charms of this color. <br />
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As a side note, dragon fire orange painted over dark forest green is quite possibly the ugliest color ever.<br />
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Side note squared, painting a room in your house while you have guests that need to sleep in that room later that night equals worst idea ever. <br />
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QED: Abstain from projects, no matter how good they may seem.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-14791322382852393342012-06-12T16:03:00.000-07:002012-06-12T16:03:09.978-07:00Jibber Jabber"Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb." I've felt a little bit like this lyric from Smash Mouth's "All Star" recently. I know I have the knowledge in there but my head, okay mostly my mouth, is so dumb right now. And darling Josh who has been married to a language freak all these years is slightly in heaven as he mentally records all the dumb things I've said recently. He is good to not correct me or tease me, but I'll see the little smile cross his lips and I know...blast! I did it again.<br />
<br />Examples to go down in family humor history: <br />
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I started grilling dinner and Josh was finishing up for me. I saw he was looking around for the grilling utensils and I said, "Oh! I left the tonsils out there for you." Tongs, folks, not tonsils.<br />
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Last night, we were making plans for dinner and I said, "Well, I did de-thaw some hamburger." <br />
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We were swimming in the pool and I got a cramp in my foot. I said to Josh, "I have this terrible cramp! What do they call them, you know something about a horse." This is where recall came in and I proclaimed, "I have a horse hickey on my foot." Josh did openly laugh at this one as he gently asked, "You mean a charlie horse?" <br />
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Right...... I meant charlie horse. <br />
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<br />Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-5160240679975916862012-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:50:10.827-07:00LuckyLast Saturday Josh and I went to eat at our favorite sushi joint. Josh is sort of the "Norm!!" of this place and so it is always fun to go. Everyone recognizes him. The waitresses are always super helpful and the sushi chef and Josh know each other on a first name basis. Typically we go for dinner, but we found ourselves there at lunch and so we were seeing a lot of waitresses for the first time in nine months. They all took turns loving on E boy. One of the waitresses then pointed at my now thoroughly pregnant tummy and raised her eyebrows at us. And so we explained that we had adopted our sweet boy and then after trying for nine years got pregnant three months later. And yes, that meant they'd be a week short of a year apart. After the typical HOLY MOLEY! pause, the waitress grabbed Josh's arm and fervently explained to him what this means in Korean culture. I'm going to use her phrasing because it seems more correct that way. <br />
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She explained that often when a couple in Korea have not received a child they adopt. If then the couple became pregnant the first child became known as the "Lucky Child." This Lucky Child was to be honored and respected above the other children because the Lucky Child had opened God's eyes and been the doorway for blessings in our family. She then proceeded to tell us that if we wanted to stay in the goodwill of heaven we MUST honor Elliot. He must be highly praised and loved. She took time to look us both in the eyes making sure we understood how important it was. She then leaned over our son, ran her fingers through his hair and said, "Lucky Baby."<br />
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It felt like she'd just given us a beautiful blessing. We have no doubt there was a plan here. He is supposed to be our first child and he will always be a source of joy for all of our family. But I can't shake the urgency in which she reminded us to honor him, to love him, to know he had brought us luck. And we do feel so lucky to have a remarkable boy living with us each day and to have a brother coming. The joy cannot be explained. I was truly moved by her sharing these details with us and how she gently admonished us to remember how blessed we are. I can't help but feel that our Elliot will love to hear that he is our "Lucky Child."Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-75093005883261412952012-04-26T16:25:00.001-07:002012-04-26T16:25:17.152-07:00She's so cute!!After 9 years of trying and finally being pregnant, my doctor is being a worry wart which frankly I love. It's nice to have him be so proactive. As such I have already been to two 3-D ultrasounds and will have at least one more. The bonuses are knowing I'm healthy and baby is awesome. When I went to the Women's Ultrasound center this time they gave me a CD explaining that they'd compiled photos from my first ultrasound. I waited very patiently for Josh to come home that night and we popped the CD in the computer to gaze at our adorable son. <br />
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And we were awful. Oohing and Aahing talking about how handsome he is. Look at his little hands! Oh what a cute nose! Then about 15 photos in the next shot pops up and says, "It's a Girl!" To which we both looked at each other shocked. I'm immediately went into a rant about, "No, no, no! It's a boy!" and Josh immediately goes into detective mode then starts laughing. When I had finally settled enough, Josh simply pointed to the patient name in the corner. Charlotte Haws. Yeah, that's not me. Yes the outside of the CD said, "Baby Haws." It even has one of the many due dates I've sported during this pregnancy, easy mistake. Then the giggles set in, we had just proudly parentally cooed at a totally random baby. Even pointed out genetically similar features. Yes, we are proof that you see what you want to see.<br />
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Congratulations Charlotte Haws and family! Your daughter is adorable!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-60075442733412484402012-04-19T09:36:00.004-07:002012-04-19T09:46:25.413-07:00Pirate EyeYou know what is not cool? Waking up one morning and being totally blind in one eye. Then spending the whole day at the doctor, emergency room and ophthalmologist as my vision slowly returned and getting this medical gem of advice, "Weird things happen when you are pregnant." Hooray for medical advancements!<br /><br />However, you know what is cool about temporary blindness? You start to consider your pirate name. Lucky for me I found my pirate name years ago when I was working claims with that one insurance company. There was a customer named Gwendolyn Goldtooth. Best pirate chick name ever. Captain Goldtooth has a nice ring to it, am I right? Also Josh says I'd look hot with an eye patch further proving I married the right man. <br /><br />Lucky for me all is well, all vision has returned. Lucky for the safety of the seas I haven't gone rogue and started my pirating career. Because listen if the day ever comes, ye be warned. Ragnar Danneskjold has nothing on me.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-21885333246734534112012-04-12T15:44:00.003-07:002012-04-12T15:45:46.818-07:00Voltron Wins!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63ZACyKc0i3E4NGeRAL32le_LOU1eK8tSGpaHdD-F_6SsBMdTzWYy1gH9e3p5c2S39j4zf6QRbOay84Vh5P7GQl2Cia-cyInfBoxuPj5ea1eeQ9OGocTsgXnI_FY71AalIPTQh2y3AeEJ/s1600/2012-04-03+010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730649093947758338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63ZACyKc0i3E4NGeRAL32le_LOU1eK8tSGpaHdD-F_6SsBMdTzWYy1gH9e3p5c2S39j4zf6QRbOay84Vh5P7GQl2Cia-cyInfBoxuPj5ea1eeQ9OGocTsgXnI_FY71AalIPTQh2y3AeEJ/s400/2012-04-03+010.jpg" /></a> Congratulations!! Thanks for playing again this year! <br /><br /><div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-14727956952516058382012-04-07T20:58:00.004-07:002012-04-07T21:10:25.654-07:00Peep offYes, I'm behind which seems to be my life lately. However, we got some killer entries this year. The winner will still receive prizes and glory, maybe just a little late.<br /><br />Entry #1: The Red Carpet<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkNSkRE-QRFHpNmsV7OVuit1r1qhGHYjPw5Z4sVOFeR833EMB66TLDrLrGYFg72_G0lMTYtYxQffoUYMt-DCeghGh-VmGvDPJm7_BdFde1wDDzq8rqfJjN6iOJt3A05s_3oX-0JL13W6A/s1600/2012-04-03+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkNSkRE-QRFHpNmsV7OVuit1r1qhGHYjPw5Z4sVOFeR833EMB66TLDrLrGYFg72_G0lMTYtYxQffoUYMt-DCeghGh-VmGvDPJm7_BdFde1wDDzq8rqfJjN6iOJt3A05s_3oX-0JL13W6A/s400/2012-04-03+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876080120796498" border="0" /></a>Entry #2: Voltron<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgqcqOKNYa4XB03zIlr6hpP33et6VYfaFdGyt-PmntWaYEs2yiMpA7MGeQ9dCGDObNUP3aMqCyTcvqxS8QAE3uM-dxbwM_Jbz5sLegg_ZqeHH0MV1eLtfeSG4_XosvukWuJ75jY7hrEpT/s1600/2012-04-03+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgqcqOKNYa4XB03zIlr6hpP33et6VYfaFdGyt-PmntWaYEs2yiMpA7MGeQ9dCGDObNUP3aMqCyTcvqxS8QAE3uM-dxbwM_Jbz5sLegg_ZqeHH0MV1eLtfeSG4_XosvukWuJ75jY7hrEpT/s400/2012-04-03+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876077314205234" border="0" /></a>Entry #3: Peep Party<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4dPbO69Fec7r2o-u1SCJI0YAN4lCI1OXOH_96zvqzpnZaBwJPQkUvfrKHZqCMbTYjMIcoCRZXomDMYkeKM4ubQWAM5TAQwuYzikTv5JhoPIINMnQ6bVOf5MF1wtO9D2abw8q5evV32W0/s1600/2012-04-03+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4dPbO69Fec7r2o-u1SCJI0YAN4lCI1OXOH_96zvqzpnZaBwJPQkUvfrKHZqCMbTYjMIcoCRZXomDMYkeKM4ubQWAM5TAQwuYzikTv5JhoPIINMnQ6bVOf5MF1wtO9D2abw8q5evV32W0/s400/2012-04-03+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876085240392994" border="0" /></a>Entry #4: Peeps Garden<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz2nqH0lFR8ELAoZhqBEzqPxQPI78RydfAeCNkG_fRl_khibE8pznj8NHAW8cZozMndm15yn6xIaMWZktcPq5FKqvmaNH9MjLvHdq_9HnUZ7D-XL4a6MyzOUeYujEz2fi_SiPAcxEKO-r/s1600/2012-04-03+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz2nqH0lFR8ELAoZhqBEzqPxQPI78RydfAeCNkG_fRl_khibE8pznj8NHAW8cZozMndm15yn6xIaMWZktcPq5FKqvmaNH9MjLvHdq_9HnUZ7D-XL4a6MyzOUeYujEz2fi_SiPAcxEKO-r/s400/2012-04-03+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876719056371042" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv5uErXWPWmCjG_o1znKg-hKd-T0o6yliEGzYSzwHfRJkhyphenhypheniI2Uc90QtBYwN7TE4LrYoygZ0uaEfGT7843WVCxUhVFFIY1t0m_rRvTbYusExWku9YYo8y6T1dpizqaQEWEeZfWgkhGC6U/s1600/2012-04-03+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv5uErXWPWmCjG_o1znKg-hKd-T0o6yliEGzYSzwHfRJkhyphenhypheniI2Uc90QtBYwN7TE4LrYoygZ0uaEfGT7843WVCxUhVFFIY1t0m_rRvTbYusExWku9YYo8y6T1dpizqaQEWEeZfWgkhGC6U/s400/2012-04-03+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876724042737074" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iGAkrE7dvl0WRu9c9Iu_6eDdET7O1GSc6piRNZVUyacM4AcYN3j6x-KO3Sh_i0SQulurIhAH7YwsxunammzFdCRDWPbNeLp_St3qABjYpVYppdNfsWSR7QmKfP-4UmjvnoH4e9mApzcB/s1600/2012-04-03+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iGAkrE7dvl0WRu9c9Iu_6eDdET7O1GSc6piRNZVUyacM4AcYN3j6x-KO3Sh_i0SQulurIhAH7YwsxunammzFdCRDWPbNeLp_St3qABjYpVYppdNfsWSR7QmKfP-4UmjvnoH4e9mApzcB/s400/2012-04-03+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876734025606898" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczN5DhFuAKSFKpNDSbYXvPS2ssjsDCVU_40FLHNsFMrbUe7hFcKCLmeaU_ez82N1FWN0wSND5IMOkmJ281xhdH0tXq-A-6cH1oUWiUiAxUT6UrIe-Bd8SNUW_anyW3G0rKaLDZ9klPEW0/s1600/2012-04-03+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczN5DhFuAKSFKpNDSbYXvPS2ssjsDCVU_40FLHNsFMrbUe7hFcKCLmeaU_ez82N1FWN0wSND5IMOkmJ281xhdH0tXq-A-6cH1oUWiUiAxUT6UrIe-Bd8SNUW_anyW3G0rKaLDZ9klPEW0/s400/2012-04-03+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728876745039914946" border="0" /></a><br />Vote now!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-18783416637683287012012-03-15T17:50:00.002-07:002012-03-15T17:58:27.011-07:00Peeps of the world join hands! Start a love train!Yeah!! It's that time again for the Peep Off. Easter has kind of snuck up on me this year. Guess I'm not doing enough shopping because I'm sure the stores are full of Easter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accouterments</span>. Baskets galore!<br /><br />So hopefully at this point <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ya'll</span> know the drill. Make a diorama or art project featuring Peeps and take a sweet picture! (get it? sweet.... yuck yuck) Email me the picture at peepsshow@gmail.com.<br /><br />Cut off for entries: March 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span><br />Voting: Begins on the 29<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>.<br />Winner announced: April 3rd.<br /><br />Winner gets glory and goodies. Let the games begin.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-30071630082892294122012-03-06T14:46:00.003-07:002012-03-06T14:53:48.432-07:00Unfortunate nicknameLast night Josh and I are settling into bed and I remarked about how I can feel the baby when I poke my stomach. Josh goes on this rant about how if our son comes out bruised or misshaped that it is my fault for always trying to touch him. We laugh and I start to fall asleep and the next thing I know Josh is poking my guts trying to feel. So jokingly I smacked his hand and said, "Don't poke the baby!" To which, without a moments hesitation I might add, Josh says, "It won't hurt him. He has on a meat helmet." Yes, my husband referred to me as a meat helmet. That folks is true romance.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-17515717172998014892012-01-24T12:00:00.002-07:002012-01-24T12:10:29.505-07:00Mega Jug!I swear I'm not the only one having <a href="http://joshandellenadopt.blogspot.com/2012/01/surprise.html">cravings</a> in the family. Josh can't get enough chicken right now. He loves him some chicken. We were collecting some dinner the other night and Josh really wanted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">KFC</span>, something I can't eat. We hit the drive through and Josh said, "I want the number #5 and the biggest drink they have." So I get looking at the menu and their is S, M, L and Mega Jug. Being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">snarky</span> I ordered Josh the <a href="http://youtu.be/iSZt2bbC-7k">Mega Jug</a>, and boy are they not kidding. It is HUGE! Seriously could drown the thirst of 3 grown men. It is half a gallon of soda. Josh took one look at it and said, "I'm drinking that whole thing!" But, no he only was able to drink a quarter of a gallon of soda. And bless him for not drinking it all, smart smart man.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-4584822793366554662011-12-21T22:35:00.002-07:002011-12-21T22:41:36.392-07:00Fail SauceI have totally failed at Christmas blogging this year or as Josh would say, "fail sauce." I don't know where my brain is this year. I keep forgetting things, major important things. Also small things like blogging. Wah-Wah. And so in a spirit of resolution at my lack of completing this task, I say Merry Christmas to you all!! Better luck to me next year!!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-6506172124929927842011-12-17T22:03:00.002-07:002011-12-17T22:06:37.376-07:00Cold Hearted Snake!Today I spread Christmas cheer by watching Christmas Wipeout. It was epic! Favorite challenge? Cold Hearted Snake. Some of the best wipeouts ever!!<br /><br />Go find it! Hilarious!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-26466428850641524662011-12-16T13:54:00.003-07:002011-12-16T14:08:58.337-07:00Favorite Christmas StorySunday at church for Young Women's we are teaching our Christmas lesson. The presidency had a really fun idea that each leader bring their favorite Christmas story and read it to the girls. Here is where my predicament begins.<br /><br />I don't have a very large collection, or really no collection, or Christmas stories. I didn't realize what a Grinch I was. I come from good stock when it comes to these types of collections. My mom probably has 100 Christmas books. It is fun to visit her house and read them. Books about Santa, books about Jesus. It is a great collection. I just haven't caught the bug yet....<br /><br />But then lightening struck this morning. I couldn't stop singing one of Michael McLean's Forgotten Carols. I realized I do have lots of Christmas stories, they are just all musical! I am looking forward to playing "Dream [Handel]" for the girls on Sunday. It is one of my favorite Christmas stories.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-81361952661778196272011-12-15T21:35:00.004-07:002011-12-15T21:48:35.527-07:00Best gifts?I quite often get sucked in by websites promising me the best or newest great gift to give. This year I was reviewing the top 100 best gifts as predicted by Amazon. Most of the things on the list were predictable, gadgets, perfume, fruit baskets. And then I found their 4 best books to give section. I was getting all excited thinking I'd found myself a little reading list of the books published this year that I had missed. Are you ready for the top 4 books of 2011?!?<br /><br />1. Extended version of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"<br />2. Harry Potter book 6<br />3. Lord of the Rings series<br />4. The Chronicles of Narnia series<br /><br />Yeah, not a single one written this year. Best buys of 2011? Maybe it should have said most purchased books of 2011. If that is so, I'm glad to see these classics living on, but slightly disappointed that according to Amazon nothing good has been printed or written since Harry P. I guess I can take comfort that Twilight is not on the list. Yes, I read them but they in no way rank with C.S. Lewis.<br /><br />So the list was a swing & a miss! Have you read any great books this year?Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-57878123395526456352011-12-14T21:20:00.003-07:002011-12-14T21:36:19.371-07:00The best way to spread Christmas cheer...Merry 12 Days of Christmas blogging! This is my third year running on blogging about Christmas for all 12 Days. It may be a little more tricky this year, newborn and all, but yes, it shall be conquered!<br /><br />Buddy the Elf is my favorite elf. He says that "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." In attempts to get our four month old son in the holiday spirit I've been busting out some awesome Christmas songs. I'm surprised at how large my holiday <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">repertoire</span> is! I even have a few <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Hanukkah</span> songs up my sleeve! But as I wound down thinking the insanity was almost over, I was suddenly transported back to third grade and remembered some Christmas songs that frankly I can't believe I ever forgot. <br /><br />That's right. I could suddenly remember the words to "Santa's using Zebras now." A classic little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">diddy</span> about how"Donner, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blitzen</span> all the reindeer put him on the spot! They were use to ice and cold but Africa was hot!" So, of course Santa uses zebras. It's a very spicy number.<br /><br />But my favorite that has returned from the recesses of my memory is "Santa Your Too Fat." It goes a little something like this,<br /><br />"I heard a reindeer hoof,<br />then Santa dressed in red,<br />Came crashing through the roof,<br />And landed on my bed.<br />I thought it was a dream,<br />but quickly did I wake,<br />as soon as I heard Santa scream,<br />"I want a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">piece</span> of cake!"<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">OOOOOOOoooooh</span>! Santa Claus, Santa Claus, you are much to fat!<br />I was sleeping peacefully but now my bed is flat!<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">OOOOOOOOoooooh</span>! Santa Claus, Santa Claus how much do you weigh? <br />I'm glad I'm not a reindeer that has to pull your sleigh."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Unfortunately</span> I don't remember the second verse because I always chose to take the descant "Ho! Ho! Ho!" However, I know that the last line we used to all yell really loud, "SANTA YOUR TOO FAT!"<br /><br />Not the nicest Christmas song ever, but you know the boy is going to love it in a few years. Chunky Santa forever! Viva <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">los</span> chunk!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-47951308038837451862011-11-10T18:49:00.002-07:002011-11-11T18:22:21.587-07:00Pop Up Video!Oh yeah boy! It's back!! Pop Up Video. And I will tell you straight up that I am addicted. I mean who doesn't want to learn needless information while watching music videos? Because you never know when you might get to audition to be a Music Video Jeopardy Contestant.<br /><br />I'll take celebrity arguments for $4000, Alex.<br /><br />Gwen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stefani</span> wrote <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hollaback</span> Girl in response to what celebrities snide public remarks?<br /><br />Ding, ding, ding! Who is Courtney Love?<br /><br />Oh yeah!! I just banked $4000. That is B-A-N-A-N-A-S.<br /><br />Also how great would it be if you could turn the Pop Up Video bubbles on in real life? Boring church meetings, waits at the doctor's office. Pop! "This gentleman once trained as a cage fighter." or "This office receives 25 magazines a month. Only 12 make it to the waiting room, the remaining go home with Nurse Smith." or "Newlywed! Married last weekend!" Intriguing right? It could be fun! I would just want the option to turn it off, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">perma</span>-Pop could become overwhelming almost like have 4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">harajuku</span> girls that follow you around all the time. That could make you B-A-N-A-N-A-S.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-26683014704933295032011-09-26T21:11:00.002-07:002011-09-26T21:28:40.358-07:00Toys vs. TreasuresWe have a box that comes out every time we have kids in the house and written on the side of the box in large letters is the word "TOYS." This weekend we had the most excellent privilege of having my sister, nephew and niece visit. As my niece dug through the box she busily renamed all the stuffed animals, one penguin will forever be Sunset now, and quickly she separated the toys into what interested her and what didn't. And then she found it and you could almost see the world go into slow motion for a minute.<br /><br />In the toy box is a Cinderella music box. When you open it you can fold out two mirrors and put Cinderella and her prince on the dance floor, wind the music and then as it plays "So This Is Love" they dance. I helped her set it up and for 20 seconds she was completely mesmerized. Then she looked at me and said, "That's it?" Ha ha, yes that's it. <br /><br />My sister got laughing and explained that yes, this is how it works something is special but only for about 20 seconds. And so my 5 year old niece carried it back to the box, set it to the side and continued to play with other toys. However as bedtime approached I was presented with the music box.<br /><br />"Aunt Ellen?"<br />"Yes?"<br />"Aunt Ellen, this is not a toy. This is a treasure. Sometimes when people treasure things they give them to younger people that they love. If you feel that you might love me and be ready to give this to me, I could be happy."<br />"Well okay. Let me think about it."<br />"Okay, for now I'll just take it to my room so I can have it near."<br /><br />She then delicately carried it down the hall to her room. We just melted into giggles. How smart is she? An brilliant noggin I tell you. I mean really how do you say no to that? And so my sister advised that if I was asked again and wasn't ready to part with my "treasure" all I had to do was say something very Disney like, "On your 16th birthday at the stroke of midnight if I don't have any daughters, it is all yours."<br /><br />Ah yes, now I see where the brilliant noggin comes from.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-72241410563835330852011-09-09T14:13:00.002-07:002011-09-09T19:10:21.562-07:00Man SwingDid you know we've become <a href="http://www.joshandellenadopt.blogspot.com/">parents</a>? For part of our journey we spent several weeks in the hospital. One particularly sleepy night Josh was sitting in the wooden rocker and he got expounding on the great wonder that is the process of rocking. Let me remind you, it came out pretty fast and flowing, he was tired and the thoughts were just bubbling out.<br /><br />"I love to rock. It is so soothing. You know what is the only bad thing about this rocker? It is man propelled. I have to push. Sometimes you can push really hard and get several rocks out of one push, but then, it stops! I always seems to need three more rocks before I'm asleep and so the process starts all over, I wake up, push almost fall asleep then the momentum stops." Here he sighed...<br /><br />"But man do I love to rock. You know what would be a great invention? If they could figure out how to make man sized swings like they have for babies. I would totally buy one and just swing and swing and swing. Do you know how relaxing that would be? Very. It clearly calms down a crying baby. Imagine what it would do to a grown man. Talk about stress relief. That right there is a million dollar idea, man swing."<br /><br />Then there were a few minutes of silent rocking and then just for good effect he said one more time...<br /><br />"Man I love to rock."Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-28910153222203704202011-07-22T07:24:00.001-07:002011-07-22T08:50:35.037-07:00Millions of Peaches, Peaches for me!Some bionic change has occurred in me in which I crave nutrients! I seem to desire to eat nothing but fruit and vegetables. My body may possibly be gearing up for the great fruit and vegetables war of 2011 in which mankind devours as many fruits and vegetables as possible in one day. Poor defenseless vegetables. Unguarded low hanging fruit, you are so easily picked off! How will you fight back? You can't! All you can do is make us healthy and for that we love you!<br /><br />In this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pursuit</span> for total food group <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">annihilation</span> Josh and I made a groceries run last night. I needed broccoli salad (that is all I wanted for dinner). As we shopped the sweet fragrance of peaches called to me! Being ever the diplomat I made Josh buy his own morsels, it is every man for himself in this devouring. No sharing. And so in a fair turn of diplomacy, he taunted me on the drive home by deliciously eating said fragrant fruit. It smelled outrageously good and as he reenacted the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mmmm</span>...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">oooh</span>, this is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">delicious</span>" seen from What About Bob I couldn't help but laugh. Eventually he offered me a bite. Glorious!<br /><br />As he quickly finished the first peach he dug around in the bag for the next. Suddenly he stopped and said, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uhhh</span>, my stomach hurts!"<br /><br />I joking replied, "Probably because you ate the produce sticker and it is dicing up your intestines."<br /><br />All color then dropped from Josh's face and he said, "There was a sticker?"<br /><br />Guess the fruit can fight back.Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-42188123167206647122011-06-23T17:34:00.002-07:002011-06-23T17:34:00.518-07:00Rock Anthem for the Green Lantern*******Sing this to yourself like the lead singer from Poison/Def Leopard or White Snake! Your choice. Just put on the big hair and awesome rockerness!********<br /><br />Woah, oh! Green Lanterns, what can you be?<br />Tell us now, what is your mystery?<br />You fight for good, your multi-galaxy<br />You’re stronger than the Ming Dynasty!<br /><br /><strong>CHORUS<br /></strong>You are…….Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Woah oh! Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Bending will with your brains!<br />Creating swords, guns and chains!<br />Even some aeroplanes!<br />Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!<br /><br />And did you know that they can fly?<br />Backflips, spins, dramatic dives<br />Acrobats of the sky!<br />Space gymnasts fly by the moon!<br />Bela Karolyi begins to swoon.<br /><br /><strong>CHORUS<br /></strong>You are…….Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Woah oh! Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Bending will with your brains!<br />Creating swords, guns and chains!<br />Even some aeroplanes!<br />Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!<br /><br />Even Lanterns walk on lover’s lane.<br />Carol Ferris is his Mary Jane.<br />From heartfelt moment moments they do not flee<br />True love helps them to find their destiny!<br /><br /><strong>CHORUS – with professional clapping<br /></strong>You are…….Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Woah oh! Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!!<br />Bending will with your brains!<br />Creating swords, guns and chains!<br />Even some aeroplanes!<br />Mind Ninjas from Outer Space!<br />Mind Ninjas from OUTER SPACE!!!!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4066178865105028012.post-12479768064150793832011-06-06T21:33:00.002-07:002011-06-06T22:11:06.210-07:00Surprise!This story has very little to do with me or Josh. But it makes me laugh every time I think about it. My brother the eldest came home from college one summer with a sweet lady (his future wife) on his mind. He pined.<br /><br />One of his “hope she doesn’t forget me” projects was a tape of all his favorite songs. Love songs. He worked and worked on that tape. Is this song okay, is it too weird that song ends with the guy yelling? We consulted and eventually he had created a perfect mix. Absolutely lovely, no girl could resist. So he packaged it all up with a nice note and mailed it off to her.<br /><br />However, the perfect mix is not the tape future sister in law received. Nope. She received 90 minutes of the two younger brothers making up songs and practicing their fart noises. Not exactly the effect Brother the Older was going for. He was not a happy camper when she called to report and rightfully so. But that is just too funny to be empathetic. Go with me to the package delivery…..<br /><br />You get a package from the boy you dated that semester at school. Inside is a mix tape in it which all girls know is the ultimate symbol of love. Thank you 80s movies! You head to your boom box put the tape in, push play and open the letter. As you start to read your love letter, taking in how nice his handwriting is and the sweet introduction you are rudely interrupted by the Beef Log* song and two little boys laughing. It is this moment, that no matter what is going on in my life, if I picture this moment...I laugh. Sorry sister, it is just funny.<br /><br />Bless her for being patient enough to seek clarification. What I wouldn’t give to get my hands on that tape. Solid family history there.<br /><br />** Beef Log Lyrics ** from Space Ghost Coast to Coast<br />Beef Log, Beef Log what a treat!<br />A hefty hunk of processed meat!<br />Dipped in Mustard oh what joy, I’m a jolly beef log boy!<br /><br />Brak, I beg to disagree, cheese log in the log for me.<br />As a meal or as a snack, it’s my favorite source of saturated fat!<br />Cheese log, cheese log, cylindrical and yellow<br />Pass the cheese log and I’m a happy fellow!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898192303156269836noreply@blogger.com1