Seven and Sassy

If you're wondering what this mess is in the pan,
it's a homemade icecream cake and it is YUMMY!

Somehow I became a mom to a seven-year old.  We celebrated early on Saturday with all the relatives and on Monday, her actual birthday, we took her, a friend, and her sisters out to McD's and then for some swimming. 

The Lamppa Cousins, minus Maija. 
There's always 1 who doesn't want to cooperate...
and it's usually one of mine.

Jen, the human jungle gym.



Lexi loves swimming on her own now!

Her gift from Josh and me was the American Girl doll, Josefina.  She asked for it for Christmas and then her birthday.  I wasn't crazy about getting her another expensive doll since a few Christmases ago she got her My Twinn doll which is a beautiful look-a-like doll.  But this was the only thing she asked for.  So she painstakingly decided which one she wanted and then proceeded to change her "Final Decision" every 24 hours.  Then she believed that I had to drive down to the cities to buy it so she kept coming up with travel plans for me.  I let her believe that yes, I would have to drive all the way to the AG Store.  But somehow it magically appeared on Monday.  She hasn't quite caught on to the powers of the internet I guess.

Ella had a memorable year being six.  She started 2010 as a kindergartener who loved every minute of it, who didn't want it to end and who wanted to return there after the summer.  She is now a 1st grader who READS and is a SUPER speller and who has great friends.  She took swimming and tennis lessons for the 1st time this summer and FINALLY found her confidence in trying things without me shoving and begging.  What a treat that is!!  She is in her 2nd year of Daisies.  She is in Sunday School and she joined dance and basketball for the 1st time. 

She still wants to be a teacher when she grows up and there's nothing more hysterical than listening to her be a teacher to her younger siblings.  It borders on Drill Sergeant/Dictator, but the littles LISTEN to every crazy command she gives.  And for great lengths of time too!  In this loud, authoritative voice, she tells them how to sit, how to walk, where to walk, where to put their hands, when to inhale/exhale...I hope she does become a teacher...what a great profession (especially in June, July, and August!)

Ella loves being creative.  She enjoys coloring and writing short stories.  She LOVES to shop, watch movies, play outside, and now, play her Wii. 

She's a tough cookie--stubborn and strong-willed, a bit moody and unpredictable, NOT someone who does well on little sleep.  The tween and teen years will be interesting if they're anything like her first 7 years!!

She's a complicated little girl.  She reminds me so much of myself and my personality...
I wish her an amazing year being 7.  I hope she continues to discover and grow in all aspects.  And last I hope she knows how much she is loved by so many.  Happy Birthday, Ella Bella!

Angels Among Us

January 10th is not an easy day.  January 10th, 2008 was the hardest day of my life.  On that day, I had to say good-bye to one very important person, my mom.  Life continuted to move forward after that day but not a day goes by that I don't think of her and wish I could have her back.  HOWEVER, I know and believe that everything happens for a reason and January 10th, 2008 happened for a reason.  There is a country song out right now and there is one part of the song that says:

Oh I cried when my momma passed away
And now I got an angel
Looking out for me today
So nothing’s a mistake

I would love to have one more day with her, one more phone call with her, one more visit at the the kitchen table, but since I can't have those wishes granted, I will be more than satisfied knowing that I will ALWAYS have an angel watching over me and my girls. 

There have been numerous times when my mom has made her presence known.  I will never forget the time I was rushing Lexi to the ER with a possible broken nose.  I was crying and so upset, but when I turned on the road to the hospital, the song, I Hope You Dance, came on the radio.  This is the song we played at her funeral at her request.  Or the time I had to drop off something at Ella's Girl Scout leader's house and when I pulled up to the address, it was my mom's childhood home on Southside.  Or all the times I have seen rainbows in the wintertime.  The FIRST time I saw a rainbow in the winter was the day of my mom's funeral.  I didn't even realize that rainbows in the winter could happen.  Now when I see a rainbow, I feel comforted and reminded that I am never without my mom.

I don't know where I'm at in this whole grieving process.  I don't know if there will ever be a time that I don't tear up when I think of her.  I don't know if there will ever be a January 10th that doesn't make my heart hurt.  But I do know that I have 4 daughters and since tomorrow is not a guarantee, I will be the best mom I can be...with the help of an angel.