Elise's Second Birthday

Elise had been anticipating her birthday party since her good friends Deacon and Rebekah had their birthday party in August. It was a long time coming. She was wound up, for sure, but she did a great job with thank yous and sharing her new toys with her friends. It was pretty chaotic in our little house - eight kids, 15 adults! Those of us with toddlers were totally at ease, but I think those who aren't around toddlers on a daily basis might have been a little shell-shocked by the chaos.

My mom led a fun craft for the kids, making holiday themed placemats. They were a hit!

Wes made Elise's birthday cake, which was Elmo (see below). He did a great job, and Elise was thrilled.

Thanks to all of our family and friends, at the party and all of the country, who love and invest in Elise. As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and we certainly couldn't do it without the support we receive.

We love you all!

Waiting for her friends to arrive

"Elmo!!!"

Opening her purse from Nana and Papa J

Friends - Eve Arnold, Jonah Beavers, Lydia Arnold, Deacon Peterman, Audrey Clampitt, Elise, Rebekah Arnold, and Maya Lewallen

Boston

Last weekend we had the chance to go visit my brother and sister-in-law in Boston (had to get that in before
Elise turned 2 and we had to pay for her flight.) Even though Elise hadn't seen her aunt and uncle in awhile, she warmed right up to them and had a great time. Wes and I also had a great time - family is so precous!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Pooh Bear! Elise got to Trick-Or-Treat twice today - once in Kim's neighborhood for a special toddler time and then this evening in our neighborhood. She had so much fun!

Fall Photo Shoot

It turns out a photo shoot right before nap is a bad idea. Elise wasn't too interested in having her picture taken and she has pretty dark circles under her eyes. I got a few cute pictures, though. The last is my favorite because it is a very classic Elise face - it is like she is smiling about some little secret only she knows.

Elise the Chemist

As many of you know, our dear friends Kim and Randy are chemists, and they are always telling us that chemistry is cooler than we think. So, this weekend we took Elise to the Chemistry Open House. Elise got to do all kinds of chemistry experiments. It actually was cooler than we thought chemistry could be :).

Funny video

I haven't posted anything in awhile, so I thought I'd better get something up here. This is a funny video. Elise climbed into her doll high chair.

Another funny story - Elise got her flu shot yesterday. They called her name and she got all excited and said, "Elise's turn!" Oh, I felt so bad - she had no idea what was coming. After she got the shot and stopped crying, she got up and said, "Leave this room?" and went to the door. All night, she kept talking about the experience saying, "Poked me! She poked me!" This child is clearly an extrovert - she processes everything outloud.

More Fort Wayne pix

Fort Wayne in the Fall

It has become our tradition to visit Fort Wayne in the fall for apple picking. We also went to the Auburn Fair and parade. Here are just a few of the pictures. Elise had so much fun with her Nana and Papa J.

Alphabet

I have been trying to capture Elise singing the alphabet on video. Whenever the video camera comes out, Elise stops doing anything. She is facinated with technology. I managed to capture the tail end of her singing. Enjoy!

Apple Works

Here are some pix from our trip to Apple Works with the Arnolds and Kleins.


The Slide - Elise liked it, Rebekah, not so much

On the train - Karis loves Elise, and Elise loves Karis!

Kids and Family Photos

My Faith - In Loving Memory of Nicki Baker

I knew Nicki from my church youth group - the Donut Shoppe. Nicki was beautiful, fun, talented, and spunky! I write this in her memory.

To write about my faith openly is scary for me. I am not an outspoken person about anything. Faith is such a sensitive subject. But, as I think about Nicki, I know this is one thing I can do in honor of her memory that really matters.


Nicki was a follower of Jesus Christ. The verses she listed on Facebook regarding religion are:

Matthew 25:35 - For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,


and


I Corinthians 2:2 - 2 - For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.


It is impossible to understand this tragedy. It is so terribly sad. Words cannot express.... However, I have hope. I have hope in the promise of Jesus Christ. My faith as a Christian isn't about Christian culture; it is not about politics; it is not about arrogance. It is about 'Jesus Christ and him crucified.'


As a follower of Christ, this is what I believe (all scripture from the Bible).



for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
For the wages of sin is death, (Romans 6:23)

God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. (I Corinthians 5:21)

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perrish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

...and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through faith in his blood. (Romans 3:24)

I won't pretend that when terrible things happen, my faith isn't rocked. I don't have all the answers - I don't pretend to. But, I do know that I cannot imagine enduring tragedy like this without hope in Jesus Christ.



Nicki gave her life for her Maddie. She loved her daughter. This is just a glimpse of the love Jesus Christ has for us - to give his life and take on our sin for us.



Here is a description of what I hope for beyond this world and what God promises.



Revelation 21:3-4

4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."



And so I must choose to say:

I Corinthians 15

55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


In Loving Memory of Nicki Baker

End of Summer

As the last few days of summer ensued, we tried to make the most of them. On Saturday, we took Elise to the Monroe County Fall Festival Parade. In my twenty years in Bloomington, I had never been (its in Ellettsville, which is a neighboring town), but it was a really nice and really long parade. There were a lot of spectators, but not so many people that you couldn't get a front row spot. Elise loved watching the floats, trucks, and kids go by, and especially loved the candy thrown at her.

Elise had another first this week - her first pedicure. I am actually surprised it took me all summer to do this. She is just getting to the point where if I ask her not to touch paint because it is wet, she listens, so it was good timing.

Here she is peering down at her toes.

Lastly, we used up the rest of the sponge paint, so we have a few cards for upcoming birthdays. It was a messy, but fun activity. Now, on to fall activities like berry and apple picking; hopefully we'll have a hike in the future, too! And you can wait in anticipation to see Elise in her Halloween costume!