All Because Two People Love Each Other…..

I would like to thank my wonderful husband for five exhilarating years of marriage on this 25th day of February, 2011. It was five years and five months ago, on September 25, 2005, that we met in a singles Sunday school class at Temple Baptist Church. We quickly caught each others eye and started dating shortly afterward. Seven short weeks later my true love, Andrew Scott Ellard, asked for my hand in marriage. Because the Lord had confirmed to me that Andrew was the man I would spend the rest of my life with, I joyfully accepted his marriage proposal.


That night we decided to go ahead and set our wedding date for February 25, 2006, only three months and a few days later. That doesn’t give a girl much time to plan the biggest day of her life, but we both agreed that we were ready to begin living our life together as soon as possible! Why waste time when you know, right?

The big day came and with it came the clouds! For whatever reason, I’ve always been told that rain on your wedding day is good luck, and rain it did. I like to think that the Lord was showering us with matrimonial blessings from above. Watching my bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one, I couldn’t wait until it was my turn to walk arm in arm with my father and have him give me away to the love of my life. He seemed a little hesitant about the idea, but finally mustered the courage to give us his blessing at the end of the aisle, as he kissed me and put my hand in Andrew’s.     

                                               

We’ve enjoyed many fun times together, from playing cards or Mexican train dominoes at home, to going out on the town, to staying in and snuggling on the couch to watch a movie, to traveling across the country together. We made our first homemade pizza, danced in the rain, had candle-lit picnics in the living room, painted a house, laughed over coffee and dessert at our favorite local restaurant, celebrated one of our Valentine’s Days at a rodeo, bought our first vehicle at an auction, made pear butter and jam with the first crop of pears at our new house in 2008, refinished wood floors –twice, and many other things, together! The best part was being TOGETHER.

Four years after we met, we welcomed our beautiful baby boy, James Andrew Jackson Ellard, into the world. He was born September 21, 2009, and he has brought many new emotions into our life, but the most memorable emotion is love. He is now 17 months old and never ceases to amaze us! It has been such a joy to grow from husband and wife, to father and mother with a precious baby boy. Jackson has grown so quickly and learned so much in his 17 months with us, and has brought such laughter and joy into our lives. I like to think the Lord gives us children because they are truly a gift and because they remind us that we always have an inner child and it’s ok to let it come out…..often!

 

We are given the task of training up children in the way they should go, but I can honestly say that I have learned just as much in the past 17 months as Jackson. The transformation into a mother has truly been an amazing journey, and I couldn’t have done it without the Lord and my wonderful husband, Andrew.

 




Andrew, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for five wonderful years of marriage. I would like to echo our proclamation to each other from a few years ago. Andrew Scott Ellard, I love you without fear, and without reservation. I want to (continue) make (ing) you happy, and I didn’t just realize that yesterday.

To my Love and my Friend, Happy 5-Year Anniversary! I love you!

A day of Love!

Happy Valentine's Day to all those I love and cherish! Thank you for blessing my life. And thank you Lord for making my life possible and so abundantly blessed through my Savior, Jesus Christ.

More to come along with updated pics....

16 things about my 16 month old Jackson

Happy 16 month Birthday Jackson!


1. He is such a sweet little boy and has been a joy to have in our life! I love him with all of my heart. :)
2. To date, he visibly has only 5 teeth, but we can see many more getting ready to show themselves.
3. He is a healthy 23 lbs 6 oz. and is 33 inches tall
4. He loves "gucks"! Lol......everything is a guck (truck)
5. He can easily identify clocks, digital and traditional style
6. He loves fishes (goldfish crackers), peaches, and bananas and can tell me when he wants them!
7. He loves to jump and dance
8. He still loves being outside and protests profusely when we have to come inside, especially with it being as cold as it has been lately.
9. He can now tell Beau-roe to be quiet when I do....hilarious
10. I taught him how to "sign" when he's hungry and he has been doing a great job letting me know that as opposed to just whining. I am very thankful for that :)
11. He put together his first sentence last week (that we could understand anyway); "Mommy in Daddy guck". He said this one day when I took the Jeep to go shopping...too cute!
12. He has been "promoted" to the next class up at daycare, so he is no longer in the room with younger babies, and I have been able to work my schedule out to pick him up around 3:30pm everyday instead of 5pm. Thank you Lord!
13. He takes only 1 nap a day, usually 2.5 to 3 hours, and goes to bed around 7:30 to 8pm at night. He generally sleeps 12 hours.
14. He is really good at saying the words "No, no"; I think he almost expects that to come out of my mouth often...lol.
15. He is still afraid of the vacuum cleaner and cries almost everytime I get it out. Poor little guy; last week he was fine with it, but this week he cried again.
16. He can say "Pugh-wee" when he dirties his diaper, and says "Tee-tee" when he sees the toilet. I'm trying to get him used to the idea of using the potty one day. At least I can hope it will be a smooth transition!
17. I know this is #17, but I have to include it....he recently has started singing along when we sing "This is the Day" on the way to and from school, and church. He adds in "Dee Day" and it is to die for....so sweet!

I will have to post recent pictures soon. Have a great weekend all!

Happy New Year!

Andrew, Jackson, Beau-roe, Annabelle, and I woud like to wish everyone a very blessed and Happy New Year! I have already been blessed to celebrate another year of living on January 1st, and I can think of no better way to enter the new year. I have so many wonderful friends and family, and the Lord is so good to me everyday. Praise Him!

This year I have not made a resolution yet, but some of my personal goals are to become more fit by exercising more and making healthier food choices when preparing meals for my family and when I eat out. I will also strive to spend more time in God's Word and in prayer with Him on behalf of my family and my friends, as well as brothers and sisters in Christ, those who are sick and suffering, and those who don't know Him. I would also like to be more intentional about spending time with my family and friends this year. Oh, and I've toyed with the idea of training for a half marathon...we'll see how that goes.

In addition to those goals, this year we are looking forward to celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on February 25th!! We would like to go on a nice trip for our anniversary, but haven't decided where yet. We will be celebrating Andrew's birthday in April, and Jackson's second birthday in September. We have also promised Annabelle that she'll get a trip to Pet Smart for her birthday later this month..lol. Beau-roe may get a free trip out of this as well!

Happy New Year!!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas.....

I can't believe it's only 4 days until Christmas!! I thought I had all of my shopping done, but there are still a few things I would like to pick up today. I got my Shutterfly Christmas cards last Monday and they were beautiful! I mailed them to all my friends and family on Wednesday, so hopefully they will arrive pretty soon if they haven't already.

I am so thanksful for this season and what it really means, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means 'God with us'". Matthew 1:23 "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazereth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:4-7 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

I will never understand, and will never have the words to comprehend the love our Savior has for us that he would come in human form, live among us, and die on a cross bearing all of our sins. Immanuel, God with us! God is with us, always, and I praise and glorify Him! There was no room for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the inn on the night He was born, but please don't let that be the case for Jesus this Christmas. He is the meaning of Christmas and should always take his place first and foremost in our hearts and minds; in all the hustle and bustle of gift giving, attending parties, and visiting with family, please save room for Jesus in the center of it all. Without Him there is no CHRISTmas!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

Shutterfly Christmas Card Promotion!

I found out about Shutterfly's awesome 50 free Christmas cards promotion from a friend of mine who is an avid blogger. Thanks Heather! Another friend recently completed her entry and is awaiting her cards now! I am so excited about this because I just joined Shutterfly and have found so many beautiful designs for Christmas, and other photo cards. I just don't know how I am going to choose this year! I want to find the perfect design to feature pictures of my adorable 14 month old son, and our family. I may even include a picture of our two dogs, Beau-roe and Annabelle.

I just love the holidays, and especially Christmas! I can't wait to get my Christmas cards from Shutterfly so that I can share them with my friends and family. These are a few of my favorite designs....

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards 

I love the whimsical, traditional, and modern designs. I like to choose something with the traditional red and green Christmas colors. Check it out for yourself!

Welcome Fall!

Ok, so I'm a little late welcoming Fall, but come on, did you see the date on my last post? I just love everything about Fall; the colors, the smell of cinnamin and pumpkin, and let's not forget about the weather!

Did I forget to mention that I love everything pumpkin as well? Pumpkin pie, pumpkin scented candles, carved pumpkins, decorative pumpkins, and the blizzard of the month at DQ.....pumpkin pie!

Jackson turned one year old on September 21st! Where has the year gone? It is so hard to believe that my little man is a toddler now. He started walking at 11 months and really mastered it around 12 months, and is now toddling everywhere and working on mastering stairs now. I thought the first year flew by, but now it seems like his pace of learning is so much faster, so I really can't blink or I will miss another year. He is the sweetest and cutest little dude I know, and I love him so much. He has been such a blessing to us, and his smiles and laughs are to die for. :)
We love you Jackson!

On the homefront, Andrew and I just finished refinishing our wood floors last week. Jackson got to stay with Ya-Ya for the week so that he wouldn't have to be in the midst of chaos and stinky stain and polyurethane. The project took a total of 3 weeks, including demolishing the tile floors in the kitchen and dining room, installing new hard wood floors in the dining room and kitchen, sanding down wood floors in living room, dining room, and kitchen, staining the floors (3 coats), and finishing the floors with polyurethane (3 coats). Wow!! That is a lot of stuff...and a lot of hard work, but it was totally worth it. The floors look amazing, and when I figure out how to post more pics, I will post some on here. :)

Well, that's about it for today. Have a great afternoon!