Happy Birthday, B!

I can't believe this little chunky monkey will be five tomorrow!  I don't know what most moms do on the eve of a new year, but as I sat here holding him out of his bath tonight, I rubbed his back, wondering if next year he'll still want to sit in my lap or still let me rub his back.  I can't believe we're celebrating his second birthday together; sometimes they still seem so new and sometimes it's hard to believe that we haven't had him since he looked like this.  

I also don't know what most adoptive mothers do on birthdays.  In the midst of the celebration of my sweet boys, I also grieve.  I grieve for their mom who battles things I'll never know.  I grieve what she misses.  I hate that she doesn't know how sweet this boy is, that she doesn't know how he likes to cuddle when he sleeps, likes to randomly say, "Hey Mommy, I love you,"  that he tells me I'm his princess, smiles in his sleep, offers anything he has to random strangers because he's just that giving, and loves to sing at the top of his lungs.  Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful God lets me spend each day with these sweet boys, but I always remember that loss led to this.  I'm thankful for a God who makes beauty from ashes.  

So, tonight, I remember.  I remember her.  I thank God for the way she loved these boys.  I pray that her heart finds peace tomorrow.  I pray that it's not a day that causes her struggles to be harder to fight.  I pray for her health.  I remember how much my boys have grown, I thank God for the peace they, especially B, have found!  I thank God for grace, for redemption, for his gifts, and I pray my sweet B always knows how incredibly special, and incredibly loved he is.  

 And tomorrow, tomorrow we celebrate.  We celebrate life, family, each other, and our sweet Bowden.  We'll eat some "Larry Pizza," spend too many quarters in the candy grab machine, sing Sweet Home Alabama and Feliz Navidad at the top of our lungs, and thank God for this beautiful boy's life.  I hope every year is the best one ever!

Happy Birthday, Love

This picture owns me.  I told Jeff just last week, I wished I had the chance to know him all my life.  He tells me it's best I didn't.  However, I'm so incredibly thankful for all that he is today. 

Last week, we had the opportunity to sit for hours with so many people who have poured into Jeff over the years.  It was an amazing time for him and for me.  I am so thankful for all of these people and for God in them who have helped shape Jeff into the gracious, kind, creative, loving man that he is.  

I am so thankful for his love for his Savior, for the way he loves me and for the way he loves others.  I love his sense of humor, his intelligence, his ability to appreciate the common, every day things.  I appreciate that a day doesn't go by that he doesn't tell me I'm beautiful, appreciated and loved.  I'm thankful for the way he loves the people I love, and I'm thankful that he sees things in me that I'm unable to see myself.  

Happy Birthday, love.  My life is much richer because I live it with you.  Here's to many more years of learning, loving and dreaming together.  

Three Years Later

Three years ago tonight, I met Jeff for the first time. We talked for hours about life over Baumhower's wings (it might help understand that this was our first date, if you also know we got engaged over ribs at Rendezvous) while watching college football.  I think we knew we were supposed to be together before we even actually fell for each other.  Three years ago, I curtly told Jeff that I wasn't really looking for a relationship and life was good on my own.  I had great friends, a wonderful church family, and a job that I loved (though it kept me overwhelmed).  I'm so, ridiculously thankful that God knew what I needed better than I. 

Our First Picture

Jeff's First SHC Event; I Got Lots of Inquiring Texts that Night

Three years ago tomorrow, I saw Jeff again (and three years ago the day after tomorrow, etc.).  As we began a relationship and even started to talk about marriage, I quickly told him I could not be married.  I told him I'd be a horrible wife and just didn't have it in me.  Honestly, I probably am a horrible wife.  Thankfully God works in me and through me while he's also working in Jeff and through Jeff and a beautiful relationship can occur between two people (one who is very selfish and doesn't really so much have any housekeeping skills).  

The Night Jeff Met Mom - Wicked in Memphis

I read this blog a few years ago posted by a friend of a friend who stated he'd be married to five different women over his lifetime and it couldn't be more true for the two of us.  Jeff didn't even make it to the wedding before he was married to someone different than he proposed.  Life happened and has continued to happen.  I walked down the aisle to a song that declared "we'll say prayers we never thought we'd pray," and we have.  I'm thankful God knows me better than I know myself and continues to give us both grace while teaching us to give grace to each other.  

Our First Halloween

At the SHC Fall Festival in 2011

I'm currently reading A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet and she details how, in her life, God has done immeasurably more than she could have imagined.  I bawled when I read it, because I feel the same way about Jeff in my life.  I'm thankful for what our marriage has taught me about God's love for me.  I'm thankful for what it's taught me about putting the needs of our marriage and of what God has called us to do above my own. I'm thankful for Jeff.  I'm grateful that three years ago tonight, God was at work in both of us to do immeasurably more than we could have imagined.  

Our First Look on our Wedding Day

I selfishly (I'm still learning) hope that the next three years and beyond are more calm than the last three have been, but I'm thankful that Jeff is beside me on the journey.  

At a Cardinals/Braves Game in Atlanta - Summer, 2012

At the Little Rock Farmers' Market - Summer, 2013

Life as We Know It

Wow, what a month!

School has started.  I am loving my little (seriously, only 16 kids right now!) class.  I figured out recently that, other than my years as math coach, this is the first time I've taught the same grade in the same room in the same school two years in a row.  It's been nice to get back in gear.

My Door Sign for School

After a year of grief, anger, confusion, etc., I think we are finally (hopefully) coming back to life.  We began attending Fellowship Bible Church in Benton during the summer.  Jeff has started helping with the youth and I have started teaching 3rd and 4th graders.  Finding a church has been an adjustment and probably will continue to be.  We joke, though fairly seriously, that Safe Haven ruined us.  

Jeff has also begun volunteering with The CALL to help families and DCFS transport children to appointments and visits.  Other than our trip to St. Louis, Jeff hasn't been much north of Little Rock (when traveling in Arkansas), but he's making a splash this week.  His first two appointments are to drive a child to Jonesboro tonight and then to Fayetteville tomorrow.  Talk about seeing the state!  

As a side note, we would appreciate your prayers for this ministry.  Please pray for the children, for Jeff and the other volunteers, for protection over vehicles and protection while driving children, and just for it to be a good thing, in general.  

I am taking two grad classes during this seven week session.  The work isn't THAT bad, but it's really hard for me to manage everything and keep it all straight.  After this, though, I have one class from October - December and then two portfolio/lab classes.  I can not wait to be finished.  

Oscar Helping Me Complete Grad School Assignments

After a year of not much, I finally had to get a family calendar to keep everything straight.  Whew!  (I know, all of you with a million obligations and/or children are rolling your eyes at me right now). We are exhausted, but grateful.  

There's an App for That

I really do enjoy technology and have had an iPhone pretty much since they came out.  However, I really don't use a ton of apps.  Here are a few I enjoy.

I use YouVersion a lot; I enjoy the ease of finding scripture, the ability to take notes and highlight passages and appreciate the reading plans.  Honestly, we moved here a year ago and I JUST found my bible in a box this past week; therefore, YouVersion has been my primary Bible for the past year.

My Fitness Pal has been helpful as Jeff and I have been working on eating in a more healthy fashion.  I actually prefer the app platform to the website platform.  It has an accountability facet, but I haven't really used it.  If you want to friend me, my username is ellenwmorris.  

I use Twitter, Facebook and am trying to get into Instagram; I just use the apps for each of those sites.  Jeff and I have also said we really look like fatties because we pretty much have every fast food restaurant's app on our phones.  It is extremely helpful for knowing what you're putting in your body, though.  I also have apps on my phone for many stores where I enjoy shopping.  My favorite is probably Hobby Lobby with their handy-dandy 40% off coupon.  

My school is amazing for numerous reasons, but I especially love the fact that our Principal has prioritized education.  Our students have the opportunity to use iPads daily.  Some apps I enjoy using for school are Class Dojo (you can take attendance, monitor positive and negative attendance and it is very user friendly for the kids), Red Laser (I use an online QR code generator and the kids use Red Laser to scan the codes for information, websites or data), Stick Pick (a technological version of equity sticks), Near Pod (the teacher can control all of the iPads in the room to present information, websites, videos and quizzes from a computer), and BrainPop (great educational videos on numerous subjects).  I am so thankful our kids have regular access to such great resources! 

Stick Pick

Brain Pop

What are some of your must have apps?

Friends are Friends Forever

Scott and Kaye (and Tori, Austin, Noah and Kansas) became our friends in Tuscaloosa right as we got married.  They started coming to Safe Haven right after the tornado; the week before our wedding, they were baptized during the same service I was.  I was blessed to teach SHC Kidz with Kaye and Tori and Scott and Jeff kept each other company on the theater benches waiting for us.  Last year, they were our physical and emotional support, helping us move to Little Rock.  There really just aren't enough words to express what they mean to us; we are beyond thankful for them and their friendship.  We were excited that they came to visit us this weekend and we got to have a little Staycation with them.  

Thursday night, we made Sam's and Walmart runs to grab food.  Scott is the best cook, and spent his vacation cooking for us!  Pork kebobs, hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled pork loin, hamburger steaks, and squash that seriously melted in your mouth.  

Friday, we took them to Larry's for the experience (as well as a good excuse to go ourselves).  We, then, went swimming that night at the Dailey Center.  Clearly, most others also didn't know they were open on Friday nights and we had the pools almost to ourselves.  Scott, Austin, Noah and Kansas took turns scaring us on the diving boards and water slide while Jeff, Kaye and I watched from the pool.  

Saturday morning, we went to the Farmers' Market.  My newest Farmers' Market addiction is cheese.  I had bought Kent Walker's feta cheese before and it was amazing, but I tried out the habanero cheddar this time.  If you haven't tried it and are a cheese fan, you definitely should.  I also got some six pepper chèvre  from White River Creamery.  It is also amazing.  They had a chocolate chèvre that was delicious, as well!  I've also enjoyed buying flowers from a seller from Wye Mountain.  I got some beautiful sunflowers this time.

With the Murphy's at the Farmers' Market

Happy Kitchen

We had lunch at Whole Hog (Noah's request), then Scott, Austin and Jeff went to see the Lock and Dam and Kaye, Noah, Kansas and I went to the Museum of Discovery.  

Noah on the Bed of Nails 

Kansas and I Broadcasting the News 

Destructing Pennies

We came home; Scott cooked again and then we used the Silhouette to cut everyone something out of vinyl.  

Sunday, we went to church, had lunch and said our goodbyes.  It was wonderful to have a full house; the dogs are absolutely exhausted and extremely happy.  We are so thankful they came to visit; it was much needed for us.  

What I'm Loving Wednesday and Oh, How Pinteresting

Today, for the first time, I'm linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting and have included a little What I'm Loving Wednesday as well.  

I'm loving that College Football season is almost here; Jeff and I are so ready!  I've mentioned before, our whole courtship occurred over college football season; it really is our favorite time of year.  I got our football season mantle almost put up today; here's a picture from last year.

I'm loving these game day outfits from Ellie Crimson and trying not to buy every single houndstooth thing I see in the stores.  I miss being able to find Alabama attire on a whim!

For one final Alabama-themed love, I'm loving that our dear friends from Tuscaloosa  Gordo are coming to visit us tomorrow!  I know technology has pros and cons, but one great pro for me is the ease of keeping up with our Alabama framily.  I can't wait to spend the next few days with Scott, Kaye and the kiddos.  

Because Jeff and I are trying to get rooms set up to do foster care, most of my pinning searches these days revolves around "Shared Bedrooms" and "Refinish Furniture."

I love the orderliness of this room; I'm not totally in love with it, but like the functionality and clean lines!  

I would love to make a fabric covered cork board to use as a head board of sorts behind their beds.  Trying to make the rooms gender neutral as well as inviting has proven difficult for me.  

I really want to redo the chest of drawers we have a fun color like the bottom piece, but with the stained wood top similar to the top piece.  I'm not sure if kids would enjoy it so much, though.  We're trying to make decisions.  I love that look, though!