2012 Friday Flashback

I thought since I pretty much missed the entire year of 2012 that that I would use Fridays this year to look back.  I cant talk about 2012 without telling about how it started out.  My lovely husband turned "40" on New Year's Eve.  It was actually 2011 but oh well.  Anyway, every year we go to the big shindig at the Ellis house.  We were all excited.  I ordered the obnoxious cake below.  And then the walls came tumbling down.  The assisted living facility that Steve oversee's was hit with a terrible flu.  When I say terrible, I mean the entire facility was quarenteened.  This included staff.   

 

 

 

So take a look at what Steve looked like celebrating his 40th.  Yep.  We decided we could not go and possibly infect every friend we know with the virus, if Steve was a carrier.  This man literally for a week, came home from work, stripped his clothes off in the gargage, ran and took a shower and wore this very trendy mask to hopefully protect us from getting it.  Although at the time we were all very upset that our New Years Eve and daddy's 40th would be spent at home, looking back it is quite funny.

 

 

So what do you do to try to make the children happy and forget they are missing out on a great time???  You play Disney Headbands of course! 

 

 

I mean really.  Steve took this whole "protecting the family" to a whole new level. 

 

 

 

Thankfully, I was able to still surprise him with his big gift from me!!  I rented a cabin in Gatlinburg for FOUR days just THE TWO OF US!!!!!  Never has that happened in 13 years!!! :)  He didn't get the flu and we had a wonderful, relaxing mini vacation just the two of us.

 

 It was an interesting way to start off the year but definately one we will remember!!! :)

Let the New Year Begin

Lucky for Steve, his birthday is New Year's Eve and every year he gets a party with all his best friends. I mean, really. How many people can say that? Last year was the big 40 and unfortunately a yucky flu hit the assisted living facility that he runs and all of the residents and staff had to be quarenteened. It was so sad. Because of that, we were not able to go last year. So, this year we were excited to get back to the Ellis home and party like it's 1999. :)

Steve always requests a cookie cake and so that is what he got. He can always count on some hilarious card's and this year did not disappoint. The Wood's and the Jones families rocked it out with them this year. :)

He was also serenaded by this crew. I'll just say, you had to be there . . .

We tend to bring alot of kids with us to the big party. Believe it or not, this isn't even all of them! Its crazy to see how they have grown year after year. When we first started doing this, they were all tiny little ones running around and barely able to stay up all night. Now so many of them are the big "teenager" word and well, its just yucky. It just needs to stop!

But my favorite tradition of all, our girl picture. No matter what happens. No matter what a year brings. No matter how much older we get. These are people I want around me as I ring in each year. The conversations get funnier. The things we vow to do show our age. And no matter what, 2013 the pyramid is coming back. We may all end up at the chiropractor or in the emergency room but by golly, we will not surrender!!! Happy New Year! (I have some learning to do on getting the pics to turn around again.)

How 2012 Will Change 2013

Before I even begin, I should note that this is the first time I have OPENED this blog in 14 months. WOW. The thing that struck me most was how big I thought my kids looked in those pictures at the top of my blog and how truly little they really are in those pictures compared to today. It brought tears to my eyes. It seems a few of us have decided that 2013 is the year to bring back the blogs. The sad part is that my two dear friends who were the first to share this blog adventure with me are terrific, funny and smart writers to which I AM NOT! Im usually just a rambling idiot. But, as I opened this blog today, it struck me where I left off and why I stopped writing. I then thought through some of what our student pastor spoke about today at church. I've spent this afternoon really thinking over what 2012 was all about and why I "checked out". So be prepared. This will not be a fun, warm and fuzzy post. It will be real to me and I think the best way for me to challenge myself and what I expect out of 2013. First, 2012 brought on so many new changes in our lives. We started homeschooling Selah, for many reasons, and lived. We finally were incredibly blessed and were able to buy a home again to call ours. We watched our children play sports, get more involved in church, excell in school and grow bigger. But as I have been thinking back, there seemed to be a resounding theme to 2012. Not necessarily in our lives personally but to people close to us, around our community and our country. It is such a cliche' to say "life is short" or "we are not guarenteed tomorrow" but 2012 I was reminded of those words way too many times then I would have liked to. We watched a precious little girl's family in our community have to say goodbye to her as she was hit in a fatal car accident right in front of the elementary school she attended on her way to get a birthday cake for her mom. She was 10 years old. I had to watch one of my closest and dearest friends her the words "mom" and "cancer" in the same sentence and within weeks, having to say goodbye to her mom as she entered the arms of Jesus. I had to watch on tv as crazy, demon possessed people walked into movie theaters and elementary schools and murder precious innocent people. Pray for 26 families whose babies were taken from them days before Christmas. See their gorgeous,smiling pictures looking back at me on the screen of the tv. Unbearable. I had to pray alongside a dear high school friend of mine as his wife, only 41 years old, lost her fight with a brain tumor on December 18th leaving he and their 2 precious boys having to live on this life without her. I was beyond moved and blessed reading his words describing his wife and the woman she was. I also knew her and they had been together since high school. It seems the list could go on. It seems every week I would hear another heart wrenching story. It finally hit me that the saying "life is short" has rang more truer to me in 2012 then I want to even think about. So what really does this all mean? 2013 is a really big year for me. I am only a month or so away from being 40. I remember when I turned 30, which feels literally like yesterday, that I thought 40 was so far away. I am telling you, it is not! As I have reflected on the past year, I realized I have been just down right whiney. I'm ashamed I have complained about the dumbest things. I have been so angry at my kids that I have wanted to walk out the front door. I have been so disgusted with my husband that even the thought of leaving went through my mind. I'm just being honest. I have been annoyed with my mother. I have been upset that I can't decorate my house the way I want because we dont have the money. The list unfortunately could go on and on. Its disgusting and I am ashamed. Today it finally hit me, 2013 has to be about love. It has to be about others. It has to be about living EVERY moment. It has to be about simplicity. It has to be about playing. It has to be about forgiving. It has to be about CHRIST. Life is short. We are not guarenteed tomorrow. Will how I am living today and how I am treating the people that mean the most to me, who I can't imagine ever living this life without, know beyond a shadow of a doubt how much I love them? Things change in a split second. It really does. This year I was actually quite depressed and not looking forward to turning 40. Today, I thank God that he has allowed me to make it this far. That he so far is letting me continue on in this life to live. I want to make 2013 my best year. I want the people that are most important to not just think I love them, I want them to KNOW I love them. So there you go. Not the funnest post back into the blog world but a challenge to myself and a beginning of something new . . .

What is He up to?

I have to admit I have been a complete scatter brain since I got back from Hong Kong. I can't really explain it. Its like I am in slow motion and everything around me is just racing. It is a very strange feeling for me since I am usually the ring leader of racing around. I had a lot of preconceived notions about what God was wanting to teach me through our trip to Hong Kong. The thing that has caught me off guard are the things He is working on me about that I totally did not see coming. I really dont see at times how they relate but they are.

I know Im talking in riddles again. Remember, I am a scattered mess these days. I am finding myself focused on my life and the life of my family in a much different way. Several years ago, I was so focused on what we "looked" like to the world. What we had. Where we lived. How my kids behaved. What we represented when we were at church. I can admit that it was a big show. The walls were falling down around me and I would stomp my feet and pretend I didn't see it happening. We can pretend its not happening but that doesn't mean its not happening. The goals or I would say more, the wants I had in my life were so superficial. I was wanting acceptance and praise for all the wrong things. I was so worried about what "she" thought. Or what "they" were saying.

It is embarrassing and humbling to see these qualities in yourself. I have come to a place today that I see what I was becoming and it brings tears to my eyes. I wish I could say that I figured this all out, turned it all around and no one was hurt. Yeah, nope. That is not what happened.

What has happened now is the word "SIMPLIFY" is shining at me everywhere I look. The phrase "SLOW DOWN" keeps following me. The question "DOES THIS REALLY MATTER?" barades me all day and night. The reality that "THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME" brings a perspective that I once ignored.

I am so flustered right now with so much I see God prompting me to do. Things I NEVER thought I would. Its funny how you just make up your mind that you are not called to do something but God really doesn't care what we think we are called to do. The part that scares me the most is not listening. I acted deaf for too many years. The last 18 months of my life I have stepped out of my box in a few ways and seen God do things I never thought I could be a part of. Have I done everything he has asked me to do? Sadly, no. Am I trying everyday to let go of my control and what I think is best and say "YES" to Him? Its a daily surrender.

Saying "YES" to Hong Kong was the single biggest faith moment in my life. That seems so wrong that it has taken me 38 years to be able to say those words. I know I have said that over and over but it is the truth. Here is the kicker . . . I cant go back now. I never want to go back.

Right now I just wish I could get my brain to slow down and really listen, understand and trust what I feel God is putting on my heart. Total surrender in total confusion and questions is the craziest place to be. But when you are there, its a peace that no one can explain.

Not sure why I am sharing all this but I think this is more for me than anyone else. I need to keep reminding myself of what God is doing and look back to see where He has brought me from. :)

Noah and Micah's First Day of School 2011

It was a little different at our house this year on the first day of school. We were starting this year off without Selah. Since we have decided to send Selah to a different school this year, she got to send her brothers off to school and have 3 extra weeks off. Not too bad of a deal. :)

This year Noah is in 4th grade and Micah is in 1st grade. Again, someone slow the stinkin' clock down. I mean really. They both knew exactly what they wanted to wear and this year, I didn't fight them. I am learning to choose my battles these days. Its only taken me 12 years of being a parent to start grasping this method. What can I say, Im a slow learner.

Anyway, here are the boys giving mom the obligatory smile while she takes their first day of school picture. I'll take what I can get since I'm not sure how much longer they will let me photograph them.


Our first stop was to the 1st grade classroom. Micah seemed a little nervous about going to 1st grade. You see, he ADORES his kindergarten teacher and he was nervous that he wouldn't have any of his friends in his class. He was very excited to see that one of his very best friends was in his class. Then he met his sweet teacher and the smiles were shining. :)

He found his spot and he was ready to go.

We then proceeded to the very serious upper classman hallway. Noah has graduated to the other side of the school and to the "get to work right away and have homework the first week of school" room. He cracked me up how shocked he was that they started doing school work right away. No more playtime Mr. Noah.

Noah also got a great teacher this year and pretty much every friend he has ever liked and gotten along with is in his class. His words were, "Mom, my class is stacked!!" I guess that means he is happy.

Yes, I was one of 2 mothers in the 4th grade class that actually brought their child to school that morning, helped him with his school supplies and walked him to his desk. I didn't care. I will walk him to high school too. Ok, maybe not but really. It was a ghost town in the mushy department.

I still got my pic and a big kiss!


So the year is off to a great start and I look forward to the other two children starting school right after labor day. Here's to the 2011-12 school year and all it has to offer. Bring it on . . .

You said "Go", so I will go . . .

I really have about 400 pictures that I could upload onto this blog and take about 3 days to really share all we did and experienced in Hong Kong. It is so hard to find the right words to express what this trip did to me and to Selah. But, I will try my best.

The first day there, we went right over to the school where we set up everything for VBS. It was so great to have our own rooms and decorate for the week. Selah and I were teaching 5/6 year olds. Much to our surprise, our class list included mostly boys. We both had a good laugh at that. :) I guess we have enough experience with them.

One thing about Hong Kong is it is breathtaking. The views from the mountains are amazing. We went up to this retreat center and had a wonderful prayer and worship time to prepare our hearts for what the week was going to be. This picture is from the top of the mountain where the retreat center was locataed.


As you get to the top, their is this "gate" that you walk through. It was just beautiful and around the archway it said "The gate is narrow". The opening was small and it gave a picture of what Christ tells us in His word.

As you go through the gate, there stands a huge, white cross with the words "It is fiished" written across the top. It overlooks the city. It was so moving and humbling.


We went to church at Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church on Sunday morning. This is the church we were doing the VBS for. I have never met more gracious, loving and humble people in my life. Every person there just radiated with Jesus and could not stop thanking us for being there. I so didn't want to be thanked. I felt honored to be with them. To work along side of them to share Jesus with these children. I felt so raw with emotion most of our trip.
Monday quickly came and we were off for our first day. Oh when I tell you how fun!! It was just like the first day of VBS in the US but even more anticipation. They had 68 kids registared and we ended up with 98 the first day!!!!!!!!!!! It was AWESOME!! Selah and I fell in love right away with our kids. They were so smart and so eager to learn. They seemed to hang on every word. And boy did they love Selah!!! She was amazing. I would sit back and watch her and just thank God for letting us be His hands and feet.





One of the most convicting and realistic parts of our trip is when we visited a Daoist temple right in the middle of the city. As we approached, it was so sad to see these people bowing and worshipping idols and gods. It is one thing to read about it in the Bible but to see it is a whole other story. Selah was very intense about watching and kept asking me why they were doing that. It was a very clear picture of why we were there and how many lost people are in this world. To see them crying and looking at these statues as if they were going to "help" them just brought hopelessness to my heart. It was very eye opening.



My most favorite thing to see each day was Selah up on stage worshipping and singing with the kids. Selah, Morgan and Leigh Ann did such a great job. There is nothing like seeing a room filled with precious kids singing their hearts out to Jesus, no matter what country you are in!!!


This is our sweet Ameng. She was our helper for the week from the church in Hong Kong. What a precious, sweet spirit she has for Jesus and for these kids. It was a joy to get to know her and to serve along side of her. I wish I could describe each person I met there in detail and what they mean to me.



We also went to the Big Buddah statue which also sits very high up on a mountain. Another amazing sight.



Again, there is so much I want to share. I am sure as time goes on, I will come back and share more specific parts of our trip. But what I must share right now is about Janice. Janice is one of the most selfless, loving, caring, giving people I have every met. Janice was our "leader' the entire 10 days we were in Hong Kong. She is a member of the church and she literally took off work the entire time we were there and did not leave us. She was the first person we saw as we stepped off the airplane in Hong Kong and the last person we saw. She never left us. She radiates with Jesus and we learned so much from her about Hong Kong, the people, the church, the culture and most of all about her. You see, Janice was an athiest. And when she was a teenager, she attended a VBS someone invited her to go to and she met Jesus. So, you can see how her heart is passionate for these kids to learn who Jesus is. I miss her terribly. She will always be a part of my heart. She made a huge impression on Selah. I pray that I will see her again some day.

Its hard to say this is the summary of our trip. Truly. What I can say is this. When I finally said "YES" to God's prompting of Selah to this trip, the ride began. We had NO money to fund this. God opened the FLOOD GATES and poured the financial means for us to go right in our laps. I am not even exaggerating. I have never been so overwhelmed by God's provision. But we also met adversity. Not everyone in our lives was supportive or in agreement of my decision to take Selah to Hong Kong. It was a very hard thing to process and the enemy tried to use it against me as a parent. I refused to let my fears and the opinion of others change what I knew God had called us to do.

This is where I say, who are you afraid of? Who is telling you that you can't do something? Whose opinion are you letting affect the decision of something you know God has told you to do? We do not answer to anyone except our Savior. We will stand before Him some day and give an account for what we have done and not done. Are we willing to obey at any cost? Take it from someone who fears her own shadow. This was life changing. It was the best parenting decision I have ever made. No one will be able to understand or share what Selah and I did in Hong Kong. When you see your child glowing and loving on people and crying when its time to go, you dont care about anything else except praising the name of Jesus!!!!! Just talking about it makes my heart swell with excitement. I can only pray that this is the beginning of serving in the capacity for my family. God has brought us so far the last 18 months and I dont ever want to go back. Hong Kong is a part of me and always will be.

The Journey Finally Begins . . .

We left the house at 4:00 a.m. on July 21st to begin our journey that God had been preparing us for for several months. He poured out the heavens in giving us the financial means to go to Hong Kong in a way that I still cant comprehend. But the day had finally come. This first picture I know is small but this is our awesome team we set out with to Hong Kong.


We set out to Denver and then to San Fransisco before we boarded what would be our 13 hour flight to Hong Kong. I was surprisingly calm and Selah was so excited. She took some beautiful pictures from the plane.



I kept telling her that the flight over there would be great because she would have an individual tv to watch and she could sleep. She was looking forward to that by the time it was 2 p.m. and we were boarding the "long flight". Much to our surprise, there were no individual tvs. Talk about disappointment! At one point I thought she was going to have a breakdown but she pulled it together. We did alot of coloring, playing with her DS and SHE got alot of sleep. Notice I said SHE got alot of sleep. Mommy did not. :)

We landed in Hong Kong at 6 p.m. on the 22nd. We followed the sun to the other side of the world. It never go dark that day. That was really weird. As we flew into Hong Kong, Selah and I were just speechless. Exhausted we realized we had made it. I just kept thanking God and was anticipating so much for the next 10 days.

The country is just beautiful. There are really no words to describe it. Our wonderful Janice was there to meet us and take us to our hotel to check in. We did not know how wonderful Janice was at that moment and how much we would come to love her. You want to talk about a servant of God.

We got to the hotel and went to eat before heading off to bed to prepare for our next day of work. Here is Morgan and Selah tired and ready for bed. :)




After a much needed night sleep, in which we woke up at 4 a.m. due to not adjusting to the 13 hour time difference, we were ready to work . . .

Wordless Wednesday

I want to first start out saying that I do know that my pics are the wrong way and I have no idea what the issue is. They are turned and saved correctly on my computer but blogger will not turn them the right way no matter how many times Ive tried. So, I'll have to just deal with it. If you know me well, you know this is a very hard thing for me to do. :)

Ok, lets catch up a little, shall we? We are smack dab in the middle of summer and loving every minute of it. Just as our summer was beginning, this little troll was finally moved to a big boy bed. I was dreading this moment as it continued to get closer but so far he has done very well. Im not going to say that very loud. Doesn't he look happy? :)


All three of the kids ended their school year very well. All A's and B's at this house. Some of us had to work harder than others to achieve this but in the end, all that hard work paid off. No one is more happy to have a break from school than me. Really, Im not kidding. Here is Micah and his sweet friend Gracie showing us they graduated kindergarten. HOw is this possible??? :(

The first week of summer started off with Noah getting to go to Cross Camp for the first time. A whole week away from home. The best part was daddy decided to go too and be his counselor. This is the best group of 4th grade boys you will ever meet. They had a BLAST and I think Steve is even considering doing it again next year. Dont quote me on that but I think Im right.

The next big event in our home was Selah and Jonas' birthdays. Yep. They are exactly 9 years and 2 days apart. :) We celebrated their birthdays and Father's Day all in a matter of 4 days. Its a busy time of year in our house. Selah turned 12 yrs old. WHAT???? I am absolutely in denial and will not accept that in a year I will have a teenager. This is just not going to happen. As you can see she is thrilled that I made her take her picture under the big sign. HE HE

We spent the day with all our best peeps at the pool. It was alot of fun. Here are my two birthday babies giving me their precious smiles.

Ok, next up . . . Jonas' birthday pics. Hopefully Ill get those up before 2 months go by.

Lets Re-Introduce Ourselves

I am going to get back to this blog!! I really am!! If anyone is even still interested in reading it. If for anything that I can start documenting our lives again. So much has happened in the last couple of months. So, hello again and Im going to get started . . . again! :)