Ella's cup of Joe

So I am glad that milk doesn't come with caffeine, because my 2 yr. old would be an addict. So like her mama, Ella does not wake up cheerful, and is a bit groggy/grumpy until she downs a cup of milk (in 10 seconds flat). It made me laugh this morning because I asked her what she wanted for breakfast as I was getting her milk ready, and she just started crying and saying no, no, no! So I calmed her and said that we would just talk about it after she had her cup of milk. So sure enough, 10 seconds later, she was cheerful, and singing along with sesame street, and told me exactly what she wanted for breakfast with a smile on her face. I've learned my lesson to not talk with Ella before she has had her cup of joe! Oh how I love these little personalties that are developing:-)

Tag, You're It!

Inspired by Candace's blog entry, here are 7 songs that have shaped my summer....are you up to the challenge? Blog as many as you can, it's fun to see what others are listening to.

1. "Umbrella" by Marie Digby: this has become our little Ella's song, since her name is repeated over and over in the song. So we like to put it on and groove with Ella.
2. "Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani: so I really enjoy Gwen Stefani, and I love listening to this song of hers. Not to mention the fact that I have been craving a sweet escape of my own.
3. "Please Come Home" by Dustin Kensrue: this song is a song about the prodigal son from the father's perspective, and I love this music and lyrics, and it is one of my all time favorite bible stories.
4. "Made To Love" by Toby Mac: this has been on my running list for 4-5 months now, and I never get tired of it, this song has a great beat and is an incredible reminder that I was created for Christ.
5. "Everyday" by Lincoln Brewster: we have developed a habit now of listening to this song on the way to church on Sundays. The girls chant "everyday song" until I put it on. Definately snaps us out of sleepy mode and prepares us for a morning of worship.
6. "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham: we were introduced to this song in our worship service at Compass, and it is so worshipful for me. I love the combination of the melody and lyrics, it truly stands up to it's title as a beautiful song.
7. "Lord Prepare Me" by many artists: do you remember this old chorus? The words have stuck with me since my college days, and I now sing it as a prayer for Annabelle and Ella before bed each night.

Good Friends

Holly Shanahan, is here visiting her family while Kevin has been away for the summer, so the girls and I got to go have lunch with Liz and Holly and meet Holly's little girl Andie.....such a cutie! It is amazing to watch time fly by....I was on youth staff with Hinson as Holly went through her highschool years, and she now has been married for two years and has a baby! Crazy!

Cali

The Curry's just took a little vacation/roadtrip to Santa Rosa California this last week to visit Amber's mom and siblings. We did a lot of relaxing in mom's beautiful backyard, barbequing, swimming, a day at the beach, a day at the coolest park ever, a day at Mt. Gilead (the camp Chris and I met at), a little bowling, some In-N-Out, and a day with grandpa Mallie (Amber's dad) in Coos Bay Or. on the way out of town. The girls did great on the drive down and back up. Here is a slideshow of our week...enjoy!


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Celebrating the 4th!

The parade was a bit loud for Ella!
Candy= Happiness
A very beautiful and large snake!
Annabelle's paint of choice
Our neighborhood fireworks....not too shabby!

We had a pretty great day beginning with the Ridgefield parade with Aunt Andi and the Millers (which resulted in a bag full of candy for each child), a picnic at a Ridgefield park, a fun reptile show, face painting, bounce houses, sugar crash in the car, and then home for a nap! Then of course when it got dark, we (Chris, Annabelle and I...Ella was fast asleep!) ventured out to the small park behind our house and watched some of the nearby fireworks shows, then went back inside to watch the big Fort Vancouver foreworks show on T.V. with the lights out. Annabelle thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this day and lasted until 10:30 when she fell asleep on our laps on the couch, and our little early riser was still up and at 'em at 7 am!

Free Movies!

I just found out about another free thing! For those of you who are able to take your kids to a movie in the morning (10am)....Regal Cinemas shows free kid's movies every Tue & Wed during the summer...I think August 31st is the last one. Check out this link for the list of movies they are playing!
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

A Prayer Request

Those of you who grew up in church, remember the prayer chains? I know they still exist....and I thought maybe my blog could work as one for this urgent prayer request;

My sister, Bethany's boyfriend, Jay, has been suffering from awful psychological side effects from drugs that were given to him when he was misdiagnosed while serving in the Navy. He has been out of the Navy for some time now, has sought doctors opinions outside of the Navy and has petitioned the VA to help him out, financially, and they have not responded....until now! He has an appointment on Thursday (July 3rd), with the VA. Please pray that they listen to what he has to say (the Navy was not happy that he sought outside medical help), that they have compassion on him, and that they help him with his medical bills and current treatment necessary. Thank-you so much!