Good friends, great talent..

So thankful for good friends that have great talent. We met with our friend Hope two weeks ago for a photo shoot. It was so much fun! I will be getting all the photos this week and will definitely do another post....but Hope just posted on her blog a few from our time together!!! So as a little appetizer go here http://hopebrayphotography.com/?p=766, scroll down and Enjoy!!!

"Family Portraits"

Random shots from recent days

New Tricks

Mom/Dad: "What does a cow say?"
Ellie: "MOOOO"

Mom/Dad: "How big is Ellie?"
Mom/Dad says and Ellie acts out: "So big!"

Bookworm

What a year...

I love her dirtly little legs under that pink tutu. She was having so much fun playing in the yard with the big kids.

Love a fall birthday

Yum!

She can't get enough of her wagon!

More cake at Mimi's house.

One happy little girl!

Me and my one year old girl.

I have put off posting all evening because it is overwhelming to try to put into words the way that Mark and I feel about...this past year...the fact that our sweet Elliot turned one...the joy that we felt celebrating with friends and family over the weekend...all of this and more makes me practically speechless and at a loss for where to even begin. I feel like just posting pictures (that is what everyone wants to see anyway) and being done with it, but then is that just being a lazy mother? Won't I regret not blogging about my thoughts/feelings during this time? This has been my internal dialogue throughout the evening.

All that said, I am going to keep it (fairly) simple and to the point. If you haven't picked up on this yet, we are absolutely head over heels in love with this child that our gracious God has blessed us with. We've been given such a gift through her life and treasure her completely. Our prayer for our sweet girl on her first birthday and always is that she grows to know and love Jesus well, that she has an unsatiable desire to love people, care for the lonely, and live for His glory. We pray the Lord's grace over her life. Elliot, we love you always.

"and I will pour out my Spirit and blessings on your children" Isaiah 44:3

Now, as far as the birthday weekend...It was wonderful! What a fun time to celebrate with family and friends. With multiple parties and lots of cake and gifts, our little Punky was a happy lady that kept going and going.... On Sunday evening Elliot fell asleep before 6! The girl was worn out...

Thanks again to everyone for sharing in our joy!