Nanny

My sweet Nanny went to be with Jesus today, just two months shy of her 85th birthday. So many wonderful words describe her as she was truly an outstanding woman. She accepted everyone and loved everyone. Not only did she have her own 3 children, but she took in several over the years. My mom's best friend lived with them for awhile because her home situation was not a good one. My Nanny could barely afford to get food on the table for her family of five, yet she did not think twice about accepting more into her home. She did not have much, but the possessions she did have meant nothing to her. She would give away everything and then some in a heartbeat. Nanny was truly a selfless person. Her life was not easy in many ways, but she set such an example as to what it means to be a faithful servant of Christ and lived her life in complete abandonment to His will.

She loved her family, loved holidays, loved quilting and painting, loved babies, loved going to church (as evidenced by her perfect attendance award in her Bible I now own), loved God's Word, and most of all LOVED Jesus. She told me stories that I wish I could recall better than I do, great stories about seeing angels. She made me deviled eggs for 20 years because she thought I loved them (and at some point along the way I stopped loving them), she let us eat cool whip out of the containers until we made ourselves sick (because she needed the containers for art projects), and she made sleepovers at her house so much fun with huge pallets on the floor and sky-high stacks of toast for breakfast. She was beautiful and helped shape me into the person I am today. She left a legacy that will carry on for years to come. I can't wait to tell Ellery and Price all about their great-grandmother.

Today was a hard day but really we lost her awhile ago as she began suffering through the horrible disease of Alzheimer's. Today was a hard day but through the tears we were rejoicing that she is meeting Jesus face to face, no longer in pain, dancing and singing once again, and seeing her mama and daddy and brothers. Today was a hard day but we find comfort and peace in knowing we will indeed see her once again. We will see our sweet Nanny once again.

We are THANKFUL

Sunday Best

I had to get a picture of Price on our way out the door to church. His first time in a little button down and cords! I must have told him how handsome he looked a hundred times!

Pilgrims and Indians

Yesterday Ellery had a Thanksgiving feast at school. The kids all dressed as Pilgrims and Indians. I was wondering which one she would come home dressed as and an Indian it was! I asked her what they did at school and she said they had a party and ate goldfish. Hmmmmm. They have been learning about Thanksgiving all week and she has brought home some fun artwork, including a painted picture of the Mayflower and a cornucopia! She also took canned goods to chapel where they laid them before the altar and asked God to use them to feed the hungry. Here's a picture of Ellery before school and one of her this morning on her way to the gym with daddy wearing her headdress.

And here's our other little wild Indian in action.

Look who's "talking"

Cereals, Diapers, and Smiles

None of these things go together, but I couldn't think of a better title. My mom was asking for pictures so here are some randoms from the past week.

First, this is Ellery's breakfast of champions every morning. Do you think she might have a Gatewood gene? My dad taught me well how to mix my cereals. Many nights I would prefer to have a bowl of cereal instead of a "real" dinner. Ellery asks for all of these cereals in the morning and I mix them together in her small bowl. All of our cereals have animal names. For example in this pic, we have bunny cereal, Dora cereal (okay, not all of them have animal names..oops), penguin cereal, and bee cereal.

Diaper buddies! Size 6 and size 2 respectively. Although Ellery has used the potty several times and will at least sit on it at school, we are not rushing potty-training. Given her current poopy issues, there is no telling when she will be out of diapers! I think one of the reasons she does not like pooping (ugh, what a horrible topic to blog about) is the wiping afterwards. We give her a laxative everyday (doctors orders) so if you can only imagine, going 4-5 days between a "movement" results in a not-so-lovely clean up. I am thinking that I might buy a wipe warmer to help her out. I am totally against using them with babies (because who wants to have to carry around a warmer with them while they are out because their baby prefers warms wipes as opposed to cold ones), but I am thinking they might make the whole experience more pleasant for her.

And today I capured Price's smile on camera! Look at those delicious chubby cheeks too! Price is such a sweet, easy-going little guy.

Long night. Good daddy.

Why is it that everytime you think you have a breakthrough and your infant is making great progress at night, there is a huge set back that makes you re-think having another baby all-together?


On another note, today I really just enjoyed being with my daughter. I hope I can always remember that precocious, 2 year old face starring back at me across the table. Our conversations make my heart glad!