My girls.....

These two are keeping me very busy these days. Here are some highlights...

Anna Kate won 2nd place at her school pageant and the People's Choice award (audience vote.) I was a proud mommy (and that pageant wore me out!) I never thought I'd be a "stage mom" but I was so nervous about the pageant, even more so than Anna Kate. It was fun, but I got my first taste of doing "competition" with kids. I'm not sure I'm up for it with two girls:) Gotta lot of years of this stuff ahead of me!

Kinley is growing too fast! I blink and she's another month old. I want her to stay tiny. I'm already missing the little 8 pounds, 11 ounces I brought home. Now she's 12 pounds, 9 ounces and thinks she's 6 months old. She's only 3 months old, but she is sitting in her exersaucer already because she gets bored laying down or swinging. She likes to chatter just like big sis. She coos at me like she's trying to talk to me and has the sweetest smile (BIG dimples like sis.) I'm having fun with her, but wish I could slow down time.
Here are some pics of our latest fun times:

Whew! Who has time to do this anymore?????

I can't figure out how people with babies have time to blog???? I'm doing good to just remember to eat and brush my teeth every day! Between the loss of sleep and constant activity at my house, I should be given "Mom of the Year" award for finding this minute to blog:) I hope my children one day appreciate all the time I spend trying to take pics, document, and scrapbook every living, waking moment of their childhood.... LOL. Love, Karen

Life at home...

Well, we're settling into our routine as a new family of four now. Anna Kate loves her baby sister, but sometimes thinks Kinley is old enough to do the things Anna Kate wants to do:) She likes to push her higher on the baby swing.....(I have to keep an eye on that!).... likes to teach her hopscotch (I REALLY have to keep an eye on that!).... and when I turn my back, likes to try to pick her up (I'm a nervous wreck!) We're really having to do a lot of teaching about what little girls CAN do with the baby and CANNOT do with the baby. I'm so happy that she's so loving to her little sister, though, and wants her to hurry up and be a play mate.

Here are some pictures of my two girls hanging out in what we call the "Ladies Lounge" (aka: my bedroom sitting room.) This is where we go to watch Disney movies and relax after school. Anna Kate likes wearing her matching Big Sister and Little Sister shirts. I have a feeling this won't be the only matching outfits they'll have together.

Enjoying my blessings! Bye for now!

Finally some baby pics! She's doing great!

Kinley Elizabeth Elliott is here!

8 lbs, 11 ounces!!!!! 21 inches long. She's a sweetheart and her big sister is REALLY EXCITED! We'll post more later!

Anna Kate's first day of K4

As we get ready to welcome a new baby girl to our home, I also have to come to grips that my 4 year old is getting to be a big girl now. She started her first day of K4 this past week and LOVED it! She loves that she goes to a school where there are big kids and lockers. She loves that they are learning so much every day. After only 3 days of classes, she knows 3 new songs and has brought home artwork and classwork for me to see every day. I think she's going to have a great year at her new school. This is a photo of her just before we left home on day one. As you can see, there were no nerves. She was very excited!

New Arrival! Drew Wagner is here!

Our sweet little nephew, Sherra and Pete's son Drew, is almost 1 week old. I finally have some pictures to post. Chris went out to Dallas to see the new "little man" and here are some pics he brought back. So far, Drew is known for liking to sleep ALL day and stay up ALL night which makes for some tired new parents... ha ha. Little cousin Kinley Elizabeth Elliott, our baby girl, will be arriving (hopefully) in less than 4 weeks. Seeing Drew's pictures makes me wish Kinley was already here, but I can wait patiently for a few more weeks, I guess.

Nursery is ready.... now just waiting on baby!

We've been super busy these days with all my obsessive projects, a sudden increase in my real estate business, and trying to enjoy as much as possible these hot summer days with Anna Kate. Chris has been at his new job for over a month and our easy days of family quality time seem to have come to an abrupt end as we gear up for all the upcoming transitions our little family will soon face. Anna Kate will be starting to a new school in a couple of weeks, which is a big move for her. She' s very excited about all the cool things she'll be doing at "real" kindergarten. She's only going to K4, but the class I observed at the school was doing "real" work in their class, like learning to read and write and doing more than the playing and coloring she's used to. She is a smart girl for her age (even if I am a biased momma) and I think she's ready for some challenges. She loves meeting new friends and I know she'll do well in K4. As for other news around here, we're just waiting patiently on Kinley's arrival. The due date is still August 15, but we're hoping she'll come a little earlier. We're actually quite ready around here. The nursery is complete, except for her. We're ready to have her come and occupy her new room. I've posted some new pics of the room below, since some of my out of town friends and family asked to see them.

We're still here!

So I've taken a little blogging vacation since I'm now addicted to facebook.... ha ha. I have new pics to post this week and promise I will do so, even if my sister is the only person who still checks my blog... ha ha. I'm sure I'll be back into this very soon when baby Kinley arrives! Stay tuned!

Great News!

Chris just got a FANTASTIC JOB!

I just wanted to thank everyone who has prayed for us during the period of unemployment we just experienced. At the end of February, Chris (as well as many other EBSCO employees) lost his job. It took us by surprise because he'd been "safe" through so many rounds of layoffs there and it was not anticipated that there were still more layoffs to go at that time. We were stunned and scared at the time. What was even more intimidating was the fact that we knew how many other people were looking for jobs right now and the competition is tough! Real estate sales are slower this year than in the past, so my business has suffered this year, as well. I tried not to worry too much about it, because I kept thinking, "At least Chris has a good job." Well, as you can expect, I felt panicked when he told me the news about the layoff on that day back in February. We began praying for God to just LEAD us in this. I have a tendency to want to think I'M in control, but we all know that God really is the one who is paving the way each day. I made a promise to myself and to God that this time, I would LISTEN to Him and let Him just LEAD us on this. After praying about it, I felt a peace that I cannot explain as I gave all my worries to Him and was faithful that, no matter what happened, He would take care of us and that even though our life might change a bit, it was His PLAN for us.

I am so proud of Chris for diligently getting busy at job hunting, interviewing, networking, and getting himself out there quickly to not waste any time. He has impressed me more now than ever in our marriage as I got to watch him "work" from home. I never knew just how organized, thorough, and determined he was when he'd set goals for himself. I've learned a lot about him during his time at home with me. He's going to make a fine employee at his new job. He's very excited to get back to work (and away from the endless home projects I have him doing here... ha ha.)

I just wanted to post this to give all the GLORY to God for taking care of us during uncertain times and for watching over us. I could write for days about all the blessings we've received during this time, which are no coincidence at all, but directly related to all the prayers that have been said on our behalf by our loved ones. We have gotten so much family time together, we took two vacations (which were planned and paid prior to the job loss,) we completed tons of projects around the house while Chris was home, and pulled closer than ever to our Lord which is what God really wants from us anyway. I always look back at difficult times in my life with no regrets, because on the flip side, you always begin to discover what it was God was preparing you for as one of His servants. Praise to God for blessing my family, and thank you friends for your prayers and support.

Love, Karen

We're Back!

So, I know I'm terrible lately about updating this blog, but things have been busy around here lately. Since our last update (Disney Trip) we had Anna Kate's 4th Birthday, her dance recital, Aunt Sherra's baby shower, Mother's Day and much more. Our family is doing great. We are excited about our baby girl who'll be arriving sometime in mid-August. We've already named her: Kinley Elizabeth Elliott. We're currently working on getting her room ready so that we won't be finding ourselves so busy at the last minute. Chris painted the nursery today and I'm excited to start the decorating! I've been blessed to have Chris home a lot lately, as his help with all the projects I've got going has been priceless. He has been off of work since February, but God has blessed him with lots of new doors opening. He's interviewing for jobs every week and we're hoping that the right one will come along soon. I'm impressed at how he's treated his job search like a "job" and has been so diligent every day with furthering the process. I never realized how organized the man was until I started seeing him in action every day. I will miss him when he goes back to work, but am excited about whatever new opportunity the Lord has in store for him. I think he's excited to begin something new, as well. As for me, not much has occupied my mind other than getting ready for baby Kinley, spending as much time with Anna Kate as I can while we await baby's arrival, and trying to get some of these houses I have listed SOLD before Kinley gets here! Although, the economy has turned our job situation upside down for now, the Lord has taken care of us and blessed us every step of the way. He is in control of the situation and we give praise to Him for all of the blessings that we've enjoyed during this time, most especially the amount of family time we've all had together lately. Anna Kate and I are spoiled having Chris around so much because he takes such good care of BOTH of us. Chris is facing some final rounds of interviews this upcoming week for some companies he's interviewed with, so please keep him in your prayers as he continues this process. We are at peace knowing that God has a plan for us in this. Our latest pics that I'm posting here are from some of the fun things we've done lately: fishing with Anna Kate, Sherra's baby shower, and Anna Kate's dance recital. Enjoy!

Blogger Award

So, I've been tagged by three friends already with this "award" so I guess I'll be a good sport and play along. These are fun, anyway, because it teaches you a little about your friends.

So here are the rules:
1. When given the award you write about the seven things that you love
2. Pass the award to 7 bloggers that you love, and be sure to tag them and let them know they've won. (You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sideboard.)

Seven things that I love:
1. Jesus
2. My family
3. Watching Anna Kate grow and entertain me daily.
4. My friends! Especially my "gals".... you know who you are!
5. My Sunday School class (cutest 3 yr olds on Earth!)
6. Going somewhere on vacation that I've never been. I love to try "new" places, although I don't get to do it as often as I'd like. I'm thinking I'll travel more when the girls are a little older. New York is one of my favorites, so far.
7. Organizing... Yes, I know this is nerdy, but I love to have things in order, it is part of being a self-diagnosed OCD nut. I'll never feel organized "enough" and it drives me a little crazy but is part of my personality.

Now I give this award to seven friends and bloggers.(this means you get to put this cute little award on your blog so don't let me down by not participating and passing it along.)
I give the award to:
1. The Lantrip Family
2. The Davis Family
3. The Pruitt Family
4. The Hughes Family
5. The Turner Family
6. The Stanley Family
7. The Atchison Family

There's a new princess in town! Greetings from Disney World!

We had a great time at Disney World! Anna Kate went to the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique at the Cinderella's Castle and was "transformed" into a princess for a day. Shortly after her makeover, we were approached by a Disney Staffer and Anna Kate was asked if she'd like one of her wishes to come true.... They took us to a private room to meet Cinderella where we got about 10 or 15 minutes to talk to Cinderella all alone and take pictures. It was wonderful! I'm posting a couple of those pics and some other character encounters here:

More Disney pics....

I was really surprised that Anna Kate ran up to the "Beast" and gave him a big hug... ha ha.

We had a royal birthday breakfast at Akershus in Norway (Epcot) with all of the princesses. Sleeping Beauty was the first to sit at our table and she was SO sweet to Anna Kate.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast was also at the breakfast and she was just beautiful. Anna Kate was star struck all day.

At Animal Kingdom, Anna Kate made a little friend while we waited in line for the train. Her name is Kierra. She is the long lost soul sister of Anna Kate:) They were instant best friends and had identical personalities. They insisted that we tour the park together, so we quickly made friends with her parents, Jessica and Doug. They were a super nice family and we ended up making some great friends out of total strangers from Indiana. I know we'll always keep in touch. We spent another afternoon at Hollywood Studios with their family as well, and the girls couldn't get enough of each other. At the end of the day when we'd split up, the girls went home with sad faces because they wanted to keep playing together.

More character dining at Chef Mickey's. We got to see the whole Mickey gang at this dinner: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck!

It's A Girl

Anna Kate has been right from day one. She has always said mommy was carrying a baby girl and she would have a baby sister to take care of. The doctor said everything looked good and the baby is healthy (about 8 oz right now). We are very blessed and can't wait to see what she looks like.

Let it Snow!

Making snowballs with Daddy

Making a snow angel

Our snowy home

Roll Tide snowman

More fun in the Snow!

Getting Mommy with a snowball

Making a snowman mouth out of Twizzlers candy

"I'm cold Mom, can I go in now?"

"Snow Village"

I think if we have a boy, I'll name it Stone.....

After the KIDNEY STONE that is killing me right now! Yesterday I started feeling lousy, but was trying not to be a "baby" about it, but after a full night of pain in my side and back, I decided to go to the doctor this morning. I completely thought that they'd tell me "nothing's wrong, go home and rest." I went anyway, though out of concern that something might be wrong with the pregnancy. The bad news is that it appears (after having a quick ultrasound) that I've gotten my very first (and hopefully LAST) kidney stone. The good news is that I got some pain meds that are helping me BREATHE again AND I got to see a little ultrasound picture of my sweet baby a little early. He/She was waving at me as if to say, "Sorry, mom, I know you feel like crap, but I'm OKAY in here!" I was VERY relieved once again to hear a strong heartbeat and see a little head and arm movement on the ultrasound. That made me relax again. Anyway, I'm hoping this stone will do whatever it needs to do to GET OUT! I've got enough going on in this 32 yr old body..... As for the baby, we'll go for another regularly planned ultrasound in about 5 weeks to find out if it is a girl or boy... can't wait for that one!

For Aunt Robin

Thank you Aunt Robin for the cute outfit! Love, Anna Kate

Thank You!

Thank you for all the calls, texts, blog messages, facebook messages, etc, expressing sympathy at the loss of our "Pop." It's nice to know I have so many friends who care and who pray for each other. God Bless you all!

Love, Karen

A sad goodbye to our Pop

Today our "Pop" went to be with Jesus only a short five months since "Neenie" left us to be with Jesus. I'm happy that he's in a better place, but my heart is broken and aching right now knowing that I won't hear his whistling tune as he comes in the door of our family gatherings. I'm heartbroken and words cannot describe what this wonderful man meant to me. He's Chris's grandfather, but has been my "Pop" since I was 16 years old when Chris and I started dating, just shortly after MY grandfather (also, called "Pop" had suddenly passed away.) He was one of the finest men I've ever met and I loved every minute with him. He had friends everywhere he went and if you knew him, you'd know why. I'm sure he's whistling his way through the gates of Heaven right now. Please pray for our family as his departure will leave a huge hole in our hearts. He had a BIG piece of mine.

Here's the obituary that was posted in the Bham News on Sunday:
ELLIOTT, JAMES W. (1919~2009) James William Elliot, age 89, of Jasper, Alabama was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 23, 2009. James Elliott was born of Claude and Lilly Elliot (also of Jasper) and was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Lois Sherer Elliott. James "Pop" Elliott lived a long and wonderful life serving his Lord, Family, and Country. Mr. Elliott graduated with a Civil Engineering degree (a member of Theta Tau fraternity) from the University of Alabama in 1942, and earned a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering in 1947. Upon graduation with his Bachelors, Mr. Elliott enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country honorably as a member of the elite Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in the China, India, Burma Theater during WWII. He later worked for U.S. Pipe and Foundry in their Technical/Sales Division in Birmingham, Alabama until the age of sixty-nine. He also had his own engineering and land surveying business and worked in the Birmingham Metro Area as a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor until the age of eighty-six. Mr. Elliott was an active and devoted member of the Crossroads Methodist Church in Jasper, Alabama. Funeral Services will be held at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home with Graveside Services at New Prospect Cemetery. Minister Roy Wolfe will be officiating and Kilgore-Green will direct. Pop was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his sons, James William Elliott, Jr. and his wife, Carol of Pleasant Grove, Thomas R. "Rick" Elliott and his wife, Holly of Plano, Texas, Jeffrey W. Elliott and his wife, Robbie of Huntsville; grandchildren, Sherra Elliott Wagner and her husband, Pete of Plano, Texas, Chris Elliott and his wife, Karen of McCalla, Brandon Elliott of Plano, Texas, Nathan Elliott of Plano, Texas, Patrick Elliott and his wife, Rose of Montgomery, Ryan Elliott of Huntsville, Taylor Elliott of Huntsville, and Leila Elliott of Huntsville; great-grandchildren, Anna Kate Elliott of McCalla and Ethan Elliott of Montgomery; and sister, Jetty Ziff of Jasper. Kilgore-Green Funeral Home, Jasper, Alabama directing.