Heading to Dallas on the 13th

Sorry again for the lack of updates. All is well with Ella! Our computer was hacked and is needing a pretty major rehaul so I don't have an easy way to update right now. 

We will be heading back down to Dallas on the 13th to have Ella's next check up. We don't anticipate any complications, but we will be dropping one of the doses of lasix she is currently taking on the 6th. At her appt. she will be getting some x-rays to check for fluid build up in her lungs. Please pray with us for strong lungs and no fluid! Also, as always, we ask that you pray for safety in our travels to and from Dallas, and also from germs while we are there. 

I'm so proud of Ella! She is a remarkable person. As she grows I am starting to see glimpses into the girl and woman she may one day be and I am humbled. She has so much strength and she is so smart, she isn't afraid of others, and she is kind. I know God has already used her life in great ways, but I can't help but think about the possibilities that He may have for her future! As her mom I feel the weight of the responsibility that is ours as Jon and I seek to raise her to be the woman God has created her to be. We know that God is the reason she is doing so well. It is ONLY by His mercy and grace. 

She can now count to 30 with only a little help, can do very simple addition and a few other early math equations, knows all of her letters and sounds (mostly), knows all shapes and colors, can undress herself and mostly dress herself, she is day potty trained and mostly dry at nap, she is eating so many more solids since her last surgery... Etc. the list goes on and on and she just turned 3 last month. I am in awe of just how far she has come.

I am enjoying Ella growing up so much and at the same time missing her as a baby. She was such a wonderful perfect baby! Always smiling, happy, content. Now that she is older and has so much energy from surgery she isn't always as easy as before, but still happy and wonderful, just in new ways. My mom always taught us to treasure every age because they all are special in their own way. That is so true. Ella may not be as easy every single moment of everyday as she used to be (although I can honestly say she is still a VERY easy child), but it is so rewarding to have a conversation with her and to hear her heart and mind. They aren't long detailed conversations, but they are enough for me to get to know who she is and how she is feeling. I love that about this age. We have had more moments of disapline then before, but with that comes the strengthend relationship when the lesson is learned. The chance to snuggle after the hard part of the lesson. To confirm my love for her and to see her love for me grow. She told me the other day in the sweetest voice as I was cradling her and looking into her beautiful eyes "I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a big girl Ella" oh how true that is. Of course she is and always will be "my baby", but she is no longer a baby. 

Thank you all for continuing to pray for our Sunshine!