My Love

Most of you probably don't know, but Tate left last Sunday for training in Ft. Worth for 2-4 months. Hopefully he'll get to come home some weekends. I had no idea how hard it would be to be apart from him. I've had him at home the last two months, so it was a complete shock when he left, and he wasn't here at all! Truett has really missed him, even though I don't think he realizes it. We all know "absence makes the heart grow fonder", but it also makes you appreciate one another more. Here are some things I love about my husband and friend.

-He never meets a stranger
-He always sees the good in people over the bad and ugly.
-His cup is always half full.
-He truly has a heart for the Lord and is constantly seeking Him.
-He wants to share the Love of Jesus with anyone who doesn't know Him.
-He loves and ENJOYS his children.
-He likes to play monsters, horsey, cars, hide and hide and watch Diego and Clifford more times than is natural.
-He loves and respects his parents as well as mine.
-He has lived right next door to my parents for 4 years without grumbling.
-He learns new things even when they are hard to learn.
-He finds joy in listenting to our 3 year old tell stories and sing silly songs.
-He dances very silly dances to make our 3 year old smile (he dances like that anyway).
-He washes dishes, takes out the trash, mows the lawn, makes the bed, changes diapers and helps Truett go poop. :)
-He prays for those who persucute him and for those he loves that can't seem to let go of the past.
-He worked 4 years in a job that brought no joy, fulfillment or a sense of success just to support his family.
-He can write songs, play them on the guitar and sing it. He has a beautiful voice and tons of talent!
-He has an odd, but funny sense of humor.
-He has loved me through all my hard times, sicknesses, irrationalities, fears, bad attitudes and selfish desires.

I could go on and on. I love you Tate more now than I ever imagined when I married you. I am amazed at the man and father you've become and am so excited to stand by you in the years to come. You make my heart happy!

I'm 30, Finally!

It's official, I'm finally 30! My husband (and everyone else) thinks I'm crazy that I'm excited to be 30, but I'm so glad to be out of my 20's! I'm looking forward to the wisdom that comes with age (that's my prayer), watching my children (and hopefully more children) grow, enjoying my husband and growing closer to my Lord.

My sweet, dear husband planned and pulled off a surprise party out at Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap. I'm so impressed he did it without me knowing! We had great food, conversation, wonderful friends and family...Thank you Tate!

One of the things I love about Tate is his ability to write a great song. He wrote, played and sang an awesome birthday song for me. You blessed my heart honey!

Sitting down to eat some really good steak!

Awwww....how sweet. But what you don't know is that Tate just ate a bunch of onions on his salad. Yumm.

This is the most beautiful birthday cake I've ever seen. Thank you Mom and Dad, I loved it! And it was pretty darn good too!

Me and my honey.

My good friends Cindy and Sherry.

My good friend Kathy from our life group. Thank you Kathy and Marco for coming even though y'all didn't know anyone!

Tate's best friend Brandon and his wife Danyel and daughter Mya.

I had to get at least one picture with my little man on my birthday. Liam slept the WHOLE time, so I didn't get to get one with him.

Yummy birthday kiss!

Answered Prayer

A prayer Tate and I have been praying for a long time has been answered...Tate got a new job! It's with an environmental construction and environmental remediation company out of Eastland. He leaves for Ft. Worth next Monday for training for 2-4 months, then he'll work out of the Eastland office. After so many years of praying and waiting, we are still in shock. It will be an adjustment, as the hours are longer and the drive to Eastland is an hour. Tate is very excited to learn about this business and they actually do a wide variety of very interesting things. But please keep us in your prayers as we are apart and we adjust. I'll keep you updated on how he's doing.

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

We are so blessed Liam is such a happy baby. These pictures are a progression from a giggle to a flat out belly laugh. He's so fun!

Getting bigger

Full belly laugh!

Truett "giving" Tate pointers on how to play the softball game. Tate's team won.

Truett being like Daddy in his boots.

Today we had Liam dedicated at our church. It was a very sweet time with our families and friends around us to pray with and for us.

From left: Sterling and Sharon Ellison (Tate's parents), Me with Liam, Tate with Truett and my parents, Truett and Lea Roberts. I'm so thankful they were all there with us.

Our sweet friends Webb and Kristi Murphy with their son Carson. Carson was born 4 days after Liam. They're destined to be friends!

This is a picture my parents took this last week. They went up to my family's cabin in Colorado for a little vacation. This is what we see when we look out our front door. It's so beautiful when all the aspens start to turn! I wish I could have been there!

First Family Trip with 2 Kids

This last weekend Tate and I took the boys to Burnet to visit my two brothers and their families. They hadn't met Liam yet, so it was fun getting to see them with Liam. Overall the trip went really well, Liam slept most of the way there and back. Truett only had a few meltdowns, typical for a 3 year old I guess. We got there Friday afternoon in time for us to rest before my nephew's football game. Truett had been talking all week about going to see his cousin Danny play, he could hardly wait! We didn't get many good pictures, but here are a few of the ones that turned out.

My brother Michael and Truett and Liam.

My "little" nephew Danny. I can't believe he's a senior! Kind of makes me feel old.

My other nieces Hanna and Beca and my other nephew Jake in the background. It's cute watching Truett trying to be a "big kid" like his cousins.

My sisters in law Vickie and Vomp (although they're more like sisters)...wish I had gotten a better picture!

Tate and my brother Patrick relaxing on the deck. The weather was great for visiting outside...always fun conversations when I'm with my brothers!

Tate and Truett at the football game. Danny's team (Burnet) won like 48 to 0 or something.

Truett climbed this tree, and was most proud of himself.

My little humbug after a bath.

More of us

Here are some pictures from this week.

Beautiful flowers from my sweet, sweet husband. Aren't they gorgeous?

Yet another picture of me kissing Liam

Tummy Time!

Daddy and his boys

I think Tate is just a little bit in love with the little guy

Truett and his preying mantis. He even took it and another one to school, and they made it home alive!

Pure bliss...look at that full tummy!
Me and my boys. I'm such a proud Mommy!

Just Because

I don't think this picture needs much description...just too adorable!

Everyday Life

Well, here's just a short little update with things going on in the Ellison home...still a lot of eating, pooping and not too much sleep. We're trying very hard to get Liam on a good 3 hour schedule, but he has his own opinions about that. He's doing better at night... except last night. :) But it's all a joy, even at 10, 12, 2, 4 and 6 in the morning to see his sweet little face. He's starting to focus a little better and smile as well, which of course melts our hearts.

Truett is doing a lot better adjusting. I love how much he loves Liam and how much he wants to be around him. I'm so excited to see how their relationship will grow and what kind of brothers they'll be.

Tate and I are doing good, enjoying his time off. He has over a month left of time off, so were trying to make the most of it.

Here are a few pictures of what's been going on lately.

Truett painted intently for over an hour, and produced a beautiful watercolor painting! I think he might have talent!

Morning cuddle time...my favorite!

Daddy's cuddle time

Truett's first day of school last year...he's so tiny and still a baby! I can't believe he's grown so much in just a year!

Truett's first day of school as a 3 year old! My sweet little boy is getting too big!

Of course Mommy had to get a picture with her big preschooler!

I can't believe it's almost been a month since Liam was born, and at times it makes me sad. But I love where we are now, getting into a groove as a family and feeling more comfortable as a family of four. Sometimes I start to feel overwhelmed and like I can't possibly do what's ahead of me, but faithfully my Lord breathes His peace on me, and I can see again. And what's beautiful is this doesn't just happen once, but He continues to do it multiple times a day, taking my hands and reassuring me.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you whereever you go." Joshua 1:9