11 years ago...

11 years ago I was meeting this little girl for the first time in the hospital,                                                                                                                                                                                  

11 years ago was when my life changed dramatically because I finally had a little sister! 

:)             

Whenever I see look at the photo above I just smile...and laugh because the expression on her face is just too cute! It has so much innocence, and liveliness, it's Gracie written all over it!                                                                                                                                     

 

11 years ago was when a little bit more sunshine entered our home. Gracie so full of joy, and she keeps us all laughing! I'm so thankful that she is my little sister.

Even though we're almost 5 years apart, she is one of my best friends!

  

Gracie has a pretty easy going disposition, and she usually doesn't show to many of her emotions when we're talking. 

And me, well...I'm not that way AT ALL! I'm very easy going, but when it comes to conversations Gracie is always there to listen to me vent and share things that I just need to let out. 

It kind of makes me sad to think that in just 2 more fleeting years this little girl is going to be a teenager! Did I really just say that; a teenager?

Wait...NEWS FLASH! No longer can this little girl hold up both hands to say how old she is! What in the world is happening here? haha I think that the saying, "Time fly's", is an understatement! How about, "Time moves so fast that one day you wake up and BAM, reality hits you...and it hits you hard!".

That's more like it!

Okay sorry, I'm kind of rambaling on...I tend to do that a lot. : / haha
Any way, I'm just sooo thankful to the LORD for giving me Gracie! He has truly blessed us in amazing ways! 

I was wondering, do you think that you could leave a comment for Gracie, and just tell her Happy Birthday? I know that she enjoy them so much! :D Or you cuold even go to her own little blog and say it yourself if you'd like! :)


Have an AMAZING day!


-ella joy

a monday photo challenge

This is the picture that I'm entering into Louis' Photo Challenge.

                                               

It's definitely a "Spur of the Moment" type of picture. We were singing and we were being pretty hysterical. Sophie got really close to the camera, so I thought that I might as well take advantage of her adorable grin! :) 

I know it's not one of the most amazing photos that I've ever taken, that's for sure! But isn't photography more than that? For me it's about capturing the beauty in life, and also the precious moments that God gives to us. And that's more than enough for me!


                                                         

P.S.
My little sister Gracie just started her first blog yesterday!!! Click here to check it out. I know she'll appreciate it :) 

Have a wonderful day!

-ella joy 

what Christmas is to me (part 1)

A cup of hot steaming tea: To make it even better, throw in a blanket and a book...now, my friend, you're speaking my language! ;)

Everyone has their own drink that is soothing to them. For me it's tea, and for many others, it's coffee. But I've decided that I'm not going to be a big coffee-addict. Not that I have nothing against coffee drinkers, I actually think that I'm addicted to Star Bucks my self! But I'm not going to be the type of person who drinks like 5 cups every morning. So, I'll stick to my Black Tangerine Zinger tea, thank you very much...

 Warm Sweet Potato Bread: It might sound a bit odd "Sweet Potato Bread", but once I took that first bite I wasn't going back! We made some yesterday and I came up with the idea to add the white frosting. And I'm glad that I did cause it made the photos look all the better...and yummier!

Here's the recipe...
Sweet Potato Pound Cake: 
Nonstick baking spray with flour
3 cups all-purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 
11/2 cups granulated sugar 
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
2 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes(or you can use canned)
4 large eggs, at room temp.
3/4 cup chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 325 F. 

I've decided that I'm going to make a couple different parts to this post because there are just too many things to post about during this very special time of year!

Can you believe that it's already the eighth? Only 17 more days people! Aaaahhh! Can . not . wait!

Have a fantastic day!

-ella joy

Just one way of saying I love you

Gracie is one of my best friends. Even though we're almost 5 years apart she's always ready to sit down and listen to one of my long, detailed, dramatic rambles about, well...life. ;)  I remember when I was 4 I kept praying for a little sister, and God sure provided. Don't get me wrong we have our moments; the bickering, ignoring, eye rolling moments. But I can always count on Gracie to be there as a sister, and I hope that I can do the same too! So Gracie, this is "just one way of saying I love you!"

Here are some of the things I love about Gracie:

1. Her talent for dancing. Gracie's dream is to become a professional dancer, and she sure has the build for it!
2.Her one of a kind personality. Gracie has a well balanced disposition. She can be wild and crazy one minute, and then laid back and quiet the next.
3.Her love for animals. Just a few weeks ago I was feeding the chickens. And one of them didn't know the meaning of cooperation, soooo... I got a little upset with it. Guilty! Here is the conversation Gracie and I had,
Gracie:"Ella, don't say that to the chicken. You could hurt it's feelings!"
Me: "Gracie...it's a chicken. It doesn't even know!"
Gracie:"You don't know that. I like to imagine that they can understand what we say...but they just can't talk back."
4.Her love for the people around her.  If I'm ever feeling a little down during the day, Gracie's always one to cheer me up. She'll either do one of her goofy dances and/or make a funny face. Or even make me a cup of tea. She sure is a sweet heart, and I love her for it!:)

There are hundreds of more things I could come up with, but I don't think we've got the time for that :)  Have a wonderful day!

-ella joy