The Big 10!!!

This past Wednesday was Ellie's 10th birthday. I cannot believe my child is 10 years old! It is hard to imagine that she has been in this world a decade. It has been the fastest decade that I've ever known. Ellie is so special to our family. God completely turned my life upside down the day she was born, and I've never been the same (in a VERY good way.) She still embodies the definition of a little girl even though now, technically(a word she LOVES to use) she is a big girl. She still loves a stuffed animal, can lead a creative play/dance routine/drama series better than most professionals, loves to be in costume, loves anything that has glitter or sparkle, she loves animals, and she LOVES to create. She is beautiful, intelligent, quick witted, compassionate, anxious, intense, fierce, cuddly, and loving all at the same time. Her contribution to this family is priceless. At school, she is incredibly smart and makes great grades. Her teachers tell me how sweet, kind, friendly, and well behaved she is. (I'm just glad this is the case at school because we certainly have our moments at home.) She was voted as her homeroom representative for the student council, she takes dance, gymnastics, and this fall is trying out volleyball. She keeps me busy living out her 10 year old life to its fullest potential. We love this precious gift of a daughter and look forward to many bright years ahead with her!


On a sad note, this week we have had to come to acceptance that our 12 and 1/2 year old cat, Freddie is at the end of his life. He has been struggling with FIV, stomatitis, and some wounds from a fight that haven't healed. We have been keeping him inside more because of his age and illness. On Ellie's birthday, we let him go outside for his morning stroll because it is a little cooler in the morning. When I went back out later morning to get Freddie to bring him back inside he was no where to be found. We searched for him high and low over the neighborhood to no avail. We assumed he couldn't have made it as sick as he was. (He could barely walk.) We grieved his loss and I began cleaning up his food bowl, litter box, etc. Well, I guess all of his 9 lives weren't used up.

Worth walked outside Friday night to get the mail, and found Freddie even smaller, dirty, and pitiful in the driveway. We have kept him inside this weekend and loved on him because we know this is the end. He is no longer eating and can barely move. Just tonight he lost bladder control in our living room. We are sending him to Heaven tomorrow for all his pain to go away. The kids have handled it well so far. Ellie cried for a little bit, but she seems at peace with the decision.  We will miss that sweet kitty dearly, there will never be another one as good as Freddie.

Last week was Winnersville week - another dress up week for the Lowndes/Valdosta football game. I only caught two mornings of pictures . This was Monday morning "Too cool for the Cats" day. The kids wore sunglasses to school. 

Freddie stayed away from all the chaos in the basket. 

Wednesday was Ellie's birthday!!

10 year old Ellie ready to open a few gifts. 

The kids favorite part of the birthday morning is opening their cards and gifts from their siblings. 

The talking toucan - definitely a grandma gift. 

She scored a UGA purse from he grandparents this year as well. 

Mia and E.W. gave her some beautiful pink earrings. 

She was thrilled with them. 

Ellie's birthday was "Plowboy day" - a traditional Winnersville dress up day for 50+ years for Lowndes county schools. In the past the Lowndes county students were the  country, farming kids. 

Mack and I headed to Westside to have lunch with the birthday girl. 

More gift opening when she got home. She wanted to wait in case her daddy got off work in time to see her open the gifts from us, but he got called back into the hospital a couple of minutes after we got home. She was NOT going to wait any longer on him to open those gifts. These were some high top converse sneakers that she has wanted. 

She also got a vivofit jr. watch like her sister's. 

Friday, she headed to Kidzquest with our church. Kidzquest is a weekend church retreat fro 3rd-5th graders. She was so excited about going back to Epworth, this time with several girls that were friends. 

It was VERY hot Friday when we dropped Ellie off at the church to  load up on the church bus. Emma was taking good care of Mack for me while I helped Ellie and took pictures. 

This was Freddie after he showed up from the dead Friday night. We are sure going to miss this sweet kitty. 

Mack was more excited that anyone that Freddie made it back home. I don't think he has fully grasped what is going to happen this week. 

Emma had her time loving Freddie as well. 

This is the PAUMC crew that went to Kidzquest. There were over 500 in attendance there from all over the state of GA. 

All of the girls on the trip.