A Proverbs 31 Woman

I have struggled over the last week to find the words to write this post. On May 20th, my precious Mamaw Porter went to be with Jesus. Words can truly not express the variety of emotions that I have been flooded with over the last month. I am beyond thankful and grateful that I was able to spend this past month in Jackson and get to visit with her so much. Ella Kate could bring a smile to Mamaw's face when nothing else seemed to do it. Mamaw told me in one of our ICU visits that she "never knew love until Ella Kate came along." While I take offense to this being her first born grandchild=), I know what she meant. She and Ella Kate had such love for each other. I feel so blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom for many reasons, but especially right now because EK and I have been able to spend so much time in Jackson with my grandparents.

At Mamaw's graveside service, a special friend of Mamaw's spoke of her sweet spirit and read from Proverbs 31. She was the definition of this type of woman. She and my dear Papaw celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago in the hospital. Watching the way that they looked at each other really melted my heart. They set a wonderful example for our whole family of what marriage should look like. Mamaw had a servant's heart. She and my Papaw lived at St. Catherine's Village in Madison for 17 years. Every morning, Mamaw would go down to the assisted living wing and help pour coffee for the residents. She just loved being able to serve and visit with the people and I know she was a light in each of their lives. She also worked in the church nursery every single week. Now, having worked in the nursery a lot in my life, it takes a special person to actually WANT to do that each week. She was just that special. My Mamaw could do some sewing. I wish I was a talented as she was. She could smock beautifully. She tried to teach me last summer, but it was a waste. I was not a very good student because it requires a lot of time and patience....both of which I am usually running low on. But, she did smock some precious dresses for Ella Kate as well as make a lot of other things that I will cherish forever. The dress in the picture above is one of her creations. So special. She loved to make baby dolls. She had tons of them and would make outfit after outfit to give away. I could go on and on about Mamaw.

Mamaw loved Jesus with all her heart. So I know she is dancing with Him right now. It doesn't make me miss her any less, but what a comfort and peace to know that we did not have to say goodbye forever!!! What a glorious day when we will meet again!!!!!

One More Month

One more month and my "baby" will be two years old. Unbelievable!!!! It has been a pretty crazy month for us, but I did want to say a few things about what Miss Ella Kate is up to these days. She is the most loving child...maybe credit that to her new found love of Barney and the "I Love You" song, but whatever. She will come up to me and say "Love me, Mommy!" Which means that I better immediately pick her up and let her hug and kiss me. I don't mind. She is obsessed with make up, her plastic high heels (which she calls "pretty shoes"), and purses. I thought I had an almost 2 year old, instead I think she thinks she is a teenager. I can't deal! In those purses that she has to have with her at all times go a variety of items. Books, trains, make up sponges, etc. She is a bit of a hoarder. Bless her. She LOVES to sing. My favorite is when she sings "Jesus Loves Me." She can rock it out!!!! It melts my heart to hear!!!! She is on the go all the time and loves to "run fast, Mommy." She also gives herself the "ready, set, go" before taking off. She has mastered her colors and can count up to 10 when she wants to do it. All in all, she is a precious little girl....who occasionally has decided to start throwing some little fits when she doesn't get her way. Not really sure how I feel about this!!!!

And here are a couple of pictures from the other night when we were out to dinner. Enjoy.

Haley is 20!!!!

Happy 2-0 Aunt Haley!!!!! I hope you have a good day, and I am happy that we get to have cake to celebrate with you. You always make me laugh and I love getting to play with you. I love you!!!!!

Much love,

Ella Kate

The Gator, The Boys, and Painted Toes

Hi there! It's Ella Kate. I was super excited when Mommy and Daddy said we were going to Columbus for the night because I love going to see Nana and Pop. And this visit had a bonus!!! John David and Gregory, my super cool cousins, hung around until I got into town so we could play together!!! How awesome!!! It is a bit difficult to get the three of us to cooperate for a picture, but we did our best to try and get a good one for Nana....sort of....

I may be a girly girl, but that doesn't stop me from getting my hands dirty and playing like a boy sometimes! Check me out in the gator!!!!
John David gave me a few driving pointers since he has a few years of experience on me.
And then, I was off!!!! Gregory was my brave passenger as we drove off into the sunset...
I also got to visit with my Meemaw while in Columbus. She had a special treat for me today. A Minnie Mouse bathing suit...2 of my favorite things wrapped up into 1!!!!!

And finally, please take notice of my little piggies. Yes, they are a lovely shade of hot pink. While visiting my Mamaw in the hospital, I noticed she had some really fancy toes. Well, it was then a necessity to get my toes in proper sandal wearing shape. I heart my painted toes!!!!
Much love,

Ella Kate

Recent Happenings

Let me start off by bragging on my sweet and thoughtful husband. Please look at the AMAZING painting he had done for me for Mother's Day!!!! L.O.V.E. it!!!!!! J ALWAYS comes up with the most special and thoughtful gifts. He is so good!!! I am so anxious to get this framed and up on our wall. And a huge thank you to our amazingly talented friend Lissa Ortego for painting this precious picture for me.
Ella Kate and I went to Jackson last Monday to welcome home Haley and Jordan from school. EK was ecstatic to see her aunts and quickly forgot about her mother!!! There were lots of bubbles blown, Barney episodes watched, books read, and hours of playing done by these three.

Look closely, you can see EK's bubble....and look at that support from Jo!!! Cheering her on all the way!!!

Another reason that Ella Kate and I went to Jackson was to visit my Mamaw Porter. She was scheduled to have surgery last Tuesday, so we were there with her. EK LOVES her Mamaw, and Mamaw LOVES her EK!!! Well, there were some complications with the surgery and Mamaw ended up in ICU for a while but on Mother's Day, was moved to a regular room. She is a fighter!!!
My cousin Katie flew down from Virginia to visit Mamaw as well. Ella Kate and Katie instantly bonded....thanks to the fact that Katie let EK play with her make up!!! EK is all girl and LOVES some make up!!! It was so great to get to visit with Katie and we want to say a huge CONGRATS to her because she will graduate from Wake Forest on Saturday with her MBA!!!! Yeah Katie!!!!!