Slacking...

Things have been crazy in the Trott family!

We started the month of November with a trip out to Washington and Oregon for a wedding of some college friends, catching up with more friends, and a week with Carl's family. We had a JAM PACKED 9 days! We celebrated an early Thanksgiving and ate our hearts out every day. Carl and I enjoyed the extra help with a very busy 18 month old and Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Mark were more than willing! It was hard to say goodbye but always nice to be back home.






We celebrated Thanksgiving in Lansing with my parents, who came up for a few days. It was a nice low-key day with plenty of food and fun!

Ellie has been just delighted with the sights and sounds of Christmas. She loves having a glowing tree in her house and runs out to see it every morning. She happily shouts "ights" when the lights are turned on and her favorite ornament is the same one she loved last year. Same thing goes for her favorite Christmas song. We have a video of her last year dancing (as I'm holding her up) to "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree". The first time she heard it this season she froze in her tracks, her jaw dropped, and she gasped...to which she responded with outright dancing! She gets so excited when we play it for her and is equally excited when it plays on the radio or in a store somewhere. She hasn't touched the presents except to rip off the tags and stick them on her shirt...at least no presents have been fully opened. She did start to tear into one when Grandpa and Grandma Trott were on the webcam asking Carl if she has opened any of them...the little girl understands EVERYTHING!!! The last couple times she has gone to my parent's house my mom has a small gift for her to open (my mom says it is for her to practice for Christmas...aren't Grandmas the best!). Yesterday it was "Melmo" plates and napkins (that is Ellie talk for "Elmo"). She also got a her first nativity set this year...the Fisher Price set...from her Great Grandpa and Grandma. We gave it to her early so she could have fun playing with it. Her favorite piece is Baby Jesus and she loves kissing him. When she gets to my parent's house the first thing she does is run to their nativity and take Baby Jesus out of the manger and show him to everyone. I pray daily that her love for Jesus continues to blossom from a little girl gingerly kissing a plastic Baby Jesus to a woman daily choosing to following Him.



This year we will be spending Christmas with my family...the first time in 7 years! It is a bittersweet thing. We love spending the holidays on the West coast but it will be nice to actually see my family on Christmas this year and not just wish them a Merry Christmas over the phone. We are incorporating some of the Trott family traditions on my family this year. I made Carl's Grandma's Chinese Pork for us to have on Christmas Eve and we're making a breakfast dish that we've had the last few years out there as well.





We have so much to be thankful for and a wonderful 2009 to look forward too.

God's Eyes

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

From: Give Me Your Eyes
By: Brandon Heath


The first time I heard this song I thought, "wow, that has a catchy tune to it" and I started to sing along not really paying attention. Then the radio stations started playing it ALL the time and one time as I was singing along it hit me like a TON of bricks, "what am I singing?". I hadn't stopped to really listen to the lyrics of the song...and when I did stop it, I have to admit, it kind of freaked me out. The next few times it came on I couldn't sing to it...I just listened and absorbed what it was saying. It really started to grow on me and last week I purchased it on iTunes and uploaded it to my iPod so I could listen even more.

I came to the realization that I really want to full heartedly belt out this song, but I struggle with it. I have grown to like my little life...in my little house...with my little family...shut away from the scariness of the city where I live and the outside world. Yet I know that is not what God always wants for me. I have a bleeding heart for all the things this song talks about, but I don't always answer the call for help. I want to stay locked up...safe!

At the same time God is really working with me at my job. I work with a lot of hurting, broken hearted people. They know that I am a Christian and I know they are watching me. (Thankfully I have a couple close friends there that are also Christians and have been a huge blessing in my life.)

This song has become my strength. I listen to it on my commute every day to work. I sit back, not always singing, but, always listening, to the lyrics. I now realize that God has opened my eyes to the things that I have been missing in my life; He has given me love for the people around me, including my co-workers; He has given me arms for my friends that are going through a really rough time right now; He has given me strength to deal with the people that are far beyond my human ability to deal with; and He has helped me to see those who feel that they have been forgotten. I just have to choose to answer the call and not ignore the ringing.

Some days I make the right choice. But there are some days I fall flat on my face and become ashamed of the way the day went. Some weeks the good days out number the bad...but that's not always true. I'm striving to be the person that shines bright for God...and I fail all the time. Thank goodness He picks me back up, puts me back on my feet and sends me on my way again to be a shinning star for Him. I do my best to keep a good attitude and to keep a smile on my face. I try to remember to pray for my family, friends, co-workers, government, and community everyday (the keyword here is try :o) ). I know God is doing a good work in me and I cling to that.

So, if you've heard this song and sing along to it, make sure you stop and listen. Do you really mean what you are singing about...or are you just singing words? Are you really prepared for God to give you His eyes? If you are...then sing it loud and sing it proud...you're about to embark on a journey that will rock your world!

Leap Frog Test

Have fun!

Leap Frog Test

It's a new day...

“This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good.”

Paris for President

If you haven't seen this you should watch it. It's pretty funny...and she doesn't have a bad energy policy either!

Obsession...

I am slightly...okay really...obsessed with this blog. It is amazing and has everything a girl could dream of. Her recipe section is amazing with pictures to illustrate each step of the way...and the apricot granola bars are TO DIE FOR!!! You should check it out...I'm sure you're soon to have a new favorite on-line stop.
The Pioneer Woman

The Birthday Pony

Update

I have been terrible about keeping this up to date. Here is a little bit about what has been going on in my life.

1. Our little girl has started walking. She cruises through the house with complete ease now. It is pretty crazy to think how quickly she has grown up in the last year. She has 1 new tooth on the bottom and another on the way (making 4) and her 2 top teeth are in. She also ate a dinner tonight of fish, green beans, peach & banana granola, and shared an ice cream cone with me.




2. My husband is always working...that's nothing new.

3. We bought a new computer. An iMac to be precise. We've never owned a Mac before. I totally love it, but it is taking a while to get used to. I also got a free iPod touch for buying our computer...Apple was having a special. It is so cool!

4. I went and picked strawberries last week with some friends. It was a lot of fun and hand picked strawberries are a bazillion times better than those you buy at the store.




5. I'm debating about starting to eat all organic food, but I wish it wasn't so expensive. I get worried about what is in the food we eat.

6. I spent 3 weeks doing fantastic exercising but failed for the last 2 weeks...I'm getting back on track though.

7. I'm also getting back on track with my devotional book...I wish I was better at this.

8. I have been loving watching Wimbledon on TV. It makes me really miss playing tennis.

9. The times have changed. I had 9 family members or friends in a row have baby boys...now there is one baby girl here and 2 more on their way.

10. Our little girl is getting used to the grass...and thinks it is okay now.


11. I met my cousin's son Elliot for the first time last weekend...he's a cutie. Here is a picture of us, my cousin Jean and her son, and Elliot (on the far right...his dad and mom were in the kitchen cooking).


12. I'll try to do better at this whole blogging thing.

Family Filled Week

We had a fabulous week with our Washington family. Including a first ice cream cone, trip to the Zoo, and lots of playing.

Dinner at PF Chang's

Wii Bowling

Grandpa & Grandma

Great Grandpa & Great Grandma

Happy 1st Birthday Take 2

My in-laws and Grandparents in-law drove out from Washington for about a week to celebrate our little girl's birthday and for a nice visit. We waited to have her family birthday party until then. Here are some shots of the party.


Great Grandma Ila, Grandma Nancy, Eilam, Grandma Debbie, Birthday Girl, Great Grandma Elly


Singing "Happy Birthday"


Her singing birthday card...I'm pretty sure this was her favorite gift.


Her cowboy hat to go with this (both from Grandpa & Grandma)



Her potty chair that Grandpa Mark made her


Waving to Aunt Sarah & Uncle Mark on the web cam




She held nothing back!


Turning 1 is hard work!

Happy 1st Birthday

Just one year ago today you made your grand entrance into the world! It was on your daddy's medical school graduation day and you've been stealing the spotlight ever since. You've had a busy first year of life: You had your first plane ride to Washington State and met your Great Grandpa before he went home to be with Jesus and in February your first cousin, Eilam, was born and you were and continue to be enamored by him. You crawl everywhere and get into everything! Why, in no time you'll be walking! You love to read. It isn't unusual for you to crawl to your bedroom and pull out all your books and giggle as you turn each page. You love to eat...even broccoli and spinach! You love going to church; clapping your hands and singing to the worship songs. You are always smiling and your laughter is contagious. You truly enjoy life and are a blessing to all. Happy 1st Birthday! We love you so much!

Laminin

Laminin is the protein that hold us all together. Watch this video and be amazed. I didn't want to watch the whole thing, but I'm glad I did...I'm pretty sure you will be too!

Reading

I LOVED to read when I was a little girl. I still love to read but just don't seem to have time to do much reading anymore...although I am working on that. Our little girl seems to share that same passion for reading. She loves to have stories read to her and even more she loves to turn the pages! You can always seem to find her in the middle of all her toys looking at books laughing hysterically as she turns the pages. Some of her favorite stories are:

Little Puppy (a finger puppet book)

I Love You Through And Through

Wet Pet, Dry Pet, Your Pet, My Pet

Barnyard Dance

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The other day she crawled to her room and started pulling all the books off her chair and reading them. She stayed in there for probably half an hour just giggling away. It was so cute! I hope that her love for books and reading continues. I look forward to days at the library together.

Caught in the act.


The aftermath!

Hair

I feel very blessed to have a little girl with so much hair. I can do a lot of fun stuff with it...when she is cooperative!

She has just recently figured out that mom puts barrettes in her hair to keep it out her eyes (which she really doesn't like). Now that she knows they are there she likes to pull them out which then frustrates her, because her hair is back in her eyes...it is an never ending cycle.

Another fun thing about her having lots of hair is after her bath. We don't want her to go to bed with a sopping wet head of hair so we put her in her crib and she holds onto the rails and bounces while we blow her hair dry...she thinks it is great fun!

This is what she looks like after waking up in the morning or after a nap.


The other day we were sitting on the couch and I looked over at her and she had grabbed her comb off the computer stand and started brushing her hair all on her own...she was so excited!

Update

So it's been forever since I've updated this. I'll fill you in a little bit on what's been going on in our life since April 3rd.

April 5 & 6 we went to Chicago for my cousin's baby shower. We had such a fun time. The weather was fabulous. We walked the Magnificant Mile and had popcorn at Garrett's...my favorite stuff! Here is a picture of me and my sister and our children.


April 15th we went to the Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids with My sister, her son, my cousin Jean and her son. The Butterfly exhibit was so much fun. My little girl just loved the butterflies...she was so facinated with them. Here are some pictures of our trip.

All 6 of us.


So facinated!





Cool blue butterfly mid-flight.


Cute little mouse!

April 18th we went to Royal Oak for an Iron and Wine concert with some of our friends from Lansing. My parents came up and watched our little girl for the night. It was her first time going to bed without Dad and Mom home. She did fabulous!

Half A Lifetime Ago...

Okay, Jean, here I go...
14 years ago...1994...boy oh boy...that was so long ago...

I was in 8th grade
I was scared of a girl in gym class who said she would kick my butt if I ever hit her with my floor hockey stick again...like I did it on purpose...I didn't want to go back to gym class...wait a minute I think that was 7th grade
In 8th grade we had to make our own exercise videos and my friend and I made it to old school Disney songs...it was super cheesy!!
I too, like Jean, was a bank geek
I was upset that I didn't get put in Advanced English
I remember going to our Yearbook Dance and getting up the nerve to ask people to sign my yearbook
I was shy
We drove to California for Christmas break and slept on the streets to get a good place to watch the Rose Bowl parade on New Years Day
I liked Disney stuff
I was finally able to be part of the youth group at our church...and our youth pastor left that year

That was fun. I sure have changed a lot since then!

I knew today would come sometime...

My precious little girl ate her first bug. She was playing and I saw her hand go to her mouth and chewing. By the time I got across the room to her she was all smiles and wouldn't open her mouth. I started to tickle her and she opened her mouth and I was able to get part of it out...part of his crunchy exterior. She was giggling and thought it was so funny. What a goof ball!

Forgetting the Past...

"But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal...
Philippians 3:13-14"

This was the start of one of my devotionals (For Every Season by Greg Laurie) the other day.

Here, the word "forget" doesn't mean a failure to remember as much as it means no longer being influenced or affected by the past. You may not be able to erase them from your memory you just don't need to be inluenced by them anymore. Sometimes we dredge up the things God has forgiven and forgotten. The Lord says:
"I will remember their sins no more"
Jeremiah 31:34
Yet many times we will bring past sins up, forgetting the fact that our God has a big eraser. Why should we choose to rememer what God has chosen to forget? If God has forgiven my sins and forgotten them, then I need to leave them behind, learn from my mistakes, not do the same thing again, and move forward.
In addition to forgetting our sins, we should also forget our victories. Certianly, we are to thank God for them. But we need to remember that there are new opportunities ahead of us.

I've read these passages so many times, and I know that I am to forget my past sins and move forward. For some reason it never hit me that my past also includes my victories. Not dwelling in the past means leaving the good and the bad of my past behind and create new victories.

Finally...A Good Blonde Joke

A lawyer and a blonde woman are sitting next to each other on a long flight.

The lawyer asks if she would like to play a fun game.

The blonde is tired and just wants to take a nap, so she politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists, that the game is a lot of fun.

'I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5; you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500.'

This catches the blonde's attention; and, to keep him quiet, she agrees to play the game.

The lawyer asks the first question.

'What's the distance from the earth to the moon?'

The blonde doesn't say a word, reaches in to her purse, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer

Now, it's the blonde's turn. She asks the lawyer, 'What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?'

The lawyer uses his laptop, searches all references.


He uses the Airphone; he searches the Net and even the Library of Congress.

He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows, all to no avail.

After one hour of searching he finally gives up.

He wakes up the blonde and hands her $500.

The blonde takes the $500 and goes back to sleep.

The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer.

He wakes her up and asks, 'Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?' The blonde reaches into her purse, hands the lawyer $5 and goes back to sleep.

Happy Easter

Church was so wonderful this morning...I love Easter! Our little girl looked adorable in her new Easter dress.

Here are a couple pictures of Easter 1984. My sister and I sang "Christ Arose"

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor
From the dark domain,
And He lives forever
With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:

3. Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:

Actually I say "Christ Arose"...my sister stood behind me and told me the words.

This one is my mom, me, Carol, my Aunt Laurie.