Princess

Ella is such a girlie girl.  She wears this tutu as much as possible.  She likes necklaces, makeup, hair, and nail polish. 

 I love her so much.

Man Cave

The apartment we lived in was pretty small.  The master bedroom had a very large closet and that's where Devin had his computer.  He would play his video games in the closet and Ella and I would hang out in the bedroom.  

Buying a home with four bedrooms meant that he would never have to give up his man cave.  He was really excited about this.  I think it might have been one of things he was happiest about when purchasing our home.  We moved in and put all of his computer and guitar stuff in his cave.  He even has a sign hanging above the door that says 'Man Cave'.  We had a lot of plans for his cave and how we'd decorate it.  I was happy that he had a spot of his own to play his games and guitar.  

Well, recently, we've been talking a lot about a second baby.  Right now the fourth room is used as the spare bedroom.  It only has a bed in it and is used when my parents or guests stay.  We really didn't know what we were going to do with the bed that's in there.  We haven't done any type of decorating to it as, it's going to be the Nursery in a couple of years.  I figured we'd end up just putting the bed in Devin's cave or the loft.

Anyway, as we were talking about it Devin said he wanted to move his stuff to the loft.  This would make it so that we would get to keep our spare room and have a nursery.  I was shocked. I didn't know why he wanted to be in the loft.  He explained to me that in the apartment, he was right there with Ella and I.  He liked being able to talk to me and listen to Ella play.  He said he doesn't like shouting down the hall to talk to me.  He also said that as much as he thought he would like the isolation, he just felt too isolated in the cave.  I was still skeptical.  We only moved his computer stuff as I figured he'd just want to move back in a couple of weeks.  Well, we're a couple of weeks in and he is still there....he sits right next to me.  I must say that it makes me happy that he wants to be close to bug and I.  I like that he wants to listen to us and talk to us.  Even if sometimes he's just pretending to listen, I like that he's right there. I like that we're all in the same room.  

Maybe someday Devin will want to go back to his cave but, for now I am happy to have him as my computer neighbor.

I don't write blogs much about myself or Devin and I think I should.  I dwell so much on Ella and what Ella's doing I forget sometimes; I suppose it's tunnel vision.  I decided to write about this because I thought it was special.  

I never go a day without thinking about how lucky I am to have him.  He is my rock and he's a wonderful Father.  It took a bunch of crappy relationships to stumble upon the perfect guy.  

One Year

I honestly can't believe that this weekend marks our first year in our house.  Time sure seems to be flying by.  We love our house and can't imagine being anywhere else.  Yes, we live further out in Chandler but, we wouldn't change a thing.  Our area is growing like crazy and we're enjoying watching all of the new houses pop up.  I am proud that we have our own home.  It has taken a lot of sacrifice and work but, it's worth it.  After living in the apartment we lived in, I would not trade our home for anything.  We have a very long ways to go as far as decorating but, we'll get there. 

 I remember the weekly trips that we'd take to visit our house (after placing an offer) and fantasizing about how wonderful it would be to live here.  I remember just driving around the area thinking man, I would love for Ella to grow up here.  

We love our home and we work very hard for it.  So, Happy Birthday house, we can't wait to make more memories with you.

Easter

We had a nice Easter this year.  In the past, we really haven't done Easter with Ella.  So, this was her first real experience that she might remember.  My folks were here and Ella was so happy.  She loves her grandparents so much.  It makes my heart happy how close Ella is with her grandparents.  I didn't really have that with mine so, it's something that was very important to me to instill in Ella.  

Anyway, Easter was great.  We had an egg hunt in our community the week before and, the Easter bunny left a small hunt for Ella.  Her favorite part of Easter was the Easter bunny eating the carrots.  Her Grandma Washie and Papa Moosie spoiled her with gifts as did her Grandma Jody and Papa Han.  Truthfully on Easter, she was a bit overwhelmed by all of her gifts.  I think she handled it well though.  The Easter bunny doesn't believe in giving candy but, clothes and princess attire.