"Cousin time"...

We have enjoyed getting to spend a good bit of time lately with Wyatt and Bradford - wish more than anything in this world that the frequent visits were under different circumstances, but we are so thankful to be seeing them often. The kids have always been close, but now that they are sharing in each other's pain and sorrow, their bond has deepened even more. They are leaning on each other for support in ways that I do not even have words to express. The conversations that are had by these 3 will leave anyone speechless, and in awe at what is really going on in the deep recesses of their precious hearts. The conversations will break even the hardest of hearts, but it is so good for them to talk - and we encourage them to do so. They see us cry, and that's okay. They are seeing us be authentic and vulnerable, and in doing so, it gives them permission to do the same which is part of healing. So many people keep telling me just to keep the kids around me as a "distraction" - I hear that alot. Having the kids with me is anything but a distraction from the reality of what we are facing. In fact, their presence is a constant reminder of what our family has lost - they talk about Elliot all of the time, and they want to talk about her. They ask us questions, and we answer honestly. They are wise beyond their years - all 3 of them - and so when they ask, we answer - they want to know the truth about everything. They are not afraid to talk about Elliot - why are so many adults?  They are not afraid to ask questions? Why are the adults? They are not afraid to grieve openly and express themselves - why do so many adults hide?  I am trying to ask myself these questions even as I type. I suppose it's just another reason why Jesus tells us to live like "little children". Little children are far wiser than we give them credit for. They can often times see straight through the facade that so many adults put on. They can see beyond the masks that we all wear daily. I pray daily that God will protect these precious children's hearts, as He continues to mold and shape them into the people they were created to be, despite the tragedy that has come upon them. God is working, and "He who started a good work in you (them), will be faithful to complete it".

Wyatt was doing a school project where "Leo the Lion" was supposed to go everywhere with him all weekend. He brought a suitcase of about 20 changes of clothes for Leo and then we had to write in his journal at the end of our weekend everything that Leo and Wyatt did together. Here, Leo is wearing "camo's", while we went for a walk in the woods. 

Elliot's symbol, the "Butterfly". I was captivated by this marvelous creature. 

My little big boy :)  

What's a walk in the woods if you can't stand in a muddy creek and throw rocks? 

Boys doing "boy things" 

And, my little big boy holding a very large machete  - little scary Daddy! 

Wish I had a picture of me and my sister at this age I could post here. This picture is a "little Elliot", and a "little Erin". Elliot would love this picture. 

Leo did a little fishing too 

Ellison enjoying some special E-daddy time 

Wyatt with his great-grandfather. What a blessed heritage. 

One of the catches of the day 

Both in their own little world.  I will say, patience with fishing is hard to come by! 

Leo also went to church! 

And here are the silly bobsy twins!  "But they're cousins, identical cousins, you and me".  (Yes, that is a real song and probably the only other person in the world that knows this song is my cousin Lauren)!  

Precious, precious

Hanging out at the zoo 

The new sky lift at our zoo 

Riding with Uncle Jay 

Beautiful Bradford, posing in a tree 

This was the sky one night over the weekend. This was the night that Bradford was swinging in my backyard. She ask me to give her a push and then she wanted to swing by herself. I pushed her once, and then she started furiously pumping her little 4 year old year legs and hard as she could, propelling herself higher and higher into the sky saying, "Hi Mommy, I am coming to get you - here I come, I am swinging higher and higher and am about to get to you".  I stood there watching this conversation happen between my niece and her mommy in Heaven.  It's all just so unbelievable still - and I think it will be forever. 

"9 months"

I am still here! It's been nearly a month since I last posted, but we had some technical trouble with my computer and it had to go to the shop for awhile and I was unable to download pictures - or do anything for that matter. So...., I have some catching up to do. If you want to catch up also, you might need to scroll through the blog as I am getting ready to do several new posts to update our happenings. I think I will start with the most recent and work backwards.

This is Ellison's 9 month post, even though she will be turning 10 months next week!

Where do I even start with this "go getter" of a girl? Well, she is 20 lbs and off the chart for her height - just like Elijah Brooks. This girl LOVES to eat - and will eat anything - absolutely anything - we feed her. She will eat things we don't give her too - like paper, leaves, styrofoam, diapers, toilet paper, sticks, and hay - just to name a few! Truly though, she will eat anything. She is a fabulous eater and I am so grateful. I hope this continues and that she will not become opinionated about it - although, I am sure that will come at some point. She has really been a very easy going baby and has transitioned beautifully and seamlessly through several key stages. She is definitely a girl who knows what she wants - but I have been told that there is another girl in our family who is the same way :) Wonder where she gets that from? She is happy - oh, so happy. She has the most hilarious face when she really gets laughing - she will wrinkle up her little nose and sniff - the more we laugh, the more she does it. Elijah Brooks still can make her laugh more than anyone else, and he loves to do it - not always at the most appropriate times, but so precious nonetheless! She continues to be quite curious about everything. She likes books, but will rarely sit still to look at one - but during her "down time" in the late afternoon, I will put her in her crib with some books and she will enjoy looking through them at her own pace. She has 6 teeth, and it seems like forever that she has been working on # 7 - and I really hope it comes in soon. She loves music and is already in tune with it. She amazes me every day with her zest for life - she is just so full of life and joy - and seems to really enjoy making other people smile. She still does not like to have her diaper changed or get dressed - I conclude that she just doesn't want to be restrained and we are interrupting her world at the moment! She has things to do - she is BUSY!! I have a feeling this little girl is going to keep me on my toes. She loves her 2 "lovies" - "pink kitty" and "green frog". She is an affectionate little girl who like to "give love" to us. She doesn't seem to like to be rocked as much as Elijah Brooks did - rather, she likes to nestle her head under my neck on my right shoulder while I bounce her standing up. As soon as I sit down in the rocking chair, she lets me know I need to stand back up! I am telling you, she knows what she wants :) Such a good trait - takes the guesswork out of it!
She can say, "Dada", "Momma", "Guh" (for Gus our cat), "Ca" (for Callie our other cat), "E-dada" (for E-daddy), "Bye Bye", and "Ah duh" (for "all done"). She understands these commands, "No touch", "sit on your bottom", "come here", and "give love". She can blow a kiss! She LOVES animals - all animals - doesn't matter what kind of animal. If it is an animal, she loves it - but, especially partial to dogs (and we don't even have a dog)! She will literally try to jump out of her stroller if we see a dog out walking. I think I am definitely going to have to talk to her about animals and that not every animal can be trusted. Elijah Brooks was, and still is, quite cautious about animals and alot of other things. Ellison, "cautious", is not in her vocabulary. She is a free spirit indeed - reminds us all so much of her Aunt Elliot. God knew - He just knew.

And I will end with this - SHE IS WALKING!!!!!

The "wrinkled up nose" laugh! 

"Family time"....

Family time - haven't had much of it lately, but managed to grab an hour for a family picnic last week. What a treasure and unexpected blessing.  Jay's lunch appointment canceled so he had a "free" hour - very unusual. Thank you LORD for this sweet time. 

Just for clarification, Jay was right behind him!  Remember, he broke his leg in 2 places jumping off of a wall!