Tales of Mom Ellis

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The golden years????????

Last night , after a very full day (beginning at 4AM), I went to my son Sam's house to babysit sweet little Gianna so that Sam and Prisila could go to a care group in their Church. Upon arriving, I knew she had an ear infection and cold, so I was prepared to sing and cheer her up as much as possible( she's 6 months old). About thirty minutes after she went down to sleep, I could hear her crying and coughing, and my Grandmother's heart just had to hold her and "make it all better". We had some sweet moments where she smiled and cooed' but most of the time she was not a happy camper.The amazing thing was that even though I was so tired, I just kept singing and rocking her, making silly faces, praying and I had such a peace and joy deep in my heart. The fussiness didn't even bother me. It was sweet to my ears and I realized how all the pruning over the years with my five children, and then fifteen years of teaching little ones, that God has really been working in my life. When I look back, truely the years I spent at home raising my children are what I would consider the "golden years" of my life. It certainly is not an easy job being a full-time mommy, but the years you invest in them when they are small will bring huge "dividends" when they grow up. So to all you moms with little children, enjoy this season, and keep your heart soft and teachable, and God will be working in you His fruit of the Spirit!!!And as you have heard many times, before you know it , they will be "All grown up"!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Baby, it's cold outside!!!!!!

For the past few weeks, because of the frigid temperatures, we have had to stay in at school. I think just about every day someone asks the big question " Mrs. Ellis, are we going out on the playground today? " I actually feel sad that I have to tell them no, and then of course being a three year old the next question is"WHY?" I have observed recently that their behavior is so different when they can't get their wigglies out in the fresh air. We have done obstacle courses with a balance beam, a mini-trampoline and a caterpillar to crawl through. We have hit balloons with paddles,(to Jana music), and today we used a parachute with them, but to no avail, they still struggle to sit still. I know this is normal for this age, but it is amazing how that 15 minutes outside brings a calmness to the classroom during circle times!!!I am looking forward to hopefully getting some outside time real soon, and meantime we'll just keep hopping and jumping and getting those wigglies out the best we can!!! ( I am learning to be content in all circumstances) :-)

Monday, February 05, 2007

A 3 dog night and a 3 dog day.........

Well, recently my neighbor called me to see how my "empty nest" was doing. I chuckled as I told her that even though my children are gone, my nest if quite full!! You see, along this path of my life, somehow my heart is always soft when a pet needs a new home, especially dogs. Eveyone of the pets we have taken care of have been"orphans" in need of a home. This gives me a little feeling of benevolence when I care for our 14 year old "hot dog" who is at this point of his life like a "nursing home " patient. The other two dogs, Tiny and Webbie fight like siblings ( kind of like Laura and Sam when they were small) and Tiny is constantly irritating Webbie, taking his toys and running.Right now as I write Tiny is in her crate having a "time out" for eating the popourri berries on my coffee table (the third or fourth time in this past month)So to all you moms with little ones,the pruning in our lives is ongoing, even as the children leave home. But I don't want to leave on a bad note so I must tell you, I love all the pets God has graciously bestowed on our family and will continue to nurture and love them, even when times are a little trying. Who knows, maybe God will have a job for me in Heaven taking care of animals ( I love goats..........)