We have had an extremely eventful weekend! First, our power went out on Thursday night around 8:00pm. Katy, Ella, and I arrived back at our house to find the neighbor's tree laying in our yard with our power, phone, and cable lines beneath it. I was upset that we didn't have power, but relieved because Chuck assured me that we still had hot water for showers/bottles thanks to our trusty gas-powered water-heater.

Friday, still no power. Luckily, Chuck called the electrician and things were under way to get us hooked back up. Nana, Mamaw, Ella, and I had plans to go to the zoo, so we went. No use sitting around all day just because there is no power. Chuck stayed home to supervise the situation and wait for the electrician.

After the zoo, Ella went home with Nana, Chuck went out with the boys, and I went out with the girls (and Travis). We all had a great time.

Saturday, still no power. We were all set to have LG&E to come hook us up, but we were lucky enough to be one of the last 100 customers to get power back after the storm. So, since we had nothing else to do, we went to our friend Chris's house and began what is going to be a HUGE renovation project. Hey, at least we were in the A/C!

Saturday night around 11pm, LG&E finally came and hooked us up! Woo!! The poor dogs were sweltering in the house all day and night, and Chuck and I weren't much better. Unfortunately, we had to throw out all of our food in the fridge and freezer.

Sunday morning, I had to clean. We hadn't been able to clean since Thursday because it was so hot in the house during the day and so dark at night. The house really was a mess. Chuck went to Chris's house again. I cleaned as quickly as possible, then got ready and went to Nana's to pick up my baby girl! I hadn't seen her for 2 days and I missed her! I spent the rest of the day at Ella's Nana and Papaw's.

Monday, Chuck, Ella, and I went swimming with Aunt Katy and Uncle Adam. Ella wasn't sure what to think of the cold water at first, but then she decided it was pretty awesome. We had a great time.

I hope we don't have a weekend quite so eventful in a long time...

Ella is getting really great at standing. I don't know if she will ever crawl, but standing is something she likes. She also likes jumping. Her Nana got her a jumpy-thing (technical term) and after a few minutes of confusion, she figured out what to do to have some serious fun.

Ella thinks everything is funny. Last night, Chuck rubbed his beard on her face - something she never liked before - and she cracked up! She thought it was the funniest thing she had ever experienced. I just don't understand that girl. She is just plain silly.

In other news, my last day at my current job is next Wednesday. I am both excited and reluctant to leave. To be honest, I've never really been stimulated by my current job - by any job really - so I will not miss my position in that respect. However, I will greatly miss all of the wonderful people I have met in the past three years. These people will move from the "coworker" category of my life to the "friend" category, which I think this is an apt change. If any of those people are reading this: thanks for everything - you are all great!

My last day of work also means the last day of babysitting for the summer for Ella's friend Tracy. In some ways, I'm sure the break from Ms. Ella will be welcome. However, in some ways, I know the break will be hard. You see, Ella girl is about the best thing that has happened to many of us in awhile. She makes you smile no matter how you feel, and she always has enough love to go around. She is addictive. Once you know and love her, it isn't an easy task to spend even a few days away from her. I hope Ella's friend Tracy knows that this isn't the last she will see of Ms. Ella!

Ella finally got her 3rd tooth yesterday! It is her top, middle, left tooth. Yeah!

Also, over on Natalie's blog, you can see a picture of three cute babies with their cute mommies.

Well, again it has been over a week since my last update. Seriously, I am too busy for my own good. Luckily, classes are over for the semester and I have a couple of more weeks before I begin my summer classes. I also got the best news last Tuesday afternoon - I will be teaching next year at Presentation Academy! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this job! I have waited for two long years to begin teaching and now it is only a few months away. I am still working on my MAT and I plan to begin my MA in English this fall or spring. I guess I am just a glutton for punishment - or a workaholic...

As for Ms. Ella, she is wonderful (of course)! She hates any food that is green - green beans, peas, asparagus, and avacado have all been tried and summarily rejected. On the other hand, she loves carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, yogurt, and any fruit - even lemon! She still has just two teeth, and I have no idea when she will get more. Her new favorite activities are standing with support, giving kisses and hugs (too sweet!), touching her plastic easter eggs to anything else, and hanging upside-down. She is one silly little girl. She knows her name, but we hardly ever use it. Mostly, I call her Little Sweetie, The Girl, and Silly.

Ella is getting more fun every day! She is so silly, and she always brightens my day with her shy little smile. Her personality is really beginning to emerge. She loves to flirt with all of the boys. She has her Daddy and Papaw right where she wants them when she flashes them her sweet grin and then coyly looks away. She loves to play and bounce and talk. She is also learning how to bring her knees up when she is on her tummy - crawling isn't too far away for this girl! I can't wait to see will do in the next few months!

(Thanks for the great collage Nana!)