BIG GIRL!

Ella is now SEVEN months old! I can't even believe it! She's is getting so big! She eats like her dad; I guess that's why she's growing so much:) So far she likes just about anything we give her (except peas!).

She started sitting up on her own at about 6 months and was crawling like a pro about 2 weeks after that. She's trying to pull herself up on EVERYTHING, especially in her crib. She's at such a fun stage (we haven't really hit a bad one yet!). Her little personality is starting to show. We get comments all the time about what a laid back and happy baby she seems to be. We'd have to agree;)

6 Months: Ella eating cereal for the first time... definitely a learning experience!

On to fruits and veggies

"Not so sure about this"...

Sitting up playing with her favorite toy (caterpillar again)
Standing up in her bed!

She still looks so little, though;)

4th of July

We weren't able to make too many plans this year for the fourth because Stephen had to work all day:( However, we all went to my mom & dad's for their neighborhood's firework show that evening. We assumed Ella might be a little hesitant about the loud noises, but she did great! She actually fell asleep in the middle of it all! I guess fireworks aren't that big of a deal to a six month old;)

We LOVE fish:)

We finally found a day in the week that Stephen & I were BOTH off AND didn't have any prior commitments! We decided to make the quick trip down to Chattanooga & visit the aquarium, stop in at one of our favorite coffee shop/cafes, and visit friends. It's very difficult to find activities that a six month old will enjoy, but Ella was fascinated by the fish...so cute!

Ella: fascinated by the penguins! (and eating her caterpillar)

Stingrays!

Tired after a fun day!

Mommy and Daddy Days

This is certainly a late post but just wanted to share a few pictures of the events surrounding my first official Mother's Day and Stephen's first Father's Day!

Gabriella giving me my card!

It was a little soggy...
For Father's Day, we went to the Chimney's to cook out and enjoy the mountains.
Ella's first time seeing the water!

Hope

So I've realized that the longer I wait to update, the more I have to post. The longer the update gets, the more I put it off....it's a cycle really. So here goes...

Lots of things going on around the Deel house. First of all, I have started a new job! As of May, I am working as the Nurse Practitioner at Hope Resource Center. It's really ironic how it all came about. When I first heard about the opportunity, I quickly dismissed it. I'm not sure if that was because it was a field I had never considered or if it was just an area of practice that was completely out of my comfort zone. Either way, as the days and weeks passed, I just couldn't seem to get Hope off my mind. Stephen and I started to devote more serious prayer to the possibility. The more we prayed the more I felt urged to at least look into the position.

The rest is pretty much history. I went through the application and interview process (which turned out to be quite lengthy!) and felt more peace with each step. I started getting excited about it weeks before I even got the offer! I am just thankful that God really worked on my heart and my stubborn mind and the job just fell into place.

I have been there now for about four weeks. I am only working two days a week which is SUCH a blessing. It is still so hard when those days roll around to leave Ella, but it's getting a little easier! Thankfully, I always know that she is being well cared for. Stephen's job flexibility allows him to stay with her most of the time. My parents and sister are graciously filling in the other days. It's been so fun to hear Stephen's reports of his days with her! He has so much fun and is such an amazing Daddy!

As for the job itself, I couldn't ask for a better work environment. I work with an amazing group of Godly people. How many people can say they start their work day in prayer with their co-workers? I am learning so much. It is certainly a difficult job at times. I face spiritual and emotional struggles daily, but God is just so good to give me the stregth I need and wisdom to do what I can. The biggest lesson so far has been in understanding what I CAN'T do. I may never see the fruits of my laobr, so to speak, but I hope that I am at least planting seeds!

On another note, Ella is doing wonderfully! I'm sure it gets old reading this...but she is just growing so fast. She had her five month birthday about a week ago! She is not anywhere close to crawling. In fact, she still HATES being on her tummy! She loves sitting up though. She, of course, has to be propped up somewhat, but she can hold herself up on her own for a few seconds anyway! hahaha

I guess thats all for now! (as if that isn't enough!)

Here are some recent pictures for your viewing pleasure:)

Loving summer and the pool!!!
This is the life:) A few pictures from a recent wedding we attended:

sorry!!!

We will update soooooooon!
Promise:)

Ella is FOUR MONTHS OLD today!!!

Trips, Runs, and other stuff

I've been running. A lot. In March I helped my company have an extremely good appearance at the Knoxville Marathon Expo. We exceeded all expectations and it seems as if Sport Seasons will be participating from now on. I was very pleased. On that Saturday, after working the expo and breaking it down that night, I worked a total of fifteen hours. The next morning the race started at 7am and I was there ready to go at 6:15am. It was a tough run but I was able to complete my first half-marathon in two hours and fifteen minutes. I'm looking forward to training and participating in the full 26.2 miler in Chattanooga in the fall. BTW, Gabriella was there and Sara was too, to capture the fun on camera. (note Ella's outfit, thanks to Sara for that)

A few weeks after the race we had a wonderful Easter. With a new baby girl in the house, this Easter was much more emotional and the sacrifice that God made, sending His perfect Son to earth to be killed and resurrected three days later to bare the wrath for my sin, was much more polarizing. If anything, I can feel a new confidence to share my faith and speak boldly about the beliefs I have...But we had a great time visiting with family that day and catching up with Sara's cousin Dustin and his wife Lindsey.

This past weekend Sara and I took a little road trip to central Virginia with the intention of running in the half marathon in Charlottesville and seeing some much missed family members. We succeeded with the second agenda; We stayed with my parents and spent the weekend catching up with my brother Bryan and with Kevin and my sister in-law Jamie. It was hard to say goodbye in that parking lot in Roanoke. Yes, we made a pit stop in Roanoke to introduce Gabriella to her Great-Grandmother Deel. It was a very special day.

The first intention we had didn't go so well. After a lot of preparation and training I was not able to run in the Charlottesville Half-Marathon. To make a long story short; I have trouble with calendars.

Last Chance!!!

We will be changing our privacy settings THIS WEEK! Not sure of the date yet, depends on how long it takes to figure things out on our end! For those whom we have not heard from yet, the blog will no longer be accessible unless you've received an email invite from us. As we mentioned before, we just want to make sure we are cautious with the personal information we share through our blog. This way, we can keep friends and family updated on the details of our life without having to worry about who else may stumble across our page.

We hope everyone will contiue to read and enjoy our blog!

Again, just leave us your email address in the comment secction below. We will be happy to get the info sent to you!

THANKS!!!

P.S. We have tons of pictures to share. I recently bought a high capacity memory card which apparently is not compatible with our computer! Oh, heavens! I'll figure things out and post them soon!

soon to be password protected!

Hello all, just to let everyone know we will be requiring a password to view our blog soon. If you'd like to continue to follow our blog just leave a comment letting us know. Just include your email address and we'll make sure to get the info to you. We love sharing news about our family, we would just like to know who all we're sharing it with!

Thanks,

Stephen, Sara, and Ella

Pocketful of Sunshine!

Wearing Mommy's sunglasses! Now her own shades! Can't get much more relaxed than that!

All worn out!

Daddy's Girls

Here are some shots of my girls during a short, beautiful stretch of early spring.

We are healthy and happy and Gabriella is getting bigger and smarter everyday. More details to come...

Stephen

Play Date with Drew :)

We got a preview to spring this past weekend and decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather with a day at the park!

Getting ready to go...they look excited, don't they?!

Figuring each other out. Poor Drew couldn't keep his hat on and Ella kept trying to put her hand in his mouth!