This past week I was blessed by the opportunity to see my family in Brisbane before attending the Come Before Winter retreat on the Gold Coast. You can learn more about this renewal at I still don't really have the words for all that I experienced and the blessings received during this week. I am so thankful though to have had the opportunity to be with these 12 women, and the 39 other participants from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Our time was spent in Psalm 103. In the afternoon until the end of each day's activities, Ella was taken care of by a babysitter. Leaving her was rough but I am proud of how well she did. It is good for her to learn to be secure in the care of other people. And I appreciated the break so that I could better "land" and participate.

The women who blessed us during this renewal


The beautiful view I could enjoy each morning


Below are some recent pictures of Ella . . . now 10 months old. Her rapid growth is a little easier knowing that another little one will soon be in our arms. I'm finding this first year of life to be so amazing and precious. Of course there are challenges but so much joy, too. Ella has definitely connected "Mama" with me, but everything else has become "Ba"...from birds, to dogs, to baby, to bath. She can clap on command and still dances to anything. The shaking of the head "no" might now be connected with the sentiment, too. Sweet thing though shakes her head for "yes" and "no" right now. She loves to pull up on the ottoman, sofa, and bookshelf. Its a whole new world.

These two are definitely related. Like father like daughter. I love it!



Lots of personality





A good traveler - educating herself on the emergency procedures


Family time in Brisbane




Bath time with cousin Benjamin

My name is Ella, and I love my Dad

Hi. I'm Ella and this is my Dad . . .



Even though Mother's Day has just passed, I couldn't leave out this part of Ella's development. Ella has enjoyed a special bond with her Dad since the day she was born. Jason had some great daddy-daughter time immediately after her birth. He rocked her, held her and sang to her. More recently though, Ella has developed an amazing affinity for her Dad. No jealousy -- I love it. There are times she'll about climb out of my arms to get to her her Dad. Her eyes light up when he comes home and she gets her legs and arms going until he picks her up. Last night we went and watched Jason rock climb. She cried her "my-heart-is-broken" cry when he put her down to begin climbing but you should have seen her smile and try to get to him when I pointed Jason out to her. Its such a special thing to watch and I am so thankful that Ella has Jason as her Dad. Its one of the greatest gifts I could receive as a mother.

New beginnings

Shortly after we arrived in Australia, I dropped, and broke, our digital camera. A couple of weekends ago, Jason accidently left our video camera (which could also take still shots) on the train coming back from Sydney. VERY sadly, it has not been turned in yet. We were without a camera for about two weeks. Ella didn't know what to think. her parents were no longer dancing in front of her with a silver flashing thing that she had grown so accustomed to.

Perhaps the break was good though. Because now Ella SMILES for pictures (versus the deer-in-the-headlights look). Absolutely adorable! She does a very cute scrunchy-nose smile (which I am afraid she learned from me...I think I do this face to her often). With her two bottom teeth and chubby cheeks -- I just want to eat her up.



But not only this - in time for the new camera, Ella crawled last night for the first time. Real crawling. She was going backwards - usually against her will. However last night was dedicated, intentional crawling. Forward at that! We are so proud of her. In fact this morning, I couldn't wait to get up and let her at it again. I guess I would have happily waited until, say, 9am. But you get the point.

Climbing around on her dad


The pictures don't capture it as well but here's the crawl




We've been teaching Ella to wave hi and bye -- and she is catching on. Last night I also saw her shaking her head from side to side. And no, its not defiance. And no, I'm not in denial. Its just something she's figured out how to do. For now at least. Another new thing is her attention to her baby doll. She pats it and kisses it and pokes her eyes. I think its good practice for her sibling on the way. Not the poking the eyes out part. We'll work on that one between now and November.



When Ella was a newborn, I would often find myself grieving how quickly she was growing. Many people would say 'it gets so much better than this'. And honestly I never believed them. I wondered what could possibly be better than this...an innocent, new life that slept and snuggled so sweetly in my arms. But I'm beginning to get it. Her new developments are great. Priceless. Heartwarming. Fascinating. Thank you, God.

Another reason to give thanks . . . here are some pictures of the Griffiths arrival. We're so glad they are here with us.



On the way home from Sydney to Wollongong, we stopped at the Bulli look out


And enjoyed time at the Wollongong harbor on a beautiful fall day


They brought with them some gifts. Thanks Anne and Amos for this cute "Ella" sippy cup....she LOVES it.



I'm thankful to God for our sweet baby girl. Thankful for the Griffiths safe arrival in Wollongong. And thankful, too, for the means to purchase a new camera so that we can have some memories of these days with her.

Nine Months In - Nine Months Out . . . (and repeat!!!)

I thought it was neat when my friend honored her son's 9 month birthday with a special post about 9 months IN/9 months OUT. I thought it is a neat moment to reflect on. I also remember thinking though how very FAR away that would be for me and my Ella. But here we are . . . April 28th and my baby is about to have more experience outside of the womb than within. For some reason, it is so hard for me to grasp that I am the mother of a baby so close to one. (I'm sure those of you with older or grown children must be laughing. I suspect it doesn't get any more believable the older your kids get).

Sixteen/Seventeen months ago I was pouring over pregnancy books. Marveling at my little "lentil" turned "raspberry" turned "fig". (FYI - the pregnancy books compare the size of the baby to food items for much of the pregnancy). I was seriously "proud" when I read things like 'this week, your baby is developing arm buds . . . ' You won't want to be around me when she graduates! :) More recently we've poured over books about how to get your baby to sleep better at night . . . I digress. :)

Some highlights of Ella's nine months in:
- obviously, learning we were expecting!
- feeling her first kicks with Jason while flying back to Memphis from Austin
- learning we were going to be parents of a daughter
- choosing her name
- hearing her heartbeat. Towards the end of the pregnancy, Jason even heard her heartbeat by just pressing his ear to my belly
- watching her MOVE each night. Unbelievable. How I missed that after she was born!
- reading Psalm 139 most days of the pregnancy
- the generosity, love and prayers people showered on us and covered us with during the pregnancy
- Waking up the morning of her birth knowing I would be holding my baby in a few hours. So hard to get my mind around that

(the very beginning of the journey . . . )



(just a couple of hours before Ella was born)



Our miracle!





And some highlights and memories of Ella's first nine months of life:
- hearing her cry for the first time. And my own tears that followed.
- holding her for the first time
- listening to Jason sing to her
- her newborn Pterodactyl noises
- traveling cross country together
- her thoughtful, curious look that she has had from birth
- her beautiful laugh
- her sweet talking voice
- the way she holds my fingers or plays with my hair while she nurses
- her recent scrunchy-nose-smile
- her generous kisses
- her falling asleep on Jason's shoulders recently
- and developmentally: Ella is crawling backwards, rocking on all fours, has two and a bit teeth, says momma, dada and bubba, is trying to pull up and dances to any music (even her dad's attempted beatboxing). . . hysterical.

Ella on her 9 month birthday



So much more to share and love about our nine month old. We are so thankful to God for her. Tonight I sat by her crib. I find myself full of praise, full of requests and yet speechless all at the same time.

Since I've been reflecting on Ella's nine-months-in, it only seems appropriate to share a little nine-month-related news. Recently we learned a little more about God's goodness, generosity and dare I say . . . humor?! We are expecting our second child! Surprise! Baby Whaley #2 is due in early November.

I Wanna Love You

A friend had this song and slideshow posted on his youtube account. The words really made an impact on me. These words explain the deepest desire of my heart, but the one I fail at so often. The song gives words to the deep thankfulness I feel to God for all He has given me and for His promises.

Recently I find myself easily discouraged. When I feel misunderstood, challenged or discouraged in life and especially in this new ministry in Wollongong, I pray that regardless of these things, I will continue to love and serve God. And that I will remember Him as my manna, my light, my life, my healer, my protector . . . my constant delight.



I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone
Though others forsake You I wanna give you my faith and trust
Faithfully follow everywhere You go

Repeat Verse 1

Chorus:
You are my sun in the morning
My star in the night
You're my manna from heaven
You're my fountain of life
You are my oil, you're my healing
My constant delight
You're my Shepard protecting me
You are my guiding light

I wanna praise You regardless if anyone else does (I wanna praise You)
I wanna thank You for the wonderful things You do (I wanna thank You)
It doesn't matter if I am poor or if I have plenty (It doesn't matter)
Everything I have give to You (I give to You)

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
Some people say You're not reality
Some people see just what they want to see
I see Your power all around me
I feel your presence deep inside of me

I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does (I wanna love You)
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone (I want to trust You)
Though others forsake You I wanna give you my faith and trust (and I will follow You)
Faithfully follow everywhere You go

Repeat Chorus (x2)

I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone

Scriptural Reference:

"He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." 2 Samuel 23:4

Pumpkin, anyone?

Here's miss Ella Rhys hamming it up while eating her pumpkin. It was like she knew she had pumpkin all over her face. I was feeding her in her stroller since we were out...we are not usually this messy. She's not the least bit phased by it though. And proudly showing off her two bottom teeth. Just when I think I can't love this girl anymore...

Since reading Watership Down a couple of years ago, my husband has been rather, well . . . obsessed with rabbits. In fact he thought we should name Ella, "Hazel". Not after my grandmother (as he pretended) but after one of the rabbits in Watership Down. I just didn't want to have to break it to our daughter years down the road that really she was named Hazel after a rabbit.

All that aside, I do have to admit, she makes one adorable little rabbit.

Ella Rhys is 8 months old and weighs 7.56 kilograms (about 16.6 pounds). She has her two bottom teeth, is sitting up, lunging forward from the sitting position and can scoot backwards around the house. She's almost saying "mama", and exploring other sounds, too. She loves to mimic her parents, stand assisted, play with her momma's hair and give her parents kisses. She has a contagious giggle...scroll down to the previous post to hear her laugh if you haven't already.



Out in the backyard. Things are blooming in the fall!


We've been working on some baby sign language. Ella Rhys has a few of her own variations. Here's her "all done". Sometimes you just take what you can get



She's also on the move a lot. Often times not happy with where her journey takes her



But generally enjoying the new freedom and culinary delights found along the way

If this doesn't make you smile . . .

The Very Hungry Caterpillar


And my Very Happy Baby


(scroll down for more recent posts)

We traveled to Sydney for the wedding of Josh and Bihn Turner. It was a sunrise wedding which was beautiful



Be Nygun gave us this beautiful dress at one of our baby showers. I am so glad the timing worked out for her to wear it to a wedding.




My little lady: