We at the Lyle household watched the Tour de France race religiously this past week (we were at the beach and had cable). Luke was very much into the race and asking a ton of questions. His nick name for the week was "Alberto Lukeador" (in case you are not a biking fan that is for Alberto Contador). Anyways, one day when we were all watching the race, I had a conversation with Luke that went like this...

me: Luke, when you grow up, are you going to race bikes like these guys?

Luke: No, I'm going to be a trash man.


I should have known what his answer was going to be. And the funny thing is that he said it as plain as day. I love being this little boy's mother...he keeps me laughing and young at heart.

We just got back from the beach today. While there, we celebrated Ella's 6th birthday. She got to choose all the activities for the day. We went to the beach, the pool, rode our bikes, flew kites, ate birthday cake and ice cream, and opened presents. I LOVE how she gets so giddy over her presents. She received a clear pair of jelly shoes, a big girl backpack with her initials monogrammed, and a recorder. This week I am taking her to get her ears pierced as part of her birthday. We will also be having a belated birthday/going away for a year party with all of her friends in a couple of weeks.

Ella's birthday is always just a little bit more special to me than other birthdays. Yes, it is the day planned for her to be born, but it is also the day we almost lost Ella. Ella is my MIRACLE! I am reminded about the life lessons God taught me through her birth. You see because of Ella's birth and other circumstances in my life at the time, I had to wrestle out some things with God and He taught me SOOOO much about His sovereignty, His love, and His thoughts towards me. Me and Ella didn't have this experience because of my lack of faith or me not eating or eating some special type of food. I have seen how this experience has shaped my life for the better and I'm convinced that some day when Ella can grasp her birth story, God will use it to shape her life as well. How I love serving a God who can take our experiences and use them towards fulfilling our God given destiny!

P.S. My camera is officially broke and needs replaced. I'm hoping to replace it this week sometime. Does anybody have any suggestions?