The Smiles, and the Laughter

The greatest gift that we received this year was our little girl.... and the Christmas season took on all new meaning this year.  As I reflected on the Christmas story in a whole new way - from the eyes of a mother.  Before this year I never could have imagined the emotions that Mary felt when she gave birth to her child, however now I have a new understanding.  My life has been changed by a baby - but in the large scheme of things it had been changed by a baby 2000 years ago.

The joys of Christmas are remembering that Jesus was born as a baby and came to save the world from their sins... the bible tells us about it.  But what the bible doesn't talk about is what it was like being the mother of Jesus - wow - I can't even begin to imagine....but I am guessing that she had some mommy moments when all she wanted to do was stare at her smiling little baby much like we enjoyed over Christmas vacation.  Check out our newest Ella video!

A blast from the past

As many of you know I was adopted at the age of 2.5 months.  From what my mom said I was a very little girl even at that point.  I only weighed a bit over 9 pounds.  I guess you could say - like mother, like daughter because at 2 and half months Ella was still under 10 pounds.

My mom much like me saves everything.... and this is one of those things I am so grateful that she saved... the outfit that I came in.  It was a little blue dress with a bunny coming out of an egg and a bit of beat up yellow sweater.

I thought it would be fun to have a little fashion show - so here is Ella wearing the little outfit that I came in.  Oh what a joy it is to have someone who looks like me.

Baby Dedication

What a wonderful day it was yesterday for our family.  Our little girl was dedicated!  We were so blessed to have so many people including some members of my family come and join us for the service.  This may sound a little weird but everytime I think of a dedication I picture that seen from the movie Lion King where young Simba is lifted up to the sky - I just picture little Ella being lifted up to Jesus - confirming that she belongs to him!

The dedication is also for us as parents - praying and dedicating our lives as parents to raising her in the church - helping to teach her and show her by our actions what it means to be a follower of Christ.  I pray that we will be great examples of God for her.

The service ended with a celebration meal - lasagna!  It was so nice to just fellowship and celebrate the joy of God's gift to us - Ella Lynn Snyder!!!

A wise man of God once said - never be ashamed to ask people to join with you in praying - especially for you children.  So here it is - would you be willing to pray for our little girl?  It would be a great blessing to us!

Photo Shoots

I just love taking pictures.... it helps that I think my baby is one of the cutest babies I have ever had :).  Anyway - I don't know about other moms out there but it seems to me that every time I have a plan to get pictures it just doesn't fit her schedule - in fact my best pictures are the ones that I am lucky and just catch on a fly.

The other day we were trying to get a picture for our Christmas card and after feeding her in the morning I put her in her pretty plaid dress, put her headband on, her stockings and her shoes - put her on the blanket and alas - she fell asleep.... we tried again when she woke up but she was hungry - then I had somewhere to go.....so daddy was in charge and had to run some errands so he left her in her pretty dress and off they went... finally the we tried again in the early evening - she didn't seem to want to smile.... so I thought if we can get one without her crying it will be a success!  We got one finally and it was awesome - you just have to be willing to roll with it!

So today was her 3 Month pictures.... she just didn't want to smile but oh well - it is still super cute!  Check out our picture from today!