Ela not Ella

My daughter's legal name is Ana Gabriela.  That is the exact name/spelling of the woman who birthed her and I am happy to have passed along the gift of this beautiful name.

We have spelled her nickname "Ella" but we are changing the spelling to "Ela" at the urging of my husband. Here's why...

1.  Her name is Gabriela with one L
2.  Ella (pronounced A-Ya)  in spanish means "she" so when Ela goes to a spanish speaking country they think we are nutty at best and downright cruel at worst for naming our daughter "she".

We explained this change to Ela and since she doesn't really write her name yet anyway we thought we were set.  However, last night she comes to me with that ICY, half-lidded look she reserves for the worst of slights  (I've never seen a colder one) and said...WHY DID YOU CHANGE MY NAME TO L?

Are we Christians...or not?

If our lives consist of what to wear to church...where to eat when church is over...how great OUR blessings are while we are there...perhaps we should reread the Bible...ask for forgiveness and then take a look at these blogs.

http://servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com/
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Ain't no mountain high enough...

They don't call 'em the Smokies for nuttin'

AAAAAHHHHHH....

Misty coolness

Almost there...

Sweet victory!

Leave me ALONE Alone alone.

Priceless

How can I not love a man who spends the equivalent of a month's worth of food for a family somewhere to make us this happy?

Did I ever tell you ...

how those skinny little Grandma Bastin feet almost do me in?

and that a rainbow off our deck in the first 5 minutes we are here seems like a great vacation omen.

that this baby monkey is so cute i want to induce lactation and breastfeed him?

...how I can't get enough of her?

or that I'm pretty sure my kid could be a model?

or how I get panicky when I think about how easily my daughter could have been someone else's (and I know they wouldn't have loved her like I do).

that crabcakes made by Carson are pure delicousness and I miss him and i might not survive when he leaves and i'm mad at him for ditching the family vacation?

Just wanted you to know.