A Family for Ellie-Kate: November 2010

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Quick Update

Greetings!!

We are so very much looking forward to our trip to Florida. Ellie-Kate keeps watching (and re-watching) the DVD of our October trip, and all of us are just counting down the days until (a) we see Britti, (b) we get to be in warmer weather, and (c) we get to hang out with Mickey, Minnie, and friends :) We'll upload pictures and an update as soon as we get back!!

In the meantime, we focus on getting Ellie-Kate better. She had a relapse last Thursday, and we took her to the doctor. After chest x-rays, the doctor determined that she didn't have pneumonia, but she did have viral bronchitis, likely caused by either allergies or asthma. (After we get back from Florida, we have an appointment with an allergist to see if we can get to the bottom of her chronic congestion.) As of last Friday, we're the proud owners of a breathing machine like the hospitals use, and Ellie-Kate has to have at least two breathing treatments per day. She's sounding a bit better, but she still has a horrible cough, and she gets winded when she moves around actively. Hopefully, we'll be able to get a handle on this situation and avoid serious health issues. More as soon as we know it!!

Chelsea and Emmy are doing great. Both of them had super report cards, and Emmy got straight As-- one of only three kids in her class. Chelsea met with her guidance counselor and learned that she's currently 20th in her class-- out of 204 kids! Thus, she's in the top 10% of her class!! She's taking really tough classes and doing great :)

Beyond school, Emmy is keeping busy with dance, Girl Scouts (working on her Bronze Award), cello, french horn, and AWANA. Chelsea is booked with Girl Scouts (working on her Gold Award), chess club, dance (including a special ensemble that is entering a video in a competition), tennis, Spanish club, and band. Roger and I are just now finishing up the quarter, and we're ready for some time to work on things around the house. Britti is looking forward to her upcoming professional internship with Disney. She's made lots of good friends and connections through the College Program, but she's excited to move into an apartment "off-campus" with new roommates and to begin her new position in January.

Ellie-Kate is growing like a weed, talking up a storm, and asserting herself like a typical two year old. She is so smart and wise, but also spirited and funny. She loves to go to playgroup, to play outside, and to play "ice cream shop" with Emmy. We're still working on the potty training, and, hopefully, we'll make progress after we get back from Florida.

Well, that's the update from the Beck-Aden-Pangburn family! We hope that all is well with you and that you're gearing up for a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday :) We pray that you celebrate your many blessings as we plan to do. God has been so incredibly good to our family, and we praise Him for our health (especially given the wake-up calls that we've received this year!!), active, smart kids, and each other... It's hard to believe that we didn't even have Ellie-Kate in our home yet two years ago right now. We're so blessed to have her with us now!!

Thanks for caring about our family!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christie

Snapshots...

November 18, 2010: Ellie-Kate bravely takes another breathing treatment (above). Below, Ellie-Kate poses for a picture in a cute outfit :)

Chelsea Meagan poses for a quick picture after her band concert on Tuesday, November 16. As part of the concert, she performed with a featured ensemble, and she got to stand up for special applause after the piece!!

November 11, 2010: Veteran's Day Parade

Emmy and two of her best friends play around with their flags on College Green while awaiting their turn to perform as members of Morrison Elementary School's "Kids Next Door" singing group.

Ellie-Kate enjoyed the parade AND riding on Daddy's shoulders like a big girl :)

Emmy participated in the Veteran's Day as part of her fifth grade class. She helped to carry the flag, and she was selected as one of only seven students to go under the flag when they stopped so that it didn't droop. (Emmy's to the left of the military officer in the picture.)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

November 7, 2010: Ellie-Kate's first night in her big girl bed!

November 6, 2010: Ellie-Kate's last night in her crib :)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Congratulations, Brittany, on your Golden Broom Award!!

As most of you know, Britti has been working as a custodial cast member since May, 2010. She was recently recognized as the October, 2010 recipient of the coveted Golden Broom Award by fellow cast members, an award that pays tribute to excellence in custodial service.

Britti will turn in her cleaning supplies in early January as she begins her new role-- a facilitator for a youth education program. She will work with school groups, scout troops, etc. as they come to the most magical place on Earth for fun and learning :) She'll work with that program from January through June, 2011.

In addition to the Golden Broom Award, Britti just received her second "White Glove" award for having such a clean apartment. Congrats, Britti, on doing such a super job and for being practically perfect in every way!!