One more story...

I just realized I forgot a little story I was going to mention about Ellie today. On Monday mornings Ellie and I go to church where I attend an amazing women's bible study, and Ellie hangs out with her friends and a babysitter upstairs. We both love it. But getting out of the house by 9 can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Well this Monday was no exception. I was feeling particularly tired and a bit overwhelmed and ended up responding to Ellie in a snappy, unkind sort of way when she was slowing things down too much. I immediately regretted how I had spoken to her, and sat her down to apologize for being so uncaring. After telling her that I was wrong and I was sorry, I told her that I had been feeling a bit "stressed" about getting out of the house on time. Being a child, she demonstrated her forgiveness immediately with a big hug and a kiss.
So we arrive at the church and our bible study leader stops Ellie on her way upstairs to have their regular little Monday morning chat. Ellie remembered that last week Rosel had talked with her about her trip to the zoo, so she brought it up again, with just as much as enthusiasm as the first time. After discussing the sounds that all the animals make, and after Ellie boldly declared that the calf in the barn had indeed been the color PINK, she found herself with nothing left to say. So, being a bit like her mother, Ellie simply switched to another topic. "That's Mommy," she said, pointing to me. Rosel is one of those people who always has something good to say about everyone, so she added, "Yes, isn't she precious and beautiful?"
Ellie looked at me thoughtfully for a moment and then back at Rosel. Then she declared, "She's STRESSED."