Ella's Birthday Blog 2020 - "The year of 'buts...'"

For her birthday today, she decided to re-pierce her ears and add a second hole! 
She didn't even flinch ;)

She's turning 12 today!  My little baby - now turning into a young lady :)  I started writing the kids birthday blogs when they were little (first one was way back in 2013), but it's been a few years since I've done it so I thought this was a good year to re-start. Because, well...

It's been a year. 

It's been such a year that I can't even pick an adjective to put in front of "year".😜 Maybe an emoji would work better.  lol I was trying to think of some way to characterize the year, something to talk about in her birthday blog...usually I have some sort of theme.  I was drawing a blank except for one word that kept coming to mind - "but..." So, here goes... 

Right before school started, we got word that Ella could start OIT (peanut therapy).  This was exciting yet nerve racking for both us.  Ella was nervous, she was hesitant about missing school, eating peanut flour, but...

She did it anyway.  She took the first step and went to that initial food challenge and got through it like a champ 💪

Also, right before school started, Ella found out that she and her best friend weren't going to be in any classes together this year.  In fact, Ella only knew one person in her classes.  It doesn't seem like a big deal...but to an 11 year old girl in a big school, it is.  It was.  But...

She did her thing, she stepped out of her comfort zone, and she made some knew friends...all while still keeping her old friend.  For an 11 year old...that's a pretty cool thing :)

In October, she sprained her ankle and had to wear a brace and use crutches for almost a month.  For someone who hates to stick out and draw attention to themselves, she was mortified to go to school the first day.  But...

Of course she did it.  And she did it with a smile on her face :)  She adjusted as she always does. Believe me, I don't take this for granted.

Close to Christmas time, we told both Paul and Ella that we would be moving to Peru for a year starting this summer.  Paul was excited.  Ella...wasn't.  To say the least.  There were quite a few tears.  But...

We've talked, we've shared what we're excited about, what we're nervous about.  We've talked about the possibilities while we're there, and the possibilities when we come back.  She has started learning Spanish on her own, she speaks positively of the trip (despite her trepidation) and she seems like she is genuinely looking forward to it now.

In February, we had continuous setbacks with OIT.  She had to repeat a dose multiple times.  She had a few scary reactions and numerous "belly ache" reactions.  She was tired of missing school.  She was tired of gagging on peanut flour every night.  She was tired of riding the train (it was fun at first).  Had everything gone as planned, she would have finished in late February.  Instead, she was looking at march or most likely april.  But...

she kept going.  She didn't give up and she didn't stop.  She soldiered on.

Then, well, we know what happened next.  Coronavirus.  The terrible, fun-sucking virus.  The stupid virus that changed the world as we know it.  March seemed ok in our household.  It was a change, but we managed.  By April, the two extroverts in the house were sick and tired of it.  Ella gets her energy from being around her friends and other people.  Being stuck at home wasn't good for her mental health.  She was missing her friends, sad, and all the awesome camps she was looking forward to this summer were canceled.  With no end in sight, the summer looked very dismal.  But...

she found ways to adapt.  She facetimed with friends to do school work.  We found little positives to lift our spirits (like ordering chick fil a to be ordered to the house or dying her hair) and we even found a way for her to make a little money while stuck at home.  I told her to put her creativity to use and make some things to sell on my teachers pay teachers site.  She's already made around $50 :)  You rock girlie!

She also decided to brave it and go alone to an alpaca camp - to break up the monotony of the summer.  It was awesome!!  and she had a great time :)

After 3 months of not being able to go to CHOP to finish her OIT, we finally got to go in June for her final updose.  In two days, we go in for her final dosing appointment where she will eat one peanut M&M.  She's nervous, but...

She's also excited.  An end to a long, exciting, yet disgusting journey, which marks the beginning of a new journey that will last her lifetime.  It is a process that will take years, but this part should be much easier :) Alleluia!

The one thing she asked for, for her 12th birthday, was an audition...a real audition for a real show...anywhere.  Of course, with things the way they are, this is on hold.  But...

We are using this time to create a profile for her, to write a resume, and create media for her to submit when the time is right.  She is also using this time to listen to Hamilton over and over and over and memorize every.  single.  line.  lol

Of course, now we will not be heading to peru in the summer.  She will be going to school here in the fall...and even though that was initially what she wanted, we had all made the necessary adjustments and were mentally ready to go.  Now we have to adjust again. But,

We know that when God is ready, we will go.  Ella would like to be in the school building this fall so she can see her friends, but we have already discussed ways she can adjust if that doesn't happen. She is nothing if not flexible...and almost always with a smile.

Next year, we'll have two teenagers.  I'm waiting for the attitude to start, the drama to kick in and the snarkiness to ensue ;) lol  But in the meantime...

I'll enjoy these wonderful days stuck at home with her and all the joy she brings to my life 💓 

Happy 12th girlie!!  I pray this next year is filled with more "and's" than "but's" ;) lol.  You are amazing and I can't wait to share this next year with you!!