Unidentified Cow

Here's some cute photos of Ella taken within the past couple weeks. We're pretty much doing whatever possible to help this week go by quicker. For those of you that haven't heard, Jonah is to be home within a week now!! Pins and needles at this point and ready to be in each others arms. Lots of prayers please and if you get bored and want to just chat don't hesitate to call. Tomorrow we'll be going to a "Mommy and Me" group for the first time and are looking forward to it. 

Funny side info about Isabella... today we had lunch at Chick-fil-A (one of Jonah's least favorite place but my favorite for fast food). Anyways, Ella was enjoying her chicken stripe and fruit cup when all of a sudden this HUGE cow comes in and touches her on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. Ella pretty much freaked out and decided she was instantly through with her meal. The last few minutes before we could quickly "save ourselves from the big spotted beast", Ella didn't leave her eyes from it and glared shamelessly with a look of disgust. Needless to say, I don't think that clowns or disney world is going to be in our future any time soon. We'll stick to our natural environment along with educational zoo visits for the time being. ;O)

In a nut shell...

Hello Friends and Family! Here's a brief update of what's going on with the Dornbos Family out in Sunny California. (Sorry I've to rub in the fact that the weather is absolutely gorgeous here.) Unfortunately Jonah has not arrived home yet but will be here within 2 WEEKS!! FINALLY!! Ella and I arrived here safely about 3 weeks ago (which seems like 2 days b/c of all the stress from the move), and with the wonderful help of my mother and close friends in the area, we were able to get everything out of storage!! Hurray!! That itself is a relief; thank you all so much for all your help from the 3 of US!! Our little home is small, but cute and wonderful because it's ours. Now we just need Daddy to hurry up and get his butt out here to join us for the completion!!!! :) We love you Jonah!! We want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone for all your prayers and support throughout this deployment!! We truly are blessed with such loving family and friends. The next 2 weeks will be filled with more prayers of safety travels for Jonah and his fellow Marines along with grocery shopping, Buffalo Wild Wing orders (yes, I'm traveling 40 mins to have the kind Jonah loves in the fridge waiting for him at home), overstock of fresh fruit in the fridge (more of Jo's fave), Welcome Home card making (Ella colors for Daddy), and pretty much sitting on pins and needles waiting for a call to pick my Hero up to finally take home to be with his girls. Love and Prayers~ E

Nanas and Pancakes

I found her barn which has become her favorite toy as of today.

Entryway

Living Room which I have to add how much I'm impressed with our $35 chair set. (Forest Green and you pretty much can sit 2-3 people in one.)

Dining Room (Yes our piano too where possible voice lessons will take place.)

More of Living Room and our oversized window which was difficult to be creative with for drapes.

Ella's Room (Pink and Fabulous but missing some Batman Legos at the moment.)

I repainted her previous letters and Mom made the adorable PoohBear wall hanging. Also, as you can see, we're in the process of introducing Ella to her toddler bed as well as the "potty" I might add.

Right before we had to take Grandma back to the airport (they both are laughing in this photo); but Ella cried and so did I after dropping her off. 

Our Kitchen

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello!! We have had a couple busy weeks this new year. Ella and I went on a road trip with Nana Dawn up to Virginia (visiting our friends Bob, Dana, and Tivan) and then headed up north to Jersey City to see Josh, Andrea, and Aylah. The time went by so quickly!! We had a great time though and it was fun to visit with everyone. Thanks guys for having us!! Dawn flew out of New York a week into our travels to head back to Michigan, and Ella and I took the road trip down the same day while stopping in Quantico to visit with our friends for another week or two. The drive from Virginia to my parents house was quite brutal. Let me just say that their will be no more road trips longer than 2 hours with just Mommy and Ella in the car. ;) Road trips will involve Daddy and lots of breaks to recover from any traumatic episodes to occur. I can't believe Jonah and I were able to conquer 17 hours (probably less) from Niceville to Muskegon with 2-3 potty stops. Which at the time wasn't really all that bad except for the poor guy that we lent a ride to that had to sleep off his hangover in the backseat of our truck. I'm just glad I was able to use my "I'm pregnant" card for that one. ;) At least he got dropped off in Indiana. That was fun though and for sure memorable.

Jonah and I had our 2 year anniversary this 10th of February. I got to talk to him on the phone for a good hour and later in the day was surprised with a beautiful bouquet of roses (pink purple color) and white lilies. Thank you so much Sweetheart!! I get to boast about being spoiled considering the circumstances. I guess I should also mention he bought me some new clothes too along with an upcoming hair appointment. ;) I'm just excited that this year we will be able to share together and celebrate being a couple while feeling like newlyweds all over again. I know that war is not good for families nor distance, BUT it makes you indescribably respect and love your partner and cherish every moment that you get to have with them. I LOVE YOU JONAH AND CAN'T WAIT TO BE HOME WITH YOU!!

Now, speaking of home, Ella and I will be flying out to California this upcoming week. We had a house offer and decided to take it seeing that another wouldn't be available until the 10th of March (the day I'm turning 26 ugh). ;) I told Jonah I would start lying about my age once 30 hits and sit on 29 for a while. AnYwAys... I am just super excited to get one step closer to being home with my family. I'm going to try and attempt to get some things out of storage for us, but I'm perfectly fine with sleeping on an air matrice for a couple weeks and using plastic forks and plates if need be. My mom will also be flying out around the same time to meet Ella and I to help with the move. Thanks Mom!! It will be a long flight entertaining our little one, but easier I'm sure than road tripping. ;)

Jonah is doing good; he has had a flu lately and not feeling so hot. We haven't been able to talk a whole lot recently, however, I did get an email from him the other day and excited to know that he's well. I don't know times or anything about his exact arrival, so pretty much just know that he will finally be home with his family in March!! :) I will make sure to have lots of photos asap for you all to enjoy. Please just continue to keep us in your prayers; let's just say it's not going to take 24 hours for Jonah to get home. Thank you again for all your love and support!!

Lots of Love,
E,J, and I

PS- Please check out the blog below containing new photos!! :)

Ella loves to use her Elmo toothbrush.

Mmmm! Bananas and Peanut Butter! (not to be confused with grandma "NaNa")

It was super windy this day!

Her Uncles from Nashville love this outfit on her.

Ready for "Night Night"!

Valentine cookies from NaNa! Mmmm! They lasted 2 days; Ella must have been hungry. ;)

Valentine's from Daddy and Mommy. We love our Baby Girl!!

I'm showing off my BEAUTIFUL bouquet from Jonah!! 2 years Sweetheart and still Newly Weds!! I LOVE YOU!!

Visiting Great Uncle Mike and Aunt Wanda.

Ella enjoyed going for a wagon ride.

Super Cute Ducky Towel from Uncle Josh, Aunt Andrea, and Aylah. This one is especially for them.

Jersey City visiting Cousin Aylah and family. The girls had a lot of fun interacting with each other.

Visiting her boyfriend Tivan up in Virginia. ;)

Washington DC Capitol Building (It was freezing!!)

Dana, NaNa Dawn, me, Tivan, and Ella in DC (Dana's husband Bob was taking the photo.)

Until they all come home...

I'll have to be honest with you, I may put on a face with a smile, but being away from my husband right now is very painful inside. Of course I have my good days when life seems to continue with it's routine and is accepted. However, today is one of those bad days. 

Today is our 2nd year anniversary of our first wedding. Yes, for those of you that don't know, we got married legally January 5th, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church in Niceville, Florida. As I wrote in an email to Jonah today... "I know that I'll always remember that day. I was so anxious to get done with teaching. I remember getting home and being a little sad that you weren't home when I arrived, but I used that time to hurry up and get beautiful for you. Then I remember going downstairs after I was ready and realizing that I hadn't even noticed the Kay's bag sitting next to the TV which you left unintentionally b/c you figured you'd beat me home. I will honestly say that I did not peek! Then I remember you coming home and everything then happening so fast; we were rushing to the church to arrive on time. I'm assuming we were supposed to be there around 6PM. When we arrived I thought it was so beautiful to be together in that small prayer room and everything was so simple and perfect. I remember being a little nervous about messing up the words that I would repeat to you as my committed vows, but also thinking how lucky I was to have you be the one to say them to." I guess what has been most difficult about today is that I wanted so badly to talk to Jonah and wish him a Happy Anniversary, however, he will have a nice email from me to look forward to. ;) Plus we have February 10th just around the corner!

I can't put into words the emotions I have while knowing that my husband is off at war. I have talked to him 2 times in the past 2 weeks each time for 10 minutes because their are other marines waiting to use the phone to speak to their loved ones. I feel so selfish when I become upset that I wish we could speak longer, but it's also just a relief to hear his voice and know that everything is okay. It's funny the things that we take for granted; cell phones have become such a useful tool in communicating... the usual phone call before your spouse arrives home for dinner as a way of "checking in" becomes such a routine that when it is put on hold because of circumstances like these is highly missed. Perhaps I could try that 800 number that shows up from his satellite phone? Ha! ;) 

So, dear loving family and friends, please continue to keep not only Jonah but all military (especially ones that are away from their families) in your prayers. Please remember that our loved ones are away because they are fulfilling their duty to our country; we seem to forget so quickly what happened in 2001 that we become unappreciative of the sacrifices that our men and women continue to make for us in support of our liberty. 

A Soldier's Wife's Prayer

Dear Lord,

Give me the greatness of heart to see

The difference between his duty and his love for me.

Give me understanding so that I may know

That when duty calls him, he must go.

Give me a task to do each day

To fill the time when he is away.

And Lord, when he is in a foreign land,

Keep him safe and in your loving Hand.

~Unknown