Ella's 3rd Birthday

I think I can finally write about Ella's birthday without becoming emotional. I threw a fiesta that I had been planning for 6 months. I spent hours making tissue paper flowers for decorations. I had cute little lanterns hanging in the tree outside, everything for dinner on the counter (Charley cooking the carne asada on the grill outside), child sized sombreros, pin the tail on the donkey game, a big chili pepper pinata I had bought almost a year earlier full of candy, a bouncy house in the driveway that the kids were all having so much fun bouncing around in.... I was up the night before until 1 am trying to perfect a tres leche cake that would not rise, so I ended up calling a bakery at 7:30 in the morning the next day and they had it ready for me by 3 pm. Ella and I both had Mexican inspired outfits that I got just for the party. The party started at 4 pm on Saturday January 9th which is Ella's actual birthday. I was so excited that her birthday fell on a Saturday so that we could celebrate on her actual birthday. Most everyone had finally arrived and then... A 6.5 earthquake rocked the house like no other. My big sister fell to the ground with baby Luke, things were flying out of the cupboards, glass was breaking all over the ground. It was traumatic to say the least. I could not believe what had just happened. The power went out and the bouncy house collapsed. It was getting close to sun down and the house was getting dark. Everyone left to go home and check on their families and homes. We let Ella rip open her presents quickly before the sun went down. My big sister had power at her house, so we literally packed up everything and just headed down there. We had a great meal, some yummy birthday cake, and then we let Ella crack open the pinata all by herself. I don't know what I would have done without my family. I was so upset and could not stop crying. I invested so much of my time and energy into the party and I was devastated. It is definitely a birthday we will never forget. I'm thankful that everyone was safe and we didn't have any major damage. I would have never expected that of all things to ruin her birthday party. Ella had no idea what had happened and still had a great time which is much more important than anything.
I successfully took and passed my entrance exam for the nursing program at the beginning of the month. I'm glad to have that out of the way. I'm getting more and more excited to start school in the fall. Right now I'm trying to focus my time on Ella and working to save money for school. I plan on waitressing through the program because financially I have to work. Plus, I enjoy my job and it will probably be a nice break from the stress of school and everything else.
Charley just got back from working out of town for a week. It was lonely not having him around, but I think Ella and I really had some good mom and daughter bonding while he was gone. Thanks to Charley's family for watching Ella late into the night while I was at work!
Charley's schedule at work is now officially Monday-Friday. Kind of a bummer because now we don't have a day off together ever. Maybe somehow things will work out and we'll manage to get a day together.
Ella is really becoming such a little person with a bubbly personality. She's having a great time at preschool and learning all kinds of new things. She loves to sing, read books, and do any kind of art project. She's a handful and it's hard to keep that girl entertained!
Marathon training is going good. I'm right on schedule and running 16 miles on Saturday. Should be fun!