A Little Bit of Dirt

If you have read very many of my winter posts you will most definately sense a theme... we were sick a lot!  Anyhoo whether it was stress, the baby or just plain germy hands, i plan to do my part to make sure we are not sick that much ever again!  So todays project was to visit the 99 cent sale at a local nursery and get some indoor plants.  We have done A LOT of renovating in the last year including painting, redoing hardwood floors,  and recarpeting, all of which release a good amount of fumes.  To combat this i read that it is a good idea to have some indoor greenery.  And if you have to have dirt in your house... you might as well make it cute :)

Can i interest anyone in a good cup of...

Mommy is my favorite word!

notice he is happy when it is coming ...

Things I like about being a mommy :)

1. snuggles at bedtime
2. I am always right according to elli
3. I always get to hold the baby first after delivery
4. I get the final decision on the baby's name cause MY signature is required on the certificate, lol
5. I can rest assured the nearby train will never wake me up...
6. although i get most of the puke, poop, snot, skinned knees and all over yucky messes... i also get the MOST and LONGEST hugs and kisses ;)

and not so happy going, lol!

a little bit heavy

 This morning... well maybe we should just start late last night, i woke up at least 5 times last night before finally "getting up" at 6:30 with Micah :).  In my sleep deprived state i had one single thought boring into my mind "I want my life to matter".  There are so many things i want... and i don't consider myself a material person but lately i've been examining myself a little more critically.  At church this sunday the pastor gave an astonishing statistic.  If all the population was frozen at this point in time, at the rate churches are adding believers it would take 4,000 years to reach everyone for Christ.  And i thought, first "that is incredible" and second "when was the last time i lead someone to christ?".   I don't mean to minimize anyone's personal goals because like many others i have goals to finish my BA,  start singing regularly again, sell some artwork and start a photography business, but in the midst of all the struggling i have to do just to move one foot in front of the other to make my way toward these goals, i pray i never forget my main goal: to win the lost to Christ.  It isn't my goal so i can feel worthy or justified in my life, but it is a cry from my innermost heart to see people suffering from the reaping of their own harvest of bad decisions, have a heart change that will effect their whole life.  God is waiting with open arms to accept them and teach them to live eternally.  I am not like most  religious people who assign rules and regulations, but i believe God was a God of goodness and common sense.  God banned many foods from jewish diets in the old testament.  If you research the effects on the body by these foods, you would understand why God asked them to abstain.  I think it is so easy to get caught up in a relationship when sex is involved (not to mention std's which no one knew about in early  biblical times, plus pregnancy and it was even more difficult for an unwed mother to care for her child back then) and not really take the time to get to know everything about the person you are so "in love" with.  I pray that God realizes this goal in my life.

On a lighter note I went to the mall today :)  And i would just like to give a shout out to all the ladies out there carrying huge purses that are stocked full of the necessary (and sometimes unnecessary items).  Ladies  that are constantly getting made fun of, but are constantly being asked if they might have what someone else needs because they forgot theirs at home :).  yep that is me- extra diapers, wipes, band-aides, clothes, cortizone, afterbite, bug spray.... the list goes on.  Yes i carry an overnight bag for a purse and my baby and quite possibly my four year old would fit inside together.  It is a lot... but i have nice biceps :)

So today while i was feeding Micah I began reminiscing on all of the things that have happend in my life over the last few months.  Let's just say there are quite a few not so great things that have happened to me.  For some reason i found them quite hilarious today.
Hope you giggle too :)

I finished so many errands today :)!  Isn't it so funny how all these little things that need done add up to one huge amount of stress!  It is so much harder to get in and out quickly with two kids in tow.  I thought at first this was only because i was not organized enough but i am beginning to see that it doesn't matter how organized i am it is always a challenge.  Although it is twice the trouble it is also twice the reward :)!
    It is so funny how different my kids are, even as babies! Micah is so expressive!  That is a nice way of saying he cries and cries but he also has such a sweet, easy smile.  I always had to work for elli to smile but she was smart as a whip and always ahead of schedule while Micah me-aners along waiting for me to push him to try new things.  They are so special.

  Micah is getting so big!  Every time i hold him i just marvel at how he has grown and how fast time flies by.  I love having a little girl and although i had no idea what i would "do" with a boy when we found out that micah was on his way, I really love having a sweet little man in my life too :)

New things :)

I have been keeping busy...

I guess i sort of fell into this new hobby of mine.  I like to take pictures particularly of my kids.  I remember when my eldest was born my mom joked that i took pictures of her everyday :)  I cannot help it if my children are adorable :)  Usually i get my art on (yes... i get art-on, lol) by painting, but since i have a really difficult time stopping in the middle of a piece and coming back the next day ... or weeks later (believe me it is not pretty when i try) i have been scratching that itch by taking pics.  Lets just say my day feels like a constant interruption as of late ( but i am loving it).  My awesome friend loaned me a really cool camera and i have been slowly learning the ins and outs of my editing program.  I really love it!

Oh and my weekly new recipe has totally went out the window.  I am lucky to get dinner at all lately.  I think it is a time conflict really.  My hubby arrives home just before the baby goes to bed and let's just say he isn't usually mr. sunshine (the baby- not my hubby) during our dinner preparation hour.  And lets face it... he really wants his momma when he is tired.  

We have been going to the pool a lot lately which is really awesome!  I am so glad summer is here.  I was honestly worried about jumping into a suit after a baby and a broken foot but i every time i feel even a little self conscious i try to remind myself that my beautiful daughter is looking at me to be her body self confidence role model.  I want her to shine :).  

Let Jesus shine through you!

Just some motherly advice

ahhhhhhh!  Today i was a cleaning machine!  It feels so nice to have some of these little things that have fallen by the wayside, since the baby was born, be neat and tidy again.  order ensues!
Lately i have been thinking a lot about mothering advice.  Some of my friends are having their first babies and i just recently brought home my second, and let me tell you i will sit and listen intently to any advice anyone has to offer.  Weather i try it or not ... it's a toss up :)  and on that note i would like to introduce

ASHLEY'S LIST TO ENSURE THAT YOU WILL NOT GO CRAZY ONCE YOU BECOME A MOTHER...
or ALTETYWNGCOYBAM (I like cloudy with a chance of meatballs )

1.  If you are nursing always wear 2 shirts.  I like to buy those spaghetti strap tanks and wear them under everything.  That way when i am in public and need to nurse the top shirt pulls up, the spaghetti strap shirt goes down and my whole back and side isn't exposed for the whole world to gawk at.

2.  keep a onesie, diaper and emergency wipes in the glove box!  There is nothing that can ruin a day faster that a crying baby with poop all over him.

3. i know you are sleep deprived and the baby might cry, but for heaven's sakes take a shower before your husband gets home from work... yes that smell is you!  (men scare easily take this into consideration if you ever want more children, lol)

4.  buy the cheap clothes... kid's are messy.  Like a food fight messy, only their food stains clothes more easily and if by some miracle you make it through a meal with a clean shirt don't worry their mustard poop will most likely show up on it later :)

5. relax, i think just about every mother comes home feeling overwhelmed and a little afraid they might do something monumentally stupid that would hurt their baby.  Being concerned for their saftey is a good sign.  Focus on loving that new little life and they will be safe.

6.  if they aren't blue... they are breathing!  Do not, i repeat Do not wake them just to make sure they are still alive

7.  Call your momma, or another mother and just talk to someone!  six weeks alone can really make you feel like a hermit and frankly a little depressed.

8.  Do not sanitize your baby's pacifier with those anti bac hand sanitizers but do sanitize their hands (people have a tendency to know they shouldn't touch a baby's face but they constantly grab their hands and let me tell you baby hands are almost always in their mouths)

well that is all i can think of now!  But i am sure that you guys have learned your own little trick along the way so please post your advise in the comments!

Night!

Honest to God Truth

I love it when people are completely transparent.  I guess some people think that it is weird or maybe rude to always tell the honest to God truth all the time but i think it is refreshing :)  i would also like to point out that a soft answer turns away wrath, so check your heart if people respond to you in anger when you tell them the truth... from the heart, the mouth speaketh!

You never kick the ball with your toes!

It was the Saturday before last.  A day that will live on in infamy... at least in my immediate family.  I will never live it down.  After hitting the avalanche,  having the flu,  losing my milk and having a "discussion" with my hubby ( you know the kind you have about the same thing like 1000 times, lol) I had a minor melt down... a temper tantrum if you will.  I kicked the wall (yes the kids were in asleep in bed thank God).  Turns out my walls are made of plaster cement and the only other thing i have ever kicked is a soccerball.  Both of these factors plus the sheer force of my frustration led to 2 broken bones in my right foot.
Today my daughter sweetly told me she hopes i get a new bone soon :)

I love my family

I just have to say there is nothing more heart warming than the sound of a softly snoring child ( or loudly...considering all the colds from this winter, lol) on your shoulder.  God has been so good to send me these two marvelous little blessings.  I am enjoying my snuggle time again.

the good from the bad

Since it is late let's just make a list, shall we?

The Bad... dun dun dun!

1. nauseous most of monday and tuesday

2. got pregnancy test tuesday

3. Hit a glisteningly new avalanche in the parking lot of the pharmacy (yes it was parked, lol, there were of course extenuating circumstances)

4. h.h. police department hit up my phone

5. 5:00 tuesday the puking began...

6. and didn't end until late wednesday night

7. had to formula feed little man due to my inability to eat or drink= no milk

And then there was ...  The good!

1. The test was negative... let's just say i am more than ready to wait a while before i see that second pink line, lol!

2. The officer was super nice assuring mr. avalanche that hit and run's do not usually leave apology notes with names and numbers :)

3. I actually managed to squeeze in a play date this week for elli (during the nauseous stage of the week)

4. my stomach has returned to it's previous stage of simply feeling sick and not actually getting sick :)

5. i ate today... a little and my milk is returning!

6. i realized how much i love to snuggle elli at bedtime and kiss all over micah's cheeks.  Can't wait to relieve daddy of those duties!
7. My friend Sarah had a beautiful baby boy with very squeezable cheeks:)  love you Sarah!

And since my week was so ... well, yucky, here are some really sweet pics :)

gotta love how he makes plastic look yummy:) 

Just to make you smile :)

I am soooo sleepy so i will be short today!  I was sitting beside my beautiful little girl, nursing little man and watching tv.  I was into this awesome DIY show when Elli starts poking me "mommy, mommy it's doing that thing."  I look down to see my son looking up at me mouth wide open and milk spraying his face and my daughter's leg, lol!  Hope my little disaster made you smile :)

Smile... It will make you feel better!

Micah has a mohawk!  Not on purpose but still it is there.  It is getting more pronounced as he loses that little ring of hair where he rubs his head while he plays!  Personally I think it is adorable.  My brother keeps  saying he will bring the mousse to make it stick straight up (as it is a little curly natural, lol).
I said i would post some pics of the awesome fabric i got at joannes but there is just a slight glitch in my plan!  I am not sure i like the fabric together and one fabric has since become my lampshade fabric.  I do promise to post pics soon though of the lamps and the pillows (even the ones i decided were ugly, lol).

It has been beautiful outside... well not really beautiful but i get extremely excited for any day that it is above freezing and free of snowfall.  No I am not one of those people who hate snow or cold weather.  Actually i got super excited for the first couple snowfalls but my enthusiasm this year is cut short mostly because everyone keeps getting sick at my house and then passing it around :).  I am so ready to see the sunshine and air out my germy house ( i don't know how the germs survive.  They must have morphed into super germs to somehow to survive the lysol i am constantly spraying, lol).  I love it when i can open the windows and let the fresh air in :)

I am so thankful for the blessings God has given me.  Sometimes i get so busy with the details of life that i forget to stop and enjoy it.  Most people make new years resolutions to do more- exercise more, organize more, save more money, ect.  This year i pray i do less and only appreciate more :)  (except to smile that is... you should always smile more!)  I want to pour my time and energy into my relationships... into the people in my life who are constantly giving to me and loving me.  There are certain things that just have to get done, don't get me wrong, i just want to learn to share the joy of life with my family while i do them :)

Yesterday i spent literally 3 minutes trying to wipe a freckle off Micah's butt :)
He is feeling better now, mostly.  I am really reluctant to take him back out into the germy world now!  Friday night was a little stressful.  I could hear every breath he was taking.  So we have been home for SEVERAL days and i get a little stir crazy, just ask my momma- i think i called her at least 6 times one day, lol!  While i was being held captive by my house i made a chair slipcover, ice cream cookies (for my little singers in children's church), throw pillows and lots of cute pics of the kiddies that i hung in my room!  I am so productive when i get bored, lol.
Oh and the freckle... it was gone the next time i changed his diaper, weird huh :)
 By the way... i wasn't kidding when i said my cooking could be humorous!  The salmon i cooked last night never turned white even after broiling for 40 min, lol!  Finally i admitted defeat and my hbby and i had garlic mashed potatoes for dinner!  They rocked his world :)

 My cookies-                                                                                      And elli's lol!

Fun Day!

Micah has RSV.  Poor baby, he is getting better but for two days straight my fingers (arms, hands, ect...) we continuously busy wiping boogies , patting and just plain holding little man.  Oh how my back and my blog suffered, lol!  And those sleepless nights with elli were due to a particularly awful ear infection.  Both have improved, thank you Jesus!  


In an effort to help Micah recover ( he is still pretty congested and coughing but getting better), my family skipped church to hang out with my parents and aunt that was in town :)

We even got to visit joanne's  (while micah slept).  Love, love, love that place!  I picked some really awesome fabric for throw pillows that i will post tomorrow ( i am just too lazy and it is too late to go get the usb to hook you guys up, lol).  And speaking of posting pics, i made some really cute ice cream cookie sandwiches for our children's church valentines banquet that i will post pics of!


night all!

Disaster ... and not so Disastrous

Here's the short list
Disaster:
elli and her ear infection (seriously we are getting no sleep here.  And by "we" i mean me.)
me crying on the stairs while Micah wails in his crib (which elli sleeps soundly through, amazingly enough)
Micah has now started coughing too
flower frame = broken :(
no ink for photo printing (  I know, i'm a little bit of a drama queen but come on... i hate when that happens!)

...Not so Disastrous
Micah cried himself to sleep ( I have regained my sanity) and is now sleeping in his crib (fingers crossed) at night!
Made some pretty delish chili, salmon and cookies ( all of which my super picky hubby complimented :)
spray painted a million frames to hang (which have been sitting around annoying me for months on end)
finally made a chair cover for my super ugly(and super cheap) desk chair
Hubby bought a new printer and INK!
repainting two unbroken flower frames to hang with some frames
rearranged some furniture :)


I am a chronic furniture re-arranger.  Some people make fun of me, lol.  I love the way it feels when i can walk into a room and it just feels different just because i moved the furniture.  It gives you a new perspective like using shuffle on your scrabble tiles.  You still have the same letters but shuffling them helps you see a word you might not have seen otherwise.  I have been called weird a time or two :).
I tried a recipe this week!  Well two actually but i only took pics of one.  Here it is: tarragon pecan salmon ( find the recipe at Bhg.com)

I also made what i call Junk drawer oatmeal cookies.  You know that really weird, clear drawer in the fridge that is supposed to be used for butter (i think).  It has become the junk drawer for my fridge.  Usually sauces or chocolate chips, crushed nuts, dried fruit or extra ketchup packets find their way in there.  I add whatever i have in the junk drawer that suits my fancy to a really easy bagged oatmeal cookie mix.  This time it was crushed pecans and coconut, yummy!

Elli broke one of the flower frames last friday.  She say it is her favorite one (as she pulls the frame out of the trash.  She has that "this is evidence you are being a mean mommy" look!) I promised her i would repaint the others so i could hang them again with the new frames i spray painted for her room.  I just thought i would share this little tip i picked up along the way.  I use artwork from one or two of elli's books to hang in her room.  It cost so much less than buying prints and they are awesome for hanging multiple pics in an arrangement.  This is the book i chose for elli's room.  I will post the finished product after i print some pics tonight to finish filling the frames!