50 weeks

Today, Ashlyn is 50 weeks old.  OK, it does sound better to say 11 1/2 months!!!  Her big birthday day is coming up fast!

She takes a few steps by herself and then drops to the floor and crawls.  She loves lifting up her shirt and showing off her belly button when we ask, "Where's your belly button?"  Still only 2 bottom teeth.  When we say, "I-yi" she gently pats with her hands.  She loves it outside and I can tell she is going to love the summer and outdoors!  Ginger and "kitty" are her pets!  I adore her blue, blue eyes!!!

Here's the charm of my day ...

... actually, this was yesterday.  I was just in awe of her blue eyes!

 Showing her belly button ...

 This is today.  She can make a total mess quick in my kitchen.  She loves to open the cabinets and clean out!  I have bowls, baggies, small Tupperware containers sprawled out all over the floor!

Kinda a weird story ...
I love to yard sale, right?  Well, last year there was a yard sale nearby and they had some baked goods too that they were selling.  I bought some little waffle whoopies and they were so good!  I thought about going back to the place and asking for the recipe but never did.  Then last Saturday, I went to a yard sale again and realized when I arrived that it was this same place.  I asked them if I could have that recipe?  I couldn't wait to make these for my family!

Now I am off to do more house cleaning and then hopefully enjoy the beautiful weather outside!!!

Sweet rest!

Yesterday was a day of resting!  Thankfully!

Saturday night was not a good night of rest at all for me!  Ashlyn was coughing so bad!  I got up Sunday morning frustrated and sure that I didn't want another night that again.  Never!

I called my family doctor and asked if there's anyway to get Ashlyn checked?  "Noon!"  I couldn't be there soon enough I thought.  I was hoping the doctor could get some meds for this nasty coughing and help us!  Well, she did.  We stopped at CVS for some prescription and now Ashlyn is doing some nebulizer treatments. 

I did get to have extra rest yesterday afternoon.  I took a much desired nap and then hung out with the kids and Mike!  We spent the evening playing "Rook Board".  It was the boys vs. the girls!  Girls won both games!!! 

Last night's sleep was much better!  Once again, I am so grateful for doctors and for people that can offer help when in need!

If you have been praying for Ashlyn this week ... thank you!  I am happy to start a new week.  Fresh.  A new day!

Enjoy the sunshine!  I love it that the weather is forecasted to be in the 70's this week!!!  Just love it!

(For those of you who know Ashly well, you can still see in her eyes that she is getting well! 

So glad for her smiles this morning!)

 
My new flooring ...

The projects are complete and I love it!  The new look gives a rich appeal and feels so much softer and cleaner!  Take a peek ...

~ Kitchen ~

~ Dining Room ~

(new paint and floors!!!)

~ Foyer & Hadassah's room ~

~ Bathrooms ~

PS ~ Mike and I slaved in our little raised bed garden on Saturday!  The weeds totally took over.  (I thought weeds are not supposed to grow during the winter???)  With both of us at the job, it didn't take real long!  I got two packs of radishes planted!  Maybe I will get some lettuce planted later this week!!!  Love planting and eating "fresh from your garden" veggies!

Dear Blog,

Oh my ... HEALTH IS WEALTH!  WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR HEALTH, THINGS GET ROUGH!

Ashlyn is still not feeling the best.  Yesterday, was a rough day for her and me!  She woke up feeling somewhat better ... I thought.?.  She wasn't feverish anymore but so whiny!!!  She whined all day and hearing that makes me so mind weary!

After her morning nap, I attempted to do some birthday shopping.  She was such a bear in both stores and I was never so ready to get back home ... like that was going to make it much better?  I didn't get accomplished what I hoped for, so now I am still without birthday gifts.

At lunch, Mike called and said the carpet guys are coming anytime to finish up the dining room.  I was happy for the news and yet weary to hear that more dirt will await me!  The carpet was finished by the time I came back with the school kids.  I tried to move the furniture and all my stuff back in place with a very cranky baby.  Finally, I just gave up and sat on the chair and caressed her.  I thought about calling the doctor, but her fever is gone and her pussy eyes are better.  She just needs to "feel" better yet!

Mike came home from work, I guess I must have looked drained.  He looked at me, took baby and said, "You look tired.  Why don't you take a break and go out to Starbucks for a coffee?"  Oh, so sweet!  He does his part with caring and loving the kids ... even when they are sick.  Most times it seems that when the children are sick, the mom becomes the doctor and nurse.  I must say at our house, Mike steps up to the plate and becomes "Dr. Dad"!  Thanks Hun!!!

I didn't take up his offer with going to Starbucks.  (I know ... I must be crazy!)  Instead, I filled the tub up with hot water, made some tea, and soaked!  It felt so good and honestly, it was refreshing for baby too.  The minute Mike walked in the door and took her, her countenance changed.  It was like the joy of her life just entered!  And really, that's true.  Mike and Ashlyn are best buds and she adores all the time he spends with her!

Now ... this morning.  Mike and I took turns getting up with Ashlyn last night.  Her cough kept waking her up and then she wanted a drink or her nuk or just feel that we were right there for her.  Mike got up at 6 AM and held her.  I took the first opportunity to go to a yard sale.  Mike stayed with the kids while I went!  I got only a few pieces of clothing for baby and was back home in no time!  The little time out and get away was good. 

I worked on some refreshing Bible study homework while Baby took her morning nap.  A drink of fresh water ... scripture!  We are still doing the "Jesus, The One and Only" series from Beth Moore.  We are studying this week about the last supper, passover, and betrayal.  My past few days of caring for a sick baby and becoming mind weary, seems like a drop in a bucket when it compares to the trials Jesus was about to face.  Facing the cross was not an easy task by no means!!!  Being betrayed by a friend was not just something us 'full' humans would just shrug off!  Nope.  But Jesus knew he was sent here on earth for one mission and he was praying that God would somehow "take away the cup" but then prayed for "YOUR will, not mine be done."  Jesus could have called thousands of angels.  He could've took another route, but he didn't.  He choose to die for you and for me!  He GAVE his life!  WILLINGLY AND WITH ARMS STRETCHED FORTH!  Oh, how precious!

So, please forgive me blog, if I become complaisant and weary in my journey of mothering and life!  Today, I will choose to move forward.  Forward with a good attitude and a joyful spirit!!!

''''''''''''''
Tonight is going to be a treat!!!  Mike's parents returned home this week from their vacation to Florida.  Mike's mother always plans a family "strawberry pie" party when they get back!!!  That's tonight!  There's no pie like Yoder's pies from Florida!

Have a blessed weekend!

Cleaning up ...

... OUTSIDE!  I know I am addicted to the word CLEAN this week!  Believe me, it's a good thing!

This morning another crew showed up to clean up the outside of our property.  They are called "landscapers"!!! 

Remembering back to last year this time ... I was huge and very pregnant!  Only a few more weeks of pregnancy before Ashlyn was born.  We decided last year to get a crew in to trim, edge, and mulch.  That seemed to be the best route because of me needing to have surgery for baby, we needed some extra help with the spring work!  It was a blast to watch a team of 5 people come and kick butt outside!  They seriously had things spruced up in no time flat!  What usually takes us days, only took them hours.  It's called "knowing what your doing, having the right equipment, being energized, and it being your job"!

So, we talked about what to do for this spring.?.  It was a huge lift to have their help last year, so we decided to get them again.  They arrived here this morning, and this time they are trimming our trees, roses, perennials and really cleaning up all around!  We decided to do the mulching this year ourselves though.  (Can't let the kids and us get too spoiled!)  I can't explain the feeling of watching them outside and seeing all my "outside work" get done in no time!  Me lazy?  Spoiled?  Maybe ... but I take it as a blessing!!!
.................

The inside is still under construction.  I thought the carpet guys are coming to finish up today, but so far they haven't showed up.  Can't wait till that's all complete too!
................

Yesterday, I did get to make my first stop at a greenhouse and bought some spring flowers!  Here's what I found ...

Granola

I am enjoying the smell of yet another batch of homemade granola that is being baked in my oven this very moment!  I got this recipe from a friend and have made lots of it all winter and we are so loving the taste!  It's great with yogurt, milk, or just alone.  It doesn't really matter what my breakfast consists of, I think I just have to have a little granola to top it off.  Or sometimes, like right now, I sit down and just have granola for my breakfast cereal!  It's healthy, it's tasty, and it's filling!

Here's the recipe if you are into something yummy ...

12 cups oatmeal

3/4 cup wheat germ

5 cups rice crispies

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

2/3 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup almonds

Mix dry ingredients. 

Mix remaining wet ingredients and then pour over mixed dry ingredients. 

Bake at 325 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Store it in a tight, pretty jar and place it on your kitchen counter!  It looks nice too!

The weather is to be somewhat warmer today (And even warmer tomorrow!  Yes!!!) and with the sun streaming in through the front window, I can tell it will be a day to go get some pansies!

Please pray for Ashlyn today ... she's getting more teeth and seems to be miserable and irritable with it!  She chews hard on her nuk and then sometimes she doesn't want it at all.  She also has pussy eyes!  I hope it's nothing more than a simple cold!  I think all she needs is some extra lovin' and care!  Off to care for her ...

CLEANING ...

I have been doing lots of cleaning the past two days.  A LOT!!!

I was out of the house bright and early yesterday morning.  Five minutes after the kids were off to school, the flooring crew showed up!  I was trying to finish up some laundry and then I was out for the day and out of their way! 

I was at mom's by 8:15 AM!  Ashlyn took a really long nap there and we got to some housecleaning.  We (Jody and her girls showed up too!) cleaned mom's whole basement.  It was a lot of sweeping because of her stone walls and old farm house beauty!  We ate lunch together and I went for some groceries, leaving baby and Ginger with mom. 

Got home to put the groceries away and the house was dirty but the new flooring was gorgeous!  I love it and will even more love the look when the dirt is cleaned away!  After picking the kids up at school, I grabbed a bucket and rag and started wiping down the kitchen counter and appliances.  It's amazing how dusty and dirty things get just from moving some old linoleum out and laying new down.

My kitchen has new flooring.  The foyer is great with the new color and floor!  Both upstairs bathroom floors were redone!  There is such a difference from cleaning old, stained, ripped linoleum to cleaning new, nice floors!!!

 >>>>>>>>>>>

This morning the flooring guys showed up again early.  They installed new carpet in Hadassah's room and that too looks great!!!  Mom came up and helped my houseclean Hadassah's room, Matthew/Baby's room, the master bedroom and both bathrooms!!!  It's so nice to have the extra person when it comes to deep cleaning!  It makes the job much funner and faster!  Thanks mom for helping me!

Now we have the dinning room to get complete and finished up yet!  Thursday!!!  After the new carpet is laid, the dining room table that's now in our living room will go back into place!  All my china and dishes that are stashed here and there will go back into the hutch! 

I can't wait till everything is back in place!  (Hadassah can now sleep in her bed in her room tonight instead of on the couch and her mattresses stacked against the living room wall.)  It feels like we are packing it up and moving, but yet staying here.  It's such a good feeling to know things are being improved and being enhanced!  The face lift is lovely!  Thank you BABE for the new floors!!!

Now, it's off to get the kids at school and straight to the dentist.  Supper is in the crock pot and then PTF later tonight!

I am blessed to have my health and energy!!! 

Blessed to hear the birds that began singing in the backyard trees again!  A sign that Spring is coming! 

Blessed to see the Spring buds pushing forth! 

Blessed to be able to picture all the life growing in the greenhouses and I can't wait to go for a visit! 

>>>>>>>>>
With cleaning, bright sunshine, and SPRING on the way makes me be merry and light hearted!

I hope this post splashed a little inspiration, sunshine, and the cleaning spirit in you!

(I want to post some before and after pictures of all our flooring as soon as I retrieve my camera back from my husband!  Love that man!) 

MARCH!!!

OH YES!!!  MARCH IS HERE!!!

I couldn't wait to turn the calendar page over to March!  That means only a few more weeks left of winter and then Spring is here! 

I took a walk around the house this morning because when I looked out the front bay window in our living room, I saw the first robin!  I got excited and went for my camera!!!  It flew away till I got back but I did see some Spring growth coming through the dirt!!
(I want to post some pics but my hubby took the camera for today!)

I know ... it is still Winter for now.  Our mild weather is really giving me Spring fever early!  I already cleaned out some closets and drawers as a start to my house cleaning for this Spring!  I have a very STRONG urge to get the house "more organized" and "cleaned out"!  There are those certain closets or drawers (I sure hope I am not the only one that has these!!!) that you just dread to open because of the mess.  I have got to get more simple with our things and be a bit more organized!!!  I was even searching the web for some organizing tips.  Pretty cool what some people use to organize and not spend a dime!  I do want to take a trip to Ikea soon though because I need some bins, shelving, Hadassah needs some bedroom furniture, etc..  My cleaning urge is going to be put on hold for the weekend and then in full blast mid week next week.  We are getting new flooring in the house on Monday and so after the old gets ripped out and the new put in, it will be dirty and in need of a good clean!!!  Upgrading and making things look nicer is always a good thing for me, even if it means moving the whole house all around to get some new carpet and flooring! 

I love to yard sale (and it being March now means my yard saleing will begin shortly!!!), but I hate to have a yard sale myself!  Does that make any sense?  Yeah sure, the money for your junk (my junk might be someone else's treasure!!!) or unwanted items is great, but I just hate storing my stuff in boxes somewhere till I get it all displayed in someones front lawn.  Then yet sit there and wait for people to come and buy.  I would just much rather, throw my garage sale things in a box and the same day take it to a Goodwill or to some reuse it store!  However, I am gathering a collection of things already, and if I get enough, I might consider having a table of goodies up for sale???? 

March also means cleaning up outside.  I tell you what ... my weeds are growing and that is no fun!!!  I have always had an over abundance of weeds at this place (probably because we don't have a lot of shrubs to keep them the weeds down).  Pulling weeds was never a job I like!  I am going to make it a project for the kids and I this summer and work at it together!

March is the time to plant some pansies and primroses!!!  I absolutely love greenhouses and I can't wait to go take my tours!!!  I go from one greenhouse to the next.  Not even always to buy but just to look at the varieties and prices and if nothing else ... to see REAL LIFE!!!  It is so refreshing to go into a greenhouse full of growing flowers, beauty, and herbs!  It's a wonderful up lifter after a long winter!  Oh, I can't wait!!!!

So I hope you find March a thrilling joy for yourself!  (Oh yeah, it's also our babies first birthday!!!  Seriously!  I can't believe it's been almost a year that she's been living in our lives!!!  God is good!!!)

Quote:

"The March wind roars like a lion in the sky, and makes us shiver as he passes by. 

When the winds are soft and the days are warm and clear,

Just like a gentle lamb, then Spring is here."