Real Life

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Last Day of School ...

Today was the last day of school for our kids! Hadassah finished 3rd grade and Matthew is moving on to first! They have both really enjoyed this years school term! Their teachers were both wonderful (as usual) and they have learned so much.

Matthew is writing words and sounding out letters. Hadassah mastered multiplication facts!

With school out now, that means one thing ... SUMMER VACATION HAS BEGUN! We love summer time! We love all the pool days! We love to eat fresh produce and Popsicles! Strawberries and watermelon are our favorites right now! We love sleeping in and hanging out in our pj's way past breakfast! We love summer time!

On Monday when we got back from the mountains, I saw this butterfly outside our window. I grabbed the camera and here's what I captured ...

... ASCENSION DAY ...

Today is Ascension Day. The going up into the clouds and into glory went our Lord.

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up;

and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

Acts 1: 6 - 11

We know Jesus is coming back again for His church! Hallelujah!

Be ready, He may come back today!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend - part 1

It's been a tradition for the past few years now, that over Memorial Day Weekend a group of church friends go to a cabin in Fulton County. The fun starts Friday nights and lasts till Monday afternoon! We all look forward to spending time together and having fun!

Taking a baby along this year was fun but different for us. Pack up the pack-n-play, a suitcase full of pampers & wipes, bottles & formula, and a few toys. Ashlyn did OK up there. She didn't seem to relax and sleep just a whole lot, but I think it was more me that was struggling. Our family all slept together in one room. Matthew snores. Hadassah sleeps! Ashlyn up at 3:45 AM for a bottle feeding. I am getting in and out of bed trying not to disturb Mike and the kids on the floor that are circling around the bed! The late campfire nights and then up for early baby feedings tire me out! But, but so worth it. The weekend was a blast and we enjoyed it tremendously!!!

I didn't post any 8 or 9 week pictures of Ashlyn. Martha Rose took these this weekend. I guess it goes for the 8 1/2 week post!

Here's Ashlyn on her first mountains trip!!!!

More photo's of the weekend to come ...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Track - N - Field Day

Today was track and field day at school! Our kids have been looking so forwards to this day! When it was time to get out of bed this morning, it was no problem! Matthew said, "Mom, do you know why I couldn't sleep last night?" (He was snoring and sacked out when I went to bed!) "Why", I asked. "Because it's track and field day today!"

Then after they were both dressed, breakfast was eaten, and teeth brushed, they were both doing stretches and exercises. Matthew was doing toe touches and jumping jacks and then ran around the house two times! Hadassah was filling up her water bottle, stretching her leg muscles and ran too! (Whatever motivational speaking given at school for this day, sure worked for these two!) They were off to the races when the bus came to take them to school.

Ashlyn and I went to watch this exciting day! (By the way, it was a gorgeous, very warm day! Perfect! Thank you Jesus!) School divided the grades K - 5th grade into colors. Hadassah was on the blue team and Matthew on the yellow team.

HADASSAH AND ALINDA ... GOOD FRIENDS!

They did lots of relay races in the morning and then the running, jump rope, high jump, etc. in the afternoon. Here Matthew is passing the yellow ball to a team mate after running around the group. This was called "Circle Relay".

Broomball ... here the kids had to sweep a ball up to a line and return it back to their team.

Mississippi Flood ... Matthew carefully carried a small cup of water to the line, poured it into a gallon jug, and ran the cup back to his team! The team with the most water won.

Talk about determination! Go Yellow Team!!! Hadassah is doing the same thing with her team - blue!

Scooter Race ... the point of this game was to push with your feet while sitting on the scooter to the line and run it back to your team.

After the relay races, Matthew went into school for the rest of the afternoon and had school.

Grades 1 - 5 stayed out and did the running races. Hadassah ran in 50 Meter, 100 Meter, 200 Meter.

She also did jump rope and jumped 110!!! She was so proud that she jumped the most!

It was a fun day and a couple of times I held back tears.

Seeing our children growing and competing with a good spirit is awesome!

We now have a base tan from all the awesome sunshine today!

Looking forwards to the upcoming weekend of nice weather.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Growing things ...

We are benefiting from some of our little garden foods! I love homegrown lettuce! My favorite is buttercrunch! We've picked some and have eaten it with joy! I think there's not a better salad made other than with your own grown lettuce! Plant, pick, wash, cut and toss the lettuce! Add some yummy radishes! We got a few radishes so far. Can't wait till we get some more sunshine and make the others that are still in the ground ripe!

WAITING FOR THESE YUMMY BERRIES TO TURN RED! COME ON SUNSHINE!

NOTICE THE WETNESS IN THIS PICTURE.?. I PLANTED A BLACK EYED SUSAN VINE IN MY GARDEN AND IT IS SOAKING IN THE RAIN.

THIS YEAR I DECIDED TO GO WITH YELLOW DAISY'S IN THE GARDEN TOO!

I HAVE ALWAYS PLANTED BUTTERCRUNCH LETTUCE BECAUSE I LOVE THAT KIND. THIS YEAR I ALSO PLANTED CUT LETTUCE AND SPINACH. IT SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL!

LAST YEAR I PLANTED BABY CARROTS AND GOT SO FRUSTRATED. I COULD NOT DIG THEM OUT WITHOUT THEM BREAKING! SO, THIS YEAR I AM TRYING BIG CARROTS.

TOMATO VINE ... WE LOVE BLT'S AND FRESH SALSA!

Just today, I drove past a friend of ours that grows lots and lots of strawberries. The kids and I usually go and pick them there if we don't have enough with our own for jelly, etc.. She had her sign out today that she's got some for sale and because ours are not ready to eat yet, I stopped and treated my family! $3.00 a quart! Not a bad price. Most places are charging $4.00 a quart. We baked a strawberry shortcake (the recipe is out of the Honeybrook Cookbook! Love that cookbook!!!) and enjoyed the sweet strawberries for our dessert tonight!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday!!!

We've had a rainy week.

However, the raindrops are pretty on this flower.

Be encouraged!!! Sunshine is forcasted for the weekend!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Shopping

A wonderful birthday gift ...
My sister-in-laws planned a day of shopping for my birthday. Not just any shopping mall though, no, it was the King of Prussia Malls! We left yesterday at 8:30 and got there around 9:45. After some shopping, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory!!! Oh ... my ... word ... so yummy! The menu was unbelievable! Tons of food options. I ordered something that I think was on page 13!!! Not kidding! It was a wonderful slice of salmon served along side of mashed potatoes. This was very neatly on top of asparagus with some tasty white sauce! I said after I ate ALL my food, "I could just lick off my plate yet!" Oh, so good! Then, then we topped it off with their famous CHEESECAKE for dessert! 33 different flavors to chose from! I got the tiramasue cheesecake! Again, so yummy! (I spared the calories and had to save some of the dessert for Mike! He's a cheesecake fan too, especially if it's that tasty!) After lunch, we went shopping again. I was so tired by 3:00 because the malls where huge and a lot of walking. Linda and I took our babies along too. They did so well! I didn't take my camera along for the day, wished I would have! I took some with sister Linda's camera. Might have to post that another time?

7 WEEKS OLD ... Ashlyn is doing well. She gave me little tough time last night. Most nights she's been getting up anywhere from 4 - 5:30 AM and wants feed. She usually goes right back to sleep. Not last night. She was up at 3:15 AM and drank her bottle and then looked up at me as if to say, "Good morning, mom." I could tell she wanted to be awake for awhile yet. I of course was not into that, so I started to hold her tight, stick the nuk in her mouth, and rock the chair! What else do mom's do in situation's like these? She did go back to sleep ... I think at 4:30?! I flopped on the couch because I didn't feel like disturbing Mike. Hoping she has a better night tonight!

Mike & Ashlyn are the blue eyed in our family. All the rest of like are brown eyed. Mike feels like there's not a whole lot of bonding yet between him and Ashlyn. Most times when he holds her, he cradles her in his arms and it only lasts for a short while. She's being more alert and gave a huge smile to him last night! I think it's only going to be a few more weeks and she'll be a 'daddy's girl'! I love when Mike spends time with the children - even at such a young age as Ashlyn. He has always done so good at this and loves every minute he can be with his kids! Here's baby and daddy ...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Turning 30

Yep, last week I left the 20's behind me and I am now 30 years old. I used to think 30 was old, but I say now, "It don't matter the age or number, as long as I feel young!" Looking back at my past 29 years, I have lot's of memories.

1. I was mom's first 'planned' c - section birth. (She was in labor with my sister and then needed surgery.)
2. I am the second born and second daughter.
3. When I turned 3, my little brother was born. (He has no body proof now that he was a preemie!)
4. We lived in an apartment in Hatville. I still love that neighborhood!
5. Started kindergarten at Linville Hill School! Another baby brother was born into our family.
6. Going everyday to school and entering into first grade was fun!
7. Second grade and a man teacher. We had a girls sleep over at school and cooked breakfast outside!
8. We changed churches and dress. We went from Ridgeview Mennonite to Spring Garden. I made new friends quick and met my best friend Rosa!!! We also moved from the apartment to just down two houses into a rancher house.
9. In fourth grade.
10. I remember being so proud of turning 10. I said, "I am now two hands full!"
11. Entered 'middle school'! My youngest brother was born!
12. 7th grade.
13. A teenager!!!  I remember making a public confession to giving my life to Christ!
14. My birthday is in May and I turned 14 just before graduating from 8th grade!!!
15. A freshman in high school at Faith Mennonite High! I was 'baptized' into the family of Christ.
16. SWEET SIXTEEN!!! And yes it was sweet! I could not wait to be sixteen and 'run around'! Mom & Dad gave me my 'ranger' and I was excited! I loved our youth group and loved my school friends! My sophomore year in high school was my hardest year in school. It was my hardest academically and my busiest with trying to balance my 'running around' and school work.
17. Junior in high school. Had my first date!!! Yes, with my husband Mike! I have always prayed that I would have only one boyfriend. I never wanted the regrets of exes. I am blessed to say my prayer was answered!
18. SENIOR YEAR!!! I couldn't wait till I was a senior! My easiest school year and by far the funnest. Our class was more mature and with that came more respect for each other brought great socials, great friendships & tons of laughter! This year was also the first I went on a missions trip out of our country. Our senior trip was to Grenada. We were there for 1 week and taught Bible school to the native children. Graduating from high school gave me an accomplished feeling. I was proud I went through high school. It was a great experience and a huge spiritual boast in my teenage years!!!
19. ENGAGED!!! Mike asked me to marry him in August of 1999.
20. Married my best friend!!!! Mike and I went to Cancun, Mexico for our honeymoon. We moved into a rancher house that we called 'our home'!
21. Gave birth to our first child ... Hadassah Grace!
22. Mike & I were youth leaders for three years. I became a Longaberger Consultant.
23. Grieved the lose of our miscarriage. I was 6 weeks pregnant and excited. We were very sad when my pregnancy ended way too early for babies survival. This was also the year that we got to see George W. Bush go through our home town!!!
24. Very excited to be pregnant with another baby!
25. Celebrated our 5th Marriage Anniversary!!!  Flew to Cincinnati for an anniversary trip! I also gave birth to our second child / first son, Matthew Tyce. We also spent a week in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina went through. We helped with setting up a base for other groups to go down and help with the clean up!
26. Sent our first born off to Kindergarten! I cried. I prayed. "Please, Lord, keep her safe!"
27. Celebrated another anniversary, but this time in San Diego, California!
28. Excited to be pregnant with our third healthy child. Sent our son off to kindergarten. This was hard but I knew his big sister would help him! "Protect our little son, Lord!"
29. Celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary!!! It's a mystery how marriage can better as years go by. I really did truly love Michael on our wedding day, but somehow I think I love him even more now! Also, gave birth to our third child, Ashlyn Marie! She's healthy and beautiful!
30. Only God knows my future. For now, I am a mother to our three dear children and a wife to a great husband!

God has been so good to me! I am so blessed. As I look back at some of these milestones in my life, I smile at God's grace for me. I have taken some pictures of pictures of me when I was 'younger'. The truth is in 'real life', your age does change and you get only older and never younger, but along with getting older comes ... maturity, spiritual growth, changes, and eventually eternally.

Go ahead and smile at these pictures! Oh, the younger days ...

MY BABY PICTURE