Blogging, Family, etc

So, I watched Julie and Julia last week and right after watching it, I wanted to jump on and blog about something, but of course couldn't really think of what I could blog about. By the way, that is a really great movie! Well the day before Christmas Eve, I had a thought about what I wanted to share, but of course not only did I think of it late at night when I was trying to go to sleep but of course it was close to Christmas, so with the blizzard and all the family Christmas stuff going on I didn't get to it until now. Anyway, I also found it amazing to see how much blogging could do. It wasn't that long ago that you had to have an epic novel to get anything out there to the world. Sure you could have something in a local paper or small magazine, but nothing like blogging. Anyone can do it about anything! I have no intention of becoming big like Julie did on Julie and Julia, but the fact that you can is incredible!
Well, ultimately, my thought for this blog was about family. I was thinking about the upcoming holiday and family in general. Family is an interesting thing, I know I've posted a lot about relationships and mentioned family, but I feel like I'm going through some kind of phase where I'm contemplating things more and more. I heard somewhere recently something to the effect that friends are the family you choose. I believe that is true! I also think you choose the relationship you have with your family. In some aspects I think you are stuck with your family, but that is not a bad thing! They are your family after all! Of course everyone has those family members you wish you weren't related to, and there are those you want to tell everyone that you're related to. :) Then of course you have those people who aren't blood related to but are part of your family. Needless to say for a long time I was one of those people in the family I'm sure those that lived with me wished they did not have to claim me as family (and that still may be true) but over time I have learned that if you have to live with someone or share family functions with and you have to decide if you're going to just "put up" with them or actually make the effort to have a decent realtionship with them. I think a lot of people think they are just stuck with their family and grin and bear it if they don't like them and have to be around them but with people who have that option to be your friend or as close as family and can walk away without ever having to worry about seeing them again make the effort if they want to have a good relationship with them; shouldn't that be true with family, you aren't just stuck with family. Frankly you could decide to "abandon" your family and spend holidays and such alone. Growing up with a pretty good sized family I had to learn to deal with everyone and once I realized that my family wanted to make the effort to get to know me and love me and be around me despite the way I was especially through puberty, made me want to do the same for them. If anything family teaches you how to love unconditionally. They at least teach you love! I of course would love to have a wonderful relationship with everyone in my family and call all my friends family but with some people they don't have the same decision and that's fine, because it is their choice. Maybe it's part of being a Christian that I have that love for all those in my life.
So, for those in my "family" reading this and are dying to know my progress with my sewing, it's been kind of slow but I did manage to get some great stuff made for my nieces for Christmas and am working on reusable shopping bags. I have found several shopping bag things online and am totally inspired to make them and whip them out as much as I can. I have also seen reusable sandwich and snack bags and am wanting to make some of those too. I worked on some of my bibs I had sitting aside for an inventory I'm trying to build. Although, come January I may be pretty busy making baby stuff for my friends Terri and Katie; they both find out what they are having in January! I'm very excited! I am a point in my sewing that I'm actually getting a little frustrated because I have a few things I really want to sit down and whip out, but time is not my friend lately! Every time I sit down to sew, if it's when Madison is awake she is at my side every minute wanting in my lap or something and half the time even if Jason comes in to help she screams at him and gets upset; and if I sew while she's sleeping it's already 10pm and I don't want to be up all night. I've gotten a few things when she goes to bed and if I can while she naps. It just depends on the day. Maybe I'll make a set time that I can work on it and Jason can make plans and if we get Madison used to that she'll cooperate a lot easier. Especially if I have stuff I'm going to have to have done by a set time! I'm also dying to expand my skills to knitting, I don't know what the fascination is, but I really want to learn! I would love to make our own knitted hats and scarves, etc! Plus, I don't have to sit in my little corner, I can take it anywhere! I also was looking at a blog online last night about a review for a serger and I am definitely going to be looking into getting one of those, they aren't cheap but my cousin has already told me about them and how great it is to have one so when I can save up some money I'll have to get me one. It's a lot like a sewing machine but faster and with more options! It would definitely help with my intentions of starting a website of selling my creations! I also am thinking about setting a goal for maybe having a booth at the Deluxe Indie Craft for or something alike. I'd contemplated it occasionally but when my friend Laci said I could probably do it, I thought, well maybe I can, if someone else besides me thinks I could do it, maybe I can! :) I know there's a lot of work preparing for it, so I'd have to plan for that. I'm still thinking it over and haven't even talked to Jason yet, so we'll see.
Also for those who haven't really seen Madison in a while she is talking up a storm as long as she's not around new people. :) Like over Christmas she took a while to warm up until she was familiar enough with the kids then she was fine. The only thing that is getting hard is she is really attached to mommy which makes it hard if I want to do anything. We're working on it. :)
Okay, that's all I had for now and hopefully I will get pictures on here soon. I've slacked a little on taking pictures of my projects, hopefully I'll get one of my nieces Christmas presents since I forgot to. I will definitely get pictures of my shopping bags! Take care and hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a Happy New Year!

Precious Babies!!

Okay, so I was going through my blogs that I follow after adding one to my follow list of my good friend Mindy's husband. :) Well, I have a few craft ones that I follow to get ideas, etc. Well one that I follow had listed at the end of one of her blogs about a lady who had contacted her about a project she's doing. This mom is making eye masks for little babies in the NICU for any hospital she can. She had a baby that had been in the NICU and was not able to wear any clothes of any kind but needed to have her eyes covered so she decided to make masks. Well, she was wanting to have this idea spread so many crafters could get involved and you can bet I will be one of them. Here is the blog of the mother making the masks where you can get information on it and read her story www.mybabysbling.blogspot.com. She also has a blog about her little baby she lost....have tissue handy if you venture that way!
Well, of course reading her story tugs at your heart especially when you have friends who have gone through it! To add to it Madison woke up briefly while I was reading this blog and I went in to check on her and get her laid back down. Of course looking at my sweet girl falling back asleep the tears came on! So I decided I would blog about it! :)
It just is amazing, you would think being that you are raised to know that death is inevitable, everyone will die at some point and in your lifetime you have been to a few funerals. So, you would think seeing this happen with a baby you would be prepared for it. How could you be?! When a parent or grandparent, aunt or uncle pass away, they've lived; they have had their hard days and great days. They have lived through tough times and good times; had bad experiences and wonderful ones. Good moments and bad. You have gotten to know their personality, heard their stories and shared great times with them. A baby doesn't have that. When you find out your pregnant, you plan and prepare and dream of what it will be like as you learn and watch as your little one grows. You imagine all the things you will teach them; prepare to capture their first moment crawling, walking, riding a bike and thus driving! You imagine someday they will have their first day at school, first friends, first boy/girl friend, and first date! You think of the life the little baby growing inside you will have. Then the day they are born you hope to hear they are healthy and will continue to be healthy. To hear the words that they have something you don't know if they'll survive, how long they'll survive, how you will survive. All this assuming the baby was born alive. Some babies don't make it that far. I am thankful I have not had to face this challenge but so very heart broken for those that have!!!! It is so hard to imagine those babies that never had all those firsts, all those experiences! I am sure as with most unexpected deaths, and some expected, people turn to faith. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and God most certainly knows that reason. I imagine it would be very hard to understand that reason, but I know, too, that God does sometimes reveal some of that reason, it may not be immediate, but at some point I believe you will find it. I am just a ball of emotions when it comes to the subject of babies that pass away! I believe anyone that goes through that in any capacity is very strong!! I am now on a mission to try and help any one that I can in any way that I can when dealing with such a hard thing! A parent should never have to bury their child! Take care of all those sweet babies out there!

(Love you Tony, Laci & Betsy; you have great angels in Grace and Olivia!!)

Relationships part 2?

Well, I don't know if I'm in the process of "growing" more in this area or just rethinking what I've previously come to understand. Well lately I was thinking on the line of making the effort in that yes it takes the effort to make a realtionship work but sometimes I feel bad reaching out b/c I feel like I'm intruding I think mostly because I know how busy I am or can be and wonder if they are as well. I think mainly I'm trying to find my boundries. I've always been the person who worries too much about what others think of me and as I've grown I have learned to not do that as much but of course there are still times you can't help it. I think it is a little human nature and part being a woman. :) I am definitely finding out that learning and growing are one in the same! I think more than anything I work myself up a little bit because part of me wants to be that friend that talks to one or so friends everyday; or basically has at least one good friend that I talk to at least once or twice a day and sometimes in this day with everyone so busy all the time it doesn't seem like there's time. Of course when I do think of that I do either send a text or try to remember to facebook them. Which in part to me seems kind of silly; I remember when we couldn't wait to get home from school just so we could talk on the phone and with a few of my friends meant we just sat there on the phone doing whatever but really not talking. Probably why they invented texting so you could say what you needed to as you needed to without all the awkwardness. Sometimes I want to embrace that awkwardness, it builds character! I have avoided awkwardness a lot in my life, but sometimes, going with it just teaches you more and adds to who you are!! Frankly I think I'm still growing emotionally etc! I've had a few things going on that have really made me stop to figure out how I really feel about things. On the plus side one of the relationships I am really greatful for that has grown is with my mom! We talk more than we used to and there is a lot less tension than we used to! Maybe because she calls me about one thing or another or I'm calling her about a specific thing and we end up talking about the normal day to day stuff, I guess b/c I get tired of only talking to Jason about the day to day; especially when he is there in some of the day to day! :) I guess it still amazes me that we are still growing and learning even in my old age LOL! Although I'm sure that even when I'm a grandma, I'll still be learning! I think part of what makes it so interesting is I am the type of person who does not enjoy change very well, but some of it I am starting to embrace! Maybe I will start calling people when I feel like I need to instead of thinking, nah, I'll just email her later or facebook her tomorrow. If you don't like me calling too bad! :) Take care, until next time!

Hodge Podge

So, I'm a little behind, at least on my blog, sometimes I feel like on everything. :) Well, I thought I would update a little. I have done a few more sewing projects since my last post; if you follow on Facebook I've put up pictures. I did finally take Madison to do professional portraits! I think for the majority of pictures I may want I'll just do at home if at all possible like I did her 6 months! It's just easier b/c then you can do what you want with them and not worry about it and decide how much you want to pay on printing them out. As for ones that might be for special occasions and such I'll still take her to a studio. :)
On another note; I was thinking the other day, as I have been lately how interesting life can be. It's just so amazing the concept of being a grown up you have as a child and when you are all grown up, you realize how innocent you were. It also puts things in percpective because you want to make sure your children (and in my case my nieces that I watch) keep that innocence. You really think about how you say things and frankly what you say! Aside from all that it's hard to deal with your emotions and maintain a composure! I just feel like I've been so confused on how to feel about things lately. It's funny how life seems to be going good; everything is in order and makes sense and then one thing happens and it seems like several things happen; it's never one thing at a time. Like with your car or house! There are a lot of family things going on right now and it seems like Madi and I have been busy without really being too busy so I haven't had a chance to spend time with friends except a couple of playdates. I think that is what my deal is lately I feel like I just don't know how to deal with what's on my plate and maybe part of it is having the chance to get out of the house childless either with the girls or just Jason and not being able to do that for a while things pile up! I think a lot of it has been this flu epidemic also, I think I've put back not doing some things b/c I don't want Madi or myself to get sick! Lucky for us Madi's flu shot is still good; I on the other hand am not, so I try to be careful!
Madison is doing good, she is testing her boundaries on everything! I think being around her cousins as much as she is she also tries to be a big girl like them and gets very upset when she can't. I think she has also picked up a thing or two from her cousins that she tries to get away with. She is getting so big! I hate it, I keep telling her to stop growing! A few months ago, since Madi is so facinated with keys, we were outside and she wanted to try putting them in the door, so I pulled over a chair we had on the porch so she could reach and play; while I stood right there of course. Well the other day when we were coming in from outside and she had keys in hand, yes she reached up and had no trouble reaching the knob with the keys! I was so surprised! She's not eye to eye with the knob yet, thankfully, but it still gets me! Not to mention her vocabulary! She can say so much! Even today Jason was asking her to say, 'love you' and she did; of course it was as clear as you or I saying it, but you knew that's what she was saying. She has also moved from calling Clancy 'dog-dog' to some form of 'can-can' or 'cancy' or even 'can' I'm not sure. It is also amazing because I know she will have no problem picking up on putting her words into sentences when she reaches that! She already will say "mama, keys" or something like that, like when she wants something or is trying to give you something. So, not so much saying, "mama, here are the keys" but in her little vocabulary, that is what she's saying in her two words! It is also so fun to have friends with kids Madi's age give or take a few months to see how different and the same they are! It is funny too because Madi is always around bigger kids and then occasionally around her friend Seth who is a couple of months older but a boy none-the-less so he likes to wrestle so after being around all that when she gets around her friend Story or even our neighbor MaKenzie, she of course looks like she's trying to hug them but sometimes tries to tackle them too. It is so funny, but kind of scary too b/c I don't want her to hurt them being as that she is also the bigger of all her friends! She's not so much obese or anything but she's just bigger. :)
So, also on the note of Madison, it's coming down to where I really need to get a job, I'm totally dreading it b/c I really don't want to leave her and still trying to find the ideal situation where I can work a few days a week and take her with me for free. I have pretty much found that at Crossing Church just down the street from us; they are needing someone to work Sunday mornings, Monday mornings, and Wednesday nights. I can take Madi if I need to and it's good pay. I've filled out the application, just have not had the chance to take it by yet. I do hope it works out b/c it would be very good hours and would of course help to have the extra money. Of course I know it's inevitable that I will someday have to get more hours and therefore leave her more, I'm just trying to postpone it as much as possible. I'm enjoying my time with her and maybe being a little lazy :) but I know it's all for better. I think my big thing that's getting me is that I don't want to jump into a full on full time job so quickly b/c I don't know when we might plan on the next one and I don't want to get into the same situation again, I want to be able to stay home with the next one as much as I can. I know I may not be able to stay home full time with both, but I'll take part time! Maybe the Crossings thing will work out and I'll be able to keep that even with another one and we'll still be okay. We'll have to see where life takes us! :)
Alright, I feel like I've babbled enough; thus the title hodge podge. :) Hope everyone is doing well and taking good care of themselves! I don't know if I'll get around to posting before the holidays seeing my track record on here. :) So Happy Holidays to all and I'm sure I will see you soon!

Need Your Ideas!!

So, I'm stumped! I'm at a point where I really want to be making inventory for a website to sell the stuff I make. I still cannot figure out what I want to make to sell. I can make handbags and tote bags and bibs, etc. I also am pretty good at following a pattern. :) That's kind of where I get stuck, I don't want to be cutting out patterns for tons of items; although I may definitely do the bibs b/c they're easy and don't take much to cut and sew. Plus I've already made a few. :) I also thought about starting a site and selling some of the bags I may not use later that I've already made but I've customized those to me and most of them have flaws that I don't care about b/c it's mine but don't really want someone else thinking I do crappy work. :) Also, I'm hoping that I will be able to keep up with inventory and such with a little one literally running around! Plus I will be getting a job soon (when I find one lol) and will need to keep up despite that. Obviously it will be something I will have to juggle but I guess that's why I want something easy but crafty and very creative! The website I've been looking at; Etsy.com, has a lot of selection and frankly I'm intimidated b/c I feel like it's a lot of competition! It can be frustrating too b/c I look through the stuff that I could possibly do and see lots of cute stuff I could do but am looking at a site that already sells it! Some things I know right away how I could make it different and attempt selling it and others, I'm thinking, I would not change a thing! PLUS I was thinking about doing a site with my best friend Terri which could help keep up with inventory but I know she's in the same boat too with managing her time, etc. :) I just don't know what I want to do! I did recently finish a bag that I really like and is multi purpose; I am using it as a diaper tote bag; but could also be used for school or work or whatever. Putting it together, I don't think I'd have patience to do that 30 times! It is fun b/c it has "patches" or fabric squares all over it so it's very much personalized. Maybe if I do it assembly line it would work; I have to think on it. I also do not have pictures of that bag yet b/c I haven't taken them yet. I may include the picture of the pattern, though! Anyway so I'll definitely take any and all ideas you have! Anyone can post comments below so please do!! If you get this in your email you can either email me back or go
to the website and post a comment!

I did the taller tote without the bows;

I also made the smaller one in front of it for my stuff!

My friend Katie made the other two and hers turned out cute;

just sewing the cris-cross stuff seems teadeous! :)

High School Reunion!

Well, I really just wanted to update on how it went since I've been mentioning it so much lately. I really didn't get any pictures. I honestly don't know what I would have taken pictures of. :) I think the best way to describe it is pretty much how I told my friend Mindy, wasn't too exciting and I didn't see a lot of people I don't see regularly or semi-regularly but mostly b/c I didn't got to the right things! I went to the football game the Friday night and it was okay; we lost (of course) we weren't the home team, and not a lot of other alumni went. Apparently most of the people went to the thing at Fox & Hound following the game, I decided to come home to Jason and Madi. :) Saturday they had a picnic and school tour. I went to the picnic, okay technically I met up with a few friends at the picnic that were already there and said there weren't a lot of people that we talked to in high school there and none of us paid to eat, so we all went to Chili's and had lunch together and came back for the tour. We did some of the other alumni at the tour but didn't really talk to anyone so it was interesting. It was a good time though, b/c I enjoyed the company and the tour was pretty neat to see how the school has changed in 10 years! We also ran into one of our teachers that happened to be there! :) That evening they had an event at the Bricktown Brewery and I did not go, it was formal, and I'm only formal for friends and families weddings! :) It looked like from pictures a good group went to that as well. :)
I also wanted to add b/c with the reunion behind me and having my realization on realtionships, I really feel like it's made such a difference on my outlook on life! I have been thinking a lot more about the important things. I almost feel like I've changed overnight! I can't explain it, just I mainly feel more confident and feel like I'm really working at getting more out of my relationships. I think a lot of it is that before hand I was really timid and sometimes felt like I spent time with people for some benefit of my own (even though that wouldn't be the case) and now, I'm spending time with people because I enjoy their company or if they need the company, etc! Basically, I'm not thinking about it so much, just doing and enjoying! I don't know, it's like because I am less timid than I used to be things are growing a lot more naturally and I feel a lot less awkward in the situations I used to make so awkward. There never really were many awkward situations I made them into that within me. I feel more free. It's great! I'm still the same when it comes to new people but those people that have been there for a while things are better! I'm so happy! Now to just find that stinkin' bag of money I've been searching for.............. :)
Have a great weekend! You all are still the greatest people in my life! We are on this path for a reason so step back take a look and see what it might be or step up and follow it through to see where it leads!!

Relationships

I guess in part of growing up; I've been thinking a lot about the people in my life; currently or previously. I just think it is so interesting how people come in your life and the types of relationships you can have! People you never expect to be friends with and the people you think were long gone suddenly become very close to you. I have really begun to realize that you make those relationships grow or not. You decide if those people will be close or further away. I used to always whine that certain people wouldn't ever call me or get upset that they went out and didn't even call me or ask me; then I realize, when was the last time I called them or asked them to do anything?! I guess for whatever reason I always thought friendships and family relationships were easy and marriage was the only one you had to work at. Obviously I have learned, if you want to keep anyone in your life it does take a little work! I think I always took it so hard because I am the type of person that once you are in my life you automatically have a special place in my heart and are my friend for life. Thus in turn because I treasure every realtionship I have I am very picky and it takes me some time to warm up to people. Which also frustrates me because I don't chat up people as well as people like Jason or my dad! Having my 10 year reunion coming up has been interesting in my relationships because a lot of people I never thought I would talk to again have become pretty good friends, yet at the same time; a lot of people that I never really talked to in high school and never really have since then, I'm kind of thinking why do I need to converse with you now? :) I started to take sociology in college and since I didn't finish college, didn't finish that; but something I will most likely look into finishing! I am going to finish college, but never really decided in what, so now I think it may be more in the sociology field! I always think it's interesting to see how people interact and I am a big people watcher, so it would be a good field. Anyway, basically I think because as you get older friends can become more scarce especially when I am pretty much a stay at home mom; I don't have co-workers and I don't really have a way to meet new people, yet; so I treasure everyone and have really pondered each realtionship becasue I do cherish everyone in my life. I especially love when you have family members you are close to! I have a sister that when I was still in high school followed me everywhere and I totally had no problem with it! We were best buds and although we've grown up we try to stay as close as possible; with kids and full time jobs, you can get pretty busy! Maybe that's also my thing because was we grow we have different interests with people we used to have everything in common with and that scares me (I also don't like change very much) so I'm trying to find common ground with everyone! I also think maybe that's why I have gotten so attached to my sewing because not only am I doing something that my grandma and great-grandma loved but it has brought me closer to other people I didn't expect! My cousin whom I used to play with a lot when we were little and her sister we had lost touch as we grew up and because we're into sewing it has brought us closer. We went to the zoo this past weekend and it was a pretty good time, nice to get to talk in person again! I also started to feel like I was losing touch with what I consider one of my best friends but sewing has brought us back together! I think the past 3 or 4 weekends we have been garage sale shopping and it's been a blast; yes we are going tomorrow too! :) People change but the people in your life don't have to. I think that is where I'm trying to find comfort. BUT, I love having new ones too! Meeting Laci has been so much of a blessing and Charolotte is a joy! Makes me realize that when you have a job and think man, I wish I hadn't worked at that stupid place, it was all for a reason, because I wouldn't have ever met those two ladies! I also hated how we had to move back into an apartment but we have some really great neighbors that I am really glad we have met! Even though they are moving soon, I hope they will become great friends of ours (including Madison w/ the baby above us)! I also think of those who have passed away friends and family and what a better person I am for knowing them. Yes their time may have been cut short; but I do truly believe everything happens for a reason. I also believe that even though those people are gone, they still live on through us!! I am still growing and loving every chance I get to spend with those people in my life! You are all a blessing and I wouldn't trade any of you! (well maybe some.....j/k!) Maybe this will give me more motivation to find a new job and make some new wonderful friends! :) Anyway, I just had to share and I don't have any new pictures, I will add more soon. Take care!
~Ashley

I just wanted to update a little. I've been kind of busy with the sewing stuff, I had a few projects to get done by a set time, so once I got those done I managed to get a pattern I am borrowing from a friend and made 2 bags. Which was also fun because last weekend we went garage sale shopping and found nothing, but stopped by my grandma's and got a lot of fabric from her, then decided to go by Terri's moms and got a good stack of it there too. So it was fun to make a bag out of the new fabric I got! I did get a lot of baby type fabric so it should be fun making stuff out of that!

Purse I made for Cara

Katelynn's birthday cats!

doll I made for Betsy's birthday!

all the fabric I got!

cute little pin cushion I made!

first of the two bags I made

second bag I made; my fav so far :)

I also organized my little sewing corner!

Aside from that Madison and I had a couple of playdates all in a week and were pretty busy, but it's been fun! We went to the Omniplex on the first day of school which was fun since I hadn't been there in ages! Then the next week we got to play with Madison's boyfriends, Seth, Maddox and Grayson! That was pretty fun too b/c it's been a while since Madison has gotten to play with just the kids without the girls there. Although she certainly loves playing with the girls!! Then later in that week we were going to go to the zoo with Mindy and Story but it was going to be too warm so we just went and played at their house and then went to McDonald's. I think Madison enjoyed playing with Story's new toys especially since we played outside mostly and they had a pretty good section for the littler ones to play at McDonald's so that was nice. We also got to go to Betsy's first birthday this past weekend! That was amazing because when Betsy was born she was one of three but because they were so early her sisters didn't make it. So to honor her sisters they had a balloon release at the party and I hadn't actually ever been part of one of those, so I thought it was amazing! I even got Madison to give the balloon some kisses before we sent it up! I know the babies had no idea what was going on, but as they grow and hear the stories they will appreciate it. :)

Story and Madison at the water table at the Omniplex!

Madison carrying Betsy's present!

Madison giving the balloon a second kiss

the balloon release

Betsy figuring out her cake!

It has been crazy, I don't know what it is, but I guess with all the stuff going on around me, my emotions have been kind of crazy! With my reunion around the corner and all the kids getting older and Betsy's birthday party, I've just been kinda wonky! I think maybe I've just let things get to me more than they should lately. I don't know.
Anyway, that's all I really have to update! Take care, until next time!

Madison figuring out using a spoon! Yummy Cool Whip!!

watching Katelynn and Tim blowing out the candles!

playing on Kyleigh and Katelynn's swing set

(can you tell she's concentrating?)

So It Ends.......

Well I have had a lot going on lately been busy with the girls during the summer tried to fit some of the fun stuff in before school, which we did manage; went to the zoo and as like a last fun thing of the summer, took the girls to Celebration Station with their mom. It was fun and would have been more if it hadn't rained. :) That's ok, we'll go again. Anyway, pretty much right after my last blog we lost our dear friend Anna to cancer and about a month later my dear friend Terri lost her father in law to cancer! It just makes you realize how real this disease is! It also makes you treasure life and those people you have in it! It just makes it so hard for those people left behind! August was also the anniversary of Lynlee's passing, so I've definitely been thinking about life a lot!
Well, I also have my 10 year high school reunion coming up and I've really been looking back at my life and where I've been and where I am now; the choices I've made and should have made. I've really been thinking a lot lately with the funerals and the reunion coming up, you can't help but think about things! I've had my moments in the past where I've questioned, am I where I should be in everything, who I married my career choices, etc., and just to show you how amazing God can be He steps in and assures me that I have made the right choices; maybe they were bad choices at the time or not a choice someone else would have made or even choices I regret immediately or later; they are still the right choices because they got me here with the best husband and most precious daughter! I wouldn't trade them for the world! Of course I might have changed some things a little but only if it got me where I am today. :) I don't know if that makes any kind of sense, but it does to me. :)
I know Jason has probably been doing a lot of thinking as well with Anna being the wife of one of his good friends and maybe I'll talk him into blogging about it; we'll see. He has been pretty busy at work as usual, which is good. He has been doing good keeping up with his friends keeping in touch checking in on Jon and being the great person he is.
Madison has been growing (too much)! She's walking better almost running sometimes. She definitely knows when to run; like when Mommy has a diaper in her hand or is coming to get her to take her back inside, etc. She has also learned how to use her lungs, that's what cousins are for to teach the good and bad! :) It also cracks me up because she has learned how to let you know if she doesn't want you to pick her up or mess with her and despite the fact that it is a bit of a scream Kyleigh and Katelynn still try picking her up even if she screams in their ear. I guess they adore her so much they cannot resist! I totally understand that, but I do get tired of hearing her scream! I really just wish she could unlearn the screaming! :) I do love that she is learning more words and I'm sure part of it is because of her cousins so that goes with the cousins teaching good and bad! She can say 'Clo-Clo' for Chloe our little dog, she says "mon" for Come on, the other day I'm pretty sure she said Ashley! She says 'bite' and I think some form of outside. She definitely understands a lot as well. She knows if we ask her if she wants to eat she goes up to her high chair and on occasion I can get her to do the sign for it as well. She says 'hi' and 'bye' and today she was saying bye-bye and waving! She has definitely learned 'mine'! She pronounces it very well. The funny thing behind that is she learned it from Seasame Street. :) They had an episode where everyone got "minitis" and Oscar the Grouch had to share so to older kids the concept is to share. Madi just picked up the 'mine' part and of course after the episode Kyleigh and Katelynn were walking around doing the 'mine' thing as well so I think that just encouraged Madi. It's not a big deal yet b/c I don't think she fully understands the concept and does share (sometimes) at play dates, so I'm not worried yet; I'm just trying to encourage the sharing concept as much as I can. :) She's been a busy bee for sure! She also got a new wagon from Aunt Granny which she loves and sometimes loves it so much it stresses out Mommy and Daddy! :) But she loves it and that is what is important! We could walk around the complex all day pulling her in that thing and she would be so content! It's when she plays with it inside that makes it so hard b/c she wants to go outside or gets frustrated about something and we can't always help her which just makes it worse. I try to distract her and that only works so many times. :) She is getting big and I don't want her to! I keep telling her to stop growing but it doesn't work. :) On that note; this past week Kyleigh and Katelynn started school on Katelynn's birthday none-the-less! She is 6 now and I just can't believe it! They are all growing up so fast! In the next few months all my neices will be a year older; Kyleigh will be 8 and Bella will be 4! It goes by way too fast! Before we know it they'll all be driving! Ugh! Where is the mechanism that stops time for just a little bit! Even better how do we get to never-never land?! (Not Michael Jackson's ranch, lol)! It's one thing to realize how old they are getting by their birthdays but when they use words like 'literally' and understand what they are saying you really can't believe it!
It has been interesting also because being in the apartment we are in we really like where it is because it's right by the courtyard where Madi can walk around and the dogs have some freedom (sort of) and it's close to one of the pools. Plus we love some of our neighbors. Well, being that we are friendly with our neighbors the one above us has a little girl a few months younger than Madison that if we are out about the same time they get to play. Well, first of all when we moved in the lady giving us our keys (and as she was handing them to us) told us that for some reason this building was not built with the washer/dryer connections. Which irritated me b/c if we'd known that ahead of time we would have looked into a different apartment. We talked about it after the first month or so, which at that time I didn't feel like repacking everything so I passed at that. Well, around that time I was in the bathroom or Madison's room and could have sword I heard a dryer above us. I thought surely not; it couldn't be. It is such a distinctive sound, and I kept meaning to ask and never got to it. Well the other night I was out talking to the neighbor that lives across the way from my upstairs neighbor in a 2 bed 2 bath (we have a 2bd 1bth). Well, somehow we got to talking about the apartments and I asked her if our upstairs neighbor had a w/d (because they're friends) and she said she did. I told her what we were told, etc and she was shocked. We concluded I need to call the office, and I plan on it; I don't know what solution I'm looking for from it, but we shall see. Well it was pretty neat too b/c this neighbor in the 2bd 2bth offered to show me her apt b/c I was curious how it was laid out by looking at the outside. It gave me a good idea and if for some reason we stayed here it might be a possibility to move to that (would have been really handy this summer w/ the girls)! Although I am hoping we'll move to a house when our year is up. :) Anyway, long story sorry, just wanted to share that b/c I was pretty shocked to find it out!
Well, aside from all that I have been busy with my sewing and stuff! I've been putting together some stuff for our friends that are about to have a baby; finished a nursing cape for our friends that had their baby a month ago and a bunch of other things! I will include pictures of course! :) I have been busy and happy that I made time because I really do enjoy it! I'm hoping that now that the girls are in school I may have a little more time getting stuff put together so I can sell it! I always get such good responses from the pictures I post, so I know it would probably go well! I also used to do bead bracelets in the past and gave it up because the beads were so little and frankly I didn't have time; I haven't really picked it back up; but after Anna passed I did wear the arm band she had given me for Ovarian cancer awareness and after wearing it awhile I decided I don't like wearing those because it makes it hard when you sweat. :) So I decided to go to WalMart and see what I could find. Well lucky for me they have beads already on the strand that you can just add your clasp or whatever you want add to it. Well I just bought some of those in the appropriate color to wear instead and it worked out nicely; plus then I don't have tiny beads to keep away from Madison! Well when Terri's father-in-law passed I went and got one in the appropriate color and decided that I would get one for Laci and Tony's little girls too and couldn't find dark purple for the March of Dimes color found a really nice bracelet with purple and pink beads which worked out so purple for one girl and pink for the other and had enough of the strand left over to make one for Laci!
Alright, I think this blog is long enough for now. :) I will add a few pics so enjoy! Thanks for reading. :) Take care!

playing in the rain in the kazebo

peek-a-boo!

splashing in the puddles!

girls on wheels!

Kyleigh and Madison playing in Seth's pool!

Madison and Seth playing with his cars

Seth, Maddox and Madison playing in the hall

after meeting Maddox's new little brother

Grayson!

5 little monkeys! :)

girls at the zoo

riding the carousel

love the suckers!

(wish I had a picture of me and my

brother to show the resembleance!)

riding in her 'new' wagon!!

Daddy's first time taking Madi to the zoo!

my first storage cube; need to make more!

nursing cover I made for Kim

practice burp cloth

practice changing pad

stoller cover I pieced together

little kitty I made for Madi;

making some for Katelynn's birthday!

my little purse;

I'm making one for my sis just like it!

Life is Tricky!

I have some stuff on my mind and thought I would share. Also as I'm typing this I need to get Jason to post a few! :) Anyway, so I've actually had a lot going on lately, not just on my schedule, but emotionally and mentally as well. I think a lot of it is because I have had a lot going on with my schedule. I had Vacation Bible School last week and it definitely kept me busy but it was good for all involved! Since I'm watching the girls we set it up so that I would teach a class so that I could take them, work with a class and take Madison too and we could just go from there so I wouldn't be just dropping them off and coming back. Ultimately I was okay with that because it gave Madison a chance to be around more kids her age! It also worked out that I was teaching her class. Even though she was actually registered in the babies class since she was the only one walking in that class and I had the older 1s and 2s I was able to bring her in my class! It was a fun and busy week. I of course didn't plan much so I didn't have a lot of activities for them to do, they just played and once a day we took them for a wagon ride and that helped a lot. Well, being at church and around the familiar faces has really put me at a point where I've put going back to church to the forefront of my mind. I've been wanting to since Madison was born and of course constantly made excuses! I know that's what the devil wants and does to us. I think it rings so much in my mind becuase of how involved I was in the youth group; there were points where I felt like I wasn't involved enough even though I was doing as much as I could. It's just so easy to make the excuses and "attend 'Bedtime Baptist'"! :) Well, the other part of things on my mind is dealing with a friend of ours who has cancer and is losing her battle. I had a friend who fought her whole life with C.F. and beat the odds and lived well beyond what the doctors said she would and was able to get a lung transplant but died shortly after from something else. Regardless even though when you have a disease that you know may take your life, it still never actually prepares you! I took it pretty hard when she passed and although I'm not as close to this friend as I was that one, it is still hard and I hate it! I hate that people have to go through that. I know we do for a reason and it's their time, it's still very hard. One of the things about this one is that it affects Jason more than me because he was close to her husband where as our friend with C.F. we were close to her and her husband; they were in our youth group with us. With all that I'm just really at a point in my life where some of the hard questions come up and the way you think about things and answer those questions start to differ compared to when we're younger and have a more innocent way of thinking! It definitely makes me want to live more and remember that we aren't always guaranteed tomorrow! I think more than anything, before I had Madison I worried if I would even make it to have children now I worry what if something happens to me now or worse what if something happens to Madison! One thing too, I'm beginning to realize that people are truly put in your life for a reason no matter how long they are in it and no matter the circumstance they may no longer be a part of your life! I was sitting here thinking if for some reason we had a child born with C.F. we would have a good source to go to on how to handle it! Just like having a friend who lost his wife to a terminal disease is a good person to send to our friend now who has a wife fighting with a terminal disease. I'm hoping and praying they might be a good support for each other! I can only hope and pray that if anything does happen to me or my family that my friends stand by me like our friends have! It is interesting too because even before all this was even in my radius for me to be dealing with I had been thinking a lot about my friends and how dear they are to me and how much I have slacked on working on those friendships. I would get so upset if someone left me out of something or was doing something with other friends and not me; but sat at home thinking, why shouldn't they, they have been making the effort to build those relationships and I haven't so it is my own fault. Despite all that it makes me cherish them even more for still being there and being my friend even when I fail to be there for them. I am now working on making that conscience effort to do more and work more at that! It's also amazing how it comes full circle because the relationship thing with my friends and getting back into church comes back to also working more at having the relationship with Jesus I need to be having, He is always there waiting for me I just have to work and being there too. I truly believe everything happens for a reason! Okay that's all I have for now. I haven't uploaded my pictures from Bible School yet and am too tired to do it now, so I will do it soon! :) Have a great week!

Sewing, Avon, Bedtime and 4th of July!

Alright, so I thought I would do another little update. I've been trying my hand at a few things and have been doing okay; so I thought I might post a blog and see if I could get any help or comments back. :) First of all I haven't really busted out the sewing machine in a while; mainly due to having the time to and if I had a set place I could have it all set up all the time that would make a difference but since it's pretty much just my dining room table, I have to have time to do all the set up and everything. Well first of all I bought a pattern a while back that has a shirt, some pants and some skirts in it to make and I bought some fabric to make me some shirts. I was pretty excited and got through it pretty well; but I've hit a road block. I'm having trouble with the collar. Needless to say now that I'm looking more at the measurements on the package I think I need to make a size smaller. I started making a large, which is what most of my shirts are but putting it on it's pretty big; bigger than I would like. When I read the sizes for the medium they are closer to what I need; so I think I'm going to back and fix it; which means I'll have to pretty much start over. Which is fine, it's a new challenge for me and I'm learning. Well, the other day I found some more fabric I liked and wanted to make some pants out of and attempted it today. I haven't even gotten to cutting it out b/c I don't know how I should cut it. My problem is the same problem I constantly have in shopping with pants; I'm really short. The pattern and measurements for the pants included, well the pants are pretty long but the "capris" I'm attempting measure at 32 in. in lenght when finished; my leg from waist to ankle is barely that! So, I cannot even figure out how I should cut it; if I cut it shorter like I need it, it messes with the style a little bit, but if I cut it to the pattern I'll have extra material and I don't know how it will look if I tried hemming it like I would store bought pants. Also, since the style is like a capri style I don't know how they will look as pants. So, I'm trying to decide if I should attempt the capris in some capacity or make a shirt or skirt from the fabric. Although I will say I saw something online I really liked that someone else had made and looked at it for awhile and decided I could make that; so I got some fabric out and my machine and pieced it together and it turned out really well! I was proud of myself; it may not be to the quality of what I saw; but I think it's pretty good! I also have been thinking that I have been working so much on stuff for me I need to put it aside for awhile and tackle the projects for other people that I have promised. I feel bad but it's just easier for me to sit down and whip out something for me b/c I'm there and can say if I want that changed or not and get it all done in a certain amount of time. When I'm working on something for someone else, I have to have more time to mess with stuff and be creative. Not to mention one of the bags I am going to make for a friend is similar to another I made for myself only with different fabric. Well, that would be fine except the one I originally made for myself was completely free hand and thrown together literally in the middle of the night! So, I'll really have to sit down and take the time to figure out how to do hers the same. Maybe I can research a pattern similar to the one I made! We'll see how it goes. :) I really hope I can get somewhere with this stuff and I could pick it up to where I would be able to sell it. That would be one of my dreams to stay home and make stuff for people and sell it online or something! I haven't figured out my forte yet, but I will. Not to mention I would love to be able to make clothes to some extent to maybe save some money! Time will tell! I also need to build up a stock in fabrics and such to even attempt some of that!
So, on to my next little venture; I recently got into Avon; which is kind of like okay, here we go again especially with my family and friends because I attempted Premier Designs Jewelry and MaryKay and was somewhat successful with those. I don't know if it was timing or something else. Well, I really debated with Avon because I didn't want it to turn out like the other two. Well, first of all one of the differences is that Avon does not cost that much to get into it! Second of all there isn't a set quota I have to keep up with or even inventory! Third Avon tailors to everyone! They sell skin care, makeup, clothes, jewelry, fragrances, kids accessories and of course the ever so popular skin-so-soft! So, I thought I'd give it a whirl. :) It's been pretty good so far since Jason took it up to work, he says the books are picked up pretty much right after he sets them out! My first order I submitted was for a couple of ladies he works with! Plus he has one more lady that is putting together a big order with her and a friend! My downside of it all is that I'm not around a lot of adults on a daily basis so I don't really have anyone to sell it to; other than friends and family and maybe their coworkers! The lady that I did all my paperwork with named off a lot of places I could leave books, but I don't go to those places or don't have those places to take the books. :) Anyway, you may notice a pattern because another dream would be to stay home make stuff for people and sell Avon and not need a part time job or whatever. My initial thought since I'm watching the girls this summer was to do Avon and make some extra so I wouldn't have to do a part time job too and it's not panning out that way, but now I'm thinking maybe I can do the part time job and when summer is over be able to do the part time job and Avon and make enough. Although I think the reality is that I'll have to do a full time job again and do Avon on the side. Which either way is fine b/c I will do whatever I need to. I just would love to be able to be a stay home mom as long as possible. :) We'll see how things go.

It really does amaze me because growing up I would have never imagined that I would be the one to be the stay at home mom! I always said when as little girls you talk with your friends about what you will do when you grow up that even if I married a rich man I would still work part time or something so I wouldn't go crazy. I think in all honesty I do like the structure of having tasks to do and a time frame to do it in. But, I also like being able to be flexible and maybe even have the structured schedule even if it's me that sets it. :) I think that is why I am always drawn to those types of companies like Avon and MaryKay!

On a different subject just wanted to update on the sleeping situation with Madi; so I've been getting her to sleep laying down in my bed with me laying there keeping her still and helping her go to sleep and she's realized that's what we do, so that it became less of a struggle because she knew the routine. Well tonight after her bath we attempted the usual and maybe for whatever reason approached it wrong, I don't know she just got really upset and I'm not sure why, but Jason and I (and Madi I'm sure) were so tired and worn out from a busy humid day and didn't have the patience to make her go to sleep. I also got so frustrated that after a while of her crying I gave up and she won; I realized that we are pretty inconsistent with that. Sometimes she'll cry and throw her fit and I'll stand my ground and sometimes we give in too easily. So, even though I was totally wanting to avoid doing it; we let her cry it out. I figured it would cover 2 birds. One she would realize that just because she cries and is upset someone isn't going to come running (as long as she is okay and safe of course), and she would learn to fall asleep on her own! Well even though I had to really hold myself back from going in there, she eventually gave up and after nodding her head for a while laid down and fell asleep. Now we have to be consistent and get her used to that. I just haven't established a regular night time routine and will have to do that now. :) I was also kind of proud of myself because since we don't have a video baby monitor, I had to be creative and lucky for me there is enough space between the bottom of her door and the floor that I was able to use a mirror and see what she was doing without her seeing me. I probably looked like a dork, but I don't care. :)

Since I'm posting this on July 4th I will update on that as well. :) Last year for the 4th Madi wasn't big enough to thoroughly enjoy or even know what was going on. She was almost 2 months old. Not to mention it was pretty hot last year so when we took her to the parade it was pretty interesting! We managed to keep her in the shade as much as possible and took her (and her cousins) to the car and ran the a/c every once and a while. Then when we went to see fireworks I think we were too close that it was really loud and my mom ended up sitting in the car with her so it wouldn't be so loud. I do believe that through most of all the festivities she slept through most of it! :) Well, this year was a lot more interesting. We went to watch fireworks last night and she was excited to see all the kids around and be outside with them and loved sitting in the little folding chairs they had. Well, when the fireworks started she was pretty curious about them and was watching with awe and even pointed at them a few times. She didn't last through the whole firework show; I think because it had been so long before they even started. She was ready to be up and around and out of everyone's lap! So after a little bit Jason took her and walked around and that satisfied her for a while. She did pretty good. She didn't freak out at the booming from the fireworks, just wanted to figure out where it was coming from! Then this morning we went to the Bethany parade and even though it was a little humid she did pretty good, I brought plenty of snacks and drink for her and once the parade started she actually did not freak out at the loud siren of the firetruck at the begining of the parade! She watched most of it and toward the last quarter of it she got restless and luckily we were able to take her behind everyone and let her walk around for a little bit. I know she wanted to be running out in the street after the candy like her cousins! Which is also funny because her cousin Bella had been having a runny nose lately and at one point this morning when my sister was wiping her nose she was saying that her nose hurt and come to find out she had put a sticker up there! It was a pretty good laugh! I don't know why she put a sticker in her nose, but it's probably something we get to look forward to! Well, that pretty much sums up what I have for now; I'm including pictures mainly from the 4th's festivities and such. Until next time. ;)

Madison 4th of July 2008!

Madison sitting with Grammy watching the parade!

Madison sitting in Papa's Jimmy with Kyleigh

Sitting in Papa's truck


Watching fireworks with Grammy and Bella!

Watching fireworks with Daddy and Papa

Father's Day Weekend etc

Well, I was just thinking how I don't mention Jason much in our blogs and recalled that Father's Day weekend just passed. We didn't do a whole lot but our apartment pool was open on Saturday which was nice since it really hadn't been all week. Plus being a Saturday Jason was able to go swimming with his daughter for the first time! It was pretty fun! He was able to enjoy her splashing and laughing at her silly Daddy! It was a pretty good time; although Jason did forget to put sunscreen on so his shoulders got a little burnt. Then Sunday we went to my parents house for lunch, etc and then to his parents house. It worked our nicely as well because I helped my nieces make a little art frame project for their dad (my brother) so I needed to print out pictures and I was trying to print a lot while I could so I had an excess of pictures and was able to put some of my extras in all of the Father's Day cards! I hope they all thoroughly enjoyed that. :) I love doing those little things for people so it was good to get to share that. Also, since I wanted to post a little about Jason, he is doing very well working hard and taking good care of his girls! I know that Madi and I would be lost without him and so greatful to have him in our lives! Any day he thinks he's lucky; we are really the lucky ones! He does so much for us and cares so much about us, we couldn't ask for more! It is so hard to be here when Madi hits her milestones like walking and all the things she does that I just get to tell him about instead of him getting to experience first hand. I told him when I called to tell him Madi took her first steps that I didn't know if it would make his day better or worse. He was very excited but I know part of him was sad that he couldn't see it. Despite those treasures we are still very blessed to have him take care of us like he does! I don't know how we would eat or where we would sleep if he didn't help us have food and shelter. :) Yes, if we had to we would survive, but it is so much better to have him there; even if all three of us had to live in a run down shack living on scraps; as long as we have each other!
I also wanted to mention since I just put Madison to bed that I tried a sort of combination of things. I got her to sleep in our bed like usual and waited just a little bit to take her to her bed. Normally I take her after she is so asleep she doesn't even notice she's in a different bed. Tonight I wanted her to be asleep enough it wouldn't be a fight and awake enough to know she was in her bed. Then I tried "Laci's" method of laying in her bed and singing/talking to her and rubbing her belly (since she was laying on her back). She did cry pretty hard and somewhat try to reach out for me; but I think since I already got her to the point of being tired enough that she didn't physically fight me much at all. Hopefully if I keep this up it will work to where I can just lay her there and maybe sing a little and she'll be fine. I do hate that it might mess it up a little bit that she won't be going to sleep at her house at all tomorrow, but sticking to it through the weekend and into next week she should do okay; since I can do it for naps as well.
On the subject of getting Madison to sleep thanks to all who helped with their tips on getting through the process! (If you're reading this.) I have definitely learned a lot and definitely will not wait this long with our next child! It will probably also help if we have a schedule and routine with Madison by then to just tie the next one into that routine! I do feel like I need to add the note that we do not plan on having one for at least another year, so don't get too excited. :)
Alright good night and again have a great weekend!

Goodbye, a Welcome and a Milestone!

So we've had a busy week! We finally got Madison's crib in her room and have been working on getting her to sleep in it. We had a schedule and I had gotten to where she knew when bedtime was and we had our little method of getting her to sleep but putting her into her bed and her falling asleep has not happened yet. I'm not too big on the crying out but may try it to some extent so that she can learn to go to sleep on her own in her bed. Usually I lay down with her in my bed and we try and lay quietly or with me humming a little bit and this week I've just taken her to her bed after she falls asleep so I need to figure out a way to make that all in one step. :)
Then last night my aunt and uncle who have been living in my great grandma's old house had everyone over to see it one last time because they have sold it and moved out. My great grandparents were the 2nd owners on it and it's been in our family for over 70 years! So we all went and shared memories and had a look around for the very last time! It is amazing to see how many memories one house can hold! My grandma took her first steps in that house and her kids and the grandkids all had memories of times we'd been there.
After saying goodbye to the house Jason and I went by my grandma's house and picked up my "new" car! My grandma got a new car and wanted to give us her old car since we were down to one car. It's a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix, and it runs really good! She took good care of it. Of course most people might be complaining that it's not a brand new car; but you know I don't care because it's MINE and gives me more freedom and ability to do more things so I'm completely content with that! Now that I'm watching the girls it does give us more freedom so it is great!
Well of course with all that going on the biggest thing happened today; so I'm glad I waited to post on my blog. I was sitting here on the computer and the girls were coloring at the kitchen table and Madi was playing and doing her thing when I look over at her and she managed to figure out how to go from the floor to standing with no assistance! He was pretty much in the middle of the floor where there wasn't anything to grab onto and once she had gotten to standing she actually took a few steps all by herself! I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing her do this all on her own. I guess she just needed to be left alone and to do it herself! We've all been helping her so much I think she just needed to do it all on her own! She just might be independent! Of course I immediately went and grabbed the video camera and tried to get her doing it on her own and managed to capture it a little I think she was shocked that we realized what she was doing and she realized what she was doing and couldn't focus on what everyone was doing and what she was doing; but she did do it for the video a little bit. It was a hoot. Later we had to go up to her aunt Missy's work to get the girls backpack and she was walking all over the place! She has quickly figured out that when she walks she gets all kinds of excitement and praise so she lights up when she's walking! It's so cute! I'm just thrilled that she is walking and I know it will be fun and interesting as she gets better; but in doing stuff with the girls I know it may help a little bit too. It's definitely exciting and fun!! Of course she was asleep when Jason came home and a little cranky when she did wake up; so he has yet to see it live; but he did see the video. I also managed to get a few pictures so those have been sent around and included below! :)
That pretty much sums up our week so far. We still have tomorrow which Jason and I will get to go on a date by ourselves and we are both pretty excited! Plus thank you Grammy and Papa; they'll get to enjoy some good time with Madi! Should be very exciting now that she's walking!
I still can't believe we have a toddler! :) I am so greatful that I get to stay home with her; I hope the scheduling and such works out that I can still stay home at least part time with her once summer is over. We shall see. Until next time; take care! Have a great weekend!

Grandma and the grandkids say goodbye to the house
Madi sitting on the porch!

walking with Daddy

taking some of my first steps!
look at me go!

Memorial Weekend and Summer Time!!

So, I had planned on posting after Memorial weekend and telling about all this stuff we had planned, going to the Aquarium, Stillwater and the park; but of course come Thursday before Jason's sinus infection had caused an ear infection and Thursday it became unbearable for him and he had to go to the clinic right after work; if he could have gone sooner he would have! Well, he gets home from seeing the doctor; he was so bad he had to have his parents drive him home, so when they all got here, we decided on dinner and they so graciously went and got dinner and get Jason's prescriptions. Well, everything was good, I was fine, taking care of Jason and Madison until after dinner; I don't know what caused it, but I got sick! So needless to say most of Memorial weekend Jason and I were pretty sick; to the point that we almost called the grandparents to take Madison and I think Saturday I really wish I had! Just so we could get some rest b/c neither of us got much sleep and luckily I was sick while Madison was sleeping but unfortunately when she was awake I was exhausted and Jason physically could not do much. Needless to say Madison managed to get taken care of. :) Well, Monday we were able to get around enough to go to Stillwater and even by Sunday afternoon I was eating better and started to get cabin fever! So by Monday I was ready to salvage what we could of the weekend! So Monday we went up to Eskimo Joe's and checked out the shops that were open and then pretty much came home; but it was nice to get out and do something all together!

The following weekend we did actually make it to the Oklahoma Aquarium and I was pretty excited. Of course it turned out that Madison was a little cranky, I don't think she got enough sleep. Some mornings when we get up to go somewhere or even sometimes when everyone else is up; so is she and when we got up around 6 or so; she was up too! Well the drive down there was okay and then when we have like 20 minutes or so left she was getting mad because she was ready to be out of her car seat! So we somehow manage to make it to Jenks with Madi getting pretty upset off and on in the last part of the drive and I know she's tired so I try to get her to see what all I think she might get the most excited about; instead of stopping at every single thing they have. We get her through and the shark area I was most excited about her seeing she was kind of like ehh, okay more fish, now let me down so I can get mobile. :) We get done with that, put her in her stroller and give her a few snacks and start making our way back through some of the stuff we wanted to see that we might have missed and shortly after the stroller ride put her to sleep. :) With the exception of lunch at Louie's (my first time; yummy!) she pretty much slept the whole way home; so did I! :) Kind of ironic too b/c that weekend we also had my sister's-in-law surprise party and that was pretty fun too! Too bad Memorial weekend couldn't have that weekend. :)

Well, since all the fun stuff I've pretty much started my summer job; I watch my nieces Monday thru Friday 8 to 5! I love it; I get to stay home with Madison and get to hang out with my nieces! It also helps that they are 51/2 and 7 because we can actually do a lot of stuff because they are able to help out a lot! Like today we went to Stars and Stripes park and even though I had a lot to take with us, I didn't have to carry much! Thanks girls! :) Plus, they get to have fun playing at a park and get their energy out and it was a nice enough day we got to have a picnic lunch too. Okay and as I'm thinking about the park today, I have to put in my little rant; being that it was a nice day there were lots of other moms and some dads out with the kids and in one group there was this little boy that was playing on one of the toys not too far from me and I notice he's pulling at his pants like he might pull them down. My first thought is to jump and say something, but to who, what do I really do? Well needless to say I'm thinking this and watching to see what he does; low and behold I hear him saying he needs to go potty. Yes folks, he pulls his shorts and underwear down picks out a pole to aim at and sure enough there's a stream! At the public park where everyone that's close enough could see what he was doing! Luckily there weren't really any other kids close enough to him to notice and if they walked by they didn't pay attention. Of course about that time my nieces come back toward me and I of course tell them not to go by that area so as to not get into it. :) Of course the 5 1/2 year old wants to pay more attention to it because I said something and is yelling across the park to her sister and I'm just like 'shhhhh!' :) Well, the funny thing is the little boy goes over to his group and tells them he pottied and they think he's telling them he needs to go and one of the ladies was going to take him to a tree and then the mom gets to talking to him and realizes he peed on or by the toy and the boy points out to her exactly where he peed. She just pulls him away so he doesn't sit in it or anything. I do understand that there wasn't much she could do after the fact and he's a kid and doesn't understand. Yes he's also a boy who has the fortune to be able to use a tree unlike the girls whom when they needed to and we find out the bathrooms are locked (why, who knows) we come back home. It was just baffling to me that he is possibly taught in some way that it's okay to do that where ever he is and who ever is around. Of course I also may not know the situation that he's just started doing that and they are trying to teach him not to; but frankly I was just caught off guard. Being a mom of a 1 year old girl, I don't know what to tell or say to my nieces but I feel like I handled it okay. Yes I probably should not have brought the attention to it that I did; but I'm human, when you see crazy stuff happening you can't help but stare even if you shouldn't! Although I literally did almost get up and go tell one of the moms of the group he was with what happened but by the time I got past the fact of what he was doing and dealing with the girls walking up, he was on his way over to tell them himself. :) Anyway, I just had to rant for a minute; sorry :) Hopefully if I have a boy I'll understand and maybe if I'm lucky my son won't do that. :)

Okay, so since my last post was on our little sleeping situation, I will say we've gotten better about a schedule now that we have a regular one and I think that might have been part of the problem is my days were not consistent and I did not put her on a schedule despite that. Well now that I'm realizing how much having a schedule helps a lot, I will do everything I can to stick to it! :) Unfortunately we have not gotten her bed here to start getting her used to and I don't know that she'll take to the port a crib so well, so she still sleeps with us. That of course is one of the main things. She is so comfortable and used to sleeping in our bed that I think it will be a much easier transition into her bed with a real mattress. I have also noticed she is getting better about trying to get herself to sleep but I think because of the times she wakes up, instead of trying to get herself back to sleep she waits for someone to come in there if someone isn't already. She basically needs someone there; we don't have to be touching her or anything, just be there. Of course knowing what I know, I would love to teach her that she can get herself back to sleep but being in our bed, which is on the floor (no frame) she can climb in and out of it, so I worry she'll get out of bed and sit at the door crying or otherwise. So, my goal is to bring her bed home this weekend; I meant to today but we were at the park for a while and when we were done, I was ready to rest at home and had actually forgotten about it. So, this weekend I plan on getting her bed here and getting her squared away in it! I will update to let you all know how it goes and please, if I don't get onto me b/c it may mean I still haven't brought it home and I NEED to! She needs it! Yes we need it and would love it too; but really she needs to learn! Maybe she'll sleep better without worrying us getting up and waking her up or disturbing her! I know I'll sleep better! :)

Okay, so sorry this was so long; I kept meaning to post so many days and it just didn't happen; I never have time because Madison loves getting under the computer desk where the plugs and lights and buttons are and so it is blocked off and by the time we get her to bed we usually just get on to check out a couple of things and get ready for the next day and then bed! So, I hope you enjoy reading my wonderful story! :) Until next time!

Ashley

PS here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks

Kyleigh and Madison on the slide at our playground!

Katelynn and Madison on the twisty slide!

The girls wanted a picnic! So we did. :)

Madison sitting on the ledge in the shark tunnel;

there is a shark in the background; our camera would not pick it up. :(

Feeding the turtles at the Aquarium!

Madison's first time on the swing; she loved it!!

The girls trying to get kisses from Madison!

I also wanted to get a picture of Madison and Kyleigh,

they were twinkies today!