Tummy Time...

Aaron is getting so big and strong. We've started having "tummy time" a few times a day and it is so exciting to see how much he changes even day to day. We're so thankful that he's a healthy boy!

Wait for it; here I come...



So strong...



This is what my sister does while Momma takes pictures...

This is how we play together...

Everyone likes a good "Hello Kitty" sticker!

I just need the perfect one...



Hold still...



Perfect...

Family Room Again

Sophie just went outside to play with Josh, so of course I ran around and cleaned toys so I could show off the whole family room...the way it looks when we're gone or Sophie's in bed!



I'm in the process of making the lid to the hamper, which you can see houses Sophie's blocks, into a lazy-susan for my dining table. Pictures to come soon.



The baskets of toys beside the desk will soon be back on the toy shelf, which will go under the molding art...

Family Room Results

So, the family room update is finished and we're so pleased. I say "we," but Josh would probably have been just fine to leave it the previous way! So, truthfully, I am so pleased. These are just close-up shots for now, rather than a whole room glance, because toys are scattered all over the floor (I'm still in the middle of the toy shelf repaint) and golf is on TV!

The green shelf (previously on the other wall and white). Please ignore the AC unit, totally ugly; I still haven't decided how to make that cute. It may just need to be removed.



The wall that previously held the shelf; now has molding artwork. My idea came from Sarah at www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com. The close up is to show the metal sconces in the middle. They used to be black(in a different room)...but that would have been boring and too easy to leave them that color!

So long too blue bathroom and straight nasty tile

As you can see by my title or know if you talk to me for very long...I abhor my blue bathroom. It's blue...too blue. It has a tile counter that is impossible to clean and it has blue grout. Shame on you if you thought up the idea of blue grout. That was just dumb...as it has gotten older, it looks like mold. Always special in a bathroom. The floor, that has blue accents, is ugly and tearing and has permanent stains that our family did not create.

Today is our relief. Demo started today. Goodbye to "old blue." You will never return and you will not be missed. Here are some exciting pictures of demo...it will be even more exciting as they are updated into what is a pretty bathroom that a person could be proud of. Those are coming, as is my peace of mind, that by bathroom will be really clean.

The blue bathroom without the ugly vanity...



The ugly vanity...



The ugly vanity cupboard...yes, I had to live with the mushroom contact paper inside my ONLY bathroom drawer...



The hideous counter with blue grout and outdated gold faucet...



The blue floor...



The wall with outdated light fixture...we removed the mirror and found the original blue color and some "lovely" stenciling. P.S. Floral stencils are way outdated!

Projects

So, my husband is threatening to cancel our internet/cable if I keep coming up with more projects, but I have some wonderful things in the works!

This is my white shelf from my family room...it's now an apple green! I'm so excited to have this pop of color against my gray walls. More pictures of the updated room will follow soon.



This is the wall that used to have the shelf. It has an updated square of dark gray and will soon have molding and a cool piece of art...wait in surprise; I know you're excited to see it!



The magnetic chalkboard I made for Sophie...an old frame (already had), a piece of sheet metal ($18.36), chalkboard paint ($12.99), watching your daughter learn her letters or at least enjoy sticking them on the board...priceless!



More pictures of projects coming soon. We're starting the bathroom remodel, so pictures are coming for that too. For sure, it's going to be an exciting before/after transformation!

Every good and perfect gift comes from the LORD

It's 7:20 and my babies are sleeping, my house is clean, and I only have 2 loads of laundry to fold tonight...life is good. I love my babies, but at night I admit, I love my SLEEPING babies even more!

Sophie goes to sleep with 2 babies, a dog, a lion, a frog, a caterpillar, and teddy bear. This girl is set for her "lovie" collection. She also has developed the skill of falling asleep while holding them all...the ones you can't see are put "nigh-night" under the covers! I am so in love with this little sweetie!

The black/white roll is her dog that looks like a panda bear/wiener dog...gotta love IKEA toys.



Sister doesn't know that this little guy gets to stay up later...he's sleeping right now, but he'll be up soon when he realizes he can play undisturbed because she's in bed! I'll put him in his crib when I go to bed, but right now, I like staring at him.

And don't judge him because he's...umm...fat. The boy likes his milk! And, yes, I'll stop using that term when he knows what I'm saying...but, no one is going to believe me when I call him "big boned." He already weighs 12lbs at 6 weeks old! He's a healthy one for sure!

3 Years!

Today, Josh and I have been married 3 years. We were able to go out last night because Josh's mom babysat...both kids. Most couples don't have to say that for their 3rd anniversary, but we are so thankful for how far the Lord has brought us and our two sweet babies. Maybe the next years will seem slightly slower or at least a little less pregnant :-) It will be a relief to be married and not pregnant now, our family is complete and I'm excited to move into the next phase of just growing together and walking in the Lord's plan for us. Josh and I have learned a lot and have taught each other a lot about life. I am so thankful for what a good husband he is and how he works so hard to provide for our family and make our home a better place. I love you babe!

Update

Our paperwork for the financial assistance from the hospital made it to the review point! It is exciting, but there is still a lot of waiting and praying. Six to eight weeks from June 9th, so around the end of July to beginning of August, we should know the results. Please continue to pray that we will receive favor in the eyes of our financial counselor assigned to our case and that they will recommend a high level of coverage.

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:21-25

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Thankful

Sometimes I complain. If not aloud, I sure do in my heart. I tend to have an idea that what I'm experiencing is it...the most awful thing. I wouldn't say that aloud because I know it's not true or nice for that matter, but I still feel it. Clearly a whiny child or no money in the budget is NOT the end of the world. They are simple problems that everyone faces and seem to get through in one piece.

This post is to state that I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my loving family that is healthy. I'm thankful that I have a warm and nice house to live in. I'm thankful that my husband loves me and takes care of me...and that his job is providing. I'm most thankful that Jesus died on the cross and saved my soul from eternal damnation.

We have been informed of countless hurts and health issues. These are consequences of living in a fallen world and serving in a church with a large elderly attendance. These situations cause me to pray and be thankful...God reminding me that I have it really good and I have no reason to complain.

I stumbled on this link, through a friend...it's about a mom who is dying. It breaks my heart as I look at my children and think about having to leave them. The site is www.deathisnotdying.com, and it's a good reminder to pray and be thankful for what we have.

Brother Aaron...

is a very loved little guy. Sophie shared a book and a "lovie." Hope he is appreciating this while it lasts for a few minutes before she realized where she left those precious items!

Why so expensive...

As I stare at the stack of bills we keep receiving, I make my eyes go to my sweet, sleeping baby to remind myself that it's worth it! Why having a baby, even with insurance, is so expensive...we'll never know! I am pretty darn positive that it doesn't cost as much as they choose to charge. Not only do I have to recover from him being born, I have to now recover from the shock that happens when I see his price tag. Could they not have had a spring sale or a stimulus package? Anyway, I knew going into this that it would be expensive...clearly that is not the point of this blog posting.

The point is to ask everyone to be praying in the next few weeks as they decide whether or not to help us financially. Our hospital has a program called "Bridge Assistance," that we've applied for. This program helped us when Sophie was born, and we are so thankful that there is something available. Please be praying that they will help us again!!

I know that there may be a person in charge of our paperwork, but really it is the God of the universe who created Aaron, that is in charge. We know whatever the outcome is, that God had it all planned out and He will provide. Our prayer is that our paperwork will be processed quickly and the person looking at it will find favor with us. We are praying that they will see fit to recommend a large percentage of coverage and that it will be approved.

Glory to God who is able to do far greater than we can even ask or imagine...Aaron is His baby and we are so grateful!

Silver Lining

"There is a silver lining to every cloud," is probably what Sophie was thinking this morning. She's doing really well adjusting to Aaron, but we can tell she sometimes has a hard time. Anyway, this morning she decided that she needed to watch cartoons, using his car-seat as her recliner. She got in, covered herself with a blanket, and asked for yogurt bites! I love my little cutie. The hair...is her morning style!

We actually made it...

We've made it to church on time for the past 2 weeks...no big deal before Aaron, but now it seems like quite the feat! We're all ready for naps once we're there, but thankfully Sophie and I are energized by people and Aaron can take a nap. Actually, we prefer he does!

Sophie wouldn't look at me, but she's in a cute dress with her hair done! Yeah! On a side note, I had to redo it once getting to church because she took it out in the car. Oh well, we tried.



Aaron is ready and nicely taking a nap for mommy while I scurry around and get ready myself! He's in his pack n' play to stay safely out of sister's reach!

SO HOT

Here are just a few shots of my little guy in just his diaper, as it is too hot to clothe him!





P.S. Our blog title picture will soon include all of us! Updated family coming soon...

A family outing

As I write this post, it is so hot and sunny outside. Sophie and Daddy are in the backyard filling up her pool and Aaron is beside me in his diaper...just his diaper! We just got back from visiting animals. I like visiting animals because that means when we are done, we go home and they stay! Here are a few shots from our family outing to Lone Pine Farm! Here's to summer and anticipating the soon arriving fresh corn and fruit.



Riding "Casey" the tractor. "Sophie, what does a tractor say?... 'Vroom Vroom.'"



Aaron's first tire swing ride! Sophie climbing up the slide...yes, she's "one of those kids"



Checking out the donkey. Sophie of course had to do that inside the barrier ropes! Oops.



Visiting and talking to the goats.



Aaron was really interested in his first time to see goats!



Stopping to play with water

A glimpse of a mother's heart

As I'm up a few minutes before the kids, I might actually accomplish this blog without my little helper. Sophie is very good at typing and pushing keys at the same time...causing screens I have never seen to appear!

Mothers that have gone before me, tried to give adequate warning. Nothing says knowledge like experience, which I'm now earning. I use the term earning, because it truly feels like every moment of success right now has been fought for. I think it has been fought for in the heavenly realms where our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms (Ephesians 6). My children's souls are being fought for right now. I've been praying for Sophie and Aaron to have spirits that are sensitive to spiritual matters. I want them to become children that are aware of their worth in the Heavenly Father's heart and who walk in a manner worthy of the gospel (Colossians 1). I don't want them to be children who are of this world. Children who cling to their selfish desires and entertain rebellion. Can you tell that I have a two year old who says "no" a lot right now!

In order to get to the success I crave, I must not only pray and use every moment as a teaching time, I must also prepare/work on my own heart. Selfish desires and rebellion do not disappear when one becomes an adult, they just become more distinguished and socially accepted. The inner battle's root is still the same as when the person was a child.

Our family is transitioning right now...which is the polite term for a little chaos, a little frustration, a little crying, and a whole lot of praying for God's grace! We love our kids and are so thankful for our busy Sophie and our new Aaron (who is still being figured out). It will become easier and more natural to have two children and Sophie will transition out of this stage...maybe as brother enters! Meanwhile, we will rely on God's promise that His great mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness will never change or be minimized.

Here is to not just surviving today but thriving, because as I "earn" my successes, I'm not doing it with my own strength...the Lord who created the earth in one week by speaking into being is holding my family and is in control of our day. We have confidence in the ONE who wins the battles!

SUMMER

Our family is SO excited that we've had such sunny, summer-like weather! I like being outside quit a bit, but anyone who knows my husband and daughter know that for them...it's survival! Sophie would be very content to live outside. Today, she was in her swing for a half hour and almost fell asleep in it! I would have taken a picture, but I hadn't done her hair...so the lion mane (her hair) and my mother's pride won out...no pictures! We've been doing quit a bit in the back yard to make it more user friendly for our family and more aesthetically pleasing for my decorating nature.

Here is Sophie's solution to her slide getting small and a little boring!



Like Daddy...Like Daughter



Sophie's cherry tree and Aaron's pear tree...the perks to Daddy being a gardener



The play structure that is in progress



My current joy...an outdoor rug and eating/sitting area with white lights



Coming soon...our house will be green!