Ashlynn's Baby Blessing Pics

On January 16th we had Ashlynn's baby blessing.  We were lucky enough to have family members from both sides.  My mom, sister - Caitlin, sisters boyfriend - Brian, Grandma & Grandpa Challman and Aunt Alicia were able to come from my side.  On Andrew's side we had his dad, sister - Emily and brother - Zach.  Andrew gave a beautiful blessing.  Ashlynn of course was her usual happy and beautiful baby self.  Here are a few pictures I was able to get of her after church:

Oh how I love those eyes and lips

Look at those rolls...

Family picture

How'd I Do... January Goals

Let's take a quick look at how my goals went for January...

January Goals:

Homemaking-

Finish cleaning up Christmas decor

Finalize decorating plans for toy room - I think it's gonna look really cute.  I just need to find the motivation to actually carry out my plans.

Clean house and prepare for guests

Cooking-

Try three new recipes - Garlic Cheddar Chicken (Yummy!!!), Chicken Cordon Bleu (This was delish!!!  I actually used provolone cheese instead of swiss since I already had it.  It was the best Chicken Cordon Bleu I've ever had), the third wasn't an actual recipe really... instead of making rice and black bean tacos we made rice and black bean quesadillas which were really good.

Organize freezers - Unfortunately, I didn't get around to this... this will be high on my list for February.

Mothering-

Practice having more patience

Read stories at least once a day

Do a munchkin craft once a week

Creating-

Finish sewing curtains for the nursery - Grrr... I really really need to get this done.

Make at least three hair bows - I didn't get three made, but I got two made... close enough if you ask me.

Financing-

Save half the cost of new desk

Spend $300 on groceries this month

Enriching-

Go back to the gym this month - The week that I planned on going back Andrew was sick and couldn't watch the   munchkins and then the next week Cameron was sick... sooo, February it is.

Start a personal scripture study routine - Didn't happen.

Read a book - I started reading "The Happiness Project", but didn't finish because the book was due back at the library and I couldn't renew... I did however check it out again and plan on finishing it in February.

Blog once a week

Now onto February's goals:

Homemaking-

Decorate the toy room

Finish decorating the munchkins room

Add finishing touches to living room

Cooking-

Try three new recipes

Clean out freezer

Mix up a large batch of cookie dough and freeze into individual balls 

Mothering- 

Continue practicing patience

Go to the library at least twice this month

Involve Ella and Cameron in the kitchen when cooking

Creating-

Finish sewing nursery curtains

Paint and hang beadboard picture frames for munchkins room

Sew something for Valentine's Day... not sure what I want to make just yet

Financing-

Purchase new desk for front room

Make a list detailing how to allocate this months household budget to stay within my budget

Enriching-

Blog once a week

Go back to the gym

Read a book

Get together with the girls for a craft night

{Retail Therapy}

In the last few weeks we've had some big changes happen in our family that have been causing me some stress.  Well last night the inevitable meltdown reared its ugly head.  And lets just say there were lots of tears and not nice words.  {Disclaimer: this really was just a meltdown on my part... Andrew had nothing to do with this.  He was nothing but supportive.}  So what's this girl to do when she's feeling down in the dumps and is a prisoner at home with sick munchkins?  A little online retail therapy... or at least making a wish list.  Here's a few finds that I've decided I NEED...

I'm lovin' this necklace

This is called 'Pink Diamonds'... uh, yes please

I swear I marked the store I found all these at, but can't find the link now

I'm thinking I should get into jewelry making... I could have all of these then

This necklace gets me all excited for summer

Gorgeous!!!

Next I headed to amazon to check out the lighting... Now I think this is gorgeous and would love love love to put it in our master bedroom, but the only thing Andrew could say when I showed him was "Ug" - Heavy emphasis on the "U" sound.

Then I moved onto the art

Oh how I would love to be here right now... just relaxing

Beautiful

I love these poppies

I definitely need this one... I think this will have to be my personal mantra for the next several years 

I think I'll take a few in some fun happy colors

Love the aqua

Welcome Baby Ashlynn

Didn't Baby Ashlynn's birth announcement come out so cute!?!  My sister did them for me.

Here's a link to her website: Perfect Prints

Welcoming A New Year

Wow!  Where has 2010 gone!?!  This last year has been such a blur.  Our family grew by one with the addition of our baby Ashlynn last month.  We were also able to accomplish so much around our home, which is surprising considering that baby number three was a little bit of a surprise and I felt so tired and lousy for a good portion of my pregnancy.  Many of those projects I still have to post about actually... I was a total slacker this year with the blog.  Anywho, this year will be different.  I have so much I want to do.  So many goals and projects on my to-do list.  To help me remember everything that I want to accomplish I've decided to borrow Kim's method of goal making from NewlyWoodwards.  So here it goes...

January Goals:

Homemaking-

    Finish cleaning up Christmas decor

    Finalize decorating plans for toy room

    Clean house and prepare for guests

Cooking-

    Try three new recipes

    Organize freezers

Mothering-

    Practice having more patience

    Read stories at least once a day

    Do a munchkin craft once a week

Creating-

    Finish sewing curtains for the nursery

    Make at least three hair bows

Financing-

    Save half the cost of new desk

    Spend $300 on groceries this month

Enriching-

    Go back to the gym this month

    Start a personal scripture study routine

    Read a book

    Blog once a week

Wishing You A Merry Christmas

Happy Belated Anniversary

This post is long overdue, but better late than never I suppose.  On December 13th, the hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  Thanks babe for being a wonderful husband and father.  You're more than I could have ever asked for.  You do so much for our family.  You are an excellent father and our children adore you.  Thanks for all you do to provide for and support our family.  I love you!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Ella Dear... Happy Days Will Come To You All Year

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!  I can't believe you're three years old already.  It doesn't seem like that long ago we were bringing you home from the hospital.  You are such a sweet girl, although you can definitely be a little sassy too, but you come by it honestly I suppose.  Your daddy and I love you so much and are so proud of the big girl you are becoming.  You are such a good big sister.  You love your brother and sister so much and are such a good example to them.  You love to read and are so excited to start preschool next year.  You love going to nursery at church and are super excited to be a Sunbeam next year.  You love playing with friends and are such a little social butterfly around those you know.  Fortunately, you are a little more reserved with those you don't know, but not nearly as shy as I was when I was little.  I guess you got a good balance of your daddy's and my personalities.  You have become very empathetic to others and you express a lot of concern over others pain.

I'm so grateful to have been blessed with such a sweet little girl and am so grateful to have you in our family.  Happy Birthday baby girl!

Our Newest Addition

I haven't been avoiding this blog, I've just been really busy the last month.  We were busy getting ready for the arrival of our newest family member, which of course involves all sorts of house projects and then we also hosted my family for Thanksgiving this year.  So needless to say, way too much going on.  But life is slowing down a little now and we're getting ready for Christmas so hopefully I'll have a little more time to blog now.  I have so much to show you and I've been taking pictures and meaning to post, but by the time evening rolls around and the munchkins are in bed I'm just too exhausted to even attempt being creative.  So for now those posts will have to wait.  Maybe after the New Year I'll be a little more on the ball with posting.  Hopefully I'll get used to sleep deprivation quickly.  I guess we'll see.

Anyways, let me introduce you to our newest family member.  On December 1st we welcomed the newest member of our family, Ashlynn Rose...

Ashlynn Rose

7 lb 13 oz

19.5 in

Isn't she a doll?  I'm a little biased of course.  She has been such a good baby and eats like a champ.  Now if only we could get the days and nights worked out.  Our other munchkins are in love with her too (a little too much actually).  They love to "share" with her and hold her and give her lots of hugs and kisses.  For now we are just trying to get settled and adjust to our new life.