Cabin Fever

Rylie is getting ready for hunting season this fall already!

We went to Lowman for the long weekend and enjoyed hiking as a family!

God is so creative!

Cries of a Working Woman

5 days back, 3:00 feedings, 30 bottles, Beth Moore and potty all over the floor...I am back and trusting God with the next 5 1/2 weeks. I am trusting that my two little girls will be well taken care of, healthy and loved unconditionally (especially when I am tired). Instead of operating in "fear," I am going to operate under power, love and a sound mind that only God can give (2 Timothy 1:7). Last but not least, I am going to trust that God is going to bring the perfect job for me, so that I can encourage other women and have time for my family. My desire is to love on them, cook for them and just have a joy that is contagious! The devil can't take my salvation and I won't allow him to take my effectivness!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

My wonderful husband took my girls to Walmart while I was sleeping in (hooray!) and brought back flowers, and breakfast. They served it to me in bed on a tray with a card. Rylie decided that it looked so good she wanted some too! It was very sweet and yummy and I am so glad that my breakfast was not literally in my bed (there were a few close calls with the coffee). I am so blessed to be a mom (how else would I learn patience) and I am thankful for the family God has given me!

Whos in the Shrubs

Potty Training, what a joy! Rylie has been potty trained for about a week now! Our funniest experience was on Saturday when we went to see Horton Hears a Who (very cute movie by the way). We went potty before the movie and Rylie decided at the very end of the movie that she had to go again. We entered the bathroom and she sat down. Then Rylie said, " I can hear it!" I asked her what she could hear, thinking she was going to say the music playing in the bathroom. But instead she replied, "The Whos!" So I chuckled and we ran back in to find out we had missed the end of the movie. On the way home from dinner, Rylie rode in her aunt Lori's car. Right outside of Eagle we noticed they were pulled over. We pulled over behind them thinking someone might be sick, but come to find out it was just Rylie needing to go potty. Diapers are a tad easier, because they can go anytime, anywhere. So I helped her squat and she did an amazing job going potty on the side of the road (for a girl). I guess we are ready to go camping!!!!

Shopping for a Sister

We spent the day at Mimi's house and she has a fun barbie shopping cart to push around. After setting up a store on the table and shopping for awhile, Rylie decided she wanted to buy something other than food. She asked me to put Ella in the cart so that she could "buy her" and push her around. Everything cost $4 dollars that day, including Ella. It was very sweet and she was so satisfied with her purchase she decided to bring her new baby sister home with us.

"Hip Hip Hooray It's a Praise Parade"

Miss Patty Cake and her friends are here! Mimi (Carris) bought a Miss Patty Cake video for Rylie last fall and it has been a singing fest ever since. She is wonderful because she shares about Jesus dying on the cross and rising again in a high pitched voice and songs. Rylie is learning that everybody sins and that Jesus forgives us (even mommy and daddy)! One of her favorite songs is the praise parade and she was able to convince her dad to march around the living room singing and playing instruments. Praise the Lord for fun times and for what He has done for us!

Moving Day

Rylie moved into her new room last November and she has been sleeping in her "big red bed" ever since! We needed a new dresser for Rylie so we found a cute red one on Craig's list and gave Ella her white one. Rylie wanted to help daddy move the dresser into her little sister's room. Her big muscles came in handy!

Debut of Dayton #2

With 2 weeks left before my due date, I got off for track break and was ready to hang out with Rylie and get Ella's room ready. On the Sunday before Ella was born, at about 4:30 a.m., Craig was having trouble breathing so we went to the emergency room. After 3 packs of crackers and a few laps around the ER floor (Rylie was checking out all the equipment), they found out he had multiple blood clots in his lungs. He was in ICU for 4 days and then we were sent home at about noon on Wednesday. On Thursday, I wasn't feeling quite right, so we stopped by the hospital to make sure our little girl was doing well. Craig went to get some lunch while the nurse checked me. After a long apology for going in just to get checked, the nurse laughed and said I was dialated to a seven and told me I better let my husband know she was coming that afternoon. Ella Grace was born on March 13, at 4:21 p.m., she was 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 3/4 in. long. She was perfect and Rylie was so excited to meet her new baby sister. We are so thankful that Craig is healthy and that Ella didn't come while he was in the hospital. Everything is in God's timing.