Butternut Memoirs

Jayden - 6 months!! Rylee - 21 months!

2012-01-11T21:02:00.002-05:00

New Year!

2012-01-02T23:29:00.001-05:00

Rylee helping clean up pine needles.
I have my hands full with these two!

Christmas gift!

2011-12-28T23:27:00.001-05:00

Jay got me this beautiful comforter set for our bed. Love it!
The perfect frame for pics in our bedroom. I got 2 of them today at Hob Lob for 50% off :)
(photo by Grissom Portraits)

So blessed!

2011-12-27T23:36:00.001-05:00

sleepin' on daddy
Rylee and her first dollhouse
Christmas Eve = first rice cereal

Big Sis and Lil Bro :)

2011-12-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Jay's Graduation!!!

2011-12-17T21:34:00.001-05:00

kiddos and the grandparents :)

2011-12-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

give me the scoop!

2011-12-08T00:15:00.002-05:00

for you Moms of little ones - do you have a specific day/time a week that someone watches the kids so you can have 'me' time? give me the scoop on how you accomplish it...if you do :)

rylee and her tutu :)

2011-12-05T19:11:00.000-05:00

Christmas!!

2011-12-03T23:50:00.000-05:00

thanksgiving

2011-11-24T21:02:00.003-05:00

A beautiful cake by Dani for Brandon's shower.
Rylee getting personal with Bilko

Our 'little' turkey
Rylee having fun with the air pump
Brandon's shower table

Do It Myself - Headboard

2011-11-21T18:46:00.004-05:00

My $5 wooden headboard from the garage sale site on facebook! Thanks Tammy!

Quilt batting from my stash.
Material from Joann's
Ta-Da! Not bad huh? Still working on the room, but better than it was :)

another embroidery project completed :)

2011-11-17T22:37:00.000-05:00

House update

2011-11-12T19:08:00.002-05:00

some new things i have put in our house - willow figurines sitting on top of my quilt shelf rack

3 canvas prints from IKEA on the living room wall above the light couch :)

2011-11-08T22:28:00.000-05:00

Rylee playing outside one of the last days of good weather

Ready for church :)

First coloring book

uhm..she was supposed to be sleeping

finally put up my quilt rack

Embroidery project #1

2011-10-28T22:26:00.001-05:00

I took this picture with my phone so it is kinda blurry, but this was my first project/sample with my new-to-me machine :)

2011-10-27T22:31:00.002-05:00

So you know i like to quilt - when this machine showed up for sale on a site on facebook i was super interested. I have never embroidered anything but i could see some neat possibilities if i owned a machine like this :) It's a long story, but nonetheless i now have it in my house and I plan to play around with the fonts and graphics on it tomorrow. It has a touch screen and an extra font cartridge. Should be fun to personalize items without paying for it :)

dabbling in photography

2011-10-14T16:39:00.005-05:00

I have always loved photography - i still remember my favorite 'wind up' pink 35mm camera my mom got me. Those wonderful trips to Walmart to pick up my developed prints! Photography has exploded in the last 15 years with digital cameras and editing software. I don't have money right now to spend on software to 'correct' photos. So I focus hard on making each picture perfect as I take it. Doesn't always work but that's okay. I am learning. I took Sarah's senior pictures for her (of course, making sure she knew I was not a professional) Had so much fun hanging out with her!

a few days at 'home'....

2011-10-08T21:25:00.001-05:00

Rylee pointing to the giant 25 foot flames of the bonfire.
Gramps holding his two grand babies!
Riding mom's new pleasure horse, Rocky!

quick trip to san diego, ca

2011-10-01T22:20:00.003-05:00

So we never did get a good photo of all 4 of us, but oh well. memories were made on this very short and quick trip to san diego. My sister Danette accompanied us and was a tremendous help with the kiddos which allowed Jay and me to go on a couple dates including one on our 5 year anniversary.

Taking Rylee out to the waves - the water was wayyyyy tooo cold for her little feet so we didn't take her into waves.
5 years with Jay. Time flies when you are having fun. Love you!

memories

2011-09-15T19:28:00.000-05:00

treasures :)

2011-09-09T13:23:00.002-05:00

founds this beautiful wash stand at a flea market - yes that is white wash peeling off :) I love it!
'found' this little guy - ain't he cute?found 2 of these candlesticks at the same flea market ! LOVE

2011-09-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

7 weeks old - check out that tummy!

he already thinks his big sis is funny!

trying to get him to play with her :)

playing at the park

2011-08-27T14:47:00.002-05:00

Pics

2011-08-15T14:15:00.003-05:00

If you know me, you know i LOVE pictures. Guess what? I got my wedding photos from our professional photographer today!! These are some of my faves. Thanks to Brenda for sending them!! you can check out her blog - she is under Herring Happenings to the right.

more pics for jean

2011-08-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

could you say no to this cutie? i think not

and now there are 4 of us

3 weeks

So do they look alike or not?

2011-08-06T21:43:00.001-05:00

Rylee is the top photo, Jayden the one just underneath

can you get any cuter?

2011-07-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

first sunday as four

2011-07-17T12:48:00.001-05:00

Our little guy

2011-07-15T08:40:00.000-05:00

I take it back!!

2011-07-13T09:45:00.002-05:00

Apparently he was just fine with arriving on his due date. Here is a pic, Jean.

I enjoy reading mom's birth stories so here is mine. I've been miserable for the last couple weeks. When we moved to Indiana, the OB docs thought I was measuring big and my due date might be closer to July 3 instead of July 12. So when July 3 came and went I was a little disappointed. Even worse, when a week went past and nothing changed, I was getting a little antsy. They scheduled another appointment for my due date, July 12 at 11:00 a.m. I checked my calendar and realized that Rylee had an appointment at 11:00 a.m. on the same date!

So while I went to my 40 week appointment, Jason took Rylee to her doctor's appointment and since the buildings are only a parking lot apart it worked out fine. I was disappointed to find out I was only dilated 2 cm and Dr. Davis suggested scheduling induction for Monday, July 18. I immediately said "that long away" He explained that since he and Dr. Albers were the only doctors in the practice they wouldn't be back at the hospital until Monday and then he said "unless you want to go today?" I was like "Yes!" They instructed me to go home and get my bag and report to the hospital.

I texted Jay who was still across the parking lot at Rylee's appointment. We don't currently have health insurance for Rylee. Due to that fact, we can get a 25% reduction on our bill if we pay cash on the same day. He was waiting to make the payment and there was some kind of hold up. He tried to tell them that his wife was waiting on THEM because she was going to be induced. After about a 10 minute wait, Jay came rushing out of the office and hopped in the van. We stopped by Kmart for some necessary items for Rylee and then went home. I grabbed my already packed bag, camera and purse and drove myself to the hospital. Jay was hanging out at the house with Rylee until his parents arrived to watch him - they were only about 45 minutes away and I knew nothing was going to happen in 45 minutes.

I arrived at the birthing center around 1:00 p.m. and they were ready for me, arm band in hand. At 2:00 p.m. Dr. Albers visited me and broke my water. Nearly immediately I started contracting on my own. They went ahead and hooked up the meds but barely turned them on. I made it to about 8 cm dilated before asking for pain meds and then around 8 p.m. I got the epidural. Around 10:15, the nurse checked me and asked for one push. I did so and she promptly told me to stop and hang on, she needed to get the doctor. Of course, this made me super happy :)

Dr. Albers arrived around 10:20 or so and everything went into high gear in my room. Jason, my mom and and Jason's mom were present. At 10:32, Dr. Albers, prepped in his blue sterile outfit, told me to proceed as I felt necessary. At 10:42, Jayden David Baker arrived. The first thing I remember hearing the Doctor say "Look at those cheeks!" Everyone was exclaiming how huge he was. He is big!! I had two great cheerleaders in my mom and Jay. I think Jay's mom was a little overwhelmed and my mom informed me that she saw big tears in her eyes while I was actively pushing. This was her first grandbaby that she was able to see delivered. Isn't LIFE amazing!?

After about 40 minutes of skin to skin, they measured and weighed him. He weighed in at 9lbs and 14.6 oz and 21 1/2 inches. He is very chubby and has rolls of fat.

Amazing the difference between St. Elizabeth in N. Kentucky and Columbus Regional in Indiana. I am very impressed with the friendly nurses and staff here.

We are so thankful that God watched over us and has provided us with a healthy baby boy. More pics to come later.

Baby J

2011-07-12T07:23:00.003-05:00

Apparently he doesn't know today is when he is supposed to arrive - yet another appointment this morning. So much like Rylee - just comfortable to hang out. Great!

more updates

2011-07-07T16:41:00.002-05:00

master bath - still needs some more paint but it is useable for now

Kitchen no longer has ANY green and the door is now bright white

Rylee loves the magnets :)

"Pebbles" in all of her glory :)

another update (for you, Jean!)

2011-06-27T21:48:00.004-05:00

With the appliances - I do not like the fluorescent light - so Jay has already taken it down and we have a 'normal' light to put in its place. And yes the green is still there..can't wait to get that out of there.

living room before - a muted purple/taupe color (yuck!)

First coat of "orange peel coral" (or something like that)

Our third "helper"

We are trying to get as much done as possible before the little guy arrives. I worked at the house from 8:30 to 5:30 today. Hopefully tomorrow Jay and his dad will get the two kids rooms painted. Carpet to be installed Thursday and Friday.

workin' on the house

2011-06-25T12:28:00.002-05:00

Sorry if you adore this green, but I dislike, really dislike it.

Here is my version - the green along the top will be replaced with borough brown as will the hallway in the right of the right of the picture. The door will eventually be white also. I can't believe they painted it green!!

Our New Casa!

2011-06-20T20:32:00.001-05:00

Nothing fancy but we like it!

Yep - I am ready to have the little guy :)

backyard

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-18T22:35:00.002-05:00

Jay is a good daddy - today he played with Rylee at Chuck E. Cheese. Love this last picture! Thanks for helping me out so much lately Jay. And get this ladies: He doesn't run from dirty diaper duty either! love you Jay!

Michael & Courtney's Summer Wedding

2011-06-04T19:21:00.001-05:00

she beat him at the cornhole game - pretty sure it's not a deal breaker :)

tryin' out the pool

2011-05-30T16:35:00.000-05:00

Two years ago yesterday....

2011-05-28T19:45:00.002-05:00

A Hole in My Heart

A mother I had dreamed to be
God allowed tragedy for me

I hoped that this day would bring joy
Perhaps a small girl or a boy

My loss was certainly Heaven's gain
But that does not lessen the great pain

What cruel twist has been sent my way
Is there some reason that I must pay?

For God knows best we always say
No sum of money I can pay

Impossible to return that gift to me
I do know that God is and will always be

I journey forward and with hope
For without this I could not cope

I understand more clearly now
And I with deep reverence bow

For God willingly gave His Son for me
That I might forever with Him be

No malice within me you will find
How can I remove this from my mind?

That glorious day when Him I see
Will my little one run to me?

Baby Baker: Due May 27, 2009
by: Regina Baker

I named her Hannah. I still think about her quite a bit - wonder if Grandma Collingsworth is holding her? At least it is neat to think about.

Isn't He good?

2011-05-15T21:13:00.002-05:00

so I went kaboom on the sidewalk tonight----ouch! Thankfully God was watching over me, and Rylee escaped injury except for a small red spot which i don't think was even from the fall - my knee took the brunt of it. After the initial scare of making sure Rylee was okay, I realized it could have been much worse! Thank You God for watching over us.

The grass and sidewalk were very wet and my foot slipped. My knee caught us and I was able to keep good hold of Rylee on the way down. I kept checking her head throughout the evening to look for any redness or knots, because I was unsure if she had hit the sidewalk or not - she cried a lot but I believe it just scared her because I was scared and crying. I did find one small red spot on top of her head which must be from when she was playing at church tonight and hit her head on the pew because it would have been the back of her head that hit the ground.

Crazy stuff! If you think of it, pray for us as we are in the process of trying to get a loan for our house. All these issues keep popping up that the bank needs resolved and some of them seem kinda impossible but we have a God whose vocabulary doesn't contain the word "impossible" so I am just trying to have faith that it will all work out.

all done!

2011-05-10T18:43:00.001-05:00

rylee felt the need to crawl onto the quilt and pose while i was taking the picture - too bad she doesn't do cute things like this when i am taking pics of her!!

My Second Mother's Day!

2011-05-10T15:46:00.002-05:00

Baby's quilt is finished and actually in the washer right now. Time to start a queen sized one for Rylee's new room (that is, if we ever move...sigh. )

Playing outside with mommy!

2011-05-06T16:54:00.001-05:00

unposed shot - she hugged on her monkey by herself!

cutie!

House

2011-04-28T21:09:00.003-05:00

For anyone who has ever bought a house from the government, I am sure you can empathize. We placed a bid for a HUD house over 2 weeks ago. (Of course I researched on the internet how much to offer and one guy even had this elaborate formula - i figured what can it hurt - so i ran the numbers and voila! they accepted my 'formula' backed bid)

Yesterday our realtor called and said that HUD wanted a more specific letter from our banker and one small change to the contract and we had 24 hours to get it back to them. Really? We wait for 2 weeks and hear nothing and then suddenly we have 24 hours to provide additional information that wasn't required in the first place? Sigh. We were actually out of state when she called and thankfully we made it back to Indiana without problems, signed the 'updated' contract at about 8:45 p.m. so that our realtor could get it back to them within the 24 hour timeline.

So now we wait some more...wondering if they are really just yanking our chain :) Of course the idea was to be moved in before the baby arrives, but at this rate it could be fall. Oh well - being the optimist that I am - that just means time to save more money for necessary items, like a refrigerator, carpet and other exciting things like that...right? Wink!

Easter!

2011-04-24T18:58:00.003-05:00

28 weeks

Ready to meet the family in Indy for a pre-Easter supper!

Happy Resurrection Sunday to you!!! (no the bunny is not hers, but that was the only way we could get her to stop crying and actually look toward the camera!

Meeting the Easter Bunny for the first time!!

baby brother's quilt

2011-04-21T21:20:00.002-05:00

inspired by the Pottery Barn quilt and bumper that a friend found at a thrift store, I decided it was time to start on this little guy's own handmade quilt. I made one for Rylee so it's only fair...

About 12 hours of work later, this is what transpired :) Now the fun part!! Hand quilting it!

In about 12 weeks hopefully he will get to use this quilt (provided I actually get it completed)

did i mention i love this little gal?

2011-04-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

First Party Pics

2011-04-09T19:20:00.002-05:00

beautiful cake from Aunt Dani!

After eating her cake :)

Birthday Girl

2011-04-01T23:05:00.002-05:00

testing out a fudge bar ;) might a been a little cold...too cute! makes me laugh! Hugging on mommy reading her first birthday card

Journey West

2011-03-19T17:16:00.004-05:00

So, Jean, you think maybe she likes the pool? :)

Little goober - didn't cry once. I think she loved every minute of it.

The beach chair she was sure was just for her and since it was only 6 inches off the ground..maybe it was!

My second visit to the Oklahoma Memorial.

Notice the small chair - some children died too.

Rylee's first (and my) visit to Lambert's "home of throwed rolls." You just throw up your hand and they throw you a roll.

At the memorial

Vera who?

2011-03-11T19:54:00.007-05:00

Now, I've heard that gals will pay some ridiculous prices for a Vera Bradley handbag or tote or whatever. I can't figure out what all the hype is about? I have seen blogs where folks line up for hours waiting to get into an outlet for a Vera Bradley sale. Admittedly I don't own any - too expensive if you ask me.

I got tired of sewing a bunch of tiny scraps to a piece of paper this week (double wedding ring quilt) so I went to Joann's and used my 50% off coupon and bought a pattern for $4 and a white zipper for $2 and 4 buttons for $5.50. This was the outcome.

Rylee is modeling this purse for me - look for her on the home shopping network in about 20 years :)

I decided it needed some more buttons so I went back to Joann's today with another coupon and bought four more buttons for $3.50. I added some of my own touches to their pattern with the extra buttons and turned the flaps up on the corners of this pocket. Not bad for my first one eh? (and yes, i used a machine to quilt the actual green material - that isn't handquilted...gasp!)

Jay is 2 for 2

2011-03-10T15:37:00.003-05:00

He wanted a girl first and a boy the second time around.

Comments by ZingerBug.com

11 months

2011-03-08T11:55:00.002-05:00

pics of our new-to-us place

2011-03-04T16:46:00.005-05:00

20 weeks

Living room/dining room

Otherside of living room

quilt section of the living room - door to Rylee's room

Rylee's room

Rylee's room again from doorway

sick house

2011-03-04T12:14:00.004-05:00

Before

After - yeah - exactly what i thought. Silly girl!

So this house has been the sick house this week. Jay and Rylee came down with something at the same time. Fever, cough and runny nose for Rylee - I took her to the doctor and paid $45 for them to tell me there was nothing wrong with her that they could fix. It was a virus. I think she is coming out of it now. I have been working some on her room. Putting her pictures up and the decal of her name. I spent more time just trying to get it on the wall half way straight than anything else.

The windows in this house are kinda odd. I like them but there is no place to put curtains up. It has pretty white trim around the outside and white blinds in the windows, but to put curtains up you would have to mess up the white trim or put your curtain rod above the window about 6 inches so as not to mess up the pretty trim with a nail. I guess it seems less cozy to me or something. I might have to just put the curtain rod up above the window cause it seems bare in the rooms without them.

Now off to tackle another room - or at least manhandle (ahem..i mean scoot) some boxes around. Don't worry Cathy - nothing heavier than Rylee..promise!

no choice

2011-02-28T18:11:00.002-05:00

Well it appears the general thought is that i should attempt the double wedding ring. Good thing! I started sewing arcs last week. It requires 98 arcs to create the rings. I have 16 completed. There are 11 pieces of fabric in each of the arcs, meaning over a 1,000 pieces of fabric just in the arcs. I am using scraps of brightly colored material, several of those were used in Rylee's baby quilt. Hopefully this quilt will be Rylee's when she moves out of her crib.

Rylee has been really fussy today. She slept until 10 and has taken two naps. I think it is because she wouldn't sleep yesterday. Silly girl!

the reason...

2011-02-25T16:09:00.004-05:00

The reason for the previous post? I just finished the other quilt I have been working on for a while. I took some pictures in low light so you can see the detailing on the border along the outside. Don't remember if i named this one yet or not.

My stash of fat quarters and leftover materials and some brand new, never been used in a quilt colors too!

Yeah, starting her a little early but hey...

to try or not to try...

2011-02-24T16:15:00.004-05:00

I recently wrote a newsletter in which I placed a quote on the front page. It read: “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it” ~ Michelangelo

Most of you know I enjoy quilting - I have never tried foundation piecing but it seems rather straight forward and definitely something I could do. So instead of starting out with an easy pattern, I am thinking about attempting one of the hardest quilt patterns - the double wedding ring. The instructions even say "advanced." This particular quilt pattern has only a few actual square pieces in it. The majority of the pieces are angled or arced. To save money, I will only be using pieces out of my scrap collection (which is quite large and fills at least one tub and perhaps part of another) for the majority of the quilt. The white background fabric I might have to purchase because I don't believe I have anything large enough for the entire quilt. So what do you think? Attempt or no?

Yes, i know I have many other things on my mind right now, not the least of which is baby #2 and possibly moving again, but perhaps a challenging quilt would be just the thing to take my mind off those things for a while? Of course there is no way i can get this finished before baby #2 arrives - at least I highly doubt it which will also mean that it will take the back burner for a while, maybe even a year or two.

You can vote to the right of this post.

For my neighbor, Jean

2011-02-13T18:49:00.003-05:00

wednesday night

2011-01-19T17:57:00.002-05:00

So we are moving on a Monday and Tuesday in February. The plan is to move to the parsonage for about 4-8 weeks and then move again to another house. Grace, Grace, God's grace.... lol

It's gettin' rough down here in Kentucky.

i am practically an expert...

2011-01-11T18:05:00.002-05:00

Did I mention I strongly dislike moving?? In 1994 (?) my entire family moved from a small town to a 3 acre 'farm' in the country. In 2000, I moved to Cincinnati Ohio to attend college. I came home one summer for 2 1/2 months but other than that I lived in Cincinnati. I graduated in 2004 and moved to Erlanger, Kentucky. I married in 2006 and moved to Independence, Kentucky. Then my husband took a church in Falmouth, Kentucky in 2008 and of course (duh!) we moved there.

Once again, we are moving in February. That is 5 moves in 11 years. Ugh!! I hate the boxes, furniture moving and practically everything that goes along with it.

On the positive side, I know we are headed to the right place. Columbus, Indiana seems like a nice town. Before we made the decision to leave our current church, I specifically prayed that the Lord would give us a peace about our decision and that it would be easy for us to know if it was the right thing to do or not. Even though we still aren't sure where (what house) we are going to live in, I am really not to worried about housing or the new church.

With all this going on, sometimes I forget I am pregnant. With Rylee, being our first kid, seems I thought about her lot, but this time around with things so busy and decisions we are making, its not really affecting me. That is unless you count the afternoon/evening queasiness which can become almost unbearable at times. But! I've only thrown up one pork chop so far.

almost 9 months....time flies!

2010-12-28T19:53:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2010

2010-12-19T16:47:00.001-05:00

We tortured her with the antlers :)

What a pair!

Will and Brook's Christmas wedding

2010-12-10T23:18:00.002-05:00

The cutest girl there!

The unforgettable cake - so unique! It was on a revolving platform until the came to cut it.

Musicians to the core - Brooklyn (bride) and her sister, Courtney played the Lover's Waltz.

Gorgeous decorations

Beautiful winter wedding.

Rylee and the Tree

2010-12-05T19:43:00.001-05:00

Pretty lights

Mitten garland

She loves the jingle bells

Family Pictures

2010-11-06T19:50:00.004-05:00

What a goofy guy!

In front of the jail at Punkyville

Family photo

What a guy!

At the risk of being shot, we used their barn :)

Lookin' good

I needed some family pictures of us, so Dani agreed to come down and take ours. She brought her man Jamie along so I took some pictures of them.

Surprise Date

2010-10-23T16:48:00.003-05:00

The cute new outfit from Aunt Dani! Rylee loves hangin' with her pooch.

Family photo

Miss Blue Eyes

I haven't been riding for a long time. Jay surprised me on Friday and called me at work around 3:30 and asked me to go on a date with him. He told me to meet him at my sister's house. When I arrived he explained that Dani was keeping Rylee overnight and we were going to go out on a date. We went to a Mexican restaurant that we had a certificate for. Then we went back to Dani's house to say goodnight to Rylee. My parents stopped by around the same time on their way through to Gatlinburg so we got to see them briefly. Then we traveled up to northern Cincy to a hotel since the ranch is so far from our home. Jay had packed our suitcase and he basically brought my entire closet! I had plenty to choose from ;) I loved it riding in the woods.

2010-10-15T19:49:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day to watch some show jumping!

2010-10-09T08:13:00.001-05:00

sunday snapshots

2010-10-03T12:07:00.001-05:00

She has her own little personality.

Evening pictures of the cutie

2010-09-21T17:29:00.002-05:00

all the colors

2010-09-18T16:19:00.002-05:00

Funny how our family room has way more color now that a baby is in the house :)

Hangin' with her pooch

Saturday

2010-09-11T18:01:00.003-05:00

I am feeling so yucky right now. I climbed into bed last night (Friday night) at 9 p.m. Slept until 8 and i tried to get up and work, but I only lasted an hour. 9 a.m. found me back in bed until 1 p.m. So thankful for a Hubby that will step in and take care of Rylee without me having to worry about her at all. 1 p.m. I headed downstairs, fed Rylee, put her in her pack n play and she went back to sleep. Jay left to perform a wedding at about 3. He came back and I was still sleeping! LOL So he took Rylee over to the neighbors and chatted with them until about 5:30. So yeah, I basically slept all night and all day. Jay and I put her high chair together that a good friend bought for us. It is very nice. The seat actually reclines and there are two food trays! She really likes sitting in it.

She has already been to a Reds game - when she was about 3 months old. She likes watching them on TV too :)

Her mischievous smile

5 months

2010-09-07T19:57:00.001-05:00

Any tricks?

2010-09-01T21:15:00.003-05:00

Okay, you 'experienced' folks out there! Give me some good tips for being 'content' no matter 'what state I am in.' Lately it's been really tough to be 'happy.' Life is zooming by while I wait on the platform to get on the next time it slows down enough to hop on and find a seat.

I know one thing that causes me some 'huffiness' is when folks ask "Will Regi be coming?" to any function during the day? One way to really get me going is to say that I don't do anything or that I am lazy. But then sometimes I wish I could go to those functions during the day, to have all the time in the world to attend each and every little thing, hold Rylee for hours on end, quilt as long as I wish and have a maid to wait on me...but that's not the world I live in.

I was reading Job this morning and pretty much no one has it worse than he did. So in comparison, I have nothing to be complaining about, but I also don't have much 'joy' either. Then again, I can't say Job was very full of 'joy' either. Nice friends he had too. Which is worse? No friends or friends like his? I mean they at least tried...sorta. I do have a great best friend who also happens to be married to me (yeah, i planned it that way) but even he isn't superman.

I am pretty sure the evil villain is trying to weed his way into my life - the nice thing is that I am aware of it. Now to find all those underground tunnels and blow 'em up before he gets inside the house. Prayer and Bible reading are pretty good dynamite when used together.

So I guess I can't say "i have learned in whatever state I am to be content" but rather I could say "I am attempting to learn..."

Hitched

2010-08-29T13:11:00.002-05:00

Ally married her best friend, Luke yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. Luke Brinkmann

They met at the park for a few private moments before the ceremony. I am pretty sure all the bridesmaids were crying. Just a sweet time.

Attttttiiiitttuuuudddeee!

2010-08-11T20:25:00.001-05:00

Am I in trouble with this gal or what? I think she has an attitude already!

New friends?

2010-08-05T21:19:00.004-05:00

When I miscarried our first baby in November 2008, Jay agreed to my long-time request for a dog. I didn't want a puppy because I didn't want the work of training one. So I found Bullwinkle on Craigslist from someone who had become allergic. I loved the picture of him instantly and quickly sent off a message. Jay was less than thrilled with his looks and especially didn't like his long hair. I insisted long hair wasn't a problem as long as he didn't shed which she promised me he wouldn't. We got him in January 2009. I promised Jay (who was still reluctant) that once we had a baby we could get rid of him. Rylee arrived and guess who didn't want to get rid of the dog? Yep, Mr Dog Hater himself. We let Jay's parents have him for a while, but just recently I decided I don't want to let him go. He is very well behaved, loves people, has never bitten or snapped at anyone AND I think Rylee is getting attached :)

Blah

2010-08-03T21:50:00.002-05:00

I have been feeling very 'blah' lately. Love being a mommy, but seems there is not time to stop and enjoy things - it just flies right past. So in an effort to get to enjoy it, I try to keep up. The nursery is nearly done but I can't believe she is already 4 months and her room isn't even done yet. Sorta depressing. There is not much left to do to get the effect that I wanted, but there always seems to be something that inches above it on the priority list.

I am still working full time at the jail and part time at home for SFS. Rylee and Mommy time is sporadic at best during the weekday evenings. Saturday is my true "mommy day" which includes everything from cleaning, working for SFS again, sleeping, laundry and taking time to hold Rylee before she is too big to want me to, etc etc. Sunday is 'pastor's wife' day wherein I do my best to take the nap that I so despised in my youth and yet have come to adore. Funny how things come full circle - now I know why mom and dad insisted that we at least stay in our rooms on Sunday afternoons so they could sleep. Sheesh!

I had some very disappointing news a couple weeks ago that has hung onto me. One of those things where I got my hopes up and I knew I shouldn't have which has only added to my 'blahness.' No amount of consoling has helped that situation.

As if I don't have enough to do, I thought perhaps a course in digital photography would be a fun hobby to pick up. That fell through also. Not like I don't have scrapbooking, quilting, writing, reading or any other hobbies I like to do, but ya know......

In the meantime I have started getting up early and jogging on the treadmill in an effort to regain that 'pre-mommy' look that so far as been elusive and seems to be mocking me. This week I am out of sync due to company staying the week. The Bakers are here doing our VBS and their helper stays at our house. Jogging on a treadmill and shaking the entire house (it's an old house) at 5:30 a.m. is not the way to make your guests feel welcome.

These are the ramblings of someone who should be asleep at this 'late' hour, but my mind is whirling - hard to sleep in while having a 'brain tornado.'

lil munchkin

2010-07-31T17:51:00.001-05:00

Can't believe 4 months can go by so fast!

3 months+

2010-07-17T11:36:00.002-05:00

Brent and Holley

2010-07-10T20:18:00.002-05:00

Dad was able to make it through the day - although he took some heavy medication. Here he welcomes his new daughter.

Our family

Just married

Cutting the cake

Following his new bride

Cheesecake #2

2010-07-07T21:26:00.002-05:00

Cheesecake Debut

2010-07-03T21:35:00.003-05:00

I bought the necessary springform pan at Walmart and tried my hand at my very first cheesecake.

The recipe called for graham cracker crust, but I had seen in other recipes where Oreos were used so I changed it :o) 2 cups of Oreos crushed up for the crust part.

White Chocolate Red Raspberry cheesecake with Oreo crust! Yummy!

Lavy Family Fun

2010-06-26T18:35:00.004-05:00

Luke (Ally's fiance) bungee jumping

Jamie and Luke's beautiful and yummy teddy bear cake

Jamie, Rylee and Dani hanging out

Rylee and me - She isn't too sure what Jay is doing with the camera :)

Rylee and me at Tony Gore's BBQ

Grampy and Rylee - she likes him already

Jay bungee jumping - crazy!

Rylee and me at Mama's Farmhouse - all you can eat southern family style cookin' - yummy!

Jay and Rylee

Cute little munchkin

Class of 2000

2010-06-06T13:33:00.003-05:00

This weekend I met up with a couple other members of my highschool class. This is Yosi (they adopted her from guatemala) and Rylee hanging out on the couch. Yosi is the cutest thing - she was quite excited to hold Rylee and wondered by Rylee couldn't play with her :)

Yes, there were only 5 members in my class and only 3 of them were at the reunion. Unfairly, David and Lyndie are married so I made the trip up. Hahaha! It's all good. Had a great time. Can't believe 10 years can go by so fast.

I am quite sure...

2010-05-31T20:25:00.002-05:00

..that she must be the cutest thing; bias and prejudice? Bahhh...never :)

Is it just me or does it look like her hair has a reddish tint?

Maggiano Saturday

2010-05-29T20:40:00.002-05:00

We had a great Saturday afternoon. I was already for Jay to take the above picture when someone decided it would be wonderful to release some extra milk from her tummy --- all over my new pink shirt. So after ironing the yellow one, here we are. Her dress if from Baby Gap - a friend gave me a gift card for there and this dress is the result. Yes, she is only 8 weeks old, but she is a little piggy and this dress is sized 3-6 months. We met up with Tim and Kris and their little gal Breanna at Maggiano's Little Italy. Yummy food, good friends. Then back home where Jay was kind enough to take Rylee for an hour and a half for me to catch some zzzzzz's.

snuggle

2010-05-28T20:30:00.001-05:00

Time flies....

2010-05-26T07:42:00.002-05:00

So she wasn't very happy with me - I still think she looks cute :)

I go back to work next Tuesday. I will miss my little munchkin but I know this is the best thing for right now. Nothing is more comforting or peaceful than to know you are doing the right thing. The best part - Jay will be able to stay home with her and we don't have to take her to a day care and worry about strangers taking care of her. On days Jay can't take care of her, we have Aunt Dani, Aunt Holley, and a couple others who are able to watch her. Well I hear her crying for her 2nd breakfast so I better go.

400

2010-05-17T02:14:00.001-05:00

This is my 400th blog post! Miss Rylee seems very excited about that :)

Hope everyone has a great week.

Big 'un

2010-05-15T09:24:00.002-05:00

She sure is a big 'un! Growing like a weed (or a flower :o) This is the watermelon dress from Aunt Ally.

Just proving that she is busting out of her 0-3 months clothes!

Sitting in her Bumbo seat

Baby Bigfoot

I can't believe I am headed back to work so soon! I will be working part time in June and then back to full time in July. In some ways it has been the longest 6 weeks of my life and in some ways the shortest.

Impulse Shopping....?

2010-05-09T20:30:00.004-05:00

First off - here are the girls on my first Mother's Day. So sad - we are missing Ally!

So we have been looking around for a bigger vehicle. Both of our cars are old and have a lot of miles. Our main car has 219,000 miles and the other has 175,000 miles. We have been saving up towards a newer vehicle. Mom had told me about this white van that was for sale. I wasn't even thinking of looking for a vehicle this weekend, but everything changed when I saw the vehicle on the lot. I called Jay and told him about it. I ended up driving it and another van on the lot. Talk about changing my plans for the day. I am not an impulse shopper by any means, but I couldn't let this go without some serious consideration. Called Jay again (maybe more than once); called a mechanic in our church; talked to Dad; talked to Mom; decided to go for it. So thankful that God has taken such good care of us. We were able to buy this van the Dave Ramsey way - paid cash for it.

Do not like that it is white - but that was the least of my worries!

Not sure why the dogs insisted on being in all the pictures :)

Tuesday

2010-05-04T14:35:00.001-05:00

This is around the corner from our house!

So chunky! I was watching her in the stroller while we were walking down the bumpy side walks. It was funny to see her double chin bouncing!

One month!

2010-05-02T20:23:00.001-05:00

Crazy how fast time goes - I am just trying to get myself acclimated to her schedule.

Caterpillar we saw on our walk in the previous post.

Evening Walk

2010-04-27T21:17:00.002-05:00

Rylee and I enjoyed an evening walk while Jay practiced with the church softball team.

Sleepin' on Jay after her 'hard' walk.

Visitors and Bath Time

2010-04-20T11:56:00.003-05:00

Getting warmed up after her bath.

Well my hair didn't use to be so frizzy - but I didn't take much time working on it that day as you can tell. LOL

Meeting Aunt Ally and Uncle Luke.

Spending some quality nap time with Grammy.

Grammy Time

2010-04-09T16:43:00.003-05:00

I don't think she is too happy with us at the moment :)

My mom was able to come down again last night and stay today. So nice having her here. I was able to sleep for about 4 hours this morning because my mom watched her. Thanks Mom! Here Rylee is loving on Grammy.

My aunt Connie gave me this hat for her last year. It's a little big but she looks pretty cute in it.

Just a little smile

Just hangin' out

2010-04-06T21:42:00.002-05:00

My cousin Olivia and Rylee

Just hangin' out - She slept a lot today but then picture time came and she wasn't too happy!

Aunt Dani and Rylee on Easter Sunday

My cousin Courtney came and took some pro shots tonight. It was very nice of her to come to the house so I didn't have to take Rylee out anywhere.