I Hate Rodents

You all know we have chickens.  I'm not a huge fan of animals that flap but these 3 have grown on me.

What you may not know is that I don't like small animals.  Ferrets, hampsters, guinea pigs, mice are all on my list.  I hate them.  Nasty. 

Today I was outside giving the dogs a bath and Ryan asked me to feed the chickens and check for eggs.  I opened up the door and I saw a fluffy rodent and screamed and ran like a little girl.

(Sorry it's in black and white.  I was working on portraits of Ainsley)

I asked Ryan to kill it but since it was only a "baby" he couldn't.  So he hit it with the hose.

It ran away too slowly if you ask me.

And climbed the fence.

And walked the fence for what felt like forever.

And then it went home to tell it's mother where to find fresh chicken meat.  I hope we don't regret the decision to spray it away later.  I know Amy Jo, Sadie May, and Peggy Sue hope so too.

Like a Fish

My mother in law has a pool in her backyard so we decided it would be a good idea to get Ainsley in swimming lessons this winter/spring to get her more comfortable with the water.  Ryan was on the swim team when he was 5 and loved swimming.  We wanted to pass that love of water on to her.

We have been going to the Y every Saturday with Ryan's coworker, Megan and her little boy Colton.  Ainsley loves it every Saturday.

Seeing that I just got my new camera on Thursday, I brought it to the class this morning and snapped over 200 pictures.  Yikes!  I won't bore you with that but how about 5?

Daddy getting her excited before class even starts

Megan and Colton

On the Kick Board

Daddy must have said something funny

Worn out in the car ride home

Walk the Road

It's been a rough week for me both personally and professionally. 

Yesterday about lunch time I was really thinking that I need a glass of wine.  Which got me to thinking, is that really what I am craving?  Am I craving something to just numb my heart? 

I don't think so.  I am craving Jesus.  I was on the phone with my mother and she told me to read my Jesus Calling for the day.  And it fit.  Like it usually does.  And I was reminded that I belong to Jesus.

And even though I did have a glass of wine last night, it wasn't there to fix my problem.  And I'm not fixed.  But at least I know who I am walking the road with.

Meet Me in Mexico

I am so proud of my husband.  He qualified for his company trip again this year.  If you remember, last year we went on a cruise.  It was so fun and I so enjoyed getting to spend time with his fabulous coworkers.  I have to say that Jody, Caroline, Mindy and I had a blast.  Oh the husbands did too but who is kidding who.  Girls know how to have fun and I loved hanging out with these women. 

This year we are going to Mexico.  I can't wait.  Last year we ended up on spring break (aka..SB O 10)  This year will be a much quieter trip on the beach.  And we have more people going this year too which should make it more fun.

And this year it's at an all inclusive spa and resort.  I'm not usually a spa kind of girl but after the year I've had, I'm ready for some pampering.

So I am prepping for my trip.  Last year I went on a diet.  And I was successful.  I had a plan and I lost the weight. 

And this year I just am not in the mood to lose weight.  I have some to lose.  But in light of the past few months, I'm going to offer myself some grace and skip the diet this year. 

So I'm prepping in a different way.  I told you that the trip is all inclusive.  So I'm in training of a different sort.  Having recently been pregnant, my wine tolerance is very low. 

Cheers!

Peace Out 2010. Bring it 2011

2010 is over.  It was a year of great ups and great downs.  As I look back it's been good to see God's faithfulness in both.  We are incredibly blessed to be able to praise the one who deserves it.

My favorite moments of the year came in both the happy and the sad.

My happiest moments of the year came with each step of my little girl into toddler hood.  It really isn't a specific moment but a culmination of moments.  There is nothing that gives me more joy in life than observing her grow; from watching her learn to use the potty, to sleeping in a big girl bed, to growing in her vocabulary.  She even learned some Bible verses this year.  Having this special little girl in my life has been a true gift and one that I am thankful to God for every day.

My other favorite moment came in my darkest hour.  God gave me a gift in the moment that I learned that our baby had left to be with Him.  As the ultrasound tech told me that the baby had passed away, my first thought was "You give and take away. My heart will choose to say...Lord blessed be Your name".  Obviously this thought was not my own.  It was a gift from the Holy Spirit.  And it is something I will treasure in my heart forever.

So as 2011 begins, there are a few things that I would like to do this year.  I'm not going to call them resolutions or goals but rather just a nice little list of things that I would like to do.

• Be there for someone who has suffered a miscarriage.  Unfortunately this happens way to often and I pray that God will open the door for me to serve someone else who has to go through this.
• Hang out with my girlfriends more
• Learn to put make up on from someone who really knows how.  Seriously I'm 33 years old and I don't know how to do it.
• Blog at least 5 times a month
• Let my husband know more often just how much I appreciate him

And with that...Good bye 2010.  Hello 2011.