Making Cards!

It was killing me not to have my card making table at this house. I finally gave up my perfectionist side and crammed it our bedroom among all our clothes. The papers are scattered all over the floor. They often cling to socks or panties when you grab them in the morning. If you are a little late in catching up in our life, we don’t have any dressers at this home so our clothes are in piles on the floor. We live in beautiful chaos! Everyday is new and challenging. It is an opportunity to trust the Lord and be thankful for the things we do have.
Amongst the chaos, I hole away at my card table for a little reprieve. Something happens when I sit and create. All the stress of the day vanishes as I search for the right color, pattern and cut. I get lost in time just puttering away at my table. Reality really sets in when Daraby lets out a howl from her bedroom. I ask, “What nap time is over? Can’t be!” Oh if only I could create one more card but then that would lead to one more… I guess there is always something to look forward to tomorrow.
I hope these cards brighten your day! They brighten mine everyday. It is spring so I encourage you to get out and create some masterpiece of your own. Today it is raining! Oh the smell of spring! Only God can make water and dirt smell fresh. I relish these vibrant green days of the earth breathing after a blustery winter. Happy Spring Everyone!

Happy Easter!

Daraby is starting to scoot on her bottom to get where she wants to be.
One minute she is in the middle of the living room floor and the next she is under the kitchen table.
I'm not used to searching for my kid. Today, I decided to start baby proofing our home.


April 4-6 we were in Pierre celebrating Easter with my family.
We went back early because we watched the ranch over Easter weekend.
This picture is Daraby and Andrew before we went to church with my family.


This is Tyler, my nephew, holding Daraby. He is so good with her.
He played with her all weekend and even got her a stuffed pink bunny.


This is Dave, my brother-in-law, playing with Daraby.
He has lots of great hand motions that keep her mesmerized.


The turtle she is holding vibrates and plays music. She loves it and hugs it tight.
After a while I take it away because the song sticks in my memory.

Smiles

Lately, Daraby has been full of smiles!


She is getting the coordination of holding her own bottle.
She likes to do everything by herself.


Daraby goes a little crazy jumping up and down.

Always the signature look- bored, tired etc...

She is loving looking forward and watching mom/dad.

Looking Green, Going Green, Goodbye Sugar!

For a couple days we each looked green. Nothing can make be double over like influenza A. Ugh! I was the first one to take ill. Last Tuesday, I was so dizzy and weak that I couldn’t even carry Daraby. I called Diane, a neighbor, to come pick up Daraby. The hard part is not being able to call Andrew at work. All day he was out working on fence so I couldn’t contact him. Diane had a sick kid at home so she passed Daraby off to our coworker- Byron. They have a lot of fun and he treats her really well. On Wednesday I was still sick but could take care of Daraby. Then on Thursday Andrew came home around 4 in the afternoon sick. He was so sick that he stayed home from work on Friday. That is very rare for him to stay in bed. Finally on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week Daraby had the flu. I’m glad we are all feeling better and now there is less mess=less work.

Not only did we look green but after much research and reading we’ve decided to go green. That means we have switched to eating more organic chemical free foods. Additionally, we are buying and using organic, natural and chemical free products. It has been liberating. I feel it is the best way for us to take care of our bodies and home. There are many cleaning agents/soaps that are natural and much healthier.
The chemicals in food, cleaning products, body products and creams can be so harmful. Take our mold situation for example. We didn’t see the toxins in the air that were damaging our system. It is just like the toxins in the foods we eat and the toxins that are released into the air/seep into your skin when you clean with chemical products. Chemicals can be present in carpets, furniture and mattresses. That is why we bought Daraby a chemical free soybean mattress. It should arrive soon. For weeks she has been sleeping in her pack and play and it is time for her to sleep on a mattress again. All in all, I’m very confident that reducing these chemicals in our life will be a beneficial decision for our health and future.

This week we want to tell you that we said goodbye to our very first horse as a married couple. Over four years ago we bought quarter horse mare Sugar. She filled a huge void that first year when we lived in northern MI. When Andrew was working and I was home alone I would go ride Sugar. I put a ton of miles on her and saw a lot of trees. I’ll always remember the day she gave birth to Dually. What an amazing experience to see! It was so peaceful to watch her and Dually play and nuzzle each other. At other times she hasn’t caused peace but many curse words. I’m sad but happy to see her go. She is the strong independent horse that needs a no BS owner. Now that we have Daraby- I don’t have the time to work with her and ride her as much. Sugar’s new owner is the same age as me and rodeos. She is a very confident rider and will take great care of Sugar.

Goodbye my velvet nosed friend! I'll miss you!

Life at 7.5 months

Daraby is giving a high 5! Actually she just loves Abby's paws. Abby is the best dog I've ever had. She could care less what Dara does to her. We can't wait to live in a place that Abby can live in too. Since moving to this house Abby can only stay in the entry way. I think it is very important to raise Daraby with Abby so they are buddies. Animals are excellent therapy.


Andrew and Daraby- he is so good with her. He comes home and jumps into being a father. He likes to connect with her.

Daraby was excited by Belle (Daron and Rachael's dog).

Daraby really likes bathtime. I need to get her some toys. For now she enjoys putting her hands through the running water.

Smiley Andrew!