Pilgrim's Progress

Just curious...has anyone ever easily made it through Pilgrim's Progress???? This book is taking me forever!

2010 Coming...

Over the past few years I have really enjoyed the coming of the new year. Not so much the "ringing in" of the new year (when I have made it the last few years it has been with lots of effort!), but the actual start of a new year.
I'm excited to find a couple hours to myself before then to look back at my goals for 2009 and to make new ones for 2010. Which is kind of funny since I am not a goal person...at all! Kind of turns me off, actually. As I am thinking about it it reminds me of track practices, annual work evaluations and overly competitive people. Ugh. So maybe "goal" is not the right word. Maybe "dreams" or "hopes" or "wishes". Those words seem to fit me much better. So hopefully soon I'll have a chance to work on that.

As a side note I had lots of fun playing Monopoly Deal with my hubby today! It was fun to take a break from housework and just play.

Chloe

Chloe had her 2 month appointment yesterday. She is really growing! 11lbs 7oz and 23 3/4"!

Here We Go!

Today's the big cookie day! I have Vanilla Sables and Pretzel Bark picked out to make. Becky has a lot of recipes she's bringing so we will be busy!

First Batch

I made my first batch of Christmas cookies this year. Orange Snowballs. Yummy recipe!

I had a little helper also. Luke did good, but I think he had more fun playing in the dish water. I've never let him do that before so he was having a ball. Good thing him, his clothes, my cabinets, and chair all dry. He just sang Old MacDonald and played away. He did take time off to come help me roll the cookies. I think he thought it was play dough.

Becky and I are having our cookie day tomorrow. Hopefully we get lots done! Kathy is keeping the boys for us so it will be a good day!!!!!!

A Page Is Turned by Bebo Norman

A page is turned by the wind to a boy in curly grin

With a world to conquer at the age of ten

But as history unfolds and the storybook is told

He finds salvation but not at the hands of man

And the God of second chance

Picked him up and He let him dance

Through a world that is not kind

And all this time, preparing him, the one

To hold him up when he comes undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And now a man, here you stand

Your day has come

A page is turned in this world to reveal a little girl

With a heart that's bigger, as it is unfurled

By the language in her soul, that's teaching her to grow

With a careful cover of love that will not fail

And the God of second chance

Picked her up and He let her dance

Through a world that is not kind

And all this time, preparing her the one

To hold her up when she comes undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And grown up tall, here you are

Your day has come

Beneath the air of autumn, she took him by his hand

And warm within the ardor, she took his heart instead

And high upon the mountain, he asked her for her hand

Just for her hand

A page is turned in this life, he's making her his wife

And there is no secret to the source of this much life

When the grace that falls like rain is washing them again

Just a chance to somehow rise above this land

Where the God of second chance

Will pick them up and he'll let them dance

Through a world that is not kind

And all this time, they're sharing with the one

That holds them up when they come undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And once again, here you stand

And once again, here you stand

Your day has come

I have this song playing on my playlist at the bottom of the blog. I think it's so beautiful. I looked up the lyrics again and thought I would post them on here. A nice reminder since our 6 year anniversary is coming up soon.

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Little Buckeyes

Welcome Chloe!

Chloe Lynne Amstutz

Born October 9, 2009
8:20am

7lbs 9oz and 20 1/2"

We are excited to have Chloe as part of our family! She came right on her due date and is doing great. My water broke at 1:00am and she was born just a few hours later at 8:20am. Sure beats her brother's labor!

Big brother Luke adores her and gives her lots of kisses. He even shared his tractors with her today while she was eating.

Once we get some more pictures I will post them so you can see her better. Keep us in your prayers that the adjustment for all of us would go smooth.

More Hayride Pictures

Happy October!

Fall is my favorite season and we had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating the first day of October! Becky M. arranged a hayride for some of our friends and then we went back to her house for beef stew, homemade bread, hot cider, apples and caramel dip and pumpkin dessert. YUM!!! It was so nice.

Story Time

Becky and the boys came over Monday to help me finish a puzzle for Luke's room. Luke and Levi were having so much fun together! But when it got really quiet we went to check on them...and this is what we found. Just reading their little books with their sippy cups sitting up on the windowsill. Good little boys!

Again!

He did it again! Fell into the hamper after he threw his nonny in it. Goofy kiddo.

Zoo Membership

We're trying to get the most out of our zoo membership already. Rachel had a Friday off a couple weeks ago so the two of us took Luke. It was a nice cool day and there was barely anyone there. Wonderful!

We were able to see them feed the hippos up close. First time I've seen that. Pretty neat!

Sleeping

Luke has not slept in our bed with us since about the first day or two he was born (except vacations and things)...until last night. How funny(?)/ironic that it's about a week before the baby is due. We're just praying we didn't start something we're going to regret later. The little guy has just been off the last few days...naps, listening and now nighttime sleep. Hopefully this all passes soon.

Although don't tell him, but Matt and I both enjoyed having him with us last night!

11 More Days...

No baby yet. I am getting quite ready to know when she is coming. I worked my tail off Saturday vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning window panes, doing dishes...and still no baby. I was hoping I was "nesting". Guess just hoping. I did enjoy Luke's 3 1/2 hour nap yesterday though! I sat out on our swing and read for a long time. I doubt that will be happening too much once the baby comes, so that was nice.

Marley and Me

We watched Marley and Me last night with our free Redbox rental from Meijer (9MEJR24 if you are still interested...ends today).
Cute movie!!!!! I really enjoyed it. Luke sat on my lap the first half hour and watched it before he went to bed. He was cute. Every time the dog wasn't on the screen he would look at me with a concerned look on his face and start jabbering. Sometimes he would sign "more" while he was saying it too. Too funny! I kept telling him the dog would come back.
I was just so impressed how there wasn't trash in it. A nice break from normal Hollywood. If you haven't seen it yet, I hope you get to!

Luke's Newest Treat

This is Luke's newest excitement. His own HUGE sandbox! Big enough to hold him and all his cousins! Made with love by Grandpa Amstutz. While grandpa and daddy were putting it together, Luke helped unload the sand...one little shovelful at a time.

My Newest Treat

This is my wonderful early birthday present from my hubby! We got it in Amish Country when we went away a couple weekends ago. I am really enjoying it! It looks so pretty hanging from our big tree.

36 week picture

Well 36 weeks have went by and this is the first "pregnant belly" picture I've taken! I'm also including my 36 week picture from Luke for the fun of it.







Posting these is the first I have compared the two pictures. I guess I am carrying a little differently with this baby. Hhhmmm...interesting.

Trip to the Fair

Grandma and Grandpa Habegger took Luke to the fair last weekend. Cows, goats, sheep, cows, horses, ponies, cows, hotdogs, slushies, cows, ribbon fries, cotton candy and cows. I think he had a good time! Did I mention he LOVES cows?

All By Myself

I went on a walk early this morning.
It was quiet.
The sun was coming up.
The moon was still shining bright.
I walked out of town.
The earth smelled good.
I swung my arms because I wasn't pushing a stroller.
I just thought...
and thought...
and thought.

And I decided I love peace and quiet. I love mellowness. I love my handsome husband and my cutie, Lukey. I love our little family. I love my new swing. I love our little home.
I love my life.

Trip to the Zoo

Some pictures of our trip to the zoo last week. Luke had a lot of fun and we did too!

Our Little Cookie Monster

This is our little cookie monster after he was caught. He had a cookie earlier in the afternoon and then later I walked in the kitchen and this is what I found. Matt said he must have grabbed it off of the cooling rack by himself. He then started eating it and pulled a chair up by daddy at the kitchen table. Matt didn't have the heart to take it away from him because he looked so cute so needless to say this is what I found when I came in the kitchen.

Weekend Away!

Matt and I are headed to this Bed and Breakfast tomorrow!!! I can't wait!!!

This is the room we will be staying in and since I was the first one to book for this weekend I was able to pick the breakfast menu. French toast stuffed with cream cheese and apricot jam, apple cider syrup, sausage, fresh fruit with yogurt topping, orange juice, coffee and tea!

I am so excited to get away with Matt and to stay at such a pretty looking place.

Baby Update

I am 34 weeks pregnant today! Exciting! I had a Dr. appointment today and the baby's heart rate was 160. Usually it's been 140 so that was a little surprising. Maybe it really is a girl?!?!?! The baby is laying sideways now which I can definitely feel. Tuesday night I felt her "flipping" somehow and have felt a little more stretched ever since. I'm hoping she goes head down here soon. I went to the chiropractor today also and she relaxed the round ligaments which made me feel much better!

6 weeks to go!

He/We did it!

Luke slept in his new room last night, no problems at all! He ended up taking two naps yesterday and they were both in the new room and he did great. So we thought we might as well try it at night. I was kind of expecting him to wake up not being sure where he was, but he didn't. He went right to sleep and slept through till morning. Thank you Jesus! Easier than expected (on all three of us!).

Switching Rooms

Matt set up Luke's new crib last night. I think we're going to try putting him in his new room for his nap today. Last night we moved all his toys, books and bench over. I'm doing better than I thought I would...at least until we move him over for good! His room looks so little boyish which is fun. I have a John Deere puzzle I want to put together and then glue it together to be a picture in his room. Maybe I'll start that next week. Becky M. and Kathy want to work on it too so that will be nice.

Cool Weather!

This morning is beautiful!!!!!!! Our windows are all opened and our house is finally getting aired out, laundry is on the line and Luke and I went on a nice little walk.
Poor little guy wants to go out and play some more but the neighbors have their grandkids over and I don't think he will leave them alone! They have too many fun toys out and he just wants to be out their with them. We'll see what happens I guess...too nice to stay inside!

Curtains

Here is a better picture of Luke's curtains (Matt said they would look nicer if you could see the room, rather than just what I showed earlier.)

And here's one of the baby's room! The Ohio State bench will move with Luke to his room though. :)

Messy Eater

Stuffed peppers and biscuits with raspberry jam. Yum!

Chocolate pudding with a Capri Sun!