applesauce

this is what happens when jack is left to feed himself when he isn't that hungry. i have heard that applesauce is a moisturizer? i sure hope so. it was straight to the tub for him:)

-ash

blustery day

it was a blustery day while paul was burning, and jack just had to go out and help. i put on his coat, but he had to have paul's hat to complete his look. he is simply adorable... but while i try to take a photo of him, he runs away, thinking he can hide....stinker!

-ash

burning

i love being able to burn in the spring and fall. knowing that new life will come from cleaning up the overgrowth. it feels good getting things all in order, knowing before long, spring will be here.
jack of course has to be there to help. i love seeing the two of them working. i am so grateful jack has such a good dad...someone to teach and love him.
-ash

pumpkin land

we looked forward going to pumpkin land with jack this year. he's getting older, and getting his own little opinion. i know that if we didn't stop him, he would have filled the wagon with as many pumpkins as it would hold, and then jack would have one in each arm. the little stinker wouldn't smile for us though. i know he gets a bit of stubbornness from me. happy pumpkin picking!
-ash

all day long

all day long i hear,
"mom, where's dad?"
"he's at work"
"why?"
"he's making money to provide for us"
"why?"
"so we can have food and clothes, and do fun things"
"why?"
"because he loves us"
"why?"
"because he wants to take care of us"
"why?"
"do you want to be taken care of?"

 or

"mom, where's bompa (grandpa)?"
"he's at work"
"why?"
"he gets to help people at the hospital enjoy food"
"why?"
"do you like food?"


or

"mom, where's beepee (phoebe)?"
"she's at her house"
"why?"
"because that's where she lives"
"why?"
"ransom, katie, conrad and morris live there too"
"why?"
"do you want to see phoebe some time?"
"yup" (as he runs to the door thinking we are going there now...)

i love this phase of questions and watching his mind work. i just love watching his face as he figures things out. i love him.
-ash

little by little

i've decided that i need a little more in my life than just being content with how i live now. now, i'm not talking about the obvious blessings i have (family, religion, country etc). i mean, i find time passes, and i would like to make things, do cool things with my family, bake things, remember things, teach my kids things, but i don't. i don't even keep track of those things. i am so unbalanced...so unbalanced.
i've decided to take little steps, because i can see myself being overzelous. i have been on pinterest a few times, and i love to see the cool things that friends of mine "pin", and the greatest thing...is that i have actually done some of the things i have pinned, and i feel great. i feel better about me and about my life. i'm learning little by little that it's okay to do small things to make me happy, to make me feel more complete.
-ash

like mother, like son

one of my favorite memories growing up, was playing in the dirt with cars...well, actually, just playing in the dirt made my day. my sisters and i would spend hours creating the roads and driveways for our cars. i promised myself then, that my kids would be able to play in the dirt as much as they would want. we had a lot of great times in the planters, and i can't wait for my kids to play and make their own memories too. give jack a shovel and a car, and he is a happy boy!
-ash