St. Patty's Day

No way are you taking pictures!

Ok mom...I'll cooperate.

Ok...me too.

See my shoe?

This sucks, let's wrestle instead!

I love you mommy!

I'm not going to give in to her wrestling....do you see her arm?

Look at me getting ready to crack my head.

Ok....I'm giving in to the wrestling!

Well, neither child was feeliing overly cooperative for St. Patrick's Day pictures, so here is what you get.....a circus! See how many pictures I took to get 1 good one of the two of them, and still never got one. But they love each other don't they? :-)

A Couple Pics of the Kids

Here are a couple pics of the kids. I love the one of Ashley hugging Jake. She is always hugging him. She's so affectionate. She loves to go around and give everyone kisses, knucks, high fives, whatever. It is so cute. I promise that her clothes usually match. It seems like the pictures I choose to put up are after nap time and she has her "comfy" pants on, and if we aren't going anywhere, then her jeans or matching pants never make it back on. Actually, she is the happiest in a onsie and nothing else. She LOVES to have very little on.

The other pictures of her are typcial Ashley right now. She only wants her food whole. She doesn't want me to cut anything or hold anything either. I remember Jake going through that phase. She never chokes either believe it or not....she only takes little bites which cracks me up. She is going through an independent streak. She even grabs things to her chest and says "my" for "mine." Nice. Nobody had to teach her that one! Her favorite thing to do is walk around with something to eat. I know it is a terrible habit but sometimes when I don't know what else is going to make her happy (and it's time to make dinner or help Jake with homework)....I know food will!!!! At that point I don't care about crumbs...Milo helps me with that:-)

Jake is an awesome brother!

Love her scrunched up nose!

Ashley's New Tricks

Ashley has all of a sudden realized she loves to climb. Bob and I were talking today and we looked over at her and realized she was sitting on the dining room table smiling away at us!!! I then caught her later trying to climb on the kitchen table......and here she is in the act......she is SO different from Jake!!!!! In one day she got my makeup all over herself and the floor, found Jake's paint and painted herself, unloaded the pantry, fed Milo treats, walked around with an open Rice Krispy treat she found, and ripped all the computer paper......seriously....she is exhausting!

Valentine's Doors

Here is an idea I stole from my neighbor. I saw that she decorated her kids' doors last year and I loved that idea so I did it this year for Jake and Ashley. Jake loved it and Ashley pointed to it first thing in the morning when I laid her down to change her diaper. It was a hit! Thanks Cheryl!

Pics of the Kids

Ashley loves books. She recently went through a spell where she wouldn't sit down at all, even if looking at her favorite book, so I was a little worried. She is back to loving her books though, especially if her "Bubba" reads it to her! She gets a book, hands it to you, and then turns around and backs up until she is in your lap. It's so cute!

The other two pictures are of Ashley playing with a calculator...which she turns into a phone. I gave it to Jake and told him to entertain her so that I could do the dishes....and entertain it did!

Ashley Entertains Herself

As many of you know, it looks like we are being transferred to Indianapolis. We have not gotten official transfer orders, but 95% sure. It was our 4th choice, so hard to swallow at first, but we are getting used to the idea and getting excited about being closer to family and in a place that is a lot cheaper to live. I made a vow after adopting Ashley (and how perfect everything worked out) that I wouldn't ever doubt God again. Although we really wanted to be in St. Louis, I know that there must be a good reason why God has chosen for us to not go there, so I have to trust in His goodness and plan for our lives. Now.......in the meantime, I have been trying to de-clutter our house for some time, going through the basement, closets, etc., knowing this transfer was coming. It is amazing how much junk we have! So, tonight I tackled Ashley's closet and Jake's room. This is what Ashley was doing while I was doing that....besides "undoing" everything I was doing:-) I had her gated upstairs with me. Yes, this is a dirty onsie from dinner, a one-year old birthday hat with candles on top and teddy bear slippers she found in her closet:-) She was just happy as a lark! She LOVED dressing up....such a girl.

Caps Game

Here is Bob and Jake getting ready to leave for the Capitals hockey game. They are two peas in a pod. Jake adores the ground Bob walks on these days. I am so grateful for the times they have together to do special things......although jealous because I love to go to the games too!