Enjoying the Journey

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T01:05:00.002-05:00

Missed not having my man here today. He was out of town this weekend, with his mom, as he surprised her and went to her graduation ceremony where she received her doctorate, that she's spent many hours working on for over the past few years. So, he got to be with his own mom on Mother's Day, which I don't know if that's occurred since we've been married. So, that was neat for him.

But I realized today that so much of what my kids have done for me on previous Mother's Days is initiated by their wonderful daddy. So, with him gone, this day really was no different than any other day. But that's what being a MOM really is!! Day to day, the same thing, enjoying every moment with your kiddos. Not necessarily was appreciated or thanked or shown special attention, but that's ok. I'm just so thankful to God for each little blessing He's given me that makes me a MOM.

I did decide to treat my kids today. And treat myself in that I didn't have to cook. So, I took them to a backyard burger place that has a playground and sport's court & field to run & play. Wasn't my choice of my favorite food, by any means, but they loved it. And I did hear "thank you's" all the way to the car as we were leaving. One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching my kids have fun & play & enjoy whatever they are doing. I got to sit and watch that this afternoon. As I held and kissed & laughed with my sweet baby girl.

I'm also caring for my younger sister w/down's syndrome this week while my parents are in California. SO glad that they get the chance to be just the TWO of them for a bit. It's mainly a ministry trip for them, but I hope they have gotten some time to themselves as well. SO grateful for a MOM who loves Jesus, loves her husband, and her children unconditionally. Words can't express my appreciation for my wonderful MOM!

So, I had my sister, Amanda, snap some pictures of the kids & I this afternoon real quick when we returned from church. Out of about 15 of them this was the only one with a few heads not cut off. Although Chan's is a little hidden still in this pic.....but it's me w/them all, and that's what matters.

They are God's gifts to me. Blessings to treasure here. Lives invested in for eternity.

The last 40 days or so.....

2010-05-09T22:36:00.002-05:00

Since April 1st...... Here's a quick run-down and photo update of what's been going on.....besides school every DAY & remodeling work every NIGHT. (see a previous post for remodeling progress) Friday school w/Grandma, Easter party, fun at the property, soccer practices 2 nights a week, "moving" back home, strawberry picking, trip to Fredericksburg, trip to LBJ ranch, grass mowing, fun outside, Zach's first 5K race & getting 1st place in his age group, Ashlyn's 1st birthday, Saturday soccer games, Voci rehearsals & concerts for me, Hannah Kate catalog photo shoots for Tiff, tennis lesson & clinic for Zach, piano lessons, getting tired of hearing Tiff's recital song, cleaning & organizing for me, fishing trip at the coast for Seth, time @ the park, time with friends from our homeschool group, trip to Morgan's Wonderland, trip to the zoo, and I'm sure MUCH more! Oh, Seth & I did get ONE date night in during that time. And we've had a little bit of family time. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but here's a few pictures of some of this past month's activity!

And our precious Miss Happy ONE year old!

~ONE~

2010-05-01T01:59:00.001-05:00

YEAR of our precious Ashlyn!!!!

We can't imagine life without this precious baby girl!!!!

Playing peek-a-boo with mommy & the camera on the eve before her first birthday. Seriously, this year has flown by!!!!! How can she already be ONE!?!?! God has blessed us beyond what we ever imagined in this 5th child of ours. We couldn't not have asked for an easier baby! I daily know & believe it is God's grace expressed to me!!! One of my kids says almost DAILY..... "Mommy, isn't she just the best baby in the whole wide world?" The kids couldn't love her anymore than they do. After a year they STILL "fight" over who gets to hold her, feed her, give her toys, swing her, push her in the stroller, get her up from her nap, etc.....seriously, daily, I break up an argument over who "gets" Ashlyn. This baby girl is their "star." Tomorrow Ashlyn will go with us to watch her brother Zach run a 5K, then to her #3 brother's soccer game, then her #1 & #2 brother's soccer game, then her big sister's soccer game in the afternoon. The plan is to make her a vanilla cake topped with whipped cream & strawberries which we can't wait to see her eat it. The kids have been talking about how fun it will be to watch her. She has a fan club, and her "party" will be THEM!!!! Happy Birthday, Ashlyn. We love you, and thank God for you, and look forward to the coming year watching you grow & change even more!!!! I am thinking by age 2, your siblings will stop "fighting" over you. We'll see......

Spring Baby~

2010-04-15T16:33:00.001-05:00

My 5 year old~

2010-03-10T00:12:00.001-06:00

Sweet Chandler Elijah Prescott

enjoyed immensely his 5th birthday at the park today!

(Thanks sisLys for capturing these shots!) SO SO grateful for this little guy. He was my "baby boy" for so long, well until 10 months ago. And he is still my "baby boy" but growing up just so fast. He's so sweet, and so fun to watch & listen to! What a JOY to celebrate his LIFE today!

updated

2010-01-10T23:09:00.002-06:00

The Bestway2010 project has been updated, for those few readers who even care! LOL!

Have a great week!

I'm actually glad the weekend is over and ready to get on with this week!

Project "BestWay2010"

2010-01-04T01:52:00.003-06:00

We are beginning a remodeling project here at home.

And I'm keeping track of it over here.

I'm so far behind in blogging here or anywhere, but I'm going to try to keep up with the process of the craziness we'll have going on around here on Best Way!!!!

Happy 2010!

Merry Christmas from the Prescotts~

2009-12-22T00:11:00.001-06:00

over-rated.

2009-11-18T23:53:00.001-06:00

I'm upside down in blogging.....meaning WAY behind.

Not sure if I'll ever have the time to get right side up.

Might just have to give it up....or do some crazy thing and post a pic a day or something.

Life is never dull around here, as you can tell in the pics above.

And Ashlyn seems to fit right in w.all the craziness!

It's all worth being way behind in blogging.

Blogging is over-rated.

Motherhood can NOT be traded!

(LOL! What a random rhyme, I crack myself up!)

11 years later~

2009-10-17T00:49:00.002-05:00

I love my crazy wonderful life!!!

Especially because I'm with the most wonderful husband. And we love life TOGETHER!

God is good. Marriage is sweet. I am so very blessed.

When I married Seth 11 years ago in Alabama, we would have never thought we'd still be in Texas!

Or have 5 kids.....

And that'd we'd both have GRAY hair????!!!!! Yikes!

No, life hasn't been stress-free or easy as pie, but it's been worth it. And a true JOY to know I am ONE with THE ONE God ordained for me to spend my life with. I can't imagine it any other way.

God's grace has been sufficient. His mercies new each day. We love, we disagree, we forgive, and we keep on keeping on loving. And it's a choice & covenant before God that we both made on October 17th, 1998!!!

I look forward to many more years together and delighting in Jesus and HIS forgiveness & love toward us so that we can continue extending both to each other. JESUS was the center and focus on that day 11 years ago, and I pray HE continues to be in the years to come.....Happy Anniversary to US!!!!

More than just sharing~

2009-10-10T00:09:00.000-05:00

(Singing "Days of Elijah" and reciting Colossians 3:1-4) We went with our homeschool group to an Assisted Living Center this afternoon. Once a month our little group has "Share Day" and this year we are doing it not just for each other, but to hopefully bless others as well. But I have to say, I was in turn very blessed myself. What a neat experience to see the joy on the faces of these elderly ones! They clapped after every child shared something, whether a song, poem, Scripture, etc...

Then the sweetest time was visiting with them afterwards. And so neat for me to watch my kids take Ashlyn around to meet everyone. (A few months ago Tiffany shared with me how when she learns to drive......still 6 years away.......she wants to take Ashlyn with her and they will go visit the elderly at places like this....and I saw a glimpse of that today.) Even Zach who is more introverted took his baby sister around to meet people, and he would've had a harder time doing it just by himself.

My favorite pics of the day. Watching this sweet lady & Ashlyn interact.

We look forward to going back again. The event coordinator there today said that the hour spent there will make their week! My grandmother is in a similar place as this down in Florida, and it sure made me wish she was nearby so we could visit her more often.

boys

2009-10-08T16:13:00.003-05:00

Yesterday my boys played outside for HOURS, probably from 3 to 7pm, and they had gotten so dirty, I wouldn't let them even step foot inside the house. They'd played tackle football in the area of our backyard that is now mud/dirt and worked on their fort out back. They were sweaty too, with a thick layer of dirt & sweat mixed. To get them to my shower to get clean, before I'd even feed them, I made them strip down & then I'd carry them across carpet, since I wouldn't let them step on it. They were SO yucky, that I started laughing as I was doing it! Then they were laughing too, and thought it was SO funny that I thought they were gross, smelly, and having a hard time picking them up! SO, I had to snap some pictures.

FUN times.....

2009-10-05T23:40:00.001-05:00

Experiments at our homeschool group's Park Day.

Listening to what is about to take place & why....

Bryan wondering still....."What am I waiting for?"

Oh, here comes the explosion!

Getting ready to do it again!

And I wondered if this would take place INSIDE of me if I ate some mentos then drank some coke!??!

What a jump, Gabe!!!

SWEET times with big brother (caught Z sweetly talking to Ashlyn)

SEE what I can do??

A weekend visit from Granny & Granddaddy Prescott

Seth's birthday dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse

I can't believe it's already October. We've had some great memories the past few weeks.

Soccer season has begun too. A few wins, a few losses, but great experiences for all the kids. And we've had more RAIN.....which means MUD too :-( I've been more tired then ever, just void of any energy, but God's grace is sustaining me, so I'm thankful. Sweet smiles from this one gives me a boost for sure!

Thank God for RAIN in south Texas!

2009-09-25T16:02:00.001-05:00

During the past few weeks, we've had more rain than we've had in the past 365 days!

The kids have loved it.

And I know we've needed it.

But TODAY the sun is out again.

And it's 80 instead of 100! Maybe fall is on it's way.

Here are some pics to remember the rain!

What a crew!

SHOTS of the kids.

2009-09-21T17:55:00.001-05:00

20 w.e.e.k.s

f.o.u.r.

s.i.x.

e.i.g.h.t.

t.e.n.

ALL f.i.v.e.

(Thanks to my sis LYS for these shots!)

Labor Day weekend @ Lake LBJ

2009-09-17T21:31:00.002-05:00

Finally going to catch up on some photo posting. Since I do better at that than actually writing something..... Labor Day weekend we were invited by some friends to Lake LBJ. We had a GREAT time! Thanks, Jeff & Tracy!

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-10T23:28:00.003-05:00

SO thankful for......

......The hours that my kids spent building a tree fort these past few weeks. (It's still not done!)

......How my kiddos love their baby sister. (The newness still hasn't worn off. They want to hold & kiss her EVERY night before bed!)

......My sister-in-law and her party-throwing abilities, and all my sweet little nieces....

......Time @ the lake last weekend. And for friends who invited a family of 7 to join them. They were such a blessing to us.

......RAIN in south Texas. We've had more rain in the past 24 hours than we have had in the past 365 days!

......Fall soccer season that starts next week. It'll make my boys more tired in the evenings. yay! And they are a blast to watch on the field!

......And those are just to name a few that come to mind today.

Tiffany's 10 year old TRIP!!!!

2009-09-09T15:49:00.003-05:00

The last week of August our 10 yr. old Tiffany had the privilege of going on a week long trip with her grandparents. My parents have said they want to do something like this when each grandchild turns 10. My dad has a lot of ministry trips and it's so neat that the kids will get a chance to see how/where Papa ministers.....and get special time with their grandparents!!!!

Tiffany has looked forward to it since hearing about her older cousin's trip last year! There were a few times we thought it wasn't going to work out, and we prayed and gave it all to the Lord. Even the day before they were supposed to leave something came up, and we put it all in HIS hands, once again......but when 4am on Sunday August 23rd rolled around, Tiffany was up & ready to head out to the airport with Grandma & Papa!!!!

(We sent along our old little digital camera, and Tiffany returned home with over 400 pictures!!! But I'll only post a "few"!)

Here she is on the plane headed for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

Their first stop in PA was:

Then Independence Hall

Then the site of THE Liberty Bell

They also visited Benjamin Franklin's house & burial site. The next day before heading to New Jersey for the Family Camp week at Harvey Cedars Camp they visited Valley Forge.

I remember going to this bridge when I was a kid!

In New Jersey the camp was right on the bay/beach.

Tiffany of course loved collecting seashells!

And visiting a lighthouse!

She also enjoyed the marine biology class she went to each morning.

One day they disected a starfish!

(I won't gross you with the other 20 pictures she took of the process! Ewwww!)

There were quite a few pictures taken of things like THIS:

Tiffany said she couldn't believe how GREEN it was up there!!!! (Yes, we feel a bit deprived of green down here in south Texas...we see brown a LOT!)

(my favorite scenic pic she took)

I also found pictures of these:

Tiffany had a wonderful time. And did amazingly well being away from us for 8 days! We missed her tremendously! Having skype/video chat sure helped so we could talk & see each other every day! And it helped that she was with such wonderful people!!! Thanks mom & dad for taking her & taking care of her! The memories she has will last a lifetime!!!!

She even got to go to one of my favorite restaurants!

Ruby's....not on the pier in HB, Calif....but hey, it was a Ruby's!

9-9-09

2009-09-09T15:46:00.000-05:00

My younger sister has a cool birth-date today! Happy Birthday sisLys!!!!

Hunting in the heat

2009-08-29T00:09:00.000-05:00

CAUGHT

looking in the mirror before heading outside in the 100 degree heat to "hunt"

CAMO

"It's all camo" he told me. "Except the glasses."

"The back mom, you have to see my back"

I think the funniest part is that he's barefoot

FEARless......or something.

The hunter's side-kick

One was laughing, one was NOT.

This was serious stuff now!

Or maybe not so serious once he realized how HOT he would be!

In 100 degrees here, not sure what he was expecting to hunt. But he told me he was looking for snakes & worms......and BAREFOOT, I asked? Glad he didn't find any..... BOYS....... Ready for my GIRL to be home!

The boys miss her too. And they told me tonight they are going to make her presents and a welcome home sign. AND paint their turtle shell they found for her! I'm sure she'll be thrilled.

cute in yellow

2009-08-28T23:42:00.001-05:00

A U G U S T IN REVIEW

2009-08-28T23:37:00.001-05:00

A is for

AWAY for Mom's birthday

ALYSSA~ALMA~ABBY

ANTHROPOLOGIE

ASHLYN ASLEEP

U is for

UNDYING LOVE
that my Granddaddy had for the Lord, his wife of 63 years, and his 5 children

G is for

GRANDMOTHER

GRATEFUL to be a part of such a wonderful family

(16 out of 20 grandkids + a few spouses too were @ the funeral service for my granddaddy)

GIRL cousins

AND

GIRL baby cousins

GENERATIONS

GRANDDADDY's Bible

U is for

UNBELIEVABLY sweet

S is for

SUMMER VBS

SERIOUS craft time

SWIMMING

SUPER jumping

SWEETNESS

SETH & his baby girlie

T if for

TIFFANY

TURNING TEN

TOTALLY awesome sister

TIME together as a family

Yes, that 'bout sums up our A U G U S T, in pictures anyway.

There are lots of thoughts I could share, but sometimes I just don't have the words.
(thanks to my sis for some of the pics)

Blurry, but cute.

2009-08-26T10:11:00.001-05:00

My new "toy" that my dad & brothers made for me~

Which I find more fascinating to play with it with my feet!

Or hang out & suck my fingers

And smile

Or roll over

Yes, it's my newest thing I do everytime mommy puts me on the floor

But then I'm happy once again

Proud of my accomplishment!

Oops, mommy focused on the toys, not on my smiling face.

Still cute.

But looking for my fingers again

For some reason they are more fun than the toys.

But it IS entertaining when my brother comes along to talk to me.

Have a happy day!

TEN!

2009-08-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my beautiful

10 year old daughter, Tiffany Joy!

How does time fly by SO fast?!!!

She found them....

2009-07-27T14:50:00.001-05:00

Yes, this past weekend, our sweet baby girl found her two fingers.....

And they are the same two both Tiffany & Bryan sucked!

But she ALSO found her thumb!

Which I have to say is pretty cute!

Don't even know how long she will last taking a paci now that she's got BOTH at her fingertips....literally.

Because I found her like this when I put her down for her nap~

What preciousness~a sweet sleeping baby~

And oh so happy when awake!

Ashlyn @ 12 weeks old~

2009-07-24T17:13:00.001-05:00

77 days

2009-07-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

OR 11 weeks old~

It's kind of fun to know how many days we've had our precious baby girl and since she was born on May 1st it's easy to count!

She can now roll over, from back to tummy, so we have to be careful where we put her.

We've found her face down a few times.

She still rarely cries & is SO happy. We even say she smiles at the wind! :

What a blessing!

Down by the riverside~

2009-07-18T13:25:00.001-05:00

Smiling

Relaxing

Sleeping

Watching the water

Almost too big for the chair

Hanging w/daddy

Playing w/brother

Just not so sure about the rocks yet though~

More water watching

And the others were busy moving rocks to make a dam

Or finding good skipping rocks

Something new @ 10 weeks old~

2009-07-14T22:27:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Ashlyn tried out the little bumbo seat that someone gave us.

Her brothers still smother her with kisses (I did not tell them to do this)

So, I'm not sure if she pouted here about the seat, being smothered, or still wanting more attention from her brothers. Either way, this picture was TOO cute!

I'm not sure why they call it a "bumbo" but after seeing this face I've called her my little "Bumbo Baby."

Not always what I have planned.....

2009-07-09T23:29:00.005-05:00

.....is what God has planned.

The past few months with our new precious addition has been such a JOY. Many days I am SO tired, but it's all worth it I know.

I intended to do some school with the kids this summer, but my days have been spent nursing, cleaning, doing laundry, and disciplining. And maybe a few other things in there if I have time.Oh, I guess I do feed my family too. We've been trying to stay cool, as my itching has returned with this intense heat wave we've had here.

AND I'm making memories with my kids. School didn't make it in the plans. Book-work anyway. We've had many great times of learning though. About REAL LIFE.

And I've tried to make it a point to enjoy every moment with Ashlyn when I can. She's practically a perfect baby, who rarely cries, so she'd be easy to just let lay there, or sit in her bouncy seat, and really be fine. But I'd miss so many moments with her. With my last few as babies I just worked so hard to get everything ELSE done around here, and didn't take still moments to just BE with them & hold them. So, I've done that more with Ashlyn and let school with the others not happen. We are so smitten with her.

I am realizing a new school year for us is about a month away, as we will start back up the 2nd week of August (hopefully!), since we will be participating in VBS just before that. Honestly though, I am not looking forward to it. To the planning & teaching part, I mean. I am SO glad about having my kids home and I do WANT to want to teach them, so I'm praying for some feelings to change over the next few weeks before we start up again. I don't have a strong feeling about what curriculum & books to use for them in the coming year. With one of them struggling with dyslexia, and another having other speech/learning issues, I know I have a challenging road ahead of me. I want to choose things that hopefully will help them want to learn & enjoy learning. I know I will need to focus on the basics once again with my 8 & 6 year old boys and I'm asking God for direction & creativity.....and patience & understanding too.

I've been blessed to know lots of teachers. I have 7 aunts & uncles who are presently teaching in the school system or are college professors. My grandparents also used to teach for a living. My parents too, before they home schooled their own kids. My mother-in-law is currently a 3rd grade teacher. Sometimes I wish I could hand-off my students to some of them!!! :-) But I know God is going to use this in my life and although I'm not the "teacher type" I am my kid's mom who knows them best & desires to see them excel, learn, & grow amidst our environment at home. God has called me to do this yet another year. I trust HIM. I know His plans will far exceed what I could ask for or think. Now to take the plunge once again!

I think just writing this all out is "therapy" for me or something.

Any other homeschool moms out there have wisdom to share? Or should I just not think about it yet, and keep enjoying my summer?!?!?!

My birthday....

2009-07-08T01:08:00.004-05:00

AND our 11th Engagement Anniversary!

My wonderful parents who brought me into this life 34 years ago! They sure do age well. I hope I get the same genes.

Seth had mom & dad join us for breakfast on my birthday, July 3rd.......just as they had taken me to breakfast 11 years ago when Seth SURPRISED me and showed up with a question & a ring! SO, this year, Seth had another surprise for me. When the waitress brought out the food we ordered mine came in this.....

But it wasn't food.

(The following pics are actually RE-enacted LOL)

I was pretty excited. Although I knew this gift was coming at some point, I didn't know exactly when! In fact, I had thought it was coming last October on our 10th anniversary. So, I'd kind of forgotten about it since then. See, my wedding rings have not really fit me since over 4 years ago, and not only that but they had totally worn down.

So, I was given these brand new platinum rings with my same diamond! They were beautiful!

What a FUN birthday breakfast surprise!

The rest of my day was spent at home with my family & doing some shopping and then I left all SIX of them to go get a pedicure! That was a gift to myself, I guess. Almost fell asleep in the massage chair there. Maybe I should have given myself a nap instead. No, I wanted red toenails, and softer smoother heals....just cuz.

That evening, we got together with all my family. Here's all the girls, minus the 2 babies. What a blessing my family is, and that they are nearby.

My cake is almost always patriotic themed.

Some of my sweet nieces waving their flags from Grandma~

My sis lining the kids up for a patriotic parade......

Ready to march.....

The blonde & the brown~

It was a great, tiring, fun day! I thank the Lord for another year of life! And for another year of FREEDOM in Christ, and FREEDOM here in our country!

Our baby & her bow

2009-07-08T01:03:00.002-05:00

July 1st, Ashlyn @ 2 months old The boys were out playing ball one evening and we were watching. There was cool lighting in this shot....not to mention some brotherly love too.

Then they wanted a shot with baby & her bow

Don't ya just love those cheekies?

She looks so much like her daddy to me.

Ashlyn gettin' some move lovin'.

(You can see the difference in the brown & blue eye color here)

And a crazy shot of flexible Chandler high up on our basketball goal.

Our 4th of July~

2009-07-07T22:56:00.003-05:00

The day began with our traditional patriotic pancake breakfast!

Then the rest of the day was spent cleaning our house! Nice way to "celebrate", eh?

That evening, we joined some of my family at my sister's in law's parents house to eat & swim.

Ashlyn hanging out with Grandma~

Cousins hanging out in a bucket~

Water fun!

FREEDOM!!!!!

It's July

2009-07-01T08:35:00.003-05:00

So, I thought I'd change up the colors & put up a new picture up top.

And I can't believe that Ashlyn is 2 MONTHS OLD already & those pics were taken when she was a month old. And she's already changed SO much!

She is practically perfect, and just such an easy going amazingly happy baby. I'm loving the smiling stage she's in right now. Sometimes her whole entire face smiles, and you'd think she is going to break into laughter, but no sound comes out! It's pretty cute. And it makes anyone who sees it laugh.

Ashlyn loves to "talk" (coo) to her sister & brothers and adores the attention they give her. The new-ness of waking her every morning, kissing her constantly, wanting to hold her, check on her, etc... has not worn off even after 2 months. (Sometimes I almost wish it would...but then really I don't!)

Tiffany is an amazing help. Just so very responsible & sensitive. The best big sister. Zachary loves holding his sister & singing & talking to her.

Bryan has quite a few nicknames for Ashlyn already. "Baby-cakes" is the most common. Sometimes he calls her "Sweetie Poo" (instead of Sweetie Pie") I frequently hear "Baby Doll" or "Ashlyn Tweetie" also. Bryan is famous for running through rooms, ALWAYS on the go, but always stopping to give a kiss to his "sweet baby."

Chandler is just so sweet to his baby sister. He's adjusted SO well to being a big brother and not the "baby" anymore, because he was that around here for quite a while! Chan is always telling me what Ashlyn "needs." Today he told me "Ashlyn needs you. She wants you to come."

IN the past two months:

Our sweet baby girl has survived a fall off the couch, and a fall from a brother's arms...thankfully onto a carpeted area rather than the tile that runs through most of our house.

She tends to sleep away the heat. And we've sure got it bad down here!

She smiles at anyone who will talk to her.

She loves music & we all love singing to her.

She really enjoys taking a bath.

Also being outside in the evenings whether in her stroller on a walk or in her bouncer watching us play with the other kids.

She's gone on two little "trips." One to Austin for 2 days in May, and this past week to Tyler, TX for a long weekend.

She's slept a 9 hour stretch for me ONCE, and a few 7 hour stretches at night. If she nurses during the night, she usually goes right back to sleep. I get better sleep now than I did during my whole pregnancy so I'm not complaining.

Ashlyn has been to soccer games, basketball games, track meets, the gym, the neighborhood pool, a few birthday parties, to church, and to the lake.....and many other places.

As the 5th born, she just goes with the flow quite easily. We're very blessed.

Here's a shot of the three Prescott GIRL cousins from this past weekend.

Today~

2009-06-23T13:24:00.000-05:00

While baby was napping this morning, I went outside to see what the kids were up to in this 90+ degree weather (which is cool compared to what it has been!) LOVE how some of mine get freckled faces from the summer sun.

Chan-man showed me his tool box

Ready to go work somewhere

......oh he told me they were cleaning out the sandbox! How do you CLEAN SAND??? Those two just don't go together in my mind! Zach had built a bike ramp & showed me some jumps

Tiff is amazing w/her brothers...such patience. Usually coming up with ideas for them to do outside. In fact, probably her idea to clean the sand box!

These two spend most of their days laughing, tackling, fighting, and playing (I'm on a mission to eliminate the fighting percentage of their day!)

The kids believe popsicles are definitely the preferred snack for the summer. In our freezer we have some from the store, home-made ones, ones in cups etc.....

Happy Father = Happy Kids

2009-06-22T00:24:00.001-05:00

Father's Day '05

Father's Day '07

SO amazing how the kids have changed from year to year.

Father's Day '09

Yes....now you know WHO they get their craziness from!!! (And Ashlyn just sleeps peacefully through it all!)

We had a great day making these kids' dad feel special on Father's Day.

After church, we went to a restaurant with seafood! (From a previous crawfish post you'd know I really don't care for that kind of food AT ALL!) My man said "oh that is good" when eating each thing on his plate! We only frequent a place like this about once a year, and it's entertaining to see him so excited about that kind of food.

We also took him to Academy Sport, where he spent two hours "shopping"...and came out with two things he's wanted for a long time!

Then tonight he & the kids helped me clean the house! What an AWESOME husband & father!!!!!

So grateful to my heavenly FATHER for salvation!

And for my own father today too who has blessed me beyond words.

And also my husband's father who taught him to love people & be such a hard worker....we are reaping the blessing of that for sure!!!! And much more!

"To the Only God"

2009-06-22T00:21:00.003-05:00

(You'll have to stop the playlist to hear this little video)

"To the Only God" sung by the David Crowder band and Shane & Shane is one of a few songs that I have sung to Ashlyn since she was born.

It's on her "itunes playlist" that she listens to each night.

And everytime I sing it to her she calms down & just smiles.

It'll melt your heart....at least it does mine.

And you can tell already, one day she'll be singing it with me!

ENJOY!

~7 weeks old~

2009-06-19T21:26:00.003-05:00

Things Mommy doesn't capture......

2009-06-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

.....Daddy captures on his iPhone! And here are just a few I found when he downloaded them last night.

Zach at the dentist

Our little happy organizer!

Happy Kitchen helpers!

Family Worship time

You can tell who let this little guy dress himself!

Trying on shoes @ Academy

A happy biker boy

(instead of) BEDtime.....FUN!

At the gym

Getting hair styled after bathtime

Of course they aren't all that clear...but the FUN you see in them is when they are with their daddy!!!! How grateful we are in this family for such a wonderful DADDY! Never a dull moment with him for sure!

Monday nights in the heat of the summer!

2009-06-15T22:15:00.002-05:00

We're off to the track! Ready to race!

(Thanks to my sis for capturing these last week)

These two cousins are a crack up to watch race!

Mr. Sprinter (all intense & dramatic!)

Mr. Long distance

Miss "Just Having Fun" (she told me that's what it's all about!)

It's at least 100 degrees already this afternoon, so we'll be sweating it out!!!!

6 weeks~

2009-06-15T00:34:00.000-05:00

(Thanks, sis!)

Sharing Shoes~

2009-06-15T00:33:00.000-05:00

I found Chandler sharing his NEW tennis shoes w/his baby sister the other morning.

He spent about 10 minutes getting them on!

It really was so cute!

And Ashlyn cooperated just fine.

Snow Cone Saturday

2009-06-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, Seth & Zach attended a Gun Show, so I let the other three do what they'd been talking about doing for DAYS. Set up to sell snow cones. Their first idea was to do it at Papa & Grandma's when they were having a garage sale, but that didn't work out. They also thought about selling them at our neighborhood park/pool but you can't take food or drink in the pool area......SO, they set up at the end of the driveway.

And sat there for over 3 hours!

Waiting patiently for customers....

I took this picture from inside through the window. After every customer came by, one of them would run in to tell me ALL about it!

Their customers had to practice patience, as it took quite a while for them to make each one! They made $8 sitting out in the heat.....and learned to wait patiently AND work together! They thought it was worth it!

Just can't get enough of her!

2009-06-11T00:49:00.000-05:00

Hanging out

2009-06-11T00:47:00.003-05:00

This is what I saw tonight.....a daddy & his baby girl & he said they were "hanging out."

The many faces of.....

2009-06-11T00:45:00.000-05:00

Chillin' & Smilin'

2009-06-11T00:43:00.000-05:00

Is what Ashlyn does best!

Dads & their crawfish~

2009-06-11T00:31:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday evening, these two had a grand plan to have a crawfish boil in our backyard!

Didn't matter that their two wives are NOT seafood lovers. It's just not in our blood, I guess!

But they did have a crew of kiddos who mostly were!

So a "party" it was!

Crawfish, corn on the cob, & onions!

AND watermelon!

It was quite the smelly sight!

This guy played with them more than eating them!

And these two could've kept eating more!

Definitely a memory making evening!

Fishing success!

2009-06-05T20:58:00.005-05:00

These pictures are not in order, and for some reason I can't figure out how to get them in the right order tonight. But you get the idea. What fun they had catching these on their Memorial Day camping/fishing trip. The cleaning part....not so fun.

Seth purchased a canoe off of Craigs List for a great deal....and so these guys put it to the test on the Blanco River & out on a lake at HW Ranch. Chandler was not so thrilled about the canoe ride so laid down on the bottom of it and fell asleep....while the other boys went to work catching some fish!

Notice the water moccasin on the table with the fish, next to Bryan's mouth. Zach shot it with his b-b-gun like 20 times I am told. Definitely a highlight of the trip for him.

Definitely a first of many fishing trips they will have.

Our 1 month old~

2009-06-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

Talk about SWEET! Ashlyn is definitely that!

She's started to really smile this past week! And it's been SO cute to watch.

She is our most content baby YET!

She must be going through a growth spurt as she wants to nurse quite frequently!

But she is SO laid back.

And even gave me 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night!

We are TRULY blessed!

3 weeks old~

2009-05-22T15:02:00.001-05:00

Treasuring our sweet baby girl~

Three weeks ago I gave birth to this precious baby. We are so blessed that God has given her to us. I know it's only for a time, and I want to treasure every moment. Even the sleepless ones.

I am grateful to not be nauseous, and have some sense of energy back. Hopefully getting back on my thyroid medication I'm picking up today will help out in that regard.

Ashlyn is such a content peaceful baby. Even amidst seeming chaos around here! I'm pretty sure she sleeps better around noise than she does quiet.

So much for my idea of getting back into a school routine this week. That SO did not happen. Although each day the kids did at least something. Whether it was spelling, history, art, or whatever. I'm still trying to figure out a routine around here in between the baby's feedings, laundry, disciplining, etc....Maybe in 3 more weeks we'll have that down!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Remember those who have fought (& continue to fight!) for our freedom! THANK them!

Not without love~

2009-05-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

Just so I don't forget.....

2009-05-18T14:02:00.002-05:00

Some of the happenings of the past week or so A special delivery of a cookie bouquet (Thanks, Croziers!!!!)

Fun with neighbors...who are actually THE Neighbors

Bryan just "hanging out"

End of the year "Open House" at Grandma's. What a blessing for her to teach the older kids (along with some of their cousins) history from a Biblical perspective this past year! They had a blast learning so many new things together & working on all the exciting projects! Some of the things they studied included.... Castles~

Stained glass~

The Reformation & The Middle Ages~

The Fall of Rome, mosaics & the catacombs~

Grandma even displayed some of their letters & writing projects on the wall Some of the people they learned about were....Christopher Columbus, Galileo, John Wycliffe, Queen Elizabeth, AND other kings & queens. A few are pictured here in their costumes.....

Ashlyn slept through the whole program at the Open House....mostly in her great grandmother's arms.

Speaking of our sweet baby girl......she's already acquired a multitude of nick-names around here, mainly given to her by her brother, Bryan. He takes after me, I guess, in nicknaming people.

I love watching the boys talk to her. They tell her all kinds of things, are convinced she is looking or smiling at them, and usually have to be pried away from her!

I wish I'd had my camera yesterday when Chandler came up to his little sister who was in her car seat at the time with a huge frog he'd just found. He wanted to show it to her & tell her all about it! Once I realized what was going on, I saw that he was more like squeezing the frog instead of holding it, and it was about 4 inches from her face!!!! I was scared it was going to either pee on her or jump right onto her head! Thankfully it didn't. Chan just did NOT get that she wasn't quite interested in frogs yet. Anyway, a funny moment I wish I'd captured on film. Here's Ashlyn getting her first real bath. She loves relaxing in the water.

Here's a wild & crazy child of mine one night after "styling" his hair, his sister took these pics.

Speaking of that wild & crazy child.....this was tonight.....

Notice Ashlyn's face.....she wasn't quite sure what to think! The boys just can't get enough of her though!

I mean, how can you resist this precious face?!?!

baby girl @ 17 days old~ Well, Monday has already arrived. And I'm up later tonight than I have been since baby's arrival. I just had to record these special moments & memories while I had the chance. The last 4-5 nights, I've gotten a good 5-6 hour stretch of sleep each night. Seriously, it's wonderful, especially compared to how I wasn't sleeping during pregnancy! And I will take sleep deprivation over throwing up & feeling nauseous & uncomfortable ANY day!!!!! (Although I know I wouldn't have my precious baby to enjoy if it hadn't been for all of that!) I "think" I will attempt to finish up some school with the kids the next 2 weeks. We have no extra curriculur activities in May except for Tiffany's piano recital this week, so now is the time to finish up a few things. We'll continue some stuff through the summer though. Oh, and we do have a musical the older two will be in at the end of the month at church, and practices for that, and costumes to come up with! Any idea of a wolf costume for Zach? I'll be working on a sheep one for Tiff tomorrow. My eyes are barely staying open now, and I think I'm done recording things that I just don't want to forget....at least for now. G-night~

14 faces on Day 14~

2009-05-14T23:51:00.001-05:00

ASHLYN STAR on 5-14-09

Our precious baby and some of the many faces she gives us!

And what a peaceful sleeper!

(Thanks sis, for these last two shots!)

Tonight

2009-05-14T23:49:00.000-05:00

I found Tiffany taking her baby sister to her room

Because she said she wanted "sister time"

It was so sweet

And she can't wait til they can really share a room

Sweet dreams my two girlies

2009-05-10T11:45:00.002-05:00

Continue On

by Roy Lessin

"A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.
At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Is it worth it? She often wondered.
Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?

It was during one of these moments of questioning
that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.
Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.
But I notice.
Most of what you give is done without remuneration.
But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be
without your support.
Your influence upon him is greater than you think
and more powerful than you will ever know.
I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me.
Even more precious than they are to you.
I have entrusted them to your care and to raise for Me.
What you invest in them is an offering to Me.
You may never be in the public spotlight.
But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me.
Continue on. Remember you are My servant.
Do all to please Me."

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!
Remember HE has entrusted lives into your care & what you invest is an offering to HIM!
Do ALL to please Him!

2009-05-09T00:25:00.001-05:00

It hit 100 degrees today here in south Texas.....in May!!! Goodness, I think we're in for a hot summer! So, I let the kids finally get out the slip-n-slide, but as you will tell from these pics, it turned into a MUD-slide! And they were mud-painting themselves. And Bryan really got into it! What a mess!

One week old~

2009-05-08T23:05:00.000-05:00

There's always a first time for everything!

2009-05-07T23:36:00.002-05:00

Like using the riding mower.....

Great job, son!

Squeezable kissable cheekies

2009-05-07T23:32:00.002-05:00

Baby girl @ 6 days old~

She was fading into sleep.....and aren't those cheekies irresistible???

We are blessed to have a very relaxed, chilled, easy going, sweet, precious baby.

Chandler asked me the other day...."Can you just put her down and see if she can walk?!"

Today while holding her he said "Here, you can take IT off of me now."

But he really is a sweet gentle brother and has adjusted very well so far!

The others "fight" for time to hold her during her rare awake times.

Tonight Bryan said "Isn't she just the sweetest baby in the whole wide world!?"

There's no lack of love & adoration around here.

I overheard Tiffany telling her baby sister today..."You are going to be one spoiled sweetie!"

Ashlyn meeting family~

2009-05-05T23:25:00.003-05:00

Grandma

Aunt Amanda

Aunt Alyssa

Granny Sharon

Aunt Holly

Uncle Micah

Papa & Grandma

A few of Ashlyn's many cousins......some of the younger ones~

Morgan

Heidi

Hallie Kate

Brighton

Caedman

Ashlyn's Papa

baby girl pics~

2009-05-05T17:54:00.001-05:00

On being a big brother

2009-05-05T17:21:00.001-05:00

It's a nice sunny day, so daddy ventures out to get baby girl some sunlight for her jaundice.

Chandler wants to tag along

Just to see what's up

And make sure his baby sister is alright

Daddy reassures him that she's perfect :happy:

He then runs off & leaves daddy alone with his baby girl

Hand in hand~

Then big brother returns with his little car

Wanting to take his baby sister for a ride

SO proud to be holding her

And smothering her with kisses

She doesn't seem to mind

What precious moments to capture on a bright sunny afternoon.

The love of a big brother.

The joy & protection he already shows.

The gentleness & care he extended.

The peacefulness of his baby sister~

Definitely worth sleepless nights~

A Father's Loving Touch~

2009-05-05T17:18:00.001-05:00

(5/3/09)

~Ashlyn Star Prescott~

2009-05-04T08:12:00.000-05:00

Arrived at 5:32 am on Friday, May 1st! She was 8 pounds 6 ounces & 20 1/4 inches long. She is perfectly beautiful & adored by her siblings.

(Thanks sis Lys for the above picture!) There's a "story" to her birth & delivery, but no time to share it now. Even though midwife NOR doctor made it to the delivery, I was just SO grateful she was safe & healthy and in my arms! Honestly, the 35 minutes I was in active labor is quite a blur, because it was so fast & furious!

Now, I feel like I'm nursing round the clock, and monitoring Ashlyn's sister & brothers as they LOVE to spend time with her! Here they are when they first met her!

She's been smothered with kisses!

Down, Set, Hike.....

2009-04-27T13:20:00.000-05:00

I look outside this morning to find Bryan looking a little more "buff" and padded than normal when playing football with his brothers.

I had him stop for a sec to get a picture & to find out what he'd done! He had stuffed other shirts under his shirt to be padded enough. Anyway, just struck me as funny....and creative.

Someone is SO ready......

2009-04-24T23:30:00.000-05:00

.....to be a big sister again! She's had lots of practice with her precious little nieces!

And she wishes that my "due date" tomorrow meant baby would be here! Tiffany is so excited about this little one and asks me everyday if I'm having contractions yet! And I am, and many times this week have thought "this is it!" But, alas our little one is still quite comfortable INside!

SO dramatic, intense & serious on the field~

2009-04-24T23:26:00.001-05:00

This 6yo. gives it his ALL out there, whether in practice or game.

He's pretty much a riot to watch.

Then there is his brother who pretty much is JUST serious.

Both are doing a great job playing on the same team & enjoy being undefeated.

Jesus came & GAVE.....we can too!

2009-04-10T23:38:00.001-05:00

James 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

We didn't go visit orphans today, but we did have 10 orphans come visit our homeschool group from an orphanage nearby. We've been blessed to be a part of this ministry a few times already with our group, and were looking forward to it again!

Here they are getting off their bus (most of them in blue t-shirts) as moms & kids went to greet them.The excited little boy out in front is who Bryan & Chandler be-friended today! It was SO fun to watch!

They wanted to show him the farm animals

My boys played "tag" with just him for I don't know how long!

When we left Bryan said "Mom, it was just so fun to see him happy! And I had fun too!"

Tiffany attached herself quickly & got to love on a precious little girl.

She told me "Mom, I'd adopt her in a second."

What a neat thing to see kids think outside of themselves & their usual "playgroup" time and give of themselves to the little orphans.

Waiting for baby~

2009-04-06T22:55:00.000-05:00

Very blessed~

2009-04-06T18:31:00.002-05:00

In the past few weeks, our family has been VERY blessed through the generosity & thoughtfulness of family & friends nearby who are excited with us about the upcoming arrival of our baby GIRL! Having gotten rid of literally everything girly from years ago, we are starting from scratch regarding baby necessity items & clothing! But God has truly provided SO much, and we are SO grateful!!!!

From diapers & wipes~

To blankets~

To baby necessity item filled baskets~

To special blessings~

To many girl onesies & outfits, both new & passed down!!!!

AND gift cards & SO much more!!!

Then this afternoon, when I thought we'd been out-blessed already, a friend from the ensemble that I sing in showed up with more gifts not only for baby but also for the big brothers & sister as well! (pink for Tiff & blue ones for the boys!)

Thank you to the ladies from Voci di Sorelle!!!! What a fun surprise!

Thank you to Sara & Julie for the baby shower you gave Lys & I last weekend! We were both truly encouraged!!!! And our girls had a great time too!

Oh, and SHE will have a name agreed upon by the time she arrives!!!!! Now if I could just get over this nasty 2 week long lingering hacking cough, I just might have enough energy to get through a labor!!!! I'm on my way to the doctor just as soon as I hit "publish post"!

THANKS again to all of you who have so generously blessed us!!!!!