Our newest

We welcomed Naomi Rose Ackley into the world on August 14, 2014, at 10:47 AM. She weighed 8lbs 11 oz and was 20 1/2 in long. 

What!! January is almost over????

For those of you who do not know...We are expecting child number 3. I should be somewhere around 3 months or so. As soon as I get medicaid, I will be going to the doctor. My guess is this one is a boy. :)  I asked Christiana is she wanted a baby brother or sister and her response was a Frisbee. I am thankful that I will not be having a litter of puppies. :)

I have been working 2 days a week as a teacher's assistant at ICW. The principle lets me bring the kids and sit in the nursery and grade books or do projects for the teachers while the kids play. I may be losing this job very soon considering the person I took the place of is now back with a baby of her own. I will just trust in God in this. I am not sure if I am really helping us money wise anyway, but it is nice to get out of the house.

Joseph took 3 steps today. 10 months old and on the move. He hasn't been really interested in his walker, but today it is a grand thing. He is going everywhere! I love it because if he is mobile he can keep up with Christiana. They play really good together and that allows me to get a few things done. Never thought the hold me all the time stage would end, but boy I am glad it's over.

I have not been feeling well since about 2 weeks before Christmas because of morning sickness. Or should I say all day sickness. I am starting to feel somewhat better now so I would like to start getting my millions of projects done. Today I am going to start working on my pictures. I have tons of picture frames sitting on my couch waiting for me to do something with them. If I can figure out where I want them, Todd can help me hang them tonight. I love having pictures all over the house. :) Once I accomplish this task I will move on to the next.

Well that is all for now, but I will hopefully get on here sooner next time and put up some pics for you to see. :)

Having fun!

Homemade playdough!!!

That's right, Christiana got a Mercedes Benz for her birthday! Don't worry we're not rich, her meme got for her (of course it was on clearance!) 

Well this picture looks slightly creepy, but they were having fun on the hay ride at our fall festival at church. Todd's forehead says "Todd loves Leah". And Joseph has a cross painted on him and Christiana had a flower.

Joseph usually looks at me like I'm crazy :)

What we have been up to

Lap books! I just started this with Christiana and we had a lot of fun. She knows her alphabet and her sounds but this is to help reinforce it all. We are going to do all the letters! I'm hoping to help her learn her colors too (since she is struggling with those). 

Todd took a day off so we went to the zoo!!! Christiana would go everywhere with daddy if she could. :)

Joseph loves being outside!! Look at those chunky legs!!! 

Sorry took me so long

My house!!

Kitchen

Living room

Other side of living room

Fireplace in living room

Den ( messy as usual)

Other side of den

Our backyard

Making baby food!!

Kids are getting soooo big!!!

exercising body and mind

I enjoy exercising my body, but until staying at this house I didn't understand the importance for me. A couple days ago I found myself very frustrated and not really knowing the reason. I thought maybe it is hormones or lack of sleep. Which I guess both can still be a factor. I hate being yelled at and yelling at others. I was getting to the point that I felt myself letting go and getting so angry over the silliest things. It was so confusing because I had no real reason to be mad at anyone. It has been robbing me of joy and peace. All that said I think I need to exercise regularly. Being with kids all day long and not having much adult conversation is making me slightly crazy. Todd is working long hours right now and doing extra things at church and I do not get to see him very much. I am hoping that exercising my body will allow the excess energy I have to be used wisely. Instead of using my energy on my frustration, I will get up early and go for a run. During nap time I will lift weights and do exercises inside. Plus spend time using my brain. I will read the Word and journal or get on my blog. Please pray for me as this whole process is not easy for me. I want to be a Godly mom and wife. I dont want to be quick to anger. Prov. 16:32. :)

Life isn't always happening the way I plan

Everyday that I have my life planned and scheduled something else always comes up and changes it. I would like to believe that I am ok with change, but if I am truly honest I do not think I am. I like everything written down and in order. When it is not I feel I have no control and I do not like that feeling. But isn't that where God wants us? To the place where we have no control so we must give it to Him. The past couple of weeks I have had no control of life, and yes, it has been driving me crazy!!! In each situation God is showing me that I need to trust a little bit more.

Concerning my unspoken request:
God gave us a definite no! I am so thankful that He knows what He is doing. Now that I see the full picture I understand why He said no. :) I'm sorry, but I do not feel that I should explain the situation.

Concerning house sitting/ babysitting:
     It has been crazy!!!!! Owen is 2 and he is overall a great kid! Only problem is Christiana thinks she rules the earth and he has to listen and obey her. haha! So yea she has been learning the world doesnt revolve around her. Been tough though because I am the one teaching her. :) She is so much like me that I see my own sin when I watch how she reacts and does things.
    I have been attempting to potty train the both of them while I am here for the month. Not going so good. It was at first but now they have both decided to hide and go when I am not looking. I am taking them every 30 minutes and giving stickers when they do it. If you have any ideas that would help me out let me know. It is very overwhelming.
    Christiana has not been sleeping good and I am sooooo very tired. Past 3 nights she has been getting up screaming. I love sleeping and to have a kid that doesnt is very interesting. Please pray for me on this because with my lack of sleep I am very grumpy and have a hard time just making it through the day.

New House:
Everything is going good so far on this. I am very ready to get in and get us back in a regular, stable environment. 3 more weeks!!!!!!