Birth Announcements

Just wanted to show you how awesome our photographer is......Here is the front and back of my Birth Announcements. They were done by Amber Lanning Photography. She is awesome!!!! Have I already said that?!?!

A very quick update: Asa is doing great! I'm pretty spoiled by him and that he stays on a great schedule. He is getting very busy and curious about everything. He will be 5 months on Monday, so I will update then!
These 2 pics are "just because I love him so much I could eat him with a spoon!"

He loves his new easter bunny that his "Honey" (a.k.a. Joseph's mom) got for him!

Have a great day!

Nashville Finds

If you live in Nashville, I'm very jealous! What a fun city!! My sister (on the right) lives in Memphis, so we decided to take a girls trip to Nashville for the weekend to relax and shop. It was my first time away from Asa. :( He stayed with my in-laws, so I knew he would be perfectly fine and get very spoiled!

I was looking for things in particular as we were shopping. I have been wanting to "lighten" up my accessories in my house since most of my furniture pieces are very dark. First, a few fun pictures of us, and then on to the "finds".

This is me, my sister, and my sister in law. We ate at Sperry's....YUM!!! I would definitely recommend it!

All of us- including my beautiful brunette mom! Isn't she gorgeous??

So....What I ended up buying was new drapes; I had dark chocolate brown before, so I found these cream ones at Pottery Barn Outlet for $30. I thought they might be a nice change for spring....

Here is another shot...with flash :) Although, they look white in this picture...

I also bought two lamps (one, you can see in this picture) at z-gallerie. Cream and simple. I also added the cream pillows from pottery barn for $19, and a couple of new "light" florals for spring here and there. I also painted the little dresser next to the chair an antique white, which was dark brown before.

I had a pretty traditional picture hanging above my entertainment center, and I replaced it with this green circle "whatcha-ma-call-it" that I found also at z-gallerie.

I love love this lantern. I found it in one of the many unique shops in Franklin for $35.

My mother in law gave me this vase, and I bought flowers to put in it for spring.

That's pretty much it for my house stuff. It's amazing that just a few little things can make such a difference. I'm still working on my other rooms...but getting close. I wish I had more "before" pics....but I don't. :)

Have a GREAT weekend!

The "Fly Lady"

This might just change my life.....


My cousin shared with me about the "FlyLady". Basically, she sends you daily tasks for de-cluttering and cleaning your home. 15 minute chores along with the daily "Sink shine". This might just be the most creative invention ever!!!

Here is an example for this week. We are in Zone 2: The Kitchen

Zone 2: Mission #1 Monday

Dear Friends:

Your mission for today should you choose to accept it: Scrub down
your counter tops, I don't mean to just wipe a rag across them! I
mean you get some hot soapy water and you wipe down the counters from
front to back and side to side. Yes, you have to move the stuff on
the counters to do this. DON'T take everything off at one time and
then plan to put it all back again, I promise you will get
sidetracked and then you will all email me crying that it is all my
fault!! LOL! You just move your toaster (or coffee pot or whatever
this is an example here! :>) ) over to one side and wipe down the
counter, then move over a foot or so, move aside what is there and
wipe down some more and so on. We are not marathon cleaning the
kitchen here, just getting all the crumbs and junk that seems to
build up behind and under things.

Have fun! Don't obsess! Enjoy!

Kelly

Zone 2: Mission #2 Tuesday

Dear Friends:

Well it is day 2 in the Kitchen, are you ready?

Today we are going to de-clutter our leftover, food storage, plastic,
Rubbermaid, Tupperware, Glad-Ware, etc. containers! Do you have excess
lids? More bowls than lids? Stained and/or Melted? Do we even need to
talk about those old margarine, ice cream and sherbet containers?

It is time to let go of this clutter. I am not telling you that you
can't keep any containers, I am telling you to get rid of the ones
that have no lids, stained and the ones that keep getting shoved in
the back because it just isn't a size that works for you.

I don't know what a reasonable number of containers to own is, that
is a personal choice that has to be made on how you cook, store and
the size of your family. I just know that if you haven't de-cluttered
these items in the past 6 months it is time to really go through them
and start tossing!

A quick hint that is helpful, take a large zip top plastic bag to
store the lids in, this keeps them together and keeps them from
spilling all over the inside of your cabinet.

Spend 10 minutes doing this, don't get sidetracked and rip apart your
cabinets and drawers. One thing at a time.

Have fun!
Kelly

Zone 2: Mission #3 Wednesday

Dear Friends:

What a fun and exciting mission that I have for you today? LOL!

Let's take a close look at the gadgets and small appliances. The
toaster, can opener, coffee maker, microwave etc. The small
appliances that you use on a regular basis. When was the last time
you cleaned out your toaster; opened up the bottom and dumped the
crumbs? How dingy or dusty is your coffee maker? Do we even want to
talk about the blades on the electric can openers? How about the
outside of the microwave?

Wipe them down and make them shine. I am not telling you to drag out
every small kitchen appliance you own and to scrub them. Just wipe
down the fingerprints, dust, drips, dried food particles on the most
used items. Make sure you unplug these items before you clean them!

Don't obsess, set your timer for 15 minutes and have fun!

Kelly

Zone 2: Mission #4 Thursday

Dear Friends:

We are still tackling the kitchen this week!!! What do you think I
have in store for you today? LOL!

This involves old toothbrushes and elbow grease! Yes you guessed
it! Grab those toothbrushes and some general purpose cleaner and
scrub those faucets on your kitchen sink. It is amazing how much
gunk can build up around the seals and edges.

Have fun, this is a quick mission that shows instant results!

Kelly

Zone 2: Mission #5 Friday

Dear Friends:

We are in the last day of the kitchen zone!

Let's take a look at the cabinets! Take a few minutes to check them
out, I bet you will see that they need a little sprucing up! Just
wipe down the outside surfaces. You will be so surprised at what a
difference shining those cabinets will make!

There is no "right" way to do this. Depending on what your cabinets
are made out of is what you will use to wipe the cabinets down. A
wood soap, a general purpose cleaner, or just soap and water. A
slightly damp cloth will work as well.

Don't obsess and have fun with this! Look around and see how your
kitchen shines!!!

So...by the end of the week, you kitchen should be ALL clean and organized. It makes you do the stuff that needs to be done that you really don't want to do! But...I have found that because of these "daily" goals....its much for enjoyable, and it doesn't take me as long as I thought!
You can take the challenge and sign up for the free emails as well at FlyLady.net

How AWESOME is this?!?!?!

GREAT NEWS worth sharing!

My uncle (dad's brother) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around september-ish. Long story short, he got really sick and has been in and out of the hospital several times with numerous problems associated with his cancer. He had the cancer removed and would start chemo in January for preventative measures. He then found out that his "cancer tumor number" was 78. For those that aren't familiar with this....anything below 20 is considered "cancer-free". The numbers showed that the cancer had obviously returned. They quickly rose to 265. His cancer had spread to his kidneys and his liver. He started chemo two days before Christmas. He lost a ton of weight because he can't eat. He has a feeding tube because he can't keep anything down. His poor body has been shutting down very quickly. Doctors have given him three months to live, and that if he started a very aggressive Chemo treatment, it would prolong his life up to a year.

Our family decided to come together to pray for him. We know that "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them."- Matthew 18:20. We knew that we could ask the Lord for a miracle. Medically speaking, it's more than likely impossible. We all traveled to Little Rock to be with him one Sunday night. We prayed for an hour or so. We asked the Lord to bring healing and strength to his body and for a miracle. But....we also prayed for Him to prepare our hearts in the event he chose to take my uncle.

Our phone call came yesterday from my uncle..... After 4 treatments of chemo, his numbers were down to 16 and was declared CANCER FREE!!!!!! Chills all over!!! We are still in shock and praising the Lord for this miracle.!!!! How??? ITS BEYOND CRAZY!!!! There is NO explanation other than God's incredible power!! This is a very short version of everything my family has been through the past 6 months, and I can't begin to describe the emotional and painful roller-coaster. It's too great of news not to share though!! He will continue chemo until June and then begin a maintenance program. They have "blogged" some of their story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/billrush

We will continue to pray for strength and that the cancer would not return. Thank you LORD!!!!

Psalm 126:3 "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!"

New Design!

Woohoo!!! Thanks to "A Design of Faith", I have a newly designed blog!! She did so good and she was so easy to work with. Thanks Faith!

4 Months and Birthday Celebration!

4 months old already?!?!?!

Yes, he is surprised too!! I can't believe that he is four months old! To see where we have come from four months ago to now, is quite amazing to me! He is such a joy, and even though the first couple of months were different than we expected and very difficult at times, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! We have had fun watching him grow, and learning how to parent. He has completely stolen my heart!! I wonder how I could possible love another baby as much as him (people tell me all the time that I will just as easily)!

Yawning!
He plays with his toys, and this week learned that he can put them in his mouth! Little Flirt!He is 10 1/2 pounds, 22 inches long.
Size 0-3 month clothes, but transitioning to 3-6 month soon!
Size 1 diapers.
He smiles all the time.
He plays with his toys and is learning how to grab them and put them in his mouth.
He is taking 4.5 ounces every 4 hours.
He still sleeps from 8:30 p.m-7:30 a.m.
He goes to therapy twice a week to help with his development. (physical therapy and occupational)
He had a CT scan at his 4 month check up- it showed some fluid outside his brain, but there is no concern there, and they will watch it and assume it will go away on its own.
His acid reflux has gotten SO much better.
I can't wait to see his personality continue to develop!
We are praising the Lord for such a healthy baby!


Also this week, was my birthday! I had a great time with so many great friends (and some were missing)! Here are a few pictures:
Me, Leah (my sis), and Shannon

Amy, Me, Leah, Amy

My mom, me, and Amber

Aubrey, Kara, me,and Katie

And....as I am closing this blog post, I just have to put this on here just because it might be the sweetest thing in this whole world! He was snoozin' away!

Spring Makeup products coming soon along with my NEW BLOG DESIGN!!! I can't wait!!

"ASA" and update

We always knew we would use the name Asa, whether it was for the first or middle name. I love it. It is very different and not too many people have heard of it, but I love it because of the many great men in our family that he was named after.
During the Holiday's (which I never posted pictures from), we were able to see Joseph's Grandfather (Asa Ray). We don't know how far the name "Asa" goes back in his family, but at least about 5 generations. Here is a picture of 4 generations of "Asa's".

Asa James Ray, Joseph Asa Ray (my hubby), Terry Asa Ray (his dad), and Asa Melvin Ray (his grandfather. How cool is that?!!

Both Asa Ray's

We also got to look through some of Joseph's baby pictures. He is 6 months in this picture. At times, it's crazy how much they look alike!! The big head gives it away!!! :)

Asa is already 3 1/2 months old! He is starting to be so alert and smiling a lot!!
He has BIG blue eyes and BIG chunky cheeks! AND....you see that hair coming in on top?!?!? I promise it's there!!!! :) All my good pictures are on my phone, so here are some of the ones I have taken with my good camera:

Flirting!

Looking like his daddy!
And sometimes like his mommy... very few times!

A few fun things about Asa:

- He is about 10 1/2 pounds.
- He will be 4 months in just 2 weeks! Crazy!
- He takes 3 naps a day (2 big, one small)
- He goes to bed around 8:30 and sleeps until about 7:30
- He is in size 1 diapers, and fitting nicely in his 0-3 month clothes, and maybe a few newborn things still.
-He is smiling a lot and noticing his toys. He gets frustrated that his hand wont grab onto any of them.
-He loves to be cuddled and held. He is perfectly content just laying on your chest for the whole day. (I take all I can get, because I know it won't last forever).
-He still has acid reflux and HATES to be in any other position other than upright.
-He is still on iron supplements for his anemia. (he will get checked at his 4 month appt.)
-He is starting therapy 2x a week in order to catch him up to his age. He is 3 months, but his "adjusted age" is only 2 months (almost), which is the age of which his development level is on.
-He has no other health issues for being pre-mature which is such a BLESSING!

I can't wait to see his little personality develop more and more. He is getting out of that "newborn" stage and moving to a little baby boy! Does that make sense? He is our little miracle baby and I'm so proud to be his momma!!!