Today

Outside my window... the tent that Jeff put up in the backyard on Thursday. After a failed attempt at sleeping out there (it started raining), he still wants to try it again, in hopes that we can do some actual camping this summer. I'm still not sure that I'm ready for it with three small kids!

I am thinking...about all the things I still want to accomplish today.

I am thankful for... air conditioning in my house - the past couple of days have been so hot!

From the kitchen... steaks thawing for supper tonight, dishes in the dishwasher that need to be put away & fresh black raspberries from our back yard that are ready to be used for a cobbler.

I am wearing... a jean skirt & a gray/turquoise striped shirt.

I am creating... layouts for Sabrina's baby album & flower hair clips to use with the new headbands I ordered for her.

I am going...to have to stop & feed Sabrina very soon. I hear her starting to stir in her swing & I know that she'll probably start fussing before too long.

I am reading... The Sovereign's Daughter by Susan K. Downs & Susan May Warren. I know, I know. Where do I actually find time to read? When I'm nursing a baby, I usually end up with lots of time to read - especially since this little gal takes her own sweet time. ;-)

I am hoping... that I can spend some time cleaning/reorganizing my craft room this afternoon.

I am hearing... silence. All three kids are napping (or are supposed to be, anyway - with Ryleigh, you just never know....).

Around the house...laundry that needs to be folded & put away & toys that need to be put away (again).

One of my favorite things... the portable backdrop that arrived in the mail this week. Can't wait to play with it....

A few plans for the rest of the week... get ready for Sunday (busiest day of the week for us), Bible study on Monday evening, eye exams on Tuesday, pack for our mini vacation, clean the house & get ready for company next weekend, get ready for July 4th cookout with family.

A picture to share...

Sabrina @ 1 Month

• A lot has happened in my very short little life! The weekend after I was born, I got to see a lot of family that had travelled in to be here for Uncle Joe's graduation. I was dedicated, went to Uncle Joe's graduation, went on a safari ride @ Lake Tobias with all my cousins, went to a wedding, & attended my very first VBS.
  
• So far, Mommy & Daddy say I'm a pretty easy baby.
• I do not like to be wet!
  
• I spend a lot of time in my swing.
• I had jaundice & almost had to be re-admitted to the hospital. Thankfully, Mommy & Daddy worked really hard at feeding me every 2 hours around the clock & getting me in the sunlight & I didn't have to go back to the hospital.
• I love to be swaddled up tight.
• I don't like my car seat very much.
  
• My big brother, Grant, really loves me. When I'm crying in the car, he reaches over to hold my hand. He also likes to "share" his toys with me & tells Mommy when I'm crying. One time, he even tried to give me a "high five"! ;-) He's going to take good care of me as I grow up.
• I've been sleeping through the night for a couple of weeks, now! Mommy & Daddy are soooo happy about this & can't believe their good fortune!
  
• I really love to be talked to, & have been giving Mommy & Daddy some really sweet smiles, lately.
• I'm finally starting to get the hang of nursing. I really stressed my Mommy out during those first few days when all I wanted to do was sleep. I think she got spoiled by how well Grant nursed & she forgot how hard it is for new babies & mommies to get it all figured out. But I think we finally figured it out....
• Ryleigh, my big sister, loves to hold me. Sometimes she helps Mommy by holding me during church. She also likes to rock me & sing to me.
  
• Yay! Mommy found a Bumbo seat for me @ a yard sale this weekend. I still can't hold my head up for very long, but I've been enjoying sitting in it for short periods of time. I think I'm going to be using it a lot!
• My hair is still kind of dark, but Mommy thinks it's getting lighter. She's really hoping it stays dark, though, 'cause she's always wanted a little girl with dark hair.
  
• I'm still just a little peanut. Even though I am growing, everyone still comments on how tiny I am. I'm definitely a lot more petite than my brother & sister were at my age!
• I have really long fingers. Hmm... maybe I'll play the piano when I get bigger.
  
• Mommy & Daddy still aren't sure who I look like, although I'm starting to resemble a few pictures of Ryleigh at my age.
  

Backyard Picnic

Pizza just tastes best when you eat it in your backyard!

Ryleigh loves her umbrella - never mind the fact that it isn't raining....


Please excuse the pizza all over Mr. Goofy's face.


Just chillin' out on Mama's lap & enjoying the fresh air.

This article encouraged me today. Just thought I'd pass it on....

Naptime w/Daddy

Finished Object Friday

I finished this up before Sabrina was born, but never got around to posting it. I wanted a new diaper bag that was big enough for all the stuff I have to carry around for three kids. At the same time, I wanted something that looks cool & trendy. I ended up using Amy Butler's Birdie Sling pattern for this one & I love how it turned out! It's so nice & roomy (Jeff says I could carry Sabrina + everything else I need in it :)! I'll definitely be using this pattern again.


For more Finished Object Friday posts, visit Charity's blog.

Free Photo Editing Class

A lot of what I have learned about using Adobe Photoshop Elements & editing photos, I have learned from Jessica Sprague. She's a scrapbook designer who also teaches classes & offers tutorials on digital scrapping & other stuff. She is offering a free online class for anyone. Registration opens on June 22nd, so mark your calendar!

An Update in Pictures

It's been so long since I posted that I'm not even sure where to begin in order to catch up. Besides, there's just so much that has happened, that the task of "catching up" seems overwhelming.

So... I've decided to just post pictures from the past month or so. Some of them (especially ones with writing on them) are my photos from Project 365 that I've been doing this year. So far, I've surprisingly been able to keep up with it. I hope that I'll be able to say that at the end of the year! ;-)

The two coming home outfits I took to the hospital

We really enjoyed having my Grandma & Grandpa Burch come for a visit a few days before Sabrina was born.

Yes, I played Sudoku while I was in labor! ;-)

Waiting to be discharged from the hospital.

Mom & Dad brought me the Polvorones from Mexico that I had been craving. They were to die for!

Matt & Meagan Espenshade's wedding

I'm such a lucky girl to have a husband who doesn't mind helping with middle of the night feedings! It's such a blessing - especially during those first few nights when you have to work as a team to keep the baby awake long enough to get a full feeding!

It was so special to have both sets of grandparents here for Sabrina's dedication.

Joe graduated from Penn View on May 25th. So proud of him!

Ryleigh had so much fun playing with her cousins, Carson & Kristen.

Mama's big helper!

The only way she would sleep those first few nights. I think using the Boppy helped her to feel like someone's arms were around her.


Our first trip to the park as a family of five. Ryleigh learning to ride her tricycle & Grant learning to walk.

Getting ready for my first Sunday on my own (with no extra helpers around).


Strawberry Limade on the porch.

Another wedding... Anthony & Elicia Witmer.

One of Ryleigh's new favorites - Tostadas w/beans, cheese & tomatoes

Jeff's "birthday cake" (he doesn't like cake, so we made him something he does like).

It's a good thing she likes her swing, 'cause she sure spends A LOT of time in it! ;-)

Grant has turned into a toddler almost overnight. He learned to walk the Sabrina was born (yeah, I'm still sad that we missed his first steps!), & has been on the move ever since.

We just finished VBS last week. It was so handy to have so many willing babysitters around! ;-)