Pics of New House

As many of you know, when we sold our 4-bedroom home to go to seminary, the 2-bedroom townhouse that they had available was quite a stretch for us. It was quite difficult to keep the chaos from taking over in such a small space! But God has truly blessed us -- last week, we were able to move into a 3-bedroom townhouse just across the yard. It's unbelievable the difference that just a few feet can make!!

So here are some pictures. Enjoy!!

Peyton playing in our new backyard

More backyard

Caleigh showing off her "super soccer kick"

My kitchen is finally big enough to accommodate my hutch -- oh, how I've missed you, old friend!!!

This is the back view of the rolling island my dad built for my new kitchen -- Caleigh & I were getting ready to bake Daddy's birthday cake. Watch for those pictures!!

The front of the island

The view from our kitchen -- Daddy's 2nd home, the library

Caleigh has already broken in the patio with some sidewalk chalk art

Our livingroom

More of the livingroom

Yes, even MORE livingroom!!

The kitchen -- please ignore the laundry drying on the rack in the corner

MORE kitchen -- yes, that is a glass-top stove!! Lucky me!!

We gave the girls the biggest bedroom -- they have a regular closet for their clothes & a walk-in closet for all their toys. It's like heaven!!!

More of the girls' bedroom -- please notice my $15 bargain armchair from the Salvation Army.

More of the girls' bedroom

Our bedroom -- quite cozy (a.k.a. small)

My half of the office -- yes, this means you will be seeing more Morgan Marie Designs jewelry very soon!!!!

We just love the new place & are so thankful that God has blessed us so richly!!

Some Semblance of Order

Finally. And not a moment too soon.

The illness that pervaded our house for just shy of 2 weeks is finally gone. The move that has taken a full week (including the painting) is finally finished. Hallelujah!!!!

It's been a craaaazy few weeks. The girls are feeling much better. And my kitchen counter no longer looks like the entire children's medicine section at the pharmacy! I am back on my feet as well -- still feeling some of the after effects of being so sick for so long (although I can handle the 10 pounds I lost). Jason, however, has yet to completely catch up on his sleep.

And we are now in our new house. Perhaps I forgot to mention that we moved from a 2-bedroom townhouse on the seminary campus to a 3-bedroom. It's glorious!! However, it did require a few nights of painting. And since Jason didn't have a whole lot of time to devote to a big move, it took the girls & I a whole week of moving one box at a time to get things done. But we're in & loving it!!! The girls' new bedroom is HUGE & accommodates all their many, many toys. Jason & I have an office now where he can do schoolwork & I can work on jewelry & sewing projects. Not to mention that my kitchen & livingroom are enormous!!!!

Things are finally starting to settle down & we can get ourselves back into a routine (which Daylight Savings shot to heck!).

Jason's trying to get caught up on some schoolwork & prepare for his first preaching engagement at our church on Maundy Thursday. And somewhere in the midst of all the madness, he is also hoping to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

The girls & I are enjoying our days in the new house & are looking forward to a shopping trip with Nana on Saturday to get some Easter dresses.

Finally . . . normalcy.

I Spoke Too Soon

Not only did I get the flu, I got it with a vengeance!! Jason had to come home on Tuesday night & miss his last class to take care of me & the girls. As soon as he got home, he sent me up to bed. And there I stayed . . . for the next FIVE days!!!! I've never had anything like it. Just when you thought the fever was breaking, then came the vomiting and the chills and the 80-year-old-woman-like aches . . . and the fever was back.

Today is the first day that I've been out of bed for longer than I've been in bed -- not by much, but a little at least.

Poor Jason. He not only missed class on Tuesday, but he missed class on Wednesday as well, plus the entire week of work!! And since his days have consisted of playing nursemaid to his 3 favorite girls (that sounds a lot more glamorous than Lysoling, sheet washing, & medicine dispensing), he is horribly behind on his schoolwork!

Is it summer, yet???

The Dickinson Infirmary

I have learned in the last 72 hours that the flu is no respecter of persons.

It all started on Friday afternoon as I was getting ready to leave for work. Jason came into the kitchen complaining of "achiness." Things quickly went downhill from there.

And the germs began to spread . . .

Soon Caleigh had a cough, then a fever, then a sore throat. "Mommy I feel yucky."

About 15 minutes ago, I sent Peyton to bed with a fever.

Currently, the only one who isn't sick is me . . . I expect that to change at any moment.

Why doesn't Lysol make a bubble bath??

Our Craaaaazy Life!!!

Here are some recent pictures of my angels & a family update!! The first picture is Caleigh getting ready to go out in the latest snowstorm ~ doesn't she look excited?!? The next one is Caleigh enjoying a yummy yogurt drink ~ go, Diego, go!!

Pey Pey trying Daddy's hat on for size

Peyton hates having her picture taken ~ yeah, right!

Madame Butterfly

Our young Picasso

Ready to go sledding!

Caleigh & Mommy goofing off ~ what a snuggle bunny!!!

Family Update:

Life here on the homestead has been a bit hectic & crazy over the last few days. It has been a week filled with doctor's appointments, shots, medicine, & general crankiness!!!

There were a few perks in the week, though. One came yesterday on our weekly trip to the Salvation Army. We got a ton of great buys (I'm sporting one right now), including a bag full (& I mean FULL) of vintage kitchen playset dishes. We played "tea party" all night!!

Today was, well, eventful. It started with my dear sweet PeyPey waking up at 6:15 this morning . . . about an hour & 15 minutes too early. She must be her father's daughter . . . happy the minute her feet hit the floor. My other offspring, however, grumbled her way out of bed shortly after 7:30 & the first thing she said to me was, "Mommy, my covers are so snuggly." Ahh, like mother, like daughter.

Around lunchtime, I got to experience that heart-in-your-throat feeling that is all too familiar amongst mothers of toddlers. I was downstairs in the kitchen when I heard the *thud* of Peyton falling off of Caleigh's top bunkbed. She seems fine ~ possibly a sprained finger, but overall, quite lucky. About 10 minutes after being scooped up & comforted by Mommy, she fell asleep in my arms. Naptime??? It's only 12:30! Oh well . . . go with the flow, Christine. So off she went to bed.

Well, at least the hubby doesn't have class tonight & we all survived the day without anyone being seriously injured. All in all, a good day!

10 Things I LOVE about You . . .

10 Things I Love About PEYTON MARIE

1. her belly laugh
2. the way she sprawls out when she sleeps

3. her tenacity
4. the way she tries to verbalize her thoughts


5. her artistic nature
6. the way she gets over things so quickly


7. her carefree love of life
8. her inquisitiveness


9. the way she snuggles & kisses
10. the way she praises herself ("Yea, PeyPey!")

10 Things I Love About CALEIGH MORGAN

1. her smile
2. the peaceful way she sleeps



3. how pleased she is with herself when she does something good
4. the way she can make-believe so realistically


5. her love of small animals
6. her growing independence


7. her joy in running around naked
8. her exuberance


9. the way her mind works as she remembers things & puts ideas together
10. the songs she makes up as she dances around the livingroom

Bargains & Blessings

I love the Salvation Army!! I discovered our local store shortly after moving here to seminary. It didn't take me long to become a regular customer. Especially on Wednesdays . . . "Family Day" . . . half off everything in the store!!

Today the girls & I ventured out (even though it's a Tuesday) in search of some "new" used books at the Salvation Army. I figured it might be a good idea to have some new entertainment on hand in light of the impending snowstorm.

We walked into the store with a crisp $20 bill in Mommy's pocket & made a bee-line for the children's book section. We hit the *Jackpot*. We found a ton of great books! We even found a Disney Princess Mini Projector book with 5 different stories . . . and it had all the pieces!!! Since Jason & I are committed to not using our credit cards, $20 was the limit. I fought the temptation to go peruse the armchairs. We will be in the market for one soon, but it was not a necessity for today.

The girls & I took our purchases to the counter, paid for them, & headed out of the store. On our way out, something got my attention. Not far from the exit door was an armchair (see photo). It reminded me of a comfortable old slipper & had that vintage-look that I adore. Here's the best part ~ the sign on the chair said, "FREE." I quickly got the girls into the van, backed it up to the door, & went inside. I found the first available worker. I asked her about the chair & if I could go ahead & load it. She responded with, "What chair?" When I showed her, she said that she had never seen that chair before, but if it said "FREE" I could take it!!!

It is now gracing the corner of my kitchen. I already think it will be the perfect spot for my morning devotions :)

And the icing on the cake . . . shortly after the girls & I arrived home, I found out that my hubby's classes have been canceled for the day & he will be hanging out at home with us. I love snow!!!

Profound

A friend sent me this quote last week. Very profound.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I woke and found that life is service.
I acted and, behold, service is joy.

It's not the end, the end of the world . . .

It never happens to me. I don't know why. I'm just not one of those lucky people. When I have a problem or am in need of encouragement, I'm just not one of those people who can randomly open up the Scriptures, close their eyes, point . . . & viola . . . there it is -- the perfect verse with the perfect solution just perfect for the occasion. I just never have those surreal experiences.

Until yesterday . . .

We finally had settlement on our house yesterday. And after 8 months of carrying the burden of an extra residence that came with a mortgage, oil expenses, heat expenses, municipal expenses, & insurance expenses, you would think that I would be elated to be rid of it. But instead, I met the day with very mixed emotions. Although I knew some of the financial freedom this occasion would bring, I was more focused on losing the last thread that connected me to my sense of security. I knew that once the house was gone, there was truly no turning back. I started to reminisce about bringing each of the girls home from the hospital . . . our dog Livvy . . . family dinners . . . birthdays . . . holidays . . . fireplace . . . *sigh*. And then to hear from our buyers all the changes that they were planning to make -- that put me right over the edge.

As we left the meeting, I was pretty teary-eyed. Jason & the girls got into the car & I got into the van & started to drive over to our "celebratory" dinner. I turned on the radio. Now, let me just interject that this NEVER happens to me. On the radio was a Matthew West song & these are the words that greeted me:

It's not the end,
the end of the world.
It's just another day
depending on grace.

Okay, I got it.

Banana Chocolate Chip Softies

Okay, so here it is by popular demand . . . the recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip Softies. Enjoy!!!

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 ripe, medium banana, mashed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets.

Place flour, baking powder, & salt in a small bowl; stir to combine.

Beat butter, granulated sugar, & brown sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light & fluffy. Beat in banana, egg, & vanilla. Add flour mixture. Beat at low speed until well blended. Stir in chips & walnuts with mixing spoon. (Dough will be soft.)

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cookies stand on cookies sheets 2 minutes. Remove cookies with spatula to wire racks; cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature. These cookies do not freeze well.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Success!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that Jason got his final grade for his first semester of seminary . . .

4.0!!!!!!!!!

We are praising the Lord for His faithfulness! Thank you to all our friends & family who have & are continuing to support this "Great Adventure." We look forward to reporting more success as Jason begins his 2nd semester on the 29th!!

A Day in the Life

It was a pretty quiet day in the Dickinson house yesterday. And quiet days happen to be my favorite! So we took the opportunity to try out a new cookie recipe ~ which turned out to be delicious, by the way ~ & to try out my new Kitchen Aid mixer! We made Banana Chocolate Chip Softies ~ quite possibly a new family favorite. So here are some pics from our afternoon of baking:

Peyton didn't bake. She colored instead.

Caleigh enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Our only disappointment was that after all the baking was over, then came the clean-up. And with the clean-up, we discovered that my Kitchen Aid mixer is broken :(

After Peyton got up from her nap, she got to enjoy her cookie & some snuggle time with Mommy.

Okay, so we aren't snuggling ~ but "This Is the Way the Ladies Ride" is her favorite game!!