Someone's Got My Back ;)

I had the most amazing (little) thing happen to me this morning and I just HAVE to share!

The kids and I were at the park and Henry scraped his big toe pretty badly.  I started the band aid hunt- through my purse, in the car, etc.  We couldn't find one.  The injury didn't seem to bug Henry, but the fact that the tip of his toe was peeled back and bleeding good, made me make the executive decision to get back in the car and run to CVS for a band aid.

When we got in the car, I realized I had forgotten my wallet at home.  Fab.  I scrounged around the car for some change and came up with a little over two dollars.  I figured that would definitely buy a band aid, right??

We got to CVS and there I was, huge and preggo, with an upset 3 year old (who had to leave the park) and a bleeding 22 month old.  We must have been a sight!  We went back to the band aids and the cheapest box was over 3.00.  SERIOUSLY?? 

I went up to the front counter and asked if they had a band aid we could have, they didn't. 

I stood there and looked around, thinking about my next move.  I had my CVS card (on my key chain) and thought "what the heck- I'll scan it.  Maybe a coupon will print out for band aids." 

I kid you not- I scanned my card, and out popped a coupon and this is what it said:

"Thank you valued customer!  Enjoy a FREE health product up to $8.00!"

We walked back to the band aids and I picked out a fancy box of classic Mickey band aids...

I got goosebumps walking out of the store with our free box of band aids. 

Seriously- HE- has got my back...   It's such a little thing, but its made me think about all sorts of BIG thoughts, about my faith and trust in God.  It feels good to know He's making sure we're provided for.

He is the ultimate provider, and I know I forget that all too often. 

Thank you Lord for reminding me on this ordinary Wednesday, how truly extraordinary You are!

{almost} Wordless Wednesday

This girl loves her dadda.   I, myself am a daddy's girl, so I can appreciate the special bond they have.  ohhh sigh... melt.my.heart.

This photo is also my entry to Simplicity's Photo Challenge.  The theme is "LOVE."  :)

Ash McKenney Had a Farm...

E-I-E-I-O!!!!!!!!!

Don't ask me why, but I've been craving me some farm life. Wednesday morning, we (as in me & the kids) were sitting at home with literally not a THING to do. Now, I'm about to admit a biiiiigggg mommy secret here- I'm a tad ashamed to admit it- but I'm going to be honest here... sometimes, when there is nothing to do, Maeve has me on my last nerve (meaning she's pitched her 10000 tantrum, the house is trashed, she's gotten into my makeup for the 4000th time and Henry's screaming for...who knows what) I pack them into the car, turn on a DVD (portable dvd player on the back of the carseat- best purchase ever) and DRIVE. DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE. Maeve watches her movie, Henry sleeps, I swing by Starbucks and all is good again. Is that terrible that I resort to restraining my kids in their car seats and driving around to get a break??? Eeek... I hope not.

Anywho, after my run by Starbucks (I've become a fan of those dark cherry mochas- SO GOOD) I had the choice of turning left (South) or right(North). Which direction do you think I picked?? SOUTH. DUH.

I drove until I reached South Jackson and took S.Jax ALLLLLLLLLL the way to Somerset. Yup- it was a good 30 minute drive. Maeve was totally into "Pinnochio" and Henry was sleeping. We saw lots of cows, horses, sheep, chickens, etc. And I made sure to point them all out to Maeve- because heaven forbid she missed seeing a cow. Along with looking at old barns & animals, I was listening to Taylor Swift & daydreaming about owning my own chunk of land someday. Why do I want farm land? Isn't that just one more thing to take care of? Well, yes. It is. BUT I desperately need some space. Our family needs room to run, roam and explore. I am planning on homeschooling (no comments please! -unless they're loving comments of course :) and I want my kids to learn through experience. LOTS of experiences. Such experiences, I hope that a giant piece of land could give them. Because... on a giant piece of land we could own some of THESE. Because nothing is better than farm fresh eggs. And of course with a house full of chickens we'll need a giant man rooster to keep the lady hens all happy.

I also want one of THESE pretty little thangs. Why? Well, look at them- they're adorable. But I have always, ALWAYS wanted one. And I've heard they're smarter than dogs. So why not? :)

In fact, in the midst of all my daydreaming, I even caught myself wanting one of THESE! A silo!?!?! Yup... why would I want/need a silo? Purely for looks. But LOOK- they are beautiful, eh?? I also would adore a couple of these suckers. Just so we can, ya know, see what direction the wind is blowing!?! :)

Really, though- and this is being totally serious. I WANT A FIELD. A GIANT, HUGE, GARGANTUAN-sized FIELD. One that we could plant a beautiful vegetable garden in... one that kids could run through... one that our hens & our teacup piggy could graze in... ohhhhhh... how I long for a field.

After reaching our "destination" (keep in mind, there really was no destination) Somerset, I pulled off at the famous McCourtie Park. GASP- believe it or not, I had only been there once. The park kind of creeps me out- I felt like someone was watching us the entire time. I know- strange, but we were the only ones there and I was totally picturing the cops finding our empty jeep like two days later, parked outside & us being the new "Dateline" story on Friday night. ANYWAYS, I managed to get a couple of pics of Maeve enjoying the freedom of romping and roaming all over the park. Poor Henry was trapped in his stroller and endured quite the bumpy ride over all the non-stroller friendly bridges. He was a trooper though and stayed asleep the entire time.
Here are some pics from our morning:






All Maeve really cared to do was run, run, run- and find sticks. She found piles and piles of sticks. She waved them up in the air, hit the bridges with them, threw them into the stream.... yeah. All in all, it was a fab morning. It just happened to flood me with the desire to live on a farm. Sigh...

The good news is, FLORIDA :) has lots and lots of farmland for sale. We're actively looking for a nice plot. Whether or not things will fall into place... well that's not my work. So, we're praying. And hoping. And praying some more. :)

First Few Days of Oct.

It's funny- I am SO ready to not be pregnant and meet this little guy, but on the same hand its a bit depressing to know that my one on one time with Maeve is slowly coming to an end... okay, that's REALLY depressing. We have a great schedule worked out and each day is a blast with her- and I'm really not exaggerating- sure, we have tough days but I truly, truly enjoy our time together and I wouldn't trade a minute of it. With all that said, I've been packing our calender and days with things that I know we aren't going to be able to do once the turkey makes his appearance (at least things we won't be able to do right away...).

A few days ago, Maeve and I took a trip up to Chuckie Cheese- it was SO MUCH FUN! She played hard for a couple of hours and zonked herself out on the way home. We've also been soaking up these last few days of "nice" weather ("nice" meaning its not raining...) and going to the park. I'm not sure what's going to happen when it snows and we literally cannot go outside to play. Maeve will not be a happy camper... I've also been on this cooking/baking kick- and while Maeve can't sit there for the whole 30/45 minutes it takes to make something, she does like pouring things in the bowls, licking the mixers and eating the finished product. :) Just this week alone, we've made pumpkin spice cookies, chocolate chip oatmeal raisin cookies & those amazing apricot bars I blogged about a few weeks ago. (I know what you're thinking- "Ashley if you're going to be cooking up all that stuff don't complain about your weight anymore!"


Maeve holding a box of cookies we baked for Dadda...

Tuesdays have quickly become my favorite night of the week- strange, because its the one night Ryan's not home- he has night class until 9:50. When he first registered for that class I was upset, thinking "WOW that's going to be one packed day of no rest and all play for me!" But it's turned out to be a wonderful thing. I call it "Maeve & Mom day." We go out for dinner (no sense cooking for just us)- usually its "Culvers"- I love their chicken sandwiches and Maeve gets a free scoop of custard. We also visit my mom out at the studio and Maeve gets to dance with the big girls for a little bit. Then we either come home, take a bath and watch a movie until Daddy gets home (yes I let her stay up to see Ryan- she is SUCH a daddy's girl and loves it when he tucks her in at night :) or we run some late night errands. Last week we went to "Michaels" to pick up some craft supplies for her upcoming birthday.:) I know once the baby comes, our sweet little Tuesday nights will no longer exist, so I'm really trying to take advantage of them while I can.

Another big hit around here has been "colors" (aka coloring). Maeve BEGS to "colors" all day long. Not a big deal right??? That's what I thought, but its really, REALLY not a good idea to leave a 2 year old alone with a pack of crayons. She had never really strayed from the coloring book (maybe a little on the table here and there) but the other morning while I was making breakfast and Maeve was using her "colors" she snuck in the hallway and did her "colors" all over the wall... and of course it just had to be a red crayon. So this makes for a dilemma- the kid wants to color ALL THE TIME but I can't have my eyeballs glued to her 24/7- especially when I'm in the kitchen either cooking or doing dishes (there's a big wall that separates the kitchen from the living room). There have been many tantrums pitched because I won't let her color while I'm in the kitchen unless she's in her high chair (and of course she refuses the highchair...so bring on the tantrums).

Maeve & her coloring destruction. I really don't find it to be a big deal... it comes right off with those magic eraser things. But Ryan, who is set on selling this house is kind of going nuts finding random drawings on the floors, walls, cabinets, etc.
Weekends are filled with what else, but football. I'm not going to try and hide it- I couldn't care less about football (or any other sports except for the Olympics). It's funny, I see a ton of my girlfriends on facebook with "football-ish" status's and no matter how hard I try, I can't get excited or even interested in it. My husband however, is addicted. Therefore, football is on the tv all the time. He's even taught Maeve how to scream "TOUCHDOWN" and throw her hands in the air. He is more pleased with this than he is with her ABC's or counting to 10. Hmmm... Today is the big MSU vs. U of M game and just to bust his chops I'm rooting for U of M. I also dressed Maeve in gold & blue today :) haha... And trying to get in the spirit of the game, I made a big football food spread... my husband is very happy :) And he'll be even happier if MSU wins.




Our mini football party... Maeve LOVES playing with the black olives (what kid doesn't?) I'm not sure how much food she actually ate, but there are squashed olives all over the living room...
Our next few weekends are packed- and I love it. It speeds the month up which brings me closer to November!!! Next weekend is Maeve's "real" birthday (OMG TWO!!!!!!!!) The weekend after that is her birthday party (invites are in the mail on Monday- I PROMISE!) The weekend after that, we're taking her to the zoo boo walk up in Battle Creek, and the weekend after that is HALLOWEEEEEEEEEN!!! We're also making a few trips out to "Flavor Fruit Farms," although that all hinges on the weather so who knows when exactly we'll make it out there. We've all been feeling pretty well lately and I'm crossing my fingers that it stays that way! There is so much to do and tons to get in... but I do have to say, I love fall... and I love how this fall is going so far.

Weekend Recapppp...

Woah! pretty busy around here this weekend- good stuff, good stuff. Friday night, Ryan and I decided we needed a DATE- like all by ourselves, at a nice restaurant, etc. So my mom babysat Maeve and Ryan and I headed out to "Daryls." It was sooooooo bizarre being by ourselves- really I know this sounds pathetic- but we never, EVER go anywhere by ourselves! First off, because we loooove having Maeve with us, 2nd because sometimes its more of a pain to get a babysitter than its worth, and 3rd, when we do go out its usually Applebees and its Maeves fave! SO no joking here- I cannot honestly remember the last time we went out ALONE- I am going to take a wild stab and say maybe sometime over the summer???? YIKKKES! That's bad! I know its so important to get some alone time in there, but honestly, I end up missing the bug and would rather just have her with us! :) As it was, ALLLLLLLLL we talked about was Maeve! hah... we've really turned into those old people that turn in early and get tipsy from one glass of wine :) That's okay though...

Saturday, Ryan had his class ALL day long- BOO. So Maeve and I went book shopping- we found some good kids books on super sale... we also picked up a few things for Ponce and the puppies. In the afternoon, Maeve took her nap, I took a nap, and Ryan got home an hour early from his class... we were kind of desperate for something to do- that all 3 of us could do, that wouldn't require mass amounts of money. We decided it might be fun to take Maeve to a mens gymnastics meet up at UMICH. 3 bucks a person? Can't beat that!!! It turned out to be an awesome night- Maeve loved the meet- the entire women's gymnastics team was there, rooting on their mens team, and Maeve won them all over with her clapping and screaming "Yeaaaaahh!" So that was pretty cool :) She even grabbed one of their purses and I didn't notice it until they were all laughing- I turned around and said "OMG I am so sorry!" and they were like "NO! She is fine! She's more entertaining than the meet!" For those that don't know, I get star struck really easily... so I was in complete awe of these girls and the fact that Maeve was socializing with them!!! We're going to go to a women's meet one of these Friday nights and I'm hoping they'll remember her and take some pics w/ her :)
Sunday came with a wonderful surprise- Maeve slept in until TEN!!!!!!!!!! WOAHHHHH! We kept checking on her- we were in complete shock that she was fine- just sleeping! ahhhh it was so incredibly nice to just relax in the AM :) At ten, Maeve woke up and was ravenous- after all, she's used to eating breakfast between 7:30-8. So we took her out to "Alpha Omega" our fave. grease pit... she digs the oatmeal there and we love the sausage.... also, its great because its right in the mall, so we usually hit up Target and take Maeve for a visit to Toys 'R Us. We never buy anything at TRU (our house IS a toy house!!!!) but they have this dinosaur set up that she LOOOOOOOVES. She pushes the button and gets the biggest kick out of it stomping and roaring around... we also let her out of the cart when we get to the stuffed animal section and she goes nuts running around doing all her animal noises. Anyways, its a good way to get out of the house and kill some time. :)
Tonight, we went to my parents house for a great dinner- YUM. And on our way home I had maeve in my lap (we live like 10 seconds from their house, so sometimes instead of putting her in the car seat I sit in the back with her on my lap) WELL, she head butted me SO HARD and so straight-on, square in the nose... I heard a nasty crack and instantly tears were rolling down my cheeks and my face was soaked with snot. I was yelling "RYAN SHE BROKE MY NOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" So we got inside and took a look- she didn't hit it sideways, so it doesn't LOOK broken... its probably not... but I SWEAR I heard a crack and it freeeaaked me out. I took a shower and Ryan gave maeve her bath... and the entire time I was in the shower I kept blowing my nose- it feels like there is something up there- but I think its just swollen or something... UGH who knows. I have sneezed like a thousand times though...
Tomorrow I was planning on the Y, but just looked at the calender for this week and realized I have an appointment in AA tomorrow morning... that means ANOTHER day I am missing my workout... BLAAAAAH! And I ate so bad this weekend! YIKES!!!! I really gotta jump back on the workout/dieting thing cause I am going to undo all the hard work I've already done!!! SO frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh update on Ponce... for all you bird haters, he is an awesome buuuuurdy, as Maeve calls him! :) I am not sure if he's stunned by the noise in our house or what, but he just kind of hangs out- doesn't make noise or anything... he sits on our fingers and is perfect as can be! Hopefully he stays that way... I don't want a nasty, mean, loud bird! But for now, all is good :)

I am NOT Cooking Tonight!

No way, no how- we're totally getting take-out. You know when you're sick and it keeps snowballing into a worse case of whatever you have? Thats whats happening here in the McKenney household. Both Maeve and I started out with some annoying running noses, low grade fevers, etc. But last night I spiked a high fever, a horribly sore throat and a bronchitis-y cough. I was utterly miserable. Maeve was up every couple of hours just crying/whining- it sounded so sad. Ryan was getting up with her, but everytime he'd get up, I'd wake up and it would take an hour for me to get back to sleep. And I was so delerious from all the Nyquil, Tylenol PM and other junk I was taking that I kept asking for more... Ryan had to keep telling me that I'd already taken that and I couldn't have anymore... haha. It was pretty bad. My mom is supposed to come over around 10 or so to help out a bit. I desperately need some good sleep! Maeve is actually doing a lot better than me this morning- she seems to be OKAY- just a little fussy and a really, really gross nose. Other than that though she's been playing with her toys and she even ate a good amount of cereal this morning.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning- I am pretty sure its either a sinus infection, strep throat or just a bad cold... maybe bronchitis. Who knows? But whatever it is, its knocking me down and driving me nuts. I am assuming its not the flu because I got my flu shot... ugh...

Well Maeve and I are both staying in our PJs all day (until work at 4). Here are some pics of our sick day at home :(

She loves this book- its got pics of me, Ryan and her in it... she goes through it and says "Mama," "Dada," "Baby!" Its really cute!



Look at that yummy runny nose... ICKKKKKKKK!!!!!!


Playing with some of her favorite toys... Sickness doesn't keep her down! :)