Still here

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted, sorry guys! We have been busy packing up again.  3 days until the big move and I think this is the most organized move yet.  Have I ever mentioned this is the 5th move since we've been married. We've been married 2 years.  Just 2.  


We each sent a big box of shoes and clothes to goodwill (aka my mom who brings it to a place called Trade n Treasure to sell it) and we've been purging all the junk and misc, things that:
a) don't know what it is but have held onto it thinking we would figure it out 
b) high school clothes we always held out hope that we could fit into again (I'm 23, if it doesn't fit now it sure won't fit in 5 years) 
c) those clothes that are really cute on the hanger but nowhere else  
d) boxes of random loose paper (where did this come from)
e) 100's of notebooks and notes from college science classes
(I could go through the entire alphabet but I'm sure you get that we had a bunch of junk)


Bye bye college papasan chair- i loved it, he hated it and Grace will kill herself trying to climb it.  Adios the first sofa I ever bought, a $400 Ashley's Furniture score that was only worth about $50 seeing as the cardboard arms have caved in.  I saved for months to get that thing too.  Peace bookcase, side table and tv stand.  But now we have room for the beautiful dresser Jonny re-finished! Pictures coming soon.  


So Wednesday morning with our little family packed up, a truck, a volkswagon and a u-haul trailer we're driving across Texas and down the Louisiana coast to move into our tiny 1 bedroom apartment 2 minutes from dental school.  If you think of us by chance please say a little prayer for us. Thanks and here's some swimming pictures, as you can tell she is becoming quite photogenic.

Ashley 


ps. feel free to leave comments :)

Chaos Complete.....for now

So these past 2 weeks have been hectic.  My floors haven't been touched, laundry is miles high, bathrooms...let's not go there.  Why the nasty living conditions?  I've been crafting my little heart away for Trade Days this past weekend.  I started MG Creations (Madison Grace Coulon...MGC....get it?) trying to earn some money since I don't want to go back to teaching and leave little one at home but soon realized that preparing for a booth at a trade show in just over a week isn't the brightest idea I've ever had.  I had piles of baby leg warmers, baby sweatpants, onsies, bows, earrings, shoes, not to mention the tablecloths I sewed from old sheets.  Going into it I thought "oh this will be fun and easy", coming out of it I'm thinking "I'm insane."  It wouldn't of been too bad if I hadn't been directly across from the live "entertainment" for 8 hours, if there hadn't been a mild tornado trying to crush my petite tent, 100 degree weather and a pestering neighbor.  It also would have helped if I had sold more than 3 items.  That's right 3 ITEMS! That's it. 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of pants.  Why the pants? A child had an accident in their pants and the mom needed something to throw on him.  I felt so bad for the kid that I sold them for $5 instead of the $12 they were listed for.  I'm not a great business woman obviously.  I had been so worried that I didn't have enough stuff and didn't think "this is all coming home with me."  My sweet husband sat out in the heat with me behind our 2 little tables, under a tent that could come down at any moment and reassured me that I wasn't an idiot, people just don't know the good stuff.  I watched for hours and hours as people walked by with crap and ignored my humble little tent.  Plastic guns, fried chicken on a stick, cheapo paper umbrellas, Walmart goods.  C'mon now people!  
But that's enough whining... I have decided to keep at it.  Anyways, I have all this stuff and only know so many babies to give it to.  So NOLA markets beware, MG Creations is coming and you will drool over the cuteness I have in stock.  A little over-confident maybe...  I have a blog MG Creations that I am currently the only follower of so, if you want to join the craft train there's the site. I'll post crafts I'm working on, things I'm selling and whining sessions when I don't sell anything (not really).  


On a brighter note: Grace turns 6 months old today! 6 months ago I was in labor, oblivious to the trials, sleep depravation and joys to come.  A lot of people say they can't remember life without their child, well I can.  It was easy and carefree but I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything.  I will take days without showering, nights with 2 hours sleep and baby kisses over my pre-baby life any day.  She has grown so much in such a short time, I can't imagine what she will be like in 6 more months.  Maybe a head of hair, waddling around the house talking to herself? 


Jonathan turns 24 this Thursday! We met at 15 years old, just kids.  I've watched him grow into an amazing man, attentive husband, joyful, loving father, serious student and serious hottie...a wonderful God-fearing person. Happy Birthday babe!


Baby girl just fell asleep in my lap so I've got to put her down.  Here is a picture of baby girl. She has to sit up in the tub now, we can't get her to lay back....no more itty bitty baby for us :(

Ashley

The Emotional Journey of a 5 month old

These were all taken in the course of about 30 seconds...

It's very emotional being a baby apparently.

So, daddy is away in New Orleans for the week and Gracie and I are really REALLY missing him.  He's never been away for more than 2 days so these 5 days are going to be tough. 2 days down, 3 to go.   I've been keeping busy crafting. I'm doing Stanton Trade Days! MG Creations is going to have a booth full of baby goodness and cute cute jewelry compliments of my sister-in-law.   So I've been sewing, painting and ironing my fingers away.  Puh-lease check us out June 12-13th at Trade Days!  I don't want to bring home 50 onsies, pants and legwarmers.  I only have one child! 

Thankfully the crafting has kept me inside because West Texas has recently become a sauna. 105 today and 108 tomorrow.  We've been swimming each night around 6 but that may come to a stop the next few days seeing as the water has turned into boiling hot lava.  I think I might fry an egg on the cement tomorrow, just to see if it actually works; my 8th grade science teacher would be so proud.  

So it is almost 10 on a friday night, first night of summer for Midland schools.  Baby is asleep (for now), hubby is away, fox news is on in the background and I decided I would try making italian soda.  I was surprised to find out how easy it was.

1 ounce Half and Half

2 tbsp syrup (I used raspberry)

top it off with sparkling or club soda.

Just don't add the soda in too fast or you get a foamy volcano like mine.

Give it a try and let me know what you think, it's delicious after you clean up the mess.

Off to bed

Ashley