Clay Woman

I'm not lost...

2011-12-02T23:19:00.000-05:00

In case any of you are wondering about me, I thought I'd let you know that I am still blogging, it's just been on www.muddymamas.net Since we returned home from our summer trip we've been on the road for 2 baby showers, the birth of a bay, a wedding, a funeral and a conference. So I've not had time to do much other blogging.. but if you miss me, go check out our blog.

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Update on Deacon's Family

2011-11-07T20:31:00.000-05:00

Since I shared with my readers about the loss of our son's friend last March (click here to read it), I also thought I'd pass on this update posted on another blog. I know I've had many of you ask me as well about the family, so I hope this helps give you some more insight into how they are doing. Thanks for continuing to keep them in your prayers.

Here's the update.

Columbus Busy Bag Swap for Preschool Age

2011-08-22T10:39:00.000-04:00

This Swap is now closed. Stay tuned in October to see what we get!

I recently read about a group of people doing a busy bag swap and thought I'd try having a swap locally to cut down on costs (no postage required). So if you want to have a variety of activities for your preschool aged child to do, here's how it works:

The swap will include up to 30 swappers which means up to 30 activities for you to take home. If you are interested in participating, look over the activities below and select your top 3 choices. Or if you have another idea of your own, you can submit that as well. The idea is to select a project that can be done for $1 or less per bag so look around your house and see what things you already have available to you as you select an activity.
Tell your local friends about this!
By September 10th I will e-mail you with your assignment. If you have not heard from me by then, please comment here to notify me after checking your spam folder.
You will have until September 25 to complete your 30 packets. You can drop your packets off at Veritas Community Church (325 2nd Ave Columbus) Thursday, September 22 from 12-3 or Sunday, September 25 from 8-12 or if you know me, you can give it to me. All packets must be submitted by 12 pm on Sunday September 25th.
I will sort the sets and they will be available for pick up by October 2nd.

Here are some ideas from Unsolicited Advice's Busy Bag Swap:

Shapes & Colors
--Shape Hunt & Sort
-- I Have, Who Has Game
(That's a lot of printing, but the game looks so fun. Wonder if you could play the game with just half the number of cards?)
--Double Trouble Shape Match
--Popsicle Color Match
(Make it with felt rather than paper to make it withstand the use of small children)
--Pom Pom Patterns
--Roll-a-Cise

Numbers/Counting/Early Math
-- Number Wheel
--Five Fabulous Frogs
(Can use any object and you can make your own sorting mats on smaller sheets of paper)
--Measure It
--Laminated Numeber Tracing Cards and a WASHABLE crayon or dry erase marker
(To keep the cost down, maybe you could just do one page, the numbers 1-12. If you use a crayon, it must be a Crayola washable crayon or it will not wipe off.)
--Felt Number Tiles and Bug Counting Cards

Alphabet
--Any of these alphabet activities from Confessions of a Homeschooler
--Felt Letter Tiles and Alphabet Tile Cards

Just for Fun
--Playdough and Play Mat(s)
(Some ideas: Number Mats, Letter Mats, Shape Mats look under "shapes", Berry Pie Mat, Carrot Planting,Facial Expressions, Feeding Giraffe, )

--Felt Cupcake Decorating
--Clothesline
--Spooning Beads
--Felt Snowflake Builder
(For the board, you can simply glue a sheet of felt to cardstock)
--No Sew Felt Fishing Game

Here are a few more ideas from Money Saving Mom
-Clothesline Busy Bag

-Pool Noodle Stringing
- Cupcake Busy Bag
- Velcro Matching Rods
-Button Snake

And feel free to use your own creative idea or another idea you've seen somewhere else!

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Visiting the doc

2011-06-09T08:32:00.000-04:00

Noah was having some tummy trouble so we decided to get him checked out just to be safe. For $7 they analyzed a stool sample & he saw a dr. They said unless he has a fever or vomiting w/ it, just to give him lots of fluids & gave us a prescription to get a powder to make the equivalent of pedialite. If only healthcare were this affordable in the US. Though this price could be someone's daily wages. His "prescription" cost $0.25!

Hopefully it won't last long. Since both of our kids are bad at putting their fingers in their mouth, we decided we'd err on the side of caution & get him checked early.

My little helper

2011-06-06T14:41:00.000-04:00

She's already helping clean up after herself! Don't worry, this was the final rinse, not the prewash.

Bath time

2011-06-06T14:39:00.000-04:00

This is much easier than bending over a tub!

Road obstacles

2011-06-06T00:25:00.001-04:00

Coffee Time

2011-06-06T00:24:00.001-04:00

Roasting Corn

2011-06-06T00:22:00.000-04:00

Great Cloth Diaper Change

2011-04-23T21:11:00.000-04:00

Today Baby Girl and I went to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011. I'm glad there were a few people who'd registered in advance that didn't make it (assuming that nothing bad happened) so that we were able to participate at Sprout Soup. We received these nice reusable grocery bags and some other goodies pictured along with a gift card to Firefly Cafe, which is a place I've wanted to check out, so now I'll be more motivated to do it!

I can't wait to hear what the total count was worldwide that participated in the event. It was funny seeing everyone hold up their cloth diapers before changing and then showing off our babies after the change. Here's a picture of our baby girl sitting on the changing pad just before the great cloth diaper change.

It's hard to get a picture of your kid when you're packed in a room with 30 other parents and babies all prepared to change our kids simultaneously. Anyway, it was fun. It was supposed to have been on the news but I missed and haven't found it yet, but I'll post a link if I find it.

Did anyone else participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change? How many participants were there were you were?

I'm a winner!

2011-04-20T15:04:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited! I finally won something on Nicki's Diapers! I won the snack pack giveaway. This will be great for using on our upcoming trip! I had a 2% chance of winning and won! It was just a few weeks ago i told my husband I never win these sort of things but he reminded me that someone has to win.. so I entered again and won this time! Woo Hoo!

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Update on the DeGarmeaux Family

2011-04-13T08:37:00.001-04:00

I know that many of you, whether you personally knew the deGarmeaux's or not, have been praying for them. I've had many people ask me how they are doing. Thank you so much for continuing to remember them in prayer. I know it's been over 3 weeks ago since he was hit by a car, but their grief is not something that will just go away. The news recently did a segment with Gabe, Deacon's father. I'd encourage you to check it out. Keep a tissue box handy. One thing that I have been extremely impressed with is how solid their faith is. I know it's not because they are super human or anything. In fact, there are three things that I think contribute to that:

They know and serve a Faithful, Loving God.
They seek to know His truths.
They have a huge network of people who are praying for them during this.

So, I'd like to encourage you to listen to our Pastor Brad's sermon the Sunday following Deacon's memorial. He talks about how important it is to put in lots of deep, heavy truths so that we can weather the storms we face. I'm thankful to see that the deGarmeaux's have done that. And secondly, keep praying for them. Deacon would have turned 3 on April 30th. Lilly turns 5 on May 1st. Pray that they are able to celebrate the lives of their children well.

T-shirt Giveaway

2011-03-29T14:55:00.000-04:00

Over at Muddy Mamas we are giving a way a She Has A Name t-shirt. Be sure to enter to win!

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Help for 2 Families!

2011-03-29T14:53:00.001-04:00

I nominated Monica (Deacon's mom) to win a $50 Kroger gift card. If my nomination wins both his family & ours will win a $50 Kroger gift card. Please vote & spread the word! Voting ends April 1st.

Click here to vote

Who Is the Son Of God

2011-03-24T15:38:00.001-04:00

I know many of you have read about, wept and prayed for the Degarmeaux family. So I wanted to share a link to the sermon Decon's dad, Gabe preached the day before he was hit by a car. During the first service Deacon passed through to go to the potty when his dad was saying his name so I know everyone in the 9 o'clock service was able to see his sweet face that day.

Deacon's memorial will be Saturday morning. I'm still trying to process what this will be like for Noah.

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Dealing with the Tragic Loss of a 2 year old friend.

2011-03-22T16:15:00.002-04:00

Last night we got some very sad news. Right now, I'm not even sure how to articulate all that is going on in my heart and mind. Deacon is one of the few boys my son's age at our church. Sunday while talking with Deacon's mom about our kids upcoming birthdays, Noah was chasing him around and playing with one of his cars. I keep replaying this in my head and trying to remind myself that God knew that was the last time Noah and Deacon would play together.

I have set and prayed and wept so much since we learned about his death. I can imagine how they feel. Not long after we moved to Ohio we had our own horrific day. We had some friends visiting us and three toddler boys were playing in our den. I stepped into the dining room to help put our dining room table in the room. Before I made it back the three year old came running in to tell us that Noah fell in the pool. The house we had recently moved into used to have a swimming pool but at the time had just a big hole with dark yucky water and who knows what in one end.

We ran outside to find the three year old's brother standing beside the pool and our son face down in the murky water. During those moments between running out the back door and jumping in to pull him out of the water and hear him scream, I can imagine what the DeGarmeaux family is feeling.

During this experience we felt so many emotions and I'm sure they are too. So we are mourning with them. We are reminding ourselves of God's sovereignty. We are reminding ourselves that God knows what they are experiencing, after all He too lost his Son. We are thanking God for the time we have with our own children.

God has reminded me a few times (like with the pool situation) that our children are His and He chooses to bless us with them to be stewards over them. Lord, help us all to be faithful to what You give us to watch over. I know Monica and Gabe were good stewards of Deacon's life. I pray that they will know this right now.

Please pray for this family and the girl who was driving the car to experience God's peace. Pray for the parents in our church as we talk to our children about the loss of their friend. Pray for the other children and their families who were there when this happened.

And for those who may be asking, "How's Noah doing with it?" Here's what's happened so far:

We first told him about the sad news. He then told us, "Deacon has cars." He then got up to play with his trains. A little later he asked, "Is Deacon at his house?" I told him that Deacon was not at his house and that he was with God. Noah said, "God in the Bible?" I said yes. Then he said, "Deacon isn't in my Bible."

We met some friends to play this morning (we had already made plans and felt like we needed to keep them to try to keep us from sitting home crying all day, since that's what we did all night). On our way home Noah starts talking about Deacon coming to his birthday party. I've told him he is not coming. He's been talking about this a few times now. Just Sunday we were talking about how fun it would be if Deacon could come to his party. Now we're trying to teach him about death and how his friend will not be at his party. This is heartbreaking. When I start to cry again, I pray for his mommy again. And then I grieve for her, knowing her pain is more than I imagine. Then I cry more. Then I preach to myself to remind myself of God's love and pray that they are also being reminded of this Truth.

Thanks to all who are praying for this family, our churches and all who are impacted by this.

But praise God we have a community to grieve with and we have a Hope.

UPDATE (3/22/11 11:51 PM): There is now info about bringing meals to them and giving to help pay for funeral arrangements on their church plant's website. The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, March 26th at 11 am. I'll update when I know more.
Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Survey on Miscarriage

2011-03-18T15:43:00.000-04:00

If you have exprienced a miscarriage, would you take a moment and complete this survey? You can fill in as little or as much as you like.

Also, if you know someone who has experienced this and would be willing to help others by completing the survey too, please pass it on.

Thanks!

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Fun surprise!

2011-03-18T15:37:00.000-04:00

I was so surprised yesterday during my trip to Kroger. I found 4 loaves of wholegrain bread marked down to $1.39. Then cream cheese was $5/5 (I haven't seen it this cheap in over a month). And I got a great deal w/ their March Madness deal where you buy 10 participating items get $5 off. But, my favorite deal of the trip was this:

Milk for 65 cents a half gallon! I bought all 6 they had marked down to this price. That's only $1.30/gallon and the milk is dated 10 days away! I haven't found milk this cheap in a LONG time!

Best Bottom Diaper Giveaway

2011-03-03T21:58:00.000-05:00

So I'm wanting to pick up a few more cloth diapers and I'd love to try Best Bottoms so I'm searching for some giveaways and found one at Happenings of the Harper Household.

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Day One of One Dress. One Month. One Cause.

2011-03-01T13:48:00.000-05:00

Today is my first day participating in One Dress. One Month. One Cause. It was pretty cold this morning so I put a light sweater and pants on with my dress (not a planned out way of wearing it). But, I thought I'd show off my dress and I wanted to tell others that you can still do this- you can start your month whenever you want! I also wanted to share a list of reasons someone posted on FB about doing this that I thought was worth passing along.

She called it 31 Reasons for a 31 day Dress Fast

1. To remind ourselves to pray for the people who are trapped in sex trafficking
2. To practice living simply.
3. To raise awareness for sex trafficking.
4. To “stand up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of the down and outers, speak up for justice, stand up for the poor and destitute (Proverbs 31:8-9)
5. To remind ourselv...es that “man looks at the outward appearance and that God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7)
6. To humble ourselves.
7. To realize the insignificance of others’ opinions toward ourselves and to break ourselves from caring what other people think of us.
8. To encourage and take care of each other.
9. To appreciate what we have.

10. To make memories with each other.
11. To have fun and be creative.
12. To realize how much time we spend worrying about what we wear.
13. To “keep our minds on things above” Colossians 3:2.
14. To prepare ourselves for our futures as women seeking God first.

15. To break ourselves of materialism.
16. To show our devotion to breaking injustice.
17. To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.
18. To help make ourselves “not concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
19. To practice courage.
20. To “not conform any longer to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may be able to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives” (Romans 12:2) 21. To get a new perspective on life.
22. To bring on a self-inflicted trial to “test [our] faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold” (1 Peter 1:7)
23. To stop changing our clothes so we can start changing our lives (Joel 2:...13)
24. To bring God glory.
25. To be feminine.
26. To be faithful with the small things so that he can put us in charge of bigger things. (Luke 16:10)
27. To do something that is crazy in the world’s eyes just because we can.
28. To make us not lukewarm.
29. To save on laundry money.
30. To teach us about ourselves.
31. To love God, ourselves, and other people.

Can you think of any other reasons?

One Dress. One Month. One Cause

2011-02-27T14:34:00.001-05:00

Beginning March 1st I'm joining in to participate in One Dress. One Month. One Cause. Lately I've been learning a lot about the reality of the sex trafficking industry and this is one way that we can be involved and help raise awareness for this problem. So, anyone else out there want to take the challenge to wear One Dress for One Month to raise awareness for this One Cause? I'm curious to know if anyone (aside from people who know via FB, my blog or word of mouth) will even notice. But it will help challenge me each day to remember to pray for those who are affected by this horrific industry and those who are working to help rescue these women and children. Want to join me? I'd love to see your dress! I'll share about this adventure mid-month and at the end. Leave a comment if you're participating too.

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Muddy Mamas Blog Coming Soon!

2011-02-24T23:33:00.000-05:00

A few months ago a few other moms and I began praying about starting a new blog and on March 1st, we will be launching our new blog, Muddy Mamas. This site is intended to help encourage other Mamas and remind us that our struggles are common and our God is Big. Sometimes we need shaping and sometimes we'll get dirty. I wanted to encourage anyone who is a Mama or who wants to read about life as Mamas to check it out. During the first week in March you will be able to "Meet the Mamas" and then we'll introduce you to the daily themes (Meal Plan Mondays, Tidy Tuesdays, Wife Wednesdays, Thrifty Thursdays, Family Fridays and Wild card Weekends). I have to say, I'm sooo excited about being a part of this with these other women. I hope you'll join us and that God will use it to encourage other Mamas and women in their walk with Him.

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Sex Trafficking Is Real

2011-02-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

I had planned to post about these t-shirts that you can buy which 100% of the profits go toward combating human trafficking in Columbus, OH and abroad. However, two other articles came up in my newsfeed today related to sex trafficking so I thought I'd also share those.

So, check out Derek's site where you can read about his short film project and purchase these t-shirts. And then read this post on Radical Womanhood which includes a letter from a survivor of the sex trade industry writing to the Super Bowl Host Committee. Wow! What a powerful story! Then, if you want to get angry about how poorly laws against this type of thing are enforced, read this article someone shared on Facebook.

And then, please take some time to pray for those who are affected by this and those who are trying to reach out and provide hope to these women. I think God has definitely sent me many reminders to pray about this today so I wanted to do the same for anyone who might read this.

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Pantry Challenge Review

2011-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

This month I have been participating in a pantry challenge. For me, my hope was to cut our grocery spending in half this month by trying to make use of what we have and only shopping for things like milk and produce or something we need to go with other things we already have.

I have to say, I like having a month of planned out meals to chose from much better than trying to survey the freezer/fridge and cabinets to see what we have stuff for. I guess I could have tried to survey and make choices for more meals at once, but I'd have trouble keeping track as well.

I also have to say, I'm tired of pigs and a blanket! We had 4 packages of hotdogs in our freezer (I will only buy the all beef ones so if I run across them on sale and have a coupon, I stock up) but we didn't have any buns so rather than buying them or making them, I used cans of crescent rolls to make pigs in a blanket.

While I didn't completely stick to the "only buy what you need to go with what you have plus milk" rule, I think we did pretty good. We also stocked up on 6 jars of peanut butter when we saw it on sale for 99 cents a jar again (and hubby was pretty excited about the crunchy kind).

Anyway, bottom line, we definitely cut our grocery spending! We have fed our family of 4 this month out of our pantry and only spent $160 at the grocery stores! This includes purchasing 3 Sunday papers, 4 packages (3 of which are 12 roll packages) of toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush and 6 jars of peanut butter!

I have our meals planned for February and I hope to get our shopping done at the end of this week. I HATE trying to buy groceries the first of the month. It's so crowded! So my plan is to make my shopping list and shop this weekend.

What about you, did you try the pantry challenge?

Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

International Travel with Toddlers?

2011-01-25T23:25:00.001-05:00

Please don't let this be me!

We are planning a trip with our whole family that could involve a 14 hour flight! While I love reading my friends blog posts on funny/annoying/etc. stories of things she witnesses as a flight attendant, I do not want to be the subject of someone else ranting online! (As a side note: No offense to the rest of my blogging friends, but she really needs to write a book. Her blog is by far the most entertaining of any blog I read)

So, I need advice! If you have traveled overseas with little ones who are mobile, please give me your input! We'll have a 3 year old and a 14 month old on our hands. Here are some questions:

1. a) If you are traveling to a country where you probably will have your child on your lap in the publis transportation, do you take your car seat? I only ask b/c I wonder if they might sleep more of the 14 hour flight if they are in a seat.

1. b) If you do take a car seat, have you ever used anything like this Toddler Car Seat Accessory?

2. What are your thoughts on strollers (again, probably won't get to make much use of it after we arrive at our destination and we should only have one stop over- but is it worth it for that?)? Umbrella? double? use the car seat thing above? none?

3. Have any of you ever used one of these pea pod beds? What ages did you use it and what did you think? I read a lot of reviews but I trust people I know more and a lot of the reviews don't tell you the age of their children.

4. Am I ridiculous to consider one of these child restraint systems to use on the plane? I want to keep my children safe but since air traveling is already considered to be so much safer than riding in a car in a car seat anyway, is this just being paranoid?

5. If you were traveling somewhere with a significant time difference, would you try to change their schedules gradually the week or so before travel so that you do so when you could also ~~rest (wait, you'll be packing for 4 people.. scratch that)~~ work on adjusting too. Or just try to keep them awake upon arrival and hope that you make it to bed time that first day and pray the transition goes well?

6. Is there any travel item that you HIGHLY recommend? Any thing you've tried that didn't work?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as the time to travel gets closer.
Ashlee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com