Well life is back in full swing! I finished my quarter with 2 A's 1 B and 1 C. not too shabby! i had a week off and now I'm back to the grind! the same day that i started school Ash started a job and is working harder than we both expected. what a loving man!!
 Lynnie and I participated in an event called One Day Without Shoes.  It was to bring awareness about communities who cannot enjoy the luxury of shoes.  I did not realize how eye opening this would be for me.  I didn't do much that day I went to school and the grocery store but i was at home otherwise.  My feet were very sensitive and i spent most if the day wincing as I walked around campus.  my heart goes out to the men, women and children who live their lives this way!!
Ashlynn is more and more wonderful each day! She is a joy to be around and melts my heart with her joyful spirit! She's so much like her dad sometimes, happy as a clam curious and SMART.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to help her grow into a strong woman in Christ. 
I am starting a new hobby (we'll just see how this goes) I have been inspired by the show Extreme Couponing I wish to do things a bit more realistic there is no need to stock pile food in such a gluttonous manner (1 woman bought 62 bottles of mustard!!) but I would love to save my family some money! i'm in the research phase now so if anyone has tips please share!! 
My prayer for my family and friends this week will be to keep all joyful and healthy!!

big things are happening at the Hochstadt house!!

Well i thought that i has missed big news last week when i failed to report that Lynnie was crawling but BOY was i wrong!! Little miss has been crawling for over a week now when today she decided to STAND! crawling was apparently much too juvenile for her and she just had to progress to standing.  We will be dropping down her crib so that no overnight mishaps take place and we picked up some child proofing supplies today...as most parents know she crawls right for the dangerous stuff. As soon as we get distracted we look down to find her in a cabinet, playing with a wire or my all time un favorite kissing the trash can. ick! so we will have to protect our sweet daughter and lock up the house!
In other news the job hunt for mister Ashley continues, he is determined and i am proud of him for not letting go of his resolve to provide for his family.  we had a wonderful weekend and went jeans shopping today i have (happily) lost 4 jean sizes since the birth of our little one!! yay for weight loss. This Thursday concludes my quarter and i get one glorious week until it all begins again!!
Have a blessed week!

Our Biggest News Yet!

As most of you already know our family has some very exciting news!
Ashley started a job with a contractor this past week and i was able to put in my notice at work.  As of March 5th being Ashley's wife and the momma of Ashlynn will be my full time job!! I am so excited to see where the Lord leads us during this time.  It was a huge step of faith to put my notice in so soon but Ashley and i do not want our daughter and some day children raised by a non family member and we of course are our first choice.  It will kill me to leave my work family i currently spend over 30 hours a week with them and i love them all so much! but that said my obligatino is to my home family and they have been on the back burner these last few months, time to move them fron and center where they belong =)

  Ashley is going to be such a wonderful provider for us, he gets so much satisfaction from working. even when he comes home tired and sore he is happy to have worked hard.  Lynnie and I love him endlessly and are so grateful for his determination to do things the biblical way. We're still new at this but we are doing our best!  next week when i post i'll be a keeper of the home!! yayyyyyyyy

This week proved to be as eventful as the last.  We had a wonderful visitor all the way from Texas. Auntie V got to meet Ashlynn for the first time, Lynnie got shots AND her 1st tooth actually broke the surface. Our poor girl was in terrible pain =( i suppose we all went through it(if not then that would be strange)  but that doesn't make it any easier.
Ashley and I continue to make great strides in this marriage business and are on the road to building a marriage that will last a life time!  With God on our side we know that our family can accomplish greatness but as of now we are in the baby steps mode of things.
I am 5 weeks into my quarter at school and will have 5 weeks remaining then a lovely week off from school and work ! the weekly count down keeps me going!
Thanks for checking in! Have a great week and God Bless!

More Firsts

On Monday January 31st Ashlynn said her first word!! it was right before bed time and so casual we almost missed it "dadadada" we heard her whisper. but today it was confirmed as she said it many more times! In a year i'll be wishing she never spoke, I'm sure but for now this is a thrilling moment in the life of new parents.

We started Lynnie on a new food this week, butternut squash yum! and Ashley had a ROUGH week to say the least.  She decided that teething and being in horrible pain would be fully acceptable, and i suppose it is as she is 6 months old. I have heard that teething is hard but man-o-man is it hard! and tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

As for Ashley and i we are keeping it together as best we can with support from our friends and family (Sandals family you count too!!) I'm sure we'll get a handle on this family stuff soon!
While you're praying this week if you want to keep our family lifted up we'd always appreciate it =)

only the beginning

A good friend of mine recently began a blog of her own as a way for family and loved ones to stay informed and involved.  As our little family grows I thought that our larger family would like to "watch" and be involved as well. So today is day 1 =) welcome!!

Our little girl (Ashlynn Alyce) amazes us each day with her sheer joy and love that she pours out on us even when we get it wrong (missed naps, diaper rashes, not feeding her the second she wants us too...these are the things that upset a 5 month old!)  With her 6 month life anniversary just around the corner there are sure to be a lot of learning experiences ahead!

Please bear with me as I figure this blogging business out and please read, enjoy and share in our trials and triumphs!!