More of My Girls, More Music, More Green in 2009 (Amanda)

So, in our journey toward a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, we are not printing Christmas letters this year. This post (and the ones that follow) are how each of us sums up the past year. Thanks for reading!

Here's our first "formal" family picture since Ashtyn joined us. Three out of four smiles isn't bad. :)

It's hard to describe the past year for me. As I read over last year's letter, I noticed we referred to it as a roller coaster. As I look back on 2009, I can tell you that 2008 was a kiddie coaster! At least for me! I think I was caught up in the excitement of all the newness of the adventure in 2008. Now reality has hit, and I've discovered reality is going to take far more adjusting than I had initially thought.

The high's of 2009 have been my precious girls. I am often overwhelmed, sometimes by the girls and their antics, but more often by my sheer love for them. I didn't know I could love two little people so much! They bring such joy to my life, and even though they drive me crazy some days, I could not possibly love them more! I'm sure you other parents can relate. I am amazed that two children with the same parents can be so different. Their personalities were summed up one evening as we sat in the family room after dinner. Ryleigh looked at Ryan and said, "I want to wrestle," and proceded to jump on top of him. Ashtyn walked over to me and said, "I want to snuggle." I just laughed. Ryleigh is more of the daddy's girl and much more into active play. Ashtyn is my little snuggle-bug and would rather rock her babies and read to Monkey than run around after her sister (although she does that too).

Sometimes Ryleigh is annoyed with Ashtyn always following her around and trying to do everything she does, but mostly, she relishes it. She loves being the "teacher" and tells Ashtyn, "Oh Ashy, I'm so proud of you!" and gives her big hugs when she does something. They do occasionally fight over toys, but more often than not, they just love being together and being sisters. The other morning we were getting breakfast ready, and Ashtyn looked up at Ryleigh and said, "I love you, Ryleigh!" So sweet!

And as I reflect on my love for my girls, I am then humbled by the love my Father has for me. A love that we prepare to celebrate in the gift of His one and only Son. Because I know that my Heavenly Father alone knows all of me, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and that He still loves me even more than I love my little girls. Wow. I pray that you are celebrating the real reason for the season this year, that you know the person of Jesus and understand the gift that He is, and that no matter what circumstances life has dealt you at the moment, you know that because of His gift, you will enjoy all eternity in the presence of a Holy God. That is the Hope I cling to, even as I ride this roller coaster.

A year ago, we thought we had finally found a church home, but after spending several months there, we felt the need to move on. So we spent the summer and fall once again church shopping. We ask you to continue to pray for this issue in our lives, as it has presented a challenge in our quest to call this home. We believe in God's plan and His purpose, but this has been a struggle.

Speaking of home... In July, we moved from our little carriage house in East Greenville to a home just across the fields from the farm. Moving twice in 12 months is not my idea of a good time and made me realize just how much "stuff" we have. Ugh! On the positive side, we all now have bedroom doors, a bigger and nicer kitchen, and a brand new washer, dryer, and gas grill (thank you, Mom and Dad!). The closeness to the farm allows Ryan to come home for lunch sometimes and for quick trips to the preschool or to Grandma and Poppa's house.

I joined the Montgomery County Concert Band last fall and continue to perform with them. It's been a crazy year there, as our conductor was diagnosed with cancer after our spring concert. The good news is that, after missing the summer season, he was able to return to conduct about half of our November concert. Several of us were given the opportunity, in his absence, to rehearse and conduct pieces of our choosing over the summer, so that was a lot of fun. It felt good to get back on the podium, although I had never been in front of a group of adults before, especially a group mostly older than myself.

To help fill that musical void I've experienced since leaving Virginia, I was also able to take on a part-time job this fall working with the Upper Perkiomen High School Marching Band. Working a few days a week, I assisted with the young, fairly inexperienced program (half the students were rookie marchers). While there was lots of frustration and hurdles to overcome, especially during the first half of the season (one of those was rain nearly every weekend!), we ended up having a great Fall, and I am excited to start again next summer. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I know I was able to grow a lot and realize more of what I am capable of as a teacher. Sometimes you need a fresh start, a new situation, something away from the ordinary routine, to realize how much you've learned.

Another subject I've continued to learn a lot about is the journey toward a "greener" life. While we have always recycled, when Ashtyn was born and we started using gDiapers, a whole new world opened up to us. Then when we moved to PA and started Butter Valley Harvest, our knowledge expanded, as we pursued greener ways of building and running the greenhouse. Growing hydroponically has introduced us to other people who are interested in healthy living, buying local food, etc. Some of my friends laugh at me and my reusable grocery bags and ask me when I became a hippie. But really, it's all about my family. I've realized the advantages to my children when I buy local food (healthier, fresher), eliminate chemicals from our cleaners and detergents and diapers (I don't miss those smells at all!), and do what I can to preserve the earth for their grandchildren. Our motivation isn't so much "save the earth" as it is to do the best we can for our girls and their future and to care for the earth as God told Adam in the Garden of Eden. It just so happens that things that are better for my girls are better for the planet. It's amazing how little steps open doors into a whole new world. I have learned so much!

In Butter Valley Harvest news, we opened a market on the farm back in April. We are open two days a week, and do a steady business. Ryan's mom generally runs the market on Wednesday afternoons, and we spend most Saturdays on the farm. While we have hired one person part-time, I look forward to the day when we can count on non-family members to run the market.

One of the biggest obstacles to feeling settled has been a lack of sleep. Ashtyn has always been a pretty good sleeper (though naps are becoming an issue), but as many of you know, Ryleigh has really struggled since she was about 18 months old with a variety of issues, from confusional arousal to more severe night terrors. We were repeatedly told not to worry, that she would grow out of it. This summer, we noticed that she would hold her breath in the middle of these episodes. We finally saw a pediatric sleep specialist, a blood test revealed an iron deficiency which is at least part of the problem (contributes to Restless Leg Syndrome), and we are awaiting a sleep study in March (or sooner if there's a cancellation). We are excited to finally be getting some answers and appreciate your continued prayers for Ryleigh and her tired parents. (BTW, one of the things I read was that at least 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD are actually suffering from iron deficiency or other sleep disorders that cause them to act out because they are overtired. I totally get that!)

So it's been another crazy year in the Ehst household. But I love my girls more every day, I'm still learning and growing (although not necessarily in ways I would have predicted), and despite my frustrations and emotional fluctuations, God is still in control and on the throne. May you know the peace that passes all understanding this Christmas. And may you be showered with blessings in 2010.

Reflections (Ryan)

Coming soon... so he says. We'll be snowed in this weekend, so come back soon for Ryan's thoughts on 2009.

Update (1/3/2010): OK, clearly Ryan's intentions to blog are not to be realized, so here's a bit from Amanda on his behalf... Butter Valley Harvest is much more than the dream and the promise it was a year ago. Last Christmas, we harvested our first greens for our family's Christmas dinner salads. In January, we began harvesting "for real," and within months we were working with a couple of wholesalers, several Wegman's stores, several Redner's stores, several independent local grocery stores, and opened our own market on the farm. It's been a busy year!

We do not currenty have grow lights (a goal for next year), so our growth times are affected greatly by shorter daylight hours. We are currently selling everything we are growing with the demand being greater than our supply. As the days get longer, our greens will grow faster, and we will be able to increase production.

The tomatoes and cucumbers grew into December and new babies are currently waiting to be transplanted and moved from the lettuce house to the tomato house. We will have new fruits ready in March.

The response from the community to our business has been wonderful, and we are very grateful for that. For more about what we do, please check out our website.... http://www.buttervalleyharvest.com/.

Random Musings on 2009 (Ryleigh)

*Note from Mommy: Ryleigh dictated most of this herself with a little bit of editing from me.*

In March, my best friend from Virginia came to visit for her birthday. Our mommies took me and Maddie to Sweet and Sassy where we got manicures and pedicures and fancy hairdo's. Plus we got glitter stars on our cheeks and lollipops! Mommy can only find this picture of my toes. Where are the ones of our fancy hair???

I celebrated my 4th birthday at the beach in August with my parents and sister, Grandma and Grandpa Bechtel, Uncle Ben, Jaime, and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Andrew. Daddy forgot the decorator for my cupcakes, so we fingerpainted with the icing on the cupcakes instead. I was glad he forgot Mommy's decorator! I was a little afraid of the waves at the beach, but not as afraid as Ashtyn.

I like to be at school and play with my friend Lauren. I'm in the Pre-K class at Bally Community Preschool now, three days a week. I like to play with the farm, puppies, and blocks. I also like when Poppa or Grandma or Daddy picks me up from school sometimes, because that usually mean something special, like a date with Daddy or lunch at the farm. I like to be the Helper of the Day at school, but I also get excited for my friends when it's their turn.

I have trouble sleeping sometimes; it comes and goes. Mommy and Daddy took me to a special doctor who talked to us for a long time. They gave me markers and coloring books and a regular book and stickers, and I got to keep them. I had to have a blood test, which was awful and I cried a lot, and now I have to take yucky iron drops twice a day. But I seem to be sleeping better. I also have to go back to the doctor and sleep over with Mommy or Daddy in a few months. They are going to stick these icky things all over my face and legs, put straps around my chest and tummy, and put tubes in my nose. Mommy says it's to see what happens in my body while I'm asleep, but I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep like that! I think I'll watch a movie.

I love to run and wrestle with Daddy and sing and dance. I also like to take the cushions off the couch and build forts or tents or sliding boards with them. Ashtyn tries to do everything I do. I love Tinkerbell and Princesses, and I love to do craft, especially when glue and/or glitter is involved. I love when Daddy makes up Jack stories for me before bed. I like to retell them and change them a little bit. Mommy and Daddy say I'm very creative. I think it's because my brain never stops!

Thoughts from Toddler-dom (Ashtyn)

I don't remember too much about January except my birthday. I turned 1 on January 28th and celebrated with my family at home. I got some fun toys to play with and new shoes that it took forever my little feet forever to grow into.

I started walking and running, trying desperately to keep up with Ryleigh. She's fast! And I stopped taking two naps a day at some point, which was more traumatic for Mommy than it was for me.

I've nearly filled my mouth with teeth, which I have not enjoyed at all! (It's nice to have teeth, because Mommy and Daddy let me eat a lot more interesting foods now, but the process has not been pleasant!). I seem to stay in the teething phase (drooling and all) for long periods of time before anything happens, and then suddenly in one week, I'll have 3 new teeth. Mommy or Daddy will give me these little teething tablets that melt in my mouth and make me feel much better. I just wish the drooling would stop... my pretty dress was soaked today just from sitting during Ryleigh's school Christmas program. My big sister goes to school three days a week, and I really miss her while she's away. Mommy and I usually go grocery shopping one of those days, and that pretty well fills up the morning. Sometimes it's nice to have Mommy and all the toys all to myself, but I'm always excited to go pick Ryleigh up from school. I also love to help Mommy take the clothes out of the washer and put them into the dryer. I can identify most of our family's laundry and who it belongs to.

Monkey is still my best friend in the whole world, and I don't go too many places without him. My big sister made him for me at Build-a-Bear Workshop and brought him to the hospital when I was born, so we've always been together.

My favorite things to do are read, color, read, play with babies, read, play with Little People, and read. I even read books without any pictures sometimes. I love to play with my big sister, but she doesn't always let me play with all her toys. She and Mommy think I'll eat her princesses' shoes or something crazy like that!

I'm starting to get an idea about this whole potty thing. Sometimes I tell Mommy or Daddy right away when my diaper is dirty, and other days I'd rather not stop playing to get my diaper changed and wrestling matches occur on the changing table. But I like to sit on the big girl potty like my sister does. I haven't done much yet, but I like to wipe my bottom.

I can talk almost as much as my sister does, and I'm learning to count. Ryleigh is also teaching me songs and motions to go with them. We have lots of fun together. I love Ryleigh!

Desert Writer's Block (Amanda)

I really think I should stop putting the author's name after my blog titles.... Ryan has only chimed in once. :) Maybe I'll just let you know if he decides he has something to say. Believe it or not, it could happen. He's been more talkative lately. But more on that in a minute.

I have wanted to blog for a while now, but have felt the task more than I was up for. Yes, I should update some of my followers on the cuteness of my little girls, because I know you like to hear what they are up to. Ryleigh is finished with swimming lessons until she decides to put her face in the water and loves having preschool three days a week. Ashtyn is into baby dolls and "reading." She sits with a book and says a bunch of words, with about every other one being "Mommy." I love my girls, even when they drive me crazy fighting over one of the 800 crayons we seems to have all over the family room. :)

But back to the writer's block... I have just been overwhelmed by my feelings about everything. Sometimes you just feel like there's so much going on that you aren't sure it can be put into words. I think I'll feel better after a good cleansing cry.... where can I schedule that in?

I am in a season where I am aware of God's presence, but not really sure of what He's up to these days. But then He sends a few signals and it all starts to come into focus.

I am aware that I am in a desert season, but that sometimes that's where we need to be for a time. A desert does not mean God is not there... I think it means He's preparing me for the next big thing. Uh oh. Am I up for another big thing? The last big thing has been a bit more than I bargained for... and it landed me here in the desert. Either way, I have no say. I am in the desert, and I wait, seeking only more of God and His presence, not worrying about where we're going or when we'll get there. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

I have become aware that there is too much of me and not enough of God. I am getting in the way. I need less of me, myself, and I and more of Him. It's just not about me.

While I don't see God's immediate work in my life, I realize I am blessed to witness His work in my husband in so many ways. He is speaking to Ryan and speaking to me through Ryan. That hasn't happened in a long time. It's refreshing in so many ways. God expresses His love for me in new ways when He speaks through Ryan.

I have learned to stop looking for God's direction and just to seek His heart. I just need to spend more time in His presence. When it's time to move, He will provide the direction. But sometimes, we just need to rest in the desert. We don't think of the desert as a resting place, more of a place to get through as quickly as possible. And while I am not particularly enjoying my time here, there are blessings to take note of. And maybe I will realize this is a time of rest. There are always things to be grateful for, even in the desert.

Family Update (Amanda)

I've been very negligent in my blogging, so it's time for some updates...

Ashtyn is 18 months old and such a joy! Each day is a new chance to marvel at how much she is changing and growing and how different she is from Ryleigh. She is learning a new word every day, it seems. She has the sweetest voice (except when she's angry). I love the way she says, "Ry-bee" and repeats "please" ever so sweetly until she gets what she wants. "All done" is a convenient phrase of late.

Ryleigh will be four next week. She has every bit of the strong will to go with it, and, according to my parents, is every bit me at that age. Her mind amazes me with the depth of its thoughts and ideas. She is so creative and full of energy. She will be attending preschool three days a week this year, about which she and Mommy are both excited. She loves to help me in the kitchen and with cleaning (makes me glad to be using natural cleaners, etc.). We had fun baking cookies yesterday for Daddy. She passed the first level of swim class at the YMCA this summer. We are so proud of her and how brave she has become in the water. She paddles all over the pool now with her floaties on her back. She is still a little tentative about jumping in, but that's OK.

Ryan is busy, busy, busy with Butter Valley Harvest. The grocery store and local market aspect of our business has been going really well this summer, especially once our tomatoes started coming on strong. We continue to add new venues and new customers, which is always exciting. We are wholesaling to Philly and Lancaster. Our own stand has been a bit slower in the summer with people tending their own gardens and being away from home, but we see a significant amount of new customers each week. The Fall has the potential to be VERY busy when everyone else's gardens are finished, and we still have fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. We passed our GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification this week on the first try, which is a relief. We weren't that worried, but it was a lot of work getting ready, having to put all our procedures in writing, providing checklists and verifications. We have a few things to improve or add to the documentation, but nothing of major concern. It's just nice to have the first evaluation behind us and understand better what they will be looking for in future evaluations, which will occur regularly.

I am continuing to try to adjust to this new life in PA. Moving again was hard, but I have realized I never thought of the place we lived for the past year as home. It is good to have a place that feels like home. It will feel more like home when all the boxes are gone, or at least banished to the basement! I allowed Ryleigh to watch as much TV as she wanted (pretty much) as we were packing to move, but you can't let that go on forever. We spent the first month in the new house without cable, because they had to bury a line, etc. Between Ashtyn transitioning to one afternoon nap and the lack of TV, other than movies, I wasn't able to get a whole lot of unpacking done. Ashtyn loved to help pull things out of boxes, of course, but that wasn't always very helpful. And Ryleigh just craves my attention. Now that Ashtyn sleeps less and runs around all over the place, now that she is much more of a little girls than a baby, Ryleigh finds my attention much more on her and is a bit jealous. I had hoped to have some special times with just her and me this summer, but it's just been too crazy. She had one "Daddy date" that was very special to her, and I look forward to my turn. Anyway, we are starting to see the floors in the rooms we designated as "box rooms." We finally have curtains on the windows, mostly, and are starting to be able to "live" here. We had hoped to be 100% unpacked before our week at the beach, but I'm not sure that will happen.

I've taken a job as the assistant band director of the Upper Perkiomen HS marching band. I'm very excited about starting camp next week, although a bit nervous at the same time. There just isn't near the amount of rehearsal time I'm used to built into the schedule, and I wonder how we'll get it all done. But I am really excited to be back at it and feel affirmed that this is what God wants me to be doing, on a part-time basis.

I also had the opportunity to conduct a piece with the Montgomery County Concert Band where I play my clarinet. It felt good to be back on the podium, although I've never been in front of adults before, and that made me a bit nervous. I think I'm finally getting more comfortable. I have appreciated the affirmations God has sent my way as I have spent the last year wondering what I am supposed to be doing.

Well, there's plenty more I could write, but I have a little quiet right now as Ashtyn is napping and Ryleigh went with Ryan to deliver lettuce to Wegman's. I need to get back to productivity! Blessings to you, dear reader.

gLove

So many of you know, we LOVE gDiapers! They just announced a new value pack... everyday g's. You get 6 adorable gPants for $70... BUT with the code g996Ehst, your price drops to $40! Just wanted to share the code in case anyone is building a stash. Enjoy!

Check out http://www.gdiapers.com/ for more info. Love 'em!

Moving Again! (Amanda)

In case you haven't heard, our life has not been chaotic enough, so we're moving again. I thought I was having trouble thinking past the next 24 hours a week ago! Now I'm really in trouble! And yes, this is coming a bit out of nowhere.

We were not actively looking for another home, but Ryan has been keeping his eye on the local market since we moved here. We can't buy anything right now, because our debt ratio is shot with the business loan. Anyway, our current lease is up the end of this month, and our current landlord is working toward putting this house back on the market. There are plenty of 1 and 2-bedroom rentals around, but not many places for a family. We didn't want to see our current place sold, and have 30 days notice that we had to find a new home with two small children, etc. So we semi-randomly decided to go look at this one house that has been listed for rent for a while. I think God was saving it just for us!

The house seems perfect for us -- in Barto less than two miles from the farm, an acre of land (all open yard for the girls to run), surrounded by nice neighbors with families and farmland, four bedrooms, a spacious eat-in kitchen (YES!), a fireplace in the living room!, and a two-car garage. We couldn't ask for a more perfect rental for our family. Ryleigh is very excited about moving, as are we!

So please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for and complete our second move in twelve months. And if you're not too far away and don't have plans for the Fourth of July, we could use some more muscles! :)

I could write tons more about how big the girls are getting, how Ashtyn's personality is really starting to show (we think she'll be the fiercely independent one; I just hope her affectionate side sticks, too), how well things are going with Butter Valley Harvest, how we are far busier than we ever imagined, and how much we had no idea we were getting ourselves into... But the girls and I spent the morning at the playground, I'm exhausted from chasing them around, I have a concert tonight with the Montgomery County Concert Band, and I should probably go pack something! Blessings to you!

Ryleigh's Vocabulary (Amanda)

My little girl is growing up. :( Or at least a little bit. I remember one of my friends telling me how sad she was when her daughter learned how to say a certain word correctly, instead of in her funny little girl speak. I didn't understand. Until now.

Ryleigh has learned how to say "Hallelujah." Which I've decided is not nearly as cute as "Hallelulah." I'm going to miss that extra l.

And "pussywillow." We have a vase full of pussywillows on the table that she helped Grandma clip from her bush outside. It was so much fun to hear her try to tell someone what they are... "pillywissow," "puhssywissow," "billywillows," etc. But yesterday, she told someone we have "pussywillows." She said it right. For the first time, or at least the first time on her first attempt.

I'm going to miss the pillywissows and hallelulahs. Little Ryleigh is growing up. I guess I'll have to wait for Ashtyn to start talking so I can get a kick out of her vocabulary.

Is my life glorious? (Amanda)

You are glorious!
You make everything glorious!
I am yours!

I heard these three simple phrases on the radio the other day as I was driving. It occurred to me that there is profound power in these words, power to literally change the world. Think about it. Reflect on those words, especially the implications of the final phrase in light of the first two.

God is glorious. That's an easy one. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, I think anyone who has a relationship with Him can agree with that statement. We praise and worship Him for His glory.

God makes everything glorious. This one is also fairly easy, especially as spring is exploding around us. At least I think so. God himself declared all of creation "good" from the beginning of the world. God's creation is glorious, and He can and does make all things glorious.

The third statement can be the difficult one, but is also the most powerful. I am yours. I am God's creation. I am His child, a child of the King of Kings. I think some of us have a gap between accepting Christ, acknowledging Him and living a life that fully reflects that. What are the implications of this? If I am God's, made new in Christ, then I, too, am intended to be glorious. What would my life look like if I remembered this at every moment of every day? What would the world look like if all believers truly embraced this?

I know I don't always feel very glorious. Sometimes I wake up cranky, at least until I've had my coffee. :) I get frustrated with my children and my husband. I'm in a bad mood, and I don't even know why. But I don't think God wants me to be those things, to be "un-glorious." That's my sinful human nature, not what God created me to be.

We are called to be salt and light. We are called to change the world for Christ. We are called to be a reflection of God's glory. But how many of us really live that out on a daily basis? How many of us live truly glorious lives? Lives that reflect the glory of God, the lives we were created to live. If we all remember to live each day with these thoughts in mind, I believe the world would be profoundly and forever changed.

God is glorious!
God creates all things glorious!
God makes all things new and glorious!
God made me and makes me new and glorious!

God is glorious, and I am His. I am made by Him, I belong to Him, and I am designed to reflect His glory. If we all embrace that third thought that we belong to a God who is glorious and makes all things (including us) glorious, it could and would profoundly change our lives and the world around us.

God, help me to live a life reflective of your glory, worthy of the title "child of the King."

Praying you have a glorious day!

A Farmer or a Farmer's Wife... To Be or Not to Be (Amanda)

Many of you know that when Ryan and I first started to get serious that I told him, "I am not a farmer's wife," just so he was clear up front. Needless to say we're now married nearly ten years, and until last summer, there was little danger of me being a farmer's wife. I introduced myself at a recent PASA meeting by saying I swore I'd never be a farmer's wife (God so loves it when we say "never," it's like a dare to Him!), and someone commented that didn't mean I couldn't be a farmer. I found that amusing.

This morning I found myself in the greenhouse picking lettuce for over an hour. Does that qualify me as a farmer? The scary part... I think I enjoyed it! There's something about the white noise of the greenhouse in contrast to a whiny 3-year-old. :) The radio was on to the local Christian station, and as praise and worship music filled the greenhouse, I was reminded that this greenhouse and everything in it is His. His property, His produce, His will. Even if His will makes me a farmer's wife... or perhaps a farmer.

Growing, even in the midst of Winter (Amanda)

I'm really not doing so well with my blogging these days. Ashtyn is an active 1-year-old, still seeking teeth beyond the four that Santa brought, and Ryleigh has given up the afternoon nap, so my days are full. :)

Ryleigh loves to sing and dance and put on "shows," which require that everyone in the vicinity stop anything and everything they are doing and watch her! She is inspired by her Spanish classes at preschool to ask me how to say everything in Spanish, "Mom, how do you say...?" I knew I saved my Spanish dictionary for a reason (because I unforunately don't remember as much as I wish I did!). She is also enjoying the art desk she got for Christmas from Mom-Mom (Ryan's grandmother) and spends quite a bit of time with her glitter paint pens.

Ashtyn is cruising and standing, but hasn't realized that she could walk without holding on. There comes a point when it would be easier if she'd just walk! :) She is in a banana phase -- she wants them at every meal and sometimes in between! She also decided she was done with nursing about a week ago. I was a little sad at first, probably because I was not in control of the weaning, she was, but it does give me some more freedom. With Ryleigh, I had been away from her several nights by this time. I have yet to be away from Ashtyn overnight. I'm ready! Ashtyn is also turning into quite the daddy's girl. She gets very excited when he comes home from work and only wants his attention.

Butter Valley Harvest is growing like crazy, too. The lettuce is in constant rotation and the tomato plants are growing and heading for the first harvest in about a month. The most exciting news for us is that our produce is being sold in a local Wegman's store with hopes to expand into other stores soon. It's a surreal experience to walk into a grocery store and see your produce there on the display. I'm just happy, because I go along to make the deliveries and get to my grocery shopping at Wegman's. (Plus, there's a Five Guys across the street.) Ah, little tastes of life in Northern Virginia.

We are attending Branch Creek Church, and while we are committed to attending for now, we are not feeling settled there in terms of membership. We'll be re-evaluating and discussing this further at the end of the summer. There are lots of great opportunities for ministry, but we are unsure of how deeply we can get involved when there's a 25-minute drive involved. We are grateful to have a place to go (and not be looking for a new church every weekend).

Hmmm... is there anything else new in the Ehst household? Just the usual, to-be-expected roller coaster of business ownership. While things are going well, it's still a new and somewhat frightening experience. This is definitely a season where we are constantly reminded to place our faith and trust in our Creator who has led us here, who has a plan and a purpose for our lives, who will prosper us and protect us. I am doing the Beth Moore study of Daniel with a group of women at a local church (not the one we attend), and I find it relevant, at times moreso than I would like it to be.

OK, speaking of demanding my attention... I gotta' go. Blessings to you, dear friend!

Post-Holiday Update (Amanda)

I know some of you want to know what's going on with us, and we don't blog often enough, so here's the latest in the Ehst household...

Christmas was a whirlwind for our family. We spent four days in a row (Christmas Eve day through the two days after Christmas) running from one family Christmas to the next. I'm sure anyone can imagine that being exhausting, but adding the strain on the girls, especially when Ashtyn decided she couldn't nap in her Pack-n-Play with all the excitement... It was just too much. Our family Christmases don't usually pile up all in a row like this, and if they ever do again... sorry, family, as much as we love seeing you, we can't run that marathon again. I have to say, that as much as I looked forward to Ashtyn's first Christmas and Ryleigh being so excited for Christmas, I'm just glad it's over. It makes me sad to know I didn't enjoy it more, which is why I will protect my quieter times with Ryan and the girls during future Christmases.

In addition to all the running around, Ashtyn decided to use the week of Christmas to get her first three teeth! While we're glad they are finally here, their arrival certainly didn't make things easier.

Our family has now been battling the stomach bug for more than a week. I am lying in bed as I write this, as I have succumbed to round #2. It started with Ryleigh, who as of yesterday, was still fighting diarrhea. She would take 24 hour breaks from being sick, and then it would come right back. I spent last weekend in bed with a horrendous sinus headache on top of the stomach bug. Ashtyn had about 24 hours of the bug... we actually went through all of our gDiaper liners! Thank goodness the liners dry in about 10 minutes after washing! We thought Ryan might get away safe, but no such luck. It hit him, although more gently, I think, yesterday. And this morning, I found myself feeling ill again, after several days of feeling fine.

In summary, we ended 2008 and started 2009 in a less then desirable way! We are looking forward to better health -- is this payback for not having had sick children until now? -- in the new year.

In other news, we are having great success making connections for Butter Valley Harvest. The guy from Common Market Philadelphia made his first weekly pickup yesterday, and we made our first restaurant delivery as well. In addition, some produce managers from Wegman's will be visiting the end of this week. I am very excited about that possibility. We have also started visiting local restaurants and delivering samples, and the chefs are very excited to come see our facility. Please pray for positive outcomes for our business over these next days and weeks. There have been lots of little things that have gone in our favor, and the buzz is great in the community. God is definitely blessing our venture thus far. I'm praying for enough blessing to get us into our own house (a non-rental) before then end of this year. I miss my kitchen in Burke, especially now that I'm home and doing a lot more cooking. :)

I think you're up-to-date on life in the Ehst family. Please pray for good health for our family and for Butter Valley Harvest. Blessings to you in 2009!