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!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, April 6, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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!
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!
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