Mommy's in a Mini!

Yep it's true ladies! This mommy is PROUDLY driving a VAN! Don't knock it until you drive one! It is perfect for someone who has children! I always said that if evolution were true that moms would have eight arms! HA! Well this vehicle certainly helps with that! The two side doors and the back open by key less entry! So when I'm holding little miss' hand and holding mr. on my hip with a diaper bag hanging from my arm, all I have to do is push a small button! PRAISE GOD!
{and if we have #3 &#4 no one will have to lift a seat to get to the third row!
What kid wants to do that?!}

After doing 2 weeks worth of research we decided with the Toyota Sienna XLE. It has outstanding safety features! (This is MOST important to me!) Really both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna are neck and neck with safety and crash test ratings but the 2011 Sienna had two more safety features than the 2011 Odyssey. Our car insurance rates even went down a good bit too! Yippee! I'd say that's a win-win!

Besides safety, another factor is GAS MILLAGE! We knew we didn't want an SUV because it takes far more gas and from the looks of the gas prices...well you get it!

The kids are loving it as well! Madelyn is most excited about the dual screen and DVD player!
Little Murphy just loves the fact that the air conditioner vent is right above him! We have a hot natured little boy!
We are also pretty excited about the 8th seat that can be stowed away in the back!

Many of my friends and family know that I use coupons for EVERYTHING! Well the van was no different! Shane whipped them out at the end! We saved an extra $700 with 2 coupons! LOVE IT!

~Our Garden!~

We have been hard at work the past few weeks at the Ivey Home! Shane and I have been wanting to build a garden for a while now. I like knowing what I am feeding my family. I'm not crazy about what all is being sprayed onto plants that are bought from grocery stores and with the prices of organic food we decided to go ahead and build a garden! And plus what child does not love helping pick and water plants?! I'm sure I'll have lots of help!

Our biggest task was to knock down an old metal shed that was on our property before we bought our house! So Shane grabbed the sledge hammer and "went to town on it!" I dragged the pieces and placed them into a pile. Now we've got to call 1-800-got junk?

After that we went to the store and rented a tiller and bought the items to build a raised bed.

We covered it with a tarp so that no grass would want to grow until the following weekend.

Meanwhile we made a starter bed for seeds.
We've got: 1.) Lettuce-Prizeleaf, Royal Oak Leaf, Salad Bowl, Red Salad Bowl, and Ashley.
2.)Cucumber
3.)Acorn Squash (winter squash)
4.)Spinach

Hope this works;)

Madelyn loves helping anyway she can!

She sings the entire time too!

Murphy decided to help too!

They helped their daddy plant several of the plants that we bought.

We bought 3 Better Boy Tomatoes, 2 Grape Tomatoes, 1 Roma tomatoes, 4 Bent Neck Squash, 2 zucchini, 3 Cucumbers, 2 Bell Peppers, 2 Banana Peppers. The only thing we lack is Jalapenos, but apparently there is a national shortage of jalapeno plants! Crazy!

After everything was planted, we painted a sign;) It reads
"Madelyn & Murphy's Garden"

She was so proud of it!

I said he was all boy right?! messy!

~She's home!~

After 6 long weeks, sweet little Everley is finally home! I'm sure Aria and Scarlett are SO, SO excited to finally meet their baby sister! I know Ginny is happy to have all of her chicks in her nest!
God is GOOD!

~Our Lord Has Risen!~

Happy Easter from the Ivey Family!

John 20: 13-18

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

~Every time I read these verses it send chills up my spin!

"How Great is OUR GOD?!"

~Happy Easter News!~

{Sleeping Beauty!}

Ginny approached me after church service this morning and told me that they were told THAT morning that little Miss Everley was coming home on Monday! I gave her the biggest hug and we both teared up! I can't begin to explain how wonderful the Burtons are and what wonderful friends they are to Shane and me! We are so overjoyed by their good news! We Thank our Heavenly Father above for watching their sweet baby girl!
What WONDERFUL Easter News!

~Easter Morning!~

The Easter Bunny came to our house!

Madelyn peeked around the corner and said
"MOMMY the Easter Bunny ATE the CARROTS! I'm sure her tummy is HAPPY!"

Sweet Murphy's first Easter!

After church we headed over to Nino and Joe Joe's for lunch then Easter Egg Hunt! We had the most amazing lunch! We had Chicken Spaghetti, asparagus (out of Nana and Papas garden!), beans, salad, rolls, and of course deviled eggs! Everything was delicious!

Family Picture!

I will have to get Shane to take a few pictures of the kidos in their Easter outfits. We were not having the best luck that day...

Nino made this cake and YES it was as good as it looks!

The girls ate a cupcake and loved them!

Joe Joe helped us by carrying Murphy around during the Egg Hunt. Murphy loves his Joe Joe;)

Ready, Set, GO!

Even little Murphy found two!

YEA Murphy!

Then he put it in his basket!

Hubby and I (gosh I love this fella!)

A basket full!

Addy Grace found some too!

Nino and Joe Joe with their grand kids!

~Harpth Hills Easter Egg Hunt~

{Our Precious Children}
The Ezell family out did themselves once again! I can't even explain to you how BEAUTIFUL everything is decorated for the big Easter egg hunt! There is gorgeous floral arrangements, Easter garland down every banister and railing, Easter egg trees everywhere! It's just like your in an Easter Egg dream! I LOVE it!

Murphy did not mind the Easter bunny, he just wanted to check her out! It was kinda funny!

and the food...So much yummy food! The children have individual Easter baskets that has a peanut butter jelly sandwich that has been cut out in the shape of an egg, pack of Easter goldfish, apple slices, and the cutest Easter egg iced cookie. The adults food was SO very yummy! Everything from Chicken salad to bow-tie pasta.

{Beautiful table arrangement}

Selah and Madelyn, they are super good buddy's at school.

Pretty proud of all the eggs she found!

"I found anudderone!"-Maddie

Then she had to stop and look at some mushrooms... she's just like her mama! I just giggled!

Madelyn's good friends.
Come on mom...not another picture!

Did I mention that the Ezells have THE most amazing play area for their grand children?!
Going into the pirate ship!

This girl loves to swing!

Murphy loved watching all the big kids!