Ashley's Loves and Life

re.made.

2011-07-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

been working on the house lately. it's hard for me to work from home when my house is in disarray - that combined with being sick for nearly 3weeks and my life has been completely chaotic.

if you follow me at all, you know i have a love for beachy things, shabby chic, vintage, etc... basically really relaxed colors and decorating... i want to be able to chill in my house and really chill.

when we first bought this sofa table, it was perfect for what i wanted, but since then i have come to love-it-not-so-much... it was time for some t.l.c. and t.l.c. is just what it got!! above is the before and after picture :) - it brightens up the room soo much and i LOVE it now!! it's like a brand new piece of furniture and all i had to do was buy a can of paint! :)

formspring.me

2011-05-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/ashleybrawner

formspring.me

2011-05-03T23:04:00.003-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/ashleybrawner

formspring.me

2011-05-03T23:04:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/ashleybrawner

My 365

2011-01-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well... I just found out today that APPARENTLY you are supposed to have a blog with your 365 photos in it... And I hadnt a clue. Sooo... Here is my attempt at maintaining yet another blog :).

Here it is:

my20eleven3six5.wordpress.com

New Direction

2010-12-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

Sorta... I have to warn people that may be reading this blog... This isn't a cookie cutter blog where you are only going to read what you want to hear. Very few times do I get to REALLY say what I think or feel about certain things... So I've decided to not sugar coat things. No, that doesn't mean reading this you will feel like you are amongst a bunch of sailors, but it won't always be roses and dandelions either. Soo... With that... you've been warned... :)

I have got to...

2010-12-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

Go through my kids clothes! Whew... SUCH an overwhelming task and I don't do well with overwhelming tasks... AND I have a hard time getting rid of ANYTHING for some unknown reason... but they have too much... they have PLENTY of NICE clothes but for some reason they insist on wearing the grubby play clothes out in public... I do NOT get this! I'm seriously considering putting matching outfits together in plastic bags/containers so that if I'm not there to dress them, they don't go out in their play clothes or mismatched clothes and looking like raggamuffins... I mean they do pretty good a lot of the time but then others, I think they just throw on jeans and a shirt and shoes and pay no attention to if it's a good shirt, play shirt or if it matches their shoes and/or hairbow/band that they have on...

Any suggestions? Like... How many "good outfits" to "play outfits" do you keep, etc?

frustrated mom mode

2010-12-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit of a free spirit and not naturally organized to begin with. Add to that I have 3 little girls (8, 5, and 2), I work for myself (from home), and my husband works retail hours. The oldest two are in elementary school and the youngest is in pre-k two days a week. On top of this, in October I was in a car accident, not my fault, and my vehicle was totaled, so my middle daughter and I have been in and out of doctor and chiropractor visits since then and some days have been completely lost due to back pain, etc. Throw in the holidays, a kindergartner that's struggling in school (we think she may have mild dyslexia), the haunting thoughts that I have when I forget anything, knock something over, trip over my feet, get upset (all things my mom did constantly with Huntington's disease, which my siblings and I are all at risk for), having to watch my diet and exercise because my blood pressure has been up (and the family history of high bp & cholesterol), homework, bills to pay, phone calls to return, emails to return, and trying to make it to church on time on Sundays... and that's me... in a word - chaotic, I'd love to refer to myself as chaotic elegance but trust me, there is nothing elegant in anything I do.

I'm scared I don't know how to be a good mom. My oldest wrote something for me and titled it "Sensational Mom", I cried... I fall soo short of being a sensational mom that it's not even funny. She said I'm one of her heroes... And I'm not really sure what I have ever done to be a hero to her. I look at all these moms that seem to have it all together, even ones that work in the home or outside the home, kids in sports, etc, and I wonder what on earth is wrong with me that I have to bust my butt to clean my house if company is coming over because it's not in "drop in" condition, that my meals RARELY have the daily recommended nutritional value, that my life is soo hectic even without all the extras that these other moms have in their lives.

Sometimes I blame my mom's illness... But I really don't blame it all the time because even though mom was sick, I know the things that have to be done and I really feel like I should be 100% capable of being super mom and doing it all, but dadgumit if there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all! I constantly wonder what God was thinking when He allowed me to be a mom to three incredible little girls, who I feel, deserve soo much more than I can ever give to them or show them how to be. I feel like my girls are doomed to live their entire lives in chaos because that's how I feel we do now. I don't want that for them. I want better for them. And honestly, I don't think I have any clue how to do it.

If my house is clean, my work is behind. If my work is caught up, my house is a wreck. If I have play time with the kids, dinner is a rush to be made and bedtime ritual goes right out the door. If I work out, my work time and my cleaning time is cut short because I do that when the kids are at school. Where is the balance? How do single moms do it? How do married moms that work do it? There has to be some magical thing that I am missing out on... Either that or there really is something wrong with me... (though that certainly wouldn't be the first time that's been an accusation, I don't want to feel like somethings wrong with me)...

Okay... Venting session done... Now... Any helpful suggestions from you moms who have it together or have been there and know what works and what doesn't? I'm willing to try anything...

my new house...

2010-09-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

so I LOVE decorating (and a lot of other things...) but I wanted to share a few pictures of my new AND ADORABLE home!!

Check it out!

my sister in law has a blog!!

2010-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

check it out! :

http://theadventuresofjessandjosh.blogspot.com/

Wow... It's been a LONG while!!

2010-07-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

So, I'm just looking at this and seeing that the last time I blogged was March 16th... And that's a LONG time and a lot has happened since then!

Schools gotten out and almost back in.

My business has grown (Praise the Lord!)

New people in my life... Amazing!!

New goals... New mentality... Lotsa new things I guess you could say...

God's definitely been real to us. And I'm grateful, I don't deserve Him or His love... I will write more tomorrow... I promise, but now I'm going to bed... Well actually going to watch a movie with my hubby and then go to bed.

Check out my new photography blog site: http://www.ashleybrawner.com - I LOVE IT!!

it's. been. real.

2010-03-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

so since my last blog, a LOT has happened... a lot of emotions, etc etc etc

I've definitely gotten some good girl time in lately with different friends, all of which has been MUCH needed. Work has picked up and that's great.

It's also been one of those why-did-God-see-fit-to-let-me-be-a:
mom
wife
self-employed
nanny
nurse
cook
maid
baker
personal shopper
taxi
etc
etc
etc

He obviously sees something in me that I am constantly trying to learn about myself. Why am I worthy? Why does He love me?

Because He does...Nuff said. Because He says so...Something I say to my kids all the time "because I said so" but just like with my own children, that doesn't always seem to be a "good enough" answer...And it should be enough.

It should be enough that the Creator of the Universe loved/s me enough that He wanted me here. So why is it so hard? I have no idea...but I know it has to do with my human nature and my sin nature. But now...I have to constantly have to remind myself and rest in the knowledge that He is enough and His reasons are enough. And I'm blessed because of it.

end of week 1

2010-02-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

end of week 1 -

not so hot.

not at the gym once.

girl scout cookies came out - nuff said.

church was good but quiet times seem to be lacking, fixing this immediately.

my youngest had started repeating prayers at night with us, makes my heart happy.

enjoyed several conversations with old friends, reminiscing is a good thing, brings a smile to my face and my heart

been using cvs extra care bucks! AND lots of coupons at CVS and Publix...

i think i'm getting the hang of it...and i'm REALLY enjoying saving money and seeing my savings!

my oldest was tested this week for advanced placement = i'm a proud mama! she's so smart.

skin care regimen is going well...i'm loving philosophy's "make up optional" line

oh! and i'm doing a clarifying face mask and/or dermabrasion mask once a week

my middle girls party was this weekend...i'm very proud of the cake i made her, she's such a princess!

had a MUCH needed girls night on Friday night...then got home and couldn't sleep!

lol, oh well, time with other mommies is a much needed thing

oh! and I mixed up zambonees with "Bambino" ...yes...i called mistakingly called the zambonee "the bambino" - needless to say others around me enjoyed a good laugh

had a fun evening with friends last night and wednesday night...all around it was a pretty good week.

your face.

2010-02-25T04:53:00.000-08:00

perhaps it's an early midlife crisis...or the fact that my ten year reunion is in less than two months but i've been freaking out about my skin lately. yes. seriously.

i'm trying to be prepared for further skin issues while attempting to maintain a youthful appearance to my skin. i'm also trying to learn the things that i can do and teach my girls early on so they'll know...and in a way i kinda feel like i'm cheating my girls since my mom was very sick and died when i was pretty young. i've had to do a lot of googling and a lot of asking other women in my life, like my grandmother(who passed away almost 6yrs ago), my aunts, my mother in law, skin care pro's etc. i want to be able to show my girls things and share in those mother moments with them that i wish i would have had with my mom but never got the chance.

so! in my effort to figure out how to best treat my skin...i've learned and am learning a lot of things that i can and should be doing with them. i've gotten some face wipes for the girls so that in the mornings when we are brushing our teeth together, they can get into the habit of washing their faces as well...which has been pretty fun because now they want to do face masks once a week with me too :). they've even enjoyed to sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate the skin on their feet, hands, knees, and elbows - it smells like chocolate, what girl wouldn't love that?! i'm learning new things and trying to share them with my girls...they are so silly! they really enjoy the pampering of getting all lotioned up after bath time with a pretty smelling girly lotion. it's been fun and it seems to be a little of a stress reliever because instead of trying to get into what i'm doing, they have their own things that they can use and do what mommy is doing :).

and now to share with you what others have shared with me about some skin care products, remedies, etc - everyone's skin and body is different so what may work for you may not work for someone else, so before you give up, try a few different things...and you don't have to break the bank to do so:

under eye bags:

SLEEP
proper/balanced diet
hyrdration(drinking lots of water)
preparation h(no i'm not kidding) - rub a little under your eyes, my girlfriends swear by it!
tea bags(wet ones) - just rest them on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes at night before your nightly skin care regimen
spoons(yes weird i know) - stick them in the freezer 1-2 minutes and apply to eyes 10-15minutes
compress(hot and/or cold)
cold cucumbers - rest them on your eyes for about ten minutes, lying flat on your back
cold eye cream - keep your eye cream in the fridge
peppermint tea - put the dry tea bags on your eyes

clear/radiant skin:

SLEEP
proper/balanced diet
hydration(lots and lots of water)
good ole' soap and water
Mary Kay Timewise
Avon's version of ProActive
Cerave(dermatologists recommended)
Clinique
ProActive
Acutane
Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
AcneFree
Noxema
Clearasil
Arbonne
Beauticontrol
Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn bar soap(Dr Oz recommended)
Shakelee
Philosophy
Dermatologica

now I realize this is QUITE a list just for a daily skin care regimen for your face but like I said above, no two people have the exact same skin so what may work for you, may not work for someone else...this is a just a list compiled of some of my friends and their recommendations...some things i have used and some i have not...right now though, i am planning on giving several of these products a go and see what i like best and what works best for me and i will definitely report back to you on that one :) and if you are like me, you want to get in the habit of taking the best care possible of your skin!

detoxifying.

2010-02-21T19:06:00.000-08:00

detoxification - beginning of week 1

i've given a lot of thought to doing a full system cleanse with my diet because i have lost almost 35lbs so far and seem to be at a stand still. so. i looked at several detox kits, etc...and i realized that i needed to detox myself in more than just one way...i need/ed a full system overhaul! and you get to come along with me for ride...this is the beginning of week 1! and all these are things that i want to implement with my daughters and so far they are having so much fun with it...they like being girly and getting pampered :)

stage 1- diet & exercise
*cutting out all fried food, all junk food, sodas
*only drinking water, milk and natural juices
*only eating fresh foods(when possible)
*1hr of cardio a day with weight/resistance training as well

stage 2 - skin care
*exfoliating & moisturizing daily
*weekly detox/cleansing/microdermabrasion treatment
*increase water intake

stage 3 - home
*household/housework schedule
*time with family

stage 4 - mental & emotional
*me time...and expressing the importance of me time to my girls...much reading will occur during this time i'm sure

stage 5 - relational
*being intentional with my friendships and all relationships in my life, family, friends, acquaintances, etc

stage 6 - learning
*to learn something new everyday...and to further explore all my interests be it learning a new song, a new cake to make, a new way to decorate something, a new fact about my camera/photography, etc

stage 7 - spiritual
*get in the Word...consistently because everyone needs their cup filled and this is the most important thing that we can pass on to our children...how to have a relationship with our Father
*increase living water intake

ps- today was a splurge day as i did indulge in lots of heavenly edible goodness at a bridal show with my dear friend Katie followed by the goodness that is known as Moe's...there is never a shortage of interesting things that happen when she and I are together for some reason and today was no exception! lol! but we def ended the day with a yummy splurge! so on to hitting it all hard core tomorrow morning!! won't you join me??

projects.

2010-02-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

projects...i have several i am working on right now, so i thought i'd share a little with you...hope you enjoy!

i've been wanting for sometime now to paint my bedroom a very soft color... here are two that i'm deciding between...though i'm having quite a hard time determining which one i like better and which color will better serve it's purpose:

this kinda grey color...maybe a little paler grey than this, we'll see...

or something like this kinda pale aqua/turquoise color:

i'm also currently switching around my youngest daughter's bedroom to transition her from the crib to the big girl bed! this is the bedding she has...and i ADORE it! my *plan* is to paint her room a pale pink or green and paint the headboard and footboard pink...i think it will be LOVELY!! oh...and here are a few finds i've been meaning to do something with for some time now...and just for those of you who think you can't find anything good at goodwill...think again! the two mirrors($5 total) on the left and the chandelier($5) were all thrift store finds, as was the large piece of furniture($45!!! Seriously!!) and then the mirror on the far right was also a piece that i've had for a while, that i found on craigslist($15) and then the bottles($5 total), I found various places(antique stores, my sister's neighborhood, etc) - i've decided that these items have waited long enough and if i don't do something with them now, i will have no choice but to part with them...so i'm doing something with them! can't wait to share the progress of these projects with you!!

oh! and if you get bored...i *am* a full time photographer, and i'd love to take care of you!...so stop on by and check out my photography blog: ashleybrawnerphotography.blogspot.com and my side project, cake blog: simplychiccakes.blogspot.com

ashley moments.

2010-02-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

ashley moments/pulling an ashley.

a term lovingly given by many of my family members for my foot-in-mouth moments.

aside from the fact that i *really* need to laugh at myself right now...

i've decided that maybe...just maybe...i'm not alone in my foot-in-mouth moments...so! i'm going to share some of the favorites and hope you'll share some of yours with me! i'd love to know that i'm not alone! soo...read! and enjoy! and don't forget to leave me some of your best foot-in-mouth moments!

*know what something means BEFORE yelling it around families at DISNEY*
so, we were on the boat for Tom Sawyer Island at Disney with my in-laws and it was very crowded...so i thought i'd be funny and said "don't drop the soap" followed by the weirdest looks i had seen all day, given to me, along with my father in law telling me to "shhhhhhhsh" - see i've always thought that meant that it was too crowded to lean down and pick up something if you dropped it...needless to say i was wrong and i quickly learned that!

*always check maps*
on a family trip to Kentucky, my in-laws told me there was a spot on the river that you could see across to other states, namely Missouri, well...I was convinced they were trying to pull one over on me(as the often do) and I explained to them that they were WAY wrong because Missouri was one of those square states up near Montana that you have to drive to PA to get too...I was *a little* wrong...In my defense though I was *very* pregnant!! and geography isn't my strongest subject

*check before sending*
i've been married for 8yrs and am very flirty and affectionate with my hubby...in an effort to be a little flirty I sent my hubby a private message to his cell phone from my phone (i had also been messaging with my mother in law). about ten minutes later i get a message from my mother in law "I don't think you really want to see that"...yeah...turns out i had given my MIL a VERY good laugh when she opened a message from me that said "be naked when i get home" - she posted this on facebook...yeah...she loves me...

*marines & nicknames*
i get pretty confident when i think i'm right about something...especially nicknames...and my father in law is a marine(not former, not ex...once a marine ALWAYS a marine, another lesson i had to learn)...marines are affectionately known as jarheads...yeah...apparently i misunderstood and in a conversation with my father in law, i, very matter-of-factly, called him a jughead...yeah, thats a comic, not a term for marines.

there are MANY more...but i'll leave those to the imagination for now ;)...i'd love to HEAR some of your "Ashley moments"

my kids are the best.

2010-02-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

My kids have been making me laugh and smile a lot today...And I've needed it! So, I thought I would share a few of the things that they do that put a smile on my face and maybe it will bring a smile to your face too. I think that the stages that children go through are, in many ways, a gift from God. I know that even on my worst days, something is going to happen, with my kids, that is going to crack me up!!

A, my youngest love to dance, bounce around and clap to the theme from Hannah Montana and The Office. She will stop what she is doing and get to where she can dance, I kid you not, I plan to post a video of this soon.

K, my middle girl loves to sit on my lap and tell me how pretty I am.

M, my oldest loves to make things for me and create things.

A loves to climb all over me and lick my face.

K loves to cuddle right up against me as close as she can.

M loves for me to come outside and run with her.

A climbs up on me with a books and says "reee mee" (which is "read to me" in baby speak).

K says she wants to marry her best friend because she loves him and he's her best friend.

M thinks she is an expert at everything, drawing, applying make up, etc.

A is hungry ALL the time! She *loves* chocolate and goes to the pantry saying "eeeeat eat. eeeat eat."

K is soo sassy! She dances around and always goes to put dresses on and wants to wear heels a lot.

M used to go and ask for candy by pointing and saying "shimmeee shimmeeee"

A has started talking and using her own versions of words and I absolutely ADORE how she talks about things and talks to us...She even calls her daddy by his first name.

K has asked people to start calling her "Princess" instead of her birth name because she is a princess! She also quotes Anjelica Johnson's skit "beautiful nail" and "bon qui qui" - look them up if you don't know them... you won't be sorry.

M is so smart! She amazes me on a daily basis with the things that she knows how to do and take care of. She helps out with her little sisters so much and on Valentines Day, she made me breakfast in bed, toast and all!

What are some of your favorite things that your kids, nieces/nephews, etc do? I'd love to hear about them!!

age appropriate chores and chore charts.

2010-02-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

So yesterday and today we have been discussing chores with our three children(8yr, 5yr, and almost 2yr). They decided they wanted to choose their own chores, which is fine with me, but in choosing their own chores they seem to be a little over eager. My 8yr old wants to cook dinner and lunch and breakfast and take out all the trash and my 5yr old wants to do some of the same stuff. Now, while I know that my 2yr old is incapable of doing the above mentioned things, I started wondering about what they should be doing at their respective ages...I don't want to be the parent that has her kids acting like adults. I want my girls to have fun, be responsible but still be able to enjoy being a kid.

I started thinking to myself, what are some things that they should be doing at their ages, above and beyond their homework, etc. AND in my efforts to not reinvent the wheel, I did a lot of googling...And I was in luck! I found some great sites that have age ranges and age appropriate chores, so I thought I would share these with you.
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/chorechart1/a/ageapprchores.htm
http://www.workingmom.com/age-guidelines.htm

I thought those two were great sites! And don't be afraid to use them either! My youngest, who will turn 2yrs old in September of this year, understands soo much at her age. We ask her to take stuff to the trash, bring us a diaper, wipes, her shoes, socks, etc and she knows exactly what we are talking about and does exactly what we ask. AND anytime she does this she gets super excited and claps saying "yay" each time...and I just think that's one of the cutest things ever! And they are never to young to instill good values and habits or to use positive reinforcement for a job well done!

What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate chores into your kids' daily life? How do you make it fun for them? How do you encourage them in their chores? What chores do you have your children of different ages doing?

snow day! yeah!!!

2010-02-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

snow days in our town are VERY rare! so when it happens we tend to take lots of pictures...and this snow day happened to fall on my middle girls birthday(I can't believe she is already turning 5, time flies by WAY too fast!!) so she was excited because "God gave me the best birthday present ever, mommy" and that he did! school was canceled and it is 9:30pm and it's still snowing! we have made snow cream, soup, apple cider, oatmeal cookies, etc and have thoroughly enjoyed the day! my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces all were here to play and enjoy the day too! here are some of our photos from the day...hope you enjoy them!

snow angels and snow ball fights!

my house...covered in snow w/more snow falling as it gets darker

my sister Heather and I

Heather and I and our oldest girls

my birthday girl!!! she's five today!!

my precious niece!

my oldest daughter :)

the three musketeers :)

january birthday party. valentines day.

2010-02-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

soo...the end of the year and the beginning of the year are VERY busy months for us with the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. i am one of those creative types, or at least i like to think that i am, and so i usually find myself wanting to do too much in too little time...well this year that has changed and i promised myself that it would. and i've also promised myself to take the time to do little special things for my girls that would make a big difference for them.

one special thing i do for my kids every year, is that i make their birthday cakes. this is something that my mom did and it's something that i wanted to carry on to my girls...i think it adds a little something special, but then again, maybe i'm crazy ;).

with that being said...here are some photos of the game & cake from my oldest daughters birthday party last month AND of the homemade Valentines cards we are making/have made for their class parties this year... enjoy!! (also - for those wondering, i do make cakes for other people and other occasions...i've done birthday, baby shower, wedding cakes, etc...and i love doing just about anything creative!)

he is jealous for me.

2010-02-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

this isn't my usual blog post, just posting a song and the lyrics to it, but this song is so powerful and the words speak to my heart and my soul in a way than really any other song does. don't just listen to the song, listen to the words, and meditate on them. sometimes we just need to be reminded how strong and powerful the love our Father has for us, despite ourselves and despite our situations... he's there. loving us. wanting us. even when we feel like no one else do or when we feel unworthy to be loved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps&feature=related

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

that's what i love about Sundays.

2010-02-07T20:48:00.001-08:00

So it's the end of the weekend and i'm looking quite forward to it! i am excited about the rearranging i'm doing in my home. and i'm excited about my hubby getting to go sub at the school he loves to sub at. and i'm excited about some down time while my girls are at school.

I got to see my best friend today, i LOVE her! And she lives in florida now and I miss her soo much! We had a great time... Got our nails done...Which the whole time I was at the nail salon I was picturing this skit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o absolutely HILARIOUS! You MUST check it out! I kid you not!

So - I had a couple God-moments today. You know what I mean? Those moments that you just "get it" in a way that you didn't get it before. We were visiting a church with my sister and her family today and something the pastor said struck chord in me in a way that it never had before... And it's something I already knew but today, for some reason, it "hit" me. He was talking about how when his daughter runs up to him with her arms up and stretched out to him that he doesn't turn her away, that he takes the moment to pick her up and embrace her and her charisma in that moment... We should be like that in our relationship with our Daddy in Heaven. We should run, unashamedly with arms stretched out to Him to hold us and to love us and for us to love Him and express to Him how much we love Him and want to be with Him and spend time with Him. We need to be intentional in our relationship and intentional in that relationship with Him.

Why are we so worried what other people may think or say about our relationship with our Daddy? When we go into worship him why are we so concerned with what others think about our worship? We shouldn't be. We are worshiping for an audience of one, not those around us. What does God feel about us holding back in our worship of Him, in effort to not "offend" those around us or make them feel "uncomfortable" - we should worship unashamedly and unabashed!

rearranging. recreating.

2010-02-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

i love making old things new and changing this around a bit...and finding a GREAT deal on things too! the blue dish and the yellow dishes were less than $5 for all of them, i bought them on a clearance sale at a local antique mart a little while back. the teapots were a really great find at marshalls...and the china is a hand me down wedding gift from my grandmother that I have always wanted to display some how. here is a photo of the "after" - i didn't think to take a picture of how it was before BUT the bottom shelf and then the 2nd from the top had books on it and the middle one had a photo and a few other things...it looked kinda busy but was functional. here is what it looks like now...i'm not completely done, i still want to tweak a few things but here it is for now...and already its a MUCH bigger improvement!!

ballgame.

2010-02-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

i love saturdays. i coach cheerleading with two of the best friends a girl could have. and my oldest daughter plays basketball the second hour. so i thought that i would just share a few photos from a typical Saturday in my life. probably one of my favorite parts about the games is that when my angel gets to the side of the court closest to us she always looks and waves and checks to make sure that we are watching everything that she does :). and our two youngest girls love cheering her on and watching her play... they grow up so fast! i can't believe that M is already 8 and is so big! they grow up way to fast and i am doing my best to enjoy each moment as they come and cherish them...and now without further delay...

Here are a few shots of my oldest playing her favorite sport/activity so far AND some of the girls i coach :

life. period.

2010-02-05T23:03:00.001-08:00

Life is kinda crazy...

one minute your up and the next you feel like you are picking yourself up off the ground...You get expected things and unexpected things and thus the reason we call it a roller coaster life. and...things have been pretty crazy in our household lately.

see...we have 3 little girls already and have been debating on whether to permanently prevent any future pregnancies or not. we kinda decided that right now we don't want any more but we wouldn't make any permanent decisions until after i turned 30 just because that is SUCH a permanent thing! and this week has kind of changed things for us... you see, last week i noticed something didn't feel quite normal, i felt pregnant(which is possible for most married couples who sleep in the same bed) and with all three prior pregnancies, i knew beforehand and didn't even have to see the test. this time i decided to wait to take a test because my hormones have been so irregular the last few months...and well...a few days later i *thought* that i had gotten my answer, that no i wasn't indeed pregnant. which, lets face it, babies are fun and another one would make for an even number and i love my children and would have soo many children if it made sense to...and so if we were to have another one, that's just what we would do...so yeah, i was relieved and sad at the same point.

but then something started to not be right again...and i knew something was wrong. in my heart of hearts i *knew* that i truly was pregnant and that i was currently miscarrying the baby...this was my gut feeling/instinct, though i didn't want it to be true. i didn't want to be pregnant, but if i were really pregnant, i didn't want anything bad to happen to my baby.

i started crying knowing what was happening and shortly there after went to the hospital, only to have a confirmed pregnancy test...they did lots of tests actually...and the doctor said she's unsure of what exactly happened and what not.

and this was my first ever miscarriage. so many emotions and questions. feeling like i was being punished for something. my husbands tears. my tears. my dads tears. the comforting words from my younger sister, who in the last two years has been through this twice. the confusion. all the what if's. the "i should have done this". etc.

it's cool to me though that even in the midst of my broken heart, hurts and pains that i could see God's hand on everything...He was there the whole time and has even provided my friends with spare time to come and sit with me to keep me company or to help with anything around the house. for this i am greatly appreciative. He provided my sister to come help lift my spirits with some hang time and my husband with an extra dose of patience this week with me :).

so anyways, God has a purpose for everything in life and has His hand in everything...And for whatever reason this is the season that He has me in at this time and His timing is perfect and I am thankful, everyday, to be in His grasp... "when you can't trace His hand...trust His heart" because He only wants the best for His children and that is to be one with Him, in good times and bad.

.sweetness.

2010-02-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

well...its 3am and i'm still awake so i will grace you guys with a second blog post of the evening, i know you are thrilled...just humor me here :)

i bought the cutest little fan today to go in my middle girl's room...for only a dollar!!...i was soo happy with that purchase and apparently so were *both* of my older girls. the cutest thing ever, they were taking turns showing each other the *right way* to hold a fan and fan yourself. m says: "kbug you hold it like this in your hand and you cover your mouth and nose with it but not your eyes"

k: "this is for my room, can i play with it... how do i do it right, mommy, like this?" and thus begun the trial and error process of teaching her the right way to "fan out" the fan in front of your face and then fan yourself...
all the while garfield-rescue-center-e.f.r. decides to lay down and take a nap with our youngest little princess. it was so sweet...i walked in to check on a. and garf was just laying there curled up beside her as if he were her personal guard. garf loves the girls and they love him. a runs around saying "keee keee keee keee"
and if you couldn't tell...i'm a proud mommy who loves her precious babies more than life itself. my prayer is that they grow up and love God and that they are godly women and mothers. i pray that i don't fail in leading them in how to grow as a woman of God.

ps: here are a few items i have on my wish list now(hint, hint wes) AND two family photos we had taken back before Christmas by a good friend of mine:

and now the wishlist...in no specific order...well...maybe:

adorable bedding by the land of nod
love this bed frame and the colors
the kaitlyn bed - by garnet hill...would be adorable for my little girls!
and these chairs would be *darling* for how i want to do my dining room!

treasured finds!

2010-02-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

if you knew my sister Heather, you would know that she and I are a lot alike and we probably disagree as much as we agree about stuff... well not really... we agree more often than not and we always manage to have a good time with each other, especially shopping for anything from thrift stores to antique stores to the shopping malls.

creativity seems to run in my family and Heather and I love to decorate and recreate together so I am going to share with you some of our recent finds and what we've done/are doing with them and some things that Heather has created specifically for my home... I hope you enjoy!!

fyi - Heather is also available to make custom decorations for your home if you want.

these two finds are from a local antique store - i will leave the green chair alone and change the cushion on the black chair and maybe paint it... we shall see. and i can't forget the coke crates! Grandpa, my mother-in-law's dad, had a whole lot of these crates he wanted my husband, Wes, to list on ebay or craigslist, but of course I had to grab a few of them first and they are great!

the two "pots" to the left were just too cute to pass up(there are two green ones and three of the white ones) & so was the mirror below(this is the before picture)

the candle stick below was a horrible silver color that Heather and I spray pained black to go into my middle child's room... and the mirror was an awful color of wood that we spray painted as well. they cost me *maybe* $5.00 total for the two of them and the black spray paint!

this little pink vase and pink fan cost me $1.25 TOTAL! What a steal, right? How could I pass that up? I couldn't and these will be perfect in my little girls room!!

this mirror was F R E E with everything else I purchased that day... I couldn't believe it... another find from a thrift store! and the bottles I got from the antique store that I got the black and green chairs from.

this little gem has already played many roles at my house and right now serves a the remote holder on my coffee table... the price tag on it... $1.99!!

now these are some things that I'm really proud of for my kitchen! the corkboard and green hook hangers came from a local shop called PlumTree which is FABULOUS! the red decor is from Planters Walk, another fabulous local antique store, and the white tray and flower plates came from the ever so fabulous Target... and best part... they were on CLEARANCE! Score!!

i LOVE this piece, it has been on my table and on my counter... it's been together and used separately. it's so awesome and i got this for a steal! i've seen these for $80 and i believe that i didnt even spend $10 on this at Salvation Army... a long with the 2 glass bottles below!

i just adored the colors in the entertainment-ware and it was only $3.00 soo... you guessed it! i bought it!

the fork & spoon - different pieces but i really liked them a lot. they were a dark wood color, but Heather painted them an antique white and distressed it a little and i think it really added character to it.

i had decided against getting barstools because we never used our old ones much... these, for all 3 were only $30 and I plan to make a small cushion for each one with coordinating fabric and ribbon... and since there are 3 and i have 3 girls, i plan to put each of their first initial on one of them

this thing was only $20!! i'm going to clean it up a bit and either put it on my mantle or in my formal dining room... we shall see and only time will truly tell where i like it the best

i love these candle holders but i haven't always loved them... they were $10 for both of them at a yard sale back in June and they were a horrible brass color... I didn't want them but Heather insisted that I get them bc we could surely do something with them... and we did... and now I absolutely love them!

my oldest daughter LOVES horses so I raided a local antique store and found this that we use as a door stop in her bedroom... i'll post photos of her room as soon as it is completed with the walls painted.

here is another candlestick that I plan on painting the bronze colored part a pale pink and using it in my youngest daughters room that we are transitioning from a nursery to a big girls room!

the next four images are from my oldest daughters room, the "horse room"... the table is a tv tray that Heather painted and distressed to make the decor in the room. the white mirror was originally brown and gold(7years ago) and i bought it and painted it silver and now we have repurposed it and painted it white to fit in. the butterflies all looked like an aged plaster color when Heather painted them to match the colors in the bedding. the coat rack was free at a yard sale bc the middle piece was missing, but we think it adds character and rescued this beautiful piece!

this armoire was priced at $15 from a yardsale!! can you believe it?? i couldn't either!

the following 3 images are things that Heather custom made to match my youngest daughters crib bedding... and it's perfect!!

this bedside table was going to be thrown away because it had been left out in the weather and had started to crack, BUT we threw a little bit of black paint on it and it works awesomely in my daughters room!

this toy box was marked a whopping $5 at a yard sale... and now its serving a wonderful purpose to declutter my daughter's room!

i love this table... my sister, Heather, used an old round table (you know the kind you saw at your grandmothers house with the long skirts around them that you would climb under and hide in) and painted it black and free handed my little girls first initial on it and i loved it from the second i saw it! it fits beautifully with the pink and black decor in her room!

and a baby makes 3.

2010-02-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

well... kind of anyways. in our case another baby makes 3 children...make sense? good!

Our youngest is a hoot! She turned ONE on September 4th, 2009 so she is now about a year and a half. Needless to say, my littlest girl is getting around and learning A LOT! well... My heart was melted today and yesterday. My little girl said "I love you" yesterday and today!! Just as plain as day she said it! Now maybe not as plain as if I were to say it to you but all who heard definitely know that's what she said. But that's not all or the biggest thing either... She also told my sister, Laura that she missed her! "I miss you" and it was as clear as it could be as well! My sister had to ask to make sure she knew who she was talking to! It was so cute! And I love being there to hear my sweet angels mutter their sweet sweet words.

Okay... Here comes the one that pulled my heart strings the most... But first a little background: We say prayers with our kids every night. And every night, the oldest two, for the most part, say the same thing. Again there are a few exceptions but it is typically the same prayer every night. Well... I'm laying in my bed(the reason for that is a whole other blog post) not feeling so hot and on pain meds, when my precious little baby girl climbs up in my bed and gets beside me and says "Dear Jesus... Thank'a day...." And a smile couldn't have been held back. My sweet little angel... And the name of our Savior coming off the lips of a 16month old little girl. Way too precious for words. And I can't help but wonder how HE felt hearing this precious child of HIS say HIS name, the name Jesus... If my heart leapt how did HE feel? And how must HE feel when we go to speak to Him in prayer? I love hearing my name roll off the lips of my loved ones and I feel needed and wanted when that happens... And I have to imagine that's how Jesus & God feel when we come to Him in prayer.

I love how daily, my Savior gives me subtle reminds that He loves me so much and even through something from my one and a half year old... How awesome is He?

Father,
Thank you for loving me and for blessing my life with these precious children that know your name, just as you know mine. I can't fathom your love for me, knowing how much I love my own children and knowing that that's nothing compared to your love for your children...

lets. get. creative!

2010-02-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

I love being creative and having fun! And I love shopping... Especially at thrift stores and antique stores and flea markets. I love a good find and in the last 6months I have found a lot of them... So I have decided to start blogging about the things that my sister and I find, re-do and things that we decorate. I hope that you enjoy reading about and seeing it as much as I enjoy doing it! (Oh.. And reader beware... this is a little bit of a lengthy post)

My style has changed a lot in the last 10years but the staples seem to stay the same. I like simple.
elegant.
feminine.
antique.
modern.
chic.
whites.
brights.
clean lines.
distressed furniture.
curves.
among other things that you will learn about in my blogs.

When my husband and I first got married we fell in love with some bedding we saw at Pottery Barn but as newlyweds we could not afford it so we improvised and bought the pieces that we loved at places like Marshalls, TJMaxx, Ross, etc. We ended up having a very similar bed for less than half the price of the Pottery Barn bedding. We have khaki sheets, pale blue comforter, khaki, white, and blue pillows and topped it off with some throw pillows that had iridescent beading on it. We were so proud of ourselves!! Our next venture I went with DEEP DARK colors... That didn't last too long because as much as I loved the dark colors, I much preferred the brights and whites and the energy that seemed to come from decorating in an open and airy style. Sticking with one "style" or "theme" is hard for me because I can find something I LOVE from any style, this goes from bedding, to decor to clothing and music, I'm a pretty interesting person, but I like to think that that's part of my charm :). So I will leave you with a few things that inspire my decorative side and some things that I just plain out like. And with that... I bid you au revoir or for you southerners out there "Ya'll come back now ya' hear?!"

...And hopefully you will continue with me on my blogs journey through life, projects, decorating and my mindless ramblings...

Here are a few blogs and sites that I like/love to follow for decorating tips, inspiration, etc:
www.modernchichome.com
www.anthropologie.com
www.vintagegeneral.com
www.laniebethsinclair.com
www.onekingslane.com
www.hgtv.com
www.junkinlady.blogspot.com
www.vintagebellastudio.blogspot.com
www.coastalliving.com
www.shoeboxdecor.blogspot.com
www.chichomeblog.com
www.shabbychichomeblog.com
www.littlecrowninteriors.com
www.shabbiestchic.blogspot.com
www.thedeskofannie.blogspot.com
www.potterybarnkids.com
www.potterybarn.com
www.crateandbarrel.com
www.restorationhardware.com
www.yesyoumaigh.blogspot.com
www.ericaharless.blogspot.com

And here are some images that I love and inspire me in decorating, as well:

Why is it that Christians are the best at making people feel isolated, unloved, unaccepted and unlovable?

2010-01-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

The title of this blog is from my twitter a few days ago and I've really been thinking about it a lot lately... And just pondering on why I really feel that way and I wanted to elaborate on it for everyone. Part of what got me thinking was a friend of mine tweeted back and asked me if I had gone to high school? Sooo... Here is my explanation.

In school I never really felt that way, my friends really accepted me and loved on me and high school was a really hard time for me in a lot of ways because my mom was in a nursing home, she died and my dad remarried... All within the years I was in high school and I had the most loving and supportive friends a girl could have asked for... I had some of the most fun of my life my senior year of high school and it was every bit because of the friends that I had at my school. I felt more accepted and loved at school than I did at church, and that's not something I had ever thought about until I started feeling that way again recently.

See... I don't think that churches should have exclusive cliques, especially when it comes to adults. What are we teaching our kids? I love church and Bible study and interaction with other believers but it's not something that seems to come along with being unconditionally loved, accepted, etc. I can hang out with my friends that aren't in church every week and who prefer to go out and party and feel more accepted than I do when I go to church. Those friends will call, text, or email me to see if I want to hang out, go to lunch, go to a movie or to see where I was when everyone got together the last time because I was missed.

Now... Is it just me or is the above situation how it's supposed to be? Because I thought that the church and other believers should be the ones that are reaching out and encouraging others and edifying the body of believers. It's no wonder that the bars are fuller than the churches when people act like that. People want to be loved and accepted, people want to be missed and encouraged and to feel like they belong to something.

The Bible says in Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Now I'm pretty sure that this is talking about believers getting together and spending time in fellowship with one another, not believers getting together with non believers because they don't feel accepted in the church. Don't get me wrong, I have a few friends from church that I hang out with, not all from my church where I attend but that's okay with me. My husband and I have always wanted the types of friends that are talked about in the Bible, David & Jonathan, iron sharpening iron, etc but we have never really had that and I think that its sad, especially since my husband and I have both grown up in the church and we are raising our kids in the church. I'm not bashing my church or any church that I have ever gone to or my friends that I have past or present... I'm simply stating that with the exception of a few people this is what we have found to be true. And we aren't the only ones who feel and have felt that way, within our own church, other local churches and outside of the church.

Just with the scenario that we have experienced in our personal lives, I can relate to why there are some people that want nothing to do with the church and with Christians. And as a Christian that frustrates me... If we can't encourage, love and minister to each other, how can we expect to do that to others that don't know HIM or have a relationship with Christ? Why would someone want to go to church where they have no friends and feel left out when they can go hang out and "party" with their "friends" and feel accepted and wanted? And even if they come to church and come to know Christ, whats to keep them from going back to that lifestyle if we aren't there creating relationships and loving on them and encouraging them? As the body of Christ we are called to love and to show love and if we aren't then we are sinning, it's simple as that. If you cause a brother to stumble than are you not just as guilty? If by not showing love and acceptance and encouragement to another believer causes them to go out and return to the lifestyle that they were seeking salvation from are we not to blame for not showing them Christ's love? unconditional love and acceptance?

Just a little something to think about... And hopefully encourage and inspire you to go out and be the change that you want to see!!

to give or not to give??? WWJD

2010-01-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

So I ended the year 2009 a bit frustrated and sad... I had attempted to help out some families have Christmas that wouldn't have it without help from others and only one of those families was able to have Christmas. I sat and read status updates and twitter updates about all the excess that people got and then thought about the families that weren't getting anything and the fact that only $5 has been donated to help these families and it makes me sick to my stomach. We are such a spoiled society. If it were your family, would you not want someone to help your kids have Christmas?

This year was hard for us as we strived to stick to a budget on our Christmas but what made it easier was knowing that we were helping out other families with the excess that we didn't spend. It hurts my heart to see people and churches spend so much on things that don't really matter and then there are hurting people that don't get reached with Christ's love, especially on the season that we celebrate His birth.

I will still be, a long with several others, collecting money, clothing, toys, furnishings, food and other things for these families as their need is still great even after Christmas. Please consider helping in some way shape or form, even if it's just your time to help fix some things at one of the homes that needs to be repaired. We have all been blessed beyond measure and there is no reason why we shouldn't be a part in being a blessing in someone else's life.

SIX more days!!

2009-12-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone -

Please help us help some less fortunate families this year. We started out just trying to help out two families but God has placed four more on our hearts to help out. We have been in need to the point where we literally didn't know where the next meal was coming from, except that God would provide it... So PLEASE help us help these families!!

Please go to: http://whenbadthingshappen2goodpeople.blogspot.com and donate to help us help these families. Money will go towards Christmas gifts, clothes, grocery store gift cards and paying bills for these families. PLEASE help us help others this Christmas season and year round.

Merry Christmas!!!

Please help out a family in need this season... Only 8 days till Christmas!!

2009-12-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!!

I have posted something about this once already, and I'm going to do it again because it's something that I really feel strongly about and because I have been there, as a mom and as a kid. And so far we have only had $5.00 donated to help these families. Please spread the word and help make Christmas happen for someone else!!

We have 3 families that we are trying to help out this year. Please go check out http://whenbadthingshappen2goodpeople.blogspot.com and donate to help us help these families. You can donate monetarily by clicking on the donate button on the right hand side of the screen or you can leave a comment with your email address for any other donations you may want to make.

Thank you!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

music

2009-12-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

I. LOVE. MUSIC.

And... If you know anything about me, at all, you know this to be true. I sing in the car. In the shower. While I'm cleaning. With my children. At church. At the grocery store. At the gym. In restaurants. And I LOVE all types of music, I can't really think of any type that I hate. There is some music I don't particularly care for but I appreciate the creative process that goes into creating music, from the lyrics to the sounds.

My husband runs www.rockthecross.net which is a music news and reviews website. We review music. All of our reviewers have different taste in music, which in my opinion, gives us the most honest input on our reviews that are posted to the site. Not everyone likes everything and quite honestly, there are people that only like one type of music and never broaden their "musical vocabulary."

That being said, there are a few things that I don't get when it comes to music reviewers and musicians that are being reviewed. We'll call the musicians "m" and the music reviewers "ma" :)

1: ma: make sure you review & address EVERY aspect of the album, ie. the lyrics, the message, the sound, the effects, the story behind the music. don't just say, "meh, I don't like this band, never have, never will, they suck." actually take time for the review and make it at least sound like you did your homework and researched the band, the album, the songs, the sounds, etc.

2: m: don't take it personal, not everyone is going to love you. there is a reason that we are all different and talented in different ways. some will LOVE hard rock and some will love classic jazz sounds, it's okay.

3: ma: if you work for a Christian music site, try to judge your reviews biblically. part of a music reviewers job is to be a critic, but more importantly, as Christians we need to run things through what the Word of God says. Ephesians 4:29 says 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' In laymen terms: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. We need to review the music, objectively, but we also need to be mindful that we are the body of Christ and we need to uplift each other and encourage each other, especially those that are in front of hundreds of thousands of people trying to reach them for Christ.

4: m: please, if you say you are a Christian artist and you are out there wanting to reach other, please maintain that no matter what... stick to your guns, there are a lot of people out there that look up to you and not to sound mean or rude but, whether you like it or not, you are leading by example. we've met bands that the only reason they are in the Christian genre is because it was "easier" to get in to, this is saddening to me and it makes it hard to encourage people to listen to your music.

I'm leaving at only those points because I feel like those are a few of the major things that review sites run in to. Like I said, I love music and I love meeting artists and listening to new music. I just feel like there are a few things that everyone should know about some of it.

And now...........

For my shameless plug of my husbands website :)
Check out:

WWW.ROCKTHECROSS.NET for all your music news, reviews, concerts, concert photography, and the BEST contests and prizes around!!!

the church

2009-12-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

If you follow me on twitter you probably saw me twitter that the reason most people don't want to step into the church, is because of the church... and I really, very strongly feel this way.

I got the chance to talk to someone today and it was pretty neat. The reason she hasn't been in church a lot recently is because of the church and her experience with the church... Which is VERY sad. If we would just love on people the way Jesus did we couldn't keep people away from "the church", meaning the body of Christ.

my bucket list

2009-12-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

So i've been thinking a lot about things I want to do, see and places I want to go... Kind of my "bucket list" so to speak. And I figured better than just talking about would be to write(type) it out and do it! So - here is my list of things I've always wanted/wanted to do, and in no particular order(italicized means I've done it!!):

1. Paris & the Eiffel Tower
2. Las Vegas
3. New York, New York
4. Disney World
5. Universal Studios
6. The Keys
7. Bahamas
8. Jamaica
9. Italy
10. Greece
11. Honduras
12. San Francisco
13. Los Angeles
14. Washington, DC
15. Seattle, Washington
16. Savannah, GA
17. Tybee Island
18. New Orleans
19. Miami, FL
20. Cabo
21. Cancun
22. Alaska
23. Skydive
24. Parasail
25. Parachute
26. Disneyland
27. Hollywood
28. Take a cruise
29. Go on a cross country road trip
30. Get a tattoo with my husband's & my kids' names/initials
31. Get my nose pierced
32. Tattoo on my foot
33. Take a couples dance class with my hubby
34. go Skiing in Colorado
35. ice skate on a frozen lake in a northern state
36. jump off a waterfall
37. visit Hawaii with my husband & daughters
38. learn how to drive a stick shift
39. go to Hilton Head Island w/my family
40. hop a plane for an impromptu/spontaneous day and/or weekend trip
41. fly in a private plane somewhere for a day
42. rock climb (and not on a rock wall... REAL rock climbing)
43. I want to go hunting
44. deep sea fishing with my girls
45. a girls only beach trip with my sisters, sister in law and daughters
46. drive up the california coast
47. venice
48. prague
49. the grand canyon
50. the cayman islands
51. thailand
52. africa
53. drive a corvette, a ferrari, a delorean
54. horseback riding down the beach
55. watch a westcoast sunset
56. drive on the autobon
57. a "surprise date"
58. a night at the Fox
59. to see something on broadway
60. dinner and dancing all gussied up

there's more, i'm sure, scratch that, I KNOW! And I'll add them as I think of them :)
What are some of your recommendations? or somethings on your "bucket list"?

words.

2009-12-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 64:3
Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.

Hosea 7:16
They return, but not to him that is on high; they are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

Words are very powerful. Especially when used the wrong way. I don't know what your spiritual beliefs are, but scripture even warns us of the danger of using our words to cut others. And today I did just that. I was hurt and fired back... It's amazing the things that come out of your mouth before you even realize what you are saying. And we always know just what to say to hurt the ones that we love... And we can always hurt the ones we love the most. And I am guilty of that today.

Instead of using my husbands weak points to build him up as I should have, I threw them at him and used them against him. I basically poured salt in an open wound. And I didn't even realize I had done it until after it had happened and I couldn't take my words back.

As his wife I have a responsibility, not to feed his ego but to protect his identity as a man, my husband and the father of my children. As a Christian I am supposed to not try to "get back at someone" for how they hurt me. And I failed.

Our words are so powerful and we have the power to make or break someone by our tongue. And we need to be so very careful what we say to people and how we say it. Once something is said you cant take it back, you can apologize but you can't replace the piece of that person that has been damaged once your words have been spoken.

helping out those in need

2009-12-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.

This holiday season I challenge you to help someone else out. I know, personally, of two families that could use your help this holiday season and beyond this holiday season. A friend and I have created a blog that you can log on to and read a brief summary of these two families, there is also a donate button where you can financially donate to help them out. Please check it out and help someone else out for Christmas and beyond!

Here is the link to the blog to help them out:
http://whenbadthingshappen2goodpeople.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for your generosity and giving spirit this Christmas season! God bless!!!

my. busy. life. & what God thinks about it

2009-12-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

So lately I have been feeling like God has been telling me to not be so busy, and I've ignored Him(bad idea to ignore God). I've been working as much as I can, trying to keep the house up and trying to run after 3 kids and volunteering for anything I possibly can to help further the kingdom and I've gotten really frustrated. Business has slowed down, people that I normally help out with haven't asked for much help, my entire family has gotten sick and anything I have tried to do has been interrupted,I'm not exaggerating. My life has/had gotten to the point that I didn't have time to cook, didn't have time to help my daughter with her homework, didn't have time to give my husband the attention that he needs, didn't have time to read the Word. I've felt so rushed and my mind always focused on 4 or more projects at a time that I couldn't focus on whats been going on in my everyday life.

This all hit me pretty hard when our 15month old has had about 4 more teeth come in that I never even noticed. We've been forced to slow down some with kids getting sick, etc, but I've still tried to do what I felt I needed to do, we've gotten so caught up in being busy that that was who we had become - we were busy, I might as well have introduced myself to people that way. And then I read one of my husband's good friend's blog( http://bradpostonline.com/ <--you should check it out) and it hit me in the face again, bringing to mind all the things that have been currently brought to my mind and reminding me that God is NEVER too busy for me and He allowed me to come into existence. Every good and perfect gift is from Him and I haven't been making time for Him, we've even rushed through our bed time ritual with our kids prayer/devotion time, leaving out the devotion but still praying... what are we teaching them? That what we have going on is too important to take a few extra minutes to spend time with them getting them in the Word.

I made the comment to my husband that I felt like we were bad parents, and a lot of times I really feel like that. The main reason for my feelings is because we have been too busy to set the example for them that they need to take time to enjoy things and enjoy God and His Word and His presence in their life. When Mackenzie was Kaeleigh's age she had several scriptures memorized and she was so proud of it and she would talk about God and Jesus and always asked us questions, but Kaeleigh doesn't do that, and really the only thing that has changed has been how busy we are now and how much time we spend talking to them about God, Jesus and the Bible. And especially with Christmas coming up, we need to be taking the time to share with them the true meaning of the season and enjoying the season with them. Time flies by too fast and I want my children to have memories of mom and dad doing things with them and sharing with them and most importantly having time for a meaningful relationship with our Saviour and sharing that with them.

If I have rambled any, I apologize, I'm a rambler and I do it without realizing it. But hopefully something that I have said will be meaningful to someone, even if it's just me and one other person.

Ernest

2009-09-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ernest is a man my husband and I met after a concert at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Sunday night. We gave him a few dollars and prayed for him when he stopped us to ask us for help paying for a night at the shelter.

As we were walking out of the concert I looked over and noticed a man in the dumpster and then a lady talking to herself, or maybe she was talking to us but it didn't seem so.

My heart broke.

I can't imagine being so desperate for food or shelter that I had to jump into a dumpster. So many people with so many stories and we just pass them by without a second thought or a second look. Most people would rather ignore their existence than to take a moment to acknowledge that there is a life and that life has a purpose and that life has needs.

God loves Ernest and the others that we saw and didn't see. He loves them just as much as He loves us. "Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world!" A child's song, but it's so true! No matter what differences we have from each other, be it skin color, background, jobs, homes sizes, or even our individual stories... He loves us all the same.

And we are commanded to love each other, to love all of God's children... The greatest commandment is to love. And Jesus also says that what we have done to the least of these we have done to Him. That's my challenge to everyone, and not just to the homeless but to all of God's children - Acknowledge that they are a life that is valuable to God, that they are to be loved and that they are precious in HIS sight! How do you think things would change if we all lived according to God's greatest commands? What can you do differently? Who can you be Jesus to?

Just some food for thought...

Marriage

2009-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

Following this blog you will find the word "marriage" defined by the Bible and by Webster's Dictionary.

Something that has been on my heart a lot lately has been how society today treats marriage. You can't get married and just one day decide it's not "cutting it for ya" anymore and "break up" - Marriage is work and it's HARD work and it is not something that should be taken lightly, not in the least bit. It nauseates me to see how my generation, ones before and ones after, treat marriage. They/we treat it as something that can be fixed as easily as changing clothes and finding a new pair. Marriage is the model for Christ and the church and it should be treated as seriously as such. Too many people today think that the grass is greener on the other side only to find out that what they had was already God's best for them.

The Bible says "for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two shall become one" - How can you divide something that is one? If I have one dollar and I tear it in two, it loses it's value, I can't use one half of it... I have to repair it and make it "one" again... Making it whole. I can tape a dollar back together but you can't tape a marriage together, you have to super glue it together and enter the marriage with a third part, the tie that binds, the superglue that no one can separate, Christ. A cord of three is not easily broken and neither is a marriage that has Christ as the center. Marriage is a sacred covenant made to God and your spouse in front of friends and family and too many people overlook the part about it being a covenant to God.

I have a lot on my heart and my mind about this as you can understand. And maybe as you read through how marriage is defined you will understand more. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly... No commitment to God should be.

Marriage: (definition according to Bible) Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Genesis 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matthew 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Genesis 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued to be practised all down through the period of Jewish histroy to the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record.

It seems to have been the practice from the beginning for fathers to select wives for their sons (Genesis 24:3; 38:6). Sometimes also proposals were initiated by the father of the maiden (Exodus 2:21). The brothers of the maiden were also sometimes consulted (Genesis 24:51; 34:11), but her own consent was not required. The young man was bound to give a price to the father of the maiden (31:15; 34:12; Exodus 22:16, 17; 1 Samuel 18:23, 25; Ruth 4:10; Hosea 3:2) On these patriarchal customs the Mosaic law made no change.

In the pre-Mosaic times, when the proposals were accepted and the marriage price given, the bridegroom could come at once and take away his bride to his own house (Genesis 24:63-67). But in general the marriage was celebrated by a feast in the house of the bride's parents, to which all friends were invited (29:22, 27); and on the day of the marriage the bride, concealed under a thick veil, was conducted to her future husband's home.

Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the subject of marriage (Matthew 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine institution on the highest grounds. The apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18, 19; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Marriage is said to be "honourable" (Hebrews 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as one of the Marks of degenerate times (1 Timothy 4:3).

The marriage relation is used to represent the union between God and his people (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:1-14; Hosea 2:9, 20). In the New Testament the same figure is employed in representing the love of Christ to his saints (Ephesians 5:25-27). The Church of the redeemed is the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 19:7-9).

Marriage: (definition according to Websters)] noun
1. State of being husband and wife; "a long and happy marriage"; "God bless this union".
2. Two people who are married to each other; "his second marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple without love".
3. The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage was conducted in the chapel".
4. A close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and dance"; "a marriage of ideas".

More Creations... (2008 and older)

2009-09-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

This is Kaeleigh's first birthday cake & destroy cake :) (Feb 2006)

This is Kenzie's 5th birthday cake (Jan 2007)

My Creations :)

2009-09-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

So I really love to decorate, bake, photograph, sew, paint, draw, sing, write, dance, etc... And I guess that makes me, well, me :). I'm not going to bog you all down in one blog with everything that I love to do... So... I will share them one at a time!

Here are some of my creations this year... Cake Creations that is.

These photos below, from this month, is my little girl, Addison's 1st birthday cake and her "destroy cake"

This is the cake I made for my sister's baby shower in August:

And this is the cake I made for a good friend's baby shower:

I always make my girls birthday cakes and I am sure that I have photos of them all somewhere, but these are just the most recent ones that I have done... And I have to say... They taste pretty yummy! :)

Please support me in the Huntingtons Disease 5k - Atlanta, GA

2009-09-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!!

(If you get this twice I apologize in advance) The following link is for the Atlanta Huntington's Disease 5K Run/Walk, October 24, 2009 http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace . I am writing to you all to ask for support in this 2nd Annual Event. There are several ways that you can offer support, you can of course donate funds through that link, OR you can participate in the event and join my team though that link, OR you can simply pray for the event and those participating and those affected by HD. I'm terrible at writing to ask for money for fundraisers so I apologize for this being so short and to the point because I have no idea how to sugar coat it.

Huntington's Disease is what my mom had and was the cause of her death. My brother, sisters and I all have a 50/50 chance of carrying the HD gene, which is a dominant gene. I am doing this for my mom, my siblings and my children. HD has affected my family in many ways and my mom gave a lot of time to try to help in testing for a cure and for treatment. My goal is to continue her legacy, that's why I name my team Pam's Peace. Mom had peace in the midst of the storm because her Heavenly Father gave her peace while she battled this horrific disease. Mom never gave up and I'm not going to either... If I have HD and my efforts will benefit my children then they are all worth it, the time, the effort... all of it. That's the mentality my mom had and I'm adopting as my own... And letting the peace that passes all understanding comfort my past hurts from HD as I go the route to do what I can to fight to find a cure for HD and to continue my mom's legacy.

I hope that you will all prayerfully support me, my team and those out there dealing with HD. If you can financially support too, that is awesome, I would love to meet my goal of $5000 towards funding research for HD. Again the link is: http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace

Thank you so much!!

Bad Company

2009-09-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been since April that I have blogged! Wow! I really am going to try to get better at this...

Okay so something that has been on my mind and heart a lot lately is the modern church and modern day Christians. I don't think everyone really *gets it* to be completely honest.

People were originally called Christians because they followed Christ and were Christ-like. Now days the church and "Christians" are so far from what Christ originally called us to its not even funny. Churches/Christians(C&C) are filled with "cliques" and we try to teach our kids to not leave people out... C&C is filled with judgmental attitudes but we try to teach others to be accepting... C&C are filled with hate but we try to teach others to love.

The Bible teaches that they will know us by our love and by our fruit... But yet we are not loving the least of these. We aren't reaching out to the prostitutes, to the gamblers, to the homeless... Not on the scale that we were commanded to do. We get so comfortable with our friends in our comfy homes that we forget what the others may feel or how they feel. We forget that there is hurt outside our little circle of friends, that we don't dare let anyone new into, unless they "fit in" with the friends that are already there. We talk about the other believers and say things like we can't believe that so-n-so acted a certain way or did a certain thing or has "those" friends.

You want the truth? Jesus would probably not hang out with most of us... He probably would not step foot in to most churches. Why? Because we are following His commands... We are so focused inward and He wants us to be focused outward. Get OUT of your comfort zone! Get out of your cozy circle of friends! Go where the others won't go! Love on the unlovable and unlovely! Why? Because that's what Jesus would do... It's not about a bracelet or a saying, it's about a lifestyle and making changes. Stop saying "I can't believe the friends that she/he keeps" and go be the friend to those, love on them, we ARE the only Jesus that some people see and meet. Love on that single mom, that alcoholic, that gambler, the homeless, the abused, the abuser, the drug dealer, the gangs... They will know us by our love and will be won for Christ by letting HIS love shine through us.

If Jesus walked in todays times most people would not want to be around Him because the company that He would keep and the people He would love on... And didn't He command us to do as He does? To love as He loves? We were, after all created in HIS image.

Ramblings

2009-04-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

If you choose to believe the Bible, then you have to believe in all of it, you can't just pick and choose what you like out of it. The Bible is God's unfallible truth. It is never changing and can not be compromised. If God's Word changed then what hope would we have in Him? He would be no different than you or I.

God's Word is clear and there is not any room for interpretation. God is LOVE and He sent His one and only Son to die for a world of sinners all because He loves us. I couldn't let my child die for anyone, there is no one I love enough to give my childs' life for. I would gladly give my life for my child but I wouldn't give my child's life for anyone. Don't get me wrong I have a deep love for many people in my life, but there is just no one on this earth that I would offer to give my child's life for. If He didn't love us then He wouldn't have sent His Son for us... He loves us with an unfathomable love.

God loves us regardless of who we are, where we have been, what sin we have fallen into or what others think of us. We aren't to condem or be judgemental of others. We are to love them as Christ loves us and has set the example for us... But we also should not condone, nor support a life of sin. The Bible clearly outlines sin for us to know how we, as believers, should and should not act... And Jesus set the perfect example. While none of us can be perfect, we are to imitate Christ and the life that He led, Paul says imitate me as I imitate Christ. None of us will ever reach perfection, but we should live our lives in such a way that we would not be embarassed if Jesus/God were physically present to be where we are. God sees all and knows all, so He is always with us anyways, but how differently would we behave if we could physically see His presence? Would He be weeping over the our actions that we openly do in front of Him or would He tell us, face to face, well done my good and faithful servant?

Just some food for thought...

My Best Friend... Besides my Jesus and my hubby...

2009-04-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

So I just finished reading through my best friends blog... And I have to brag on her for a minute. She has taking such a stand and is turning her life around and I am so proud of her! She went down the road of drugs, alcohol, Atlanta party scene, etc thinking that was the life. No one could tell her no. She had issues of self esteem, a clearly beautiful woman on the inside and out that doubted her self. I wouldn't say any of this publicly had she not said it herself and realized who she truly is.

She is all of us. She is beautiful. She is God's princess. And God NEVER wants any of His children to feel that way... But that feeling is all too well known amongst today's females.

I'm proud of her - She is finding herself again and realizing God in her life again and the purpose that He has for her. I pray that everyone out there going through what she has gone through will realize before its too late that God loves them and that there is more to life than what this world has to offer!

I love you RD!! And I am so proud of you!!

U S of A

2009-04-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

So... According to some speeches as of late, republicans, Christians, etc are to be considered terrorists, extremists, etc... And we are not a "Christian Nation?" I thought that this nation was founded on Christian principles, that our money says "In God we Trust"

I guess we are radicals if we believe the country should be ran the way it was set up to run... Hopefully this four years fly by!!

It is a beautiful day...

2009-04-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

And I would LOVE to be outside running or playing with the girls but I am in a cast and on crutches....

I'm kinda in a "funk" right now, I guess you could call it. God has definitely provided all our needs for us but people have really let me down a lot lately. Strangers, family and friends... More so "friends" though. I've had a hard time with knowing who are true friends are lately and who aren't... Not every one of my friends have made me question this but there are a few. I like to think I'm a good friend, and that I try to be there for everyone when they need someone... But why does it seem that friends come and go like the seasons some times? The ones you could count on yesterday you can't even call today?

I'm thankful that our Heavenly Father is not like that. I love that I can count on my Father yesterday, today and tomorrow... And that He never changes. It's such a great thing to have some one who loves me the same and is there for me the same no matter what.

Can't think of anything life changing for a title...

2009-02-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

I have sat and thought about trying to write something that would be life changing but instead I am just going to tell you about my day... as a mommy of 3.

I was awaken by my 5 1/2month old and 4yr old fussing, on top of my head... Not the best way to start the day. Now enter my hubby with groceries for the week after taking my eldest to school. I let him clean the kitchen and stuff this morning while I worked on pictures from some shoots... Normal run of the mill kinda day for me. My hubby had a lunch date today with our oldest, I had a lunch date with my preganant younger sister, my niece and my middle girl :o). We had a good time... I love my sister. We are so alike in some ways and yet so different in others... I guess it'd be kinda boring if we were exactly alike.

It was a very pretty day so we went to the park with some friends, another beautiful pregnant friend with her hubby and little girl. And I LOVE that family!! I can honestly say that I love this family like they were my own... God has truly blessed us with some great friends and I am truly grateful for them.

Karate was today... That was fun. I think my daughter may actually do better if we weren't in there for her to look at every so often. I think she looks over at us for approval of what she is doing. I am thankful for her goldy karate leaders that love her and are encouraging of her... She is the only one her age that has never been in karate but she loves it and so we will stick with it as long as she does.

Now on to dinner... We got a special invite to a Chick-fil-a "event" at a location that we frequent... And that my hubby has befriended the ENTIRE staff. It was a lot of fun... There were people from our church and from other parts of our life there. We were unsure of the dress of the event though since it was invite only... My hubby and I were in the front of the car contemplating whether it was "dress up" or not... when from the back seat I hear "if it's dress up then I will just got as a zoo keeper........I think I still have some stuffed animals in the car..." Our oldest apparently thought that by "dress up" we meant costume dress up... I love my children, they say the best things!!!

Back home to where I get some disturbing news (the out come was alright though) and I learned that my new camera is ON ITS WAY!! It will be here tomorrow!! And I couldn't be more excited!

My day will end with me watching a movie with my hubby and cuddling on our new shag rug that we got for our living room... GOT TO LOVE TARGET!! (pronounced tar-shay ;o) )

Night all...

Adult Conversation and being a Mother of Three

2009-02-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

I never realized how much adult conversation that I miss out on in my daily routine as a wife, mother and work from home-er.

I was really really itching to get out of the house today. You see we have been passing around what I like to call "the junk" in my house and today I was tired of it... I felt better and was tired of being couped up. Need. To. Get. Out. So I logged onto my faithful facebook account and lookie here... A friend of mine, whom I haven't gotten to spend much time with lately and lives just around the corner, was online... Who happens to also be a mother of three. After a bit of "chatting" we decided to make a trek to WalMart... At 10:30pm... Well... I just got home. We walked around that whole store for almost four hours and literally just talked. The. Whole. Time.

IT WAS GREAT!!!

And then as we pull back into my drive way... I realize... How sad is this that the whole time we were there, child free, we looked for things for our children... And spent almost four hours in WalMart "chit chatting" - I was afraid that if we stayed any longer we would have been put to work.

We did find some great things at WalMart though, things that I have never seen... And I have discovered, too, that apparently the 70's through early 90's have made a huge come back in the line of clothing... I thought there was a reason that those styles, and colors, were retired. Am I wrong??

God is good... All the time...

2009-02-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

So this last year has brought about a LOT of change for my family, here you go... in a nut shell:

December 2008, I lost my job right after Christmas and then found out I was pregnant... Losing my job was a little bittersweet though. It was a shock to the system and I had a whirlwind of emotions but had I not lost my job I probably wouldn't have picked my photography back up full time.

I had a rough pregnancy, my husband ended up out of work with a hurt back and a denied workers comp claim, our heating and air went out over this hot Georgia summer and there were several times we were faced with utilities off and phone calls from our landlord about us having to move out. God is good though. Our children never went hungry, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, God blessed us through our friends and anonymously with payments being made for my family to have a home and utilities still on. There were several times that we thought we were "all miracled out" and God just stepped in and blew us away.

As humans we get so frustrated with our circumstances and we try to do it all in our selves and take care of the situations that come up. The truth of the matter is, not until we fully rely on God will things get better. Instead of drifting apart my family was able to, only by the grace of God, pull together and stay strong during our storm, one right after the next. And He has brought us through completely to the other side of the storm.

Right now things are loooking brighter for my family then they ever really have - and it's all a testiment to God's great love and faithfulness He has for His children. While we aren't "sittin' pretty" by the world's standards we are "sittin' pretty" because of what He has brought us through, because of our Faith, His blessings and the hope that we have in Christ Jesus our Savior.

yeah yeah yeah

2009-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

So things have been pretty good the last couple weeks... i got some good results from the cardiologist and that made me happy - still trying to figure out everything that has been going on and is causing these weird things and the weakening of my heart but I know it's all in God's hands and there is nothing He can't handle.

We are thinking about moving. My husband's workers comp case is FINALLY over and so we can all breathe a little easier... So we have been looking at houses. Houses where everything works and it doesn't cost us an arm and a leg to stay in :). We have found one that I am pretty much in love with... I'm praying that it's the right one. Hopefully we will know something soon. We don't want to move our girls around but we do want to go where God would have us to go.

I've been working out... It's going pretty good. Contemplated getting a trainer but I decided that since I know what to do, I was just going to force myself to do it... And now I am incredibly sore, good sign, right?

My girls... Well they are growing... My middle baby will be four tomorrow and that just breaks my heart! I can't remember her getting this big! Time goes by too fast. She keeps coming to me saying "Mommy, I'm growing already, why?" "Mommy, why did God want me to grow?" I can't believe that my oldest baby is seven and that my youngest baby is already 5months old.

I have a lot of friends that are pregnant right now... I sure hope that doesn't mean that I'm next. I like to think that I started the string of pregnancies... Not that I will be ending the string of pregnancies.

I'm rambling, but isn't that what a blog is for? My mindless rambles? Oh well... I am off to sit and cuddle with my hunnie and get in my Bible for my quiet time. I hope you are too...

Until next time -

under attack.

2009-01-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

It has never been more evident to me than now that the Christian home/family is under attack. Satan is in on the prowl and is going to be sure to use every possible situation and person to attack them and bring them down in hopes to win over another person to "the dark side."

There is no time like the present though to fight these battles and stand up to Satan against his ploys and tactics to destroy families and our love of our God. My family, as well as several of others and you, have noticed and seen these things coming. The church is under attack as well.

Are we gonna give him what he wants and give in to his vindictive attempts to get us to fail and no longer depend on the God that we know and love? Not my family! And I hope not yours too! Joshua 24:15 states it best "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - that is my family's motto for 2009 and the rest of the time that God allows us to be on this earth. And if we stick to that and serve the Lord and follow Him and let Him order our footsteps than who should be fearful of? No one... As Romans 8:31-39 states "If God is for us than who can be against us" and doesn't that make you feel safe? To rest in the arms of an allknowing all powerful God who is FOR you even in your times of trials and tribulations?

Satan is going to through his best at you this new year. Be ready because he's not going to give up. We need to be prepared though and put on the full armor and lift each other up in prayer and hold each other accountable to put the armor on everyday. We are running a race to the finish line, and we need to all plan to finish this race regardless of the hurdles, mud pits, etc that Satan throws in there at us... The "prize" at the end is far more rewarding than giving in to any of his plots against us and if we rely on God during hurdles and mud pits He will bring us through them and the comfort and strength that He will provide us with during the hard times is worth leaning on Him and not giving in.

I commit to praying for my family, my friends, my church family and our nation as we all are under attack from the evil one. I pray that each of you, myself and my family included, cling closely and tightly to the Father during the attacks, trials and tribulations.

As my Pastor says "Live for Jesus"

What I learned in 2008

2009-01-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that 2008 is over. I have learned a lot of stuff that has been beneficial and hurtful in the last year.

I have learned:

*God has a never-ending love and will never let you down

*Good friends are hard to find

*God can work beauty into the darkest of situations

*a good man is hard to find, I'm glad I have one

*my children will love me whether I have good days or bad ones

*people on earth are going to let you down, family, friends, etc. but God places those around you that He has appointed and HE will never let you down.

Battle of the Bulge

2008-12-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

I never used to have trouble with weight, after my oldest was born I was able to get back to pre-pregnancy size before her first birthday and *about* the same with my second child... I had to work HARD to get off the weight the second time. Now that I have had three children I find that I am at an unhealthy weight for my frame - healthy for me is anywhere between 140 and 160 and well... Lets just say I weigh WELL over that(I will be weighing in tomorrow on here, in the morning).

I have wanted to lose weight, I need to. *But* now I am on doctors orders to lose weight. My heart has weakened and I have elevated cholesterol and sugar levels in my blood... Soo... I read up on a lot of things that can cause that and that can "reverse" that. Exercise strengthens your heart and lowers cholesterol and sugar... So! My plan: To start walking... I plan to start at 30minutes a day at a light pace and work myself up to running, I *really* want to run the Peachtree Road Race this coming year - something I have always talked about but never done... And dog gone it! I'm gonna do it! (providing we can afford to buy a number)

Tomorrow morning I am going to post a picture of what I look like now, with my measurements and current weight and track my progress weekly or bi-weekly... We'll see how it goes, but however frequent, I will be tracking it on here.

Please give me some encouragement as I press on toward a healthier and more fit me. I want to be around a long time for my children, God-willing.

Needing to vent...

2008-12-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

I am NOT super mom!

Last week my house was clean... We had the carpets clean, laundry was done and put away... BUT I didn't get any editing done on my photo shoots... This week I'm focusing on getting caught up on my editing... And my house manages to have toys all over the living room floor, bills on the table along with my daughters' homework and whatever else has been set down there, the bathrooms have dirty laundry and towels just thrown in the floor as does the bedrooms in my house excluding the nursery... The kitchen has dishes in the sink and groceries that need to be put away... BUT I'm getting my editing caught up...

Why is it the house doesn't stay clean unless mom busts it 24/7 with no break?? My husband doesn't work... He stays home. He has fun with our kids and plays video games with them... Why can't I have fun with my kids? The last fun thing I did with my kids was when we spent a week with the in-laws...

I need a cook, a maid, an organizer, an assistant, a nanny, a pet walker/groomer, a beautician/make-up artist/stylist, diaper changer, plumber, hvac tech, painter, decorator... You name it!!

So hear I am sitting at home... Looking at the mess that needs to be cleaned while my husband and 2 of my 3 children have gone to church because after taking care of the baby and helping get the older two kids ready I have no time left to get me ready for church. So I will sit at home and clean the living room and kitchen for the 2nd time today, undoubtedly to have to do it again after the kids go to and work on editing my photos. My husband tries to help with the editing but I can get 2 done in the time it takes him to do one and clean the kitchen, since the computer is in the same room.

What is it with men? Do they ever really realize how much moms and wives do? My husband doesn't work... But I do. I'm jealous. I wish he would help more.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............. And I have vented!!

Ashley & Addison Update

2008-09-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Here's the latest:

On Addison:
Her labs yesterday came back and had dropped two whole points from the day before which is great! She is actually at the hospital right now with Wes, having more labs done again today to determine if the levels are still dropping and to see if there is anything that they need to do over the weekend to keep her levels dropping. Her bilirubin count had been up in the 20's and yesterday it was 18 - they don't like them to be above 12 but they are pleased that her levels are now coming down. The main thing that they worry about it potential brain damage in babies with high bilirubin levels. We are just praying that her levels keep dropping and that she has no adverse reaction/complications due to the high bilirubin levels.

On Ashley:
I went back to the cardiologist for the echo/ultrasound yesterday and at this point my heart function looks good and they are thinking that it is probably just my heart having to work overtime because all the excess fluid right now. I am on a 24 hour Holter heart monitor until this evening so I can record when I feel the chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, etc. I am also on total bed rest, again! But they are wanting me to get up and move around the house some so that I don't develop any clots and clots are another concern that they had for me. So right now we are just asking for prayer that the diuretics are able to continue to remove fluid, that my heart function doesn't weaken, that my hemoglobin, potassium and iron levels(and a few others) level out, and that I don't develop a clot. They are choosing to treat me slowly because the levels in my blood, my elevated blood pressure & pulse and so that I can continue to nurse Addison. I'm still a little nervous about it all but God's gonna take care of us and I know tons of you guys are praying for us!

Thank you for all your prayers! Keep praying and we'll keep you all updated! Thank you for your encouragement!!

Prayer Request for Me & Addison

2008-09-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Wednesday - September 10, 2007

This is in 3rd person, I just copy & pasted from Wes' note so I didn't have to type it all over again...

Ashley had to go to the cardiologist today. She has been having the same symptoms since before the end of the pregnancy that could be indicative of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy,which is a weakened heart that develops during pregnancy and the heart could just stop, that is supposed to be and can be diagnosed in the last month of pregnancy. She has been very fatigued, swelling in her feet and ankles, racing pulse, elevated blood pressure and shortness of breath since before Addison was born but they didn't do anything about it. Her blood pressure and pulse sent us to the ER the other night and they checked out her kidney function and told us to follow up with her ob since she is postpartum... The ob did some blood work yesterday and the levels in her blood didn't come back so great so they put her on iron pills and told her she would need to see a cardiologists due to her symptoms and her labs. At the cardiologist today they checked her out and she has developed heart murmurs and all her symptoms, worse case scenario, can be indicating the cardiomyopathy or, best case scenario, could just be that her heart can't handle all the extra fluid (and the trauma of the delivery on her heart) that a diuretic to remove the fluid would resolve the issue. The cardiologist has sent her home on a mild diuretic, since she is breastfeeding, to be started immediately and they have ordered an ultrasound of her heart to be done tomorrow to check the valve function, etc. She has already been suffering from shortness of breath and a racing pulse, which are things they told her could signal the worse of the two "problems", to the point that it woke her up last night from her sleep... They said that if that happens again that she needs to go straight to the ER. Needless to say she is scared and it's not really and easy situation to be in. Please keep her, and us, in your prayers and that whatever it is can and will be able to be resolved soon and safely.

Addison is still having to have daily bilirubin checks because her levels are still elevated. If her levels don't go down enough they will have to do one of two treatments, phototherapy or they would have to remove old blood from one leg while at the same time putting new blood into the next leg. So we are just praying that the bilirubin levels will go down enough and soon enough that we don't have to undergo the harder of the two treatments.

Ashley & Addison both have appointments in the morning with their doctors.

JesusBranded.com

2008-09-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

One place: www.JesusBranded.com
One link: www.JesusBranded.com

GO NOW!

To: www.JesusBranded.com

Okay... So my husband and I had the awesome privilege of meet Sam and some others, from Jesus Branded in 2007 at Atlanta Fest... We enjoyed talking with these guys and getting to know them! The hardest part of meeting them, for me, was leaving without one of EACH of their shirts... Though I was able to squeeze two out of my husband as a "birthday gift."

Awesome Shirts!

Awesome people!

Awesome causes!

Awesomer messages!

Do you need any other reason to check them out? I think NOT!

Check out their site and don't just look at the amazing shirts! Look at who they are and why they do what they do!

www.JesusBranded.com

Updates on Me & Baby Girl #3

2008-08-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Soo... It has been a LONG while since I have posted anything on here for anyone who may actually be reading this. Here is what has been going on with me and this pregnancy - most recent update is the top one... The updates are in reverse chronological order :)

Enjoy!

8-20-08
AMFM, my specialist, has given the okay for the doctor to order the amnio for me to be induced! YAY! So today when we saw my obgyn he ordered that the surgical coordinator call me to set up the appointment for the amnio to determine if the baby's lungs are mature enough for induction next week! Makes me oh so happy!!! *BUT* There is a twist to this story... There have been things going on and happening with my body that could signal that labor could happen anywhere from a few hours away to a few days. Some of the doctors seem to think that with everything that has been going on, and if you have had a child you may know what I am talking about, I may go into labor on my own before there is even the chance for the amnio to be done. The doctors also have agreed that ideally I should go into labor on my own before all this has to happen. We are just praying that either I will go into labor on my own within the next few days or that the results for the amnio will say that the baby's lungs are mature enough to go ahead and be induced, in order to prevent any further complications. ALSO - I am the world's biggest weenie...And I HATE needles(and have a severely low pain tolerance)... So pray that if we end up having to go the route of the amnio, and even if we don't, that I will be okay with all the needles and pain associated with everything from the amnio to the epidural to the baby being born and everything in between and after...I'm a BIG baby....I know...And I'm okay with that so go ahead and laugh at me :).

8-20-08
Soo...I saw the specialist, AMFM, yesterday and my doctor there is fine with my regular obgyn ordering the amnio to have me induced pending the results of the test on baby girls' lungs :). So I go to my regular obgyn today to have all that scheduled for the first of the coming week, since by their dates I will be 37 weeks on Sunday...YAY! The specialist did say that it would be ideal if I would just go on into labor on my own between now and having to have the amnio done for the best chance of a successful delivery. So pending me going into labor on my own and/or the results of the amnio coming back fine for the baby...We may have a baby on Tuesday or by Tuesday!!

We're just praying that I will either go into labor before the amnio or that the amnio will come back with good results for induction.

8-18-08
Contractions started pretty steady yesterday afternoon and the doctor had us come in to be checked out for an hour but no change. Went back to the doctor today because since I'm still having contractions they wanted to see me - but no change...still. The doctor said I could be in early labor but since there has been no change yet they aren't going to do anything to help it along. *BUT* the doctor also said that he has no problem inducing me the end of this week/beginning of next as long as my specialist is okay with it. We see the specialist tomorrow and so we are going to ask them and then we have to go BACK to the regular obgyn on Wednesday to let them know what the specialist says. If the specialist says its okay than we are going to be scheduled for an amnio, to make sure the baby's lungs are okay and then induction the next day following the results of the amnio. The baby is still measuring rather large and I have gained 5 pounds in a little under a week, despite following the diabetic diet that they have given me, which is not a good thing for me or the baby and we aren't sure why this has happened.
As of last Tuesday the baby was measuring 7 1/2 pounds so it is likely that she could be measuring 8 1/2pounds now. The doctor we saw today said that if we are able to induce within the next 7 days that I will likely not have to have an emergency c-section since both our girls were 8lb 3oz...Otherwise if we aren't able to induce or go into labor before induction is to be done, we will have to wait till beg-mid September for the doctors to do anything...And this baby is already measuring 40weeks and they have me on bed rest for my blood pressure and i am on a very high dose of insulin. So right now - We are praying for one of two things, a) I progress into labor on my own within the next few days or b) the specialist gives the doctors the okay for an amnio and that the amnio results come back fine to go ahead and schedule the induction for within the next few days.

20 Things I love.... Thanks Little Miss Marvelous...

2008-03-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

I LOVE that I now get to be home with my babies.
I LOVE that I wake up next to my husband every morning... and sometimes two little girls that sneak into Mommy & Daddy's bed in the middle of the night.
I LOVE my Great Pyrenese that my husband got me!
I LOVE the big neck hugs from my little girls.
I LOVE when my little precious angels say "I love you Mommy, you're the best Mommy ever!"
I LOVE knowing that as much as I love my family - Jesus/God loves me more and them more.
I LOVE sleeping in on Saturday mornings!
I LOVE relaxing girls nights in!
I LOVE having my hair done, nails done and tanning.
I LOVE the beach! and the lake!
I LOVE knowing that no matter what I do there are people that will support me.
I LOVE the smell of babies!
I LOVE how I feel after I have sweated at the gym for HOURS!
I LOVE perfume! All different kinds!
I LOVE Diet Doctor Pepper!
I LOVE Mexican food - like whoa!
I LOVE key lime pie, coconut cake, red velvet cupcakes and lemon meringue!
I LOVE cooking and baking and grilling out!
I LOVE a good book to snuggle up with.
I LOVE laying in the hammock watching my little girls.
I LOVE looking through old photos and reminiscing.
I LOVE playing with my kids as if I am a kid still myself.
I LOVE my husbands and my daughter's hypnotizing blue eyes!
I LOVE dressing up UP! Like formal dressing up!
I LOVE singing at the top of my lungs, writing music and taking pictures!

And I realized that there is a TON more that I love and if I were to write it all out it would take years... I'm interested to see what YOU love!

Devotion I read this morning...

2008-03-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

What are your friends like? Are they Christians? Do they encourage you? Can you share your belief in Jesus with them? Do they give you Godly advise? Are they really concerned about your moral, well being as a Christian? Or do they tear you down or try to control you? Do they inspire you to draw close to God? Or do they cause you to slip away from God? Do you mostly try to please them or God?

This is very IMPORTANT stuff! It does matter, for you own well being, who you have as friends and who you marry.

We, as Christians are called to love everyone, to be kind to everyone, to witness to the lost, BUT we have to be very careful who we spend a lot of our time with. Who we listen to and who we trust our hearts with. We are to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. That is true. BECAUSE our close companions, those we share our very personal lives with WILL have an effect on our lives, either for our good or for our harm.

God’s word tells us what kind of friends and spouses we should choose. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said; I will dwell among them, I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore, Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

How can two walk together, unless they agree? If you are “yoked” up with a non-believer and you are a believer, you are not going to agree. There will be conflict. You will be tempted to compromise. No friendship is worth forfeiting your beliefs.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17
“Do not enter the path of the wicked. And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it. Turn away from it and pass on.” Proverbs 4:14-15
“Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse, he who guards his soul will be far from them.” Proverbs 22:5

If you are “hooked” up with the wrong people causing you to compromise your morals, your Christian standards, your beliefs, your faith, you need to find some new friends. God will send you some really good friends, He WILL reward you!

My Best Friend!!

2008-03-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

Picture covered dorm room wall, Closets that were way to small

Classes skipped to stay in bed, Bleached all the hair on my head
Pageant nights till 3am, Coffee soaked and covered in
Still in bed at Three PM, Finding a friend that's a gem

Heres to all the snow ball fights, And Devil Wears Prada nights
Heres to both our tear soaked shirts, The boys that were worse than dirt
Heres to the random pairing, All the "what are you wearing..."
To all the last second plans, Always knowing favorite brands

"Go give up your citizenship," Posing with a hand on hip
Always "there" but not on time, And no we "don't wait in line"
Always there to hold a hand, Always tries to understand
Heres to you and heres to me, BEST of friends we'll always be!

♥ROOMDAWGIE LOVE!♥
often immitated... NEVER duplicated!

Mwuah!!!! XOXOXOXO!!

I haven't done this in a while...Random Things about me...

2008-03-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

It is ALL about the GIRLS =)

1. Would you get plastic surgery job if you could?
no way

2. Do you have a Chi Iron?
I don't have any straighteners...

3. What kind of perfume do you wear?
armani, juicy, gucci, prada, daisy, ralph lauren, escada & escada sunset, and hanea mori - to name a few :o)

4. What's a beauty product you think every girl should know about?
Oil of Olay heat activation face wash and Bare Minerals - LOVE THEM!!!

5. Shave or wax
depends on what we are talking about... shave legs but wax eyebrows

6. What's your favorite brand of makeup?
Bare Minerals, MAC and I can't for the life of me remember what my mascara is!! It's called Lash Injection and it is A-MAZING!

7. What's your favorite bag you own?
Which ever one I carry that only has MY stuff in it! :o) I have two kids... what can I say??

8. Can you tell a fake bag from a designer bag?
For the most part

9. If you had a flat tire could you change it?
if I wanted to

10. When was the last time you cried?
its been within the last week... Oh! It was watching Titanic Saturday night!! Haha!!!

11. Why?
see above... And I'm pregnant so that's why

12. What's your dream wedding?
Hmm... On a beach with my closest friends and family... At Sunset with a reception at an AMAZING clubhouse or reception hall that faces the beach

13. Have you ever had your heart broken?
hahaha!!! you should know this one - DUH!

14. Do you miss your ex?
if I missed them I wouldn't be with Wes now would I???

5.How do you feel about plastic surgery?
whatever floats your boat -

16. Do you tan naked?
I did before I got prego... in a tanning bed that is...

17.How is your house decorated?
every room is a little different to be quite honest...

18. Do you fix your hair everyday?
no way

19. Do you own a pair of thongs?
what girl doesn't

20. What's your favorite magazine?
cosmo, shape, fit pregnancy, parenting mag

21. Do you always wear jewelry?
my piercings and my wedding rings

22. Whats your favorite piece of jewelry?
my new rings :o)

23. Would you rather stay home and cook and clean once you get married or work?
I hate cleaning but I LOVE cooking and being at home... Work part-time please

24. Do you think you can be as good as mom to your kids as your mom was to you?
This is a sad answer for me but I sure hope so

25. What's the most important thing to you in a relationship?
trust and love and friendship

26.Whats your favorite love story?
The Passion of The Christ - IT IS THE BEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD!

27. Do you pretend to like certain things so guys will think you're cool?
why would i want to be anything but me??

28. Do you write in a diary?
no

29. Do you think its ok for girls to not wear any makeup?
i hope so because I dont usually wear any

30.Would you give up love for 1 million dollars?
nope

So... It's been a while...

2008-02-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

Since I have last posted A LOT has happened... Some good and some bad but that's life, you take the good with the bad... And HEY! You make lemonade out of the lemons!

I have resurrected my photography business. I have done weddings, babies, concerts, etc. I have done anything from studio to on location as well. The name, glad you asked!...

Lasting Impressions Photography.

I have TWO websites:

www.myspace.com/lastingimpressionsphoto
www.lastingimpressionsbyashley.com

The latter of the two is currently under reconstruction. I am so excited about venturing back out into this field... God's just kinda opened a few doors, or so it seems, for me to be able to do this again and I have some AMAZING friends that are helping me rebuild my portfolio... And an AMAZING best friend who is donning a wedding gown for bridal shots for my albums, as well.

Look for good things... I know I am!

Also - My husbands website is taking off EVEN more than it already was. We have now done four artist interviews with more on the schedule to come! Insane! But... A blessing and answer to our prayers... Check out his site:

www.rockthecross.net

My sisters and I, and our cousins, are starting walks in Georgia and North Carolina to benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America. They call it Team Hope Walk-A-Thons... We are doing this in loving memory of my mom who passed when I was sixteen. Feel free to email us if you are interested in walking or making a donation... We also have a myspace page.

huntingtons.ga.nc@gmail.com

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=330982308&MyToken=cc6f4370-f753-4cf3-a91c-f7c4ab0913f1

My singing has taken a turn for the best as well... I've been singing at different places in metro Atlanta and now it looks like I have a "permanent" venue for Wednesday nights... Now if I can just get back into the studio! Haha!

Before ALL the above kicked off big time - I decided to do Lia Sophia Jewelry... I have three shows booked for March so far and I am so excited about them as well. Check out the AMAZING jewelry at www.liasophia.com/harriettb - That's my mother-in-law's site because I do not have one set up yet though. This is a great opportunity and a great way to make money while being a "stay-at-home-mom." If you would like to place an order simply title your email "Lia Sophia Order/Show for Ashley" and email me at gajewelrylady@bellsouth.net.

Well.. Right now I am doing one of my most favorite things in the world... Well two - holding my sweet sleeping little angel baby girl AND talking to my best friend. I am blessed! God LOVES me!! Oh yes He does!

Till next time...

xoxoxoxo
Ash

My 6th Anniversary...

2008-02-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 15th, 2002...

We both said "I do." In a church full of friends and families... Little did we know what was in store for us down the road.

We have been through our fair, and unfair share, of struggles and troubles, ups and downs, highs and lows... We have been to the point of throwing the towel in for a number of reasons...

Six years later... We have two beautiful little girls and are expecting our third. I would choose him all over again. If I could do things differently I would in a heartbeat to take away the hurts and pain caused, the trauma endured, the trust broken and loss of love and innocence in a relationship thought to have been made in heaven... I would take away the skeletons in the closets, the lies told and covered for years, the broken promises, the hurtful words said...

BUT...

I would not trade anything in this world for: my children, knowing that every morning I will wake up beside my husband, knowing that when I am scared he will be there to protect me to his best ability, when I am sick he takes care of me, his silly little antics that drive me crazy but secretly I would miss if they went away, the kisses that he sneaks when no one is looking, kisses in the car, having his arms around me to hold me for no reason, the three hand squeezes and four back that our special - only to us. I love him with all my heart and I am grateful for all the fun times that we have had together, all the special moments... All the God-given moments that we have had together and I am thankful that despite our past that he loves me and I love him. I'm grateful for the Daddy and husband that he is and for the man that he is allowing God to constantly change and mold him into who he is now and who God wants him to be now and forever. I'm thankful that we took the vows "til death do us part" and I'm thankful that we have chosen to make that our daily vow to each other... Spoken out loud or not.

I'm glad that we have celebrated our 6th anniversary of marriage and I look forward to a hundred more... Well... If we live to have that many :o). You get the point!

I love you Baby! I love you so much! You are my S.A.B.... Hand squeeze to the third power times infinity! All of my love for all of my life...

Ash

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

2008-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

Funny that that was the title of Friday's devotional seeing how Marlee and I are doing the same one's everyday for accountability, etc.

Am I my brother's keeper? Romans 14:7 says that "None of us lives to himself alone..."
That says it all doesn't it? Have you ever read the passage that says if we cause a brother or sister to stumble we will be held accountable? It's all pretty much summed up right there. We are to live in a way that others can see Jesus IN US, not just by us talking about it... Talk means nothing unless you live it, on purpose. You've heard the saying walk the walk talk the talk... Well I think we need to walk the talk... not just talk the talk. Anyone can talk it... It takes someone worth their salt to live it. I've been so guilty of just talking the talk and not living it and I'm tired of looking back at the times that I have done that - I'm sure it's something we have all been guilty of but it's something I'm striving to be more aware of and to stay away from. By living the way I should I am being a good keeper of my brother by setting the right examples...No I am not perfect but I DO have a perfect example that was set before me to follow. I can't force anyone to live how Jesus wants them to but I can love my brothers and sisters and live like Jesus in front of them and "love them like Jesus"(to quote a friend)... Jesus was with the least of us and died for all of us... He is and was our keeper and lived such a sinless and perfect life that He was the only perfect sacrifice and example EVER!
I choose to be my brother's keeper... So to speak. I choose to live like Jesus wants me to live... What does this mean? Well - it just means that it's not going to be easy and no I'm not perfect so I will make mistakes along the way but I will continue to give each day to Him and live according to the example that He so lovingly set before us... He lived it because He loved us and if I love him and love my brothers and sisters in Him than I need to follow the example that He set.

That's all for now... I'm sure I'll be writing more later...

Ashley

My FIRST Blog!

2008-02-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Um... This is my first EVER blog so... I'm not sure where this is going to go or what's going to become of it but we shall see. My life has been nothing short of an adventure and I don't see this as being anything less...

Well - I am Ashley. I am a wife and a mother of two AMAZING little girls that are my world! My husband and I are currently expecting our third-and final, unless God has other plans-baby. Right now I am staying at home as I was laid off right after Christmas and haven't found anything yet. Maybe God's plan isn't for me to be at work right now but we shall see...

I LOVE God! I love my family, my friends, my girls make me laugh through my tears. I love rollercoasters and fast cars. I love the beach more than anything! I love the lake and the pool - my favorite season is Summer - the clothes are the BEST! I love shopping when I can and even when I can't it's fun to daydream and window shop. My little girls and I play dress up in Bloomingdale's when we can't really buy anything... We don't look at price tags - just grab whatever we want and try it on... I have super cute pictures of this. I love cuddling on the sofa with my husband and our two little girls and I adore just snuggling up to him every night before drifting off to dreamland. I love animals but prefer dogs to cats. I would LOVE to have a horse - they're my favorite! I love reading and haven't done it as much as I would like to. I love to read my Bible and see all the amazing things that God has to show me. I love love LOVE singing and my friends and family seem to think I'm pretty good at it - I'm more modest about it. I love writing music and composing it! I love taking pictures, in fact I'm rarely without my camera. I love to act super silly and then I love to have some serious moments as well. My husband is one of my absolute favorite acting silly partners... He always makes me laugh... But I love making him laugh too!

Okay - So I'm gonna leave something for you to discover and stop writing so much right now... I'll write some more later. Since this is my first blog EVER... Thanks to My Marlee-love! I'm gonna tell everyone that they need to check hers out too! http://missmarlee.blogspot.com

Life is a FUN FUN rollercoaster and I can't wait to see what lies around the bend... Care to join me??