100 things about me...

Apparently in the land of bloggers, once you get to 100 posts, you are supposed to post "100 things about me". So, here we go (in case you're really interested)...and they are not necessarily in any particular order. :)

1. I love God

2. I love my family

3. I drive a suburban

4. My house is teal on the outside (not by choice)

5. I love to bake

6. I have 4 kids

7. I have many favorite colors

8. I love snow

9. Coffee is wonderful

10. and so is chocolate

11. I wear contacts

12. My hubby is my best friend

13. My sister is my second best friend

14. I have 9 houseplants

15. I am addicted to email

16. Every room in my house is a different color

17. Did I mention I like color? (other than teal on the outside?)

18. I am a stay-at-home mom

19. and LOVE it

20. but do occasionally miss working

21. We plan to homeschool, so Wyatt is in preschool this year

22. My oldest, Wyatt, turns 5 tomorrow

23. I am making his cake today

24. I love my friends

25. We have 2 dogs

26. and 1 cat

27. We go 4-wheeling for family fun/quality time

28. I like to read

29. and cross-stitch

30. and sew

31. I had "morning" sickness pretty much all day, the whole 9 months of pregnancy.

32. I play the piano

33. I play the mandoline

34. I am a planner.

35. I don't especially like shopping.

36. I have, for most of my life, had short hair

37. I have a VERY low tolerance for noise

38. I will generally do everything possible to avoid an uncomfortable situation.

39. I have only ever lived in 1 state, and 1 county.

40. but I have moved many times, within a 10 (or so) miles.

41. Each of our children have been born in a different house

42. I hang all our Christmas pictures that we receive on our fridge.

43. And leave them there for the whole year so we can see and pray for our friends all year.

44. I got married when I was 18

45. I like order, and can't stand clutter

46. I sweep my floor many, many times a day

47. I drink coffee (with cream) every day

48. but rarely buy it in the coffee stand

49. that is a luxury I have tried to give up since I quit working

50. Olivia is sitting on my lap, pressing buttons while I type

51. I used to work for a dentist

52. then an oral surgeon

53. then an eye doctor

54. last year I did bookkeeping from home

55. I love to work, but raising my family is much more important

56. sometimes I get lonely being home all the time

57. This is incredibly hard to come up with this many things

58. I have naturally semi-curly hair

59. I used to be blond

60. I love to decorate my home.

61. Our first 2 houses we completely remodeled

62. Remodeling is addicting

63. My husband can do *almost* anything

64. I started running this year

65. It is the first time I have ever enjoyed it

66. I can see how that could be addicting as well

67. I grind my own wheat

68. for my bread that I make

69. I am thankful for all my friends

70. Are you sick of reading all about me yet?

71. Someday I want a professional propane range

72. I cannot stand debt

73. I love to plow snow with the 4-wheeler

74. It is also addicting

75. trying to see how smooth you can get it

76. I am wondering if I have an addictive type personality?

77. I have always wanted to go to beauty school

78. I love coloring/cutting/doing hair

79. I love flowers

80. We have our own orchard

81. and pond

82. I just started knitting a green scarf

83. I love to watch my kids learn

84. Our favorite restaurant is Mexican

85. I have 6 sister-in-laws

86. and 4 brother-in-laws

87. My great grandma is still alive

88. but she lives in Kansas

89. I do not like slush/mud

90. We enjoy camping

91. but especially the camp fire

92. I do not like being dirty

93. Jesse and I read the bible and pray together every night

94. I pray and hope that people see Jesus reflected through my life

95. I care (sometimes too much) what people think of me

96. I try to clean my bathroom every day (believe me, it needs it)

97. The highlight of my day is when Jesse gets home from work

98. I do not like being alone

99. I love to fly

100. I love to come home, too!

Olivia update...and a few others.....

To back up, on November 17th the girls went and had their ears pierced. Yes, we did it. Actually, Mya didn't even cry!
Then on December 5th, my niece Anne Marie was born!

December 6th we went out and cut down our Christmas tree.

And on December 8th Olivia took her first step!!!!! Quickly followed by 2 more. She has been practicing more every day and is quite excited about it. She has always had a fear of being hurt. So she will not do anything unless she is sure to be in control. But last night she was spinning in circles, holding the coffee table to the couch, for a very long time and wasn't the least concerned about falling down.

And also on December 8th we put beads in Olivia's hair. (ignore all the stuff on the counter. The was the place where she held still the best) She was so pleased. Come to think of it, maybe that's why she walked.....gave her that much more confidence? Anyway, I ordered more beads and snaps. Her hair is SO SO thick, I only had enough snaps to do 1/2 of her head! (and that was 24 snaps)

We've even put beads and snaps in Mya's hair as it helps keep it out of her face, plus she doesn't feel left out then.....but, didn't get any pictures yet.

December 9th we decorated gingerbread houses/trains. And ate lots of candy. Lots and lots...

Pray with us...

This morning I found out that The Field Family from our agency, lost their little girl. She was 2 months old, and is now with Jesus. They are unsure what was wrong, but believe she may have had a heart condition. Please join us in prayer for this hurting family. They recently adopted a 3 yr old boy and were in Ethiopia to pick him up the week after I left. I just missed meeting them, but did get to meet their adorable little boy.

Thanks for reading,
Ashley

More pictures

Brothers...aren't they the best?!

Wyatt


Brett

The beautiful tiger in the zoo...

Re-decorating inside. We finally had the pictures developed, frames bought and hung on the wall. Then, Wyatt and I went outside, right by our garage and brought the big beehive in! You know, a little nature inside. And yes, I did a little research first to make sure the bees would be dead...

And some Christmas decorating outside...

What we've been up to....

A few weeks ago the kids and I packed up and set out on a 8+ hour road trip to visit friends...

....then we were able to head to the zoo......

...then on to visit more friends. O. came down with a flu bug, so we ended up coming home a day early. Since then we have been busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, which we had at our house. And now, decorating for Christmas!

I was hoping to add some more photos. For some reason my computer won't let me, so we'll have to wait for a different day! Thanks for reading!

~Ashley

Great Ideas...

I just read on Abby's blog about Whittaker Woman. Wow! What great ideas for weekly family nights! I especially liked the quote "When mommy & daddy play together, family nights stay together." Hm...now I have been inspired and I'm sure I'll be trying to think of a theme for some night soon.

The Cake Family

Our friends, Patterson and Rachelle Cake, are working on bringing home their daughter, Sarsina, from Ethiopia. She is 14. Click here to read about their story. Jeremiah, their 14 year old son, is trying to help them raise funds to pay for their adoption. He is having calenders made from some pictures he has taken. To view them, and to place an order, click here (or simply click on the badge on the right hand side).

Thanks for reading!
Ashley