childhood sayings revisited

Growing up my family had a theme song (doesn't every family): "You can't always get What you Want" by The Rolling Stones. As a child my siblings and I were never to amused when we would ask for something and mom & dad would break in to their best rock and roll performance (real embarrassing when you are in public) then as we would sigh and dramatically proclaim, 'it's not fair', their response was "LIFE IS NOT FAIR"......

The funny thing is, although I know its true I still, as an adult, don't like the saying! On this beautiful sunny morning I am so thankful, God has blessed me beyond measure and I am so incredibly grateful.

However, I want to stomp around screaming 'its not fair'; its not for me, its for those who are hurting deeper than I ever have. Two wonderful, faithful, God fearing families that are hurting...2 precious babies and their families...I know that God is holding them tight, surrounding them with his steadfast love. Their strength that is so mesmerizing is from he who created us, their endurance is from our great God, and their faith is from these.

So although I don't think its fair, I can accept that God has a plan, his hand is in this, he sees the big picture and I will trust in his vision.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of the deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:32-35

So as we go about our day, remember the big guy's got your back!

He will bless us with what we need, he knows.

see whats beautiful today,

:ash:

{the way God works...}

You know the old saying God works in mysterious ways...but thinking about that I don't think its mysterious, its exactly what we need!

This past weekend was crazy busy...which is a blessing( as I am pushing forward with my passion to work with my photography full time, which allows for me to be home with the girls) because it shows me that my hard work is paying off, Ashley Photography is growing! In fact in just the last week and a half I have booked 3 weddings :)

So with that being said I had an unfortunate circumstance occur this past weekend as I was working an event...another photographer acted very poorly towards me, though this person does not know me she chose to speak negatively about me and my talents...and it just keeps digging in to me, to be honest I am having a hard time letting it go! I actually would love to shout from the roof tops this persons name, but I know that won't get me anywhere...so this morning as I sat down to do a devotional I opened my bible and starring up at me in blaring yellow highlighter was this verse:

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character,

come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning..."

1 corinthians 15: 33-34

Yup, I think God was talking to me...although I had only discussed this matter with my best friends and family, I am still sinning and I allowed her actions to affect mine, I should have forgave the other for her actions immediately and moved on...but that is hard, not of human nature...I should have prayed as the situation unfolded instead of waiting till my heart was hardened...lessons learned. So this morning as I reflect on my actions I pray that God strengthens me to be better the next time!

Gotta run, we are going to be late for gymnastics!

since the blog is better with pics here are my babies:

sky

ari

buster

bruiser

blessings,

ash

{FPU & some prayer requests}

I am so excited that Chris and I have made the decision to start the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Classes...they consist of 13 weeks of study and group discussion. I went to the TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER last week and it was awesome to see Dave live, totally a motivator! So last night we started...

Somethings that we are excited about: to be on the same page financially, (we have never been far apart but I tend to be on page 10 with Chris on page 5, ya he hates reading :) ), to establish a solid budget that we both agree to and stick to it, to be DEBT free, to not let money or lack there of control our lives....

I will keep you all updated as to how its going, sometimes it may not be pretty...but in the end I know we will conquer. We are excited to have already accomplished step 1 of the seven steps, step 2 will take us a little longer - pay off all debt but the house, but we are hoping that with in 7-8 months that will be accomplished.

Our assignment for this week : BUDGET! Sounds fun huh? honestly I think this will be the hardest, we are going to be following the envelope system... and the when its gone its gone mentality must prevail.

After the last year this is so refreshing, to be on the rebound, headed in the right direction...no going back!

*my last thought for the day: I covet your prayers for a friend, her daughter and the rest of her family...they have had a very difficult year and were given some heartbreaking news on Monday. Their sweet baby girl may only have days left here with them. Please pray that she is comfortable and pain free, please pray for her siblings that there maybe understanding, please pray for her mommy and daddy as they cherish these days, allow them continued strength...

The other day I heard Carrie Underwoods "Temporary Home"...it is a beautiful song, and I absolutely love the lyrics, here is the chorus:

"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This was just a stop,on the way To where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home."

It is comforting that as christians we KNOW this is true, not only this world is temporary, but remember so are situations...

blessing,

ash

{some winter fun}

so I know have been horrible about posting but also about taking pictures....well of my own family so not only am I going to get better at blogging again, I am also going to take the time to photograph whats happening... these are from a couple of weekends ago at Caberfae. We are still working on Sky's skiing skills....she is a complete chicken sh** this year (totally takes after me) ! It seems as though there is the slightest bit of danger and she wants to bail...this is a good thing though, as Ari is showing us she is scared of nothing (just like her Daddy)! So the girls personalities will compliment each other as do mine and Chris' funny how that happens!

Ari aside from being our daredevil is on the move (for about the last 3 weeks) and is in to everything...so amazing how they go from not being able to walk to practically running in such a short amount of time...and she wants to do everything that Sky does. It is so precious to me to watch them play, although it often turns a little to rough and someone starts screaming :)

Ari is really trying to put her words together..she gabs a lot but we only understand a few things so far, I know in a short amount of time we will have another talker on our hands, watch out Chris!!

Skylar started her second go round at gymnastics yesterday with complete success, she LOVED it and participated in every activity (even the ones she was scared of last time). She is my big girl, my little lady, my mini me...(even if she looks like chris) she really has my personality, very outgoing, but reserved and cautious when necessary! She is so looking forward to spring time so she can get outside more. The other day she totally cracked me up, this was our convo:

me : uncle cam is coming by to see you today

sky: he is! i think we are going to the zoo (he told her almost 2 months ago that he wanted to take her and now every time she is sees him that is what she wants to do)

me: honey i don't think you are going today, you have to wait till its warmer out

sky: ugh! its just so frickin cold!

me: what

sky: its frickin cold

me: can we just say its cold?

sky: but IT IS fricking cold mom!

not to argue with her we do have some cold days, but now we are watching our language a little closer :)