How do I do this again!?!

It's been far too long...5 months too long! Boo! I've missed so much documenting of our little family's lives. And I'm determined to pick this back up and do my best to keep going. Not so much to try and catch up but to go from here. 

This sweet baby who moves, kicks and lately makes my tummy roll, has been so so different from his or her sisters. The nausea and prego-sickness didn't abate until weeks 22 or so. Even then, it still comes in waves here or there. Also a super chill baby in the womb. There's enough activity there to let me know baby is ok and thriving, but really it's minimal. This could be a very good thing. A relaxed, easy-going child #3. That would be splendid with so much else happening around here.

And wow...the hormones! I've heard of lots of gals who have cried over commercials, things they've read or even just for no reason. I've joined their club this time around. I can't believe how easily the tears have come and stayed and held on. I sometimes don't even recognize myself. Matt has been the kindest, most patient husband. Letting me cry even amidst not understanding why.

We've also reached 32 weeks! That's craziness! Somehow, though, I'm still managing to feel as big as a barn (...just the way my mama used to say it when she was pregnant with #5, 6 and 7) and like I could deliver tomorrow. Ha! Eesh...8 weeks to feel this way. Praying it keeps going quick. :)

So what things have filled our days lately?!?

A good number of things:

- March birthdays for Daddy and Reese

-A Berry Sweet 3rd Birthday party that you can read all about HERE

- Exciting news for our church family!!! ~ Placerita Baptist (as of last Sunday) officially has a new Senior Pastor! We are praising God for leading our church through some challenging 17 months to the place of welcoming Adam and Lisa Tyson as our new pastor and family! We can't wait for them to arrive sometime in June.

-A quick little Spring Break trip get-a-way as a family this past week. Matt just happened to be telling a friend and co-worker about his spring break plans and this friend offered for us to use his parent's beach house for a night! What a blessing it was for the 4 of us to not have a to pay (yay!) but to still feel like we had a mini vacation. But...if you have kids, know of friends who have kids or can just imagine...there's always a little extra challenge to any trip. Specifically Allie catching a full-blown cold during the night of our stay (really?!? Where in the world did that come from on a Tues/Wed), taking 1 1/2 hours to find our dinner spot because MapQuest is lame-o (thereby said children not having dinner till after 7...not to mention a crazy hungry mama bear), then choosing a restaurant the next day for lunch that we LOVE as adults but isn't so kid-friendly (to the point of Allie breaking a dish...at least it was just 1). We learned our lesson(s).

-And a few more events here and there that I'll leave for another blog post. Thanks for still reading...even in my very long absence! It feels good to be back. :)

~Ashley

Happy Birthday, Missy!

To the best Mother-in-Love there is...

Happy Birthday!

God has given us an incredible gift in having you as our Mom, Marmee and Missy! YOU bless us continually with our weekly "Marmee Days", all your prayers for us as you take your daily walks, the phone calls, meals and babysitting times to let mom (and sometimes mom and dad together) get out to enjoy time by ourselves and of COURSE all the love and hugs!!

We hope you have a very Happy Birthday and look forward to celebrating with you soon! Enjoy just a few pictures of the many memories we have with you! We love you so very very much!!!

A few of my favorite things

I love it when my friends post about things they love. It gives me ideas and things to look out for when someone asks me..."so what do you want for your birthday or Christmas?" Being that this month is May and Mother's Day and my birthday just happen to fall in the same month, I have a few things I've recently been enjoying.

I'm in love with this perfume! I've always been a Miracle and Happy Heart kind a girl and this third scent is a perfect addition to those two. Matt surprised me with this pretty bottle in the mail a few days after Mother's Day and it really makes my day feel a little brighter when I wear it.

These amazing glasses are my birthday gift from Matt! Having a gift card for half of what they cost made them all the more affordable for us and I really love them. We decided to go with the polaroid pair. I'm glad we did. They are oh so comfortable and a mix between sporty and stylish.

Next is what I believe will become my favorite pair of shoes...and yes they are bold red! My sister in laws Mollie and Monika bought me these and I couldn't stop thanking them. I've wanted a pair of Toms ever since I saw them on Mollie for the first time. And while I didn't tell them what color I wanted, I was really hoping they'd choose red. These will be a great alternative to flip flops this summer with all the mosquitos Alaska boasts of! Speaking of flip flops...

Whether you live in a warm climate or not, if you don't own a pair of rainbow flip flops, drop everything right now and run to the store. They will pay for themselves over and over again and are worth every penny! If you live in SoCal...go to the Rainbow outlet store in San Clemente. Seriously...these things last FOREVER and are the most comfortable flip flop there is (*Disclaimer*: once you've broken them in). They mold to your feet and almost become a customized shoe that fits just to you. I love these things and wish I had a pair in every color. They're amazing! And while they weren't a birthday gift, they've been the gift that keeps on giving.

This is making my home smell so good right now!

Though not a bday gift, these beautiful roses have been smiling at me the last few mornings thanks to my friend Doreen. I love flowers and especially roses!

Hanging out with my girl is definitely one of my favorites!

Lastly, eating Menchie's! Anytime. Anywhere. With anyone but especially my little family! Reese had her first introduction to "ice cream" tonight and it's safe to say it was a hit. The picture of the 3 of us captured her not so happy that there was a temporary pause to take a picture. Yikes! Hope you enjoyed a few of my favorites!