Our first virtual cupcake!

I received the first virtual cupcake yesterday!
This means that Sixty Feet is that much closer to funding some of their projects!

"With love from NYC,
Sheryl, Mintesinote, and Abebaw"

Thank you Sheryl, you have no idea how excited I am to share your heart for the oppressed!

S'more cupcakes: Milk chocolate cake on a graham cracker base with marshmallow filling. Topped with marshmallow butter cream and finished with milk chocolate shavings

mmm...

Have you ordered your cupcakes yet?
(real or virtual!)

Easter, DIY table, Diet, Goodwill, and Goodness!

I am so excited about this shirt that I found at Goodwill!

I've been wanting a (Red) item for a long time, but as far as I know they are few and far between right now. My girlfriend got Graysen one when she was born...so I've been wanting one for myself for a little over three years now!

Photography by Kelley at Life by Light

I love this table that I recently painted. I got it from rollanet YEARS ago...at least 5 years ago.

It's been in many different places in two different homes, but I like it how it is right now the best! I took the plunge (after being encouraged by my sister) and painted it the blue that is on one of my living room walls. I always like "funky" pieces in other people's homes, but never really thought of my own home as one that could have something like a blue table. I can't decide whether I should leave the drawer brown or paint it blue too...I'm leaning toward painting it, what do you think?

Today I had a Diet Strawberry Limeade from Sonic Happy Hour.

I've previously been addicted to strawberry limeade and haven't had one since Nov. 30th when I started WW! That Styrofoam cup, crushed ice and strawberry goodness was soooo wonderful in my mouth today! (It made it even better that the temps were in the high 50's!)

I'm so excited about our cupcake fundraiser for Sixty Feet!

I've just got this feeling that God's got big plans for this organization and I'm so happy I get to be a part of it!


Remember, I've got virtual cupcakes for sale on this blog (top right hand corner)!

I've also got a Pampered Chef party (where Sixty Feet gets 15%) - choose Sixty Feet as your host.

Thirty-One Gifts party (where Sixty Feet gets 10%) - choose Ashley Redburn as your host!

If you're local and would like real cupcake goodness, let me know and I'll hook you up with as many dozen as you'd like! What's better than a cupcake?!

We have started a Lent study this year for the first time.

I always thought that Lent was just for Catholics, but the more I've researched it, I am beginning to view it as a time to get our hearts and minds prepared for the coming of Christ.

I found the Lent Reading Guide here. (the same girl who I borrowed the Valentine's Day cookies from!) Then I had two more trees printed (remember our Thanksgiving Trees?) and put 39 velcro tabs on them. Each day between Ash Wednesday and Easter (excluding Sundays) we read part of the Bible and discuss the story.

I have made an "ornament" to go with each day and then we hang them on our tree to help us remember the story we just learned. So far we've gone through each ornament every night and given a brief summary of the story to keep them fresh in our minds...not sure if we'll do that when there are 30 of them up there...but maybe!

a baby shower for The Mercy House

a baby shower...

do women love any other gathering as much?
A celebration of motherhood.
a new life.
an afternoon of encouragement.

unfortunately two ladies got cut out of this picture!
That's what happens with a self timer...sorry Casey and Alicia!

one Sunday afternoon in March we gathered at my cousin Brittany's house to celebrate.
new lives.
not only babies, but women.
women attaining new lives at The Mercy House.

gifts, gifts everywhere!

The Mercy House is located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Their mission statement?

"The Mercy House exists to support and provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living."

you can read more about their vision and the plan here.

blankets, outfits, hats, socks, towels, diapers and pins, formula and toys poured out of the bags filled with love.

The Mercy House runs on support from people like me and you.
you can see different giving options and their budget here.
25 or 50 dollars a month isn't always doable, but...
they have have a very cool thing going with 3.
they ask that you give 3.00 on the 3rd of each month.
who can't afford 3.00 a month?

they also have an Etsy Shop, in which they take donations for.
are you crafty?
would you consider donating something for them to sell?

a very awesome Africa cake made by the one and only Kelley!
thank you!

The Mercy House is also doing monthly drives to help get them up and running.
march? baby items!
april? craft and leisure
may? Moms-to-be and Misc
check it out here to see exactly what they are asking for.

We had these two beauty queens with us.
it is our prayer that they grow up to be world changers.
women of faith who will not only say "no",
but also stand up and say "for God, yes, I will".

Kristen recently held a "housewarming party" on her blog
for this beautiful new house that will house The Mercy House.
Read about it here.
God is in this people...He really is!

We, who are so blessed,
spent the afternoon pouring love out to some beautiful Kenyan women.
I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

We may never see their faces, or know their names...
but they are prayed for, and they are loved.

Here is a quick shot we took...we are going to put together a video with pictures from the afternoon and wanted too let them hear our voices as well. I'll be sure to post the video as soon as it is done!



ps - remember I am still doing cupcake sales for Sixty Feet! Thank you to those of you who have joined in the effort. You KNOW you want some cupcakes....yum, yum!

For more ideas of organizations you can help and ways you can partner with them check out these posts:

It's a Girl Thing: Pad Party
Project 11: Birthing Kits for Haiti
Sole Hope: Shoe Making Party

cupcakes.

do you love cupcakes?

I know I do!

i also love sharing with you how you can get involved with an organization called
Sixty Feet.


"Sixty Feet is an action-based organization created to bring hope and restoration to the imprisoned children of Africa. "

four walls from Sixty Feet on Vimeo.

you may wonder how you can possibly help a situation like this...

how about some cupcakes?!



The Cupcake Kids are the fund-raising arm of Sixty Feet. Look, I have a cupcake kid of my own!


Since my heart has been so stirred by these beautiful, wrongfully, imprisoned children in Uganda, I have to join in! I must not pretend I don't know, and act!

Here's how you can help too...

1. I am doing local cupcake sales between now and April 17th!
If you would like some delicious cupcakes please contact me and I'll hook you up!
I can email or bring you an order form. All cupcakes are donations only.
These cupcakes will be nicely packaged and would be great gifts as well as treats for your family!
Anyone who makes a donation 50.00 or more for their cupcakes will receive a cupcake pot holder.

2. I am hosting a Pampered Chef party where 15% of your purchase goes straight to Sixty Feet. If you've been wanting something now is the time to buy it! Also think wedding showers, birthdays and Christmas!
You can order your Pampered Chef items by clicking on THIS link.

3. I am also hosting a Thirty-One Gifts party where 10% of your purchase goes to Sixty Feet.
You can order your Thirty One Gifts items by clicking on THIS link. Choose Ashley Redburn as your host.

4. You can purchase a virtual cupcake by making a donation to Sixty Feet's PayPal Button.
(on the right hand side of my blog).
Once you donate, please click HERE to make your virtual cupcake.
Email the cupcake to "ashleyredburn@hotmail.com" so that I can share it here on my blog!


Coming Soon: Check it out...Sixty Feet has also partnered with us on their blog!

Thank you for investing in the lives of God's children.
The world may have forgotten these children...but He hasn't!
I can't wait to see how He uses you to help them.

May we all dance like this young man...

The Dance from Sixty Feet on Vimeo.

11 on 11

I totally forgot to take my pictures on the 10th, so this month it's the 11th! Enjoy...

Gifts for a very exciting baby shower for The Mercy House this weekend - I'll post about it very soon!
She graduated from little girl to big girl. Boo.
A new shirt to kick off something super fun this weekend! Sorry, it's a surprise for now...but posts coming soon - GET EXCITED!
A visit to the Beauty Shop to visit Sissy and a friend who was getting her hair done. (Gray obviously waited to let Sissy do hers that morning!)
Lunch at the local diner with Sissy...
Helping Mommy with flowers...
A little high five on our walk for the day...
Lincoln put together the basketball goal that the boys got from Mom and Charlie for Christmas!
Silas climbed up on my lap while I was having quiet time on the porch. "I want to learn more about God too Momma". Ah, isn't that what God desires from us? To crawl up on His lap and desire to learn more...
Pizza Hut with my Momma and Sissy. Hunter tried his hardest to get in the picture...stinker.

A late night visit to the hospital for the birth of my niece London Olivia. Ahh, a newborn...
It was a good day...a very good day indeed.

Introducing...

London Olivia Renaud
aka: my first niece!
3/11/11
9:00 p.m.
7 lbs. 12 oz.
20.5 inches
Parents: Justin and Becca Renaud
Big Brothers: Hayden and Keaton

3 Educational Goals

My 3 educational goals for my children are:

1. They learn to think for themselves.
2. They grow to desire nothing more than to live for and serve God.
3. They learn to problem solve.

How can I best accomplish this? It's something Lincoln and I have been pondering...

who are you?

I began this blog as a way to keep in touch with me. You know, the Ashley that was before she took on this amazing adventure called mothering.

It has turned into so much more.
a way to vent.
a scrapbook of our lives.
an on going letter to my kids.
a way to explore.
a way to give back.
a community.

I've been overwhelmed with the people who have mentioned something to me about my blog.
what? you read my blog?!

I finally looked at the stats today.
So far 60 page views today.
last month there were 3, 150 views.
20,896 views over the life of my blog.
People reading my blog from countries such as:
USA, Japan, China, Indonesia, Germany, UK, Canada, United Arab Emerates, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Spain.

so, my friends, I ask: who are you?
don't you love that question?
answer it however you see fit,
but please -
I'd love to meet you all!

just a short comment would be awesome!
if you don't have a google account, just post as anonymous and sign your name at the end of your comment!

we're going on a trip...!

"in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky, Little Einsteins" Sorry, it just came naturally.

I want to shout it from the rooftops...

WE ARE GOING ON VACATION!

I have had some major fears about taking Blake and Silas on a vacation. I know that non-adoptive parents won't understand this and may think that I am too hard on the boys, but until you've walked the road with a child from a hard place, please don't judge my honesty. They struggle big time with social settings. They don't understand many social situations yet. They don't do very well with change of routine. When new situations arise they often act inappropriately, act out, and have major trouble practicing self control. Often times others don't recognize it, because they aren't familiar with how the boys act in comfortable situations...but I do, and it's a stressor for all of us.

But..with the help of my Mom, Dad, husband, and hopefully sister and Chad, I'm ready to tackle our first family vacation!

We are going to spend the next three weeks prepping them for proper behavior, going over rules, showing them pictures, and using as many descriptive words as we can to help prepare them for our vacation to THE BEACH over spring break!

Hunter at the beach June 2010

This will be my first time to the beach since 2003, and Blake, Silas, and Graysen's first trip ever!

In my head I invision lazy days at the beach, reading books, building sand castles, tossing the football in the sand. Beautiful family pictures - you know the image. In reality I'll probably deal with a few cranky kids, throwing of sand at each other, and arguing over whose castle is the biggest and best.
But - we're skipping town, leaving all responsibilities behind, and going to spend uninterrupted time together, and that's the most important thing! Seven days with my family...there is NOTHING better!

Stories and links that have inspired me lately

I feel like I must clarify from my post a few days ago. My husband is so good to us. He works harder than anyone I've ever known, all to provide an opportunity for me to stay home and raise our children. He works 7 days a week. He has three jobs (Walmart DC, PCR, and Coaching).

Basketball Season is hard on me. This is the last week, and I've kind of hit the wall. It starts in October and lasts until the first week in March. That's 4.5 months of him being gone...a lot. He has practice for at least 2 hours every day, and games at least 2 nights a week. On top of me working one night a week and us having Bible Study one night a week, that leave us maybe one night a week together. Then he works 12 hour shifts on the weekends.

So, I'm tired and worn out. I'm tired of "single parenting" it, and I'm tired of missing my spouse. It seems as though he's never home to go to events with us, and so I am stuck, trying to multi-task until I drive myself crazy. I'm trying to enjoy the event (whether it be a basketball game, birthday party, etc.), keep an eye on Hunter and Graysen, and keep a tight reign on Blake and Silas while I teach them proper American behavior. There are so many things that they just don't get yet. Not by any fault of their own, they have just been raised completely different than what's appropriate here. They tend to have a very difficult time being calm and quiet when in new situations because they want so badly to fit in and they get so overwhelmed that they end up being just completely out of control. That's stressful to me as a parent when I expect my children to be on their best behavior in public at all times!

God has blessed me a lot lately though, with encouragement from others...most of whom I've never met!

• Heidi said: "I have embraced the concept of life seasons. It is counterproductive for me to dream of days that belong in a season other than the one I’m in." I need to remember this! It takes enough energy and patience to get through my days that I can't go wasting it on dreaming of seasons of my life that I'm not currently in!!
• Donna wrote about an interesting concept. "The breathing of the day is an important thing to consider when I am scheduling lessons or activities. What is this in-breath and out- breath? It is alternating between an outward energy producing activity and a quieter inward one." I think I need to be more intentional about teaching my children this concept. With three boys I find that we are doing a lot more "outward breath" activities and not nearly enough "inward breath" ones.
• Megan has a great article about parenting children who are your opposites. I have at least one of those! This encouraged me to take a different view point on the challenge that he brings to my life.
• I have heard the story of the Feeding of the 5000 at least 4 times over the last two weeks. All from different sources. In fact, when it was being preached at church this past Sunday I turned to Lincoln and said "wasn't this the sermon last week?!" I know it's an important one because God put it in Matthew, Mark, Luke AND John. I know He wanted us to hear it and learn it...so I'm wondering...is there something I've been missing that He's trying to get me to understand? One thing that did hit home with me on Sunday was that Jesus was very intentional at meeting the physical needs of people so that he could then meet their spiritual needs. It's much harder to talk about Jesus when someone's stomach is growling...maybe I need to get better at this? Why the over abundance of this story in my life lately?
  
• This family has been an encouragement to me lately as well. I've been reading their blog for quite some time and have been anxiously awaiting their journey on the road. I have so enjoyed their daily updates and ideas of ways to give to others.
• This comment from a beautiful person like Rachael made me smile this week as well. It helped me to realize that I am more than a mom who stays home day in and day out with her four nutty kids (who are totally rubbing off on me!). I have connections with people outside of my home: "Ashley, Amanda, Sparrow, Jackie, Andrea -- you gals always make me feel special and have traveled this journey alongside me. I think of your kids/grandkids as part of T's big, extended ET family. I have pics of him with your kids before I had pics of him with mine. Thank you."
• Lovelyn always inspires me with her writing and her enthusiasm for helping others...but this post, on the Sixty Feet website really got me thinking...."they worship God for who He is, not what He has blessed them with. i have a lot to learn. we have a lot to learn."
• I just re-read this post about not wanting our children to be happy. It made me smile, and it re-affirmed my feelings and beliefs, not only on having a large family, but on the way that Lincoln and I have decided to raise our children and be stewards of the money God has given us.
• On a different note...I lost 3.2 pounds this week! Yea! I have been feeling very depressed about my weight loss this week, so this was definitely an encouragement to continue on! That means I'm down exactly 27 pounds from the day I started this journey. About 13 more pounds to go until I hit my goal...

A skating party for 7 year olds!!

We had Blake and Silas' 7th Birthday Party at The Zone. It's a skating rink that has a play place and blow up slides. It was their first time roller skating, so we weren't sure what to expect, but we had a great time! We invited their small group friends that they play with every week and their cousins. I'll let the pictures pretty much speak for themselves...(and yes, there's way too many here, sorry!)

A few days before the party Silas filled their guests' goody bags.

Our family

Sissy and Chad with the Birthday Boys

The Papa's visiting.
Papa Charlie on the left and Papa Carl on the right

Grandma and Papa with Blake Bizayehu

Blake learning to skate (with a little help from me)

The boys got money from several people as gifts and they were so. thrilled.
Silas told us (as he always does) that he's going to save his to buy a car when he's 16.
Blake told us he wants to go to Walmart and buy cheerios (guess I need to go grocery shopping!)

Their request for birthday cake.
1. From the store
2. Their picture on it
3. Their names on it.
4. Blake wanted chocolate and Silas wanted vanilla (so it was 1/2 and 1/2)

Mom and Dad

The three amigos, Grammie, Graysen, and Aunt Sis.

Aunt Sissy helping Hunter learn to skate.

Grandma and Grammie!

Even Graysen got in on the action! Daddy helped her.

When their legs were tired from skating they used 100 tokens (between the four of them) on games!