spike's photo shoot {with the big boys}

To my kids,

Thank you for loving each other.  I know it's not always easy.  I'm sure that having so many siblings is trying sometimes.  That you for being gracious to your Dad and I as well.  We're doing the best that we know how.  We want nothing more than for you each to love the Lord, and in turn, love each other.  I think you're all well on the road!  

Loving you always,

Mom

Light Gives Heat

The Hansow family from Light Gives Heat took a small summer road trip this summer to show their film "Moving On", and raise support for the contest through Cultivate Wines that they are in.  (PLEASE VOTE FOR THEM ONCE A DAY FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS!)

They stopped in 13 cities, and we were number 3 on their tour!

You know, sometimes I look at people who run awesome organizations like this and think that they are some elite group.  Sadly, (but seriously) they are kind of like celebrities in my world.  

Dave and Morgan were honestly some of the most down to earth, nicest people that I've ever met!  They saw a need and stepped out in faith to help meet it.  They followed their dreams.  How awesome is that?  

They stayed with us for about 24 hours, and we had a showing of their film at the Firehouse Coffee Shop.  My kids so enjoyed meeting new friends!

I'm pretty sure I'll be in contact with them for the long haul.  Isn't it neat when you meet someone that you know will be in your life forever?  Light Gives Heat works in Uganda, and so does Sole Hope...I would love to see a partnership of some kind some day.  Both organizations are run by fantastic couples striving to follow God's commandment to care for the widows and orphans.  

Dave, Morgan, Silas, Hunter, Asher, Graysen, Jadyn, Blake, me, and Fletcher.
Wish Lincoln hadn't had to work!

If you are from my hometown, but missed the showing, I have the movie, and I would love to get together with you and watch it!  Just get in touch with me (ashley@solehope.com) and we'll set up a time!  Also, please go check out Light Gives Heat and see if God would have you partner with them in any way!

Matthew 7:7

This school year we're going to work on learning a verse for every letter of the alphabet.  

Our first one is:  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find"  Matthew 7:7

The best day of my life: aka The Day My First Child Got Baptized!

I've had this post in my drafts folder for several weeks. 

There aren't words good enough for the joy that this moment brought me.  

So, I'll just share the pictures and let them (mostly) speak for themselves.

Hunter was baptized at Lane Springs the Sunday of our annual Church Picnic.
Uncle Justin and Daddy did the honors.

We were so blessed with tons of family who came to support him.
Man, my kids are loved!

The others who were baptized the same day!

We had a get together at the house afterward!

Graysen was mad we wouldn't let her in the river!

Not only did we have tons of family come, some of our closest friends  also were there!
Brittany, Nick, Ally, and Mya
Josh, Casey, Easton, and Kayden
Mike, Heather, Beckham, and Kenna
John, Molly, and Riley

These people will help Hunter fight the good fight.
When days like this happen I'm reminded of the blessings God has given us through other people.
Words fail me.

father daughter dance 2012

The Saturday evening before Father's Day our church hosted their first Father Daughter Dance.  

Okay, she seriously looks about 12 here.  Ugh.

Graysen was very excited to have a date night with her Daddy.  

Daddy was excited to have a date with Graysen too!

She picked out her own dress (not the one I would've chosen!)

Then she wanted heels (Grammie and Sis went and bought her some new ones)

"Hanging down earrings" (she borrowed some from Mommy)

Her hair done (Having an aunt who is a hair dresser comes in handy!)

and make-up on (Mommy humored her with some light eye shadow and lip gloss!)

She picked Daddy's tie.

They ate "spaghetti with white sauce"

and danced the night away.

I'm pretty sure neither one of them have had that much fun in a long time.

They showed off their dance moves when they got home.

I haven't seen anything cuter in a long time.

I'm so grateful for a husband who values spending one on one time with our children,

who wants to live out what a daughter should look for in a future husband.

They are already looking forward to next year!

ice cream truck!

the pool is open again!

yay, yay, yay!  It's summer time!!  

The kids and I have been spending some afternoons at the pool again this summer, and it's been awesome!

A big thank you to Grammie and Papa for gifting us with a family pass again this year!!

Bailee hung out with us one day...Spike didn't enjoy the water!

Nini and the girls have met us there a few times!

Mya Ann loves the water!

The water has been so cold still that my kids play for a little bit and then lay out in the sun to get warm!

I think the sun wears him out!

Isn't she beautiful?

the day they tried war heads.