Snow

We have already had snow twice this year. Today it is supposed to get in the 50's. Our weather is crazy. Here are the dumplings while Caleb was napping. They are so much fun

Sunset

This is the lake that is across from our house. The lake that our family walks around almost everyday in the spring and fall; the lake that our children learned how to fish, the lake that dried up and Michael walked in it and got stuck. The lake that Drake would catch bumpers in; the lake that froze over and we discovered when you throw a golf ball on it the most amazing noise happens. The lake I would stare at while praying. This is the lake I saw bringing all of my babies home for the first time, this lake is home. The Lord has opened the most amazing door for us, we are leaving the only home our children have ever known. We are moving to Washington...State. We have no family or friends there, just a job that is wonderful for Michael and a calling that we know God has prepared. I have felt so many emotions over the last week, it's hard to put it all down. To say I'm excited is an understatement. To KNOW you are supposed to do something and then do it gives me an adrenaline rush every time I think about it. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. Then to say I'm sad, doesn't even touch the surface. We are leaving our family and friends and it hurts. Our parents are breaking my heart. They are trying to be happy, strong and excited. But as much as they are trying I see in their eyes...."my grand babies". Thinking about the kids grandparents being 6 days away, well I can't think about it. This is something Michael and I have wanted for 2 years, we have prayed and searched and prayed and God answered. We are starting one of the craziest adventures for our family, and I feel peace, an overwhelming peace. I love LOVE my God, following him I have seen things I couldn't even imagine. I love thinking about physically moving across the country and where is my God? He is with me. I imagine Him up in heaven saying, "Ashley just wait, I'm just getting started"

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving lunch with Michael's family and then dinner with my dad's. The kids had so much fun at both and our tummy's hurt by the end of the day. My MIL and SIL and I lost our minds and left the house at 9:30 that night to shop for black Friday. We were back home at 3 and had some incredible purchases and even funnier memories. We went to M.A.'s Saturday and had Thanksgiving again...my stomach hurts just talking about it again. Great times and so much to be Thankful for.

He's 1

My baby is one!! I can't believe it, not because time has flown by, but that I feel like he has been with us for much longer than a year. He has brought so much joy to everyone. I love everything about him, but my favorite might be how dramatic he is (he gets this from me). When he sees something he likes he gives a ooooohhhhh, when he sees something he wants to eat he screams, and when something is funny...oh his laugh! My Caleb Ross, Happy Birthday!

The kids and I were craving chick'fil'a for lunch so we decided for Caleb's 1st birthday he needed to be introduced to the deliciousness of the chicken nugget. He was in love
Then we had our parents and siblings over that night for white chili and cake

I LOVE his cake. Mom had a really hard time with it, the stripes were supposed to be yellow and red. But the red turned out pink, so we tried to put blue stripes over the pink. I go by the philosophy, it's what on the inside that counts. And the inside was perfect!

The party was so much fun filled with love love love for our baby monkey