What We're Up To

It's been awhile since I've sat down and reflected on my sweet little family. So many other things have been going on...you know, like leaving the country to go serve in Africa...and I don't want to forget the little things. In my opinion, it's the little things that make up the big things.

So what's been going on?  Well, John John is nine months now.  NINE MONTHS. 

      

 Time is flying!  Baby is still a happy, talkative little guy who will play with anybody, be held by anybody and talk to anybody.  He loves himself a good stranger. He talks all the time.  But when I ask him to say "mama" he says "dada" and if we do this back and forth, he gets louder until I say "Say Mama!" And he screams "DaaaaaaDaaaaa!!!!"  It's hilarious!  He loves eating big boy food but still eats his baby food.  He's a crawling maniac, stands and walks holding on to things, and is dying to walk alone.  Although I think we have at least a month or two before that begins to happen.  He doesn't respond too much to his name, but rather responds to John-John like a champ.  He laughs when he farts and loves his baby board book about trucks.  Typical boy, right?

For the past month, I've been boggling my mind about his first birthday.  On one hand, I feel a huge need to celebrate his first year of life with all our family and friends.  He is loved by so many and so many have supported us from the day we announced we were starting the adoption process.  I feel like it wouldn't be just celebrating his first birthday, but his life, his adoption, and his entry into our family.  All that needs to be celebrated.  On the other hand, we have a tiny apartment, all the parks out here are expensive to rent tables at, and I just don't care to pay $200+ for some benches in the park.  So we're thinking we may just take John John to Sea World or something, just the three of us.  Save the big birthday bash until he's older.  But secretly...I wish we could throw a big party for him this year...

We finally packed away the pack n' play and upgraded (thanks to Papa and Gramma) to a beautiful new crib!  And sweet boy loves it!  We took the doors off his little closet and now it looks more like the baby's area/nook.  I'm still tweaking a few things, but I love the way it's looking!  And John John loves jumping on his new mattress.  Sometimes, when we think he's sleeping, because it's so quiet, we go out to find he's jumping up and down and smiling like a little goofball.  This kid is so silly!  

As for me and Matthew, we are doing well.  He's handsome as ever and has been trying hard to remind me that I am loved.  He helps out with the baby when he gets home, and by helps, I mean they're practically attached at the hip, and is much more intentional about all the sweet love he gives us.  

It's so amazing.  He's gone at work for 11+ hours a day but it feels like his most important job is taking care of me and the baby.  He is a good man.  But I already knew that...I mean, that's why I married him!

Anyway, life is good here.  We've been enjoying the warm weather and all of our adventures..

You will now be assaulted with pictures...

Why I'm Leaving.

It's no secret that I've been working my way to travel to Africa these past few months.  And I'm not gonna lie...but I never actually expected to get there!  I figured that the Lord put it on my heart, in obedience to Him I would agree to go on this trip & then the bottom would fall out & I'd get to stay in my cozy home while still feeling like a decent follower of the Living God.  But, silly me, I must have forgotten that God is not about keeping me decent or about my "good reputation" as a "good child," He is about taking action, justice, love the orphan, the poor & the opressed.  Did I not just wrap up a series about the orphan?  Blah, how easily I forget!

Well...God did not forget.  He heard me say I wanted to go and serve His loves in Africa & He made the way.  Literally, it was not me.  I raised next to nothing, despite my efforts to raise the money, I seriously raised like hardly any.  But, somehow, my entire trip is funded.  Yes, all $3,400 of it.  Not including the money I needed for a passport and vaccinations...and none of that came out of my wallet either.  Actually, the only thing that comes out of my wallet is dust!  I am feeling beyond blessed & totally overwhelmed.  No, seriously.  I don't really care to travel.  I traveled to Florida once.  That was pretty cool.  When we got there we got to meet our son.  So, that travel was amazing.  I took a cruise to Mexico once & a drive to Las Vegas, but other than that...I love adventure, but I prefer it in my own backyard.  So, lemme just be the first one to say that I have absolutely no idea how to fly which is embarrassing considering that my husband works for T.S.A.

I also don't really want to go because I have never been away from Matthew for more than a night.  For as long as I have known him we have never spent more than one night apart.  Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy my alone time & he enjoys his, but at night time I rest easy knowing he is next to me.  Some nights he plays basketball and I have a hard time sleeping if he isn't home.  Now God is asking me to sleep in a separate city, county, state...COUNTRY???    Yikes.  Oh, and did I mention my son?  Yes, the one I wanted so desperately, now I am leaving.  I have been with him every single day since he was born.  He has not lived one day in his nine months of life without being with me.  I also enjoy my time apart from John John, it's rejuvenating & refreshing but I kinda like the fact that after a few hours I'm ready to go home and see my boy.  And now I am going away for twelve days.  Am I insane?


So, after all of that whining & complaining, your probably like "geez, ashley.  why are you going then?"  I am going because I told the Lord YES!  I gave Him my yes & I will not back out on that.  And I am going because it's obvious that this is what He wants of me.  I tried backing out like a dozen times already & each time I shake my fist towards the sky and say "God, if the money doesn't come, I'm not gonna go!" and then I check my mail & a check for that amount is in there, or a total stranger donates the exact amount needed, or a friend says Jesus has asked her to give me the funds to travel.  Catch my drift?  I give ultimatums to the Lord (probably not the best idea) and He answers sweetly & lovingly (probably shaking his head) and says "Go, my child."  I know that this is where God wants me to go & so go I will.  I expect to meet Him there in Africa.  I know I will see him in the faces of the orphans, the poor & the oppressed.  I know He loves my boy and my husband far more than I ever could & He will take care of them while I am gone.  He burdened my heart for what breaks His & instead of being all talk He has called me to action & who am I to say no the the one true God???

If You Give a John a Paci

This past week has been a bit rocky with the John John.  Although he's been crawling and standing for awhile now he has only recently decided to explore.  He's teething.  He won't go down for naps as easily because he keeps standing up. If he can't do something he whines.  And he screams.  Like high pitched, shrill, ear piercing screams.  They're happy screams...but painfully loud none the less. He also is fluctuating between wanting his baby food and big boy food.  Every day is different.

Ninety-nine percent of the time I'm enjoying this new stage.  I feel like I am no longer just making sure John stays alive, healthy and happy, but my job as mama is truly starting.  He is officially in need of guidance, direction, and raising.  I'm busy trying to teach him that we don't touch the oven, chase the dog or play in his water bowl.  I'm allowing him to explore and trying not to be too overprotective.  I'm working in a stern "No" while allowing him to make other choices.  I realize he is only eight months old, but some things I do now to help prepare myself for later when he can understand much more of the world around him.

Anyway, yesterday was the first day I have felt truly challenged.  He was fussy and cranky.  It was insanely hot and he didn't get a good nap in.  He was busy growing his top teeth and dare I say....he might have an ear infection.  So, like the amateur I am, I decided to go out in public thinking that a quick trip out would help.  I'm a fool. We went to babies r us and things seemed to be going well.  That lasted up until I sat him in the cart and buckled him in.  He started to whine.  So, I gave him his paci.

But, if you give a John a paci, he is going to want to play with it.

He will probably start flinging it around and that will remind him that he's holding a spoon

He will take his plastic spoon and begin throwing it onto the ground

And every time he throws it he will want you to pick it up.

So you keep picking it up.

Then John will begin to see this is a game and that will remind him that he can throw really well

He will throw his spoon ten more times until you say "no more"

Then you put the spoon away and he begins to whine

Whining will make him want to scream and he will probably start with little yelps

Little yelps will begin to echo in the store and that will make him want to scream 

John will probably start screaming and then he'll want to shriek

If you allow him to shriek hoping he may stop he will keep going

And he will definitely shriek right as you pass the couple with a sleeping newborn

So you tell him no and give John a paci.

But if you give a John a paci he is going to want to play with it.

He will probably start flinging it around and that will remind him that he was holding a spoon...

Thankfully, Today is much better...and he even went down for his nap with no problem.  It's cooler outside, I remembered to buy teething tablets yesterday and I am refreshed after a full nights sleep.  Not to mention...I bought iced coffee for home...so as the baby naps...I'm sipping on a caramel macchiato and enjoying the quiet.  

                        

Giveaway Update!

So excited to announce that the Noonday Collection Giveaway deadline is looming ahead!  There is one day left to enter in for a chance to win over $300 worth of beautiful (and tasty) goodies!  ...You can check out all that is up for grabs and enter HERE!

And thank you to everybody who has already donated, entered & spread the word...I have been blessed by your generosity & am that much closer to getting to Africa because of YOU!