3 years ago...

Wednesday was our 3rd anniversary and we spent the whole day looking at the clock and telling each other what we were doing at that moment. For example, our wedding was at 2pm, at 1:15 we happened to look at the clock and Josh said "I was starting to get really nervous" Me however..."I was trying not to get sick" If you don't know this stiry...it is a sad but funny one. I was so sick on our wedding day...I had brionchitis the week before and had so many antibiotics that I couldn't keep anything in me. So, it was a splendid day. There were many of these moments throughout the day. I can't believe it has already been that long.
Thursday...We left about lunch and headed to Lubbock to see TSO! Josh had surprised me with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast. Everything was so wonderful, I couldn't thank him enough for it all! The concert was AMAZING! It lasted 3 hours, but you would have never known it!
Friday...This morning when we got up one of the inn keepers came to the door with breakfast! It was so yummy! This was an anniversary I hope I never forget. THey have gotten better every year! I am so thankful for my christian husband!

P.S. videos of the concert are posted in Facebook! :)

These Ladies Have My Heart!

The longer we work with the people here at The 9th and Main congregation the more I fall in love! I feel we definately made the right decision in moving to Texas. I was very hesitant in the beginning...it is so far from our families and friends. But, I can honestly say that this is the most loving, working, caring and thoughtful congregation we have ever worked with...maybe even attended. People are always checking on one another and visiting. There are these two ladies in the congregation (a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) that go out every Thursday to the nursing homes and always take some kind of snack for the shut-ins. If you are wondering how someone may be doing after surgery or illness...you can call one of about 50 people in the congregation and they will know because they have checked on them. There are no cliques or special groups...it is wonderful!
Yesterday as I was fixing to begin Ladies Bible Class, Josh walked in the door with 3 HUGE bags. He said "Ashley, on behalf of the Ladies Class I would like to present you with this gift" I opened 6 packages of Fiesta ware! There was only 1 lady I had talked with about this. I had told her, as we looked over her beautiful china, that I had always loved the fiesta ware but would never start my own collection becuase it would cost so much to get started. They had picked out 6 differnet place setting each of a different color and a salt and pepper shaker that was a different color also. If I hadn't had about 15 ladies staring at me I would have cried like a baby.
These ladies are Proverbs 31 Ladies who are always working, thinking of each other and what they can do to help someone and brighten their day! These women have taught me so much over the course of the class. They all hold a very special place in my heart. They inspire me to do so much more and work so much harder. God bless the women in the Ladies Bible Class at 9th and Main!

On another note (as I wipe my tears) today is our 3rd Anniversary! I cannot believe it has flown by so fast! Most days I still can't believe we are finally married...much less believe that it has been for 3 years! Josh woke me up with a card and a gift card to Hobby Lobby this morning and then tomorrow we are headed to Lubbock to see TSO. He also surprised me with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast since the concert would last so long and it is a 3 hour drive home! I am so excited! I know we will love it!
Well, we leave for home on Monday! We are so excited to be going to TN! We will be able to spend much needed quality time with family! This is my favorite time of the year! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel!

Let it snow!

So, I got 2 txt messages this morning at 7:15. One asking if it was snowing and one telling me it was snowing! It is so beautiful outside! We have been waiting for this all week!
Enjoy!

New Book!

So, I am in the process of reading quite a few book...and today I added another to the list! I am not a pleasure reader who can sit and read for hours about a fantasy world or anything like that. I want a book with practical points that will benefit me.
So, I am currently reading Love and Respect, The power of a praying wife, Women of troubled times, Showing Thyself a Pattern and now I have a new one..yay! I have been looking for this book for some time and nobody had it...so I took Amber's advice and got an Amazon account and bought it. It is titled "Created to be his Help Meet" I am in chapter five and am very encouraged by this book. There were a few ladies at ICYC this year who said that they had read it and loved it and that it really helped their marriage blossom. It is writeen by Debi Pearl (she isn't a Christian writer) so use descretion when reading. I like to underline error and write truth beside it just in case I happen to let someone borrow the book. (thanks Erika) So, I thought I would let you all know as I go along if the book was worth the purchase...so far...yes!

Oh...the fun of being a young wife!

So, funny story!
Yesterday we were having some friends over for burgers. I was in a hurry in Wal Mart and grabbed buns, a head of lettuce and a few extra things before I rushed home to cook. Right before they get there I pulled out the lettuce to wash it and get it ready. I pulled it out of the bag and peeled back a leaf...this seems a little different...hhhmmm.... after sniffing, poking and even a minor lick..."Josh I think we have cabbage!" HA! So, I call mom..."What can I make with a head of cabbage that was soposed to be lettuce?!
So, today I went back to wal mart. I then proceeded to stare at a head of cabbage and a head of lettuce side by side...this way I would know the difference next time. An elderly woman walked by and realized what was happening inside the mind of this young wife...so she gave me some tips! Thank you for teaching the younger wives and not making them feel dumb. See, in my house we hardly ever use vegetable that are green because my husband thinks they are for rabbits! So, I learned the hard and embarassing way!
Thought you could enjoy a nice laugh...

I am thankful for you!

We have a pretty busy week ahead. I have been tackling tons of projects this morning! Christmas cards, check, labels. check, Thanksgiving for the students, check, Italian cream cake ingredietns, check, and so on...now working on a few other things.
So, we thought we would do a small supper for the students b/f they left for thanksgiving...I should probably tell you that I have noever done a dinner this large by myself before! Interesting!
We are also planning a Senior Banquet for the senior citizens at the congregation. We have only come upon a few bumps in the road there.
So, We have atleast one activity at for the congregation for the next 3 weeks! I love it! I love the fellowship!
Then...our anniversary is coming up on the 9th and we are going on the 10th to see TSO in Lubbock. I knew about that but Josh surprised me with a night at t bed and breakfast so we wouldn't have to drive 3 hours home after a 3 hour show that begins at like 7! Then we head home the next week! Already have plans on the books for then too! I am so ready to see everyone...I get warm fuzzies thinking about it!
Well, break time is over...time to get back to work!
If the Lord wills these are our plans for the upcoming month!
We are so blessed in America!

Yanking hair out!

So, we went out to lunch today with an elderly man from the congregation, then we had a LONG list of errands to run...for us and the congregation. Well, one of the other men from church calls and wants Josh to go to the rifle range with him...all plans out the window! So, I then have an hour and a half with Josh to choose which projects are most important that we can get done in the time we have left.
So, we are at the craft store looking for the materials we need to make ornaments for the Senior brunch...well the paper clay is about $7 for 8 ounces and I need 10lbs!!!! NO WAY!!! So I am considering other options while Josh taps his foot. So, then I am frustrated... He says...maybe Michaels will have something different...ok we have 20 minutes....run in michaels pick up foam sheets...maybe we can just paint these...then the lady has an idea...use paper mache disks..ok...wait $0.99 each...thats $30...still a little much. Then she tells me about salt dough that I can make at home for cheap! So, she is explaining while Josh is checking his watch but not saying a word. I feel so rushed! I had so much on my to-do list for today and only got 1 of the items accomplished. Looks like tomorrow will be busy...
Needless to say it is one of those days that almost feels like it was wasted away and I didn't get hardly anything done! So tomorrow we go to Wal Mart, go to the printer, go to the post office, go to the mall and go back to hobby lobby then make cookies and get ready to go to a high school football game that a friend got us tickets to!
Funny how on Sunday I told myself..."Self, this is going to be a slow week...you can get some projects done at home that you have been putting off...like scrapbooking" BAM! says reality!
So, enough rambling!
We are very blessed to be at a congregation that loves to be involved with one another. They do more visiting with each other and visitors that attend services than I have ever seen! They are always having each other over and calling to check in. I love that Josh has a lot in common with quite a few of the men...that helps get a foot in the door with some people. I am working on the part of myself that wants to have everything planned. I think I just feel like a procrastinator when I have to put things off until another day because plans suddenly changed. Thats life right?!
Off to cook dinner!