I am Blessed

A lovely email I received. . .. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving.

I AM THANKFUL
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S VEGGIE BURGERS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
WATCHING T.V.
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT IN THE CRAZY WORLD.

FOR THE BOY
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT CLEANING HIS ROOM
BECAUSE IT MEANS HE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
CARPETS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND SHELVES THAT NEED ORGANIZING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE SOUND OF
MY CHILDREN WHINING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Gratitude for Life

This Thanksgiving I wanted to give a moment to reflect on my gratitude. It is hard to begin when my mind races to many particular things I am so indebted for and grateful for. . . . among the many things I would have to start with my Savior, my life and my family.
My Savior for my life and for allowing me to have and create and just be with my family. Through very difficult circumstances my Savior has shown me humility, submissiveness, hope, knowledge and most of all to be grateful for each tender mercy he gives. At times when I thought I would never become whole, when every moment of doubt was replaced with hope and now well enough to live to be and see and serve my family. I am forever in debt to my Savior for healing me this day. I am doing well and am able to be with, love and serve my family. Each moment I have is not mine but what the Lord has given from his heart knowing my desire. Ask and ye shall receive knock and it shall be opened. My Savior, My Redeemer, My Friend and my Healer. Gratitude for Life.

A New Beginning

Baby Joy for Jo and Lee


Jo's baby shower is today and I meant to make her disc of pics for it; however I loose because they are all on Matthews computer in D.C. So I posted a few for a sneak peak. Lee said he will put them on his laptop while they are there. . . Sorry Jo, I love you. Thank you for allowing me to capture such tender moments.
Luvs, Ash

A bit Anxious

J'aime mes enfants. Its going to be an interesting week. Daddy goes to D.C. and then Mom and Dad go to Arizona for work. This is my first time away from them. . . I hope it all goes well, I am a little anxious. Lee and Jo are going to take care. . .hope all goes well, whew. Maybe after this week life will slow down a little.
Luvs, Mom

J'aime ma Mere

J'aime ma Mere. Mom I love you, it was such a treat to have you here. The time you spent with me and the kids just lightened my load with the little things you did. I cherish the times we have together. Tell the family hello and send them luvs.

A Release: Train of Thought

Life can be so stressful and busy if we allow it to be. I continue to be blessed each day with opportunities to do wonderful things and with each I can choose how I will let it affect my life. Life has been crazy busy and somewhat stressful; however, I know and can find peace in knowing Heavenly Father will lead me and be pleased with what I can do for others and my family. One quote from a church article, a dear neighbor gave me, it says, If something you are doing takes your "heart out of the home", is it worth it. I am so thankful to know that my heart is in my home. This is my glory and my joy. This is my first love my first priority and all other things will fall into place as the Lord sees fit for me to take them on. Not my will but thine be done. I will only do my part to do what I can, I find peace in knowing the most important and irreplaceable gift I have been given is my role as a mother and wife. My Savior in his tender mercy has given me my life for this. I have got only these moments at this time when my family is in this precious season of life. I only have now with my young children and would never want to miss the moments that are not worth sacrificing. My mother has reminded me of this. There is a time and a season for all things. Nothing is worth fighting for but my life, my family,my service and my testimony of my Savior. And so the delicate balance of life rolls on. . . .

October to Remember

Halloween Bliss was quite extravagant this year, considering I usually don't do much. I have a friend in the ward who is a great example to me in making Holidays more memorable. As for costumes, CharLee was a cartoon character named Ben 10. Pretty much looks like a boy with a watch that makes him turn into monsters. Beau was a puppy of course. . . our little animal lover.This year we had a warmer holiday and so me and the kids carved our pumpkins outside. We also were so lucky and blessed to have Mom (Essa) with us for the entire month. There is nothing like Mom being around to help and love. It was so nice to have her presence for me and the kids. We love you and miss you and the family dearly. Halloween night the kids went Trick O Treating around the block and then we had the rest of the family over for a "ghoulish meal" at our spooky Lisonbee manor. It felt a lot like the feel of the Twilight Tower hotel lobby with the music and decor.We gave awards for the costumes and then bobbed for apples to caramel. We then ended the night with a good Halloween flick. It was so nice to have the family together to laugh and play. Maybe next year more family can come. Matthew and I also went to a friends spooky dinner party the night before. I cherish the times we have together and this was just extra fun to go out and get all dressed up.
We love you family. Thank you for making our October so memorable!

Real Life Holiday Greetings

So I promise the Halloween activities will be documented soon. But till then, I had this pic handy because I worked on it today. So we did it. The once a year single shot of the family. Sometimes I wish I had someone to take our pics so the fam would be little more cooperative; hence I go with the candid feel a lot. However, this shot is priceless to me. The tenderness in the eyes of my little fruits is so real. This year I decided to do the "all natural" reality look. When I started photography, my goal was to capture reality of life. . .how it IS at the moment. For this pic, it was at the end of a busy day and we are in typical lounge wear. . . as we are in everyday life. I want to remember what life is/was really like and not take an image that is all "dolled" up. Hence the natural colors, look and feel. I did have a little say of the color scheme and I did make Beaus hat to add just a little extra somethin. All in all I think it turned out good. I love my family. Life is a beautiful adventure. You may just see it again in our Holiday Greetings.
Luvs,Ash