A tale of Two Nephews...

One is preschool bound.

 

The other,  College bound.

 

Good luck boys and enjoy the ride!!

 

Dancing in the rain

To be able to dance in the rain. To be as free as a little child that knows no fear, no judgment, no shame for doing something that makes her happy. Not caring whether she’ll slip or fall in the mud, not caring whether she’ll get drenched all over. When you dance in the rain, you remember once more how to dance in life, you remember once more the taste of heaven.  

It's rare in the desert that the rain falls and the sun shines at the same time.  It was so breathtaking and  glorious that Kadence and I took the opportunity to dance in it...Zoe too.  Immediately she asked me if she could kiss the rain.   It was so sweet and innocent.  Of course I smiled and said yes.  It was one of those feel good moments.  You know, the kind that makes you feel all is right with the world?

Shortly after Kady kissed the rain, a big, loud thunder crashed in the sky.  She jumped, screamed and ran into my arms.  I explained to her what it was and after a few more she was okay with the sound of "under."  It was then that she said to me "mom, the under is loud like Kady!"  Again, I smiled and said yes.

 "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth."

  ~William W. Purkey

Today was a taste of heaven on earth...

Cinderella is proof that shoes 
can change your life... 



 

















Zoe's first pair of High Heels.  

2010

 Kadence's first pair of High Heels

2008


“Not diamond but heels are a girl’s best friend.”
~William Rossi 

Pictures of the day

So many people we know are at a stage in their life where marriages are falling apart.  The vows to be faithful seem to have less meaning.  The struggle to keep things new and exciting are becoming more of a challenge.  It saddens me to see so many friends I love struggle.  It's caused me to reflect back on our marriage and all that we have endured...and conquered.  I'm forever grateful to be here still standing next to the man I vowed to love forever and the father of my children.  Our marriage has certainly been less than perfect but somehow we have weathered the storms and our love has managed to grow.  I hope it does forever.  That is my wish today.

Dear Dominic..... 

"I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;
I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;
I cannot promise you an easy pathway
That leads away from change or growing old.

But I can promise all my heart's devotion;
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;
A love that's ever true and ever growing;
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow."~unknown 

I promise to love you in good times and bad,
with all I have to give and all I feel inside in the only way I know how. Completely and forever.

Love always 

your wife, partner, and best friend,

Ash 

It's that time of year again.

What should be baby boys 2nd Birthday.

So many thoughts....

I keep telling myself that the date has no power.  The actual date, no date.  Because if the date doesn't have any power than the memory could come when the memory wanted to come.  It's time to take the power back!!  Yet, I find myself consumed with the actual date.  Picking them off one by one.  First his birthday, then the holidays, finally the day he was taken from us.  I find myself pondering more the thoughts of what he'd be like opposed to what he was like on these dates.  When would he have started walking?  How many teeth would he have?  What color would his hair be?  Blonde or Brown?  What would be his favorite food? Movie? Toy?  What would I buy him for Christmas this year?  My gosh, he should be the same age as my oldest...how bizarre. 

Ahh.....

I wish 

I wish 

I wish....

I wish I didn't have to wonder!

I wish I didn't have to remember!

Maybe this is why the memories don't ALWAYS come when they want.  So...until I can find a way to actually take the power back, the date has power over me.  Some day I know it won't.  And even though it does, there are tons of memories to revel in.

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

Click this link to read of Ethan's life journey
 

224 balloons representing 224 days on earth and 224 memories to cherish.
Forever in our hearts, gone but never forgotten.

FUCF...