An Update On my Life, by Ashley

Hey Guys, I haven't posted in forever, so here's a quick overview of my winter vacation.
We spent Christmas on 3 different days, twice with different parts of my dad's family, then the day after with my moms and went back to my aunt's and played Cranium. I got a new v-ball for Christmas, which you'll see in my pics, that's orange and totally cool. I also got the George Straight 50 number ones Cd that I've really been wanting. On New Year's Eve, Josh and Us went to my cousin Stevi's where we had dinner, lit tons of fireworks and then played Cranium till 4:30 in the morn. The Week After That Alicia and I got to spend with 2 friends who came back form college for the holidays and they taught us to play spades and Egyptian Ratscrew. We also went to a party and played a totally cool game called apples to apples which I recommend everyone to try. Then this past Sunday Night, we held a Whose Line is it Anyway fellowship at our local baptist church, where I co-hosted with a friend of mine and it was totally fun. (We should have pics of that in a couple weeks) After that me and my friend were beating each other up,( I popped her with a towel so she was trying to get me back) and I went to punch her, and instead hit a wall. OUCh! The next day, my college friends had to go back to school, so we were really bummed about that. But I had a good winter holiday, how was y'alls?

Hmm.. a Thanksgiving post... Where should I start? Let's see.. Last Sunday we spent with our extended family on my mom's side and celebrated Thanksgiving early @ my aunt's house. Everyone except 3 people made it. We had 2 of the 3 new babies and 15 of my 18 cousins and some of their husbands came. We enjoyed a nice meal, I got to hold lots of babies, and took tons of pictures( which i plan to develop after i get my paycheck thursday ) After most of the crowd had left, about 10 of us played my cousin's new Cranium game and had a blast. I got to be my team's official "humdinger". Afterwards we went to my cousin Stevi's house to spend the night and hung out with her all the next day. For the rest of the week, Alicia and I ended up working the Nutcracker Ballet volunteering to do props downtown where we live. It was really neat, but I was gone everyday, so when I got home Wednesday I was surprised to find my mom had bought all the fixings for a real Thanksgiving dinner, and planned to cook at home just for us for the first Thanksgiving ever. It was really fun, and everything was delicious, especially the Green Bean Casserole. (my fave) We just finished doing the nutcracker Sunday, It wasn't over but that was all we were able to commit to. I'm kinda gonna miss it. We had a couple mishaps,(Once I crashed into Clara,the star of the ballet and bumped knees really hard and we had a bat flying around the auditorium and on stage) but it was still alot of fun. This week we plan to clean a little and attend a Bible Conference over the weekend. I will take lots of pictures I'm sure. Hope all of y'all had a happy Thanksgiving. See Ya!

Howdy Y'all,
I know it's been awhile since a Christian post or since I've written anything much of interest, but I've finally found a topic, so, here goes. From going to different church camps and conferences, I've learned to try to relate everyday or non spiritual seeming activities to my life as a Christian. Lately, my topic of interest has been lifeguarding, so I decided to think about that for awhile and came to the conclusion that me becoming a lifeguard was totally a God thing. For as long as I can remember, or since I lived in the house I do now, more than anything (especially in the summertime) I wanted to be a lifeguard. Once I was old enough though it never seemed to work out for me because of the location of the classes. Well this year they decided to hold the classes at the pool up my street and I wanted it so bad, but I was worried I couldn't do it so I decided not to practice. I mostly just goofed around instead. Finally the end of our pool season came around and it was the last day the pool would be open. I wrote my name on the paper even though I had no cash and not enough practice. Well, when it came time for the class to start, the teacher was nice enough to give me my book free, I don't know why, but she did. The first couple classes seemed really easy, then they got a little tougher, but nothing I couldn't handle, or so I thought. It finally came time for the night of our timed 500. I was nervous and thought sure I wouldn't make it. I had prayed about it beforehand, but my asthma was acting up that night, so I was still worried. Well, long story short, I passed didn't pass out, and I can't remember the last time before that that I was that thankful to God. I just remember thinking, that wasn't me totally God, I was just in awe and amazement. Well the following week I got to work @ the special Olympics, my 1st assignment as a real lifeguard and found a job oppurtunity that day and so hopefully I will get to guard all winter at the athletic center nearby. I still have to apply, but God willing, I think I will get this job. Sorry this is such a long post guys, just wanted to tell y'all my real life mini-miracle. Bye! -Ashley

P.S. Y'all check out Peewee's blog. She finally posted. 2wice! Yeah!

Hey Bloggers,
I know it's been a few weeks since I posted so y'all are prolly wondering what I've been up to. Week before last we went to Six Flags with Josh and I spent most of my time trying to win prizes because I'm terrified of roller coasters. (Although I did go on the roadrunner express). I finally won a giant weenie dog and a hawaiian Scooby Doo. We went on the Gully washer first, which is really wet, and it was really humid that day so our clothes didn't dry all day and i got a cold. I stopped eating sugar for a week so I could get better because this week Alicia and I had alot of work for the fall festival at our church and we got to have Renee, Christa and Travis come with us. I just took some pics with my new clothes and my dobro so as soon as I get my paycheck, I hope to develop them and put them up on my fotopage right away. Better Run, Hasta La Pasta !

Howdy Bloggers,
I just got back from a Tabernacles feast near East Texas and had an awesome
time. It was kind of a last minute thing so we had less people, but it was just as fun, if not more
than usual. Alicia, Megan and I rode up with Josh on Thursday,and stayed that night at his dad's house and got there early Friday morning and then my mom and Jordan rode up with my Uncle Marc and his gang late Friday night. Most of the time it was a little cold and drizzly there but Friday the sun was out and everyone went swimming. I had a great time, wonderful fellowship, not to mention some pretty intense volleyball games. I met some new people from Mississippi who had the sweetest kids, and a really cool dog. Rach and I spent all day together Saturday and Sunday and a some parts of Friday. I already miss her. : ( I also got to stay in a cabin with Marc's family, which was pretty cool. We had a good talent show, this year, but sadly to say, I didn't play. We still had alot of good acts, though. All the kids got to make bead necklaces one day when it was raining, and then a few teens joined in as well and we made ones that said either our names, or the instruments we play(Mine said, Dobros Rock!). Josh and his dad took a big group to Bean n Burger Sunday night, and we had all you can eat ice cream there. (mmm, chocolate chip cookie dough)The pics should be up on my fotopage in a week or so. I thank God for all the friends that were able to come and can't wait to see them again. Hope everyone else who came enjoyed it too and thanks to Pepe for letting us ride along, to his dad for having us over and his yummy stir fry, and Marc and his gang for sharing cabins.

Labor Day Weekend
This Labor Day was a blast! Thursday Night after I got back from lifeguard training, Josh was here, and we hung out playing a few board games and watching TV. Friday, we all slept a little late and got up and went to play tennis, then volleyball. We decided we all wanted ice cream so we picked some up at the store, came home, chowed down then headed to the my Uncle Marc's house. When we got there we got to see their new Mastiff puppy, Thor, who's really cute, and then looked at pictures and Scrapbooks. We ate tacos and some of Renee's peanut butter cookies that were pretty good. By the time we headed to bed it was like 2:00, but we didn't end up going to sleep till 4 because us and Travis were talking and delirious. Next morning we headed to Camp (Josh, Alicia, Megan, Christa, Jordan, Travis and I) and when we got there It was pouring rain and I got dropped off with Jordan and Travis and we had to find stuff to do while everyone else went shopping for food.We played a little ping pong but then decided to take cover in the little tunnels on the playground. That lasted for about 2 minutes and then we heard loud thunder and saw lightning and decided it would be safest being in our cabin. Josh, Christa, Megan and Alicia got back with our food and then the weather cleared up. Shortly after,Marc and the rest of his gang showed up and we went swimming, then got tired of that and decided to hit the river. It was a blast, especially the cliff we jumped off of. (between 12 and 15 ft.) Since the dance was lame we all just waited for the chicken dance and after that headed for my cousin's for pictionary. We kicked butt,right Josh? Anyways, it was an awesome weekend and yesterday I got to spend a relaxing day just chilling at the pool. Hope Y'all all had a good weekend. Happy Labor Day!