Ashleigh's 5th Birthday

Today, my love, you turn five years old. I am so thrilled to be your Mommy; and you have inspired me to be a better person. You are so tender hearted and gentle yet so very smart. You have developed a bigger sense of independence, yet you still are shy around strangers. You have done so fabulous in school and you adore your teachers: Mrs.Tyre & Mrs.Massa. You follow rules and are the first one amongst your peers to correct another, if one is not following the rules. You are a good teacher to your friends; you are a true leader, no doubt. You still have your imaginary friends that you talk with; which are the cutest conversations, by the way. You have a talent when it comes to art; your skills for your age are nothing short of amazing. You have a true love of music. You have a great sense of style; which Mommy is very pleased at. Finally, you still love all things Mickey!!! 

Daddy & I are, like always, so proud of you. You have brought so much joy and delight into our lives. I can't wait to see what the next year brings in your development. You, my love, are Daddy & I's gift from God that we are so overwhelming thankful for. We love you, pumkin. Happy 5th Birthday, Ashleigh!

Paul Cardall; an inspiration to me. Part 2

I am in tears as I write this post tonight; tears of joy & happiness.  This man, Paul Cardall, whom I posted in a previous post has recieved his heart transplant.  He was on the list for 385 days.  I wanted to share his remarkable story to you all.  If you have a chance to visit his blog, please do; you will be inspired.

New chapter in Our life.

It's been a while since I have posted.  Sorry.  :(  I have been a little busy.  I have a lot to blog about; however, I will try and make it short.  

First off, Ashleigh began preschool on the 24th of August.  She is thoroughly enjoying it thus far.   Her teacher and teacher's assistant are really great and I feel God blessed us with them.  I was really worried how Ashleigh would react to this change; however, Mrs.Tyre & Mrs.Massa {the later is the teacher's assistant} has made it such a pleasant transition and really took Ashleigh by the hand from the first day.   The first week she was doing ok with being dropped,.  By the 2nd week, she was running to the door when Mrs.Tyre came out to retrieve the students from their parents.  What a relief it is for a Mommy that was so concerned that she would have a level of seperation anxiety.  So, in a nutshell, Ashleigh is doing really great in preschool; in Florida we call it VPK.

To get the year started off right, I decided to throw a VPK "Get to know eachother" swimimmg party.  It was really nice; however, only 4 children showed up.  Brian made hot dogs on the grill for the women and children and saugege links for the men.  LOL.  Everyone had a great time and Ashleigh was able to bond with her friends, Natalia and Liam.  She mostly liked Liams baby sister, Lilly; she would not leave her side, and Lilly loved the attention, I am sure.  

Tonight we finished her first at home " family project", which was a gingerbread man.  The instructions read something like this: Here is a cut out of the gingerbread man, you may decorate how you would like, or use it as a template.  We chose to make a stuffed gingerbread man.  So, off to the store we went.....$43.00 later we have all the supplies.  We {Ashleigh and myself} decorate it and stuff it and then Brian sews it up.  Whala!  See the picture for the final product.  

Ashleigh on her first day of school {above}

Pictures from Ashleigh's VPK "Get to

 know each other" party {below}

And finally, Ashleigh and her Gingerbread Man project; she is so proud of him!  Great Job, Baby.  

Happy Monday to you all!  I hope all of you had a great Labor Day!

August birthdays

Uncle Jeff & Ashleigh August 2006

With Aunt Pam Easter 2008

Uncle John & Ashleigh June 2008

On Uncle John's B-day 2008 {Uncle John, Ashleigh & NaNaw}

Since both my brother's and sister-n-law's birthday days are this month I will just post one big post.

First we have my sister-n-laws, Pam's on the 2nd of August. Happy Birthday Pam, we love you and can't wait to see you in December!  Then we have my little brother, Jeff's birthday on the 4th of August.  Love ya little brother and I am happy to be called your sister!  Finally we have my older brother, John's birthday.  I am so happy for you "Big" brother for your recent house purchase; it is very beautiful.  Love you!

Happy Birthday, Jim AKA Papa Hicks

{Picture taken in December 2005}

Today is Brian's Dad's birthday. I just wanted to wish him an extra special one. He is such an amazing father to Brian and myself; he has filled the void for my father, who is in Heaven. Thank you Jim for being such a wonderful Father to Brian and myself;most importantly a wonderful and loving grandfather to Ashleigh.  You and Ma are the best. Although we don't get to see you guys as often as we would like, you are always in our thoughts. We love you and hope you have a fantastic day!  We love you!

A little photo session in West Palm Beach

I got out my camera and started taking pictures when I seen Ashleigh laying on the swing at my friends house; I decided to take some of Andrew as well.  

Our mini trip to West Palm Beach

Ashleigh and I decided to take a short trip to West Palm Beach Tuesday-Today, to see our friends, Jennifer and her boys Andrew & Colin.  Ashleigh and Andrew had the best time.  We went to the beach the first night we arrived; it was so beautiful, and the kids had a great time running and splashing in the water.  I took a few pictures; however, since it was nighttime they did not turn out the greatest.  

The following day we went to a local water park; it was phenomenal.   The kids had so much fun.  Ashleigh and Andrew had to take a swim test to swim in the "big kids" pool.  The swim tests consists of swimming one lap without touching the ropes or the sides of the pool; Ashleigh passed it!  We were all so proud of her; what an accomplishment at age 4; swimming a lap in an olympic size pool.  I am SO PROUD OF HER!  The lifeguard made a comment that she was a really good swimmer and she rolls over to her back really well.  :)

**Oh, by the way the lifeguard that tested Ashleigh and Andrew was the oldest lifeguard in Palm Beach county; he was 75, but didn't look it. **

After all this fun, we went back to Jennifer's house and let the kids play a little while outside on Andrew's amazing tree house his grandfather built for him {I will be sure to put a pic of it up on here}.  Ashleigh wanted to spend all of her time at Andrew's house outside on this treehouse.

Today, we had to say our goodbyes and head back home.  We had a wonderful time and am very thankful for wonderful friends like Jennifer and her beautiful family.  

I will finish posting pictures later on tonight; however, I wanted to go ahead and get a head start.  Enjoy!

Dancing the night away.

Ashleigh on the Zip line!

Ashleigh's biggest cheerleader!

Ashleigh finishing her swim test!

The kids with the lifeguard that tested them; the oldest in Palm Beach county.

At the amazing water park!

At the beach!

Hope you all are having a wonderful day and week.