Everyday Ashlie

We have been invaded around here! Our backyard is always full of little birds fighting over the bird feeder and squirrels rooting around in the grass. I have such a great time watching those little birdies flit around and run here and there! They're so active & inquisitive! Just look how cute they are! And be sure to click on the pics to get a better look! They spend a lot of time fighting for space on the suet feeder! A fresh suet cake draws a big crowd! See? So inquisitive! Look! A pretty little dove coming to check out the little hidden water bowl I set out for the critters. And I think my favorites are the cute little squirrels with their fat white bellies! Just at look at that little face! He (or she?) was scratchin' around in the dirt just past our back porch stoop. See where he scratched up the dirt? Not sure what he was lookin' for, but I thought it was neat! I hope you enjoyed meeting my little friends! What's in your backyard...

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 I don't quite know what to say this morning. Our beloved pastor, Bro. Scott Teutsch, and his family lost their precious daughter, Jessica, to a car crash Thursday morning. She was on her way to student teach at a middle school in Texas when another driver crossed the center line and hit her car. I can't wrap my head around the fact that Jessica is really gone from us. It's not real that I won't see her singing with the praise team at church. It's not real that we'll never pass in the hallway and she'll never give me that shy, bright smile again. My heart aches for her family and the friends that loved her so much. We all loved Jessica. Her sweet, gentle spirit and quiet strength compelled us to do so. That was evident at her memorial service, which was filled almost to capacity with people who loved her. Her family is a strong one, their faith in God tangible. Jessica was, a...

I have been such a lazy blogger! I haven't posted in weeks and I've just barely managed to make the rounds of keeping up with everybody else! I suppose I got caught up in all the Christmas craziness and work has been super-busy lately too. By the way, if you have any pregnant friends, you should probably go visit them in the hospital. I'm almost positive that every local pregnant woman has delivered in the last week... at my hospital ! Our Christmas was wonderful, the only thing that would have made it better is if my little sis & her husband had been with us. Don't worry though, she sent us a couple pictures that made it feel like she was there. Ok, so it didn't feel like she was there at all, the pictures just made us cry! Thanks a lot, Laura! We had Christmas with Mama & Daddy on Christmas Eve and ate way too much. Here's a few pics of us opening gifts. Silly Daddy! Sweet smile, Mama! Uh-oh! He's hooked! (that's an ornament shaped lik...