Happy New Year... KISSES FROM ME!

To all my great friends and family.... Happy New Year!!!

Lots of love, AND KISSES!

Ash

17 week Santa Belly after Christmas

Well it's hard to believe that Christmas is over. We have New Years to look forward to and then 5 more months until this baby gets here. I count down the days, anticipating the day I find out what it is, January 13th. I have no clue what it is!!!! Some woman say they just know, but I truly have not a clue! I can't wait! Only 16 more days and then I can start shopping, decorating, and planning!

Christmas was great! We spent Christmas Eve at my grandmother Sherrod's house in Missouri, and Christmas Day at the Jolliff's (my Aunt and Uncles). The food was fabulous, my goodness, I am still full from all the goodies. We came home the day after Christmas, and celebrated Jeannie's Birthday Friday, and then Christmas with the Linam's on Saturday at our house. I have posted a few pics for your enjoyment! We did a Christmas exhange and it's always so much fun! We had ribs, brisket, and tons more!

This week I am off from work, trying to figure out what to do with myself. I have so much energy that it's ridiculous! I find myself wanting to clean, cook, and eat. Speaking of eating, now that the ole holidays is over, I have put myself on a plan. These baby cravings of ketchup and chips, to carbs and marinara sauce have to stop! I went to the gym this morning and walked for 30 minutes and lifted LIGHT weights! It felt SO good. I decided that I am going to put lots of protein back into my diet and do lots of walking. This will help me bounce back after the baby and have a fabulous delivery. Speaking of delivery, my friend Leigh that was in my wedding is having her baby today. It's a little girl, Abagail Campbell Dean. I hope to see her tonight, but I am waiting on the phone call. I have already been up there once dying to hold this baby, only to find out that it would probably be tonight before she is here!!!! Im so thankful for Leigh, she has been a good friend for years!

Happy New Year everyone! XOXO

Christmas Exchange

My weekend as been busy already with a few days left until Christmas. Today I started off my day at Mimi's having bruch with a dear friend of mine, and cousin through marriage- Gretchen. We normally get to see each other during Christmas but since I am going to Missouri this year, we decided to meet to catch up before Christmas. It was nice to sit and chat. She brought the kids, Jaycee and Jayden, and they were precious as always!

Then tonight I went to my Christmas exchange with my sister in law's sister Crystal, who I am also very close to! We do it every year and somehow we always end up at Johnny Carino's for dinner. It was delish! Before dinner we exchanged gifts, and for the first year it was different ...VERY touching. My sister in law decided to start buying us each a figurine out of the "Willow Tree" collection. It's a very special hand carved piece and it's expressions are revealed only through a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, or a turn of the body. She gave me one called "Cherish, Awaiting a Miracle." We each got a special one but mine touched my soul. Tiff cried as she explained the meaning behind each one. I wanted to share one of the most precious gifts that I have ever received. It was from her heart and so meaninful and will be put in the babies room when he/she is born.

Sunday we are spending the evening with grandma and papa. I can't wait to take them dinner and share a little gift with them! They mean alot to me and Chad.

Until Christmas.... I love you all!

1 week from Christmas!!!

With one week from Christmas and more shopping to do, I am falling WAY behind! I still have several things to buy and plan to fight the crowds this weekend. I have such a busy week/weekend planned already with something every night. Tonight we have our Bible Study Christmas party at On the Boarder. Tomorrow night I have Kitchen Queens, Friday night shopping, Saturday night a Christmas Party at Pesto Cafe in Fayetteville, Sunday dinner and presents with grandma and papa, Monday dinner with my in-laws, and Tuesday my last day of work for 2008! We leave Wednesday to head to Missouri for Christmas with my grandmothers, who I feel so blessed I get to see, along with all of the other family!! ....Not to mention, last night I baked 8 dozen peanut butter cookies for a cookie exchange at work!!! Tiff, mom, and I baked for 2 hours! It was fun!!!!

On the baby front, I went to the doctor yesterday for some more blood tests and heard the babies hearbeat again! Everything is GREAT! The heartbeat is fast! I sent out an invite to some friends and family to tell what the sex of the baby is going to be. We find out JANUARY 13th so stay tuned for the big announcement! I have attached a pic of what I sent out to the family.

XOXO

Eventful Weekend

My weekend was fabulous! It began Friday when me and my favorite girls went to Bordino's for a lovely dinner and Christmas exchange. After dinner we walked around the square and looked at lights. It was so much fun!! Saturday I went to Silver Dollar City with my family and again, looked at more lights! I got TICKLED out of that trip because my 29 year old brother experienced his first roller coaster ride! HEEHEE, I had a tear I was so proud of him... Mom and I were so worried!

With a few days shy of being 15 weeks, I am feeling great but popping out! It seems like it happens over night, but it's so much fun! I had to buy some new clothes today because I layed on the bed this morning before church crying! Those "cute" days don't feel all that cute anymore! Not to mention those clothes that once fit so perfectly, are feeling oh so tight! ;(

Enjoy the pics of my fabulous weekend!!!!

14 weeks and busy getting ready for Christmas!

14 weeks today! I feel so blessed. Everything is going smooth and fabulous! I am starting to grow more and feel stretchy feelings although I won't be feeling the baby flutter until closer to Christmas! It's hard to believe that in 2 weeks I will be 4 months pregnant! Time flies!

I have huge weekend plans so stay tuned for fun pics. Friday night is my Christmas Party with my closest girlfriends. We are going to Bordino's for dinner & gift exchanges and then to look at the lights! Saturday I am going to Silver Dollar City with my family to look at the lights and enjoy the day together, so much fun!

With 15 days until Christmas I am trying to finish up some last minute shopping, but it's so hard trying to get everyone that perfect gift! I found out today that I got a bonus at work so that was just a plus for the Holidays. I am so thankful for a great job with great people to work with!!!! I am SO lucky. . .

13 weeks!!

So I am 13 weeks today actually and feeling mucho better! I have finally started keeping my food down and have SO much energy! Next week I will "officially" be out of my 1st Triemester and riding on into my 2nd. I go to the doctor on the 16th for some more blood tests, and then again in mid January to find out BOY OR GIRL!!!!!! Here are some pics I took over the weekend! Getting bigger by the second!