Hale is not a baby anymore.

         Fast, is definitely an understatement when describing how my cute, cuddly, baby boy has turned into a still cute, but intelligent, young boy.  He turned three last November, but his demeanor and mind have matured even more just in the two short months from his last birthday.  I've been able to have a full conversation with him since he was barely two.  I don't know if I am bias, and I don't want to brag, but the wheels in his head are always turning with step-by-step processes and explanations to EVERYTHING. 

Hale-
You have brighten all of my days since the day we found out you were in my belly, even the bad days.  Challenges continue to arise in your mind, and you conquer some at this young of age.  I can see you thinking. You are so fun to be around, and you melt my heart every time you say, "Mom, can you do me a favor?... I love you!"  You catch on quickly to any word or action that Mommy and Daddy say or do, which keeps us on our toes.  

You already are so smart: you say your ABC's, you can spell your name, spell poop (he's a boy, and it was an easy word to teach him), count to 20, count to 10 in spanish, know most of your colors (blue, orange, pink, black, brown, green, and red), and can work my iPhone with ease.You are very polite, so sweet, and strong willed at times.  I won't say where you get that!  I can't hug you enough, or tell you how much you mean to me...


Before I know it you'll be all grown with a family of your own, but until then, I will cherish the time I have with you, and teach you as much as I can about life, Jesus' love, and how to be a real man (of course I'll leave all the NON-mushy gushy stuff to Heath).  


We love you Hale Fischer, and couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier baby boy! Ok, big boy, as you inform me!!

Uncertainties.

      Lately, I've been trying to consciously make myself aware of what I'm thinking about.   My thoughts, I know, are selfish, and I repent of that daily. 
I recently started reading the book "Desiring God", by John Piper (It was mentioned several times in sermons by my pastor, not naming any names).  The first ninety pages of the book have really opened my eyes to what digging deep in a relationship with God looks like, having the JOY of the Lord, and "tasting to see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).   He's not some genie in a bottle, and I/we should pray to Him even when good things in our lives are happening. I know that Joy is essential in my worship of our King, and not an option in my walk.

     Last year was a very trying year, and full of trials in the life of my family, yet Joy was overflowing from answered prayers, and realization of faith in Jesus.  Like I stated in the last post, I quite my job at the bank to pursue a career in the healthcare field.  I applied to the Nursing program really expecting to get in, but didn't.  My thoughts, and my pride took over my relationship with God. I thought I could do it on my own because I had the grades, and I knew the right people (so I thought).  I definitely got knocked on my tush, to say the least, and have dived deep in the Word that God laid out in front of us.  Why must we be so ignorant??  Why?

     Somehow, in prayer and submission to quit my job, we managed to pay our bills, bless those who have blessed us, and help those who needed help. God showed up, and with the submission and faith he's called us to have; He delivered.

I have such a strong passion for helping others, and I want to use that gift he's given me.

     Needless to say with all the uncertainties of school, work, money, and everything else, it panned out with trust, faith, and joy in what God has planned for our lives.  I look forward to the many more chapters I have to read in this inspiring book, and exploring the Bible for direction from God.

Prayers accepted,
Ashley

Finished Paint Project... 4 months later.

Ok, so here are a few pictures from my iPhone, which don't do the room justice at all. We had a lot of fun painting, and if you don't remember from last August (blog posted earlier), I scraped the popcorn ceiling from this room, and we painted it grey as well.  By the way, the scraping process took about three hours.  We borrowed this awesome black furniture from Heath's cousin, and it looks GREAT against these light grey walls.  I removed the trim back in August as well, and we painted them white.  I think it makes the room look very clean and put together.  I have few items to decorate the wall with and I think we are going to do some chalkboard paint somewhere.  I'm not sure where at this point.  So here are a few pictures, and I might add some more later from my real camera.

Enjoy, and I'll keep you posted on new and exciting things in the Stamps household.
-Ashley-

A New Year

OMG.  Ok, I never really use text lingo on a regular basis, but that is what happened to 2011. I can't believe it's gone, yet I praise God for the trials and triumphs that occured last year, 2011.  Some were epic, and some were epic FALLS.  Yike! 

In a nutshell, here are a few highlights:

• I quit my 9-5 job (cliche) at FSB after 4.5 years, making decent money.  That's hard to come by these days.
• I started working back at the Nursing home, which I worked before the bank. For about a 40% pay cut.  God led me to do so, and it's been a reward since, why I ever doubted I don't know.
• I felt as though I should quit my job expecting, by my own accord, to get into Nursing School.  This is the epic fall I talked about earlier. 
• We won an AWESOME trip to Mexico in October, which we have yet to plan.  God's guidance, yet again.
• I got into the LPN school that was back up for the RN program I didn't get into, but declined the offer.  I know, doesn't make sense right?  God's guidance, I pray everyday.
• In all of this God got the glory, and I got to spend a lot of time with my wonderful son, Hale, that God has so graciously bestowed upon Heath and I.  

I know, doesn't seem like much happened, but a lot did, and it flew by.  I'm sure since I'm older now, with a husband and a child this year will fly by as well.

May God bless this year ahead and we seek his guidance and grow our relationship with Him, daily.

I confess, I have several New Year's Resolutions, or whatever you want to call them.

Here they are:

• Lose 15 or so pounds.  I know everyone has these, but I'm going about it a different way than the past.
• Pray daily and make time for reading God's word, and studying.
• Make all A's this semester in my 4 classes.  
• Reapply to the RN program at NWACC, and get in.  3rd time's a charm!
• Go on our Mexico vacation that we won!  Woo Hoo
• Go to at least 3 Razorback football games.
• Be more patient with Heath and Hale.
• Send cards for B-days, and holidays to my family.
• Be more hospitable.

That's all that I can think of for now... until next time... look forward to my post about my room update that I posted about back in August.

God Bless ya'll!!
-Ashley-