Stars

I am a little late posting this, but we went to the Dallas Stars game back in October with our wonderful friends Kyle and Julie!! We had a blast...we had a delicious dinner....great seats...no one was sitting in our sections...and the Stars won!!

Kyle is hilarious and keeps us laughing constantly!! The boys sat behind us and had "man-time" and Julie and I sat on the front row and gabbed! I hope we get to do it again soon!!

Humility and Hurt

Hurt first....Finley told me something yesterday that hurt me. I know those words will eventually come out of every child/teen's mouth, but it hurt nonetheless. I'm sure I said those same words under my breath at my parents...muffled just enough that I felt vindicated, but knowing that neither adult figure actually heard me. To be honest, if I thought either of my parents heard me say such a mean statement, it would brake me. I am a people-pleaser... especially when it comes to my family. Again, I know that Finn didn't mean what he said, but it cut just a little...maybe because he and I go at it more than anyone else in this house does!! Ha! The cut will heal and I will forget.

Humility second....It sounds like there isn't much difference in the words humility and humiliated, but man there is!! I know I have done a post in the past about humility, but I feel a strong need to write about it again. In current season of life we struggle with our finances. We live paycheck to paycheck...who doesn't? I personally know so many people right now who have had to rely on parents or grandparents or siblings to get by every now and then. Well, right now we very often have to rely on the generousness of our extended families. My parents pay for Finn to go to preschool...which is such a blessing...he loves to learn and cannot wait for Kindergarten...all because my parents have helped us. My Grandmother is always helping us here or there, but over the last few months she has helped us so much....and we couldn't have made it without her. Our family is so blessed by this generous arm that is constantly outstretched towards us. On the flip side of accepting help, is the feeling of complete humiliation. God is definitely teaching Joey and myself the hideous gift of humility!! Joking aside, I feel stronger for having known we could have fallen were it not for hand"ups" we have been given. I pray that my children will make sound financial decisions and be frugal, yet lead wonderfully abundant lives. But I also pray that we...Joey and myself...will be able to bless others, including our children, when they need financial help. What a blessing TO US to be able to pay it forward for those who are struggling. So there is a difference in humility and humiliated...you just have to get through the humiliation to recognize and accept the fact that humility is a great gift.

Torn in Four

{this is in no way meant to demean any families with 2 kids or less!! :)}

There are days when I think, OMGosh...I have swept this stinkin' kitchen 3 times already today, and I am doing it AGAIN! And I get irritated, but as I sweep I am all too aware that this "physically" challenging time will not last forever. One day they will be doing chores and picking up after themselves, and reading books all by themselves and they will know it all....and basically won't need me near as much...{insert a very sad face}. But ONE DAY I will switch from being physically exhausted to mentally spent!!

I am already worrying about how we are gonna pay for:
FOUR cars
FOUR colleges
FOUR weddings
AND possibly FOUR kiddos in glasses (thanks Joey), FOUR kids with toe problems (thanks Joey) and FOUR kids with dental issues (thanks me)!!
I remember how my heart hurt when I let Aidan go to his first day of preschool...what would I do if anyone made fun of my baby? And NOW...I have three more kiddos to fret over, stand in for and pray over. Finley is feisty, and I just worry about how we will handle himself in school. He doesn't handle jokes at his expense well....he is a loud, funny, smart kiddo, but still....I worry. I don't even know how I am going to handle B going to preschool, much less kindergarten. I know the pressures of being a girl...being pretty, skinny, popular, proper...perfect. I just can't wrap my head around that fact that my heart is actually torn into four pieces. It amazes me how love can multiply with the birth of each child!! I am so blessed and I know that I can lay all my cares (and worries) on the LORD....but I am human, and a mom....so I am gonna worry!! Ha!

I never expected to be a mother to FOUR kiddos, but I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed. Thank you Lord for each of my unexpected blessings.

I Have So Much To Say....

....enough to write a post everyday...but when I come up with post subjects I am always busy with another task that I can't take the time to jot down my ideas MUCH LESS run to the computer and feverishly type out everything I am feeling!! AND I have so many pictures I need to upload, that I don't know where to start either!! So I am gonna start off uploading some fun Christmas pics and go from there!! Enjoy pics from our multiple Christmas gatherings!!

































Christmas was wonderful...each and every time we celebrated it!! I pray that we always gather together and enjoy each others company....I am so blessed to be around all these sweet people. I lurve my family {and friends}!!!

12 in 12

So this year instead listing 20 resolutions I will NEVER accomplish, I decided to go a different route. This year I am going to work on completing 12 goals in 12 months! Why did I choose this method instead? Well, let me explain my warped logic! Ha! A person can start to develop a habit and stick to it after performing said habit for a month to 6 weeks. All of the goals are areas in my life that need improvement....so I figure if I take a month to "learn" a positive habit, I will hopefully continue it after the month is over. Make sense?? Now these are MY personal goals, but I will strive to have my family join me on certain months!!

I would love to list all 12 goals for ya, but guess what? I CAN'T!! I only have a few ideas ready...I need to pray about what areas in my life need improvement and positive change. I do however, have January's goal ready!!! Ta-da......

*JANUARY: WRITE A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOMEONE EVERY SINGLE DAY*
{a different person every day, whether it be through a phone call, text message, email, snail mail, FB or in person}

Now to incorporate my family on this I would like to get the kiddos to draw pictures to send to certain family members that we don't get to see a lot...like my wonderful Aunt Jessie!! I would love to teach them to pass on love and encouraging words to others...it could make such a difference in just one person's life.

{a few other goals I will tackle throughout the next year: abstain from drinking "real" sodas, staying off the computer until the kids go to bed, no sugary treats....and more to come.}

I am going to do my absolute best to stick to each goal, and I am going to be honest when I fail. :) If you would like to make an effort with me each month just let me know, and we can encourage each other!!

Happy New Year!!

I hope all the WONDERFUL PEOPLE that read my blog {all 5 of you! Ha!} have an incredible New Years Eve and an AWESOME year to come!!

Love and Blessings,
Ashley

{BTW...tomorrow or Sunday I will be listing a "sort-of-resolutions" list!! It should be interesting!!}

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas family and friends.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice.
But the real gift is you.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about you.
Happy Birthday Jesus, Jesus I Love You.

Love and best wishes for the new year,
The Tremaine Family