Teaching, planning, and sleeping...

I think if I could sum my current life up in three words it would be TEACH, PLAN, SLEEP. With a wedding in NYC coming up in 36 days, I am beginning to feel a little stressed. I spend my days teaching, my evenings planning the wedding/reception, and then I have been getting in bed by 8:00 ish! By the end of the day I am completely worn out! I am so thankful that my job allows me to be off all summer. I was able to get so much accomplished. With the wedding date rapidly approaching...it has suddenly hit me that in 36 days I am going to be step-mom. Now I know that you must be thinking that the boys already have a mom, they are older so they don't need to constantly be looked after, and there really isn't anything for me to do right? Wrong. kinda. Yes, they have a mom...and they are older...and they don't need my help when tying their shoes, BUT this being a step mother is still a huge responsibility. God has given me the chance to speak Life and encouragement into their lives. They are going to be able to see that I love them and their father more than words can ever describe. They need (although they would never say so...) me to support them in everything that they do. When Norm and I first started dating, I can't tell you how many people said, "Wow, Ashley. I never imagined you the type that would want a 'ready made' family". What does that even mean? Who wouldn't want to spend forever with the man that they love...? Norm's boys are such an added bonus to our relationship. I can't imagine life without them and I will spend forever loving them just as I would if I had birthed them myself. So yes, sign me up for the "ready made" family...I would not have it any other way. Some of you know this already but for those of you who don't, I work in private inner city school. I honestly LOVE my job and I can't imagine working anywhere else. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful ministry opportunity. I am able to share the love of Christ with 5th graders everyday. Our school provides a refuge for kids that have nothing, stability when their whole world is crashing, and shows love when no one else cares. These kids have found such a special place in my heart. Now, I don't want to paint this picture like everyone just colors and sings Kum Ba Ya all day long! Haha. Working in an inner city school in a low income/crime riddled neighborhood presents SO many different challenges that one would never face at a regular school. These kids deal with things on a day to day basis that I have NEVER encountered in my life. Sometimes just hearing these stories just grieves my heart. My 1st year, I remember leaving school so many times feeling hopeless...like what I able to do for them in 8 hours was NEVER going to be enough to combat what they go home to. Through much prayer and Norman's constant encouragement, my discouraged heart changed. Now I take time to see the little things.....the smile on a child's face who always seemed so angry, a student telling me that they just needed a hug, and the light and sparkle in their eyes when I pull the, "Jesus Storybook Bible" off of the shelf for a story. I think in the beginning I had my eyes set on seeing BIG changes. In reality, God is working amazing little miracles everyday in the lives of my students. This year God has blessed me with one student who has the most infectious, joyful laugh! I find myself thanking Him EVERYDAY for that sweet boy and his wonderful laugh....it has truly helped me through some rough days. In the end, I really think that God has taught me so much through Norman, the boys, and my students. God has showed me how to love Norman with a love that I never thought was possible. Norman has taught me to forgive, to be patient, and to just smile... God is using the boys to teach me patience, and I am constantly challenged to really walk out this life of Faith. It is so easy to just "talk" the "talk"....but kids are very observant...they notice if you don't actually "walk" the "walk".... and through my students, God is showing me this simple faith....a childlike faith. Kids are SO quick to give things to God......prayer request time takes FOREVER in my classroom :) As I am about to embark on a brand new life...a new life with a wonderful husband and 2 amazing boys, my prayer is the God would continually teach me how to be the wife and mother that He wants me to be, and that the boys would one day look back and would be able to say that my life truly did reflect Christ and that I loved them and their father more than life itself.

Itsy Bitsy Spider.....

Today has been a very wonderful day! I have had the joy of keeping my nephew all day...and he really is the most beautiful child that I have EVER seen! This is a picture of us praying at lunch...this little boy stole my heart the second he was born! Wedding plans are coming along....We are very blessed to have been able to hire a photographer in NYC where we are getting married. We are going to do my bridal session on the Top of the Rock...have some pictures taken at a fire station, in an ally, in a diner drinking a coke, in Time Square, and then top it off by getting married in Central Park. We are so excited...and I really love the photographer that we are working with! You should really check his website out....http://www.t-photographic.com/ (BTM) He honestly takes amazing pictures! Ok...now for some quiet time with Norm! :) Until next time..........

The complete craziness of it all....

Well hello blog world! I guess I should fill everyone in on my life right now so my updates in the future will actually make sense! 2 years ago this month I met my very best friend, Norman. We started dating and have been head over heels in love ever since. He honestly is the most caring, compassionate, thoughtful, gentle person that I have ever met and I am so honored and blessed to be a part of his life. Norman has 2 younger boys, Skylar (14) and Logan (13). He recently bought a house 5 miles from my parents house and we have been decorating for over a year now! haha... On April 30, Norman asked me to be his wife and I gladly accepted...and we will be married in October in New York City. So there.....that's the short version. Since I have been out of school the whole summer, I have been planning my little heart out! I have the whole honeymoon (in NYC) planned and booked, the reception location booked, the cake ordered, center pieces bought, dress bought, menu decided on....basically the only thing that I haven't gotten done yet is the table linens and the DJ. I have been a busy lady the past 8 weeks. Thankfully I have not morphed into a "bridezilla"....and my mother and the rest of the family still love me! :) Through working with my mom and Norm's mom picking things out and what not, I have realized what a blessing it is to have a (future) mother-in-law that I honestly love with my whole heart. She has been so helpful through this whole process and calls me frequently to see if I need help with anything, or to offer suggestions. This is such a change from what I have encountered in the past. She really is a blessing...and I know that Norm is so thankful for mine and his mother's wonderful relationship also. Today I am moving all of my winter clothes into our new home....thankfully Norm is at the firestation today so he won't be here to see the complete MESS that I have made trying to move things in and get organized! :) I never realized I had SO many hoodies! As I was packing the clothes and putting them into my car I couldn't help but thing that in less than 3 months I will be MARRIED! I am SOOO excited about this new adventure but I think I would be kidding myself if I didn't say that I am also a little nervous. It's really bittersweet.......No more waking up to Riley screaming, "ASHHH", No more late night talks with my sister......I am really going to miss these things! I have so many memories from that house that I will cherish forever. Well off to wash more clothes....who knew I owned SO many clothes!?!? Ahh...