Again!? Really?

I regret to inform you that my husband and I have been taken down yet again, by the flu. We would really appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery! With having Mono, our immune systems are weak, making us susceptible to every cold/flu that comes our way. Pray that God will make our bodies strong to fight sickness, and to recover soon from the Mono!
Thanks so much. :) 
God Bless,
ashley e.

Wednesday is Baking/Cooking Day!

Hello dear friends! (or family, as it may be)

I have not been so professional as to take pictures of the event, but here is the list of this afternoon's endeavors: 
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* a big pot of white rice (to go with fish tonight, and to freeze)

* chicken noodle soup (a great food to eat when recovering from Mono)

* peanut butter/choc. chip/oatmeal cookie dough (because Joel wants them, and for the party this weekend)

* baked granola (only the best recipe in the world, from my aunt) 

* breakfast casserole (put in the fridge overnight, to be baked tomorrow morning. trying out a new recipe)
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And I actually got a head-start last night by making up some amazing pumpkin muffins! One batch went in the freezer, the other is for breakfast or snacking all week.

Love in Christ,

ashley e.

Uncle Carl and Ryley

Picnik

I was pleased with how the editing on this photo turned out! I'm going back and re-doing the collection from our honeymoon, and I'll post them all together when it's finished! Thought you might enjoy a sneak preview. :)

Beautiful.

This was taken at Carl's Christmas party last week. Aren't these girls something else? Can't believe I'm related to them!

Fun from last summer!

Friends are one of the sweetest blessings we experience on this earth. God is good!

Mark Hickle was the photographer that day.

~ Susanne, Ashley, & Katie ~

Chasing Fireflies.

 I came across this company last year when we got a magazine in the mail. Some of their designs I don't care for, but most of them are completely adorable! They let children dress as children... not as tiny supermodels!

 Their baby outfits are so original... I love the bow right in front on this one! Although the baby would probably end up sucking on it all the time. :)

 I don't normally like the look of a bubble dress, but for little girls it can be really cute and fresh. I'm crazy about this one!

 I love bloomers! The little bows tied on the shoulder are very dainty, perfect for a little princess.

 Just gorgeous. I'm not a huge fan of pink, but this dress is different! And I like the subtle bubble look.

 Perfect shade of blue! And I like the lace; it makes this popular style a little out of the ordinary, and a tad more feminine.

Gotta say, the pants peeking out from underneath are amazing! It could be worn for fall and winter with the pants, and as a spring/early summer dress without. Reminds me of Little House with a modern twist!

Springfield Trip! Last Winter.

Such lovely girls! We had a lot of fun at the restaurant. I think we might have scared our waiter a little, though!

I believe this is the very first picture ever taken of Joel and me together. Oh goodness...

Susie, Me, Katie, Alyssa, and Clara. We took a walk in a really cool park while waiting for Outback Steakhouse to have a table available for all of us!

Alyssa, Clara, and Me. Sisters in heart! I have SO  many good memories with the three of us.

Out Christmas Shopping at Family Center! I love that place.

On For Today

Well, I laid in bed with a sore back for quite a while this morning... heating pads are wonderful things.
I had blackberry pancakes for brunch! They were a good pick-me-up. I've been puttering around - cleaning house, taking care of the pups, writing a grocery list, researching new recipes, talking on the phone with my dear mama, and blogging. Joel is working from our home office... it's really hard not to bug him! I have to remind myself that my handsome husband is AT WORK, and needs to be left alone.
And now, I think I will head out to Country Mart. It's conveniently just up the road from our house! :)
This evening we are going to the movie theater with my siblings and cousins to watch "Tangled". It looks funny, and will make a good three-days-till-Christmas outing! Afterwards we are going out to eat all together. The camera will be in action! Check back soon to peek in on our good time.
Much Love,
ashley e.

Ryley

This is my nephew, Riley. Isn't he a cutie? What an energetic, entertaining little boy! He keeps the whole family on their toes, and is learning to be a helper for his mommy with baby Zarah. He is very into cell phones and computers, and generally knows how to work both pretty well. I just love this shot of him - he is so full of life!

David and Becca

My brother, Dave, is getting married next month!! I am excited to be getting another sister-in-law! :) Don't they make a beautiful couple? God is good! I am so very happy for Dave... he is a great guy, and deserves a wonderful girl. We're so glad that he found her!

Out to Dinner

I snatched this picture from Susie's blog, "Moments to Remember". :) Several of us Eldredge's went out to eat at Applebee's last weeke with Ben C.
Good Times!

Christmas Program

This evening, Joel and I attended the Landmark Christmas program! Three of our siblings and a few of our cousins were part of the choir, and they did a wonderful job. :) It was a very enjoyable show, proclaiming the news of Jesus as our Savior in a simple, child-like way! 
After the program we came over to Carl's place for a Christmas get-together with lots of our friends and family! (In between we stopped by McDonald's for a hazelnut latte... perfect.)
And just a reminder - Christmas Day is only six days away!!! :D
Love in Christ,
ashley e.

Just Us Two

We were over at Mama and Daddy's house the other night, and had to get a "pitiful" picture. We are still recovering from Mono... it's a slow and often discouraging process, but praise the Lord we are together! :)

My Lovely Sisters

She is so much fun... I'm never bored when we get together! One amazing gal.

She is an awesome baker... oh my word. Death by desserts! Such a sweet young woman.

~ Psalms 48 ~

As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth...
For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.

IT SNOWED!! And it's still drifting down...

John and David

I love these little guys so much! They stopped by my house this afternoon to drop off a box of "get well" things for us. :) Joel and I are going to spend the night at my parents' house for Christmas Eve... can't wait! This picture was taken last year.

Your Hands by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

Health Update!

Hello All,
Thank you to all who have been praying for Joel and me! We are over the flu, and now just trying to get our bodies strong so we can recover from the mono. Lots of rest, good foods, and immune system-boosting supplements are the key! (Prayer and a joyful spirit are also essential.)
I am so glad that the weekend is almost here! And I've heard that it just might snow on us a little. :)
Hope you all are doing well! God bless,

ashley e.

Haiti Photos, Set 2

So many little ones without a family.

Beautiful babies!

Nap time.

Big eyes, full of wonder!

Joel with a lapfull of kids, hungry for attention.

This girl was adopted by the couple who ran the orphanage that Joel visited. 

The lunch room... that's a lot of peanut butter sandwiches!

Joel's Haiti Pictures, Set 1

Isn't she adorable?!

Joel says the young boys were very big into gymnastics and loved to show off!

Joel helped teach basic computer skills to the older children.

The little ones wanted to be held a lot.

There were lots of babies to feed.

Please Be Praying

Hello Dear Friends & Family,

I wanted to drop a quick update and say that I came down with the flu (again) last night. :( I am feeling a bit better this evening, although not up for getting out of bed much. Please pray with me that Joel will not end up getting this too, on top of his mono!
Thanks so much!
Love,
ashley e.

Tonight

So, Joel and I have been working in the office here at the Eldredge farm. It has seemed like a really long day! But tonight will be very good, I think.
It is Jeannie Night on my family's farm! And Daddy is bringing pizza home for dinner. :) And Mama invited Joel and me to come join them!!
That's what we're going to do... and I am bringing the camera. I will share pictures with you all in the near future!
Love,
ashley e.

Minis

I like black horses... we used to have two of them when I lived at home on the farm.

Someday I would love to have miniature horses! And if all went well (and maybe I had a kid or two to help with barn chores) I would like to breed and sell them. They require much less time and money than regular sized horses, and personally I find them cuter too. :)

The Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as a Blue Heeler.

I've been researching them lately out of longtime curiosity, and it turns out they are an even better farm/family dog choice than I expected! (I may eventually do a "Popular Farm Dogs" blog review sometime... I love learning about different dog breeds!) They are also commonly seen in a greyish blue and black color pattern, but Joel and I prefer the reddish look. I had to share a few pictures I found on Google last night - I love these dogs!

When I saw this picture (I couldn't resist a little editing!), I decided that we need one of these dogs someday. Not till we move to the farm, of course. Four is enough to handle in a duplex in town! Plus, these guys need room to run.

Joel says they are a very "handsome" dog. I have to say I agree!