In November of 2003 I unexpectedly found out that a tiny life was growing inside me. I've not been the same since. Today I hold one of the most treasured titles a woman can be honored with.
MOM.
These are the people who that made me that way (and a little crazy).
Elizabeth was born in August of 2004. She is our eldest child and is the best big sister I've ever seen.
She's loving and compassionate and thrives on being helpful. She has Jesus in her heart and challenges us daily with her understanding of our Mighty God. Her wit, humor and indescribable beauty make our days full of joy. Her tender spirit is so reflective of the love of the King. I pray that God will use her natural desire to lead and her heart for the hurting and lost in a mighty way.
Lucas was born in May of 2006 and is Ashlee's older twin brother. He is 100% flat-out boy. He enjoys guns, swords and enemies that are up for a good fight. He is determined, strong-willed and hilarious. He loves chock-chock milk, apple juice, his baby sister and shaving with his Daddy. He challenges every one of the parenting tactics we've ever considered using and keeps us on our toes and belly laughing. His favorite pastime includes peeing outside, pretending to be a cowboy and making random objects into a gun.
Ashlee was born in May of 2006 and is Lucas' feisty, red-headed twin sister. She was born a whole 2.5 hours after her brother and her dramatic personality has not slowed down since! She is constantly running and loves to talk. Her love for life amazes us daily.
Her petite frame houses an inner drama queen that is screaming to be on stage and begging for an audience. She showers her younger siblings with kisses and is the best cuddler I know. And, she's never met a stranger.
Aaron was born June 2008. He was placed with us as our first foster child when he was just 4 days old (straight from the hospital). Our foster parent license went through on the day of his birth. We felt very certain that God was calling us to become foster parents even though those around us thought we were crazy. Aaron's adoption has proven to be our greatest blessing by following through in obedience to God's call. Aaron is independent, loves choo-choo trains, asks a question a minute and gives the best hugs. His adoption was final in August of 2009.
You can read more about our journey of fostering and adopting Aaron by clicking HERE.
Olivia was born in October of 2008. She was placed with us at 4 days old, as a foster child, and stole our hearts immediately. She is extremely talkative, loves to squeal, is dramatic, enjoys her older siblings' attention and loves to laugh, dance and cuddle. Her adoption was final in February of 2010!
Her itty bitty frame is the only thing small about her. Her personality spills forth and her laughter is infectious. She brightens up each of our days with her happy, playful personality and her sweet, joyful spirit.
You can read more about our journey of fostering and adopting Olivia by clicking HERE.
Ella was born in March of 2010. After 42 weeks inside of Mommy's tummy she finally made an appearance after a scheduled induction. She has been such a blessed addition to our already bustling family. She's determined, loves to help, is a fantastic big sister to Abigail and Evelyn and pals around a lot with Olivia and Aaron. She loves horses, gymnastics and being my side-kick. She is set apart by her bouncing blond curls and giant, blue eyes. She used to be dubbed Ella goat because she ate, literally, everything in her path. And the name just stuck. How boring our family would be without our Ella-Belle goat.
Abigail was born in March of 2012. I just knew she'd be our last biological baby. She is the ONLY baby I've ever birthed that was early and not via a pitocin induction. Her birth was beautiful and easy and fun (yes, I love birth, all of it). She's a hilarious two year old who has captured the heart of everyone in our family. She loves horses (neighs!), her Meme and Mommy. She is easy going and loves to be in the mix with her older siblings.
Evelyn is our bouncing, beautiful baby girl born in January of 2014. Her due date was our 11th anniversary and her birth was the most dramatic of all of our children. Initially she was a hard baby, very discontent and not an easy nurser. But, once she had her tongue tie clipped and I adjusted my diet rather dramatically, she eased into being a baby who giggles easily, loves being passed around and lives for napping in the baby carrier. I *think* she will be our last biological baby. But I said that with Ella and Abigail, too. So who knows. We are soaking her up, watching her grow and enjoying every precious moment we get with this baby girl.
MOM.
These are the people who that made me that way (and a little crazy).
Elizabeth was born in August of 2004. She is our eldest child and is the best big sister I've ever seen.
She's loving and compassionate and thrives on being helpful. She has Jesus in her heart and challenges us daily with her understanding of our Mighty God. Her wit, humor and indescribable beauty make our days full of joy. Her tender spirit is so reflective of the love of the King. I pray that God will use her natural desire to lead and her heart for the hurting and lost in a mighty way.
Lucas was born in May of 2006 and is Ashlee's older twin brother. He is 100% flat-out boy. He enjoys guns, swords and enemies that are up for a good fight. He is determined, strong-willed and hilarious. He loves chock-chock milk, apple juice, his baby sister and shaving with his Daddy. He challenges every one of the parenting tactics we've ever considered using and keeps us on our toes and belly laughing. His favorite pastime includes peeing outside, pretending to be a cowboy and making random objects into a gun.
Ashlee was born in May of 2006 and is Lucas' feisty, red-headed twin sister. She was born a whole 2.5 hours after her brother and her dramatic personality has not slowed down since! She is constantly running and loves to talk. Her love for life amazes us daily.
Her petite frame houses an inner drama queen that is screaming to be on stage and begging for an audience. She showers her younger siblings with kisses and is the best cuddler I know. And, she's never met a stranger.
You can read more about our journey of fostering and adopting Aaron by clicking HERE.
Olivia was born in October of 2008. She was placed with us at 4 days old, as a foster child, and stole our hearts immediately. She is extremely talkative, loves to squeal, is dramatic, enjoys her older siblings' attention and loves to laugh, dance and cuddle. Her adoption was final in February of 2010!
Her itty bitty frame is the only thing small about her. Her personality spills forth and her laughter is infectious. She brightens up each of our days with her happy, playful personality and her sweet, joyful spirit.
You can read more about our journey of fostering and adopting Olivia by clicking HERE.
Ella was born in March of 2010. After 42 weeks inside of Mommy's tummy she finally made an appearance after a scheduled induction. She has been such a blessed addition to our already bustling family. She's determined, loves to help, is a fantastic big sister to Abigail and Evelyn and pals around a lot with Olivia and Aaron. She loves horses, gymnastics and being my side-kick. She is set apart by her bouncing blond curls and giant, blue eyes. She used to be dubbed Ella goat because she ate, literally, everything in her path. And the name just stuck. How boring our family would be without our Ella-Belle goat.
Abigail was born in March of 2012. I just knew she'd be our last biological baby. She is the ONLY baby I've ever birthed that was early and not via a pitocin induction. Her birth was beautiful and easy and fun (yes, I love birth, all of it). She's a hilarious two year old who has captured the heart of everyone in our family. She loves horses (neighs!), her Meme and Mommy. She is easy going and loves to be in the mix with her older siblings.
Evelyn is our bouncing, beautiful baby girl born in January of 2014. Her due date was our 11th anniversary and her birth was the most dramatic of all of our children. Initially she was a hard baby, very discontent and not an easy nurser. But, once she had her tongue tie clipped and I adjusted my diet rather dramatically, she eased into being a baby who giggles easily, loves being passed around and lives for napping in the baby carrier. I *think* she will be our last biological baby. But I said that with Ella and Abigail, too. So who knows. We are soaking her up, watching her grow and enjoying every precious moment we get with this baby girl.