Fourth of July Festivities

First, I have to say that I am so thankful and proud to be an American. Not because I think we are better than other countries. We aren't. God is passionate about all peoples and nations. Every person is created in His image and that alone gives them great value and worth. I am thankful for our freedoms though and feel incredibly blessed to call the USA home. Thank you men and women, past and present, who have fought for my freedom. I do know it comes with a great price.

Alright I get too wordy. The rest will just be pictures.

My Spunky Middle Child

I can remember the day before our Laney-bear was born crying to Jason. I was scared I might not be able to love this second child as much as I loved my first. When I think about it now it makes me laugh. I love her more than life itself; I do all of my children.

I can't imagine our lives without Laney. She is spunky and sweet. She is a cuddle big and has a grin that captures anyones heart. She know the words to High School Musical and will sing along gladly. If she doesn't think you're looking she'll try to do the movements to the songs too. Just about every mother from the kids in her class would tell me how much their child talked about Laney and how much they loved Laney. People are just attracted to her. I pray fervently that God uses her joy to bring people to Himself as she grows older.

She pronounces cupcake, "pupcake." She will call Ashlyn, Ashlyn Jean Hope. Ashlyn's middle name is Jean and her middle name is Hope but apparently she thinks everyone has Hope in their name. She loves to be a part of everything Ashlyn is doing and she can't help but kiss and hug Reese a million times a day. She prefers to be in a dress and has about 3 that she'll try to take out of the dirty clothes and wear two days in a row (the one above is one of those 3). She has a sweet voice and a great giggle. She isn't about to let anyone run over her though. And the precious thing can't help but get out of bed 3 times every night before falling to sleep (any help in that area? anyone?). Laney Hope, you make my heart smile just thinking about you!

My Sweet Firstborn

Each of my children hold such a special place in my heart. I love all of them more than life itself. My Ashlyn Jean, is my firstborn, and that alone makes her special. She is the first one to expose me to the overwhelming love a mother's heart holds for her children. I can honestly remember thinking within seconds of her being born, tears streaming down my face and my husband's, that I would die for her.

So far, out of all three of my girls, she is the most like me. I'm telling you the girl is definitely mine. Not only in looks but personality as well. There is something precious in the fact that she is my only daughter to be held here on earth by her Nana, my mom. My mom was there when she was born. And the reality is that when Mom went Home two months later, Ashlyn was the gracious gift from God (which is literally what her middle name means) that got me out of bed in the morning and encouraged me to go on.

She is so, so kind-hearted. She shares better than any child I have ever met. She has impeccable memory. She prays in a way that I know makes the Lord smile. She thinks and asks about Mom which brings a smile to my heart as well.

And honestly the girl is quite funny and mature for her age. A couple of funny stories. She loves the Fancy Nancy books my dad has given her. (Sidenote...I highly recommend these books for any little girl). Anyways, one shows a picture of how Fancy Nancy has made her room fancy. Ashlyn, after reading the book, looks at me and asks if there is anything fancy she can use to decorate her room. She asks about several different objects...none of which I have. Then she casually says outloud. "Well, I would like my room to be fancy too but my mom thinks it would be too messy...maybe I should blog about that!"

One of my best friends, who the girls call Aunt Jen, was over a few weeks ago too watching the girls while Jase and I went to dinner for his birthday. She asked Jen "Are you married yet? " I didn't know but she always asks Jen this question.

Jen-"Nope. Not yet...keep praying for me."

Ashlyn- "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Jen- "No."

Ashlyn- "Do you know who you want to marry?"

Jen- "No. Not yet."

Ashlyn- "Did you skip the grades?"

Jen- "Skip the grades?"

Ashlyn- "Yea, did you do kindergarten and first grade and stuff?"

Jen- "Yes."

Ashlyn- "Did you finish high school?"

Jen- "Yes."

Ashlyn- "Did you finish college?"

Jen- "No."
Ashlyn- "Well, maybe if you finished college you would have a husband by now!"

Jen- "You know Ashlyn, I've thought the same thing :)!"

Aaahh, there are so many things I love about this girl! She makes my heart happy!

(The girls with Aunt Jen)

The greatest woman I've ever known

Jean Carol Ashford Boerckel. The name might not be in history books. Most of the world may not recognize the name. To me it is one of the sweetest and most significant names in my life, worn well by the greatest woman I have ever known. My precious mom. Today is her birthday. She would have been 56 today.

She was known for her infectious laugh, huge smile and the twinkle in her eyes. She was my dad's greatest partner, my brother's biggest fan, and my very best friend. She loved the Lord with faith like a child...she trusted Him not only in wonderful times but in the worst of times too.

She was without a doubt queen of hospitality. We constantly had people over for dinner. Missionaries stayed with us while in country. Several people lived with us for months at a time when they were trying to turn their life around. Our home was the house to hang out not only for my own friends but for Andy's as well. Every Friday night before a football game you would find the offensive line from my brother's team in our kitchen with mom behind a blender making milkshakes. She was room mom, team mom, and mom to our friends whose moms weren't around or weren't as good as they could have been. She served on the PTA, yelled louder than most parents at any sporting event, and proudly wore Andy's colors and picture with pride. She made gymnastics leotards, though it almost killed her, for my entire team.

You wouldn't ever find her up front, but she constantly did all the behind the scenes things she possibly could. She was a servant at heart. She laughed often and loved deeply. There has never been another person that has made me feel more comfortable to be me, and more loved. She was my best friend and I told her everything, as a child and as an adult. She wasn't just a good mom, she was the very best. I learned how to live well and how to die well because of her.

Very rarely can I speak of her without tears streaming down my face (they are right now). It isn't because I'm sad for her. Her home is with her Savior now and I have hope and truth to stand on because I know I will see her again. She was decorator extrordinaire and while the Lord may have built my mansion in Heaven I guarantee she has talked Him into letting her decorate it for me.

But I miss her. I miss her deeply. To the degree we love, we often grieve. My hearstrings are tied to hers for eternity. And frankly there are days I would do anything to just sit and have dinner with her, to hold her hand, to hear her laugh, to see her with my children. Heavenly Father, I still don't understand why you took her so early but thank You for blessing me with the kindest, most loving mom ever. Happy Birthday, Momma. I love you!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Happy Father's Day. I have some pretty amazing dads in my life that I want to honor. First off, is my own Dad. He was the first man that I ever fell in love with. He rubbed my back and sang me songs every night before I went to bed. (I make Jase do the same thing each night now...just kidding.) He is a man who taught me about the Lord and His Word like no one else. I still call him with questions now. He was at every gymnastics meet, choir concert, and gazillion sporting events my brother was in. He loved my mom well and sacrificed for our family on numerous occassions. He was the one you'd ask to go shopping with you if you really wanted something because normally you'd come home with it. Mom was thrilled when he and Andy came home with a pet snake...one that you had to buy mice for to feed it. Anyways, he is a great dad and a great Gampa too. While Jason and he are about polar opposite in personality, their character and values are very much the same. I knew what I wanted and needed in a husband because of him. Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love you!

Next up, is the love of my life, my husband Jason. If you asked him what he wanted to be more than anything in life, he would tell you it was to be a dad. And without a doubt, it shows. He is an amazing one. He knows how to laugh and have fun with our girls. In fact, at the moment he has taken all 3 up to the "horsie" mall to ride the carousel. I am so thankful our girls have a dad like him because they know what it is like to have a man love them for who they are, find them pretty, make them laugh, and get lots of hugs and kisses from. Being in youth ministry I can say firsthand that this alone will cause them a lot less heartache and devastation because they won't have to go looking elsewhere to find acceptance from a man. (Hopefully, this will keep them from dating until they are out of college...tee hee.) He is the best around. Happy Father's Day, my love. I couldn't have picked a better father for my children.

It is not difficult to tell how Jason became such a good dad. He learned it from his dad, my father-in-law, David. David is one of the most encouraging and generous men you will meet. He's a lot of fun and has a huge heart for people. My girls love their Papa-D, and I am so grateful that he was the male influence in Jason's life. It has made him the man and husband that he is. David also provides me a great picture of what Jase will look like 20 years from now...not too bad, old man...not too bad. Love you David.

Last but not least, comes the newest dad in our family, my "little" brother Andy. Everything my brother has ever done he makes look natural (not that his older sister was ever jealous of such a thing). And being a dad is no exception. Andy, you are a great daddy to that precious nephew of mine. I am so proud of you (and Kelly). It has been a blessing to not only have you as a brother but as one of my best friends throughout life. I love you. Happy 1st Father's Day! You deserve it!

don't fly away too quickly

My precious Reese turned 7 mos. old on Saturday. I can't believe it!

She is so incredibly sweet that it's hard to put into words. She grins from ear to ear for her sisters, laughs like crazy when I kiss her neck, and does the happy baby bouncing when you hold her and she's excited.

On Sunday I noticed her first tooth barely cutting through the gum. For my daughters, 7 mos and getting a first tooth is early. I have had to keep myself from crying several times (and not because I'm still nursing). It's hard to explain, because I desire greatly for my girls to be healthy and grow, to watch them flourish and develop into who God has created them to be. I have thoroughly enjoyed each stage my girls have gone through. But how quickly they grow makes me sad sometimes. I feel like I'm going to blink and they'll be flying out of our nest all too soon.

I love the baby stage...how much they love and trust and depend on me. I love the cuddling and the way my heart beats even faster with joy as Reese reaches out for me and squeels when she is in my arms. It's an indescribable joy. And since more than likely Reese will be our last it makes each first so bittersweet. My father-in-law is holding out for another Mills baby...David, don't hold your breath...but moments like these make me think I'll just keep having babies until my body gives out (now Jase is about to have a heart attack reading this I'm sure). And then there are many moments that bring me back to reality and says 3 precious ones are just perfect for our family. Lord Jesus, help me to carry these moments close to my heart and cherish each passing second.

You know it's summer when...

1. You spend your days lounging in the pool!

2. The girls get cute summer haircuts!

3. You spend all day having fun in Mommy's lap outside!

4. You're so tired from playing all day that you

fall asleep standing up!

Bring on the heat! Bring on the sun! This family loooooves summer!