My Grandfather, John T. Ashford, Jr.

Last Tuesday, March 17th, my sweet 91 year-old grandfather passed from this home to his eternal Home. I imagine it was a sweet reunion filled with many smiles, hugs and laughter between him, my grandmother, and my mom. Grandfather was a WWII pilot. His study was filled with model airplanes hanging from the ceiling and I used to love going in there, grabbing a true glass bottle of coke, and looking at all the pictures of him and his bride, he in his airforce uniform, etc.

He loved steaks and cooked them for the family as often as he could. He was, without a doubt, the slowest eater I have ever met. I remember him laughing so hard watching Johnny Carson that tears would run down his face. When you asked him to recount what was so funny he couldn't ever get the story out because he couldn't stop laughing.

He knew and loved the Lord, and taught Sunday School at his church. I saw him trust the Lord in good times and in the most difficult of times. He loved his family tremendously, although having all 8 of us grandkids in the house at one time made him a nervous wreck. He loved my grandmother well and they enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage before she too went Home three years ago. I will never forget how quickly they jumped up to dance when a big band song played at my wedding, even though they were 80 and 81 years old and Grandmother had just had her knees replaced. I'll never forget how hard losing my mom was on him.

I bounced back and forth on whether or not to go to the funeral because it was in North Carolina, tickets were expensive, and I had just gotten back from a youth trip days before. But I am so glad I went. I know that I have an amazing family, but it made my heart swell with love and pride being surrounded by them. There is a legacy of love for the Lord, love for family, and love for others that is painted so beautifully in the lives of my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.

Grandfather, I'm so thankful for what you have meant in my life and I look forward to spending eternity with you in a place where we will expereince no more tears, sorrow, death, or mourning. Please plant some azaleas around my mansion and set aside some time to teach Jason and I to dance as well as you and Grandmother did. And give my Mom a kiss for me. What it must be like to be in the presence of the King! I'm glad you are truly Home.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deut. 7:9

(Forgot my suitcase with my camera in it up in NC so once I get that back...thank you Bruce and Lauren...I'll post some pics from the trip.)

Reese Ellery

Okay, so I am posting a million pictures of Reese, but she is just so cute that I can't help myself! Oh, she is just the sweetest, silliest little thing and you could spend all day long kissing those precious cheeks. Yesterday, when Jase picked her up from the nursery at church he asked them if she had been walking for them. The lady sweetly replied no because they rarely put her down. Everyone just likes to hold her and play with her.

Speaking of walking, the girl is taking to it more than crawling now. Although, if it is a longer distance or she wants to go fast, she

definitely goes for crawling.

She is 16 months old now and a hoot. She absolutely loves to make people laugh, especially her sisters. She has found quite a few tricks that make them laugh and continually pulls them out...squeeling in delight quite loudly in the car, putting spoons in her mouth and moving it up and down, blowing kisses on bellies, etc. Really, she absolutely enjoys every minute of making you smile. Last month at her 15 mos. check-up she weighed in at 17 1/2 lbs. which is still -3% in weight and was in the 5% as far as heighth. The doctor says she looks great though. Poor thing

will be at least a year and a half old before

her car seat can be turned around but since her sisters sit in the row behind her I don't think that bothers her too much. She might be itty- bitty but she is full of love, joy and laughs.

The girl is quite prolific in her speech too. Not surprising if she wants to get a word in edge-wise with her sisters. I think she actually talks more than they did at her age. I'm guessing she knows and uses close to 50 words. And she understands practically everything you say. She is good at minding if you tell her 'no' which is nice. As you can tell, she is all smiles. Although, I must warn you, don't try to snatch her away if Mommy is

anywhere in sight. That makes the smile

disappear quickly. Before she was born I teased Jason that I was going to have the doctor immediately put her on his chest since all the girls have been Mommy's girls at first. She is the biggest Mommy's girl by far!

Reesie loooves to be outside and often points to the backdoor and says "weee." That means she wants to swing. Ashlyn almost always steps up to take her out and push her in the swing. She loves to dance and will normally start if you tell her to "shake it!" She also likes to read books throw you a ball.

The girl is more partial to men than to women. And, following in her sisters footsteps, she adores babies! She can tell you were most of her body parts, like belly, eyes, ear, hair, hands, etc are. She blows kisses and you can hear her hum herself to sleep when she is real tired. She also says "amen" at just the right time when prayers are over.

We don't have to go back to the cardiologist until May and we are thankful God allowed her surgery to go so well. It's a big scar but is already extremely faint. You have to know to look for it.

I never cease to be amazed at how much my heart could love not just 1, or 2, but 3 precious girls. I love them more than life itself. And I think because for quite a few months I was scared that her heart condition might cause us to loose Reese, we have something special in our bond. Reesie-boo, I love you more than words can say, precious girl!