Saturday, June 16, 2012

I've missed you!


It's been way too long. I'm sorry. Well, let me do a little "What we've been up to" checklist to catch you up to speed:
1. It's summer time and we pretty much go swimming three times a week in Nina and Papa's pool (my parents).
 

2. Easton is talking. So, so cute! He comes up with the craziest things. He has something to say about everything. I'm just going to say it, "Easton has a musical GIFT!" He amazes me with all of the songs he can sing, tunes he can hum, and his contentment with listening to the same song over and over again! I'm telling you friends, he's on to something BIG!! Piano classes at 3? I'm thinking so!
  Learning to play ball!
 1st Summer Popsicle!He LOVES the water! Grandma and Easton at Grady's baptism~

 3. Preston is a sweetheart! He will give a hug or kiss on command 95% of the time. Additionally, he always has a bruise or cut somewhere on his little body! He's ALL boy! He loves to read books, play with balls, and be outside.
   He loves Papa's swing!

 4. Father's Day is tomorrow and we will celebrate with steak and kabobs. I made Ryan a schedule for the day that involves alot of R&R and NO changing of diapers. He is seriously an AMAZING father and deserves a special day like tomorrow.

 5. I have applied for a middle school job, teaching Reading or Language Arts for 6th or 7th grade. I believe I will have a job offer within a week or two. It might be shocking information for some of you but I have a goal and passion to be a school administer within a couple of years. I have absolutely LOVED every second of my "stay-at-home Mommy" gig. It's been a dream come true and I will cherish it forever. However, I would like to apply for the Assistant Principal pool in about 3 years. To do so, I need to get back into the classroom. By going to middle school I'm growing my teaching experience and opening the possibility of being a Middle School AP or Elementary School AP.
Man, I really must better start paying attention to my grammar. speeling, and vocabulery. (I joke. I joke)

 6. The boys will start preschool at our church in August. I am a little nervous but mainly just about missing them terribly. I know that they will flourish in the learning environment that Woodland creates. They have an outdoor classroom, music time, arts and crafts daily and most importantly TLC provided by an amazing staff. I keep telling myself that the boys are only going to school for 180 days out of the year! This is the main reason I chose a teaching career. I'm praying that the transition goes smoothly. Stay tuned...

7. What my MIND and HEART are focused on right now: I am heading to Africa on July 28th! We will spend 7 days in Nairobi, Kenya and then 7 days in Jinja and Kampala, Uganda. We will work with 10 orphanages and over 2,000 orphans. 2,000 Eastons. 2,000 Prestons....WAY too many children. Two of the places we are going are baby cottages. I will be cuddling, feeding, and loving on babies ALL day long. Cannot wait.
I am leading a team, with my father, of 29 people from around the country. Eight are from my hometown. The team is preparing to leave in about 40 days. We are collecting donations, personal packing items, and praying that God uses us in a mighty way to impact the lives of orphans. I have saved funds from my photography, bunco night, and babysitting to take with me. If you would like to contribute to my trip please follow the link below. ALL (Seriously 100%) of the donations given to me are going with me in-country. My plan is to spend the money wherever I see a need. Maybe food, clothing, shoes, bedding...I had a vision of buying pineapple for an orphanage. Most of the time children are feed porridge and beans two times a day. I would love to bless them by buying, cutting, and feeding them dozens of pineapple! Doesn't that sound wonderful and delicious? Your tax deductible gift can be given by clicking the link, then choosing "Kenya/Uganda Aug/July 2012" and then entering my name "Ashlie Fulmer":
https://www.visitingorphans.org/cgi-bin/donate.cgi 
 Easton and I in Ethiopia in 2010My Dad Ernie enjoying every moment! Love this picture!



8. Ryan and I had an amazing vacation to the Turks and Caicos with my best friend Kevin. It was breathtakingly beautiful and we honestly had the time of our lives. A few months ago I blogged about my best friend's diagnosis of ALS. This vacation was for him and we enjoyed all of the things he loved such as; relaxation, great conversations, and delicious food paired with exquisite wine.  Out for dinner at the Coco Bistro. Our view!  (awe.)Group picture time!Getting ready for our catamaran ride~favorite picture!Silly group!Snuba dividing! I love this!! (obviously)

9. We are heading to the mountains of Georgia with Ryan's parents to spend 4th of July with them. Really looking forward to hiking and playing in the creek with the boys.

10. In April I turned 30 and celebrated with a surprise party, weekend at the beach, and a family dinner! Life is good. God has overwhelmed me with His blessings lately.
   Yep, I'm guilty of photoshopping my wrinkles. (Go ahead and judge away!!)
 We did a whole lot of this! And a little bit of this! =)

Through and through I am reminded that everything about me should bring Glory to my Heavenly Father. I am striving daily to do this better.

Hopefully, you are saying, "Welcome Back Ashlie" we've missed you1
 I hope to blog more but then again, I always say that!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Wedding Photography





I had the opportunity to photograph Keela and Ian's Wedding last weekend. She was a stunning bride and their love was so evident. Longboat Key provided amazing scenery with one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen. Before the wedding I had the groomsmen and bridesmaids help me arrange the picture below. Ian came over to the bungalow that Keela was getting ready in. I had them hold hands without seeing each other. Then Keela asked Ian to pray for their wedding day and their marriage. It was an emotional moment, filled with the Holy Spirit. It was simply beautiful and I am so thankful I captured this moment.

March Fun!!

2012 St Patrick's Day


One Year Ago on St. Patrick's Day:


My Cuties:


Monday, March 5, 2012

GARAGE SALE


Spring Cleaning?? Too much stuff in your garage?? I'll take it!! =) We are having a garage sale on April 7th in Braden Woods to benefit our summer Mission Trip to Uganda and Kenya! I'm happy to take any items you want to donate! Toys, Clothes, Bikes, Furniture, anything that will sell!!! I'll even come and pick it up =)
Email me if you are in the Tampa Bay Area and want to participate!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Swan's Story



We were hit hard last week with the news that my (Ashlie's) best friend since 8th grade, Kevin Swan, was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gerhigs Disease. Kevin and I have remained close, genuine friends through high school, college and into our adult lives. Kevin eagerly joined the mission trip to Ethiopia and Uganda in July of 2010. He was extremely supportive of our adoption and met Easton for the first time in Ethiopia. He instantly fell in love with him. When Kevin returned from Africa he experienced tremors in his hands, spasms down his arms, and muscle loss in his upper body. He knew something wasn't right and begun the long journey to find answers. At first we thought he contracted a nasty African Bug, then we thought it was a side effect of the vaccinations, possibly a sports injury, even an Auto Immune Deficiency???? We considered every possibility as he went through numerous test. After 18 months of questioning and testing the Northwestern ALS Treatment Center in Chicago confirmed our worst nightmare. It was ALS.

Here is what I know about ALS. It robs a person of their coordination and strength but allows their mind to be fully intact. It can be a slow progression but sometimes attacks quickly. Each patient experiences a different progression. Kevin is in the very early stages of the disease. There is no way of knowing what abilities he will have within a year. There isn't a cure but research is being done across the country to fight for the lives ALS is taking.

I am fighting as hard as I know how to. I have organized a team to participate in the Walk to Defeat ALS on April 14th in Sarasota. The team has grown to over 30 people who have raised over $15,000 in 4 business days. We are planning an After Party to celebrate Kevin and show him that he is supported and loved. Each and every person who reaches out to him is proof that he has an army behind him. Rightfully so, we have named our team "Swan's No Limit Soldiers". I have text, called, facebooked my best friend more in the last week than ever before. This is just the beginning of what I have to offer him.
I am leaving on Friday to spend the weekend with Kevin. I have so much I want to say to him. If our time is short, I will leave nothing unsaid.

I am asking friends and family to join me in the fight. First and foremost, please keep Kevin in your prayers. Pray for his physical healing and spiritual faith. Pray that God reveals himself to Kevin through these difficult time.
If you are local and available on April 14th I ask you to join the walk and come to the party. I would appreciate your donations for the walk. The monies raised are going to ALS Awareness and Research. I hope to become very active with the ALS Association on Kevin's behalf.
I ask for your support here:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/Florida?px=3406385&pg=personal&fr_id=7773

An old school picture of lifelong friends:

Kevin was a groomsmen at our wedding:

Kevin and I on Game Day on Junior year of High School:


Kevin with Easton in the Bjorn as we did home visits in Korah~


Kevin and I at Project 61 in Korah, Ethiopia:


Kevin and I at the Sheraton in Ethiopia after we took Easton to get his passport picture taken:


Ryan, Kevin and Easton at the Fistual Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:


Kevin and my Dad with their soccer team at Canaan's Children Home in Jinja, Uganda:


Kevin holding sleeping Easton:


Kevin and I with the boys:

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Footage of our darling baby boys!

I am catching up on some post that I never published today!!!
I'm in the mood for blogging! Let's hope this last!!
Thanks for following our story!

Our family blog is basically the boys scrap book!
Here are some videos from the last few months: