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:

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!

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:

This Picture Says It All...

14 and 22 months!

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:

Our boys and their hair!

Here is a ridiculously long post to answer the question, "What do you use in Easton's hair?"
All of the products can be purchased at Walmart or Target. I've heard of wonderful products available online but I have been happy with the over the counter, inexpensive products found locally. It's been a journey of trial and error to see what works best with the texture of his hair. I actually started writing this post months ago but I keep finding different products and techniques that I wanted to share. Hopefully, this will be a starting point and a good reference for you!
Easton's hair is tight curls. When you pull them out you can see how long it is!


Baby Shampoo- (very mild for Easton's hair)

Our favorite leave in condition! We use a generous amount of this conditioner each bath. I believe the key to Easton's hair is rich conditioner and no tangles.

A good comb is necessary! I try to comb through it twice a week, in the tub with lots of conditioner. I keep the scissors close by too because I typically just cut out the tiny knots on the ends. Easton can tolerate this for about 5 minutes so I work fast!

This was Easton's hair at 12 months old. This is combed out! I haven't combed out his hair in a long time. I'm pretty sure he would have atleast a 4 inch fro!

This is what it looks like when it's completely soaked. Tight ringlets that I love!


I just have to share some silly pictures of Preston's comb over and natural mohawk. Looks like Preston is going to have to have his 1st haircut this week. We are just going to trim his bangs, since they are in his eyes. I guess I just like long hair because I don't intend on actually cutting either of the boys' hair!

2 Videos to show you:


Some hair samples:
(Twist and Lock)
Our favorite product for styling his hair (special occasions-It's too much work to do daily) I use a generous amount and twist locks of hair around my figures. I do not use a comb to part it. I simply grab a tiny chunk and twist it between my figures.
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(Poof Ball) Here is Easton's hair once I sprayed it with water and rubbed Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioner through it:

We love all of the Cantu products!


(Curly Q)
Easton's hair after a bath with Palmer's coconut oil, hair milk in it:


(A Hot Mess)
Inevitably what Easton's hair will look like after 10 hours of sleep in his crib!! Time for a bath and to start all over again!! =)


Mama's hair doesn't get half the attention that the boys' hair does! =) Thankfully my hairdresser friend Brittny insist on taking care of me!

A BLAST FROM THE PAST:
Incase you are wondering if your baby will have hair like Easton's, here are a few pictures to help you compare. His hair was never course, it was always soft, curly and fine.


(I love this picture!!!! I'm 5 months pregnant with Preston =)

Hopefully that gives you more information than you could ever need on Ethiopian hair care!

If you have any questions please leave a comment or email me at Ryanashlie@aol.com