Family Visits, Valentine's, and an update

Ross' brother came to visit at the end of February. We had a great time getting to spend time with him. He was an unbelievable guest - he helped rake the backyard, clean up Kodi's puke, and still had time to sit and enjoy Texas a little. He truly was family while he was here and it was so good to have him. We had Ross' dad in January and we look foward to hosting more Alaskan family in the near future. We love sharing our home! :)

Enjoying Angelo's BBQ


An Angelo's Icon :)

Kodi - Cutest Mutt EVER!!!

A Jazzy Valentine

Awww...

Ross and I also enjoyed a great Valentine's night. We went to a jazz concert at a little place in Fort Worth called Arts 5th Ave. It was so fun! We had dinner at La Madeline's. It was a sweet night.

Kodi is still with us. Our foster dog is sure needy!!! He did get out the other day, but thankfully ended up in then animal hospital parking lot where the sweet techs lured him with treats. We were so glad to have him home safely. We hadn't locked the gate well...

Ross is loving his new job in home health! He is still in training, but loving all of his visits. His days go by quickly being all over the place. I am co-directing asthma camp this summer, so that keeps me busy along with daily duties at home and work. Overall, we are doing very well.

Keep us posted on how you all are!!!

Catching up again!!!

So, I'd really like to be better at this blogging thing. I just don't have the time that I want to have... Many things have happened since December 24th. On December 25th we acquired a dog! People laugh when I say "acquired," but it is true. We really did acquire him. He showed up at my parents house with a coon dog. The coon dog had a gold plated tag on and had an owner looking desperately for this dog worth $6000!! Our newly acquired dog was a stray with a puppy collar still on. The neighbors had seen him wandering for about 3 months! I don't know how you could let this wander!!!

:) That's Kodiak - better known as Kodi. He was our Christmas present! We looked for lost dog signs for about a week and found nothing. We think it was meant to be. Now he is an inside outside dog. We think he definitely has some border collie in him, but he's big, so maybe some lab or golden retriever. He is about 1 year old now. He is so sweet though and very gentle. We have since discovered he is not fond of bald men. He gets pretty bent out of shape. He's just great for us!

We have also spent a little time out at Halsell Hill. My grandmother continues to fight ovarian cancer. We have had some wonderful visits though. My grandfather and she continue to work as a team to make it through each day along with the family's help on the weekends. These are a few pictures from a recent visit:

Grandmother and Ashley

Grandmother and Aunt Sue

Ross also has a new job. He is working for Encompass Home Health. The Lord has been merciful and sweet to us in so many ways. Ross is loving his new job. He is still in the orientation phase, but is liking visiting with one patient at a time and having some time in his car. There is much more responsibility in home health, but Ross is up for the challenge!

I am still at Cook Children's. I am enjoying my job so much and looking foward to when a Child Life Specialist position opens up. God has blessed us so much with jobs and family. We are so thankful for all that He provides.

We are being discipled by a wonderful couple that leads our small group and have been reading Sacred Marriage with them. It has been a sweet journey. We finish up next week. The Lord has truly engrained in us that marriage is not about us but ALL about Him! It has been beautiful and fresh. I am also reading Sacred Influence with a dear sister from afar. It has been a blessing. I strongly recommend Gary Thomas' books. They are chalked full of great teachings of the Lord.

We love you all and pray that the Lord is sweetly blessing each of you as Valentine's Day approaches!

Here are a few more pics of our Kodi!