A Beautiful Place...

... is where I find myself tonight. After a much needed week of fun, reflection, and relaxation we are back. Back to the place in this world that we have been led to. It is no accident that Dave and I are who we are, raising the family that we are, in the place that we are. How very blessed we are to know that He has called us to do the things that He has. I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world!

We spent an entire week in the beautiful mountains of Steamboat Springs Colorado. Dave and I absolutely LOVE a beach vacation, but after being spoiled by the magnificent beauty that surrounded us this past week we have decided our next family vacation will have to bring us back to these very mountains. God has created an amazing world for us to enjoy, and having our sweet Ashley Kate put her tiny toes into this very waterfall had to be one of the sweetest moments in my life. Not only did He create this very waterfall, but He also created this little one who I get to call my daughter and the combined beauty of them both was overwhelming.

Ashley is a living, breathing miracle and each moment of her life reminds me that He holds a plan for each of us. There were days when it became very difficult to see past the "mountains" of obstacles that stood before us. Six months ago if you would have told me that she would be placing her toes in a cool mountain stream or looking out across the Rocky Mountains or sitting behind home plate as her brother pitched in the opening game of a National tournament I would not have believed you. God knew the plans he had for her. Plans to prosper her and not to harm her. He loves her and regardless of the struggles He allows her to endure I KNOW that His plan for her life is beautiful.

Ashley really enjoyed our time in Colorado. The weather was beautiful and we had the opportunity to do the things we love the most. We watched Blake and the Tarheels battle some of the best teams in the nation. Thousands of teams played this season from all across the nation. 60 of them qualified and played in this tournament. Our Tarheels finished 24th. We are very proud of them. Blake played two positions this tournament. He pitched the first two days of play and then he caught for the rest of the tournament. He did an amazing job and Dave and I thank God for the talent and opportunities He has given to our son.

Now that we are home we are busy preparing for the beginning of school. The kids are finishing up their summer activities and attending back to school reunions with their classmates. Ashley will receive her last cytogam infusion tomorrow and we are making plans to have her central line removed. I may be flying out to Omaha with her next week to have her follow up scan on her lungs. We are looking to see if the remaining spot in her lungs has disappeared, stayed the same, or grown over the last month. Our prayer is that it has not grown. She looks better and stronger than ever and we hope to be finished with chemotherapy forever. If we do go to Omaha we will have her line removed while we are there.

Thank you so much for checking on her. Posting while in the mountains was proving to be very difficult. We missed visiting with every one and are happy to be home again to share our Ashley and her story with you. Your continued prayers for her are appreciated. Take care and good night. Trish