Aeriell's Commissioning

Aeriell had her Commissioning Ceremony from Teen Challenge on Friday, January 20, 2008. She was able to give her testimony and be prayer over before she left the program. She is standing next to Mrs. Kim.

March of Dimes Walk for Babies

I am a member of a special team "SHARE Atlanta" of people who care about the health of babies. That′s why we have banded together to raise money and participate in the March of Dimes March for Babies. I am asking you to join our fundraising efforts today by sponsoring my walk.

As you mayor may not know, I know firsthand the difficulties associated with miscarriages. While I was going through my two losses I was helpless; there was nothing I could do. This walk IS something I can do now. SHARE Atlanta has been a great network of emotional support for me and I don't know what I would do without them. SHARE Atlanta is a non-profit organization that helps parents who have experienced a Pregnancy or Newborn Loss.

The March of Dimes sends out a wonderful packet with information and resources regarding pregnancy and newborn loss. I was grateful when I received mine.

Contributing online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage.

The March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will support lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start.

Thank You!

The Ashcraft Family and our two angels.
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=101031306&u=joniashcraft&bt=2

Mary Kay consultant?

NO, it is NOT halloween!

Santa brought Abbie a fashion make-up kit for Christmas. Andy was busy trying to located our backyard again, and Abbie came in for a rest...she had been outside all morning. She asked her dad if should could do make-up and of course he said sure. Dad went back outside, and Abbie became the most beautiful 5 year old in the entire world. By the way, I am told that this was her 2nd coat.

Buddies

Yes, this is Houdini, our house bully, sleeping soundly with his best friend. Although Abbie carries him around like a bag of potatoes, poke him, pull him out from under the bed by his tail, sits on him,

pounces on him, sqeezes him, lays on him and anything else you can even imagine, Houdini still loves her and loves to play with her. They will play for hours. Houdini is a bully but so loveable too.

Wii Mania

We finally purchased the Wii and we love it! It is absolutely amazing how real if feels to bowl! Abbie's favorite is boxing. As you can see she gets quite excited and into her game.

Look Mom! No hands!

We usually try to display our "Princess" manners when we are at the table, but it is so hard when eating spaghetti! Abbie gets the biggest kicking out of doing this. Note: the headband is "Abbie style."

I welcome any title suggestions. I just crack up everytime I look at this.

The Reason We Have Insurance!

Why? That is a question that I have nearly quit asking. We were all having an "Ashcraft Lazy Day." I have no explaination but often wonder "how on Earth?"

Static Ball

What do you get when....

you have a trampoline and an Abbie?

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Personal static ball!

Blessings to everyone on this new year!

We went to Ed and Marie's for good food, friendship, laughter, love and Rock Band. Abbie almost made it...her eyes made it until 11:45!

Ed started our new year with prayer!

Magic Kingdom-Round 2

Round 2 of Magic Kingdom was not quite as long as the first which ended up being a little over 12 hours!!! Today's missions: Mickey and Minnie, Princesses, and Winnie the Pooh ride (again). We accomplished our mission! God had favor on us when He created short lines for both Mickey and Minnie and the Princesses! I think our total wait time for our mission was less than an hour! We also saw a really cool 3D movie featuring Donald Duck.

After Magic Kingdom we spent some time at Downtown Disney.

SEE SLIDESHOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

"Hey Mickey, what's in the fridge?"

Minnie's Gazebo....

Mickey has Honey Do lists too!

"I just can't take it anymore!"

Santa comes to Florida

Christmas 2008! Although we were not at home for Christmas, tradtions continues. Abbie wrote her usuall letter to Santa. This year she wrote it all by herself! Santa wrote back! This year we were able to actually track Santa on his journey-Abbie really thought that was cool! Santa left presents and filled the girls' stockings. The girls were able to open their stockings together when we arrived at Aeriells. The rest of the day was filled with outside activities and rain. Our first Florida Christmas!

Abbie's letter to Santa

Santa's reply:

Santa came!!!!

Stockings at Aeriell's
Oh to be 5 again! Santa emailed me to make sure he left the right Fashion Pup.

Creative Christmas

Christmas away from home is always a little different, but when you add in the "Aeriell factor" (being away from home)we have to be a little creative. Because Aeriell had to be back at school today, we let the girls open most of their gifts. Abbie requested that we hide them again and give clues to the location of the package. I have a feeling this might become a yearly event...at home next year though! Here are a few places the girls found their gifts:

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom IS Magical!!

We took the ferry boat into The Magic Kingdom. What a sight to see!!!

GmaJudi and Abbie joined forces to zap "Surge" and help Buzz Lightyear.

Santa blessed us at the parade.


Mickey and Minnie always brings smiles!

WOW! What a way to end the evening!



Oh Christmas Tree Disney Style!

Hollywood Sudios

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

2008

Brrrrrrrrr....it was a cold day in Florida today. Who would have thought about sweatshirts? We had a great time regardless of the weather. We saw so many things that we are still trying to digest it all. When ask what what everyone's favorite they replied:

Aeriell: High School Musical

Abbie: Autographs

Andy and Grandma Judi: Little Mermaid

Joni: 3D Muppet Movie.

The girls were able to get many autographs and pictures with the "stars."

We came back to the condo for a short recharge then headed back into the C-C-C-Cold to witness the most beautiful "Spectacle in Dancing Lights" show I have ever seen. The evening was capped off perfectly with pictures and autographs by Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Tomorrow we are off to the Magic Kingdom! and hopefully a warmer day.

Another Tradition Continues

The Christmas tradition of new PJ's continues...just on a different day and location.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

We are in Orlando this year for Christmas. Tonight the girls were given clues for three different presents, one being the PJ's. The last thing they had to find was a postcard. They then had to bring the postscard in order to exchange it for a present. They closed their eyes, and their Disney books were placed in front on them. Inside their scrapbook they found their pass to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. It is so fun to be a parent!

Christmas ABC's

"Z is for the zest we greet on Christmas Day"

North Columbus Elementary School's kindergarten classes performed the Christmas ABC's. Abbie, of course, was the "Z" so we will spare you the entire alphabet and just highlight the letter Z. Afterwards they sang several Christmas songs. How did my little Abbie get so big? In case you need a translation the letter "Z" says, " Z is for the zest we greet on Christmas Day."

Charlie Brown Christmas

As expected, we spent the evening watching Charlie Brown Christmas.

Although Linus is an 8 1/2 year old, thumb-sucking, blankie toting boy his thoughts are profound!

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." - Linus Van Pelt

Thank you Linus!

Oh where, oh where has BJ gone? Oh where, oh where can he be?

BJ, our Yorkie, likes to sneek under the covers in the morning while we are getting ready for

work.

Abbie got a nice good morning surprise when BJ popped his head out and gave her a nice warm kiss.

(Houdini, the house bully, had not yet discovered the whereabouts of his victim.)

Gingerbread Christmas Tree

Grandma Cathy came over and helped Abbie with her Gingerbread Tree. It was definately a sticky mess only Grandma's can manage!












I'm not quite sure of the amount of green icing that made it to Abbie's tummy, but it is my guess just about as much, if not more, than on the tree. The visible sign of this would be Abbie running around like BJ, our Yorkie, just coming out of his day in his kennell.


But hey, the look on this beautiful face makes it all worth it....I think!

Christmas Card Making

Today Abbie and I had a girl's day out that comprised of many activities. First, we went to the Scrapbook Shoppe to make Christmas cards. Being Abbie, she had to take time to check out what was in Santa's bag.

First comes the cold, gooey, and messy while paint.

Notice: This will be a left handed card due to a very valuable Hello Kittie bandaid.

Next comes the face.

Last is a little help making the reindeer.