tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36707871156421800112026-04-05T01:53:54.383-05:00Our story about infertility to life with our teenage daughter, boy/girl twins and a baby girl. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-87974000896643583252015-10-29T06:00:00.000-05:002015-10-29T06:00:01.729-05:00

There are so many things I want to tell you on your birthday. There are so many times through out the day I want to call you and talk to you. There are so many people who love you and miss you. Having Ashley when I was 16 was by far the hardest thing I thought I would ever do but losing her at the young age of 19 was heart wrenching. Ashley spent 19 beautiful years here on this earth, made

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-35666220017696796512015-07-27T09:04:00.003-05:002015-07-27T09:04:38.261-05:00

Every year before school gets out I go on Pinterest and pin lots of ideas, activities, and summer fun! Then school get out we go on vacation, kids go to vbs and life gets busy. It isn't until about a month before school starts that I say oh yea I have that Pinterest stuff to I wanted to do. So this morning I modified a NO SCREEN TIME list for my kids. Here is our list. My twins are 7 so it may

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-12558530327575839492015-05-23T22:36:00.000-05:002015-05-23T22:36:08.678-05:00

I would have never known how much this quote is true until yesterday. We glanced at each other in the cafeteria as I was preparing to eat a surprise lunch with Preston and Lily. She walked over and hugged me like no time had passed at all. She teared up and I cried. She said she has been a mess since hearing about the passing of Ashley. She looked at Lily and said Lily reminds me so much of

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-56819132183554405692015-04-04T11:54:00.002-05:002015-04-04T11:54:50.245-05:00

On Monday April 6th it will be 365 days since Ashley passed away. I have been thinking about how I will mark that day. To be honest I am not sure that day will be any different than the past 364 days before it. For the past 363 days I have prayed daily, cried often, questioned lots of things, been angry and anxious. No matter what stage of grief you are in...... it sucks!

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-28988961808629204952015-03-13T10:05:00.002-05:002015-03-13T10:05:16.274-05:00

Sweet conversation with Preston this morning. He asked me what I was making and I told him a garden flag for Ashley to put on her grave. He asked if we were going to the cemetery while we were in Centerville, Texas I said yes but only if you want too (he didn't want to the last time) He said yea I'll go me, Carly and Lily can play while you visit sissy.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-47122397812875269942014-10-29T09:20:00.000-05:002015-10-27T22:15:35.749-05:00

20 years ago on October 29, 1994 at 9:20 am a little 6 lb 14 oz baby girl was placed in my arms. I remember her birth like it was yesterday. Even at the young age of 16 I was the best mom I knew how to be. Ashley always came first, and her life was full of lasting memories, lots of love and laughter. Not a day goes by that I don't think of all the great times we had together and all the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-88668373999284205232014-07-15T00:12:00.000-05:002014-07-15T00:13:35.049-05:00

I know it's a little cheesy to write about a tattoo but it's my blog so I will. I have wanted a tattoo on my foot for a long long time. I always said I would wait until we were done having kids first. What I wanted was 5 stargazer lilies to signify my children, Ashley, Preston, Mason (passed in utero at 25 weeks) Lily and Carly. I had high expectations though. I didn't want just a random

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-22069873634442615872014-05-30T22:17:00.000-05:002014-05-30T22:17:12.458-05:00

Since Ashley passed I have read articles, blogs and posts about teen addiction. I have questioned my own ability to parent. I have questioned every decision we made on Ashley's behalf. I have looked at my 3 little kids and wonder if there is something that I can do now to prevent them from following a troubled road. Reading articles like this one help me realize that people are people and are

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-29297530183038845052014-04-14T23:10:00.000-05:002014-04-14T23:10:22.604-05:00

Ashley's service Saturday was beautiful. I felt a peace come over me that I haven't felt. There were so many friends and family there to tell her goodbye. I know she was deeply loved and I know she would be so happy that everyone came together for her. I miss her sweet, spunky, bubbly self and her contagious laugh. I put together an album with the things that were read at her funeral. Funeral

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-68301810137404015742014-04-09T18:41:00.003-05:002014-04-09T18:44:04.314-05:00

Slide Show Obituary

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-87062846896174688052014-04-06T23:53:00.001-05:002014-04-06T23:53:46.187-05:00

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you my daughter, Ashley Schoen, passed away this morning. Funeral arrangements are being made and service will be Saturday April 12th at 10 am at  Walter's Funeral Home610 S. Commerce St.Centerville, TX 75833(903) 536-2551 1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-16375267719232161392013-09-30T00:21:00.000-05:002013-09-30T00:21:13.742-05:00

I had my brain surgery on September 18. It is technically called Chiari Decompression. It is defined as a posterior fossa decompression is a surgical procedure performed to remove the bone at the back of the skull and spine. The dura overlying the tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants. The goals of surgery are to

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-61791047353088056172013-09-30T00:08:00.001-05:002013-09-30T00:21:48.678-05:00

Because my life is not crazy enough with a dramatic 18 yr old, rambunctious 5 yr old twins and a sassy little 17 month old and a home base embroidery business......... we got a PUPPY! We have actually been looking for a Westie since April but have had no luck. The opportunity came about Labor Day weekend that a maltese was available and a female so we got her. We named her Teche (tesh) at first

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-6581310027129593172013-08-27T00:01:00.001-05:002013-08-27T00:01:37.247-05:00

As the bus pulled up and the rained poured down my babies got off with excitement about their first day of Kindergarten. I am so excited about this year and all they will learn the friends they will make and the experiences they will encounter.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-9465536644353302122013-08-25T20:27:00.000-05:002013-08-25T20:27:11.738-05:00

‘Twas the night before kindergarten and as they prepared, kids were excited and a little bit scared. They tossed and they turned about in their beds, while visions of school supplies danced in their heads. Erasers and crayons and pencils galore were stuffed in their backpacks and set by the door.  Outfits were hung in closets with care, knowing that

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-5302642450927634602013-08-24T23:28:00.002-05:002013-08-24T23:28:27.656-05:00

Today we had meet the teacher for the twins. I could possibly be more excited than them. Their school is amazing. It was constructed this year and literally finished weeks ago. It is gorgeous inside. I am so excited for the teachers and students. It's going to be a great year.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-85097788838457739602013-06-03T15:07:00.000-05:002013-06-03T15:07:18.376-05:00

I have been back and forth to drs and have had several MRI's. I went to another neurosurgeon this morning and have answers. Not the answers I had hoped for but either way we have a next step. The Dr was shocked after reviewing my mri results that I don't have more symptoms than I do. When I asked her what she expected to see she said that most people with severe herniation and spinal voids (

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-25549683070048917262013-04-28T18:09:00.003-05:002013-10-12T21:38:07.810-05:00

I have always been very healthy. My doctor even made the comment a few weeks ago "We haven't seen you in 4 years" That is because I hardly ever get sick. Around the beginning of April I started having headaches and went to visit my doctor. The nurse practitioner said it looked like my pain was more in the neck and prescribed muscle relaxers. I took it once and it didn't help at all. I had tried

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-20390533970156153702013-04-06T00:07:00.002-05:002013-04-06T00:07:57.635-05:00

I am so happy and blessed that they are mine.      Ashley came into town for a few days for Easter. Between work and school in Austin it's difficult for her to get down here. I told her the only plan was that we were all going to be in the same place at the same time and take a family pic. I didn't care if we were all smiling I just wanted a family pic. I am surprised

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-4958301415056566032013-01-05T00:17:00.001-06:002013-01-05T00:17:28.663-06:00

I usually don't set aside a list of rules for myself to abide by. Especially since by 1-3-12 half of them are usually broken. I try not to set expectations that will disappoint me. I'd rather just have a word or a phrase to live by each and every day. Last year my word was SIMPLIFY. I strived to really make my life simple. This year it's still the same, SIMPLIFY. I succeeded in simplifying last

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-32752102071509834822013-01-05T00:08:00.000-06:002013-01-05T00:08:04.086-06:00

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-65966223033641388322013-01-05T00:04:00.000-06:002013-01-05T00:04:08.182-06:00

The Friday after Christmas we left for Louisiana to visit Aaron's family. We decided we would only stay until Tuesday wince Ashley had to be moved to Austin by the 3rd. We had a great time shopping, eating out, visiting with friends and relaxing with family. Even more exciting was the on Monday morning I sent Aaron a link to a car that I had been looking 3 months for. You see when we need

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-42149510111895123192012-12-21T22:11:00.000-06:002012-12-21T22:12:18.440-06:00

Wishing your family a very Merry Christmas. We have had a very busy year and an even busier few weeks. This was the first year I was done done done with shopping by the first week in December. I just picked up stocking stuffers this week and food for Christmas day. It felt good but I found myself wanting to buy more as it got closer to Christmas because the kids would mention something they

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-27548629457091447902012-12-09T02:04:00.002-06:002012-12-09T02:04:44.601-06:00

Yesterday at MOPS a lady gave a devotion before our activities started. She spoke about JOY and how it can't be bought, or manufactured. She went on to tell a story about when her daughter was growing up their house was an "Aggie House" if your from the south you understand but if your not allow me to explain. Aggie's (and any other die hard college from the south) live, eat, sleep and breath all

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3670787115642180011.post-31504357017856925442012-10-22T00:48:00.000-05:002012-10-22T00:48:13.783-05:00

I could not be more proud of Ashley. She has spent the last 6 months researching and putting forth her best effort and made the decision to go to Le Cordon Bleu. She has been ACCEPTED! She starts in January. It seems so fast. I can't believe she will be 18 next week. I can't believe how fast life passes by. We are so blessed!

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0