SOLD

My prayers have been answered…my house sold!  I turned my phone back on when my hubby and I's cruise ported back in the U.S.  I was hoping to have a couple messages.  Mainly I was thinking it’d be for jobs because I had turned my application in to a couple places.  Instead it was my realtor.  I had an offer!  My heart raced with excitement as this was the first serious offer I had. 

I back flashed to a couple years earlier when I moved back to the U.S.  I remember looking around in the area at apartments.  Some places wouldn’t rent to me because my dog, Jax, was too big.  I was also told at another place unless I was to find a roommate they wouldn’t rent to me because I was a full-time student.  I wanted to cry…I probably did!  It wasn’t that I wasn’t thankful for my parents opening up their home and allowing me to live with them.  What I wanted back was my INDEPENDENCE!  I wasn’t used to living at home.  I remember my dad trying to cheer me up by writing my “own” address on the door that leads to the basement from the garage.  The things dads do for their little girls!   It was like I had my own apartment.  They had a fully finished basement w/ a half-kitchen and full bath.  But I was tired of seeing all my belongings in boxes.  It made me depressed!  And being told that I couldn’t live here or there made me even more depressed.  Every day I would read the typed up note that my parents put on the fridge for me, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

After I told my parents about the rough day of searching for apartments, my dad looked at me and told me I should BUY a house.  I remember saying, “yea right!  I can’t afford that!”  In my head I was thinking about everything: I was going through a divorce, I’m a full-time student, part-time worker and relying SOLELY on my income.  How on earth can I afford to buy a house?!!!  So we started looking.  The first house I put my offer on I didn’t get.  Ok, so that wasn’t meant for me, right!?!  My dad finds another house.  He takes me to it.  We walked around.  I couldn’t believe he was even showing me this house.  It was a wreck and way too small.  It didn’t even have a kitchen.  I need a kitchen because I LOVE cooking & baking!  He told me all his plans he could do to it and make it bigger by adding a full kitchen and a garage.  I trusted him and so I put in my offer.  I remember telling my dad the next day that I prayed that night to God saying that if I am meant to own this house he will let it happen.  Dad said he pretty much said the same prayer.  Then I got the call…I was a home owner! 

 

Now my beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 bath home is no longer mine.  Thanks to all my family and friends for the love, support, prayers, and help in making this house become my home!  I don’t think they will ever fully know how grateful I was and still am for making this happen.  Never in a million years did I think I would own a home at a young age let alone by MYSELF.  It’s truly amazing what BLESSINGS will pour out at you when you give it over to God!

I share with you my house...before AND after pictures.    Enjoy! 

Before Pictures...

Front View

 Back View...Hearl working on my house!

Guest Bedroom

 Living room...window to left is front yard view

 Oh the beautiful bathroom w/ a gorgeous BLUE tub & toilet...lol. 

You're looking at the kitchen/laundry room.  The kitchen is on the right (see the sink) and then the w/d go next to the water heater.  It was soooo small!



 Standing in the kitchen looking towards the living room.

 Hearl making the whole bigger & BETTER!!!

 That's my dad working and his friend watching!

 My oldest brother was a HUGE help in getting my house done.  While cleaning it out, we came across some knives so we decided to have some fun while on the job!  Good thing Pa wasn't there that day..hehe!

Sitting in my beautiful blue tub! :p

 Coming soon: new addition of garage & kitchen area

My house before we put the new siding on

After Pictures....

 New siding, new windows, & a beautiful new front door

 Standing in the kitchen area...to the right is w/d room

 My favorite part of my home...the beautiful kitchen.  I wish I could have taken these cabinets with me...lol!  To the right of the kitchen is a glass sliding door leading to the back yard and to the left is the garage.

 I took this before it was fully done.  The area to the right is the room for the w/d. The area w/ the shelves was extra cabinet space for all my kitchen appliances.  We put doors on this!

 Standing in my bathroom looking at my bookshelf.  To the right you can see my living room.

 My new bathroom

 All new appliances for the bathroom.  Thank goodness I got rid of the blue stuff...hehe!

 My living room.  The windows to the left views the front yard and the window to the right views the driveway.

 Standing in my living room looking at my hallway.

 Guest bedroom...remember that nasty wall? (picture shown in before pix)  It's not so nasty after all!

 My bedroom

Standing in part of the kitchen area looking down the hallway.  Bedrooms at the end of the hallway on both sides.

*Hugs*
Ash



ATTACK ATTACK!

Ok, so I have a pet peeve of people not putting their dog on a leash! It's truly annoying! Two days in a row Jax & I have gone on a walk in the morning and what do you know...we run into dogs that aren't locked up! Yesterday we ran met a boxer mix and some other huge dog. I can tell they had owners because they had collars but this chick wasn't getting close to them to call the owner...I'll explain the reason below! Today this guy had let his dogs out to go potty and when they saw Jax, they came running at us. Thankfully none of these dogs attacked us but let's go back to Okinawa in 2005!

So my bestie and & I are playing rummy and having a few drinks in the backyard! She lived on base in an area where there was four houses in a building. Go across the street and that's officer housing! Well there was a family that had kids and a tiny weiner dog. Jax and Guiness are on their leash outside playing together in my bestie's backyard! All of a sudden here comes this weiner dog running across the street to our dogs. I get outta my chair to go pick it up and return it to the owner. That's me being the animal lover...trusting any dog! Well I get close to it and it backs away not letting me get to it so I tell it to go home and turn my back! BIG mistake! As I'm walking away this freakin' dog comes runnin at me leaps in the air and bites the back of my thigh. It hurt like a mother!!! Laugh at me cuz I said that but it truly did...lol! It bit thru my jeans and left a mark. Luckly my skin didn't break! As I said before, not having your dog on a leash annoys me! So I walk over to the families house and ask the kids to get their mom or dad. As my bestie & I are talking to the mom explaining what happened the mom says, "Our dog is so nice, I can't believe that happened!" It gets better! Her kids say, "No it's not momma, she bites me all the time and I tell you that!" I nicely told the people to keep the dog on a leash as it's base regulation & I made sure the dog was caught up on all her shots! Thankfully she was! So the picture at the top of this blog entry is of my FIRST & ONLY dog bite!

Scott's SNCO Academy Graduation

My Sweetie & I

Soon to be father-in-law, me, & Scott

Chasidy & Ash

Scott's Dad & Scott after the graduation ceremony

So PROUD of my sweetie

Keith & Angie and Scott & Ashley

Last week Scott graduated from the SCNO Academy. During the middle of dinner I noticed someone that looked familiar. I couldn't believe it. It was an old friend from Korea. Her husband graduated with Scott. It was great running into them and catching up! Of course my sweetie looked so handsome in his Mess Dress! We had a wonderful time celebrating his accomplishment of SMSgt!

I Did It!!!!

Striking a pose w/ my degree in my hand! :) My cords are for ASL (Alpha Sigma Lambda) & Magna Cum Laude!

About to receive my diploma! :)

I'm sitting looking back at my parents (right behind the girl standing up).

My Grandparents & I

Mom, Me, & Steve/Dad (Ryan still in school)

Nate, Me, Dad, Matthew, Mom (Aaron & Paige in spirit as they were at the Reds game :) )

From left 2 right: Nate, Dad, Me, Mom, Matthew, Grandpa & Grandma Coil

Martha (Grandpa Hank's fiance) & Me

Ok so the day finally arrived! I cannot tell you how long and hard I have been working towards this degree! On May 14, 2011, I received my Bachelor in Arts degree from Wittenberg University! :) I did it!!!! I wish my Grandpa & Grandma Roberts were there but I know they were looking down from heaven! My Grandpa graduated with his teaching license in '54 from Wittenberg University and Grandma was a nurse on campus for a couple years! I have so many people to thank for supporting me throughout my journey. I had many road blocks but it never stopped me from pursuing my dream of being an Elementary teacher. I picked up my teaching license a few days before the ceremony! So it's official....I am now certified to teach Pre-K to 3rd grade and K-12 as an Intervention Specialist. For all those that have a dream....NEVER give up! Have faith in yourself and surround yourself with positive supportive people! You can do it!!!

A Good Thing

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22



I have the Woman Thou Art Loosed Bible Edition by T.D. Jakes. I absolutely love it! Throughout the Bible are what Jakes calls Gospel Pearls and articles. Both relate to scriptures. I wanted to share the article that goes along with the verse above (Proverbs 18:22).


"How many single women do you know who are almost consumed by the desire to get married? There are so many women who are longing for a relationship they are not ready to receive. If you are going to walk with God, you must understand something: timing is everything! When the Lord has prepared the right man for you and you for him, and that man shows up at the right time, you must be sure that you are in the right place with the right perspective to receive all that God wants to relase to you.

The Bible says that 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.' Often, because of old issues you havent' dealt with or old wounds that haven't healed, you may find yourself wandering around in a stupor somewhere, emotionally unprepared for a healthy relationship. You will not be able to be the 'good thing' you were meant to be in your husband's life. Unless you are healed and whole, your man will not feel that He's enjoying the Lord's favor in his relationship with you.

Ladies, men do not extist to bring the favor of the Lord to your lifes, either. You find favor of the Lord by being the woman He created you to be-by breaking the chains with which the devil had you bound, by knowing the Lord passionately and intimately, by walking in His power and worshiping Him with your life. You must take responsibility for making yourself, with God's help, the good thing He wants you to be.

Notice that the Bible does not say that whoever finds a woman finds a good thing. It says that whoever finds a WIFE finds a good thing. But how can you be a wife before you have a husband? You become a wife in your spirit. Yes, you become a wife in your spirit before you ever get married. That way, you will be prepared, if you do not have the anoiting of the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself dragging your ugly past into what could be the most beautiful relationship of your life.

My sister, do what you need to do in order to be whole. The Lord heals. The Lord mends. The Lord restores. And He will make you a woman of strength and grace and wholeness. When He has done His work in you, you will be such a good thing."


It's amazing how God works. The article above really hit home when I read it a couple weeks ago. I have a past that has left deep wounds. But thanks to God I am healing. I have made positive changes in my life while continuing to ask God for guidance. I'll be honest. It wasn't easy. I'm so used to "if I want something done, I'll take care of it...being in charge...doing it my way or when I'm ready, ya know?!!" I have learned that I alone cannot heal from my past. I'm still working on me but I'm so excited to stand here today and look back and see what God has brought me through! Thank you Lord! And to top it off I know that my future hubby, Scott will be able to "enjoy the Lord's favor!" :)

*Hugs*
Ash

Face Wash

So I went to the grocery today and browsed the aisle that had all different face wash products. Do you realize there are sooooo many to choose from? So where do I start?! I spend quite some time reading all the different products that Meijer carries. Finally I decided..... L'Oreal, Go 360 degrees Clean. It's a new product & I LOVE it! It even comes with it's own scrubby thingie that can be attached to the bottle! My face feels clean and smooth! Also, there's about 4 types of cleansers depending on your skin which is great because some of those products tear my face up because it's not for sensitive skin! So next time you want to change your face wash try L'Oreal, Go 360 degrees Clean!

*Hugs*
Ash

*ICE*

Today I woke up to a sheet of ice covering my driveway, sidewalk, and the snow that's in my yard. My poor Jax has to walk on it when he goes outside to potty! We are getting hit with ice then snow! YIPPIE! Not! I was just thanking God about how wonderful this winter has been b/c I haven't had any ice (last winter was horrible) & now I am getting ice! UGH!!! Thankfully Witt closed today so I have been home staying safe & warm (minus the time I spend outside chipping away at the ice!)

My sidewalk covered w/ a chunk of ice

My driveway covered in ice! To bad I don't have ice skates...lol!

My driveway after about an hour of shoveling my driveway...thank goodness for ice melt! You can see my neighbor's driveway is still covered w/ ice!