Titus 2 Tuesday ~ Ashley

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:1 - 5, NIV

This past weekend was not only spent celebrating our big news, but it was also my 30th birthday!  And, wouldn't you know my best friends and family threw a Surprise Party for me!!!  It was sooo much fun, and I was definitely surprised!  I hope I'll have some pictures (hint hint to any who were there with cameras) soon I can share with y'all! 

So, just as I was surprised and greeting everyone who was at the party, one of my dearest friends popped through the door.  Ashley lives in North Carolina, so it was a super treat to have her there!  Ashley is one of those rare women who just radiates with beauty, character, and warmth.  She truly captivates an audience with her charisma and zest for life.  Ashley worked at Disney World for a few years, and she's really an actress at heart.  I love Ashley for her love for life and all things in it!  She really is one of those women in my life who reminds me that a happy heart makes the face cheerful (Proverbs 15:13!

Ashley came bearing gifts. . .  It's something she's known for doing, and we love getting these fun boxes of goodies.  This was a pregnancy box, and she filled it full of fun, loving, and heartwarming things.

It has the sweetest Mother-to-Be card ever, and it included Palmer's cocoa Butter Massage Cream for stretch marks, crackers for morning sickness, a oneside that has Sleepy from Snow White on it with a cute little tag that said *hopefully* my little one will love to sleep, and my favorite of all, a jounal.  Each gift had a handmade tag on it, as you can see in the picture.  The journal's tag is my favorite:  "You know how in the Bible it says 'Mary pondered all these things and kept them in her heart' regarding her new baby?  Well, Mary had a better memory than me!"  Ashley goes on to tell me how she keeps a journal to her little boy of fun things, silly random things, and big stuff like her prayers for her son.  How awesome is that!  I absolutely cannot wait to fill it full for Baby S!  I already have a prayer journal I plan to fill with prayers during the pregnancy, so this journal is perfect for my thoughts I want to share with my baby!

Ashley, I am so glad I got to see you and you came to my party!  I love you to pieces, as we three girls say, "more than my luggage!" 

Jodi, B, and Ashley at my 30th Birthday Bash!

Who has touched your heart and life this week or ever?  Link up and tell us about her!