Well here we are in the middle of April and Ashton is already 14 months old!! I can't believe how the time has flown by.
Well our March was filled with many Thanksgiving things!
March is the end of my Cheer season. And this year as the past we ended our season with a competition in Fargo, ND. I was really excited for this year's comp as I have a squad that has excelled in talent and dedication. I wasn't a bit nervous till somethings happened the week of the competition. That week Ashton came down with the CROUP Sunday night. I got him into the Doctor that Monday morning and they gave him a steroid shot. I tell you in a matter of hours my boy was starting to act himself. In fact I thought he was well on his way but then Tuesday night he started to go down hill. THANKFULLY I was at my parents house and that Wednesday morning when he really was doing poorly my mom called the office and got him in right away. I was stressed out because I could not cancel cheer practices and now it was looking like I would be heading to Fargo that Friday by myself, with out Luke and Ashton in tow. I had to give the whole thing over to God because at the time I would have no ride BACK from Fargo. I had to attend a meeting after the competition on Saturday, meaning that I had to make pre plans to send all my girls home with parents and then Luke and I would stay in Fargo another night and come back Sunday. This all because a very important meeting that I needed to attended since I was a newly elected board member for North Dakota Cheer Coach Association.
Well after Ashton's appointment we were given antibiotics, a nebulizer and a negative flu Test (PRAISE GOD) I headed home with hope that this would all work out. Well we were THANKFUL that Ashton turned quickly and by Friday he was back to my full of energy little guy. But to be safe we decided to have Luke drive out Saturday morning instead of coming out Friday night as well.
So I loaded the bus with a peace knowing that I was loved by my God and I would be all OK. I was now ready for a nice, calm and relaxing bus ride to Fargo.(YEAH right!! I have 10 teenage girls riding with me)
We arrived safe and sound, checked into our hotel and that night I curled some THICK cheer hair to prepare for the morning. This would allow me to sleep in at least an extra hour tomorrow. As I turned my light out to go to bed at 2:15(central time) I heard the Fire alarm start clanging. I calmly grabbed my stuff and headed to find the girls. Well they apparently beat me out as i was told they BOLTED out. I chuckled as I pictured 10 girls in their bare feet and jammies flying down the stairs and into the winter air. I found them outside huddled and scared. I took them over to the next door gas station and THANKFULLY I had some cheer moms that were able to stay in the same hotel. So I was comforted to leave the girls with the moms knowing they were getting plenty of mom hugs and comforting words. I headed back to the smoky hotel in disbelief that this was happening the night before our competition!! I found a fireman and learned that someone got hungry and over cooked their pizza in the microwave. Folks he had to have scorched that thing because there was SO MUCH SMOKE!! Once we got the all clear I took the girls back to their rooms only to find that none of them in the moment of "life or death" grabbed a key. So it took another 30 min to get them back into their rooms.
Back to bed I went. As i climbed back into be at 3:30 (my alarm set for 6 am) I thought in a quiet moment that not once in all this stress did I panic or have a panic attack. I mean any other day the littlest amount of any of that happening at a time I would have panicked for sure.I knew why. GOD! I THANKED Him in that quiet still moment and praised HIS HOLY NAME as I drifted off to sleep for 3 hours of beauty rest.
Later that day my day was ending in pure joy. I was THANKFUL to have Luke and Ashton back with me and we were celebrating a 5th place win that was not far off from that 4th place trophy. Of course we did not go home empty handed as one of my talented girls one this..............
Miss Akoya nabbed the 1st place spot for the Jump off competition. She did so good and won with such grace and humility. I am so THANKFUL to have her as a captain and a fellow believer. It is so amazing that God allowed for such a beautiful girl INSIDE AND OUTSIDE to lead others in HIS way through cheerleading. Great Job AKOYA!!!!
Of course our other big THANKSGIVING of life is that my Luke was offered a new job!!!! I almost can't type this with out smiling ear to ear. I/we have been praying for this for 4 years. Other opportunities have come up but none that offered the same pay and no travel what so ever. We are tickled that Luke will be home everyday by 4 pm and off on the weekends. And to top it off he can leave work at work and not have to work for hours when he is home. My man will be less stressed able to enjoy his family, have time to do the things he loves to do and eat a home cooked meal. This is big for me as many of you know the overnights that Luke was gone were very hard and at times frightening for me. I am THANKFUL for my family and friends that have helped me through this past four years. I am THANKFUL for all that God has taught me about Him through this time of trials. I have learned that no matter where I am at or who is with me, God and his promises have never changed.
Of course this means that we will no longer be able to travel back to Billings as much. Because 98% of the time we went back was because of Luke's job and Ashton and I would ride along and take advantage of the free ride to get back and see Grandma and Grandpa. It was so nice that he got to see his grandparents at least once a month. We are so THANKFUL for the grandparents he has on both sides. This kid is sooooo loved and spoiled for sure. So since we knew that we would not be making it back as much we took full advantage of the time spent with Grandpa and Grandma. It was beautiful when we were back so Grandpa and Ashton and I went to the park and played!!
Ashton is THANKFUL for a Grandpa that will go down the slide with him!! So many fun and precious memories!!
Well Easter has come and gone. I am always THANKFUL for Easter as it is one of my favorite holidays. It is a time for me to THANK and remember what Christ did on the cross for myself and others. I am THANKFUL for friends in my life that feel the same way and love to love on us. We got "EGGED by one of my friends. she came and hid eggs in our yard and some had treats in them and some did not. The ones that did not represented the empty tomb when Christ conquered death for us ALL!! Ashton sure had fun finding his eggs. OK, OK he actually like pointing at the Kitty and saying "OWWWWW!" (meow) But it was nice to have our own little Easter egg hunt and not worry about him getting trampled by big kids while trying to even get one egg at the community egg hunts.
It was such a good Easter just reflecting on all that God did and will continue to do for us! We finished our celebration that day with a Ham dinner with the Andersons and Patty. It was so relaxing and good time. THANKFUL to have friends that we can just chill with and to celebrate Christ with.
So March was a THANKFUL month. I am so THANKFUL for all of you and I pray that you will be able to find time in your day to go to your quiet place and THANK God for the many blessings in your life. Just so you know these THANKFUL moments did not come without pain, stress or trial. But it's the BLESSING in the day that carries us through the next hard time. It changes your perspective and sweetens your moments with Christ. I hope you can take time in your day to think about the many things you are THANKFUL and take that moment and turn and GLORIFY our GOD because he has loved, cherished and blessed you through it all. Till next time!
Love,
Luke, Audrey and Ashton
