A Week Without Daddy

A week without Daddy is a sad week, indeed.

Mommy and Maggie sleep with less ease.

A week without Daddy means no strong, tickling hands

And big bear hugs are in high demand.

A week without Daddy is not our favorite week,

But tomorrow he gets back and we will go out to eat!

...OK, obviously a work of art!  But I couldn't justify any more time spent on thinking up rhymes.  Needless to say, though, I have been missing my man something fierce!  There is something about the knowledge of Daddy coming home at the end of the day that really helps to get you through a bought of crying or whining or teething or ??? you name it; but the knowledge of Daddy's absence for an entire week has the opposite effect.  But, tomorrow, he returns!  Yay!  

From the sounds of it, camp was amazing - lots of great ministry, one of one conversations, and fabulous preaching.  There were fun games and a lot of dirty kids.  Robert was one of the "hype" men this year, and he had a lot of fun doing that.  And, I'm SO thankful (despite how much he was missed) that he was able to be there, attending to all of that, and know that I was at home taking care of our baby and apartment...    

I've been thinking that with ministry this sort of thing might be asked of us a lot.  Trying to think about the future and what we might do: take the kids, leave the kids with someone else, don't go?  These decisions do not need to be made today, obviously, but it is something to think about.    My number one responsibility is my husband and children (future tense, obviously since i have only 1 as of right now!) and doing ministry with them as a family is a DREAM!  When they're littler and money is "littler" it can be tough.  But, it's so awesome to know that the Lord provides!  And, He will not call us to anything that is too difficult for us!  So, with all of that in mind, and with me wanting to get to bed...I leave this for another time.  

Goodnight Cyberspace and my few reading friends :)

Kauai 2012 (part 1)

We had such a GREAT vacation!  Family, beach, zip-line, pool, sun, and lots of food - sounds amazing, right!  I'm so thankful to my grandparents for taking us and my whole family on this trip.  It was such a blessing from the Lord and such a special time!  So instead of a long narrative about all of the details about our vacation, here are a bunch of pictures.  Enjoy!

First day at the beach!

Maggie's fun new pool float!

She's too sweet!

My grandparents = awesome!  They started it all :)

My family minus my dad (who was taking the pic).

All of us!  The Bowens, Morales', Smiths, Watsons, and Wauhops!

Anniversary Date Night!!  Seriously some of the best food I've ever eaten, and I SO loved being alone with my man for 24 whole hours!!

A gorgeous hike on the coast in Poipu!

Crazy fun zip-line tour with Kauai Backcountry Adventures! (video to come!!)

I realized this was getting a little long...so, Kauai 2012 part 2 coming up.  Stay tuned!

A "Relaxing?" Family Hike

Here's our baby girl, just catching a few zzz's while mommy and daddy have a fun hike in
the sun on Memorial day!!

,

I have 4 other videos I really wanted to load of the sweet Mags, but for some reason it's not letting me? So, for now, this will have to do...  I will try again later, but I've officially wasted far too much time trying for now.  Off to finish the dishes before the babe awakes :)

DATE DAY!!!

It's been a while since I've posted...my computer is old, and sometimes it won't let me use the "Blogger" website (or Fossil or look at Facebook pics, etc? Random!)  Anyway, without further ado - DATE DAY!

Robert and I have had a few dates since Maggie has been born, Sem Banquet and another dinner.  But, for his graduation gift I wanted to plan a super fun DAY for just the two of us.  So, the wonderful Amanda Taylor (and Emily for a little, too!) watched our sweet little one while the two of us celebrated together.  We seriously had the best time!!

Up first - MB2 Raceway!  MB2 is legit go-kart racing - so much fun and pretty intense.  You have to sign a waiver that basically says I won't sue if I die; but, on the up-side, you get to pick cool racer names.  Robert was Bobcat and I was Bobcat's Wife, haha.  I was pretty scared before we raced, and for good reason.  Basically, I almost killed someone, haha.  Two guys wrecked in front of me and I didn't have time to put my brakes on and I literally ramped up on top of this guy and his car!  It was terrifying!  The rest of the race I drove at a crawling pace, letting everyone lap me...it was a 14 lap race, and I completed 8 laps!  Robert came in 2nd place, though!  A highlight for sure, though, was that we saw Steve Carrel with his wife and family there, having a family birthday party! So, racing was a blast!

Next - We headed to the Americana in Glendale!  We walked around a little and then had an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!  YUM!! We had a gift-card, but decided to "share:" fried macaroni (appetizer), Miso salmon with mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas, and Adam's Peanut-butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake - um YES!  It was AMAZING.  I'm hungry now...I need a snack.

Then - I got Robert a gift-card for The Art of Shaving , so we stopped in there.  He got some gear? is that a proper term?  He got some stuff for shaving - very legit, gentlemanly, "luxurious" shaving, haha.  He was pretty excited; it was cute!  And, bonus, his face smells amazing these days :)

Last - We had some movie tickets from Costco and we went to go see Avengers in 3D!  It was our first time with 3D and it was pretty cool.  I probably prefer regular viewing, but it was definitely a fun one to see in 3D - tons of action!

We came home to our beautiful baby sleeping soundly!

Thank you, Lord, for an amazing husband to share this grace of life called marriage!  It truly is a gift from the Father, and I am so grateful for every second of it!  Next week we head to Kauai!!  We will celebrate our third anniversary and see all of my family - we are really looking forward to spending a lot more time together!!

A Beautiful Saturday

Life has been BUSY lately!  Most recently my amazing husband graduated from Seminary with his M.Div. (don't worry, i will be singing his praises in my next blog!), family was in town from NoVa, Maggie turned 6 months (yet another blog to come), and of course just living the high profile, high energy Wauhop life - you know what they say, work hard, play hard ;) and we do!

But seriously, we had SO much fun this weekend at the gorgeous Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills!! (Thanks Carly Brannon for the tip!)  We brought a picnic (Chipotle) lunch - yum!  It turned out there was no "picnicking" allowed, nor the throwing or catching of balls, and a few other random things.  But it was an absolutely gorgeous and FREE activity!  Even the drive down was super fun, (we took the 2 to the 134 to the 101 and got off on Coldwater Canyon and followed that down most of the way) very scenic - the secluded Beverly Hills!  Here are few of my favorite pics from the day.  Enjoy!

Handsomest Hubby/Daddy I've ever seen!!

My two most favorite people!!  Love their big, beautiful blue eyes!

Maggie loves giving kisses...big, wet, slobbery ones...all the time!!

and a few of the place, itself...

Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful creation, a super fun day in the sun, and an amazing family to enjoy your graces with!!!  We are so blessed!!

Patch the Pirate

I love music!  And I'm pretty sure Maggie does, too!  I know that Seeds is really great music for kids, and I'm excited to get into that and start memorizing Scripture with Maggie through song in year or two...  But, I am also all about playing Patch the Pirate!  

I don't know if anyone even still knows who he is, but my brothers and I grew up with Patch the Pirate and he was our favorite.  Think Adventures in, Odessy, but WAY cooler!  He might be a little fundamentalist, but I promise I learned so much actually good stuff from him.  We had a bunch of Patch the Pirate on cassette tape; I actually need to see if my mom still has any of those...  But, long story short, you can listen to Patch and the crew on-line for free (just the songs, not the stories)!  So, if you have little ones, you will LOVE these!  Some of our (my) favorite songs are "Family Fun," "Wiggle Worm," "Poochie- Lip Disease," "Obedience," "The Lord's Army," "I Do My Part," "The Gratitude Attitude" and basically all of them (most of these can be found on page 2 under the last 5 albums)!  And my favorite stories as a kid were "The Custard's Last Stand," "The Evolution Revolution," "Patch the Pirate Goes to the Jungle," and "Camp Kookawacka Woods."  I mean honestly, don't those all just sound AMAZING!  haha.  Well, I do hope that you take a listen.  I think you're going to like it!

"The Future"

So, Robert is about to graduate from The Master's Seminary this May! In 58 days to be exact! That fact literally blows my mind! For our entire marriage (almost 3 years) we have lived out here in LA while Robert was pursuing - and dominating, I might add - his MDiv. Now that this chapter is coming to a close, what's next for us??

Answer: We have NO idea! Well, we have a few ideas...

It's a little bit awesome and a whole lot of scary to have no idea what 3 months from now might look like for us?! Especially as parents, now, we can't just "fly by the seat of our pants" as easily as we could before. Robert has already started taking classes for another degree, the ThM. With this degree it would open up doors for teaching at a college level, both now and for the future. If he decides to stay and do the ThM, we would probably be ready to leave TMS this coming December or January. At the same time, however, "we" are actively interested and looking for churches that we could go to and begin implementing all of this training he's received! And while this option, and a more permanent zip code is higher on my list of preferences I am praying for and growing in contentment for what the Lord has for us - whatever that might be!

Honestly, it seems like every other week we could go one way or the other. After a fabulous class or chat with an esteemed professor Robert is excited and driven to stay for the ThM. Then, he talks to an already graduated friend in ministry or someone further along in the candidating process and he can't wait to get his own ministry and just preach! All the while, I'm thinking about the timing of our next baby, when we will live somewhere that has a real oven (and maybe even a dishwasher?!), where will that be, will it be close to our families, I wonder if there's really good food there, there's really good food here, maybe it would be nice to stay in CA with Dr. Frields for a while, warm weather year round...you know, real spiritual stuff, haha. But, my main ministry stays the same, here or there - Robert and Maggie! So, who knows what 3 months from now will hold. Who really even knows what 3 minutes from now will hold - I mean, I have a sleeping 4 month old in the other room! BUT, what I'm saying is that God is good and He knows exactly what each moment for the rest of eternity holds, and even better, He has planned it for my good (becoming more like Christ and then that we would be presented to Him) and ultimately His glory!!

And this is not where I was planning at all on going with this post. I mostly wanted to share Jesse Johnson's blog about candidating...candiDATING. So, check out his interesting and true perspective on candidating at the Cripplegate!

Flashback...

to July 3, 2009. Young(er) Robert watches young(er) Ashley walk down the aisle; they say "I DO!" and then they kiss and so far they have lived happily ever after!!!

Flash forward two years (present time) and they are in cool San Francisco celebrating two years of fabulous love and a baby girl on the way! So, please enjoy a few pics from our trip - we did!!


THE PAINTED LADIES


CRAZY LOMBARD STREET


COOL STAIRS AT COIT TOWER


ALCATRAZ!


ROBERT IS LOVING THE PRISON!


(and obviously i'm looking super cute!)




AUDIO TOUR


(this totally crazy insane guy) in front of this YUMMY burrito place!


YAY for our good friends, the MILLERS :) (came to visit from Modesto)


GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!!

OK. There are a million more pics, but uploading them is getting annoying, haha. So, for now, adios!! Can't wait for my man to get home...!

Babies! Babies! Babies!

Currently, babies are popping up everywhere in my life except for the little one in my belly!

It all started in February with Caitie and Olive...I cannot believe she is already 6 months old and so so adorable and fun! Then, another Caiti - roommate from college - had her sweet little Hayley! Shortly after that one of my dearest friends from college Stephanie and her hilarious husband Nick, had baby Addison - who I am dying to meet! Then came the few boys: Kelsey with Declan and Carly with Tucker, what handsome little men! A past coworker and friend had her second little girl, Allie, up in Alaska. Now, my best CA friend, Nicci, has her little Bryndal Lane, and she is just so sweet and beautiful! I'm also waiting to hear from my friend and neighbor, Rebecca, and the arrival of her little one (who was due last week!). Then, my very own family grew with the addition of Jacob Timothy Wauhop to Tim and Joni! What a chubby cutie, 9lbs, 9oz and 22 inches long!! I cannot wait to see him at Christmas! And, I still have several more pregnant friends, ready to bring their bundles of joy into the world within the next 4 or 5 months! What an exciting time!!

Here is my new nephew!! Looking so handsome and big-cheeked with his hard working mommy!!

So, now, Robert and I are basically dying to meet our Maggie Grace! Seriously, she is just moving and rolling and dancing around inside of me 24/7 and I just want to see her face...and fingers and feet and nose and belly and everything! I want to hold her in my arms, and not in my belly anymore, haha! (not to mention, I could definitely go for a nap on my stomach!!) I'm making my way through this 32nd week, and praying for the next 7 or so to come quickly! What a blessing all these new lives are! God is so kind to bless so many we love with the gift of life, adding to our quivers and adding to our joy which is always full in Him!

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures." James 1:17-18

What We've Been Up To...

O my! It has been quite some time since I last posted; but, I do think about it often. Life seems to be flying by. In the last month we've moved to Montrose (woot! woot! - such a blessing!), went on a anniversary trip/babymoon to San Fransisco (pictures and separate post to come, I promise), and all sorts of other work/high school ministry/seminary related things. And now we are about to venture off to Gloreitta, New Mexico for our high school summer camp and then a week after that, head home to the East Coast!! Living the good life :)

So, Montrose is this adorable little city that's sort of tucked away in some hills. It's so quiet and quaint and residential - so not North Hollywood where we just came from. And, although we loved our old location, the Lord has blessed us with so much extra space and amazing neighbors here in our Montrose apartment!

As far as high school camp, it's an insane, high-energy, total blast of a week with some of the greatest high schoolers around, and then like 600 other ones, too. This year there are going to be about 900 kids at CampRegeneration, hosted by Grace Church and our 180 youth group! There will be 12 teams (I think), and the competition is super fierce. This year it is Heroes vs. Villains, and I honestly have not seen girls go at each other like this, ever - it's so crazy...the sweetest little tiny high school girl is rolling around in the mud fighting over a blown up crocodile and then diving into a kiddie swimming pool and running around with a refrigerator box on her head - o camp! John MacArthur, Rick Holland, and Austin Duncan will be speaking, and it should be amazing! But, I've left out the best part! Me and this giant belly of mine will be riding on the bus...for 18 hours!!! So, honestly I'm not looking forward to that, because I know it will be uncomfortable and hard to sleep...but the Lord will give grace! Pray for me, please, if you think of it. Thankfully there are bathrooms on our bus!!

And then going home! O my goodness, I cannot wait to go home! We haven't been home since Christmas, so that's over 8 months! I haven't seen my mom once since I've been pregnant, so I'm really looking forward to spending time with her and the rest of the family! Also, I should be having 2 baby showers, one in NoVa and one in DE - so I'm very excited about that! Bring on all the cute baby gear!

Baby Maggie is getting so big and she's becoming more and more active, which is really fun! We hit 24 weeks/6 months this past Sunday! I cannot wait to meet her!! Getting fatter has been a little rough for me. I've always tended to be more self-conscious about my weight/appearance...and adding 12lbs so far to this little 5'1" frame has bummed me out at times. But, it really is like all belly so far, so that is kind of the Lord. And, it's humbling to remember that not only is my body not my own since it was bought with a price by Christ at my salvation, but it is also being used by Him to grow another life at this time! Also, I am just so thankful that she is healthy and growing right on track! Pregnancy is such a miracle...it's super weird and full of emotions, but God is such a Master Creator! It really is awesome! I can't wait to see her beautiful little face, and pinch her little fat rolls, and kiss her forehead, and all that good stuff! Ahhh!! Just 15 and a half more weeks!! Thank you Lord!

Ps. 72:18-19 - Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Having a Baby!!!

Yes, it is true, Robert and I are having a baby this November - and we literally could not be more excited! What a little miracle! It is so insane to know that a real little person is growing inside of me! God is so amazing! I get these e-mails every week that tell me what's going on in the womb each week, and it is unbelievable!

Right now I'm 8 weeks and a few days! Baby is around the size of a raspberry! And, he has a brain and his kidneys, and is growing webbed fingers and toes! His heartbeat is strong and I am just amazed at the whole process!


Is the pic TMI?

We won't know until late May or early June if it's a boy or a girl. We are hoping boy (because who doesn't want a big brother), but would be so excited for a girl, too! We have both names picked out!!

I don't want this post to be forever long, but, it's so crazy...Last summer I was throwing up a lot (gross, I know), and I never throw up. So, obviously, I thought I was pregnant; but I wasn't! Instead, it planted the baby bug in me! So, we decided to wait until this spring semester to start "trying!" So, March 4 I took a test early in the morning. Robert was at his Friday morning Bible study and Roxy was sleeping in the living room, haha! Don't worry, I told Robert first! Of course on the first test the second line was kind of faded, so I went out later to get a digital and double check!! I highly recommend the digital! It's so awesome reading the word, PREGNANT! Anyway...

Please pray for us and this little one! We are so excited and SO THANKFUL!

SleepOver!

I want to stay here so badly - the Standard! Doesn't it look like so much fun! What a great Valentines Day treat? Or just a weekend rendezvous!! It's way more trendy than I am... and a little too expensive for us - but, I feel like it would be such a fun, dreamy treat!

I must admit that LA does have a lot to offer - especially variety. From food to attractions to entertainment to shops, literally everything is here. Since Robert only has 3ish semesters left in seminary I figured I should start living LA to the fullest (or at least start checking it out)! So, I'm adding to my amazing places to vacation/staycation in LA. The Figueroa Hotel looks like so much fun!


The atmosphere seems really chill and it's so beautiful! It's right by the Staples Center and LA Live, yet it seems so secluded and romantic! What a fun find!

Married at the Marriot

"And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh..."

AMEN!

This was our first married Valentines Day, and it was wonderful! Robert and I went to San Diego and stayed downtown at the beautiful Marriot Hotel and Marina. I loved the city (and the fact that it was clean). I loved seeing the lights, and being able to walk everywhere. I loved the whole mood of the town - the tall, sleek buildings, the weather. I loved not going to work. But most of all I loved being with my husband. Being married is pretty much the greatest thing on the earth. What a blessing from the Lord to get to share your life, every day, with the one you love! We could have stayed at the romantic Castaic Inn (which is this hilarious little motel with like an 8"x10" swimming pool, an advertised 27" in-room tv, and a blinking red sigh that says ROMANTIC as you pull into the truck stop that so happens to be our exit off of the 5. It's priceless. You have to see it for yourself.) and had the most amazing time. But, the Lord was so gracious to us in allowing us to stay in such a gorgeous location and enjoy each other to the fullest!

We walked to breakfast. We went shopping. We ate amazing food - a lot of food - too much food! We went to the beach, saw a touch of the olympics, and smiled at each other. I called my mom the day before and just told her how excited I was to get away and just be with the hubs. And she laughed, fully knowing that we really have nothing to "get away" from, but totally understanding how great these special times are!

So, home is certainly where the heart is. I do miss my family and my friends daily, and terribly. But goodness, I sure do love this boy that I married. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work, and so very thankful for all the grace that God has given us.

Lastly, I wanted to add that we have decided to hire Isabell to travel with us, because we are wretched picture takers :)