Story of my life

My sweet little family has been enjoying some much needed family time lately.  We've made an extra effort to simply spend some quality time together.  No tv, no phones, no computers...just the three of us doing simple things together-going to get a snowball, going to the bookstore, eating dinner on the patio together and taking long walks in the neighborhood.  I've found that life gets so extremely busy and the first ones to suffer are usually the ones who mean the most.

The Lord is teaching so many things lately. I feel like He has been using the last few weeks to constantly get in my face and say, "ASHLEE...I need you to get this".  I'm not always paying attention or willing to take things in, but lately I feel like I'm soaking up His lessons.  

I've been thinking of how my life is a story.  It's a book I'm writing through my actions and words on a daily basis.  Each moment, each decision, each word I say is another page in my book.  I can't go back and erase or delete my pages once they have been written, but I can decide what will fill my pages in the future.  I can choose to fill my book with wonderful memories, kind words and generous actions.  I can choose to make my story be one of love, peace and joy.  It's my story to write.  It's up to me to make it a story worth reading. 

When I pass on to my forever home, I want to leave behind a story filled with pages full of family memories,  long conversations with friends, special times of ministering to others, and most of all...the special everyday moments like bath time with my baby girl, story time before bed, sweet kisses from my hubby and even snuggles with the puppy. 

Each day is a new beginning in my story of life and each new morning is an opportunity to make my story count.  No matter how much I mess up the day before, I can learn from those torn and dirty pages...I can still take those less desirable days and learn from those mistakes.  

How cool is it that we can author our own stories.  I can only count on myself to finish my book.  It's up to me to make it one that others will read and know my heart was found solely in my faith and my family.