Marcum Weekend Highlights

I started babysitting for the Marcum’s in February 2003….almost six years ago!  Abby was 3, Matty was 6 months…and then 2 years later Cooper came along!  I am able to go back every once and a while and watch them for a weekend.  Here are some highlights from last weekend.  They come mostly in the form of quotes!  Enjoy!

Abby Grace  //  9 years old

Matty Faith  //  7 years old

Cooper David  //  4 years old

Ashley, why aren’t you married?  You should date someone from that internet thing. -Abby  (This was actually an ongoing question all weekend from Abby and Cooper…they feel so bad for me…ha.  But they do have high expectations…they think I need to marry a doctor.  They promise me that if I move back to Shawnee that they will find me one…ha!)

Do you remember when I was in my momma’s stomach?  Those were the days.  -Matty

I was walking behind Cooper carrying the food he had just chosen at the Chinese Restaurant.  As we approached the table he slapped the waiter on the butt.  The positive note was that they go to this restaurant all the time and they have formed a really good friendship with their waiter, Quy (that’s his name).  I am not sure that slapping him on the butt happens often, but none the less Quy handled himself well!  The conversations that followed involved them trying to convince Quy and I to get married.  Yes, Awkward!

Sunday morning @ 6 a.m. Cooper comes shuffling in my room.  The first words that come out of his mouth as he is waking me up; “Ashley, I am bored.”

As we were playing Monopoly Cooper is spending his money like crazy.  “Ashley, the person that spends the most money wins!!”

Saturday morning I woke up before the crew and was able to watch the Sunrise.  Cooper made it outside with me.  When we were sitting there he told me the story of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego…Veggie Tales Style!

Also, some of the sweetest times I have spent with these kids is praying for them while they are sleeping.  When I was in college it was nap time when I arrived and now when I stay with them I get to tuck them in!  Abby and Cooper like for you to rub their back and sing songs to them.  When they fall asleep I like to stay and pray over them.  I pray that God reveals himself to them.  That he protects them and keeps them pure.  I pray for the Lord to give their mom and dad wisdom as they raise these three.

We did a lot of fun things this weekend…Starbucks visit, OKC Children’s Science Museum, Soccer Game, Board Games, and of course a photo shoot on the OBU Campus!

It has been a blessing to be a part of this family’s life!

Advent

Two years ago I practiced the season of Advent.   (and I wrote about it here)    It changed my life (I am not being dramatic…it really did).  I am really looking forward to starting this year.  November 29th is the official calendar day it starts, coincidentally, my 26th birthday!  I might type more about the season here in days to come, but maybe not.  If you want to learn more go to this website.

May your heart, this Christmas season, be stirred for the coming of Jesus Christ.  I leave you with an advent prayer:

“Come long-expected Jesus. Excite in us a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God’s own work for justice. Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace; peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father’s joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love. Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.”

ESPN @ Work!

The pleasures of working with men…ESPN in the work place!

Big game for the Cowboys on Sunday!

A hard days work

I spent a chunk of my work day getting every single paint sample from Benjamin Moore.  Half way through the guy came and showed me books I could order…for free!  I finished anyway!  You live you learn.  Besides, this color coded wonderfulness is so pleasing to my eye that I enjoyed it.

Simple Joys…

I am updating them more regularly these days…take a look under the Joys tab!

There is a lot of joy in life right now.  Not that joy comes from things or circumstances; but during this season things and circumstances end up giving me a lot of God centered Joy.   Let me list the ways!

1.  The weather is BEAUTIFUL in Dallas right now.  It is suppose to be in the 70’s all week; the sun is shining and the colors are so vibrant!

2.  The Cowboys are starting to look better!

3.  I have wonderful fellowship and community with an amazing group of girls.

4.  I am stretched and sanctified through my church.

5.  A year ago this upcoming weekend was my last day as a vocational minister.  That change was so providential and much needed!  I love the journey he has taken me on this past year…it went by so fast!

6.  My job is pretty fun!

7. God is speaking really clear and guiding strongly.

8.  I just feel content:-)

9.  I have been able to share my story time and time again lately with other women.  It is amazing to watch the Lord call out, redeem and reconcile!

I started a new job…

Yes, you read it right…2nd job in ten months:-)  This one might be a keeper!

Then again, I’ve heard that come out of my mouth before!

www.tatumbrown.com

Introducing……

….my two roommates and newest bloggers!   Jen Stetter and Susan Jones.

They will for sure leave you entertained, while I am sure, stirring your affections for God’s movement in the world; specifically Guatemala!

I have the joy of living with them through late spring and after that they head to Guatemala City to work with our church, The Village!

Keep track of them!

Shiloh Grace!

Two of my best friends had a birthday party for their little girl this past weekend!  Unfortunatly I have not spent much time with Shiloh post the womb.  I like to say we are knit together because she heard my voice probably just as much as anyone’s when she was in the womb.  She heard all my drama and tears as I was leaving ParkwayHills, dealing with indecisive boys, and figuring out a future job…poor girl!  Her party was all pink and purple!  She also did a good job with her own cake! 

O the places we will go…!

The other day a friend told me that she was so excited about the life stage I was in.  I am assuming she meant the single, young professional 20’s life stage…not sure what else it could be?   And you know…I agree!  When else could one, in three years time,

1.  Start three/four different jobs (yes…I resigned a week ago and start a new job mid October….all to start a new job next August)

2.  Live for a period of time in 14 different houses & apartments

3. Travel to tons of countries at the drop of a hat

 

Those are probably three of my fave…I am sure there are more!  I hope that my life does become a bit more settled…but I do love the freedom and excitement of things always changing.  I hope my life is always revolving…even when I do get married and have a family.  Moving 14 times is hopefully not part of that…but I pray we will be at God’s disposal and make moves according to his calling appropriately!  That’s how I am trying to live now…surely it will carry on.

Dallas Sights & Reviews // Hacienda on Henderson

Have I mentioned I love living in Dallas?  I always mean to post places I go…and have yet to follow through.  Here is my attempt to start!

Hopefully in the posts to come I will have a picture to share!

 

Last night I met up with a recently re united friend from college!  She lives in Uptown and suggested Hacienda on Henderson.  It was wonderful!  I am not clever with my words; so head to their website to see what they have to say!  Here is my shot at it…the fallish weather added a nice touch as we sat outside on the patio!  The restaurant is a renovated home turned restaurant.  The chips and salsa were fabuloso…the first tale tale sign of good Tex-Mex.  I then ordered a Dos Eques…AMAZING…I don’t know if it was my mood, the changing of my taste buds or the long week I had…. but it was the best I have had!  No Joke, mmmmm…makes me want to get one right now!  I then ventured out to something new in Mexican food…which I would have never called Mexican.  Maybe it is?  I ordered brisket tacos.  I was hesitant because brisket just seems like a Sunday after church meal…but people get it all the time, so I just had to try it!  AND again, AMAZING!  Three little corn tortillas filled with brisket and then dipping sauce!  A side of double rice and I was good to go.  I finished the night with a $14 tab (tip included).  So, it is the average price of dinner.  Not something I would like to pay on a regular basis, but it was worth it!  I would love to return.  I hear their margs are great.  The mood was young business professionals, awkward first dates, happy hour feel…I guess a typical Thursday.  It is a nice area of Uptown…not too crazy, but there was a buzz in the streets around.  OOOO, one thing I did not like…the only parking was Valet.  I heard it was complimentary…but I was nervous because 1.  I have never done Valet before and 2. I had no cash, and I hate tipping in general (sorry…it’s true).  So why tip when I can just walk a little further?  So the parking wasn’t great.  I kind of had to park on a shady street (as in shady people, not shady trees).

Great night!  Great company (I was able to share my testimony and see how God has moved in me and also how he is moving in my friend!)!  Great Food!  Great Drinks!  A+