I’m sure many of you have heard of the lovely Ashley of Little Blue Boo and her battle with cancer, if not you can read all about her courageous fight here in her Cancer Chronicles series. I love Ashley, she is an amazing and strong woman and I pray for her every day. Her story has struck me to the core as she is my age and is also a momma to a little girl my Noah’s age yet she radiates nothing but joy and calmness in what I can only imagine is pure madness when your body is at war with itself. Right around the time that Ashley was diagnosed with cancer (choreocarcinoma from a miscarriage gone bad) I became pregnant with our number 4. I just couldn’t believe it. It’s hard to think that from such joy can come such shear pain….one minute a baby the next minute cancer.
She is so candid with everything she is going through and I am so grateful that she decided to share her journey with all of us. Her story has had me in tears one moment (this video gets me every time I watch it) and then laughing the next, how does she do that? Her motto has been, “Choose Joy” and she really does live it…I love this motto and feel like I live my life this way too. There is no need to let the bad rule your life especially when there is so much good out there. I always like to look for the bright side in things…an eternal optimist I guess! Last week I finally received my official Team Ashley t-shirt ‘Fear Will Not Rule’ in the mail and I was so excited I have been wearing it every chance I get! Stephanie Corfee designed it and you can read all about it here…not sure if they will be printing more of this exact one or not but anything you buy from Team Ashley will go to help Ashley pay her medical bills, we’re talking 100%, every penny counts! So if you feel so inclined…go buy something now!
And here I am, 25 week belly and all (joy!) 
Team Ashley doesn’t do maternity wear so I just bought a medium and thought I’d stretch it out a bit, that way once baby is here the mid-section will have some extra space for that post-baby belly flab, lol!
Team Ashley doesn’t do maternity wear so I just bought a medium and thought I’d stretch it out a bit, that way once baby is here the mid-section will have some extra space for that post-baby belly flab, lol!
Side view anyone?
For those that are wondering, we still haven’t opened that darn envelope. I know, I know…we are so weird.
It’s fun to take wild guess though, right? This babe’s heartbeat is always around 150 and so far no heart burn (crossing my fingers!) I haven’t had any major cravings yet and have been loving my protein…cheeses, chicken, fish. What does that mean!?! That baby likes to eat I suppose!
On another joyful note…I have been thoroughly enjoying my Cuppow a whole lot lately. I saw it a while back on Pinterest (follow me here if you want!) and just had to have it. Can I just tell you it is such a super duper awesome invention! Love!
Now I can take my at-home glassware (mason jars rule our home) with me on the road. They only make one size that fit wide mouth canning jars currently but I have heard they may be making one for regular mouth canning jars this summer. Sweet! Hopefully they will work with the 1/2 pint jars making them the perfect reusable sippy cups for my kids!
Hope you are all having a lovely start to your week.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a uber-delicious recipe you are sure to love!!
We’ll talk soon!
XOXO,
Ashley’s story really touches me too, I am constantly amazed at her cheerful spirit! She really does Choose Joy!
That cuppow thing is rad! As for cravings, I am an asparagus monster. Steamed lightly, with a bit of butter and seasoning salt. Not the worst thing in the world to crave!
Yes, Ashley totally rocks!! And, asparagus? Hmm…is that a boy or a girl?
You are close to finding out soon too aren’t you?!!!
I craved proteins (salmon salad on a bagel! LOL) all the way through my pregnancy with my son. I had a dream very early on in my pregnancy way before having a sonogram and knew without a doubt that I was having a boy. Perhaps the salmon (protein) cravings were ‘boy’ related?!?
I will have to pop over and read all about Ashley’s journey. She sounds like a very special lady!
In the very back of my mind I kinda think it’s a boy…with my girls I craved sweets so since this is the opposite I think it is the opposite gender, lol! I haven’t made my official guess though…only time will tell! Yes, pop over to Ash’s blog, you will be amazed at her journey with cancer…she is one amazing lady!
Love that shirt, I’m glad there is a way some of her bills can be paid. I have an EIO cup for use with a 1/2 pint jar. It comes with a silicone sleeve and sippy top. My daughter hated though so it never got much use.
http://www.amazon.com/EIO-Kids-Cup-Sleeve-Included/dp/B0044TZELS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332281424&sr=8-2
I’ve seen those! But she didn’t like it? That is no good…hmmm, I wonder why she didn’t like it!
I have been following Ashley’s blog for a long time as well and she truly is AMAZING! She is such an inspiration to remember that we do have a choice no matter what the circumstance. I ordered her Choose Joy necklace made by the Vintage Pearl and I may just have to get a T-shirt too! Yours looks so cute. As for the post baby belly…. can I still call it that if the babies are 11 and 13! Hope your day is great!
Oh that necklace is sooo pretty! I bet you will love it! And lol on the baby belly, can you believe what we go through for those kids of ours!!
Yes, Ashley’s story is so heartbreaking, amazing, and inspiring all at the same time.
Oh and I thought Clif peeked in the envelope and spilled the beans on Valentine’s day
I agree! Ashley inspires all of us with her story! And, nope!!! Clif was just joking with me, we still don’t know and aren’t sure if we should look yet either!!
I feel like I could have written this post…I have a t-shirt coming AND I was just looking at the Cupow lids. Glad to hear that they are just as cool as they seem.
LOL Amanda! You will love the shirt, it’s super comfy! And the Cuppow, well words almost cannot say how much I love mine!!!
My baby’s heartbeat was always above 150, I craved cheese, cheese, cheese and milk, milk, milk, and I never had a second of heartburn. The wives tales predicted 86% of being a girl…so you’ll imagine my surprise when my husband announced “it’s a boy” in the delivery room!
Isn’t waiting until the end the best…it’s a crazy time being in labor and all but so fun to get that surprise! We did that with the first three…still sticking to it for this one for now!