1st School Performance

Ashlynd had her first school performace before Thanksgiving. It was precious to see the the 2 classes of 3 year olds singing 3 songs with hand motions. The kids then gave each parent a photo album of everything they had done in the first months of school. These are just a few of Ashlynds' priceless expressions. Their next show is coming up in a few weeks, Angel Band....

Sweeter

I have been singing on Suday's with our contemporary song group for the past 7 weeks. (today was my last time until 2009) I connect with God so well when I am singing.

After 7 weeks of listening to my practice CD in the car Ashlynd has an opinion of here favorite Contemporary Christian songs. So as we drive to and from school each day she asks for "Sweeter". http://www.imeem.com/people/xUSbv9k/music/RPzRAfVE/travis_cottrell_sweeter/

Ashlynd went to practice with me on Saturday and Sunday and had so much fun dancing and singing along to Sweeter as the group practiced. To lighten up service today I took her up on stage for the final song - Sweeter. ( I wish I had it on video) I knelt down so that Ashlynd and I could share the mic, well Ashlynd had other plans. We began the choris and I whispered in her ear sing louder sweetheart. (that must have been all she needed) Out came the joyous voice from my angel, as we went into each verse Ashlynd began to just take the entire mic out of my hand and by the middle of the song she had total control of the mic and acted like a pro as she joyful sang on key, pitch and tone, her favorite song, to the LORD. The ironic thing is the gospel message today was about sharing you talents..it's awesome how God works even through children to get a message across.

Halloween 2008

The week of Halloween 2008 was one of the most beautiful autumn weeks we have experienced. Every morning on our drive to school Ashlynd points out the beautiful sunrise that God has bestowed upon us. She points out every color she sees and follows the location of Mr. Sun as we travel. Each day it amazes me how observant Ashlynd is about her surroundings, she has definitely opened my eyes and heart to all the gifts God gives us daily. One evening I stopped at the mailbox and she could see the tree in our front yard from her car seat, she got all excited...mama how did those red leaves get on our tree? Amazing they were the most vibrant red leaves that we had seen this season. From that point on she pointed out every tree or bush with red leaves.

Halloween week started with the Canterbury "Hat" parade followed by the inguinal Madden/Busch Trick-or-treating adventure in West Autumn. 2 princesses and a bride.

Mrs. Larson & Ashlynd - Canterbury Hat Parade

Proud Ashlyndrella

Best Friends

CANTERBURY KIDS

Ashlynd started pre-school this year and wow is she enjoying her experiences. As you can see the CHEESE in the first picture to her 1st trip on a BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS with out mom. They went to the pumpkin patch in October.

BOILER UP!!

The Madden family always has a wonderful fall season, no matter what the outcome of the Purdue season may be. Ashlynd attended 4 Purdue football games this year and is quite the trooper. She takes "Tailgating" to heart as she plays on the tailgate of our Yukon or Papaw's truck. It's fun to watch her interact with all of our tailgating friends, Hammer and the gang, Hunter, Larry & Brian Miller, Mike and we can not forget her favorite, "Purdue Pete". As we leave the house each Saturday morning at 5:15am, Ashlynd makes the trip in her p.j.'s to take in a few extra winks. When we arrive she gets geared up in her tailgating gear and starts to nibble on the food (which she can now reach on her own). She really thinks she is big stuff as she pulls her juice box or milk out of the cooler. All morning Ashlynd plays ball toss, colors pictures and all of the other fun activities a 3 year old enjoys at tailgating...I almost forgot...MAMA WE HAVE TO FIND THE CHEERLEADERS. Each week we have a different picture of her with the Purdue cheerleaders. Finally, we walk into the game and before the 1st quarter had ended she has pointed out Purdue Pete, the band and closed her eyes for a football game nap. Unbelievable, 1 hour of sleep in a roaring stadium, fans yelling at the top of there lungs behind her, and she sleeps so sound. I can't say I don't enjoy every minute of the snuggle time the Purdue games provide me, it takes me back 2 years ago when she was just a small peanut. Once she wakes up at half time she looks for daddy

to actually watch the football game, as she does each Sunday.

BOILER UP!

GO COATS! (IE COLTS)

My Daddy likes the Steelers!

BIG "3"
As we approached September 9, 2008 the excitement grew with in our house hold. We learned when Ashlynd's birthday was and that she was going to be 3 and that being 3 makes her definately a BIG girl now. I thought that this was the best place to start blogging and capturing her cute sayings and share our lives with friends and family. I will have to add more pictures from Ashlynd's actual birthday party but as I said this is a start.

Getting started

I need to dedicate this post to a dear friend that has encouraged me to start this blog. Court, we shall see how this goes, wish me luck.