Asher Daniel Chappell

Happy Father's Day 2010!!

If I had a nickel for every time someone said "you are just like your dad" I'd probably be one rich gal. :o) 

Growing up I remember him apologizing to me for that, I guess because some of the reasons that would get me in trouble or some of the crazy things I would do or think up would be very characteristic of him. I always wondered why he was apologizing... I wanted to be like him and thought that him or others saying I was, was one of the greatest compliments.  I still think that today. :o) I'm so glad I took after him. Now, mind you the more I grow as a wife and mother I see more and more of my mother in me... which is also a very good thing.  But My dad is the larger than life role model that I've always admired the heck out of.  I look very much like him... and have his strong will running through my veins. (thus the aforementioned apologizing)  However, I love that aspect about him. 

He didn't have a traditional childhood, he lost both parents before he was 10, he served in the military for our country, he fought against racism as a police officer... even when it meant losing friends, he left a successful career to go into the ministry, he took 4 small children 4 thousand miles away from everyone they knew to carry the gospel to Alaska, he loved and served a small church for 18 years there, He raised his daughters to love the home and to love their mom and all she stood for, he taught his 6 boys how to be masculine men and men of God. He has showed so many what the meaning of loyalty and faithfulness means. He has loved... sometimes not being loved back... but he has always loved. 

 His life hasn't been a walk in the park. He has walked through suffering, rejection, confusion, violence, betrayal... and has responded to those things as one who trusts a loving God, responding with forgiveness, humility, kindness, courage, and compassion.  I remember calling him when we found out about Asher's diagnosis and we just cried together but he said to me, "Casey, this is the time to cling to your faith and your theology... it's not just words in a book.... it's your strength and your life.... you hold fast!"  And we did.  And he did. And he led my family to do so.  

He has led a full life already..... and I think that's just the beginning. Having 9 kids is a lot... but being a grandpa to all the grandchildren those 9 will Lord willing bring into their families... That's a lot!! I can't wait for my babies to be able to learn from him and be able to go on all sorts of adventures with him. I know he will keep them laughing and loving.  

Dad.... You're amazing!! I really REALLY love you so much. I'm so glad God has brought me to where I'm near you again. You're my hero in 1,000 different ways.  

 

 
 

Today I know doesn't just celebrate MY dad.  I'm so blessed to have a loving and very loyal father in law, that I'm still getting to know more and more each year.  Dan's favorite things to say about his growing up was that his dad was there for every game of his.... every one.  Still to this day, his dad will come to the games Dan coaches to show his support.  My daughter has great taste in people and at the very top of her list is "Bampa" He hung the moon in her eyes. I mean, if grandma walks in the door first she will almost immediately get a confused look on her face and start demanding where Bampa is. It's so funny. But I just love watching them play and bond together.  I love Mr. Chappell's readiness for adventure and desire to experience and see new things.... part of which made him able to pick up from his life long home and move here to Texas. 

I love you Mr. Chappell. I do more than you know. I'm so grateful that you're here in our lives. I know the world has so many pressures and images of what success is and looks like. But you love the Lord and still seek to understand all sorts of aspects of your faith, you've raised 3 children and loved them and gave them opportunity in life, and you've been in a loving marriage that truly is for life, and you have a magical touch when it comes to your grandchildren.  That my dear father in law... is Success. And have I mentioned I love you!!! 

Happy Mothers Day 2010

First and foremost I want to wish my mother a wonderful Mothers Day! I'm so blessed to be your daughter.

 I'm so glad you opened up your life to me at a time when life would totally change for you by having a baby. I'm so glad you decided after a day of preschool that you couldn't bear to be apart from me and you decided to take up the challenge to homeschool me. I'm so glad you gave me the gift of brothers and sisters.... and lots of them. I'm so glad you always were willing to let me follow my crazy ideas like painting the youth room or calling a piano teacher every day for weeks until she let me be her student or going to cosmetology school 4 thousand miles away from home. I"m so glad you lived a life of a pastors wife fairly open to us children...I learned so much from you that has been and will be invaluable as we prepare for ministry.  I'm so glad you sought out my heart and embraced my love for Dan and were very open and honest to be about the joys and struggles of marriage. I'm so glad you were so excited to share your wealth of knowledge about pregnancy and child bearing. I'm so glad you came and stayed with me those weeks after losing Asher. I'm so glad you've been my biggest fan in our adventure in adoption and fostering. I'm so glad you're my mother!!! 

 

uncanny how much I looked like Asher isn't it. (see pic of him on left side)

  

Many people ask me when I started to learn photography and I normally tell them that I can't remember it was so early. Because I was learning and watching my mom and her love for photography and her passion for documenting our lives. My mom LOVED to take our photos. She took tons of them. And one of my most favorites were ones she took in the bluebonnets. 

 

That, my friend, is a Texas tradition. Taking photos of your children in the fields of bluebonnets as they line the highways come springtime in Texas.  So, being the good Texan Mommy that I am. (I was born here so I can claim that) I took my children and took their photos in the bluebonnets!! 

  

 

 



 

 

I also have the wonderful blessing of having the most wonderful gift in my mother-in-law! I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have her in my life. I joke often that she fell in love with me even before my husband did. She is an amazing homemaker and a servant through and through. She too was by my side in some of the best weeks of my life and some of the darkest days of my life. I tell Dan all the time that I feel guilty for how much she serves me. But he laughs and says, Casey, she loves doing it and it brings her joy! I do believe him because it shows. She's not only the mother of my amazing husband but one of my closest friends.  I love you Judy! 

 
 

a very chappell easter

Growing up for me, being a pastors daughter, Easter Activities were mostly centered about what the church was doing that day. And being in Alaska I think a lot of times we had a church-wide potluck since most extended families lived "in the lower 48". A lot of holidays in Alaska were really centered around church family verses extended blood family. I really enjoyed that growing up. I miss those people a lot because they are like family to me. 

Last year we were in Michigan visiting Dan's extended family for Easter and this year we spent it with Dan's Mom and Dad and cousin (or 2nd cousin...however that works!) and then we ended it by going to church together for the 5:00 service. Josh it was so great to have you with us all day. Those brownies (from scratch) ROCKED! 

In Chappell fashion, of course we had Easter baskets. I remember getting them when I was really little but not as I got older.... I'm sure as a family of 9 kids the Easter basket tradition could get really expensive...not to mention that's A LOT of sugared up hyper kids! So, for now, while we just have 2 and we can monitor the amount of jelly beans Zoe can eat.... Bring on the Easter Baskets!!!  

  

 
 

 

And I just wanted to leave you with a link to a blogger friend's easter/good friday post. I really respect that she doesn't shy away from putting her heart and her love for her Lord into her blog posts. Thank you MckMamma! She really puts into words beautifully what Easter is truly about. So, while I love pastels, baskets, sandals, and jelly beans... what I really love is knowing the price that was paid for me to have sweet fellowship with my God and for an eternity of worshiping him where all these earthly joys will pale in comparison to the delights in heaven.... joy evermore increasing forevermore!! 

H A P P Y * E A S T E R * 2010

Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising He justified freely forever, someday He's coming, OH GLORIOUS DAY!!!

 
 

    Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

   Because He lives, all fear is gone;
   Because I know He holds the future,
   And life is worth the living,
   Just because He lives!

Happy New Years ! !

I hope you had a wonderful New Years. I did. New Years Eve we went to dinner with John and Sarah and then watched the ball drop on TV. (wasn't too impressed with the entertainment this year.) It was strange because we're an hour ahead of New York so it was only 11 when the Celebration peaked.  But it was still festive. We even got to see the fireworks from downtown out our back door. (that's how flat and wide open Texas land is)  

For New Years Day, we celebrated at my in-laws place by having the traditional Black Eyed Peas and a tradition from Judy's heritage called Olie Bollen. Which is a dutch donut of sorts with raisins in it. It was new to me when I joined the family but I have come to love them and look forward to her making them each year.  

 

 

 
 
 

I do have a New Year's Resolution which I'm going public with on January 11th. So stay tuned. :o)  

I am hopeful and really looking forward to 2010. 2009 was great but I was okay to see it go. 

I want to thank each of you for walking with me this past year and being there to listen and read as I process and grow and move forward in this journey/adventure God has me on. You are a part of my life and I know that many of your prayers have proven effectual in my life and in the life of those I write about. I will need you this coming year as I continue to battle sin in this fallen world and in my weary body. I hope to encourage you and pray for you as well. And may we all make MUCH of Jesus this year and the Amazing Hope the Gospel brings to each of our lives. 

Love you and Happy New Year! 

Here's some pics of the kids in their PJ's since we've been spending lots of time at home just veggin and being comfortable and cozy! 
  

 

 

 

Bright Hope

Every Year we have a theme for our Christmas Celebrations and Decor. This year was Bright Hope. We had a very Brightly colorful tree and the word Hope hanging in various places. We framed hopeful words of Christmas hymns and placed them around the house. 

We are trying to get into the tradition of doing advent readings and poems and lighting candles each week leading up to Christmas and while we have yet to do all 5 weeks I love what we have been able to read. I know the kids will love them as they grow up. I battle with wanting all my traditions to be in place right now but each year is teaching me that the most meaningful traditions are those which have taken years to grow and cultivate. So, it's not in how much you do everything but more that what you do do has meaning.  

 

 

 

 

 
 

 _{^{A thrill of HOPE the weary world rejoices,}} 

_{^{For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.}} 

 
  

CoraBell and ZoeGirl

What a treat it was for us to have Dan's Aunt Sue and Cousin (Kristen) and her little girl (Cora) come visit us a few weeks ago. Aunt Sue has been an amazing aunt and just to tell you what kind of family they are, Kristen gave birth to Cora 2 days after Asher was born and that day she told her mother to go to Raleigh to be with us for Asher's memorial service and those hard days that followed.   I"ll ALWAYS be grateful to them for loving us so well during that time.  

So, They came to Texas and I was so excited for Zoe to have a playmate around.  Zoe LOVES older kids because she just watches their every move and loves to follow them around. Cora was a great little friend to Zoe and was running circles around her which Zoe loved.   

We took them downtown Fort Worth to show them the Stockyards and the city sights. It was so much fun. The girls loved everything, except I don't think Zoe was too fond of Cowboy Santa. :o) gotta love the face transition on those pics.  

So, a little bit of family and a little bit of Fort worth for you. :o) 

Thanks again Aunt Sue and Kristen and Cora for coming. We LOVED having you here. can't wait till next time. (texas translation: "Ya'll come back now ya' hear!")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

she's got legs and she knows how to use them

That's right, she's off and walking! She loves it. She follows me around all day and it's really so cute.  She loves to haul toys around that are really too big for her to carry but she likes to drag them around anyways. :o)  And she learned to sign "more" in sign language. That might be the extent of signing for her or maybe not. But she picked that one up quick. I guess it's because she's loving eating these days. She's funny about texture but she's a good sport about most things. 

We celebrated her #1 birthday with a cupcake and a few gifts (her new baby doll was and still is  HUGE hit! She loves giving her doll kisses and loves!)  but we're waiting on my whole family to get here next weekend for Jeremiah's wedding to have her big birthday party!! It's going to be so much fun. I've loved planning it. 

I can't believe she's #1!! She's so much fun at this age. Love it!! 

 

 
 

She liked playing in it more than eating it. strange woman! 

 

 

 

New clothes. She is growing out of clothes so fast now these were definitely needed. 

 

A doll baby that looks a lot like her! :o) 

 

 

Nothing says I love you like a french kiss from a 1 year old! 

 

So, how does this bottle taste? 

 

Ohhhh... feed the baby! 

 

My baby!

 
 

make new friends... keep the old.

While I don't think I'm doing the former as much as I should since we moved here. I have reconnected with several old friends.   Tiffany is one of those friends. We figured it out that we met when we were both 14 at a conference in Indianapolis. Became pen pals (I'm so going to encourage my daughter to have pen pals) And Tiff was a letter writing machine... long beautiful letters. That's what teens did before facebook/email I guess.  Anyway, then I went and visited her in GA a few years later and then..... we basically didn't reconnect until a year or two ago. She really encouraged me as we lost our son and missed him greatly.  

So, when we found out they were coming to Fort Worth for Thanksgiving. We jumped at the opportunity to get together (they live in CO. right now) So I got to meet her 5 beautiful sons and I couldn't resist but to take some photos of them. Boys are so fun to photograph I think because they warm up so fast and then start showing off and that's FUN to photograph!  

Here is their slideshow: http://www.poiemaphotography.com/flammboyswinter09/

Tiff, You're an amazing mother and I loved meeting your sons and getting to know them. And getting to see you again after all these years. It was as if being 14 and pen pals was just yesterday! 

 

 

 

 
  
 
 

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Yesterday we made the trip to Austin for the Keathley Family gathering. It was as always so good to see cousins and family that we don't get to see often enough. But it was hard too, because this was the first thanksgiving without my grandfather. And my aunt is having a really tough battle with cancer and though she was there and graciously hosted all of us that day, she was tired and hurting. I think get togethers are important for remembering the past. for celebrating the future,  and for enjoying the moment. We did all of those.  

Here's our annual family photo: (minus Jessica and Craig, Jessica Nichols, Brittany and Bradley and Mabel, We missed you guys!!)   

 

And here's some fun photos from yesterday! 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's Zoe all pooped out on the way home. She played so hard all day that I think she fell asleep in the driveway pulling out. 

 
 I hope everyone enjoyed the friends and family you were around yesterday. And I just want you to know that I'm VERY grateful for each and every one of you. It's hard to believe that at Thanksgiving last year We had just heard about a little baby girl that was about to be born and needed a mommy and daddy. This has been another full and abundant year. Full of His mercy and grace. Full of lessons learned. Full of love and new experiences. Full of talks of visions for the future. Full of blessings that are too numerous to count. 

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small

I think of when I had none at all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

* love me some bing crosby! *

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Zoe's first Halloween

One of Dan and I's first arguments during dating was actually on the subject of Halloween and how our kids would celebrate or not celebrate it....I think we even got on the santa clause or no santa clause issue as well. Yep, we hit the road running when it came to dating.  Looking back I wouldn't recommend talking about your future kids and how you will raise them on one of your first dates with someone. Little did either of us know then.  

I, having a tendency to want to be legalistic and wanting rules to follow, held to the fact that never would my kids celebrate this holiday, except maybe in a safe fall festival environment. Dan however grew up having wonderful memories of this fun filled day for their family. And as is the case with so many things Dan and I have come together and have made this what we feel it should be for our family. It's amazing the leading and the wisdom and peace that God gives parents in decisions when that time comes in their life to make them. And He is the one that each of us are accountable to in these decisions. So we are all free to respect each other in how we celebrate, how we not celebrate, how we live each and every day according to the leading of God in our own families.  

This was a great article I read today and really encouraged me about this holiday in particular. 

http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvchildren/?p=175

This year, we had a wonderful day together and went to brunch at a mom and pop pancake house here in Fort Worth and then to Sam's club. As usual Zoe got tons of attention and sporting her new crocheted hat with a bow only brought oodles and ahhs from all.... even the oldest little men stop and talk to her. I love it. So, all you shy people with little ones, I don't see how you do it when you go out shopping.  

We really would have loved to have a neighborhood to walk around in and get to know our neighbors but living in seminary housing most people were out at their own church's event or desiring to stay in with their families. We look forward to possibly having a new neighborhood next year to walk around and get to know.  So tonight we headed out to our church The Village in Dallas. we walked Zoe around and met some great people. It's hard being at a brand new church and not knowing anyone. They have four services on sunday so even meeting someone, you might not run into them again if they go to different services than you. But Dan and I really love this church already and can't wait to see how God will use them in our lives and vice versa we hope.  So, meeting people tonight was a blessing... although come to think of it I don't know if I"ll recognize Thing 1 and Thing 2 or the Chinese Geisha even if we were at the same service. :o) oh, well... hopefully they'll have less trouble recognizing this cute leopard and come up to us when we meet again. 

I hope you had a wonderful day today!