Wednesday, December 5, 2012

When It Rains....

I know when it rains, it doesn't always pour; it can be misty... it can sprinkle... but the phrase "When It Rains It Pours," could not hit me any harder right now.
There has been so many things going on and going "wrong" that without God in my life, I think I'd go crazy. Don't get me wrong, I still have melt downs and cry my eyes out, but I am confident that it will all end up fine (even if His "fine" is different from what I would consider to be fine).
The last couple of weeks have caused me to step back and pray, and ask God what it is that I should be learning right now. ROMANS 5 helps get me through all that is going on. Along with verses such as JEREMIAH 29:11. That's a verse that everyone who grew up in a "Christian" home learned and memorized. I even know a song to sing it with. So to some, this verse may seem cliche, but to me it means everything. God already knows what's going on. He can see me days and even years from now, and the reality of that is mind-blowing and comforting all at the same time.
Things may get difficult, but He has my best interest in mind like a good dad does. I love Him and I trust Him, even when I'm crying like a baby.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

One Year Old Invitation

The beautiful girl that I have been taking pictures of each month since she was born is turning one! So for her 11 month old shoot, her mom wanted something specific to use for an invitation to her 1st birthday party. She showed me what she had in mind and I asked her if I could try to recreate it. I told her I wouldn't be offended if she didn't end up liking it. Well, it turns out she loves it; even more so than the original one she had found! I wanted to share it with you all. Out of respect for their privacy, I blurred out their personal information such as address, phone number and email. Here it is...




Monday, November 5, 2012

Pray for Our National Election

I admit that I have not been praying as diligently as I could or should have been for this election. I prayed about whom I should vote for, and then I prayed the, "Oh Dear Lord, please don't let Obama get re-elected," prayer.
But then I got this email (see below) and I realized that my prayers were shallow and selfish. I thought about how God knows what the future looks like, not me, and that I want the man in office that He wants to be there. With less than 24 hours before the election, I'm changing the way I pray tonight and tomorrow. I also will pray throughout the year for our president as well as any person in a seat of government.

The email starts off with this:


It is critical that Christians pray for the coming presidential election.
There is amazing power in united prayer.
 Pray with others whenever possible.
 The power of prayer can overcome any obstacle or ungodly influence  and,
indeed, do great things!


14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.   2 Chronicles 7:14


It continues with what to pray for and Bible verses to support the prayer. 
I hope that as you read this, you will make it your prayer as well. Whoever our President ends up being tomorrow, I pray that God forgives us, has mercy on us, and blesses us.

Pray for repentance for yourself and your nation:
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30


Pray that others will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders:
For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah      
Psalm 32:6-7

Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray:
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.   
Proverbs 16:13

Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken:

The Lord the Strength of His People

A Song of Ascents.

125 Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The Lord shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!    
Psalm 125
(I believe that our country needs to be in support of Israel in order for us to continue to succeed)

Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election:
14 O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent men have sought my life,
And have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.   Psalm 86:14-17

Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice for President (and his team) and guide them in this election:
16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.  2 Kings 13:16


The Bible says that God sets up kings and God deposes kings. God is in control:
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.    Daniel 2:20-22

Pray that God's man, and our nation, will be discerning and do what is right:
Discern the Time 
54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Make Peace with Your Adversary

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?
Luke 12:54-57


Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president in this campaign:
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.   Psalm 16:7-8

Pray that God's man will listen with discernment, add to his knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign:
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.    
Proverbs 1:5-6

Pray that the man of God's choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign:
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33


Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God:
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   Philippians 4:13


Pray that the Lord will arm the man of His choice with strength; would guide him in battle (this election); and would sustain him and give him victory:
32 It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
36 You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.   Psalm 18:32-36

Pray that God's man could, through faith, persevere and maintain his courage throughout this election:
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens (other armies).   Hebrews 11:32-34

Pray that the Lord would empower and enable his man in any area of weakness:
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.   2 Corinthians 12:9


Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us and give His servant victory:

The Lord’s Reply

“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.  Habakkuk 1:5

Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.    
Habakkuk 3:2




Keep praying. God bless!





Thursday, November 1, 2012

Pumpkin Patch

I took the kids I babysit to the Pumpkin Patch this week. Here are a couple pictures of the day:



Fred Flintsone

My friend asked me to make a Fred Flintstone costume for her son for Halloween.
Here is what was created:

Sewing in progress...

Almost finished   .................................   DONE!!!!


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Disc Covers

When I would give someone their disc of pictures after a photo shoot, I would put it in a plain white CD sleeve. Nothing special, but not super lame either (it's better than a cd in a plastic ziploc bag). This weekend I learned how to make some awesome covers! I'll post a picture of a finished cover, and hopefully remember to take pictures to show you how to make them later this week. Hopefully. haha


Notes to Self

I don't have the best memory, which is probably why I don't post here very often, but I want to try to get better. My first step in attempting to improve is to write a list of what I want to post. I will probably add to this list as time goes on, but at least it will all be right here. It will be a quick reference for me, and you can help keep me accountable to it if you'd like ;)

My List

  • My garage "studio"
  • How to set up the "Santa Baby" photo shoot
  • Books I've read
  • Oils I use, along with tips and suggestions on how to use them
  • Crafts in progress and finished
  • Lesson Plans?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Essential Oils

Hi All!

I've always been interested in homeopathic-type things, but never really applied it to my life until recently. It makes sense to me that we should be putting things in our bodies that are as close to the products' natural form as possible. I don't eat all organic but I think it's great for people who do (I wish we could, but our wallets won't allow it).
The idea of "all natural" applies to medicines as well. I am slowly but surely converting our "medicine cabinet" (we actually have a medicine box) from having things such as Advil, Immodium, Tums, Neosporin... to doTerra's essentials oils like Peppermint, Digestzen, and Lavender.

I know a few people who are skeptical about essential oils, but I can tell you that they work!
You can use oils for cleaning, cooking, healing, and more. I love to use the Lavender on my chest when I go to bed, it completely knocks me out. I put some on my husband, Vince, one night and he had the best sleep he'd had in a long time. One of my favorite blends of oils is called "Elevation: The Joyful Blend." Vince calls it my "happy juice." It literally can help you go from wanting to kill everyone, to giving them all hugs instead! Here's a description of it from the doTerra website:



Elevation is the perfect blend for those moments when you need to be revitalized. This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of CPTG® essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation is a blend of lavandin, tangerine, elemi, lemon myrtle, melissa, ylang ylang, osmanthus and sandalwood blended flawlessly for an immediate and dramatic effect. For aromatic or topical use.

If you want more information, please let me know. If you live near me, I will happily give you the wholesale price on the oils. My goal is not to make money off of this. I didn't sign up in order to put some extra cash in my pocket. I honestly signed up so that I could give my friends the discounted price like my friends had been giving me. I just want everyone to use and love these oils as much as I do.
My entire Bible study uses them now and LOVES them!!

Please contact me if you would like more info or the wholesale price. Or you can go to mydoterra.com/ashleepetrilli


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Old Timer

I tried some different editing on this picture of Zoe and really like it....


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Little Zoe

I set up the "studio" again to take picture of my friend's little girl, Zoe. (I'll post pics soon on how the "studio" looks. It's really easy and you can totally make it at home)







Thursday, June 14, 2012

Father's Day Shoot

My friend, Kat, brought her daughter over today for a photo shoot. We took pictures of Addy with a "D" and an "A." Kat bought a pretty black frame with three pictures across to spell out "DAD."
Cute Idea + Beautiful Baby = Fun Photo Shoot



Friday, June 8, 2012

So strange, yet so loved


eMeals!!!

eMeals - Easy Meals for Busy People!
I researched eMeals quite a bit before I actually signed up. We're super picky so I made a week's worth of their recipes to test it out, and once I saw a Groupon for 50% off of eMeals, I decided to sign up. So far, I highly recommend it!
In about 2 hours I had prepped 6 main meals for the week. I put everything in containers and when we're ready to eat it, I'll take it out of the fridge and cook them.

How it works in a nut shell:
eMeals sends you a list of recipes and a grocery list for the week. You can chose between certain stores that they have (like WalMart, Whole Foods, and some east coast stores) and they will tell you where to get the sales. They also have specific plans that you can chose from like "Low Fat," "Low Carb," "Natural and Organic" and so on. Lastly, you can choose the plan that fits your family: "1-2 people" or "4-6 people." For our family, I chose the Regular meals from Any Other Store for 1-2 people. 

They have sample recipes for each type of plan and each meal includes what type of side dishes to make.
My husband and I are not fans of chicken or tomatoes, but thanks to eMeals, one of our new favorite recipes is a chicken crockpot meal: 

Put 2 chicken breasts (I used 4 because we like to have leftovers) in the bottom of a crockpot. Top with a can of drained diced tomatoes (when I make this again, I won't drain as much, I like the juice) and a can of Cream of Mushroom Soup. Cook on Low for 4 hours (I did 6 hours because I'm paranoid when it comes to cooking chicken). I used to cook rice, but I really like the packages that cook in 3 minutes. We popped one of those in the microwave, and 3 minutes later, put the rice on a plate and topped it with the chicken, juice and a pinch of salt. Soooo goooood!!!!!

So, all of that to say that if you have a hard time deciding what to make for dinner, and you want to save money on food, try eMeals!
It's even recommended by Dave Ramsey.

Use the link above or below to sign up:
SAVE TIME AND MONEY </p><p>WITH EMEALS MEAL PLANS


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Garage "Studio"

Yesterday my friend brought her son over for a 1 year photo shoot. I set up the garage as a "studio" and I was thrilled with the outcome!! She brought a couple of cupcakes for him to eat (or destroy) for the pictures. He enjoyed it!









I also made a couple of collages with some of the pictures we took. Too much fun!!


Friday, March 23, 2012

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....

What does this picture say to you?

Love this guy!

I got to stay the night with my friend while her husband was on a business trip (can't remember the last time I had a sleep over!). She leaves for work at 4:45am, so I got to take their son to daycare. I love this little guy!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Comforting

Even though there are 366 days this year, that doesn't mean we have one day to be fearful.