We just wanted to share the results from the auction this year on the boys’ blog, so one day they can see all the beautiful people who fought for them!

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We are thrilled to announce that you all donated $27,144.95 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!!!  We are completely shaken by this number!!!  We know there is so much going on in each of your lives and yet you gave. You gave to the Foundation on behalf of our boys.  It’s humbling to have so many people stand beside us and support us in this pursuit for a cure for them.  We fight for freedom from this terrible disease and all that it brings to them every single day.  We long for the day that this is made right and the battle is over.  Thank you for sacrificially supporting this fight and for not giving up. The cure is out there.  Find it!

We have so many amazing friends and family to thank for making the silent auction successful.  From stuffing envelopes, to soliciting for items, making centerpieces, donating your products/services, taking beautiful photos of our event, providing food for all our guests, organizing volunteers to make the event happen, helping with setup, praying…our army is big.  We have countless stories to share with the boys about how the community and the church came together to fight for them.

We thank you.  Thank you for all your love.  You also blessed us with $3823, which will go directly into an account to help with medical expenses for Asher and Beck!!  We are excited to order them some new equipment and have help with the ongoing medical expenses.  Our hearts are so full.  It’s hard to find the words to express how loved and cared for we feel.  Thank you friends.  We love you.

And, here’s what Daddy does.  He creates from his heart, for his boys.  It’s the most beautiful.

2014 teamASHER+BECK Cystic Fibrosis Promo from teamAsher on Vimeo.

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Kicking the year off with cuddling and cartoons!  Yes please!

Asher waits all year for our trees to drop their leaves.  And, this year the trees yielded a large loot!  Plus, Punkie was old enough to really enjoy them as well which made for extra special times.  Lots of raking and pile jumping, and leaf fights.  I love this time of the year, and how we get to experience a little Mid-west fall in our backyard.  It’s so pretty!

Speaking of trees.  Asher has claimed the largest one in our backyard.  He has the perfect little spot up there.  And, daddy upped the coolness factor by a million by adding a pulley.  He enjoys having snack time, reading books, and spying on the neighbors.  He’s met several kids from the neighborhood from his tree.  The other day I heard him shouting at his buddy and their family, “Hey, where are you guys going!?”  LOL!

We raised Asher’s bed and gave him a little fort/reading spot under there with some lights and music.  Apparently, it’s also the perfect spot for a schnoozer :).

Beck’s very first coloring sheet from Sunday School.  Sigh…this is the most sweetest, most precious-est thing ever!!!

And, so is this…

School.  Asher is totally loving and excelling at school.  He’s such a smart boy.  His teacher said he’s her top reader, and she uses him to help the other kids along which is so sweet.  His favorite is still math.  It’s the first thing he gravitates towards when we sit down to do his homework.  The one challenge he’s been working on is his writing.  And, through some conversations with him and his teacher, we discovered that he was getting completely locked up and not writing words because he knew he was spelling them incorrectly, and he didn’t want to write anything down unless he knew it was correct.  What a sweetheart.  I have so much compassion for the way his little brain works.  Once his teacher talked to him and reinforced that he only needs to spell with his sounds right now, the flood gates were opened and he’s been growing like crazy with his writing.  Since he’s reading like a mad man, he’s now doing book reports at school.  He’s pretty proud to have completed his first one here :).

Tacky Day at school!

Both of the boys were super sick about 1 1/2 months ago.  It was scary, and exhausting for them and for us.  We were doing three treatments a day on top of antibiotics and steroids, and all of their other normal daily needs…coupled with the worry.  I have a few close friends who are battling hard with this disease right now.  IV’s, hospital stays, up all hours of the night coughing hard and not eating well…there is no real rest with this disease.  There are little breaks, but even in the breaks you’re wondering when it will all hit again…because it’s a “when will it happen” type of game, not an “if it will happen”.  We don’t live our days filled with this worry…but when the boys get sick it’s definitely a reality check for us, and makes us long for a cure even more.  We love them so much.  We will fight for this cure until history is changed, and there is real rest.

We have the best nurse!  She came to our car to do cultures on the boys, so I didn’t have to expose them to more hospital germs.  She’s a real treasure.

Special times with Grandma and Grandpa Olimb.

Asher and I got to have a sweet little morning date of breakfast together while we did his homework, and followed it up with a trip to an arcade for 1/2 priced games with bumper cars!  I cherish dates like this with the one who will always be our first :).

Well, we’re closing the gap, we’re reliving January now :).

Jeremy and I knew we HAD to take Asher to the snow this year.  He’s been talking about it for over a year now.  Of course we just missed the big storm in Pinetop, so we didn’t have a lot of snow to play in at the cabin, but we did find the perfect hill to go sliding on…which made all things right in Asher’s mind.  We weren’t really sure how Punkie was going to do since it was his first experience with snow, but he loved it!  His little giggle in the sliding video pretty much sums it up :).

Then Asher decided to go down the black diamond of sledding trails without us even knowing about it!  Seriously.  No fear.  Nothing like looking up and seeing a child being tossed around, only to realize it’s yours!

We had a wonderful time sledding, and were so blessed with a beautiful day!

The little resort we stayed at worked out perfect for us!  There ended up being only five other families on campus the week we were there, but we barely saw anyone else.  We pretty much owned that place, and it was awesome!  They had a park, a recreation center with lots of games and music, a movie theater area, and an exercise room that Asher loved!

Another first, was that Jeremy took Asher skiing for the first time!  They had a fun day on the slopes together…well, one bunny-ish slope, but it was a fun one :).  Jeremy said he’ll probably be ready for a bigger hill in the next couple of years when his legs get a little stronger, but he did great for his first time!

He looks like he’s born to ski here :).

We had a lot of lounging, jammie, and adventuring times, which is right up our alley!  And, this will forever be labeled as the trip when Asher was introduced to The Cosby Show.  He was cracking up over it, and said it was making him laugh so hard he was crying tears :).

We had a super time together as a family, and I think it should become tradition to head to the mountains once a year to get our snow on.  It’s fun to play in it for a few days…and then drive down the mountain back home without it :).

Love.

Life has been quite full with medical challenges, and the auction these last 6 months.  We are so praying for the next 6 months to be full of rest.  I’ve fallen painfully behind on the ol’ memory keeper here, but I’m not giving up!  I love keeping track of the boys’ journey through life.

Christmas.  Christmas, and January 4th, will always carry with it a little sting and some tears.  We remember each and every 11 days we spent with our sweet baby, Paxon.  I wish that his days and the memories that we have wouldn’t be filled with so much pain.  God promises us that all things work together for good for those who love Him…this is where we find rest and peace.  We love and miss you, our sweet fighter son.

We had many failed attempts at pictures by the Christmas Tree this year.  Looking at the camera and smiling is really not Beck’s thing.  I’m trying to respect that, but the amount of pictures I have of the boys together smiling is like slim pickin’s!  I’m so used to my little ham, Asher, wanting to perform for the camera :).  I will treasure this pic though.  Brother love.  And, Beck with his two little fingers.  I guess at some point we’ll have to wean him from his pacifier…but for now, it’s still pretty cute!

Grandpa and Grandma Necas came for a visit to spend Christmas with us.  We crammed a lot of fun in a short amount of time!  We attempted to see Santa Claus at the mall, but after 2 hours of waiting we bailed, and opted for some photos by the flowers…which was another photo fiasco with Beck, ha!  He didn’t have time to sit, and when Grandma tried to get him to smile by moving his lips around…he bit her finger, LOL!  I can laugh because it wasn’t me!  It was hilarious because he doesn’t bite, but I guess he was so upset about taking pictures he fought back, ha!  So my mom plopped him in the flowers, ha!  Another photo shoot fail :).

Family Photos at church!

Christmas morning, opening gifts was so delightful.  Beck continues to sleep until 9ish…sigh…it makes up for all his loud screaming when he doesn’t get his way :).  Since Beck was sleeping, and Asher was up before the sun, we got to enjoy each boy and their excitement for their new Christmas gifts.  Asher worked so hard separating everyone’s gift into piles, and directing who’s turn it was to open a gift…he plays the role of director quite well :).

Every since Asher saw his older friend playing with his DS, it was love at first sight.  We thought it would be a pretty great gift for him too, because he loves playing video games, and it gives him something fun to do while he does his treatments.  Beck is pretty demanding with what shows he wants to watch during his treatments, so now Asher has the option to play a game while Beck watches baby Einstein movies, or Thomas the Train.

We have a huge “TOMMY!” fan in this house!  I really don’t understand the appeal of “Tommy” but he’s the bees knees to Beck.

We continued with our Christmas traditions of jammies all day, taking a walk to the park, and everyone make your own homemade pizzas!  It was a beautiful Christmas day!

I just have to make mention of how cute Beck and Grandpa were together.  My dad was Beck’s constant caregiver while they were here.  It was so sweet.  I didn’t push a stroller or deal with the car seat once.  Grandpa was workin’ hard :).

The older Beck gets, the more they play together.  Watching them laugh and play together is our favorite.

Schnazzed up for our Christmas Party at church!  I love this picture because what I cropped out is Beck yanking on our legs and crying because he knew we were leaving…it doesn’t even phase us :).

Cherry lane with Grandma Olimb, Asher’s Christmas Cottage Fair at school, Christmas with our Hoverson Family, hiking…lots of Christmas fun!  And, this video of Asher singing this first song makes me tear-up!

Asher and I had the privilege to go with Hope Kids to the Best Christmas Show Production.  They had live elephants and camels and other animals that make kids scream with delight!  We had to drive about an hour to see the show, so it was a big date night for us :).

We haven’t had a lot of routine around here lately, but we’ve been trying to work with Asher and teach him about honor.  We have this sign hanging up in our room.  I asked him to draw our family, and he included Paxon…he said he drew wings on him, because he’s in heaven.  Warm heart.

Meet Russell and Mr. Fredrickson from the movie UP.  They’re the cutest little friends :).

Asher loved the idea of being Russell when we first talked about it…then he wanted to be a superhero…then we found his little outdoorsy vest at Goodwill, and he was all in!  We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to participate and trick or treat this year because Asher had been sick the whole week prior to the big day.  He still felt “not good at all” but he insisted in dressing up and walking to a few houses.  It was a short lived Halloween, but the pictures will last forever :).

And, yes, there was glasses and balloon drama, ha!!

Riding around people watching.

Things were a little too quiet.  Caught red handed, ha!

Happy Halloween!

Punkie Bear…sigh…you are such a precious child.  Last night Daddy and I were sitting together and watching you and your brother laugh and play, and we were talking about how much joy you have brought to our family.  You are a total treat to take care of.  You are flexible, happy, cute as can be, and you’ve been sleeping until at least 9:00a every morning for months now…do you know what a blessing that is to parents?!  You’re also the most polite baby I’ve ever known, saying “tank too” every time someone hands you something.  You do throw yourself on the floor when you don’t get your way, but even after a time out and an explanation of why you can’t do that you respond with an “otay”.  You are a blessing, and you make us smile all day long :).

Kissing baby Jesus, and your baby toes…sweetness.

Time outs are hard :).

Something else you’re working on is grace and avoiding injury…mostly to your poor little head!  You had to get four stitches on your eye brow.  You fell off the kitchen chair and somehow cracked your head.  It was awful.  Holding you down and watching you get stitches was awful, and something your Daddy and I would like to avoid again…please.  You’re going to have to learn some moves from your brother :).

Speaking of sweetness.  I came across this old video of Asher, and it just melted me listening to his little voice.  I cannot believe how much he’s grown.  We love watching him grow and learn…but this made me watch to jump through the screen and squeeze little Asher again :).

We’re done with another soccer season!  Oh how we love to watch you play, Asher!!!

We’ve had so many fun memories lately on dates together, and having auntie Dana visit.

I have a million of these photos.  Well, not a million, but every time Asher leaves for school he hands out sweet kisses.  We are blessed.

We’ve left the little boy phases.  He’s a real boy now, going to school and reading and figuring out who he wants to be when he grows up.  We’re so proud of who you’re becoming, Asher, and thank God that we get to watch your life unfold.

You love people.  You love talking to your friends, and complete strangers.  You love to ham it up and make people laugh.  You want to be a policeman when you grow up.  You love video games, and you especially love playing them with Daddy.  You love your brother, and you still think he’s the cutest baby in the world.  You love school, and look forward to it every day.  Your favorite subject is still math.  You are full of so much confidence and spunk.  You wake up ready to seize each day.  You fill our home with loads of loud, excitement for life.  We are so thankful for you, Asher Basher Smasher Crasher Dasher!!!

The most obnoxious Happy Birthday song ever :).

How fun that Grandma and Grandpa Olimb got to be here for your birthday!  We welcomed you home from school with a Superhero celebration!

Grandma and Grandpa bought you your first set of golf clubs for your birthday!  It was so fun watching your excitement for your new gift :).

So the party continued at the driving range :).

You really enjoyed being the special Birthday Boy at your school for the day, and Mommy loved being there to celebrate with you!!

You also scored two goals on your birthday weekend!  I’d say it was a pretty great celebration to ring in your 6th year of life :).

Your last night of being a 5 year old.  We love you so much, buddy!

We’re in soccer season now…my favorite season.  I love watching Asher on the field.  I love watching his fast little legs tear it up.  He’s getting so good at anticipating the play, protecting the goal, and playing defensively.  The last game we were at he got creamed in the chest a couple of times from the ball, took a hard fall, and dominated the ball.  A dad walked over afterwards and said, “He’s such a tough guy.  He’s an animal out there!”  Is it bad that I was so proud I was beaming, lol!  I promise, Asher, I won’t be a crazy mom at your games…or at least that crazy :).

We kicked off the holiday season by taking the boys to a couple of pumpkin patches while Grandma Olimb was here.

Beck is a HUGE animal lover.  The mere sight of anything furry makes him giddy!

Asher is really into climbing rock walls now :).

Of course he also loved the huge, pillow trampoline thingy, and we loved the extra lung workout he got it!

Sweetness.

Happy Fall!

Shanny and I were able to take the kids up to Kohl’s Ranch for a couple of nights.  We had the perfect little cabin that looked out to a grassy area where the kids could run and play football, a picnic spot with tables and grills, a creek to throw rocks in and try to hop across without getting their shoes wet, and a little path that we took to go adventuring.  The mountain weather was delightfully chilly, and made me so thankful that we have a place like this we can drive to just a couple hours away.

The little adventure we took…

They also had horses on site, and free pony rides.  All the kids were so jazzed to be able to hang out and pet the horses!

The grounds were beautiful, and gave the kids so many different ways to create some fun.  Fishing, horseshoes, tennis, scavenger hunts…

….we will be back! 🙂

Asher’s school has a new theme every quarter, and at the end of the quarter they have a Cottage Fair where the parents are invited to come in and see everything the kids have been working on.  This was our very first Cottage Fair, and Asher was beyond excited to show us all he’s been busy with.  Major bonus that Grandpa and Grandma Olimb got to be here for it too!

This video makes us laugh!  His spunk and excitement for life fill our home with joy.  His bravado can also present some challenges, but he’s growing and learning and teaching Daddy and Mommy lots throughout the process :).  He makes life fun!

Auntie Dana was here for a visit, and we took a day trip up to Tonto Natural Bridge to get out of the heat for a day and enjoy some beauty in the mountains.

It’s gorgeous out now, but this is what four months of heat does to two little boys.  They were longing for their backyard!

It’s been fun watching Beck learn to draw and enjoy doing crafty things.  We’ll often find him sitting at the table working on a new creation.  His favorite canvas right now is his belly, but we’re working on transitioning to paper.  Either way it’s cute.

This video is a keeper…except for the part where Beck doesn’t listen, ha!

Asher spent most of the day getting his bedroom set for Asher/Daddy Game Night.  He set out practically every glass we have, several Diet Cokes for Daddy, water bottles, and games.  As if there’s not enough anticipation of Daddy coming home, this day took forever for Asher, ha!  They closed the door and spent a couple of hours hanging out.  Sweet memories.

Jeremy gave Beck a new nickname and it makes us all laugh…and it’s quite fitting.  He shouts a lot and shoves food in his mouth like a wild beast…he’s our little “Hasenpfeffer” ha!

Asher has little bits of homework everyday, but this was his first real project which included a classroom presentation time.  He was stoked to get assigned the letter “G”.  He needed to find five things that started with the letter.  He chose glasses, goldfish, girl, grapes, and guitar.  He was so proud!

They are a total blessing.

Asher and I wrote a story…well, he came up with the story and I helped write the words and draw a few pictures.  We made this when Punkie was first born.  It’s adorable now to see how little his handwriting and drawing was.  It’s starting to get a little tattered so I wanted to take pictures just in case it ends up in Beck’s mouth one of these days.

Cotton Candy.  Written and Illustrated by Asher Olimb and Mommy Olimb.  Once upon a time there was a little boy named Asher.  One day Asher was walking through the woods and all of a sudden he ran into a ghost.  Boo!  Mommy comes to Asher’s rescue.  Then the cops capture Mommy and bring her to jail.  Then Asher rescues Mommy with a key.  Then the Hulk came to help Asher rescue Mommy.  Hulk brought his sidekick, The Snake, with to help.  Then Hulk brought Beck to help with the rescue.  Asher and Mommy put an invisible shield around them.  Then the Hulk smashed the cops and took their keys and freed Mommy and Asher.  Finally Mommy, Asher and Beck were together again.  And, Daddy came flying in an Iron Man costume.  They all lived happily ever after.  The end.

Photo dump…