Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged #awesome

I am completely thrilled. Today's the day I leave for my first blogging conference. What an opportunity this will be for all of us attending. I am nervous-excited about meeting everyone and getting started. All great things should make you equally excited and nervous. That's how you know you really want to do it.

I would like to thank Healthy Families Now for sponsoring me with a paid scholarship. It's the only way I would have been able to attend this conference. God does provide for His children when the time is right. And he definitely provided this opportunity for me.

I would also like to thank some of the other sponsors attending the conference this weekend. Country Outfitters (even though I was tardy to the party, I can't wait to see all the amazing boots everyone picked out...Maybe I will win a pair on one of their blog giveaways), Arkansas Farm Bureau, Ziploc, All You Magazine, Petit Jean Meats and everyone else who took the time to invest in Arkansas Women Bloggers and its conference. I am truly thankful and honored you would take the time to network with all of us here in Arkansas. We are so blessed.

On the agenda today:

• Pack bags for conference.
• Check on Asher at Arkansas Children's Hospital. She is currently in Round 5 of chemo this week, and she should get out Saturday if all goes well. If you would like to follow Asher's journey and get to know an incredible 3 year old, like The Brooklyn Project on Facebook. It's her official page that we keep updated. We welcome any new Prayer Warrior who wants to follow along.
• Put gas in my car.
• Other minor things (lunch, print off directions to conference center, etc.)

I can't wait to share everything I learned with you when I get back. Get ready. Monday is going to be one of many conference recaps.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Follow me on Twitter (@ashtenbrook) for live tweets from the conference. TTYL!! (The inner third grader in me loved that. See what I did there. Ha.)

Prayer Warrior T-shirts

You only have two days left to order a Prayer Warrior t-shirt! Get 'em while they're hot! Click the photo for all the information on how to order. Send you order via e-mail to pinnedja@aol.com. Or find Tish Fallis on Facebook and send her a direct message. You have until July 14, 2012 to place your order.

The Bit got to try out one of the new rooms in the brand new Oncology unit at Children's this last visit. She was followed by the news and everything. She told us her new room was beautiful. And it really was. The rooms are all private rooms. Very spacious with lots of natural light. And we could look outside and see the healing garden and the new just for oncology patients playground. Very fancy and fun.

Before going in for progress scans, Asher got to spend a few days at the lake playing and swimming. It was a joy to see her so happy and kid-like again. Sometimes she just seems so much older than a 3-year-old.

I love to see her so happy. And to top off the happiness, she got good news on her progress reports. The main tumor in her leg is shrinking. And some cancerous spots in her chest have disappeared altogether. When I read the results, all I could do was laugh and cry and thank God for listening to my desperate prayers of healing for this sweet child.

Thank you for following Asher as she is on this fighting journey! Thank you for ordering t-shirts and wearing Prayer Warrior bracelets and praying continuously for this kid I love so much. It's hard to put into words the gratitude we feel for you. Thankfulness doesn't even being to explain it. It's more like pure awe and humbleness.

So really. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Asher as she kicks cancer!

New Orleans: Take One

Good Morning Friends! I'm back from the Big Easy. And let me tell you. It was a good time. The city was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

The view from our hotel room was incredible. Staying on the top floor has its perks.

After checking in, we took off exploring. The city was alive and hoppin' as we walked through the downtown area.

We ate dinner at Draco's, a nice little seafood restaurant found at the bottom of the Hilton.

 The shrimp and grits were to die for. I don't think they could have tasted any better. The best flavors ever combined. I will have to try to recreate it, but I don't think it's possible. New Orleans has some of the best food I've ever had.

The group and I made our way out to get a drink on Bourbon Street. New Orleans has an open container law that allows people to carry adult beverages around the entire city. It was really cool, but I felt a little strange carrying my beer around out on the street.

I don't think anyone can ever be properly prepared for Bourbon Street. The smell alone is enough to make you not want to go back. But I had to have the experience.

We got home kind of late that night, and I was really tired from having been in the car for 8 hours. I don't know what it is about riding in a car that can make one so tired. It doesn't make sense.

Day One in New Orleans was a complete success. The food was outrageously good, and the entertainment was definitely exciting.

I have so much more to tell you. I have to break it into two (maybe three) posts, in order to do it justice. (P.S. that big green chair was $3,000 and there was one on every floor. And I tried to figure out a way to get it inside my car when we left...needless to say, it didn't work.)

Get ready for the New Orleans Rock n' Roll Marathon Expo and race recap tomorrow, as well as what we did on Saturday before the race expo. It's gonna be good so stick around.

How was your weekend?


What genre of food are you loving right now?

Holy Cookies

I'd love to tell you this post had something to do with something other than the cookie you see above...But that would be a lie.

My sole purpose of choosing my lunch spot today was because of the cookie. Sole purpose. As in, cookies dictate where I go. It's true, and I'm not ashamed. Not even a little bit.

Boulevard Bread Company makes the best vegan double chocolate chunk cookies in the entire world. THE BEST. And did I mention they are vegan...an added bonus.

Apparently, they put espresso in these beauties. And I pick up the faintest hint of cinnamon, which I love. They are oh so chocolatey. And soft. And delicious. And almost as big a plate. I swoon.

While I went to Boulevard Bread in hopes of getting the cookie, I also grabbed a pretty healthy lunch. The homemade soup of the day was a white bean soup with crusty bread and homemade pesto, and I got the hummus sandwich, which is also vegan.

When I paid for my goods, the girl behind the counter asked if I was vegan. And I said no. I didn't tell her that I chose to come there for the cookie AFTER I talked myself out of a big ole cheeseburger from Arkansas Burger Company.

I thought Arkansas Burger Company would be a bad choice since I'm running this afternoon and eating Italian for dinner with my mom. No need to further clog the arteries.

So cookies win. And I'm totally ok with it. And I say this while I'm feeling miserable at my desk after stuffing my face too full of ridiculously delicious food.

What food places do you go to have just that one special item?

What is your favorite cookie?

A Lesson in Love

I am in love.

Can you see why? She is beautiful.

Obviously, my pregnant friend is no longer pregnant. Her sweet little girl Aubrey Elizabeth arrived on this earth June 12 at 4:16 P.M.

She is 7 lbs. 6 oz. 21.5 inches long. And she has the same furrowed brow that her mom gets sometimes. The above picture was taken right after birth.

She stole my heart from the minute I saw her.

After nine months of wondering what this child would look like, we finally know.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this little girl. I'm at a loss for words, which rarely happens.

Logan loves her, too.

I am so happy for my good friend Jodi. She has been blessed with a beautiful healthy baby girl to love on for the rest of her life. She's about to take on the most important role of her life: being a mother. And she is going to be AMAZING.

Jodi and I grew really close during her pregnancy. I feel very lucky to have been a part of her life during this time. Jodi was my roommate during our freshman year at UCA. She and I also went to high school together.

But yesterday, both our lives forever changed when Aubrey was born. The unconditional love I feel for this child is something I can't describe. I'm sure for Jodi the unconditional love is mine X 100000000000.

For my dear friend:

Your daughter is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm so happy to be a part of your life and hers. I can't wait to watch her grow up and teach her things I know. I know Aubrey is a big change in your life, but you will be continously blessed by being her mom. God will be good to you both. And she will give you all the love you will ever need in this life.

I'm so so so happy for you. I can't wait to watch you grow into this next phase in your life. I'm ready to help you in every way I can. Congratulations on a beautiful little angel and a big bright future.

Love you both too much.

Break de Spring

It's officially Spring Break. And I will not be breaking. I have too much homework and research and papers to work on. Plus I still have to go to work, the prison for good people.

I am building in some good things in between all of this studying and working.

Today: I got a pedicure. My toes were in need of a spring makeover, especially since flip-flop weather is just round the corner.

Tomorrow: Birthday party for my my friend Abby's boyfriend.

Sunday: MY OFFICIAL SPRING BREAK (that I am allowing myself). I will spend the day doing nothing school related. So I am going to hike Pinnacle Mountain and going to see penguins at the zoo.

Monday: Work and homework.

Tuesday: Work and homework.

Wednesday: Work and homework.

Thursday: Homework and getting my ducks in a row for a baby shower I am hosting.

Friday: My mom is coming to stay with me and help me get ready for the baby shower. I also have to do homework and clean up before mom gets here.

Saturday: Baby shower for the most deserving friend. :)

Sunday: Homework.

Monday: Homework.

Then, sadly the Spring Break is over. Hopefully you will have more luck in the fun department. I will be cracking away at my school life. Who can't wait for May? This girl.

I hope everyone who gets an official Spring Break has a safe and happy time off. As for us that don't get one, let's be thankful for our jobs and all the other good things in our lives.

Until next time...