Shopping with Ashley

Good morning all. Kaya had a fun yesterday with Aunt Ashley. It is funny to say Aunt Ashley because she is only 22. Ashley is the newest member of our family and is married to David's brother Trent. She reminds me so much of myself at that age and I guess that is why we get along so well:) Kaya and Ashley have hit it off from the start. Ashley and Trent were the first ones to get to spend time with Kaya when she came to Alabama. We were in Miami Beach when Kaya's flight came in. Since Ashley is close to Kaya's age they have instantly became friends. With that said, Ashley came and got Kaya yesterday and took her shopping and to tour Corner High School.

Ashley is a graduate of Corner so it was easy for her to take Kaya and show her around. I have personally never been in the High School. My daughter is in Elementary school and I am a graduate of Mortimer Jordan (a rival school of Corner). I was so glad Ashley took her. It was a quiet atmosphere where Kaya could see where she would be going and Ashley got to remember when she was there. I am glad that Ashley is spending extra time with Kaya. She is a wonderful Christian woman whom has been successful so far in her young adult life. She has finished college and is a nurse at Children's Hospital ER. A very good role model in my book:) Anyway, now that we have gotten to know Ashley on with the story.

After the school visit, Ashley took her to the Family Christian Book store to get Kaya a Bible. Ashley did ask her if she wanted a Bible and she did. Coming to the South, you are in the "Bible Belt" as people say. Our family is very big believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and we hope to share that experience with anyone we can. God is Great! That sums in up in a short sentence. Anyway, Kaya got the cutest Bible I have seen. It has pink paisleys with a blue grayish color on it. It is for a young woman with devotions in it. That was so sweet of Ashley to give Kaya such a wonderful and powerful gift. Kaya was very proud to show us her new Bible last night. It even had her name on it!

Next, they headed over to the Galleria Mall in Hoover. They went to Plato's closet to look at clothes too. Nothing like a great deal on some consignment clothes. Kaya got her a few things there too since she didn't bring a lot of clothes with her. She also went and picked out her bedding for her new room. That was important to me for her to do. I want her to feel like she is family while she is away from her own. I also want her parents to feel comfortable with us. I have had the pleasure of emailing with Kaya's mother, Doris. Such a sweet lady. It made me feel so good to know she was happy with us and that I could talk with her and learn more about Kaya. We are also Facebook friends. Her parents can look at our pictures and get to know us and also see pictures we take of Kaya. I want them to communicate as much as they can with Kaya and us. Technology is great! Kaya's brother is helping her mom communicate with us since she said her English is rusty. At least she knows English. I hear and see German and know nothing. But I hope to learn. Today though, I will head back to the mall to pick up her bedding so her room can start being complete:)

Ashley also bought Kaya the all important Auburn Football shirt. Yes, that is right, WAR EAGLE baby! Football is king in the South, especially the SEC College league. In the state of Alabama, you are either for Alabama or Auburn. We did tell Kaya about this of course. You have to pick a team:) Anyway, she picked our wonderful Auburn football team. Yea!!! I cannot wait to see what she thinks of football season. I am really into football and I am very competitive. More than David is. I hope that we can take her to a football game. Shoot, I have never been to a college game. Only watch it on TV. That will be a blog to come.....

They ate some Chinese at the Mancho Wok in the mall. I think she liked it except for the eggrolls and wontons. You cannot like everything:) They also went to the Cookie Company. David is known for his love of Peanut Butter double doozies. Kaya was excited to hand him a bag with his cookie that she got him. Her sweet face lit up as she handed him the bag with his favorite cookie. She is such a giving young lady. I guess she was happy to be giving him a gift:) Of course, she did bring us a cookie too which was very sweet. Another good day...