I met Daniel in early 2006 and we started dating in June of that same year. We were engaged shortly after Christmas and married in April of 2007 in the Salt Lake Temple.
I grew up loving the outdoors, spending time every summer backpacking with my family. My dad had a passion for the outdoors that he loved to share with us.
I have always been an avid reader. My dad used to have to come in my room and turn off my light because I fell asleep reading all the time. I love music and playing the piano. Piano music is one my outlets and music has always been a positive influence in my life.
Our biggest life adventure sent us to China for almost two years. And boy was it an adventure. I was able to see and do things I never thought possible. I gained a love for Asia, the Chinese language and most importantly the Chinese people. I met some amazing people who are now life long friends.
I have always loved travel and our time in China presented us with some wonderful opportunities. We spent our 5th Wedding Anniversary in Tokyo at the Cherry Blossom Festival and a couple of days in Tokyo Disneyland. I am a Disney nut. I was able to go to Hong Kong Disney a total of three times while in China.
One of our trips took us to Thailand and Cambodia with Daniel's parents. What amazing places. The world is rich with wonderful things to discover.
While living in China my father suffered a stroke and after 7 short months of battling the after effects and other health problems he passed away in March of 2012. This has been the hardest trial of my life. I am trying to use it to strengthen my relationship with God and my family. I miss him terribly every day. I am a daddy's girl. At his funeral, at my request, my aunt handed out clipboards with paper and pens and had people write their stories about my dad for us to put in a book. We collected over 100 notes and stories about my dad. This book is something we will treasure and the best way for my children to know their Grandpa Joe, as he would have been called. I hope to pass his legacy on to my children with the lessons he taught me.
It's is very hard for me to give you a full view of all that I am in just a few short paragraphs. I am a passionate person and my passion has led me on so many wonderful adventures. I like to think I am a giving person. One of our favorite hobbies is feeding our friends. I have made quilts and cross-stitches for friends as tokens of how I feel about them. Daniel and I are fiercely loyal.
I am not perfect. I do have many things in my life that I need to work on improving. I hope I get better day by day and remember the lessons I learn so that I don't have to learn them again. (eek!)
I love being a mom. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home all day with Panda. We have adventures some days and some days we just try to stay entertained. He is my little buddy and goes everywhere with me. Having him in my life has given me true joy. I now feel like I am fulfilling my true calling of being mother. I know we have room in our lives for another baby.
Please feel free to ask me any more questions you have. Please explore our blog and learn more about us. Check out Daniel's page and get to know my husband a little better as well.
Thank you. Ashley
questions? ask us! danielashleyadopt@gmail.com
