The latest updates from our family

Hi everyone! I know it has been forever since writing on this blog.  I do want you all to stay updated on us.  We came back to America for our stateside time and we found out that I have a brain tumor, astrocytoma stage 2. It is in the left frontal/bi-frontal lobe and is 10 cm, crosses over the midline in the brain into the right side.  Because of these factors, the doctor's have determined that this tumor is inoperable. I will put up a link from our caring bridge account so that you can follow our journey and stay connected.
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleymccartney

A Break From the Norm

We were blessed to get to go to Turkey for 10 days, just a little over two weeks ago now.  Here are some pictures from our time there.  We loved seeing old friends, making new ones and soaking up all the warmth and sunshine.

A funny story:  When we landed back in Moscow, Harper was sleeping.  I had to wake her up so that we could get off the plane.  She was not happy.  Then we had to gear up before we got off.  She was already crying, then she cried more, and when we stepped off the plane she cried even more!  There was no jetway (jet bridge or gate), we had to exit the plane and then get on a bus and ride it to the airport.  This is not an unusual experience where we live.  When we got off the plane, it hit us.  The COLD and SNOW!!!!  She was still crying on the bus and all the way to the airport.  The locals started joking that she was just expressing how everyone felt.  They all wished that they could cry too, but couldn't.  They said, "she is thinking, where did you bring me?  Where is the sun, the ocean, the ice cream, the warmth?  It is not here.  It is cold here and there is snow on the ground."  It was pretty funny because we all felt the same way!!!

Here are some pictures from our time having fun in the sun!

 Harper with a friend.  It is so sweet to see her playing and having fun with friends.  We hated to leave this!

 Harper with her friend and her friend's sister.  Seeing sisters together makes Harper want a sister even more.  She says that she wants there to be 2 boys and 2 girls because she knows that this next baby is going to be a boy!

 They are crazy.  That water was cold.  Ha.  But they don't care.

 Sweet sweet friends!

 This cracks me up!

Harper getting her face painted like a princess, of course! 

 Harper's friend getting her face painted too!

 Elias getting some girl love! Haha.

 Three cute princess rugrats!

Christmas through Pictures

Since I am over a month late on updating what we did over Christmas, I figured that I would share with you through pictures.  It will be faster this way!

 In no particular order, here are some more Disney princess dolls that Harper received.  

 Elias man playing in his new toy storage bin.

 More princesses!

 Opening presents!  YAY!!!

 I got some very beautiful Uzbek pottery from the market.  I love it and want to add to my collection!

 Stocking time!

 Who doesn't love a splurge of Dr. Pepper every now and then?

 Starbucks sold Christmas flavored syrup.  That was a surprise to me.

 We made gingerbread houses with some friends as few days after Christmas.  These were purchased from IKEA!!!  PTL for some prepackaged goodies.

 The fam on Christmas Eve celebrating with teammates and acting out the Christmas story.  Such fun!

 My tradition (as of now) of Cinnamon rolls and pigs in a blanket.  Cinnamon roll dough was bought from our grocery store.  They sell dough that they have made.  It is fresh, awesome, and fast.

 Reading the Christmas Story on Christmas morning before all the present opening.

 Acting out the Christmas Story.

 Our little tree with some presents.

 Our even smaller tree with more presents!

 My new nativity scene.  I love it.  Got this at the market too.  It is hand carved from wood.

 If you knew us in Louisville, then you may know my White Chocolate Peppermint Cake.  I made it this year because some great people brought over white chocolate chips for me from the States.

The awesome spread at a friend's house on Christmas night.  We ate well, my friends, very well!