Worst Blow Out EVER!!!

This is not for the weak stomachs~


Breyten needed a diaper change; so, I picked him up and took him from the living room to his room. When I placed him on his changing table, I noticed poop on both of his socks. This means a blowout down both sides! This is one of those times you just don't know where to start. I decided to undress him first. I got him all clean with fresh clothes. I thought it was over. Well, I looked down and saw it all over my robe and pants. I looked down at the floor and noticed we had made a poop trail from the living room to his room. Good thing I had just bought some resolve! Well, I decided to use the mop bucket to ring out my rag after scrubbing each spot. Well, I got all done with that and was getting up to rinse out the mop bucket when I spilled poop water all over the clean floor... so, I had to rescrub the floor. During all of that, Breyten was screaming because he was hungry, he had nothing left in him! All the clothes and rags are washing on the sanitation cycle... bet your glad you didn't have to clean all that!
What a morning,
~Ashton

Home Sweet Home

It is so good being home! Being away for a few weeks really makes you appreciate it. I'm sure that when Trenten comes home in May 2011, he will feel that way and then some! I missed my husband and brother over the Thanksgiving holiday, as I will over the Christmas holiday. However, I am thankful for their sacrifices for us. 

Over my travels, I started Breyten on rice cereal. I was really hoping that he would sleep through the night. Well, that was wishful thinking! Last night, he got up every 2 hours! On our first night back of our last trip, he slept the whole night! I'm hoping tomorrow is better. 

I was able to get a nice box from Trenten while I was away. On a trip to Greece, he got me a cookbook and some olive oil. I can't wait to use it! Also, he enclosed a DVD that has him reading children's books for Breyten. It's called the United Through Reading Program, and it's really sweet. 

Here is a picture of Breyten that I think looks just like Trenten:

Trenten a long time ago...

Trenten William Long 

I'm so thankful for my two guys!! I love them and am so proud of them.

~Ashton

Austin

My heart if very heavy for my brother Austin tonight. My grandparents received a letter from him today and so did my mom. I am copying my mom's letter to this blog. Please pray for our military! My brother is only 18 years old and about to go to war... I miss him and love him so much!!

Dear mom, 

If you can read this letter to the family at Thanksgiving please do. As you know north korea opened fired on south korea. The marines have been training for war with north korea for a long time. Most likely I will be in combat with north korea in less than 6 months, yemen or Afghanistan. I love everyone and I now know how much everyone has done for me. I would not be the man I am today without my loving caring family. I have been asked who or what I fight for. I said my family but I didn't think about it. Then I heard about korea today and my mind started to race. I am fighting, I am here because I love my family. I would do anything to make sure we can continue our traditions and if God's will is for me to die in a battle far away from here, do not worry for me. I am with Him. I know I will see you before I go to war but things have hit my heart hard. The world is we live in is safe to live in because of the guys I am being trained by. I love my life here. I am suppose to be here. Pray for me. Oh, for Thanksgiving I will be eating a great dinner then I get time off I think. I am going to miss Thanksgiving back home though. I hope you guys enjoy thanksgiving. When you pray, don't just pray for me. Pray for the marines who are going to be sitting in a bunker with an MRE wishing for turkey. Those are heroes, not politicians, or Obama. The men out there taking on fire so we can eat and sleep. I love you guys,

love Austin

ps, this song is getting me through basic. "I trade these ashes for beauty, and wear forgiveness like a crown, coming ot kiss the feet of mercy. I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross".

~Ashton

Well...

Well, we finally made it to Memphis, TN, which is my hometown and where almost every single person of my family lives. We will be here for about a week and already have plans to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners and spend lots of time with family and friends. Time sure does fly when I am out of town, but I am pretty tired of traveling! Right now, Breyten is watching Mickey Mouse Club. He gets so excited and swings his little arms and legs while watching this show! It's really cute. I am really thankful that cartoons capture his attention, it makes long drives traveling everywhere so much better. 


Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I have some things that I want to share that I am thankful for.


First of all, I am extremely thankful for being a child of God. I don't know how people make it through life without trusting in Christ. He sustains me, protects me, and encourages me. I know that all things work together for the good for them that believe in Him. Without Christ, who would I pray to protect my husband while he is away? I can have total trust that in Christ, whatever happens to Trenten, is in His hands. Not to mention, He gives me such peace that passes ALL understanding! Having a peaceful, joyful life is pretty awesome. Thanks be to God!


Second, I am really thankful for Trenten William Long. His sacrifices for our family will never be forgotten. His ministry is so important for all the sailors and marines who he is deployed with. He has a unique opportunity to be paid by the government while serving his country and share the Gospel with sailors and marines. He thinks it is the best of both jobs placed into one job. 


Third, I am really thankful for Breyten William Long. He is such a good baby. He really fills my days (and nights). I can say honestly that it is a joy taking care of him. It really helps that he is so cute :) Makes those middle of the night feedings (which he had stopped doing at home but now that we are traveling and in strange places he thinks he needs) easier! 


Fourth, I am thankful for family and friends. Being surrounded by people that love you and care about you is really nice. You don't have to do everything by yourself, you can lean on others. When I'm out of town, I have family and friends to lean on. When I'm at home in Virginia Beach, I have wonderful church friends to lean on and an AWESOME sister-in-law (Kendal, in case you didn't know ;) who helps me through the not-so-good days. But, those days don't last and God mercies are new each morning. 


~Ashton

Long Thanksgiving

Long Family

Grandpa Long, Grandma Long, Jamie and Kierra Barrows

Lew and Kaelah Ellinger, Ashton and Breyten

We are having a good time with some of the Long side of the family (out of the 7 Long children, only 2 could make it for Thanksgiving, well 3 if you count me and Breyten standing in for Trenten who would love to be here). We enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal today (11-20-10). We even had time for a pumpkin photo shoot with Breyten:

He wasn't so sure about this. He only lasted about 3 minutes in the pumpkin before the screaming began... But we were able to get some cute photos. Aunt Kiki says this "made her day". This is Breyten's first Thanksgiving festivity and we all wish his daddy could be here to join him!

But, we must live life while he is away! So, that is what we are going to do! We will be in Pensacola, FL for a few more days and then head to Memphis, TN for 2 more family Thanksgivings. It will be busy but well worth it!

Mommy and Breyten

~Ashton

Pensacola, FL

Well, the drive from Atlanta to Pensacola did not go as smoothly as the drive from Virginia Beach to Atlanta. It rained the whole way and Breyten screamed a lot of the way because he does not like his car seat anymore! We made more stops on the 5 hour drive than we did on the 9 hour drive. But, we eventually made it and Aunt Kiki and Uncle Jamie were finally able to meet Breyten.

Kierra is due on 2-1-2011 with Adrienne Louise. She has a cute baby bump:) I was able to feel little Adrienne (although Kiki claims she is not little!) kicking last night. It's one of the neatest things ever, I love it. I loved feeling Breyten kick when I was preggo, granted when it didn't hurt!

Yesterday, Kiki, Breyten, and I were able to go to the outlet malls in Destin, FL. I was able to get Breyten some 6, 9, and 12 month clothes. Also, Trenten has a requested a completely new wardrobe by the time he gets home next May. Well, that isn't going to happen, but he will be happy with a few new nice clothes. So, I was able to get him some stuff too. Nike outlet stores give a 10% military discount, which is very nice. I had to buy Trenten some new shoes and am going to send them to him today. He exercises 2 to 3 times a day on the ship (what else is there to do?!?) and his shoes are wearing quickly! Anyway, today Grandma and Grandpa Long are flying in from Ohio. Should be good times with the Longs.
~Ashton

Atlanta, GA

Breyten is a big hit here in Atlanta. Aunt Kaelah and Uncle Lew enjoyed showing him off to their friends during Sunday School this morning.

For the actual church service, I put him in their very nice nursery. The nursery worker told me when I came to pick him up that he was such a cute and good baby, she would just take him home with her! Breyten gets that a lot... Anyway, this evening their church had a college team picnic. I'll bet you will never guess what Breyten was sporting. That's right, Ohio State Buckeyes, he is his dad's son after all. I wore a University of Memphis shirt, after all that's where I graduated from.

Tomorrow, we head 5 hours south to Pensacola, FL to meet Aunt Kiki and Uncle Jamie. Should be a good and quick trip down there. We will see how it goes!
~Ashton