Ashley's Avenue

My Baby Delivery- Channing

2015-01-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back. After a year break from the blogging world, I decided to hop back on the band wagon. I mainly wanted to share the story of my life with Channing, as I did with Avery. As most of you know though, the blogging world can be time consuming. I love pictures but found myself carrying my good camera everywhere and spending time editing and uploading pictures wore me thin. So I have to worn you that some of the pictures won't be AS high quality, especially with the convenience of my phone these days.

So....

{For the readers that aren't on my Instagram...I spent the last 9 month of my life being pregnant!}

I will do a separate post of my pregnancy pics but this was the week I had Channing!

I had a great pregnancy! The first 5 months brought me some major sickness. I threw up everyday. I am not even stretching the truth on that. Ya'll I was so so sick. Constantly. I couldn't eat much meat, & lived on saltine crackers & orange juice. And then one lovely day I found out that I had gestational diabetes. At first I was devastated. What in the world & how did that happen?? After reading I gave myself a break learning that it wasn't anything that I caused. So I decided to roll with it. Thankfully I didn't have to take medicine or insulin, It was strictly monitored by my diet. The doctor was very clear that it could effect the baby so I made sure & did everything exactly right. I watched everything that I ate, measured everything & maintained a super healthy "diabetic" type diet. And in the end, I only gained 18 lbs during my entire pregnancy! A plus for me, & my sweet boy!

My due date was originally January 1st! Then by my anatomy appt around 30 weeks it was changed to Christmas Day! Christmas Day? A blessing but literally the hardest Birthday, but goodness the best! Who doesn't want to have a Birthday on Jesus' Birthday? After several appointments towards the end I was dilated at 37 weeks to a 2, & 38 at a 3. I walked a ton trying to speed up labor & was contracting a ton! I never had this with Avery because I was induced at 37 weeks so this was all completely new to me. I had my cervix stretched & my membranes stripped (OUCH) & lost my mucus plug. Finally by December 21 it was GO TIME. We went out to eat a small lunch before & I went in to be induced at 39 1/2 weeks.

I received this beautiful receiving blanket from my sister in law as a surprise literally as we were walking out the door to head to the hospital I checked the mail & surprise! I was so tickled! Thanks Tiffany- she sure loves me BIG!

I spent most of the day that Sunday in labor, enjoying the company of my family & friends! We had some good laughs! It's not hard to do when you are numb & can't feel much, it made my day so nice & much more enjoyable.

I was in labor for 9 hours. Nothing was horribly painful I did feel some small contractions but I got my epidural quickly after entering into my room & then shortly after my water was broken. Channing didn't want to come out for 5 hours at this point. I was rotated from side to side, Finally around 8:55pm I felt pressure & was ready to push. I pushed for 15 minutes & at 9:14pm Channing William was born at 7lbs, 4oz & 18 1/4 inches long. Absolutely perfect, & healthy praise the good Lord.

Our first family picture of the "4" of us! My heart literally bursts with love & joy!

I had a great visit & experience at the hospital! I am just so thankful for an easy delivery again my 2nd time around. We left the hospital on Christmas Eve, Eve. It was a pretty magical Christmas- (next post).

The past 2 weeks have been the greatest joy literally of my entire life. Yes some sleepless nights & yes a cranky 5 year old that needs tons of love & attention. But I am embracing this amazing change, loving each second truly living it all the fullest & taking in every little moment with both of my babies! It's truly a moment of my life I want to freeze & never forget!

Introducing my sweet babies!

I will be back for more posts, I miss you all!!!

Happy New Year, Merry Christmas & stuff in between!

2014-01-05T23:19:00.000-08:00

Well Hello!

For 2014, my goal is to be a better blogger among so many other "New Years Resolutions".

BUT...

This past year I have really taken a lot of time to focus & reflect on my daughter and spend some much needed quality time with her. Of course I love to take a snapshot here & there on Instagram or Facebook to keep family & friends in "the know"... but I have taken some much needed time away from the computer, for me personally, & it has been needed in 2013 to strengthen me & better make use of my time. I do however hope to be back to blogging more often in 2014, & hope that I can find a way to keep a journal of my life much easier & faster so that I have this book for the rest of my life to not only share with family & friends, but the world.

So, Happy New Year!

One of my biggest passions is decorating. I love our home being made up for the Holiday because as a Stay at Home Mom, I am always at home with my girl. I love making things pretty & decorating so that it's more exciting to be home as a family. It's my passion! So this Holiday I had a decorating business and decorated over 26 tree's & 6 homes. I wish I could share every single detail but here are a few I was able to capture. I have a book coming up for next year to share with all of my clients!

Happy Decemeber!

I transitioned from my Christmas into my New Years!!

I loved Avery's room this year!

I changed up my silver tree this year in the breakfast room to a "Santa tree"!

I loved my "Santa" mantel this year. Since Avery is starting to get Santa, it was super fun!

Added houndstooth tree this year to break it up for fun!

And fun throughout the house!

I left my outdoors really rustic and simple this year with fresh greenery...

We gave our Master a makeover this year and enjoyed decorating it for the Holiday's too!

Yes, I added pretties in my closet!

Our Elf Sofia was some fun this year! Avery's finally at the age where she gets the "elf fun" and it was exciting to add her into our family for the month of Decemeber!

We baked lots of cookies!

We enjoyed seeing the lights around town & ice skating!

And took a day to go to Silver Dollar City with the family!

A date night on the town of painting!

We had a baking day with my family too & Santa even came to visit at Nanny's house!

We had some major snow hit the week before Christmas & literally everything shut down for 6 days! So we played with friends outside & baked like crazy!

We read lots of books on the snow days!

We shopped many of days together & made some fun of it!

We enjoyed fun cold days out with friends to lunch!

We had Bible study & enjoyed making a nativity scene of candy and breakfast with friends.

I enjoyed our annual scarf exchange with friends!

And I enjoyed our annual gathering with two of my best gal pals!

Checked out Christmas books at the library with our bestie!

Visited our cousins & loved being in their beautiful home to watch Christmas movies by the fire.

And we loved all of the school fun before the Holiday's!

We made fun crafts for her school party!

We visited Santa...

We enjoyed random fun as a family watching tons of movies!

We counted down the days every single day in December!

We made ginger bread houses!

We spent a ton of mornings making breakfast together...usually hot chocolate. HA!

Enjoyed cookie parties with friends!

We made deer yummies for all of the reindeer on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve we put out the yummies for the reindeer!

Enjoyed the Christmas programs at church!

And Christmas morning enjoyed waking up as a family eating breakfast!

Love being at my Mom's at Christmas! Their downstairs is like a lodge!

We enjoyed an annual Christmas Eve party at Chad's families!

Chad's Uncle made the best cookies! He rock's!

We left cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve...

Christmas morning was special!

She loved her Santa gifts!

I dressed in my reindeer attire on Christmas!

We enjoyed our annual gathering at Chad's Mom & had fun watching the kids open gifts!

After Christmas Day fun playing games as a family!

We always spend the day after Christmas celebrating my mother in-law's Birthday, she is a doll!

Happy New Year from my sweet family to yours! We spent New Years as a family this year with our cousin's enjoying a night out with the kids!

And after the Holiday's my best friend in Memphis had her sweet baby Conrad! Isn't he just precious? She is doing great & is such a good Mommy already! I will post more pictures on another post!

And my other good friend Lane had twins! YES TWINS! Right before Christmas!

These make her 4th boys!

And for laughs, a little after Christmas shopping for sales!! She is happy!

Happy New Year! Can't wait to start blogging again!

November...WOW!

2013-12-02T22:15:00.001-08:00

Hello, my name is Ashley & meet me- again... a bad blogger these days!

Ya'll, my life has been so extremely busy that I don't even know where to start. I have found myself looking for ways to make some extra money for the Holiday's being a tree decorator, being with sick family members, spending every second I have of free time with my Avery, traveling a bit with friends, throwing baby showers & now just dealing with the Holiday's approaching- & quickly!

What have we been up to the past few months?

Well, we have October fun & Halloween fun at Avery's school! Then we went trick or treating with cousins! Avery was Ariel this year!

We enjoyed shopping for the Holiday's at stores as well! And of course she had to touch and try on everything in sight!

My best friends baby shower was just a few days after Halloween in Memphis! I enjoyed throwing this shower so much alongside some of her sweet friends & can't wait to actually blog all the special details! Here are a few pictures of this special day with my bestie! She is due in January with her sweet baby boy!

Isn't Mommy to be just adorable?

After the shower her adorable Mom treated me to dinner on Beale Street for wine & an amazing steak. They are so good to me!!!

One day in November I found time to give my closet a makeover from summer to winter!

This month I started up my "Christmas tree" business. I think I have decorated around 20 tree's at this point, and I am up to 4 homes! Here are a few! This has kept be so busy this year. I am hardly home. But, feel so blessed to be doing this!!!!

And here is a peek at my house until I can post the entire look! I have some fun things this year I added, I can't wait to post everything on my "blog tour of my home"...

Also this November I was asked to speak at a MOPS group in Greenwood Arkansas! I was so excited to meet with this group of woman & speak my testimony & tell a little about my life, how God has changed me, & teach them a little about decorating! So exciting!

Also this month I went to a Justin Timberlake concert with some of my besties!!! Our girlfriend Amber flew into Tulsa & we all had the time of our lives at his concert! He is amazing ya'll!

This is Jessica- Jusin's wifey! The arrow is pointing to how amazing our seats were! We were sooooo happy!!!! Front row second section! SCORE!

The next day was my nephew Hudson's 2nd Birthday!!! It was adorable! I loved the tractor theme that my sister in law did! I can't believe that my nephew is 2. Where has time gone?

We also went to Polar Express in Branson this month & had a blast with my brother & his family!

We also had a "1920's" party for a friend to attend that we had a ball dressing up for! It was just so much fun! Our friend Julie did our hair and we just had the night of our lives!

In the mix of this crazy schedule I always find time to spend days with my girl!

We also spent a Friday night while the boys were at the deer woods at a family cabin!

And we did get family pictures taken this fall!

{More to come}

Thanksgiving we had SO much to be thankful, yet our day didn't go as planned....

On thanksgiving morning my father in law got very ill. He had a cold, we thought, and we ended up changing our day travel & decided to stay home with the family to watch over him. He ended up being in the hospital from Thursday until Monday. Come to find out out, he was treated for Bronchitus/phenomonia but also through many tests discovered that he also had been having several strokes through the course of week/months which had effected his balance, speech, amonst a few other issues. He also had some dead spots on his brain & was diagnosed with diabetes. It was a very hard Thanksgiving Day for our family we were so worried about Chad's Dad. It was all to close to my heart personally after dealing with the issues we have with my Dad & his heart. He has made a great recovery but we ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers. We are so blessed and thankful that Paul is doing better & pray that God's healing hand will remain on him through this recovery process.

My father in-law & niece... So sweet!

In the mix of this month December 1st came! And so did our sweet Elf Sofia! Boy are we glad (Momma) that she is in town prepping Avery for Santa's arrival!!! HA! Happy December until I can get to my next post! Love you all!

Fall- "A time for everything"

2013-10-28T22:40:00.002-07:00

There is "season for everything"

In the Bible God teaches us that there "is a time for everything".... a season for every activity under the heavens... a time to plan and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to speak and a time to be silent, a time for war and a time for peace.

Don't you enjoy fall so much?

The beautiful leaves changing, the cool air around us, the pumpkins, the new flavors of coffee, going to Wal-mart or grocery stores and seeing all the "fall" goodies to bake, having to wear a jacket, smelling the air, and just taking in every bit of the season that has changed from summer?

I took this picture of a tree that I pass everyday, and so much brought me joy from it. It looked like a rainbow. But not only was I reminded of the rainbow & God's promises after rain, but it also reminded of the season's of change in our lives.

This tree reminded me of so much when I passed by it today. Simple. "There is a time for everything". I pass this tree often. And it wasn't until today that I realized it was a tree that had changed. I drove by this spot & sat there thinking, "Wow"... it was so beautiful. It took my breath away how the colors had changed so vividly on it through the last few days...

I went home and thought about that tree. I took a picture of it, looked at it again and started thinking about how this tree relates so much to our daily lives. We see things we drive by, or experience everyday in our lives that are just like this tree. Whether we are coping with loss, friendships, family issues, life, not being able to have kids, career change, etc.. We all are going through "change". What would life be like without change? We would never grow. Just like this tree that I pass by almost everyday, in life, we go through change, hardships, you name it.

But, God gave me this tree specifically on my heart today to remind me that just as these season's change, so do our lives. Someday's are promised to be better than the last. Someday's will not be better than today. But, as the leaves change, so do our lives. Do these trees each winter lose their leaves and then in spring re-bloom? YES! Just as this happens to nature, it also happens to our lives. We may experience loss, hardships, even just simple stress.. but God always promises new blooms. Always.

I love looking at my Daddy and seeing how God has placed "new blooms" in his life. God has given him a job outside of Wal-mart after 35 years of hard work, to now sit at a Marina with little to no business most days to just stare into the open air at His beauty, to think & to talk to people he may not have ever encountered.... To be still. To think of Him. To pray. To watch sermons on reaching him better for Christ, to think back on our past, to think of better for our families future and to just be in the moment. After a year of being heart healthy with a new healed heart, God has given him this job right now for him to be still. To realize that "there is a time for everything". And to think just weeks after his heart surgery I was so distraught and he sat me on his bed to discuss Ecclesiastes, "a time for everything".. He was healing and I was the the one hurting, and he explained to me the truth about "a time for everything"... God is good.

Today I am so thankful for the new leaves, the new season. I am so desperate to start my new family with Chad, to expand what we have & have another baby. God is working HIS hand just right and already knows my needs before I could ever dream of them, and for that I am so thankful- thankful for THIS season of my life...thankful for patience, thankful for love, for faith, for God's love, and hope & grace in Him.

There is a time for everything.

XOXO!

Hallween & Fall Decor is up!

2013-10-24T12:20:00.002-07:00

My home is finally Halloween/Fall ready! Enjoy the tour of my home!

Breakfast room- Fall fun!

Formal dining- Halloween ready!

Kitchen & randoms!

Avery's room!

Fall Wreath for our front door! I will do another post on our outside!

My mantle is my favorite! I need to take more pictures of the entire thing, will post that soon as well!

We are so ready for Halloween in our house!!!!

A story worth reading....Sarah Wolff

2013-10-13T23:04:00.001-07:00

This past week of my life has blessed me beyond measures more than I could ever explain- even through writing about it. God has a perfect way of webbing each of our lives together in ways we just don't see possible; yet it is just that. His perfect web, His perfect timing, His perfect touch.

I have been blogging for about 5 years now. I first started blogging when I found out that I was pregnant with Avery. I started my blog to record the "day to days" of my life and through my pregnancy to remember every single little second of what went on during the process. Eventually it turned into something much bigger than I expected & I began speaking of my day to day life, and also of things that I am passionate about- Jesus, decorating, party planning, life, & my family!

Through my blog I have had the ability to meet so many wonderful woman, & people in general. I have met many people through town that read my blog, out of town folks, as well as just distant friends that we can e-mail & chat & relate to each other on day to day life issues.

But...

One day, through blog I read about a girl "Sarah" that had been coping with the loss of her husband. I had never met her before but knew she was in my town. I had heard through our town that a girl had lost her husband during/before a knee surgery & my heart broke for her. I had heard that she had 4 children. I immediately began praying for her and my heart ached for her so badly; all while not knowing her face, who she was, or anything about her.

...A few months went by and one day my friend Amanda & I were at a local water park and saw 2 girls with a swimsuit on that were so cute! I told her to go ask them where they got them because they were so adorable! After speaking to them we ran into them at another area of the water park and began talking while all our kids played in the pool. Sarah realized that I was "Ashley" & then I realized she was "the Sarah that I had been praying for". We talked for awhile about how she had read my blog for years, and how I had been praying for her on the death of her husband- both knowing & realizing that we had never met before. Completely ironic how our paths had crossed but completely God. . . .

Six months after her husbands passing I had the pleasure of meeting her again in person. On a different level. My friend Amanda who leads our Bible study group had her speak at our class because we are currently studying, "Jonah, a life Interrupted"... We were so excited to have Sarah speak, even though we hated the circumstance, because we knew that her story would impact so many woman in our group & would be such a witness to many.

Meet Sarah. A woman of God. A woman of joy. A pleasure & a ray of sunshine. A woman of hope during loss, a woman of grace during tragedy, & a woman of joy in the midst of a storm.

Sarah is like no one I have ever met. I truly believe that God brings people into our lives and most definitely joy in the most trying times of our lives. Sarah spoke at our woman's Bible study class about the events of her husbands death. I sat there for 45 minutes with tears down my cheeks barely able to contain myself. Not only because of the loss of her husband and the stories she told up to the day it happened, but because of God's grace in the midst of the huge storm of her life that she was enduring.

I learned this day of God's perfect timing. My friend Andrew Pray passed several months prior in November 2012 & I found out this day through her testimony that her husband is buried at the feet of my friend Andrew. I spoke about him HERE. I to this day keep in touch with Andrew's wife who I went to school with, and now her & Sarah are both in touch as widow's grieving together alongside my friend Julee who lost Matt in October 2012. You can read about Julee & her story HERE. They all three talk now & are in touch with each other through the loss of their husbands all within months of each other. Crazy how God web's His perfect timing together & gives woman each other during the midst of that storm. Only Him.

And now, I know Sarah. In a years time I have known 3 woman well who have lost their husbands. It doesn't seem fair. But God's timing is grace even during he hardest times of our lives. He gives us what we need to survive.

Sarah mentioned this verse while she spoke to us about her life & where God has her now. It means so much to me even though I am not going through it with her, I feel it with her. I ache with her & love her passion for life during such a hard time. A mother of 4, a widow, a woman who loves Christ & knows that HIS plan is sovereign, perfect, & is. She chooses JOY in her storm.

Psalms 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth & clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent Lord, my God-I will praise you forever.

She chooses joy, will you?

I love you Sarah & am so thankful that our paths crossed. God is so good. Oh, so good.

A little get away in Memphis...

2013-10-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I went on a little get away to visit my best friend in Memphis! We had such a great time! She always spoils me rotten! She took me for pedicures, we enjoyed yummy goodies at her beautiful home, went to dinner at some of her favorite spots in Memphis and enjoyed being with some of her lovely best friends who I am helping throw a shower with for her in just a month from today!

Funny- but before I left I had to baggy up all of Avery's outfits for Chad! Why not? Made things so much easier for him with no question on what to do while I was one, haha!

The first night the girls came over and we enjoyed some appetizers and Lindsey time...

Goodness this southern bride girl know's how to work some food for our guests!

We woke up the first morning and I was treated to an "A" coffee bug from her that she had on my bed upon my arrival. She has the same mug so we enjoyed talking over coffee and getting ready for our pedicures.

I loved her patio so much, so perfect and great for the fall weather!

Being treated, her treat- was so special!

That evening we went to one of her favorite spots to eat, "Elfo's" for dinner. It was amazing! Great friends, good food, amazing atmosphere!

We enjoyed some fun days of shopping & our favorite- sushi!

On our dinner date just the 2 of us like old times!

Loved this store she took me in! So many great finds!

On our shopping trip!

I just love Lindsey's style- her modern twist of classiness in our home suites her just perfectly! So clean lined, so Lindsey! I enjoyed being with her & of course being spoiled in her beautiful home! So blessed by her!

Can you believe that she is 6 months pregnant? Wow! She looks amazing!

Thank you for a fun weekend! Much needed! XOXO

Halloween Decorating in the works!

2013-09-17T22:54:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! Well, it's that time of the year for me. The time of the year that I am in my element! I am SO busy over the next few months booking up weekly for some amazing opportunities in decorating homes around NWA. I can hardly believe that it's happening but feel so blessed & that is the only way I know to describe it. I am hoping the stress will help me lose 10 lbs during the Holiday's verses my normal gain- HAHAHA!

So I am decorating my home early! I won't be spending a ton of time here over the next few months but still want my time here to be cozy so I wanted to get a head start this evening on my main table. I will be finishing the rest by the end of next week & post my goodies & share details. Start shopping at your local Dollar Stores, Wal-mart, Target etc... on your pumpkins & pretties! There is so much you can do, & for a very reasonable price! I am a girl of detail- and to have that you don't have to break the bank. Be creative & shop everywhere! My motto is "if you like it, buy it"- especially if it's a great price, you can ALWAYS find a home for it in your home.

I love cheveron & while it's going out of style slowly, I still eat it up. I have been adding it everywhere especially into my wreath & my overhead centerpiece...

I made my outside wreath last week and loved how it turned out! I just need to finish my Halloween porch & add fall into the mix! More to come!

I am also busy planning my best friends baby shower in Memphis and am traveling a ton the next few months while trying to plan a Christmas Tour of Home in our area. Pray for me- fun stuff but pray for me! I will need it! Be back soon with more Halloween & introductions to FALL....

Here is my last year Halloween! I like to change things up a bit each year but still loved my last year look too! Just for options to help you decorating too!!!! Please feel free to e-mail me with questions!

Social Media, my story & a year later....

2013-09-09T23:03:00.003-07:00

These days social media can take us through so many ups & downs. I was talking with a friend over coffee this past weekend about social media and how sometimes we are reflected as a certain way. I was laughing with her about how I brag so heavily on my Dad's heart journey & how people are probably like, "Okay, we get it, he had heart surgery, he survived, he is good, move on.. stop talking about it"... but just as I state that fact & we were giggling about how some people & society see it as just that, well- it wasn't as just that for me & my family. It's something that I don't take lightly and something that I don't think I will ever just be able to get past because it's something that bettered me for my future- who just gets over that?

Sometimes in life tragedies hit; whether big or small we all go through a time or season in life that we are hit head on with something that changes us. During the time of my Dad's heart issues I also had 2 friends that dealt with losing their husbands tragically. It all didn't make sense and to be honest I don't think ever will; but God's purpose is real even in the midst of a storm. I think 2012 will forever be my hardest yet most "growing" year; because it was the year He taught me about life, and my soul meaning for purpose through tragedies. I learned that life isn't just perfect & flawless. I learned that in those easy moments sometimes he takes us "off road" and shakes us up a bit- to open our eyes.

I am thankful even during the midst of these moments of our lives that we have a hiccup or "interruption" as I am learning in my new Jonah study in my woman's Bible Study this fall. It's so crazy how God's timing is ever present. The day I started my woman's Bible Study on September 5th last year was also the day before my Dad went into a major surgery for his heart. These woman grasped me, prayed over me and loved me yet knew nothing about me. I learned that fall & winter all about the book of James- a man for Christ who struggled in so many areas of his life. Now this fall a year later I am learning about Jonah & the "interruptions" in his life that bring us to where we are today. There is a season of everything in life, and I didn't know how to write that out for myself a year ago, but look at the great things God had in store for me now today, currently in my life after all the things that have gone on. He knew my purpose and literally wrote out my story for me all in the midst of the storm that I was battling!

I am so serious about how I feel in things we went through with my Dad because it's a situation that became a life altering thing for myself, my family, and our lives. Yes people go through everyday battles in their lives whether it be cancer, losing jobs, depression or even losing someone that they love. But do we not all have the same stories and the same endings to our story? The complete center of it all is Christ & that is all that should matter and why I am so passionate about MY story, MY life and where I am today.

If I have to spend the rest of my life telling my story of my Dad to the world I will. Because we were an everyday average family living life happily. We were a family that had everything made in the shade with health, wealth, food, clothes, & happiness. And then in that same breath our lives changed in a second with my Dad's life being altered. I could have lost my Dad that day in July when later they diagnosed him as a "tombstone" patient. He was lucky he survived that Saturday when he happened to call me to come be with him that same day my Mother so happened to be out of town vising her Mom. I don't take a moment of any of that lightly and know that God spared his life for a soul purpose!

We celebrated his new heart this past Friday with the family. I love this man so much. The treasure he has given my life has no price tag on it. He has given me the reason for being on earth, the reason for wanting to be a Mom, a wife, a friend. He has taught me about taking the high road & being a woman of Christ. So thankful for God for giving him a new healthy heart a year later, going strong!

I will never be sorry for telling my story over and over and over and over again.

Some Animal Love

2013-09-04T18:38:00.001-07:00

Chad was off an extra day this week so we enjoyed visiting our local Safari one last time this summer! The animals were so precious! I took pictures of all of our favorites!

Enjoy these little cuties!

Lately...

2013-08-28T22:58:00.004-07:00

I still can't believe that she started Pre-K.

TEAR. . . .

First day of school I had a table for her at breakfast to lighten the mood! She was so out of sorts getting up THIS early... but this made her smile!

She doesn't go to school on Friday's but over the summer we started a tradition of "Donut hole Friday's" so I have been keeping this up. Every morning she wakes up & asks if it's Friday. Melts my soul!

We had a fun play a few weeks ago with some sweet friends! Sure blessed by fun friends!

Our sweet cousin Stella had her 4th Birthday! We love her so much! Such a fun celebration! I am SO blessed to be Stella's Auntie I love her so much!!!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed a night out with some amazing friends!!!

These 2 ladies melt my soul.... they shine so bright in my life and love me. I am the lucky one....

We have enjoyed some picnics with Daddy on the weekend!

It's still hard to be that in only 9 days from today that it's been a YEAR since my Daddy spent 15 days in the hospital recovering from his major heart surgery under going a triple bypass heart surgery. I am oh so grateful and thankful for the gift of the Lord's ever loving grace, mercy & healing on our lives, our family & our hearts. God is so great, so good, so big! WOW! I loved this moment with Avery & her Poppy just a few weeks ago! Such a great reminder that our God is a healer, so present, so wonderful, so perfect!

Running through the water together!!!!

Who doesn't love a 9pm ride in their neighbors barbie jeep listening to music on a Saturday night??

We are getting Razorback ready! The first game is in 3 days! Our house is full Hog ready!

I made a fun new wreath!

Of course we love a Sunday night at Nanny & Poppy's house in the pool with cousin Hudson!

Going to Chucke Cheese parties are the best!

Daddy has been traveling alot but we sure are thankful for his "green bean" job!

And going to friends baby showers are the best!!!

Speaking of, we are planning my best friends baby shower in November... I can hardly stand the theme, the excitement! More to come! I can't help myself, the party planning makes me HAPPY!

Avery's 1st Day of Preschool

2013-08-19T23:12:00.002-07:00

My first day of Preschool!

Being a stay at home Mom. . . .

2013-08-14T23:34:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow I put my baby girl in preschool. I can't lie...it's hard. While I know that it's a step that we each take in being parents, it still cuts me deep knowing that my first born is entering a new stage of her life, preschool.

Avery is my soul, my life, my every breath. Everything that she has done I haven't taken lightly, as every parent knows with their child. She is so special to me. So close to my heart; my buddy if you will. I feel so blessed that God has given me the ability to be home with her for 4 years as a stay at home Mom. I never planned on this path for my life. In fact, I planned on being home for the first few weeks that she was born & then going back into the Marketing field which I loved so much. Unfortunately, my world took a turn when I was 5 months pregnant with her and the day I found out that she was a girl, I got laid off my job. The economy was bad at that time in 2009 & back then what seemed like death really breathed life into my soul....

The day I got laid off was like a death to me. I couldn't believe that I was 5 months pregnant & without a dream job that I loved. I got recruited into the job from some wonderful people and knew there was no hope for me to find something as good as what I had outside of the wonderful company that I was at. I just felt hopeless. I cried for weeks while drawing unemployment feeling hopeless for my future, all while being pregnant wondering what was next for me and my family with this new baby.

{Life kind of seemed unfair. I can't lie. Eight months prior I miscarried and eventually had to have a D&C on the 3rd floor that was later the exact same floor that I delivered Avery on- ironic.}

God had bigger and better plans for me and my husband. I drew unemployment until I realized that working in an office job just wasn't what God called me to do, and realized that currently my job was to be a Mommy. I had Avery in June that year & "rolled with the punches" if you will. It was something very devestating to me being a new Mother, doing a job full time that I never had "planned" to do. I had no clue where I was going to be 6 weeks after having her because in my typical mindset before I got laid off, I continued to think that I was going to go back to work on an office. Several months went by... 6 months, and then 9 months. Two years eventually went by and then 3 years went by. I don't think it was until she was 3 that I realized that God "called me to be a Mommy".

I entered my ladies Bible Study class and started a Beth Moore Study. I could go on for days about the wonderful things I learned but through these classes, encouragement, being with myself daily, and in God's word.. it was in this time that I realized that God WANTED me to be a stay at home Mom. I found a peace with myself, who I was & how there is a simple beauty & fulfillment in being a Mom, and just that. At times I found myself drifting into the mindset that I was nothing because I wasn't getting up, getting dressed, showered, & driving into an office and fulfilling something that was so stressful at "work". I found beauty in the fact that being home, being in my jammies, playing with my child all day and making breakfast was just as fulfilling as being in an office and "working". This was my job. I had to make peace with it.

... I think every woman, whether you work in an office or work at home is a jewel. God calls us each to be somewhere, but it doesn't make us any less of a person or wife or mother even- to be in our calling of work. We each do the same whether we are away from the home, or with our children. Regardless your child feels your love whether you are with them 24 hours a day, or even just 6 hours a day. For me personally I HAD to find peace with being a full time, a Mother 24 hours a day, and found a joy in this career just as I did as a full time worker in the Marketing career. Either job, I found content. And for me, God called me to stay home with Avery.

During this time I know He had plans for my life. I have so graciously found time for Him, looked for Him more in situations I could have ignored Him in with other things distracting me, and He has given me the gift of "time" to go into Bible studies with other woman to reach for Him where as I don't think personally I could have otherwise. I am such a busy body that I think He truly needed me to slow down and think about who He really is! I think God knows our hearts and for MY life, He knew that I needed this in order to fix things and to fix who I am. I am so humbled by the gift of time that he has give into my life and now see the perfect picture that He painted for me to finally seek Him. It took a few years but I get it now.

I am human & as we all are, have so many things to work on. But after 4 year of being home and now putting my daughter into Preschool, I finally realize that perfect picture that He is in the process of still painting for my life. We have so many bad days where I cry in the bathroom alone. We have days where I just want to sit still and wish so badly that I was alone but in an office with a bunch of fun people to giggle with to get me through my day. We have days where we just do nothing and days where we do everything... but it doesn't make life perfect. It just makes us being life- whether we are here or there doing something or not. We are just us, being us- living "life".

I am happy. Now trying to have another baby to complete our family & praising God for our sweet Avery who is entering a new stage of her life. I hope you will continue to follow our journey and know that I am real, and want love and happiness for everyone. I hope everyone finds that in everything they do whether big or small, working or not, home all day, or working in schools, traveling, having 8 children, adopting, being a single parent, a widow, or just trying to have a child or find that dream job. I hope you find peace in your life in being patient and eventually seeking out what God calls for you in your life.

He is good. Be patient & wait... good thing are to come! =)

Instagram & Branson

2013-08-01T23:01:00.001-07:00

I went from being an everyday blogger to maybe a once every 3/4 weeks blogger. Do I ever want to stop blogging my life? No. It's my journal. I always will find time to put the pieces of my life together in my journal. But- for me personally my life, yes even with just one child, has become so busy. My schedule has become more hectic, my days have become shorter, my life has become busier...Truly I have been enjoying taking in each moment day by day!

So, I found Instagram. BOOM! A way to share my life "instantly" almost an everyday easy snapshot of my life. I have mentioned several times through past posts on where to find me so if you want to keep up easier please do join me at Ashley0513. I by no means plan on stopping Ashley's Avenue. It's important to me as we expand our family and as I grow to blog my life. I just haven't had the time these days to carry my camera around, edit pictures and keep this nightly routine going; especially when I found something as easy as Instagram. So I do hope you will join me there, so we can keep our journey of life together; but also stay tuned to me in the blog world as well; even though my posts won't be daily like they have been in the past. I wish I had time to sit and read the billions of blogs that I love to follow but I have to be honest, I just can't.

So keep it up blogging world, it's so fun! I love sharing my life and will never ever stop!!! Just don't think I am literally "MIA" because I don't post daily like I once did. I am still here, I promise!

So with that, I will blog about my past weekend in Branson with my parents, brother & sister in law/nephew. We had such a lovely weekend away, so thankful to go with my parents! We planned a last minute trip they literally called us Friday morning and said, "can you spend the weekend in Branson we are wanting to leave at 4"... and of course we said YES! So here is our weekend away!

We all enjoyed eating out with the babies, going to Silver Dollar City, shopping, and just being crazy at our condo. This weekend was so refreshing to me and so much needed. I just love my family so much!

Beach Vacation!!!

2013-07-22T23:02:00.002-07:00

Oh my!!!!

I have been waiting for this post! I could hardly wait to share all of our fun vacation pictures with my friends!! We went to Gulf Shores/Morgantown this past week & had the times of our lives. So relaxing, blissful, refreshing... We went with Chad's family- his parents, sister & our niece as well as his cousin, wife & their kids & rented the most beautiful place by the beach!

It was also a year that my Dad had his heart attack... keep reading, such a special moment for me!

So here we go- come on our fun journey- Avery's first trip to the beach!

We made silly faces through the trip & ate lots of candy & of course colored!

Car ride pictures to keep her occupied!

We will get there I promise!

And some nail prep before the trip!

We stayed the night in Jackson, MS... Avery loved the hotel she thought we were on an adventure!

We stopped in for fresh veggies & fruit on our way to the house! After a long drive the girls were just tickled and cheesing it up!

13 hours later and staying the night and then traveling, we made it! Avery's first view at the beach!

Daddy told her everything she needed to know. . .

{Yes, I teared up}. . .

We are here!

The first morning that we woke up was so special to me. It was the year anniversary that my Daddy had his heart attack. I woke up at 6:30 & took my Bible to the beach & took a long walk on the beach and spent some quiet time with God. Everyone was still in bed. It was so peaceful. So meaningful. I opened my Bible to read in Ecclesiastes; a time for everything. It is something that my Dad shared to me after his open heart surgery in September this past year. After he came home and was healing he shared this chapter with me about life and how there is "a time for everything in life" He opened my heart to new meaning & reading this changed my life; my thoughts to who I am, to why we go through pain, why we have hurt. I cried on the beach in this picture I poured my heart to Christ- thanking Him for this day a year ago- that my Daddy was still alive. I praised Him for life, grace, His love- his hand on our lives! Something so simple to others but something so huge to me change my life forever. It brought me a new joy, a new faith, a new meaning. I never will take life for granted. Ever again. God gave me Dad all over again. I cherish every second with him, every day! I text him on the beach to share this special moment with him & praise God he is alive to share this yearly moment with him. I celebrate it because it gave new chapters to me personally in my life and gave me my Daddy with a new refreshed healed heart. This moment truly brought new meaning to life and what he went through forever changed me. I am forever grateful & forever blessed by him, my family.. really- my life!

I love you Dad, God's love shines bright on you & your healed heart!

One morning I walked through the sand & took this picture... and was remembered of footprints in the sand and how God carries us through hard times in life.. how we all go through hardships but God is always carrying us through them!

So everyday became a blur because everyday was PERFECT ! Literally! From the moment I woke up I had coffee with my in-laws every morning.. and the rest of the day was pool, beach, fun, dinner & excitement... so see below! I literally lost track of time!

An everyday walk to the beach...

First day on the sand...

And here we go! Cousins!

Follow me on Instagram! You can find me at Ashley0513! I love sharing my instant snapshops in life!

Sweet Sweet Summer

2013-07-07T19:38:00.003-07:00

What have we been up to lately? Well, here it is!

{A bunch of summer fun in no order but my life so far this summer- HAPPY}!!!

Are you in Instagram? If so find me at Ashley0513- I am on there daily keeping up with our everyday life! XOXO!

Avery's 4th Butterfly Party!!!

2013-06-08T23:37:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that my baby turned 4?

It just doesn't seem possible. Time has flown before my eyes. Literally.

Speaking of "flown"- Avery is obsessed with butterflies and trying to catch them!! So when I asked her what kind of Birthday party she wanted she said, "A Butterfly party, Mom"

So of course I had to immediately dab into my theme for her and enjoy what I call, "My last chance" to give her a fun themed party. I am all about doing things easy, there is NOTHING wrong with that. I love simple and anyone that knows me knows that I love something at a bargain! So I started shopping and ran with her fun idea. I know from this Birthday forward we will probably be enjoying easy fun parties for her 5th & on, (which is TOTALLY fine & fabulous), but while I still have her under my "wings" I thought I would enjoy a last ditch effort to make her party somewhat what I wanted... I can't help it. I have what I call, "party Momma syndrome". It's in my blood. Anyone that knows me knows that I enjoy the decorating and fun that comes from making my girls day extra special! All from the heart!

I start with giveaways for her friends! I bought these adorable little butterfly nets from the Dollar Store for $1.00! My Mom cut out the butterfly papers for me & I hole punched them & wrapped with ribbon for each guest. These definetely came in handy during the party...

I loved my main table! I spray painted my $3.00 cupcake stand that I bought at a yard sale YEARS ago! This cupcake stand has come in handy at so many parties, even for friends!!! This time around we spray painted watermelon pink. It was such a great touch!

We have used this cupcake stand so many times around! Can you believe it?

I hope I can show you that something as cheap as a yard sale purchase can be so FUN!!! Here are some ways over the years that we have changed up our little $3.00 purchase!!!

Valentines Day Party!

Avery's 3rd Birthday " Paul Frank Party"

Crystal's "High Tea" baby shower!

Avery's 3rd Princess Party!

My sweet Momma is so helpful to me & always has the best ideas!! She made cookies for the kids as another take home gift. They were butterfly sugar cookies! So CUTE!!!

How cute are these?

She had another cute idea to make "butterfly take home bags" for the kids so Avery spent one evening hand paining her clips and adding glitter especially for all her friends! I loved this because it gave each kid a chance to take home something just from Avery!

I loved the main table!! We borrowed the umbrella's from my sister in law Tiff! I added the butterflies to them. I purchased the adorable butterfly in the middle from Gordman's- A cheap & simple statement for $5.99 YES!!!

I love little touches and added butterflies everywhere for fun!

Even in the flower baskets!

The drink station was easy! I utilized another arrangement I had made years ago for Avery's 1st Birthday! This time I just added a butterfly & made it to this particular theme!

The amazing paper goodies, with Avery's initials come next.. keep reading...

Here is where I had Avery's 1st Birthday arrangement! I have used it so many times over the past 4 years for parties or even just through my house! All you have to do is get creative, change things & add or take away a few pieces! Easy!!

I decided to make a place for the kids to sit & enjoy their cupcakes & icecream! So I had table with some cute pinwheels that I purchased in a cute bucket from the Dollar store for $1.00 each! How cute did this turn out?

We had a bounce house come for the kids and it was the perfect touch!

And on to the most important thing that MADE the party!! All of the beautiful butterfly cut out's that my sweet sister in law's cousin made! She made the banner, the cupcake toppers, and all of the little butterfly cutouts added throughout:

Wow- amazing right?

You can find her on facebook HERE @ BNG Crafty Creations! PLEASE go like her goodies, you won't want to miss out on her amazing goodness for your next party!! She is so amazing and can do anything you would like!!!

Avery had a blast at her party! She enjoyed all her friends!

We are so proud of our big girl!

My Mom made 100 butterfly goodies with candy & each kid had to go into the yard and pick them up with their giveaway net from Avery! How cute is this?

A huge hit at the party was the face/hand paint! The kids had so much fun with this! Mom rocked at giving the kids a special treat with paint! I swear she can do anything to make kids happy! Makes me smile!

Singing Happy Birthday!

She enjoyed opening her presents!

So thankful for all my sweet dear friends that came to celebrate our special day!

On her actual Birthday I checked cousin Stella out of school & we enjoyed a day of fun getting Avery a big girl hair cut, going to Chuck E Cheese & to Bliss Cupcake! And of course we played in the backyard in the water & on her new trampoline from Mamee & Papa & Stella/Auntie K!

We love you Avery! So proud of you!

Thank you all for being a party of our girls special day! We love you Avery!

Memorial Weekend and More!

2013-05-27T23:34:00.004-07:00

This past weekend was possibly the most wonderful sweet heart felt weekend I have had in ages. We went camping. Simple as that. Camping. I enjoyed Chad's family, great food, company, friends, games, phone free hours without end, my sweet baby girl... you name it! It was just that great weekend that I could re-live over and over again. Camping Memorial weekend is something we do each year. It's a memory I could re-live for Avery over & over again. She enjoys riding her bike around our camp circle over & over again, enjoys being in the lake with her cousin, eating sweet treats, camping in the camper & sitting around playing games. It's that kind of fun that I can't live without. Just makes me smile over and over again.

Enjoy our weekend of bliss!

First, my sweet niece enjoyed a day with me through Wal-mart getting all of our camping goodies! I spoiled her rotten and bought her anything she wanted... OPPPPPPS!

{How cute is she}. . .

I kicked off the weekend with my "star" toes!

HERE WE COME!

The girls enjoyed kicking the weekend off with a fun new sprinkler that Aunt Sassy got Avery for her 4th Birthday coming up! Such a great present!

They enjoyed playing beauty shop & getting their hair braided. I can't believe that my almost 4 year old has long hair!

Of course upon camp set up they played dress up in Stella's "pretty woman" hat!

They ate up bubble time with their Mammie!

And played kiddie horse shoes!

I personally kicked off the weekend with my sis in law chilling in our fav chairs!

Sunny grassy fresh morning made this Momma smile! Simple happiness! YES PLEASE!

We enjoyed the lake!

Fell asleep with my niecelet!

My other sweet niece Kelsey enjoying the sun!

And had a ball with my sweet dear friend Danielle on the jet ski's!

Ate up some special time with my man of 8 years! We enjoyed chilling together, watching our girl play, and going on a few rides together in the evenings!

And of course Avery enjoyed her Daddy time too!

I took in all of the beautiful sunsets!

And the beauty of the sunshine during the day!

Yup- I am eating up every second!

My sweet cousin Gretchen's daughter joined us this weekend so I enjoyed some quality time with her riding bikes one evening!

I just love my Jaycee time of course she had a blast too!

The girls eat her up!

And speaking of the girls....

They sure know how to have fun!

And nap too after having so much fun!

Blessed by Chad's family we had so much fun at our last night cookout!

My in-laws are some of my best friends EVER!.... I am so lucky!

We ate yummy goodness all weekend... this doesn't even do justice of our yummies!

It was such a great weekend at camp! I hated to say good-bye!

But this Memorial Day I was so thankful for all of those who have served in our country for our freedom, so blessed, so thankful!

Another fun thing that happened this past Thursday was that Avery graduated from pre-K. Her little play was so precious!

Last day of school May 2013

We are all so proud of you Avery!

I enjoyed my decorations for celebrating the Memorial Weekend! Thankful for all who have blessed us in our country!!!

Can you believe that Avery turns FOUR next weekend? CRAZY! Stay tuned for her "butterfly birthday" party!

I have an awesome blog coming up for a family friend who make these goodies, you won't want to miss out!!!!!

Mother's Day, Anniversary & a special friend....

2013-05-20T22:02:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed Mother's Day so much this year. So low key. We enjoyed a nice dinner with the family & church on Sunday!

Don't ask me how I would even be alert without the help & guidance of my Momma. She has taught me most everything that I know & I am so extremely grateful for her. She is a best friend to me. I appreciate her advice and devotion to me. It's priceless! There is something so special about her that I think only her & I share. It's that bond as a Mother & daughter that I think noone other than us could grasp. She is overwhelming & outspoken like myself at times but that is what is so great about her... because I am so much like her, I totally get it! It wasn't until I was a Mom that I "got it"! Her love & sweetness to me is something that I have taken in, so dearly. We break into laughter so much! It just makes me smile!

Chad's Mom is also like a Mother to me. So sweet & tender so easy to talk with. She raised one of the best I am so blessed to have captured her son's presence. I feel so lucky. She lightens our lives each day, always willing to take care of us, and do whatever to help us out. Such a great mother!!!!

Oh Avery & her sweet cousin, they are besties!!!! They just love each other so much! Lights up my world!

Being Avery's Momma is a true gift from God. I praise Him each day for allowing me the gift of being home with her as a full time job, taking care of her each day. I am so blessed that I haven't missed a beat with her & that He blessed me to be HER Mom. I have grown so much over the past few years but that fact that He has given me the "gift of time" with her during my thyroid issues is the most blessing of all. I love that I have had the opportunity to take everything in & enjoy each & every day with her through each growth & even tribulation. So sweet. Such a gift.

I wouldn't be the Mom I am today without an amazing husband who supports me 100% with my girl! Such a great man!

I enjoyed my fresh picked flowers from Avery & my Mom our of her yard!

We were supposed to spend Saturday with my brother's family but I ended up with a horrible tempurture & felt so sick all day so spent the day in bed before Mother's day.

Chad always takes SUCH good care of me when I am sick! He made me lunch in bed!

Before Mother's Day my parents headed out on their first trip since my Dad had heart surgery. What a great thing for my Daddy to be able to get away & enjoy the world. This picture was taken of him at the Grand Canyon. It melted my heart to see him so healthy, so happy. Not many people know this but when my Dad was entereted into the hospital with his heart issues in July 2012 he was diagnosed on his EKG as a "tombstone" patient. It was by the pure grace of God that my Daddy survived & that I answered my phone that was on silent the morning he was having a heart attack and didn't know it. There are so many events that we play up to that day that make our family know that God's grace & GLORY was on our family. WOW!!!! To know my Dad survived something that could have ended in death; alone assures me that God is real, good, faithful and ever present!

It's May so of course we enjoyed playing in the rain with some of our best neighbor friends!!!! The girls had a blast when this rainy evening came!

Recently I have been enjoying bike riding as a new hobby! My friend & I spent 3 hours one day riding 22 miles through 2 towns enjoying the scenery & riding our bikes!!!

I am so happy my thyroid finally is functioning because 2 months ago I would have NEVER been doing this!

And with this heat comes alot of fun summer days!!! We spend alot of time outside playing with chalk and enjoying the sunshine!

Chad & I celebrated our 8 year wedding Anniversary this past Friday! We enjoyed a nice dinner night out & movie!!! I love this man, so blessed by him!!!

Can you believe my baby girls last week of school is tomorrow? I can hardly believe it! After school each day we go over her homework & giggle together! One day she said she was silly all day so I said show me your silly face- this is what I got!

And last, yet SO important!!!...

My best friend Lindsey who lives in Memphis needs prayer. Her best friend, also a Lindsay, passed away this past Monday. {She is on the far left}. She had a baby with her husband Matt in October of last year and the baby died at birth due to complications. Well after, now this past Monday Lindsey passed away, & then her husband the following day died as well. The entire story is such a tragedy. I am so heart broken this sweet girl was just such a joy! She had a heart of gold & was so kind spirited.

My best friend is devestated. As you can imagine. This is her best friend as well as her husband that both her husband & her spent many occasions with. They both died the day before their 2 year wedding anniversary. His Mother also passed away during this time. All of this is so hard to understand and grasp but I just ask that you keep my best friend Lindsey in your prayers during this hard time as she deals with this passing of such wonderful friends. She has been through so much the past few years with a few close friends passing & her heart is merely breaking right now. Please keep my girl in prayers.... she is such a blessing to me and her pain & heartache is melting my soul.

Decorating & Parties!

2013-05-06T22:49:00.004-07:00

Decorating is in my blood. I can't help it! I have said it once, I will say it twice... I love being home having a home all decorated for a holiday or season. It makes the days inside so much happier, for me personally! I love waking up each morning & opening the blinds to daylight & seeing some fun! I get such a joy out of it because Avery loves doing it with me! She added her lady bug she made at school to the "spring" fun!

Each month or Holiday we get together in the Kitchen & go at it together! She helps me set the tables!

Something about this time of year reminds me of rooster's & early mornings! She recently went to a safari & loved the rooster so much... so I was able to introduce that even at home into our daily pretties! So much to learn, even out of decorating! =)

Avery adding her school made lady bug was the perfect touch! She placed it herself!

I am a southern gal so I love my southern living cookbook & delicious piece of pie pretties!

{Dining room}

And gerber daisies is a must...

I am a huge fan of making things go a long way! I started this beautiful arrangement at her 1st Birthday years ago & transport it throughout the house & also at many parties! I am even using it at her 4th Birthday party! The key to good decorating on a budget is making things useful... things that can last season to season & beyond!

Our past weekend was filled with Birthday's!! We had such a fun weekend! Our first stop was Ella Kate's first Birthday! It's my sister in law's sisters little girls Birthday and boy was it fun! They did such an awesome job decorating for it! I was just so excited to see all the pretties that they worked so hard on! It was an Elmo theme & we had a BLAST! Such a fun theme for a girl! I always love a fun theme for a party!!!

Ready for the party!

Isn't Ella Kate a doll?

Avery's friend Marisa had a cute fairy party on Sunday & we had a blast! The girls just had so much fun playing together! Avery got in the car & just went on & on about how fun she had! Melted my soul!

Speaking of decorating I am in full swing of Avery's 4th Birthday! Can you believe that my baby is 4 in less than a month? Just seems crazy. I have so much to share about my life with her over the past 4 years, my journey, my life, devotion, happiness... God has given me 4 great years with her thus far & I am so blessed! I get alot of questions as to why I haven't had more children yet. Truly I have not many words for that... except my thyroid issues were a blessing because God gave me EVERY second at home to eat up every moment with her, just her the past 4 years... I can truly say I never missed a single beat of my little girl. By no means do I think those who have children closer together have missed a beat- but for me personally with my thyroid issues, this moment was a true blessing. We do plan to have more children but because of my health issues & things I was going through it just wasn't in "God's timing" which is the most important thing to me & my husband in us building a family.

{Her 4th party is a "butterfly theme".. I can't wait! My mom is so great helping me come up with ideas so we are going to do a garden/whimsical/butterfly theme with lots of green, summer fun! Still in the works! I can't wait, going to be fun}!

...As of now, I am feeling 100% better. I have lost 15 lbs & thank goodness for amazing doctors my health is back in order and my body is functioning again. I praise Jesus for this, such a miracle for me. It isn't something I openly spoke about on my blog which isn't normal for me but after my last post I got tons of e-mails & I am so excited to continue to help & share my success of dealing with this issue!

.......

I never spoke much about how awful I felt the past years... but this thyroid took a toll on me and my body. It was on the back burner during my Dad's heart issues & I am 100% okay with that.. but thankful I now found a cure for what made me feel horrible & so down. I finally took the time to focus on this issue and thankful that it was something so big, yet small, to deal with.

...For the first time in 2 years I am me again; no more headaches, pain, hurt. I am finally ready for another baby & grateful that I wasn't rushed during my trials. God really gave me the gift of time & boy as HE been using it to my ability allowing me to give joy to others, and even my own daughter. I don't regret the space at all. I am thankful! Blessed beyond measures!

Stay tuned...

Spring has sprung!

2013-04-28T22:09:00.003-07:00

My Birthday "week" as I like to call it never seemed to end. I am so thankful for sweet friends & good company! I am all about celebrating life!

My dear friend Amy & I enjoyed some shopping & coffee! We always smile together! Oh she is precious!

My other sweet dear Amy & Amanda treated me to dinner & we always know how to have a good time! I love these girls to the moon!

And my sweet sisters treated me to some amazing TCBY and got me some gift cards to my favorite places. I enjoyed a day of pampering & got a pedicure & manicure! And then stopped in for some Tropical Smoothie- a fav!!

Random, but some other favorites this past March & April.

Avery always enjoys cooking with Momma! We make breakfast together! She cracks the eggs for me. I love my little helper in the kitchen each morning. . .

A favorite of mine is edamome. I enjoyed a local lunch date with friends this month!

It's spring!!! My front porch is always a working progress! My mother in-law stained & re-did my bench that I found years ago for $30.00! Chad surprised me & had her paint it turquoise! A perfect new addition to our home!

We spring shop!

And make lots of time for our cousin Hudson at Chick Fil A!

We visit Poppy at the marina at least once a week to play "store"...

{Dad is doing SO good}

I always love a good girls night in the mix!

And more friend fun!

....And dinners with my Bible study loves!

Downtime is a must though....laying by Daddy.

Trying out a few new trends!

We love to visit new eateries that open up! I love a diet coke in a mason jar!

Warm weather calls for ice cream & throwing pennies in the fountain!

...and warmer weather- ROMPERS!

And who doesn't love a make-up play date with our bestie & cousin!

We enjoy the new blooms, creeks & fun outside!

Who doesn't love being woken up at 3am to a tornado warning?

And this spring we wrapped up my Beth Moore study on "James, Mercy Triumphs".. The BEST thing that ever happened to me. Changed my life.

I started this study after my Dad's heart surgery & boy did God touch my soul & change my "heart" on life and what it really is about.

Spring brings new life! In our front yard!

We love going to visit Poppy & Nanny- a ride in the lawn mower, why not???

And pre-school field trips at the safari? Nothing much these days gets any sweeter!

{sorry it's blurry}

Some of our friends moved on a rainy Saturday & you bet your booty we were there to help! We make fun on our of rainy days!

(And stops for icecream) SHHHHHHH!!! !

XO!

I'm 31- goodness I feel OLD!!!

2013-04-22T22:11:00.001-07:00

Sunday was my 31st Birthday & we had such a great time with my family! I am feeling old. HA! I had such a good time last year with my big 30th bash that my girlfriends Amanda & Amy threw me that this year felt as if I was even older so it was hard to pass up the fun I had last year with my family & friends!!!!

I wasn't even feeling a "party" because honestly I wanted to remember my 30th birthday forever. Somehow I felt so young & never wanted to "grow up" after that fun night. Check it out here! It was party for sure... my friends are too good to me!!!

So my day started off with coffee in bed, and amazing gift that Avery "re-gifted" that she found in my closet; a necklace that I already had. It was the sweetest thing- it even came wrapped in Christmas paper in a shoe box of shoes that Chad recently purchased. It melted my soul!!! Little things like that you just want to freeze in time! She said, "I picked it special from your jewlrey in your closet"- I could cry for days!! The best gift!

We went to church on my Birthday & after enjoyed an afternoon at my parents... truly my favorite spot to be in the entire world!!!!

I think the best gift anyone could EVER give me is her...

We enjoyed grilling on the lake, going on a boat ride & watching the girls dance the evening away! I feel so blessed. I love my family. I am here on this earth to enjoy life with my family!

My Mom always has the best smelling house, sweet tea & my favorite punch ready, decorations and love all set in place! I always walk in & smell the sweetness & feel so lucky to have them!!!

Chad whisked me & Avery away for the day on Saturday to Eureka Springs for a day with just them walking the shops & enjoying a day trip out of town!

I enjoyed a treat with my sweet sister friends at TCBY for a sweet Birthday treat!

And to keep the fun going my besties are taking me to dinner Tuesday evening for a night out on the town with them!!! So thankful for my Amanda & Amy!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sweet well wishes. So undeserving but felt so blessed this year by all the love!

Hugs & kisses to all!

Heart Walk & Thyroid...

2013-04-18T10:46:00.001-07:00

Can you say horrible blogger? I have found a new found love for Instagram. I just love that I am able to post a quick shot of my life & that so many of my blog followers have found me on there so I can too easily follow your lives. I love to blog & will never stop because it's my personal life that I am able to share with the world & hopefully be of example to you all!

As you know my life changed greatly for the better this past year when my Dad had a heart attack & then an open heart surgery. The Lord has changed my heart about life, my soul about where I am going for eternity & has opened my mind to the importance of what life is really about.

My battle with my thyroid....

I don't know if you were aware but I have struggled tremendously as well this past year with my thyroid. I struggled greatly with it during the time of my Dad's heart issues. I was stressed, my hair was falling out, my vision was blurred, I COULD NOT lose much weight & I worked out EVERYDAY. My hormones were off, I was cold constantly, bruising easily & found myself some days barely able to get out of the warm car to walk into my house. It was exhausting. I blamed a lot of it on simple stress maybe a tad bit of sadness/depression of what my family was going through.

To make the story short I had been on 3 different types of medicines for a year & finally decided to go see an Endocrinologist who is a thyroid specialist. My new doctor SAVED my life. I am now off all the medicine but one for my thyroid & have NO symptoms. I even dropped 12 lbs in 4 weeks. Talk about the feeling of being so down not knowing what was wrong. The last 2 months have changed me incredibly because I feel so good!

Through the entire journey of my issues of thyroid which I think stemmed after having Avery, & my Dad's issues, I decided it was time to get my life with God right & dig into the word. I joined a class where I am studying James in the Beth Moore series "Mercy's Triumphs". God has straightened me out. It really wasn't until I reached for Him & gave Him my life & prayer when I didn't know where else to go with my sadness & body issues that He spoke to me & gave me the answers. I am still growing but WOW how time changes & how seasons grow us & how we are molded into new blooms. I am so thankful. So blessed.

This past Saturday was the American Heart Association walk. Chad's family as well as mine all walked in honor of my Dad. We named our team "Rick's Rockstars". I teared up several times under my glasses thinking about how God has changed my life through my Dad's heart issues & how when I reached to God, he changed me completely! I am whole again.

This is a day I will never forget!

Thank you Dad for all you are! We love you so very much!!!!

This song has gotten me through some really hard days!

I have SO much to catch up on! Will be back soon!

Easter Fun 2013

2013-04-01T18:47:00.005-07:00

Happy Easter my blogger friends!

We had such a great few days leading up to Easter I thought I would share everything going on!

Thursday was Avery's school Easter party. It was geared around the resurrection & I was in charge of the craft so we made palm leaves with each child's hands. Then I read a story about the resurrection of Christ & each child enjoyed waving their palm leaf through the story!

My friend made some awesome "peep looking" cookies! The kids really enjoyed them!

We also enjoyed Easter at my parents this past week! She still gets us an Easter goody it is so fun! She always is so festive, (where I get it from), & bakes the most wonderful goodies!

I finally found time to get a few pictures of my fun Easter pretties around the house! Enjoy!

This week I also had a girls night with some friends! Do any of you watch Good Morning America? My sweet gal pal here was on there 2 weeks ago with Fergie! Can you believe it?

Here she is on the show doing a make-up thing! So beautiful!

I got my nails Easter ready this week!

We made cookies several days per Avery's request!

Good Friday was a huge celebration at our church leading up to Easter Weekend. We enjoyed listening to the NWA symphony & hearing about Good Friday, so amazing!!!

I caught this on my phone driving into our church.

Saturday was Mom's birthday! We also had our Easter that night at our church with my family! We enjoyed church & then dinner & cake celebration for Mom's 56th Birthday! I have another post I am doing that is all about my sweet Momma!

I am so blessed by my sweet niece & I call Ella Kate here my niece. It's my sister in law's sisters little girl. These kids just melt our hearts!

Of course I had to get them a little sweet basket!

Saturday night the Easter Bunny came!

I made her get completely ready for church with Chad's family before she could see her goody! She was so surprised and forgot that he came to see her!

Easter Sunday with Chad's family!

Avery & cousin Stella loved the doves being released after the service!

After church we took a few pictures at a local garden. I didn't have my camera so the quality isn't the best! Of course I forgot that on Easter Sunday!

Ready to hunt Easter eggs with cousins!

I praise Jesus- He has risen! I am so thankful for his amazing grace & gift of this life....

I need your help!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!

2013-03-23T17:08:00.001-07:00

Hi all of you wonderful bloggers out there! I am in need of your help!

I am trying to raise money on behalf of the American Heart Association for my Dad's team, "Rick's Rockstar's. We will be particpating in a few weeks in a walk with our community to support this wonderful cause that has touched our lives in so many ways.

If you are interested in reading about my Dad's story from the beginning until now, check out some of these old blogs. God changed our life, our family, & healed my Dad. Forever grateful!

You can read about my entire story of my Dad starting when he had his heart attack in July of 2012, HERE.
This was written the evening before his surgery. http://ashleylinam.blogspot.com/2012/09/prayers-please.html

The story of his heart surgery. http://ashleylinam.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-dads-heart-surgery-story.html

My Dad had several complications after his surgery & was in the hospital for 15 days. If you are interested you can read about those updates here:

I wanted to share all of these updates to show you how much my Father means to me. I want you to see how important life is & also see how much God touched my soul forever. Please join me in donating to this wonderful cause on behalf of my Father. All you have to do is go HERE & donate as little or much as you would like. The funds go directly to the American Heart Association & will update on my page how much I have raised for them. I have 21 days, please pass this along & help me! I am so thankful!

Love you you all!