Friday's Photo Flashback!

"Amanda, He Shaves His Armpits!"

10 year's ago this Halloween, I met my future friend, my future love, my future husband. However, we didn't get off on the right foot at first, and our feelings for each other were a tad lukewarm. This is the only picture I have from the first night we met (THANKFULLY, because I look like total barf-a-roni! well, none of us look our best, I guess...but me??? blech!) and I remember that night as plain as day, and Chris, well....doesn't recall it at all. It was a lock-in at church (that he didn't go to) and he was there because he had "eye's" for the pastors daughter, who also happened to be one of my best friends. And when I say "eye's" I mean poetry writing, flower buying, smooth talkin', head-over-heels smitten with my friend. And even though both of them don't like talking about this now, it is our story, so I have to!

That night was the first time I was meeting this boy who was so taken by my friend. And I don't blame him either! She was and is a beautiful, blond, knockout! Anyway, Mr. Clean was showing his stuff on the b-ball court when I saw him for the first time. Amanda pointed him out, and the very first thing I said about my future husband was "Amanda, he shaves his armpits!!!!!" I was repulsed at the fact that a guy would shave his pits, especially when he didn't have to! Any guy who had smoother pits than me was a problem-o! Amanda and I later had a talkie talkie with Mr. clean and nipped that problem in the bud, to which I am now eternally grateful for!

To answer any lingering questions about what happened to them and what became of us, I will just say that my friend wasn't quite as fond of Mr. Clean as he was of her and whatever little that was there didn't last long at all, there are Tic-Tacs that last longer. However, he was persistent in his pursuit, but I was the one who had to tell him to "get to steppin' boy, she doesn't like you!" Thankfully, he hung around long enough to be my friend and he remained just that, my friend, just friends for several years before we became more than just friends. And yes, Amanda is still my dear friend today who is married to someone equally as beautiful has her and I'm thankful that she is as pretty as she is, otherwise I may have never met my now hairy-pitted husband!

My Monday Mind Dump...On Tuesday!

1. I got mastitis...again, and it is beating me up pretty bad! 102.7 temp! I feel so bad my scalp hurts!
2. Got a hankerin' for some cran-grape juice this week, but it doesn't taste as good when it doesn't come in the disposable cups they give at the hospital.
3. I'm soo excited to dress Kidd-O up for Halloween this weekend, he's gonna be a little Indian brave :)
4. I'm fairly certain I have exhausted my crockpot recipes. Mr. Clean asked why I keep making the same thing everyday...I guess crockpot chicken does taste the same even if there is cream-o-chicken instead of cream-o-mushroom
5. In the spirit of Halloween week Mr. Clean and I were watching Psychic Kids (scariest.show.ever!) and Paranormal State, to which they told a homeowner that their home was being haunted by Puck-wedgies. That's right, Puck-wedgies. I dare you to use this word in a sentence without smiling even a little. go ahead, try it! By the way, I still have no clue what a puck-wedgie is!
6. Because of these non-edifying (or is it unedifying?) shows, I had a nightmare Sunday night and woke myself up because I was screaming...that was a first! thankfully kidd-o slept through it!
7. The dream was of a catlike creature (possibly a puck-wedgie?) trying to attack me and wouldn't resist when I tried to push it away...yeesh!
8.. I really enjoy documentaries!
9&10. And as I have been recouping from my infection, and drinking my cran-grape juice I have been able to write some AND I was able to watch a documentary today during Kidd-O's nap. The documentary was called "Babies" which was an insightful and HUMBLING look into the lives of four infants from around the globe, from first breath to first steps! It was truly enlightening and I encourage you to check it out!
I was humbled by this documentary because I have been so concerned about being "babywise" or having the "happiest baby on the block". Do I let the baby cry it out, or can I rock him? Am I reading to him enough? Is he on schedule? Cloth diapers or Huggies?Do his clothes match? Where can I get another ridiculous but cute hat?
Meanwhile, the mothers they documented in Africa and Mongolia are covered in dirt, licking their babies face to clean it because they have no water, or expressing milk onto their child's face to cleanse it, and no diapers for their babies...AT ALL! Their children escort them on their daily duties...or are left to fend for themselves with the other children, they crawl around in cow pastures, or roll around with the other babies in rivers!!! Every single one of these things would send us into cardiac arrest if we saw our children doing these things!
Granted, I don't know what the infant mortality rate is in those respective countries, but I do know that I'm incredibly spoiled, and incredibly blessed that the Lord allows me to live in this greatest country with my baby! Don't know why He has, but He has!
I strongly encourage you to check out this documentary! It's beautiful, sweet, and above all, humbling as an American to see!! I could write a LOT more, but then you wouldn't have to see for yourself!

Have a great week! thanks for stopping by!

Friday's Photo Flashback!

My Best Friend

I was told one late Summer day, before 1st grade, about a little girl my age who lived next door to the house we just moved into. Little did I know that the girl next door would become my best friend, my sister.
When I got home from the pool that summer day, I got an idea! Even though I am not a shy person, and never have been, I didn't quite feel comfortable walking right up to the door and introducing myself. Instead, I dug around the garage for things that might intrigue and "lure" the girl outside to be my friend. I brought hoola hoops, bubbles, jump ropes, even my hot pink "skip-it" right up to their living room window. I don't know if my tactic worked that day, but it didn't take long for us to become fast friends, to become sisters.

We would rush home after school to play barbies, or make up dances to Beatles songs and watch Saved by the Bell. Our Summer days were spent at the pool and our Summer nights were spent watching movies, sharing secrets and giggling until even the moon was tired.
When we were too old for barbies, we rushed home to catch the newest NSYNC (who I loved) or Hanson (who she loved) music videos on MTV. We were inseperable. We played on the same softball teams, cheerleading squads, loved the same music and shows! We were just a like- we even looked alike, which was unfortunate in middle school, because we were NOT cute!
And even in High School when we had different friends, and maybe spent less time with each other, we always knew where we could find the other. Even when I made us late for school so much that we got suspended,We always remained the best of friends, we always remained sisters.
And now as adults, my best friend has remained by my side! She stood by me at my wedding, waited in the waiting room as I became a mom, and still goes with me to Disney World!

This coming Summer will mark 20 years of friendship. My best friend gets me, she gets me even when my husband doesn't. We're weird-o's, we're quirky. We were probably the only 18 year old's dressed head-to-toe in G.W Bush campaign apparel and we were probably the only 20 year old's who chose to vacation with my family at Disney, instead of Panama City with college kids our age, and I KNOW we were the only 25 year old's dancing our butt's off at the Rod Stewart concert. We are old souls who are obsessed with the holiday's, tradition, Christmas music, we both love Lucy, oldies music, and we are prudes...

My best friend is loyal and funny. We are more alike than different, and we know EXACTLY what the other is going to say before we even say it! She once told me in a card "You are the Lucy to my Ethel, the Laverne to my Shirley, and the peanut butter to my marshmallow fluff!" and I couldn't agree with her more! Happy Birthday, Amy, my best friend, my sister! I love you! Here's to 20 more years!!
ASHLEY and AMY, BFF!

My Monday Mind Dump...

PART 2 from last week....

12. I love finger nail polish! I buy a bottle almost every time I’m at the drugstore- SHHH, don’t tell Chris please!!!!

13. I love Lucy, Elvis is the king, Beatlemania was legit…AMEN!

14. I’m slightly bitter that I didn’t get to experience the 60’s. I’m fascinated with the hippie movement, Woodstock, Vietnam, the space race, t.v. dinners, and the politics…don’t ask why!

15. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL!!!! My parents taught me good music

16. When I was 13 I saw Titanic 9 time is the theatre and was obsessed with Leo DiCaprio. Now- he disgusts me!
17. When I was 14 I was obsessed with NSYNC! Now- I still love Justin Timberlake!

18. I’ve been to Disney World nearly 35 times, and NO, it never gets old, and I can’t wait to go back!

19. I own the entire FRIENDS series on DVD and never get sick of it! I can relate ANY real life situation to FRIENDS! We didn't have cable for the first 3 years of marriage, and this is what I watched! Ross is my Fave!
20. I collected barbie dolls growing up. I had to keep them in the box (which killed me) so they would be worth money...they aren't worth jack! But I have a million! Holiday barbies since 1985, Gone With the Wind, Elvis, I Love Lucy, and dozens of others! If you're in the market for barbies, let me know!

21. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is to pull a gigantic tv off my 2 year old sister, and take her to the hospital for brain surgery…while my parent were out of town!! It took me close to a year to recover and it took her about a week ☺22. my mom is 17 years older than me, and I’m 20 years older than my youngest sister. So, I’m closer in age to my mom than my sister.23. I’m working on not talking so much… it goes with the "hating silence" thing, but I just talk too much!

24. I’ve done a triathlon (swim 1 mi IN THE OCEAN, bike 26 mi, and run 6 mi), and probably won’t do another one. It was the second hardest thing I've ever done! The bummer was that I trained for 6 months, and it turned out that my husband accidentally registered me as a dude , therefor I was disqualified and my time didn't count. I cried.
25. I’ve been saved by grace through faith, and it humbles me everyday to know that He chose me “before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (eph 1:4)

Hi My Name is Ashley, and I'm a Recovering Worry Wart

As childhood's go, I had the best! I was privileged, as the oldest (and only) child, to get to participate in all the fun activities that mom's would put their kids in (seven kids later, and the youngest is lucky to get a birthday cake because things are so chaotic). Ballet, gymboree, swim lessons, play dates, you name it, I did it. I lived in an extremely secure environment without an apparent worry in the world. Kids aren't supposed to worry about things, they aren't supposed to even know what day it is! Me, on the other hand, became quite the worry wart at a fairly young age. I wasn't worried or scared ALL of the time, but I did go through seasons of some ridiculously irrational fears!

We are studying John MacArthur's book "Anxious for Nothing" in a bible study that Mr. Clean and I go to. I just started the book and it has reminded me of all of the things that I have worried about as a kid and all of the things that I worry about today! Some are so ridiculous, but they consumed me for the longest time!

Things I have wasted time worrying about:

• when I was 5, I saw my mom watching a special on childhood cancer. After that, I wanted to sleep with a shower cap on my head to keep my hair from falling out.
  
• when I was 6, I went to my first sleep-over and witnessed a brain surgery on 20/20 and wanted to go home immediately, and I can't remember when I actually wanted to sleep away from home again. Heck, I can't remember how long it took me to leave the floor of my parents room after that.
• When I was 6, I was so worried about my parents dying, I actually had to see a counselor at our church. She gave me a picture book about dying and going to heaven.
• When I was 7, I hated visiting my mema in Florida for fear of her dying and then all the old people on the street kicking the bucket at the same time, leaving me and my little sister to fend for ourselves.
• When I was 8, I was worried about shrinking. Yes, you read that right. I saw the movie "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" with Lily Tomlin and it gripped me with fear! I measured myself every.single.morning to make sure I was not shrinking.
  
• When I was 15, a girl at school told me she was worried that she was HIV positive, and I had trouble sleeping for weeks because she sneezed on me. I was convinced (ignorantly) that I too had contracted it.
• I refused to ride roller coasters, or any other ride that left the ground until I was 15. When I finally got the guts to go on something other than the merry-go-round, I was ticked that I let my fears get the best of me! I had missed out on so much! This was a turning point for me!

Thankfully, these are all fears that have been lifted by the grace of God and I have learned to trust in the Lord's sovereignty! I still struggle with fear and anxiety on a daily basis! Every time I get in a car, every time I go over a bridge (and yes, roll the window down), every time I think I feel a lump on my body, I have to make a conscious effort to put off negative thoughts and put on thoughts that are true, lovely, and pure (phil. 4:8). I have been convicted by Matthew 6:25-34. So often I have read the verses in that passage and have never given them much thought, but taking time to really study and meditate on this passage has renewed me and given me such peace! I hope that these words can be an encouragement to you as they have been for me!

Matthew 6:25-34
²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

My Monday Mind Dump...

So, I was looking at the list of random things about me that I posted on FB and I thought I would re-post them because they remain true :)


1. I live in dream world part time, and Chris wishes I would make the permanent move back down to the real world.

2. I am passionate about food!!! It pretty much consumes most of my thoughts! I love eating, talking about eating, and planning on eating...ask my mom, she'll tell ya the same:)

3. My favorite food is chicken wings, french fries and extra blue cheese.

4. I am a member of the International Thespian Society. The stage is one of the most exciting places on the earth!

5. I HATE silence! it's deafening!

6. My favorite holiday is the 4th of July! I can't wait for it every year!

7. I've been to South Korea- just for fun.

8. I'm even more passionate about our country! I'm just filled to the rim with American pride- no one can convince me that there is a greater country. The fact that people fight to protect and defend her...man, I can already hear the anthem playing!!

9. I hate earwax, pimples that need popping, and when people say supposeBly, instead of supposeDly- and it’s not FLUstrated-it’s flustered, or frustrated…you can’t be both!

10. My first concert was when I was 13 and it was Rod Stewart. I was the youngest fan there!

11. My dad is the funniest person I know, and my mom is my best friend, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without my 4 sisters and 3 brothers…they are ALL EXTRAORDINARY!!!

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Pincher

Opposites attract. At least that's the case for me and my husband. I'm messy, he's clean. I'm loud, he's more reserved. I'm excitable, he definitely isn't. I'm aloof, he's a doof...ok, that just came to my head and it made me giggle. I am aloof, but he's not a doof...sort of. I'm a spender, he's a saver. I'm thankful for our differences, it keeps things balanced and interesting...for the most part.My husband, Mr. Clean, we can also call El Cheapo. El Cheapo is in charge of our finances completely 100%. Which is the way I wanted it! Bills bore me! Like I've said before, I have no clue how much our mortgage payment is. Ultilities? Beats me! When I was working, I wasn't even sure how much my paychecks were ( I KNOW! I KNOW! I need to be more proactive and get in the loop for reasons such as accountability or death, or just for my well being). This has worked for us so far because I've never held a dollar I wouldn't love to spend, and cash just burns a hole right through my little pocket. I'll buy anything! And since I've been married, for almost 4 glorious years, my wallet hasn't seen much cash flow-age. Which is probably a good thing! We probably wouldn't have a house, or our cars, or furniture, or food if I were in charge

We rarely go out to eat like, less than once a month. Movies? Maybe once every 3 or 4 months. And since we got a house we have totally different opinions on how our money should be spent. I like to go and do, he likes to stay and do. I'd rather go on a trip, he'd rather crown molding. And when birthday or Christmas cash comes our way, he'd rather pay bills with it. That's all fine and dandy if he want to do that with HIS Christmas cash, but he wants mine too!! And that is exactly why I have had to petition our family for gift cards only when giving ME a gift. El Cheapo isn't aware that I have let the family in on his financial frugalities and he is always a tad bummed when I get that old navy gift card instead of cash. But, it works for me! He gets his cash, and I get what I want: for him to keep his penny pinching fingers to himself!Because El Cheapo knows where every cent goes (via Quicken) AND he denies my many frivolous requests for Starbucks, magazines, nail polish, or McDonald's (I love McDonald's and he hates it because he's also a health nut), I have to take matters into my own hands. I stock pile nickels, dimes and quarters...that's right, I scrimp, save and scrounge around for spare change better than any beggar on the street, just so I can have the occasional burger and fries without using my credit or debit card. Sad, I know!

But, before you feel too bad for me, I have a strong suspicion that El Cheapo is on to me, and I think he finds some amusement in watching my creative ways of coming up with $2.50. I even think he may leave some change around like giving a mouse some cheese. THE GOOD NEWS IS: because El Cheapo started this new job, we aren't quite as poor as we were before, and he's loosening his purse strings a bit! I'll be getting an allowance of "blow money" soon, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Imagine what I can do with more than 2$ in nickles!!!

My Monday Mind Dump...

1. why is it that the second I get in the shower, or hook myself up to the pump does Kidd-O start screaming?! drives.me.nuts.
2. I survived a whole week on my own while Mr. Clean was away on business!
3. Kidd-O is 2 months old, officially weighing in at 13lbs. 9 oz, and 24 1/2 in. long! 75%in both categories.
4. Mr. Clean and I noticed that there are hardly any toy commercials these days! Maybe there are, but it doesn't seem like there are any cool toys like we had back in the day!
5. Are the "words" you have to type for the the word verification thing when leaving a comment real? Like pichons? Subeld?Mallowar?if not, then why is it called WORD verification???
6. Ok, I had my taste of fall, I want summer back!7. I'm wondering if my belly button will ever look like it used to again. I'm thinking that's a negative
8. I'm really tired of stubbing my toe. I do it all the time and have done it since I was small! I always seem to stub it the day after I paint my nails, or better yet, when I paid 45$ for a pedicure.
9. The swing is the greatest invention of all time! hands down. without it, you really can't enjoy any other invention fully if you have an infant, unless you don't mind the screaming, or unless your kid naps...which mine doesn't
10. I have to brave Costco again this week...y'all know how much I love that!

Friday's Photo Flashback!

She Said "YES!"

People get real "nutty" about Baby's 1st Birthday parties, so I didn't think too much of the fact that my mom was throwing a party for my youngest sister (GiGi) 5 years ago! I did think it was weird just how many people she was inviting and all the decorations she was buying and such! I mean, you would have thought it was G's Sweet 16 party!! But I helped with the prep none the less.
It was a Sunday afternoon and I had rushed home from church to help get things together before this big old party got underway! One thing you should know about me is that I can tend to be nosey. I saw a pretty pink envelope on top of the counter with no name on the front. Curiosity killed the cat, and I had no business looking in that envelope, but I did. It was a pretty card with wedding bells that read "Congratulations! You're Engaged!" HOLD THE PHONE!!! WHAT??? WHO???? I opened the card (yes, I'm bad, I know!) and it was 2 lengthy notes to me from each of my parents. My heart sank to my toes. I ran straight to my room and cried. I'm not sure why I was crying. Maybe it was that I ruined a surprise, Or that I was not even expecting a proposal anytime soon?? who knows!? I stayed locked in my room trying to regain SOME composure. Thinking, When was this going to happen? That night? Did I miss something?
My nails were a wreck, so I painted them while I was sequestered...ya know, just in case. I changed clothes...several times, ya know, just in case. I had gotten a hair cut the day before, that I wasn't pleased with. So I was trying to fix it... ya know, just in case. Then, people started arriving for my sister's birthday party.
I was trying my best to hide the fact that I knew a pretty big secret, putting it out of my mind completely, not telling a soul. Eventually, it left my mind because of all the chaos of a one year old's birthday. I do remember sitting on the back porch eating and chatting with people when Chris came up and knelt beside me. I must have turned white as a ghost. I was thinking "PUHLEASE! NOT HERE, NOT WHILE I'M EATING A HOT DOG!" but he was just coming to tell me that my mom needed me to run to the store for some ice. WHEW!! He did have some sense! I didn't know how or when "IT" was going to happen, but I'm sure glad it wasn't then!

Ice. They needed ice, and apparently I needed my best friend to drive me there. So we went and grabbed the ice quickly. At least I tried to be quick. Amy "lost" her keys in the store and we searched all over the place. Turns out they were in her purse. We began to drive home and she passed our neighborhood. The same neighborhood we lived in for 15 years!!! I was beginning to become concerned for my dear friend...early onset of Alzheimer's? possibly? I wasn't catching on to her "mistakes" until we pulled down our street and there were about 3 times as many cars parked in the street and a SWARM of people in the front yard!!

I told Amy "I know!" and I started crying. I think I hopped out of the car before she even put it in park, and I was greeted with family and friends from the past and present and my siblings each holding a sign that said "Ashley, will you marry me?" I believe I said "yes!" before Chris could even say anything! So, what I thought was my sisters first birthday was really a pretty awesome engagement party!!!!! And 5 years ago on Oct. 2, I said "YES!" to spending the rest of my life with my very best friend!