Happy Birthday, my Sweet Girl

December 20, 2018

“Mommy, I am going to miss little Logan,” my daughter said to me about herself as I bathed her. Tears swelled in my eyes and I suddenly felt a heaviness in my chest. The approaching birthday for my daughter has left me sentimental and longing for her baby days.

I am grateful for another year. My goodness, a birthday is a gift. It is the opportunity for gratitude for the year we were given and the hope for what another will bring. Kind of like New Years minus the ball drop and noisy blow horns.

Although a ball dropped on me as the months turned to weeks, then days, then hours, and suddenly I sit here staring at a four year old before me.

The best way to describe this feeling is to imagine holding a flower and pulling a petal. Do you remember as a child grabbing a daisy and saying, “He loves me, he loves me not,” as each petal dropped to the ground? Except for me, each petal represents another year gone and another year of her growth.

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Holiday Gift Guide For Your Best Friend

November 24, 2018

She is your best friend. Your go-to-girl. The one you can count on for anything, or perhaps get in the best kind of trouble with. Either way, you know she deserves a special gift from you. The best thing about a gift for your best friend is that you can have fun with shopping and ideas. I love the thought of something that relates to an inside-joke or reflects the true sentiment of your beautiful relationship.

Some gift guide highlights:

Hendrix Coco Soak – These lavish salts are formulated with aloe leaf extract and coconut milk to nourish and soothe dry, dull skin. Each is made with botanic minerals, essential vitamins, and antioxidant, with a plant-based formula.
The Infuser Mugs are a great gift for your tea-loving and sippin friends. Each features a removable cap with an infuser nestled neatly inside that can be removed to serve your hot beverage of choice. Plus, they are microwave and dishwasher safe. Whew!
Golden Girls Monopoly – Do you have a girls game night? Well, you should! Wine, cheeses, laughs, and games – seriously what could be better? I love the idea of a fun, and quirky gift for your girlfriend that is unexpected and sure to bring some good times.

Happy Shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission with your sale.

Because In This World… You Are Those People

November 20, 2018

There are people in this world that make our heart full… you are those people.

The ones we can argue with one moment, then run and hug the next. Those whose buttons we can easily push and know full well how and why we are doing this. Ones where “I am sorry” flows so much more easily. The people who we know how to rattle yet love fiercely, you are those people.

The ones who make every moment count. Those special times in our lives when you look up and hope to see them there, savoring the sweetest of life with you. The ones who you are certain the phrase, ‘save the best for last’ was indeed written for. When meaningful moments feel all too magical because they are around, you are those people.

The ones who great distances could never separate. Where no challenge – big or small could come in the way of you and them. In the darkness of the night, in the freshness of morning, when the time on the clock does not matter because you would go to any length and do anything for, you are those people.

The ones who find it in their heart and soul to forgive and forget. Who knows that your mistakes never define you and are always there to catch your falls and hit restart with you. Ones who will fight your battles alongside you and provide support so you can stand back up on your own two feet and hold your head high, you are those people.

The ones who make us cry with sadness from heartbreak, or who fill our hearts with joy from contentment. Who somehow have the magical power to make us feel what they feel in an instant. The ones who we absorb life through. When they feel, we feel, and when we feel, they feel through us too, you are those people.

The ones who make this one and only life count. Who fill every ounce of our hearts and soul with gratefulness and thanks to God. Ones who you would perhaps even lay your own life down for. The ones who when all that is left or matters in this life is those who stand beside you, extend their hand, and you hold tightly, you are those people.

— And, may you find the strength and love to share this message with your people. —

Holiday Gift Guide for Him

November 18, 2018

Happy holidays! I am kicking off the return of this magical season with my annual gift guides. These are quick roundups of gift ideas organized by the recipients. Every season I try to tackle a few and every year I wish I would have been able to go live with more before Santa is climbing down our chimneys. Here is the thing, I actually take the time to develop these. I know every other blogger out there is showcasing their favorites too in guides, but I really try to showcase a mix of price points and things I would actually buy. That takes some time.

Some Gift Guide Highlights:

The Smart Wallet features a two-way anti-lost and tracking system that can be connected to your phone.
The 11-in-1 Credit Card Tool is made to feature a can opener, cutting edge, flat screwdriver, ruler, beer bottle opener, 4 position wrench, butterfly screw wrench, saw blade, direction ancillary indication (water compass), 2 position wrench, keychain or lanyard hole.
The Outdoor Pizza Oven can preheat in just 15 minutes and make pizzas with a 6 minute cook time!

Happy Shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links.

This Is What Happened When God Gave Me You

November 13, 2018

When God gave me you I understood the true power of change.
For nine months my body grew and stretched. My favorite jeans were folded and placed in the closet. Hopeful for the day we would reunite, maybe with a cute top and heels, and your father by my side at our favorite restaurant. For days, weeks, and months after your arrival, I poked, sighed, nudged, and tucked extra skin and stretch marks reminiscing of the body that use to stare back in the mirror reflecting at me.

When God gave me you I learned what ‘love at first sight’ truly meant.
The idea of girl meets boy, their eyes lock, hearts patter faster, and suddenly a divine intervention brings them standing face-to-face. Well, my dear, that visual is made for the movies. ‘Love at first sight’ is reserved for a parent and child. It is created in the miraculous moment when you took your first breath and I lost mine staring at you. It occurs at the moment when they placed you in my arms and you never felt like a stranger, but instead a missing piece in our world.

When God gave me you I experienced the magic of 2 am.
With exhaustion racing through my mind and veins, your piercing cry would jolt me upright and to your side. In the quietness of the night, it was just me and you, baby. As I feed you and rocked you, even in the moments when my weary body felt like it was impossible to function, there was pure magic in those 2 am feedings. Something about the darkness and silence that brought out a beautiful peacefulness, and a non-verbal connection between us two.

When God gave me you I became more patient and understanding.
There were moments of frustration, and times when the days and nights felt so long. As you grew there were seasons of change. Things that stressed me before were suddenly replaced by new worries and challenges that needed to be faced. I was tried and I was tested. I gritted my teeth at times and excused myself to my bedroom for my own timeouts. I learned to extend grace to you and myself as we tackled every new endeavor.

When God gave me you I loved my own momma more.
Yes, your grandma became more special in my book too. Suddenly I realized the magnitude of the transformation from woman to mom, and my love and appreciation for my own mom grew when I was gifted you. The reality is I never knew the work, stress, worry, and challenges my own mom went through until I became a mom myself. Looking at you, I could finally see the love she had and gave to me all these years, and every sacrifice she made in between.

When God gave me you I realized my own strength.
From the pain I endured during those hours when my contractions intensified to the day my heart broke in tiny pieces watching kids ignore you for the first time on the playground, I realized your strength starts with me. I bend and break thousands of times quietly in efforts to keep you safe and secure. On days when I feel broken, I look at you and know my strength is derived from the intense love I have for you.

When God gave me you I found myself.
I thought I knew myself. I thought I knew who I was in this world. No, my dear child, I never flourished in this life until God gave me you. I never realized my own attributes to this world until I held, cared for, and loved you. There was so much to learn and oh so much more to gain from the gift a being a mom. When people talk about their legacy and their work on this Earth, I always searched high and low, but now, I look at you and realize if mine is only you, well, then God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me you.

Best Maternity Fashion Basics

November 9, 2018

*This post contains affiliate links.

I am pregnant. Have I shared that? I mean I have mentioned it to you, correct? Like 5,000 times, right? I know my husband would agree with that last part. He feels the brunt of my whining, groaning, general heavy breathing, and constant reminders that I am indeed growing a baby over here. I also am great at wanting my back rubbed, the laundry basket delivered up and down the steps, and begging for a nap during the day on the weekend. I do deserve those things though. If you don’t agree, stop reading.

The second time around isn’t a charm. No, not for this ole’ girl. I swear every night my back is going to break in two. I can feel it knot up and tighten and pretty soon I am in agony with upper back pain. This is just one side effect. There is heartburn from the depths of Hades, dizziness, and constant pressure and pain over each nook and cranny of my body.

I sound like I am complaining. Okay, I am complaining. The reality is that what I am trying to do is set you up for the blog post which features some of my absolute favorite pregnancy clothing products. The top things I cannot live without. Why? Because they bring me a bit of comfort and joy to this otherwise changing body. I would recommend them a 1,000 times over to my family, friends, or enemies. Yes, even enemies get the love from me when they are going through pregnancy. 🙂 Plus, when you feel like everything is changing and you are constantly uncomfortable, you grab onto the small things that make you feel beautiful, comfortable, and semi-human again. These Maternity Fashion Basics make me feel all of those things!

Plus, I am not all into buying a bunch of clothes on items that I won’t need after a few months. Instead, I tried to purchase as minimally as possible this time around. I focused on the basics highlighted here and then wear pre-pregnancy clothes to compliment my body – open-front cardigans, flowy tops, and dresses, you get the picture.

Maternity Leggings – Get yourself a pair, or two, or three. Just live in these. I know I do. They are perfect for casual dress and perfect for work attire. Because they are thinner and tight, I can wear these with dresses, or longer tops, and I never feel like I am dressing down. The best part is when I get home. I can exchange the dress or top with a comfortable hoodie or t-shirt, and I am in PJ mode.

Maternity Tank Tops – You need this! And, you need one in every color. I own white, black, and green. These are a great way to look like you have a bunch of maternity clothes when the reality is you are wearing one of these tank tops and pairing with a non-maternity sweater, button-up, and/or jacket.

A Comfortable Dress – I bought one dress this go around that was specifically a maternity dress. I made sure it was one that would grow with me and my belly and was comfortable. Otherwise, I tried to extend the life of my pre-pregnancy dresses. The form fitted ones were moved to the back and my flowy ones are now in the spotlight.

Cardigan Sweaters – So, this is a great investment when you are pregnant because these can last through nursing and post-pregnancy. This is where I choose to splurge when I shop because I do not feel like I am buying clothing that will have a short lifespan. I love these this season – This One and This One.

Belly Band -This is a great item for the first and early second trimesters. This is how I sustained buying maternity jeans for so long. With a belly band, you can continue to wear your pre-pregnancy jeans, shorts, and dress pants. You just slide this over your waist to hide the buttons that will not close anymore and the belly band looks like a tank top layer with tops. I bought a black, white, and nude, so it would go with various tops I had.

In total, I have purchased one pair of maternity leggings, one pair of jeans, three maternity tank tops, and three belly bands, which are all maternity specific clothing items. I am in my third trimester and have been able to use these basic items to compliment the clothes already in my closet.

Hopefully, you will find that you do not have to spend a great deal of money on clothing when you are pregnant. Save that money instead of a spa day, lunch or dinner date with friends, or manicure before baby arrives.

That is How Motherhood Works

October 6, 2018

Sometimes I snap pictures of Lo just to capture the moment. It is pure instinct with no real in-depth meaning, but then I go back and I look through the camera roll on my phone, and I stop and I am in awe at the beauty before me. Those messy curls, those morning eyes, the tiny features of her nose and cheeks. She still looks little to me. She still feels small. Yet, when I scroll through my phone’s photos to last fall or the fall before that, I realize how quickly time moves and how much my little one has grown.

It is not for the faint of heart this motherhood thing. It shakes you, tires you, and rattles your core. The good indeed outweighs every bad. How could it not? Just look at her. I melt to a puddle every time I see her.

And one moment I could be scolding her for taking a pen to my painted white walls, telling her at her age she should know better and watching the little light and her head fall in shame. Yet, a minute later I find myself cuddled up to her on the couch rocking her, calming her, and feeling all the guilt of being so hard on her, run quietly through my veins.

That is how motherhood works.

There are days I indeed beg my husband for a much-needed break. A time to check-out of worrying about everything and managing our day-to-day. Just some hours alone to be one with me. Yet, when he willfully complies and even sometimes absolutely agrees and takes our daughter for some daddy/daughter time, I find myself alone, missing them, checking on her through texts to him, and cutting my time short just to be reunited with the lovely chaos of life with a three-year-old.

That is how motherhood works.

I celebrate her every milestone with pride and relief. She is at a point that she is becoming self-sufficient. She will tell me when she is hungry or thirsty, with no more guessing. She uses the potty on her own, she will run in the bathroom and start her own bath, and if I am not quick enough, she will run with her bath towel wrapped around to her bedroom and put on her training pants and pj’s without my help. It has given me freedom. It has, should I dare say, made motherhood easier. Yet as baby number two’s due date nears, I find myself looking at her and yearning for her dependence. The days she really needed me and when I was constantly hands on.

That is how motherhood works.

And the nights, oh the nights. The nights when she can’t sleep unless she is tucked into our queen size bed, and like a magnet, laying up against me. Oh, I complain the next morning. My back hurts, my neck is stiff, I tossed and turned and nudged and moved her until the alarm forced me to my feet. Yet, when we try really hard to create a routine and talk up sleeping in her own bed and praise her the next morning for a full night across the hall, I feel a pang of longing for my messy haired baby to want me in the middle of the night and find her way to my arms.

That is how motherhood works.

It is the ultimate emotional pull. Take every emotion one may experience, throw them into a well-worn brown paper bag, shake it really hard, and open it up so the emotions come rolling one by one out into the world. That is motherhood.

I look at her now and the pictures of her then, and it hits me… time. Sweet, time. It is why motherhood works so very hard. Because we as mothers know that the saying is so true, that “the days are long but the years are short,” and as we check off another, we let a strand go.

It is the guilt, the sting, yet so much wonderfulness. It is a push when you want to pull. A no, then a sudden yes. It is boundaries and spontaneity. It is that bag of emotions spilling out that you rush around scooping up to place back in.

That is how motherhood works.

Fight the Worry to Hear the God Whisper

September 21, 2018

Sometimes I can get pretty deep in my own headspace. Deep, deep. Like, throw your favorite piece of jewelry into the deep blue, only to dive in to frantically search. Holding your breath and propelling yourself as far as you can go knowing full well you will never find it again, headspace. Well, unless you are Rose from the Titanic and you have a team of submarines searching for the Heart of the Ocean.

Driving is when my headspace and I like to sit down for therapy sessions. Oh, and at 2:38, yes, 2:38 am when I seem to spring awake and toss and turn trying to solve every life issue from horizontal in my bed. Headspace you see can be a scary place. One that leaves you with regrets for things you haven’t accomplished, things you wish you said, or done different, moments in time you can’t take back, and sometimes the worse, the corner of headspace where worry likes to creep in and nest.

I am the ultimate worrier. You know Negative Nancy and Happy Harry (I made him up). Well if there was a person for me it would be Worrying Wanda. Every situation, good or bad, I fret. The anxiety that plagued me, yes plagued me, in my mid to late twenties has since disappeared. I credit that to having a child and being busier and more consumed by her and her feelings/needs than my own. But the worry nest still exists and has cute little eggs that like to hatch and chirp around causing me to dive deep into my headspace and fret over the future and most of the time, things out of my control.

If you know my father, you know he is a quiet guy. A man of few words. Just sitting with him quiet but near is really routine and nothing out of sorts. However, he is often full of guidance and sharp words to snap you back into reality, such as “Stop crying. It gets you nowhere.” I heard that a lot as an emotional teen. But as an adult when I worry, it tends to be, “Ashli, is it out of your control?”

“Yes, Dad”

“Okay, well worrying won’t solve the problem then.”

Or sometimes, I will hear, “Is the issue of life or death?”

“No, Dad.”

“Okay, then there is no point of worrying.”

This may be the reason the man has incredible blood pressure and an amazing heart rate.

You know where I go when I find myself drifting off into headspace la la land? I go to a place of purpose in life. What is my calling? Why am I searching so hard, so quietly within myself to know God’s plan for my life? That is my worry. And, I then worry even harder because I know it consumes my mind so much that I am indeed not acting upon my calling, and not hearing what my digital friend, Leslie Means refers to as God Whispers. The little voice you hear in your head saying, “Go for it,” or “Take the leap,” or “Yes, my friend, I do indeed mean that.” Indeed the worry is muffling my cell phone tower, aka communication line to God to really hear him and know what he is calling me to do.

Another digital friend, (I know I have a lot – blogging will do that to you), shared with us this week the death of her beloved sister-in-law. This young woman learned of her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and within three short months, passed away. She left behind a husband, son, and countless family and friends. I do not know her, but suddenly hearing her story, how hard she fought, and the love her life brought others, has me trying really hard to not allow the worry within my headspace to win.

Oh, I am going there. To my headspace that is. Realizing how short this life is and feeling so sad that it takes tragic events in life to make us hit pause and reevaluate our positions, priorities, and paths. So, I go there ready to fight. Saying Lord, let this worry of not doing, not living my passion, not following my calling subside so that I can hear the God whispers and know what you are nudging me to do. Because I can feel your nudge. It is there. There is just a door shut and locked not letting Your calling out.

And, as the quiet man, I call ‘Dad’ says, “Okay, well the worry won’t solve the problem.” He is right, be gone with you, worry. Get out of the way. I can feel you slowing me down and not allowing me to reap the benefits of what is to be.

So today, I share this with you to urge you too to stop and pause and listen. Fight the worry and fear of what others are thinking or will think of you. FIght the urge to allow everything that scares you to turn you walking the other way. Fight the need to find excuses for why something cannot work. Fight the feeling of guilt for taking care of yourself. And instead, be open and listen, so you may find the God whisper that is trying to get through to you.

What I Mean When I Say, ‘I Hope to Raise you Right.”

September 15, 2018

When I found out I was having a girl back in 2014, the first thought that came to my mind was that I couldn’t believe it (that is a story for another day and the result of an ultrasound tech writing “It looks like a girl” on our printed sonogram) but secondly, I thought, “Oh, Lord, help me raise her right.”

I think that is a normal fear regardless if you are welcoming a boy or girl, or if you are a first time parent or bringing another child into this world. The truth is the “Oh, Lord, help me raise them right,” thought or ‘fear’ will follow you through life as a parent, not just during those pregnancy and newborn stages. However, raising them ‘right’ is up for interpretation and we can pour our hearts, souls, and well-being into our children as they enter each stage of their life, and yet, one day, in a moment, they will walk out of our home and be tested in the world.

So, dear child, while my hope always is to raise you ‘right,’ what I really mean is this…

Your best accessory is your smile. When you enter a room, acknowledge those around you with eye contact and a smile. It eases people and is a warm way to make a first impression.
You are beautiful but you are also more than that. We easily praise people on their looks but fail to compliment their brains, athletic ability, character, and heart, which amounts to so much more in value.
Treat everyone you meet with the same respect. Titles only matter on a business card. You can achieve just as much, if not more, than the person down the hall with a personal admin, sitting in a plush, shiny suite.
Always be honest. It is admirable. Even if the truth hurts you and others, at the end of the day, you answer to yourself and I pray you can always go to sleep with a conscious heart.
When all else fails, call your parents. No matter what, your biggest supporters in this life will be your ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’
Practice forgiveness and empathy. Too often we hold grudges and miss out on meaningful relationships because we can’t let go. Please, let go.
Treat yourself better than the people you love the most. That is not selfish, that is important. Your well-being is critical to your success and the love you project.
Perfection does not exist. Do not be fooled by what society pressures on you. Life is messy and unkind. Know that and you won’t be disappointed.
The smartest people in a room are the ones listening. Learn early in life that listening is a skill that does not come naturally, but if you excel at it, you are among the leaders.
Don’t burn bridges. Decisions will need to be made and some will not so easy, but always go about your actions and words by remembering that while this world feels big it is quite small, and you actually may never know who is standing on the other side of the bridge you just let burn.
There will come a point in your life when money actually doesn’t mean anything, but instead, your self-worth and contentment are more powerful and abundant than the zeros in a salary.
The adage of how you treat someone when no one is looking is exceptionally true. Strive to be the good the world is yearning for.
Stand up for what you believe, but more importantly remember that what you believe may not align with others and that is okay, I repeat okay. Respect others. Even if their beliefs are not the same as you.
Be silly and never take yourself too seriously. There is enough seriousness in this world.

And, while I will do my best to raise you the way I feel is ‘right’ and I know my work is never done, I also know one day I will transfer you to the world. From there my hope is my guidance and wisdom, lessons I have learned will stir and spiral somewhere in the depths of your soul, and subconsciously you will bring the world the grace, kindness, and love it so desperately needs.

Love you,

Your Momma.

Weekly Meal Plan + Grocery List #2

September 9, 2018

Hello from the rainy, no scratch that, the soggy state of Maryland. The common joke around here these days is it has rained two times this summer. Once for 45 days and once for 55. So, I guess you can say we are entering our third, who knows how long, stretch.

While I am over the rain, I do love the sudden drop in temperatures and feel of Fall in the air. Yes, I am that person. I have not always wished Summer to change to Fall but this year I am welcoming the season change. It could have something to do with the growing belly with this pregnancy and my sleepless, back aching nights.

With the forecast calling for 70’s, and you guessed it, rain, for the next week, this new plan is brought to you by comfortable foods.VIEW STORY »