2012 in Rewind...Reverse, Reverse...

How can I possibly sum up this year within the walls of this little white box? It has probably been one of the best, most exciting, fulfilling, crazy, stressful, happiest years of my life. Is that possible? I can't even begin to describe the lessons that I have learned or the memories we have made these past 365 days but let me try.

Marriage
Michael and I got engaged in 2011 and then were FINALLY married in June of this year. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Our friends and family made the whole weekend all about us, it was stress free, fun, exciting, and truly just the best day of our lives. Married life has been fun, crazy, and busy for us, but I honestly couldn't imagine being on this journey with anyone but him. I feel so lucky to have found someone who gets me, encourages me, supports me, and just truly loves me for me. There is no better feeling than waking up and coming home to someone who has vowed to be by your side through it all. 2012 was just the beginning for us. I am excited for all that is in store.

The Perfect Day in Pictures

 

Babies
I was so blessed in this area of my life because I was able to watch my three best girlfriends go through their pregnancy and am now am a pretend aunt to four precious babies. My THEBFF had twins, Mason and Marleigh, Candace, my grad school partner and fellow trooper wife had her baby Trace, and my sweet friend Pam had her little girl Lila. I have truly loved watching my friends develop into that roll and become such sweet, caring, loving mommies. I can only hope that one day I will step into that roll the way that they have and will be as good of a mom as they are.

 

Grad School/Graduation
This charade has been going on since last April but this year has closed the book on that chapter in my life. I am so thankful that I can cross having my masters off of my bucket list. I officially have my MED in School Counseling.

 

House buying
I am hoping the end of 2012 will be the last time I mention BUYING a house. We decided it would be a bright idea to start the process of buying a house about a week before our wedding. We had to jump on it because the house we wanted was a hot item on the market. (aren't they all). I love coming home to sit on the porch that over looks our creek and just enjoy that we were able to do this so early in our marriage.

Teaching
Y'all I can't even begin to describe how much I love my job. I have a passion for teaching and absolutely adore my little friends from years past and this year. I feel very blessed that I am able to watch them grow into amazing little 7 year old's all year long and that I am able to be a part of their life. I hope, wish, and pray that some how, I had done a good enough job to help mold them into the special people that they are meant to become.

Blogging
I started this blog on October 12, 2012 and am so excited about the growth that has happened and more importantly the friendships that I have made through it. For me, I can't offer you advice on what to wear, most of the time I'm in a tshirt and jeans with my flips on (or no shoes at all), I'm not good at DIY so you really don't want my blog to be full of that...I am just simply me, here expressing random thoughts and ideas with you all and making amazing friendships along the way. I am so excited that I decided to start this blog and am looking forward to what is to come in 2013

My very first blog

 

 

I am excited for what 2013 has in store for us (even though I'm not a fan of odd numbers and 12 is my favorite numbers). I hope for lots of memories with the people I love, keeping up with old friends and to continue making new ones, that the good always outways the bad, and that through the year the people I love are happy, healthy, and are a part of my life.

 

Enjoy tonight sweet friends. 2013 is bound to be an amazing year!

Make Your Bed Every Morning

No, I didn't fall out of bed and hit my head this morning. In fact, Michael had to work at 5am so I was sweetly woken up by loud banging around on the cabinets, bright lights shining in my eyes, and Tilly pouncing on my back because she wanted to play with the laser on Michael's belt. Hehe. I know in the mornings we all press snooze at least once and would love to have "just 5 more minutes" of sleep. I am always in a HUGE hurry during the week to get dressed so that I have enough time to stop at Mickey D's to get a Dr Pepper (my one of 6 for the day...) but every single morning...when Michael isn't on nights and still snuggled in our bed, I wake up, get ready, and then make our bed.

Over the Christmas holiday, I had a sleep over at my grandparents with my amazing aunt Joann who I absolutely adore. She lives in California so we don't get to see each other a lot but I love having conversations with her because she always puts things into perspective. I like to tell myself I am a lot like her but seriously she's one of those people that when you are around them there is just a sense of calm. Well, we both woke up pretty early one morning and I had the bed made by the time she was done eating breakfast which got us talking about how we both like to make our beds every morning.

Meet Aunt Joann... So thankful for her

 

This got us started chatting about why we do this every morning. For me, it's routine and easier for me to get dressed and start my day if the bed isn't a huge pile of sheets and comforters. But she brought up such a good point. She said every day she makes her bed because she is setting the day up how she wants it. When we wake up in the mornings, it is our choice how we are going to start the day, which in turn determines how the rest of our day will go.

Are we going to start it off running around like chickens with our head cut off, the bed full of the clothes that didn't look just right that morning, and the sheets in a big pile?

 OR

Are we going to start the day calm, with a neatly covered bed, ready to tackle whatever might get put in our path that day?  

 

It seems crazy that a made bed can help start the day off right but I truly think it does, at least for crazy, OCD people like myself. I have had this mantra since I lost my dad... When people ask me how I get up every morning with such pain surrounding my heart, I tell them that I wake up every morning and my heart and brain together decide what kind of day I am going to have. Sometimes I wake up and feel sad, so I spend the day lost in grief, while on other days, I wake up and just feel thankful to have my dad for the years that I did, even if it wasn't long enough. I remember the good instead of the sad, but the morning sets me up for what kind of day I am going to have.

 

When I wake up in the morning and take the time to make my bed, get myself settled into this new day, and start the day of with a smooth, clean slate, it makes for some of the best days with my little friends, my little family, and myself.

 

Now go make your parents proud and go make your bed! Start this Saturday off with a bang and enjoy this beautiful, new day that will never come again!

 

 



Friday Letters | Week 7...wow

Dearrrrrr Friday: You just aren't as fun when I've been off all week long and have the whole next week off too! But no worries, I still love you and will be thankful for you again in 2 weeks. Still bff's? K good!

Go enter the giveaway at Brooklyn State of Mind

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!!!

 

Dear Partner: You are back at work this cold, rainy morning and Tilly and I are already missing you. Thank you for a great Christmas and for enjoying Christmas time as much as I do. I am thankful every day that you are my husband and you love me for the random,weird, mess of a person that I can be.

Yup that's me in my wedding dress doing the worm... My poor husband

 

Dear Christmas: woooweee you were good to me. So much family time, so much relaxing, and some exciting new things to add to our home. Super pumped for our entry table and my new photoshop software. Dear Tilly: girl/dog you have got to let momma sleep in a little on days off. Being up at 7 am on my days off is getting old buttttt I am getting a lot done so thanks for that. And you're cute so that helps you too.

Her candy cane raw hides were a huge hit

 

Dear Classroom: please don't worry. I will be back to take care of you/get your organized at some point but I needed a break. We had spent wayyyyy too much quality time together since August. Dear Photoshop: goooooodness you are so full of learning. I don't even know where to begin...but have no fear I have already ordered "Photoshop for Dummies" that should be here tomorrow. GET READY!Dear blogging friends: Thank you for sticking around and enjoying my random blog day after day. I am so thankful for all of your comments, your advice, and your help as I continue learning every day. I can't wait for all the reading and sharing we all get to do in 2013. woohoo Dear Last Friday of 2012: You are near the end of a crazy, exciting, fun-filled year full of so many ups and a few downs. I am thankful for all that 2012 brought to Michael and I and that you showed up each and every week (even though lots of crazies thought the world was going to end once). Looking forward to lots of Friday Letters in 2013! what what!

Happy Happy Friday Friends.

I hope you have an amazing, wonderful, warm Friday!

Cara Box Reveal | Sweet Betsy

I am so excited to get to post about my first ever Cara Box exchange. I had the chance to meet two wonderful ladies and am excited to continue to keep in touch with them even though our month as "partners" is coming to an end.

This months theme was Holiday Sparkle!!

My package arrived right on schedule and I got to open it on Christmas with my husband. Betsy over at Musing of a Museum Fanatic was my partner and sent me some wonderful things, including things that will forever remind me of her.

Betsy definitely spoiled me rotten!

Glitter headbands (my bangs get out of control)

A beautiful ornament for our Christmas tree

Woohoo for new nail polish

New Years Eve earrings fo sho

I LOVE magnets!

The perfect glitter ornaments for our tree

The BEST popcorn from Garett's in Chicago

So thankful for the chance to meet and email with Betsy and my sweet partner Tyler over at Rays of Purple. Huge thanks to Kaitlyn for working this all out for us and providing us with such a fun opportunity! Join us for the next round! You won't be disappointed.

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas

Good morning to you all! I hope that all of you are enjoying some much needed time with family, friends, and loved ones who you consider family. Christmas is such a special time and I love that we all get to spend it the way we want to. I hope you enjoy lots of togetherness, eating, and I can't wait to read all the awesome posts that are sure to come after this amazing Christmas season. 2013 is bound to be an awesome year! Merry Christmas sweet friends! Thank you for being a part of my life.

Tilly enjoying one of her Christmas candy Canes

 

                                  My beautiful big sister                           Best drink markers ever!

So This is Christmas...What Have You Done?

I was listening to the radio yesterday on my way to school for what I knew was going to be a crazy, chaotic, fun day with my sweet little friends. Normally I hate listening to the radio in the morning because they don't play music, they just do random bits and talk about such unimportant things, but as I turned the channel to this station, I was surprised at the topic and turned it up.



They played this song to the audience (who couldn't use some Celine Dion to brighten up their Saturday morning?!). The lyrics say "So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over, and a new one just begun. And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun. The near and the dear one, the old and they young."

The DJ on this station asked the listeners (me) to think about what they had to done that year. What good did we do? What were we proud of? As people were calling in, I realized people heard those questions very differently from eachother. There were stories about kind things that they had done for others, events in their life that had changed them, or stories of reaching a goal they had set for themselves. 12 months...365 days...that's a lot of time to do some good in this world. To experience reaching goals, being a part of happy events, or doing something good for others.

So I go to thinking and started my list. At first, I was a little embarrased because I was like, well what have I done? I have done things that reward me like my job as a first grade teacher that I get paid for doing, setting up my blog where I get to write my feelings and make new friends, and living in a new home that my husband and I bought. But I realized they were asking me to list those things because they are what I did that lead me to sitting here right now.

So here is my list of what I DID this year..

 1. Married my handsome husband who I have been with for over 6 years now.
 2. Graduated with my Masters of Education, a goal I set for myself years ago.
 3. Together with my husband went through the whole fun crazy process of buying a house
 4. I am literally living my dreams every time I step into my classroom of 1st graders
 5. I have been a part of the joy of my amazing friends become parents, something that is so special.
 6. I spent time with my family.
 7. I made new friendships that I know will be a part of my life forever (hello blogger friends).
 8. I kept up with old friendships that mean the world to me.
 9. I tried my hardest to put others before me.
 10. Each day, I gave it all I had, even if on some days it was less than others days.

 

Could my list continue? Yes. As I look back on 2012, I realize how amazing of a year it really was. Were there some points during the year when I was stressed beyond belief, asking questions about the purpose for some of the things we had to go through? Absolutely, but in looking back at the year as a whole, my rearview mirror is full of amazing memories, stories, and ups and downs that have brought me to this very moment right now, with Tilly (my baby dog) sitting next to me as I type and my husband out working. We're safe, we're happy, and we're lucky.

So this is Christmas....What Have You Done?

I'de love to hear about all the success and fun you had in 2012.

In Sickness and In Health

Michael and I have been married for 6 whole months and literally been through a lot as a newly married couple, as I'm sure all you other married and newly married couples have. We have had to go through things that really do test your positivity and your understanding of why things happen. From fun house issues, insurance issues, deaths in the family, and 2nd degree burns...it has been a busy, fun, crazy first half year as a married couple. As I sit here today, recovering from a little stomach bug, I understand why those words are part of the vows that couples say during their marriage ceremony and how important they are.

I'm sitting outside on our porch, the wind blowing my hair into a big rats nest as I write this out, thankful to my sweet husband for taking awesome care of me all day. A couple of months after getting settling into our new house...what we call "The Accident of 2012 happened. It tested what I capable of doing for Michael, the strength that we both had, and also that as soon as we said "I do", it meant that We Will be there for each other through it all.

 

The Accident of 2012: After dinner one night, Michael went out to burn the brush pile that is near the creek in our yard (Hi...my name is Ashley and I live in Texas). Something underneath didn't like what happened, and it exploded. Michael protected his face with his right arm and it threw him backwards. I won't go into detail, but we left the hospital that night with a diagnosis of 2nd degree burns on his arm and minor burns on the side of his face. We had to go back to the emergency room 3 nights in a row  (yep...hello fun medical bills) for them to watch it to see if he needed to go to a burn center.

Luckily, we took good care of it and kept him from that. The process, literally took 2 months to get him back to feeling a little normal. From having to wash, put medicine on, and wrap it every morning and night for the first month, to him having to go through the whole process of keeping it protected and safe as it healed the next month. He was off of work for over a month and it took alot out of him because he enjoys his job so much.

When we get married, we don't know what we will go through as a couple, what will happen years down the road, but those 2 months were months of learning, understanding, and brought us closer together as a couple than I could have imagined. Even though we had been together for 5 years before we got engaged, it helped break down any walls of pride or insecurity, hesitation in letting each other take care of one another, and just gave us the simple appreciation that we have such an awesome friendship and relationship.

The Amazingness of First Graders | I am so lucky

As I came to school this morning, my heart still heavy from Friday’s devastation, I wasn’t sure how to handle seeing my 22 little friends. How could I explain to them why I was upset or why we were going to wear green ribbons to remember those who lost their lives on Friday? But as they came in, and I saw their sweet faces; faces of love and understanding, I just knew that we would figure it out the best way that we knew how.

 

You know its funny how things have a way of just working out. Today was our “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas day” and I had asked them all to wear green. This has been planned since the beginning of November, so when they all showed up in their green shirts this morning, it was just so fitting.

We spent much of our morning talking about Friday and how it made them feel. We talked about our own procedures and what we would do if something like that happened. I reassured them over and over again that I would protect them from any harm that may come our way, from fires, to storms, to people in the building that shouldn’t be here. As we ended our conversation and I pinned their ribbons on them, I had several ask me if they could say a silent prayer for the students. As I watched almost two dozen kids kneel in front of their desk, bow their heads and pray for the children that were their age, in the same grade as them that had lost their lives, I just felt so grateful that these sweet children are in my life.

 

How did I get so lucky, to have come in contact with these kind, loving, amazing 6 and 7 year olds? When did I lose that sense of calm and knowledge that a simple prayer, my prayer, would help comfort those in need? As our day continued, they talked with each other little more kindly, said nicer things than normal to each other and to me, and I received amazing letters or love and kindness that are filling my cabinet door and my desk.  

 

As I was walking around the classroom, the students were telling each other about the teacher who hid her kids and told the man they were at PE that was killed (at least that is the story that is going around the news). They turned to me and one goes “Mrs. H, if that ever happens, we will all…ALL go in the bathroom and lock the door…even you, because you can’t leave us”. Talk about melting your heart and knowing how loved you are.

 

I share this with you today because my heart is still troubled by Friday’s events, as I can tell that it is on your minds also with all of the blogs I have been reading. I share it because I want to show you that even these sweet little kiddos, as much as they don’t understand, understand what needs to be done in the aftermath. They are loving one another, taking care of one another, and lifting the others up. Today, they gave me hope that we can overpower the bad with so much good.

 

Thank you for reading my posts, visiting my page, and learning more about me as the days pass by. I feel lucky to say that I have so many amazing followers and awesome readers. I hope that you are here because you have found something that connects you with me, whether it be my random posts, my love for Dr. Pepper, or something much more deep. I'm thankful for you. Yes you...the one reading this right now! :)

 

Enjoy your monday, as this one will never come again.

Love, love, love!

 

Heavy Hearted.

My heart just can't wrap it's feelings around what happened on Friday to those sweet little angels....babies and their teachers, administrator, and other school personnel. As a first grade teacher, it has hit me harder than I thought imaginable and I find myself thinking back to my 22 sweet little friends and the devastation that is rippling through the nation. Our nation.

I had graduation for my Masters in education today and just cried during the moment of silence and speeches geared towards what was happening and how we can help in such an upsetting situation. As I was sitting there, I thought back to posts I've seen on Facebook. Things like "this sick world we live in", "what has our world come too", and "there is no hope". I couldn't disagree with those things more, especially right now.

We do not live in a sick world... Yes their are people who need help, who do unimaginable things like Friday's events, but what we need to focus on is not the issues with the murderer, but the heroic actions of those teachers and school personnel. In a "sick" world, there wouldn't be people praying, crying with those mourning, and doing amazing things to help comfort those parents and families who lost a precious angel. Those actions alone show the amazing people that are in this world. It's so easy to see all the evil, but in looking through binoculars at the evil, we miss everything around us that is good up close.

Our world has hope and it starts with each of us. Think about who in the past week have you called and encouraged? Who have you called to check on? Who have you stopped and prayed for? It makes me sad that my list is so short. Is there hope for the world?! Absolutely! With each of us taking each others hands and supporting each other. There is evil in this world. There is no doubt but there is more good than evil and good will prevail if we help push it over the rocks the evil has put in our paths.

I will join in on the moment of silence on Tuesday to show my support for those sweet angels, the educators who tried to protect them, and the families and educators around the world who will hold their babies and students a little tighter each day.

I am thankful for each of you and have loved the support and comforting I have seen hitting all of your blogs. I know this hit VERY home to some of my sweet blogging friends who are from around that area. I will be spending special thoughts of comfort your way and remember we are here to listen to your frustrations, concerns, anger, and love.

All my love.
Ashley

Thankful Thursday

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

– John F. Kennedy

 

Today as I drove to school I found myself in one of those happy, love everything about life moods. I woke up to a text from my sweet friend about my blog post from yesterday and her obsession with James Taylor too.  Which reminded me of his son Ben Taylor who is like a my generation James Taylor, so what do I do? Turn on my Pandora and find me Ben Taylor’s station. I don’t really have a specific kind of music I like…I could belt out some country love songs, rap with Lil Wayne, or be chill with Adele. I think all kinds of music are good for the soul and Ben Taylor is no different. It set the mood for my whole day and I just love that an artist and songs can do that. It caught me thinking on my way to school about all I have to be thankful for. Most of the things I came up with are sometimes forgotten about because they are part of our daily lives or routines but I felt the need to share them with you all, so here ya go.

 

Thankful Thursday in a Nutshell....

1. I am thankful that I get to wake up (when he’s on days) and get ready with my husband doing the same beside me. I honestly can’t even begin to describe our crazy mornings, from offering to pay the other to take the dog out, singing random songs while we’re half asleep, or just joking around. I enjoy those moments where we are just together. No one can make me smile like him.

2. I’m thankful for the love and support of our families. They are a constant in our lives and have stood behind us from the beginning.

 

3. In looking back, I’m thankful for guidelines and rules that my parents made me follow and the lessons they taught me about kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and equality. They wanted my sister, brother, and me to be the best US that we could be. Although I am a work in progress I am thankful that I have the foundation to be the best me I can even now.

 

4. Friends literally make the world go round. Today I am thankful to my amazing friends who have stood by me through my darkest or sunniest days and loved me through it all. They accept me, flaws and all, and have always been my biggest supporters and encouragers. There are some that I get to see every day, some that I get to see often, and some that I rarely get to see, but I love them all the same. Friendships are an important part of a happy life, and I’m thankful for the ones I have and am making with you all.

 

5. LAST but certainly not least, I am thankful for blogging. I started my blog about 2 months ago (I think) and ever since then I just feel like a happier person. I have met some great people who I am learning from, discovered a new world of understanding and inspiration from all of you, and had a place to go to release my thoughts, both good and bad, and have people constantly lifting me up with comments or stories of similar situations. I love that you all care, and that you are on this journey with me. I hope to share stories that you can relate to, inspiration to people who are having a hard time, positivity on a difficult day, or just random chatting with you all.

I hope all of you had an amazing day!
Happy Friday Eve! Enjoy your night sweet friends!