30 Things, Day 17

What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

SAVING!! I am horrible with money, I swear I have it spent before my direct deposit hits.

30 Things, Day 16

 

What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

1. Being a mom- by far the best accomplishment ever!!
2. Being a homeowner! It's tough in the real world & with the hubs job things have been so up & down.
3. Getting married to my best friend, not many people can say that.
4. Getting my insurance licence. I complain at times and the $ sucks but I do love my job.
5. Did I mention being a mom?? AMAZING :)

30 Things, Day 15

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

What a strange question.... I guess I would have to say a spoiled house cat. You have to work to earn a cats love & most of them are hard headed B's .... what can I say, I relate :)

30 Things, Day 14

... Describe 5 strengths you have ...

1. Honesty
2. Strong willed {both a strength & a weakness at times}
3. People person, I swear I could talk to anyone! {except the really stupid ones that drive me bonkers}
4. Dependable
5. Gracious

30 Things, Day 13

Describe 5 weaknesses you have

1. Trust {or lack of}, in all honesty nothing can be done to earn it. I feel like it's hard to trust anyone 100% for some reason or another. I mean come-on I don't even trust myself sometimes.
2. Not thinking before I speak. If you want an honest answer, just ask me!
3. Chocolate & wine... no explanation needed!
4. Over mothering {is that a real thing?!} I can't seem to let C go, even overnight. I work all day so I only get a few hours, I'm sorry that I'm selfish with that time IT'S MINE!!
5. Lack of patience! 

30 Things .... Day 12

... Describe a typical day in your current life ...

6am The 1st alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
6:30am The 2nd alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
7am-8am The 3rd alarm goes off .... I get up, take a shower {every other day with my shower cap and dry shampoo}, do my hair & make up, wake up C get her ready, get dressed, let the dogs out while making my smoothie & to go coffee, put lunches in lunch boxes & switch the laundry {yes EVERY morning}. Leave the house
8:15 Drop C off at school
8:30-5 Work {blah}, FB, Blogger, Craigslist, Kidsteals.com, and the list goes on :)
5:15 Pick C up
5:30-6:30 Get home, let dogs out & feed them, prep lunches, bath, start dinner. Kiss hubby hello
6:30-8 Eat dinner, nightly chores, homework, put C to bed {after stories & snuggles}
8-10 Snuggle/TV time with my hub

This of course is a day when there are no unexpected surprises thrown in, which seem to be happening more and more lately!

30 Things, Day 11

... Describe 10 pet peeves you have ...

1. lying! I just hate it, you will get caught eventually & then you just look like an ass.
2. children without discipline! Get them under control, its annoying & it will be easier now than when they are 16 missing court dates.
3. people with random things in their mouth! nails, hair, key chains- whatever. God would give me 2 kids that love to "suck on" their hair .... they will be bald soon if they don't stop.
4. cheating! I guess I just don't get it, if you don't want to be with someone, LEAVE.
5. being in a silent car! Turn on the music.
6. unpainted toe nails! blah
7. pimples! I know people get them, I get them. But it drives me bonkers when people walk around with HUGE whiteheads. I guess I'm too much of a picker.
8. when people go out sick! I can't tell you how many people come to my work and complain about how sick they are & how they have been shitting for 3 days with horrible pains ... umm hello, get the eff out & stop spreading that junk.
9. fakeness! No one has a perfect life, you aren't fooling anyone.
10. people+cell phones! Not in general but in the grocery store, restaurants, etc they don't belong everywhere.

30 Things, Day 10

... Describe your most embarrassing moment ...

I can't think of one moment in particular that was horribly embarrassing. I am always tripping, saying something that makes no sense and having plenty of "Ashley moments". But I will share a few I still get teased for....

 There was one time that I FREAKED OUT, because I had a bump down below! I left work early called my OB crying and just knew that I had herpes {in my defense I just found out my a-hole boyfriend cheated on me}! She squeezed me in, knowing that I'm completely insane and after WebMD I would be at the ER. It turned out to be an ingrown hair & in a place that herpes don't even "grow". But my mini break down gave a lot of people a good laugh.

I was pregnant & not near full term but hadn't been feeling that great. I decided to ignore that I wasn't 100% and "do the deed" with my hubby. After a few minutes there was "water" everywhere!! Of course we freaked out, went to the hospital I called both my mom & step mom in a panic. After tests & sonograms it turns out I just peed on him =) I found out later this is pretty common but next time I know to not call anyone until I know for sure.

The night I met J I was being nosey in my friends closet while getting toilet paper & actually got stuck half upside down in her sex swing.

30 Things, Day 9

 List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how

{This really is harder than I thought}

1. My parents {of course} They helped make me who I am! Taught me to have a heart, to stand up for myself & what I believe in. Helped mold me into the parent I am today, which of course I'm a tad bias, but I'm a pretty damn good parent.

2. My sister- We had our up & downs! Honestly weren't really "friends" until our "grown up lives". She changed my thinking a little bit... I have always been a firm believer that people are who they are, they can't/won't change. She proved me wrong!

3. My hubby- God brought him into my life when I needed him. I had gotten into some trouble and lost myself, I pushed away my friends & rarely left the house. The night I decided to go out, he ended up in the wrong place ... turns out it was the right place just for different reasons. I can't thank him enough for the many ways he has influenced me.

4. M- Probably the only reason J got a date, I mean really who can turn down an adorable 3 year old asking for your digit's? She made me a better person!

5. C- I would happily go through another 26 hours of labor for her! She changed me and made me realize how strong love is. She continues to teach me things every day.

6. My boss {also known as my 3rd Mom} she has been by my side through a lot & influenced me in to many ways to list.

7. My friends- All of them in some way or another, good & bad.

8. Mr.Graves {my middle/high school guidance counselor} He always believed in me, most of the time more than I believed in myself. He knew I was going to make it & really did help me get to where I am.

9. Everyone on Pinterest- who the hell knew I was so crafty and could cook. Every husband in the world should thank Pinterest.

10. My dear MIL- showed me the type of person, mother and grandmother that I never want to be!

30 Things, Day 8

...  What are 5 passions you have ...

Taking care of children, I just love it!! I almost finished my degree in elementary education and maybe one day I will. I also debated doing home daycare after having daughter but around here that's a popular job.

Photography. I'm not any good at it but it's fun and I like doing it.

Cooking. How fun would it be to have a REAL cooking show?! With a messy kitchen, curse words, crying kids, ya know how moms really cook!!

Shopping. LOVE LOVE LOVE! And it doesn't have to be for fun stuff either, just anything.

Working. I complain about my job but I do like it, it would be better if it were only 3 days a week though. I enjoy doing something for me, making my own money & helping people. It's nice to have people appreciate you & what you do for them.

30 Things, Day 7

What is your dream job, and why?

Something that makes me happy & don't mind doing. It would have to be something part time so I can spend more time with my kids.

When i was pregnant being a SAHM was my dream job and until C was around 1 I was PISSED at the world I couldn't stay home. But I see what daycare has done for her and I love it plus so does she.

30 Things, Day 5

What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now

Wow. Only 5.

.Family.

.Friends.

.Date Nights With My Hub.

.Coffee, Cupcakes, Coladas.

{^is that cheating? They all start with C}

.Air Conditioning.

30 Things, Day 6

What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

For some reason this is a really tough question for me! I have experience a lot of hard/painful things in my life; heartbreak, death, miscarriage, threat of foreclosure, drug addiction within my family & the list go on. If I had to choose one thing it would have to be being a mom. Being a mom puts you in a lot of tough situations with tough choices that can effect your child forever.

One of my hardest choices so far was picking a daycare! The person that was going to watch her had to be PERFECT, they have such an impact on your childs future it's crazy. I started looking when I was around 3 months pregnant and interviewed tons of people, I had become a daycare nazi. By the time I should have been going back to work I still hadn't found anyone so C spend a few days/weeks at work with me. I finally found someone I thought was perfect, a sahm who was willing to let rock C to sleep instead of making her "cry it out". After a few months I realized this lady really wasn't who I thought she was & did a few things that I just didn't approve of (nothing to ever harm C) so one Friday when i went to pick her up & told her that would be her last day. Again I was stuck and bringing her to work with me. I knew I wanted to put her in a learning center at 18 months, knew the center & had her name on the list with a down payment. But they had no open infant spots. I got a call from my step daughters mom that she had an opening and I quickly took it. I knew C would be loved, taught, taken care of & she got to see her sissy everyday.

She has now been in that learning center since April 2010 and I have no plan on switching. I am hoping for early kindergarten enrollment next year & she will be getting on and off the bus there. I have already put my name on the list for an infant space & no I'm not pregnant but with the time frame I was looking at they suggested it!

30 Things, Day 4

List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could

Lets be honest here, no matter what anyone told my 16 year old self, I wasn't going to listen!!

1. Slow down, life's not a race & being grown up isn't all that you think it is.
2. Don't try to impress people! If they need impressing they won't be in your life long enough to make it worth it.
3. Trust in yourself and your decisions.
4. Look past peoples appearance for the good in them.
5. Study more.
6. Save your money.
7. Enjoy school it will give you life long memories
8. Don't put red highlights in your hair, it won't turn out well
9. Don't hang on to a boyfriend that doesn't apprciate you. You can & will do better
10. You can't change people, they are who they are. Either accept them or move on.

And of course a few pictures of my 15-19 year old self

30 Things, Day 3

Describe your relationship with your parents

I am lucky enough to have 4 parents, all of which love me very much & I love them. I had challenges with them all at some point through my life but who hasn't. It has taken me being a grown-up and a parent to see the truth about them all good and bad.

 My dad always got the short end of stick while I was growing up, I always talked to him poorly. Who knows why, probably because he let me but looking back all I can do is shake my head. I can see HIM now, a wonderful father & Deeka. He has always been there for me for anything at all. Even things he doesn't always like, he supports me and loves me through it. My niece who is 11 is starting with him now & I wish there was something I could do to make her see him like I do & to appreciate him.

My step mom is such a good person & I am lucky to have had her growing up! I could always talk to her when I has having a tough time with anything, she was there! Not to judge me or tell me what to do, just to be there as someone to listen. She taught to me to try and find the good in people & love them through their faults because everyone has them. My life wouldn't be the same without her.

My mom is my best friend, through the good and the bad! I talk to her every day but we don't really TALK about important things, it just isn't who she is. She hides a lot of who she is and lets people talk her down and take a way her confidence & it pisses me off. It takes away from the amazing mom, grand mom & person she is. I can always count on her, though my 7 L&D trips when I was having C, the 2am ER visits & everything she is there and won't take no for answer. She loves me more than life itself I know this!

My step dad, growing up there were days he was my hero & others I hated him because he truly was the school/homework nazi!! He taught me a lot though, how to have confidence & stand up for myself & what I believed in, I thank him for that. As a grown up I have seen more of who he is now & to be honest I hate it. He either isn't the man I used to know or he isn't the man I always saw. He does love me and my family & would do anything he could, I'm sure but he isn't the role model I thought he was.

I love all 4 of these people with my whole heart, they made me the person I am today! They were there with me through the difficult times in my life ALL OF THEM and they all helped me in different ways. My kids are so blessed to have these people in their lives, they just have no idea.

Growing up with divorced parents and step parents was tough at times. Growing up I remember wanting to stay at which ever parents house when it was time for me to go to the other, due to plans with friends and stuff. Having to call the other parent and tell them I wasn't coming was hard for me because I felt like I was hurting their feelings. Now of course I know that was not the case but that stuff is hard on a kid. Being a step child has taught me so much now being a step parent. I know that I'm not a step parent, I'm a MOM and I love M just the same as I love C ... that will never change. I was never a step daughter or step sister I was a daughter and a sister & I love it that way. In my opinion a lot of people have it wrong which is why anything with the word "step" seems so difficult, it really isn't.

30 Things, Day 2

 Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears

1. Something happening to one of my children or something happening to me where I can't watch them grow up. It crosses my mind often about how Cheyenne's life would change without me in it & it breaks my heart. Please Lord keep me around for a long long time, amen!
2. Caner- it's crazy how this disease can take over your entire body & sometimes you have no clue at all, your out having a good time while your insides are being taken over. The big C has hit close to home many times for me throughout my family & if I don't have to hear about it again for a awhile, I'm good!
3. I have actually always had a fear of the movie theater late at night, ours isn't the best which doesn't help. But think about it; there is no form of security to get in, you go to sit in a dark room full of people & really no one can see you, plus there is an emergency exit right in the front... sounds pretty ideal for a psycho if you ask me. On our date nights we usually do dinner & a movie, as soon as the 1st person decides they are going to the bathroom or needs a snack I miss a good 3 minutes of the movie watching their every move like I'm Nancy Drew or something. Needless to say watching the news on July 20th, my heart dropped! I pray for those families and hope they can find peace, one of the victims was only 7 years old.

30 Things, Day 1

 List 20 random facts about yourself

1. I have never broken a bone
2. I am obsessed with underwear & always have been, I think I have 150 pairs
3. The gym is a huge stress reliever for me but after working all day I feel awful leaving Chey again
4. I often want to sell my house and move into a pet free apartment
5. I love Mexican food but italian is a close 2nd.
6. I want to go back to school and finish one of the 4 degrees I started
7. I do my hair from my bed or my bedroom floor
8. I could stay in my pajamas and watch junk tv all day
9. I am addicted to shopping, even grocery shopping
10. I say extremly to many curse words
11. I start my day with coffee and end it with wine
12. I suck at spelling
13. I have boxes full of everything C has ever made, including coloring pages she brings home
14. I'm not a huge fan of cookies but LOVE cookie dough
15. I could wear flip flops everyday all year
16. I love Targets clearance aisles for kids & look though them everytime I go
17. I'm not into politics even though I know it effects me
18. Nothing makes me as mad as people who don't take care of their children, I seriously want to shake them.
19. That horrible 3 minute long humane society commercial makes me cry every time, I have to turn it off or leave the room
20. My family is no where near perfect, but it's mine and I love everything about it.

30 Things about ME

Heather over at the Best of Both Worlds is hosting her 1st ever link up!!! I plan on doing this however ... I am really bad at keeping up :X

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for

You can post each day or once a week. But please link up so I can read along and we can all get to know eachother alittle more : ) It will be fun! I know for me I can't promise a post everyday and have failed most challanges but I'm really looking forward to this and having other bloggers do it along with me! Link will be open for 30 days so spread the word!

30 Day/300 Ab Challenge

I've seen this floating around Pinterest, so I've linked up & I'm going to try this out! I WILL post before and after pictures at the end ... hopefully that will keep me committed!! Here goes nothing ....
 

  Click HERE for a break down with pictures, if you want more information.