Weekend Recap

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a busy one!

Family came to town...

There was swimming,

Barbecuing,

Socializing,

Soccer tournaments for my daughter,

Loud music,

Yard work,

And tons of playful laughter filling the air!

Only downside is......

I wasn't there to enjoy ANY of it!!

Yeah, that's right... I scheduled myself to work on a holiday weekend, UGH!!

It never fails! I need a phone that yells NO, STOP, YOU WILL REGRET THIS whenever I punch in my availability for my work schedule! 

A new app in the making I'm sure but until then I just keep missing out!

The plus side is...

When I return from my torturous work week it's a holiday in itself!

I am off work Monday and the kids are out of school so... come 7am it will be time to PAAAR-TYY!! (That's when I get off work blah!)

I'm sure the second I walk in the door three little smiling, energized faces will be greeting me, ready to "hang out."

It never fails, everyone wants mommy's attention the second I am home from work and off for a day! I feel like a celebrity every week ha ha. 

Mondays plans include... Barbecuing, swimming, FINISHING our kitchen chairs (fingers crossed), catching up on housework.... And most importantly....

Quality time with the fam! It should be a good day... overwhelming... Potentially stressful but GOOD! 

Now that I think about it... I didn't miss much :-).

Have a GREAT week!

The "Stay at Home Mom Syndrome"

I wouldn't consider myself a "stay at home mom," (mostly because I have a job outside the home also hehe) but this summer I have been at home more than at work and could fall into the "stay at home mom" category.

I have formed many new personal opinions on this "title" over the last several months.... Yes it's rewarding and fun but MAN the horrific headache after a day full of kids, housework, errands, screaming, running around, cooking, constant fighting and bickering, etc, etc, etc. is a strain on a mother! I mean in one day.... I pulled one kid down from attempting to scale the stairs with a jump rope, cleaned up the marker on my walls from another and broke up more "superhero" fights that got too intense than I can count!!! And that's a brief nutshell!! Heck some days I WISH I was scheduled at the job! 

Lets just say I have been counting down the days 'til school starts again.... 22 to be exact :-). 

This last week the two older kids are on a mini vaca with the grandparents and its just been me and Dylan (he's 2).  Still stressful but on a MUCH smaller scale! I have definitely had much more time to think with only one kid up my butt all day :-). It's always a PLUS when they nap!

Anywho... The reason behind my rant: Sometimes moms (especially "stay at home moms") get so wrapped up in the everyday BS they forget about one thing, one VERY important thing.... THEMSELVES!!! 

I call this the "Stay at Home Mom Syndrome."

Heading to bed a few nights ago I wasn't feeling like myself, I felt pretty crumby. I felt exhausted, fat, unattractive, moody, achy... All around BLAH! Laying in bed, I started piecing together things that were causing this ridiculous mood. I fell asleep thinking about things I could change....

I wake up the next morning, head to the bathroom, flip on the light and look in the mirror. Lord have mercy!! I looked like a freakin' gremlin! 

Ummm, NO WONDER I felt crumby! I LOOKED it!! I was a hot mess.....

 I was so focused on rolling out of bed and getting everything done in a day that I had let myself go. Shoot, most days I didn't even change out of my comfy pajamas or brush my hair! I just threw it up and went about my business. The person starring me back in the mirror was hideous! No wonder I felt like booty!  

I immediately jump in the shower in an effort to wash the ugly away and turn over a new leaf. I did myself up that day!

I put on my make-up, did my hair and put on something cute and THEN started my daily routine. I'll admit doing housework and chasing kids all "dolled up" is a bit much but dang my mood changed! I felt better, less blah and more energized! I was looking forward to my husbands reaction too. 

Matt gets home from work... I'm making dinner and we're talking about our day when he stops and says, "You look pretty awesome." 

WTF?!? "Pretty awesome"?!?!? Isn't that something you'd say about a silly trick the kids did or an art project?!  

PRETTY AWESOME?! 

UGH! Oh well at least he acknowledged it I guess....

I decided the next day I'd give it another whirl  but this time I want to turn it up a few notches! This time.... I am treating myself to a day at the spa!!!

Who am I trying to fool! I didn't go to the spa... I just locked myself in the bathroom.....

I don't think my brown roots and blonde locks fell into the category of "ombré."  My nail polish was nonexistent, my eyebrows looked like a giant, creepy caterpillar and my legs felt like cactus! I had my work cut out for me! Nap time rolled around and I got started....

I was like Edward Scissorhands in that bathroom! Moving as quickly as I could considering nap time didn't last long and any second Dyl's head would be poking in the door with a mischievous look demanding attention.

I "refried" my hair, got in the shower, exhale and begin to relax when.... SWISH! The shower curtain flies open and I hear "mmmoooommm" UGH!!! I guess my spa day will need modified to include Dylan because I am nowhere near done!

My hairs did, legs shaved and I smell so fresh and so clean... Up next mani and pedi.......... With a two year old AAAHHH! But I can't pull my hair out yet! I just did it DUH!

 So I dump out all the polish and let him think he's helping. He chose the color and I got to work.

I got so lost in my pedicure that I didn't notice the mess he was making....

He found my lotion and lathered himself up... Head to toe! He smelled like a French whore covered in PINK! But hey, my nails looked nice :-)

I clean him up and attempt to put my face on. Meanwhile, Dylan is using my legs as his obstacle course.. weaving in and out over and over again. No wonder I end the day looking like Frankenstein! But I complete my spa day successfully.... Just in time for work UGH!

Husband comes home to me heading out the door... Stops dead in his tracks and says, "Your so hott, baby!" 

DAMN STRAIGHT! :-) I worked hard today!

Moral of the story... Never get so wrapped up that you forget to take care of yourself! A woman's perception of herself directly impacts her everyday mood and behavior even when sitting at home taking care of kids and housework!

...... I'll schedule my next spa day at a REAL spa and hire a sitter! Lesson learned :-)

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Photo Apps I Love!

I have been asked numerous times how I edit my photos, what apps are best and where I print my pictures. I have included my personal favorites and pictures of the app itself, I have an iPhone so the apps may vary for other devices.

Free prints by photoaffections.com

I recently came across this app/website via Facebook and I am very pleased with what I found!

 This site offers 85 free prints a month, you just pay shipping. Shipping cost is never more than $9.99. I placed my first order and received it in 3 days! They also offer photo cards, invitations and much more directly from the app!

Collage.com I also found this site via Facebook and love the options they have!

   They offer a Free 8x10 canvas photo collage promo code when you sign up and you only pay shipping. Shipping for my canvas was $14.95. (HUGE savings considering the price of buying the actual canvas!) You can also order larger poster style prints of your collage that are cheaper than the canvas prints if you choose. You can create your own design or choose from theirs. I chose the heart shape design. You just select your pictures and rearrange them how you want 'em... All thru the app! Or you can go to the website, whichever! I also designed a poster to display in the playroom of all the fun pictures of my kids I took over the summer. (Examples below).

Smile box 

 This app allows you to edit pictures with designs specific to any occasion, choose from a large variety of animated designs or stickers, collages, cute sayings and borders. They are constantly loading new designs! Once your picture is complete you can share on any social network with just one click or save to your own camera roll. 

Shutterfly

I upload ALL my pictures to shutterfly.com as back up. I downloaded the app and have easy access to all my photos at any time and the pictures no longer take up space on my phone. They have great deals sent thru the app or to your email. I received an offer last week for 101 free 4x6 prints and just pay shipping! 

One word of advice: after selecting your pictures to order, EDIT each photo individually. I have received pictures that are zoomed in too far, heads cut off or resolution isn't as good printed out as it appears on your phone or laptop. When you take the time to edit each photo individually, you are able to adjust how the pictures will look printed. You can do all of this thru the app on your phone. AWESOME! They also offer larger prints, panoramic pictures and cute accessories for your favorite pictures to be displayed on. I found this much more user friendly then backing pictures up to iCloud, you can upload as many pictures as you want and sort into albums... All FREE!

PicsArt

 This is my most favorite app! I edit almost all my pictures first with PicsArt, then combined it with smilebox designs and complete my creation by uploading to Shutterfly.com or photoaffection.com to get prints!

In the PicsArt app you can add effects, edit photos, add lights, borders, clip art, text, vignettes and much more. I love, love, LOVE this app!

Examples of my creations from Our Little Life:

This picture of my daughter was edited using PicsArt! And printed using shutterfly.com

These pictures were prints I ordered thru photoaffections.com after editing each using PicsArt to adjust the lighting and crop to my liking and Smilebox to add fun stickers and borders!

This is the poster collage I created for our playroom using collage.com. Very easy to use and the quality is great!

As you can tell, some pictures were edited using the various apps I described above :-)

I hope you find this useful and enjoy the apps I have discovered as much as I do! Any questions or comments?! Please don't hesitate to leave one!

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Edamame Seasoning Recipe

When our little family moved from Kansas to Oklahoma a few years ago, I assumed it wouldn't be much different than my home state. I mean its only a hop, skip and a jump away from my home town!  In the beginning it wasn't different at all, just a new place to call home! After almost four years I still have only found a few things I could write home about. 

One thing that's different.... Or maybe I lived in a bubble back home... Is Edamame. I had NEVER heard of such a thing before now. Maybe there are others that don't know about it to! If that's the case, let me fill you in :-). Edamame is soybeans in the pod! At first, I thought it was odd watching people eat them like you would a sunflower seed. Then, I tried one and now I'm hooked! It's a great healthy snack, fills you up and it's actually pretty tasty (seasoned of course)!

I first started preparing the edamame with a seasoning recipe my friends shared with me.... Basically a garlic and salt combo. But I wanted something more, something with more flavor and a little spice!

I came up with my own recipe and love it!

I use the Pictsweet Brand... It's a 13oz bag of deliciousness! (With my seasoning of course)

Seasoning mix:

Combine in a small bowl...

 Heat edamame as directed on bag, pour seasoning over pods, shake and enjoy! 

A healthy and spicy treat!

*Note: only eat the soybeans NOT the pod ;-)

Enjoy!

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Music to Soothe the Soul

Any time I'm stressed, nervous, anxious, happy, sad, enjoying company, cleaning house, excited or even just because, I'm listening to music. All types. But lately I have found comfort in country music. My husband refers to my playlist as "man hating music" but I don't see it ;-) I listen to that same play list even when I'm enjoying my day AND him!

So to prove my point, which I do often, I combine some of my favorite "man hating" country songs to give them a little twist. I did this to prove to Matt I'm not always thinking negatively when listening to my playlist. 

My creation made him smile AND I proved my point :-)

So, here is what I created, feel free to share with your husband as your own to also prove your own point :-) because its not ALL negative!

Before you say he's a "white liar" or you wanna "dig two." Ask him "Baby, what are we becoming? It feels just like we're always runnin'." 

And before you've decided, "I'm giving up on love, cuz loves given up on me!"  Remember, "there's a want and there's a need, there's a history between."

And when you wanna tell him,  "And my heart won't tell my mind to tell my mouth what it should say..." Remember, "Every long lost dream lead me to where you are... This much I know is true, that God blessed the  broken road, that lead me straight to you."

Before you start to rant, "Any many of mine..." Remember, "You better get a grip and bite your lip, just to save a little face."

And when your saying to yourself, "I'm goin' home, gonna load my shot gun." Stop to tell yourself, "Remember when we didn't have nothin' but a perfect simple kinda lovin'."

And when you tell your girls, "He looks like a cool drink of water but he's candy coated misery." Remember how he whispered, "I wanna call you mine, Wanna hold your hand forever and never let you forget it."

Because you KNOW he's thinking, "I finally got all my priorities in line and I'm right where I need to be." "Cuz I've got a woman who's better then most and I made a mess of her plans, but starting today all I'm gonna be is her man."

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Playroom Canvas Paintings

My daughter told me recently, "Mom, when I grow up, I want to start craft classes and teach people how to make fun things like what you have taught me." That made my heart melt! She enjoys our time together and loves doing projects as much as I do! If she's bored she asks, "Mom are you feeling crafty?" 

Last week, when family was in town, there wasn't much time for being bored! We had so many projects and shared great memories with her, my brothers, my stepmom and my boys! Another playroom project we completed involved all the kiddos. Sonya and I even got our hands dirty and painted as well. 

Materials needed for this project:

7 12x12 blank canvas

Masking tape (1 inch wide)

Assorted acrylic paints (I chose vibrant colors)

Sponge paint brushes (easier for kids)

And the kiddos creativity!

Before painting, prep the canvas with masking tape. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Place masking tape vertically, horizontally, short pieces, long pieces, making triangles or squares! 

Make sure the tape drapes over the edges to continue the effect. Don't allow any air bubbles at the edges of the tape or it will get painted!

Once you prep them its up to the kids to make the art!

Allow to dry, remove the tape and you have beautiful kid inspired artwork for any room!!

We chose to hang this art in the playroom and hang it in a "hopscotch" fashion. We also threw around the idea of adding numbers in the center to complete the hopscotch look but didn't want to take away from the beautiful masterpieces the kids created!

I hope you enjoy! We all did! It even allowed family that isn't in town often to leave a piece of their art work behind, not to mention great memories shared! 

Any questions don't hesitate to ask!

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The Reason and The Purpose

My name is Ashley, I am a mother of 3 beautiful children (but who isn't partial to their own!). My beautiful daughter, Alexis, 8; handsome son, Matthew Jr., 5; and little cutie baby Dylan who is already 2. 

I was a strong-willed, outspoken, wild and crazy teen that learned quickly it was time to grow up when I became pregnant with my daughter. My life became our life and it was changed forever. 

I did things a little backwards according to "normal" standards but I believe it molded me into a better person and continues to do so daily. 

I became a mom first and a wife second. I just recently married my wonderful husband in March of this year, 2013, and my life changed again. This time it was completed and became "our little life" as I call it. 

I discovered I have referred to Matt (my husband), myself and our three children as "our little life" for years... In Facebook photo albums, Facebook status', picture captions, scrapbook pages I've created.... the list goes on. Finally it occurred to me how much I valued that title when we took family pictures last month and I handmade the props we used in our pictures. I bet you can't guess what they said?!?

I wanted the most perfect caption painted on wood to describe our family. I thought about it for weeks! "Our Happily Ever After" NO! "Our Fairy Tale" NO! "Our Lovely Life" NO! "Our Story" No, No, NO! They all sounded so cheesy, so make believe, definitely didn't describe us, and were no where near the perfect caption!

I remember sitting by the pool, thinking about my husband, the kids and how happy I was. I was reminiscing the events of the last week which flowed into the last month then into the last few months and trickled down to the last year! I was smiling just thinking about it all and it occurred to me that my thoughts revolved around one thing...."Our Little Life!" 

Lightbulb!!! That would be my caption for our family pictures!! I loved it! It fit perfectly and summed up all of my thoughts, my memories, the crazy ups and downs, the laughing, the tears... Everything! 

Looking at those pictures, with my well put together caption, has made me realize how much I value "our little life" and how eager I am to share it with others. The great and sometimes even the not so great trials and tribulations of raising a family and being a wife! That is the essence of my blog! I want to inspire, give advice, teach others new things and offer learning experiences for families and fellow moms. Maybe my thoughts will be helpful, maybe they won't! But I will sure enjoy telling about the one thing I value most! You guessed it..... "Our Little Life!"

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Photo by: Jenny Rollins Blink of an Eye Photography,  Tulsa Ok