Random

• Drive Thru's are a blessing. I used to think of them as a convenience, but they are a blessing for mom's with babies. I have utilized the dry cleaners and pharmacy more times than I can count these last few months.

• When you drop of your baby at the church nursery you get a pager so they can contact you if they need you. Well a week ago, after we dropped Levi off, I ran to the bathroom and guess what? The pager fell in the toilet. Yep....right in the pee, ewwwww! I wiped it off as much as possible, but ended up biting the bullet and taking it back and confessing. I offered to pay for it, but they were very nice. Matt says now they have labeled me as "the one that dropped the pager in the toilet" Great!

• Matt and I have agreed to buy Levi  (3) gifts at Christmas + a few stocking stuffers. That is enough if you ask me. I want him to see that Christmas is about giving and I hope that since we are starting this early, that he will know what to expect later. Birthdays are for spoiling =)

• We are studying Revelation in our Sunday morning Life Group, and it was awesome last Sunday. Our teacher really broke everything down and had some excellent notes for our class.

• I am trying to start some traditions with Levi for this time of year. We made some homemade Christmas ornaments (My mom always did this with us), I am planning on making a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake with him and take his picture each year with the cake. We also made some gifts for daddy and the grandparents!

• We are planning our first vacation with Levi in April. We are going to Atlanta to go to the Aquarium, IKEA, Coca Cola Factory and to get his pictures taking by Bower Power!

• Levi will have his 1/2 Birthday in 12 days. 12 days! My baby will be 6 months old in 12 days!

• We are having my family over for Christmas Eve, which is about 25 people. Thank goodness its potluck style!

• I can not wait for Christmas this year! It will be so much fun with Levi!

Hope you have a great weekend! Its the last weekend before Christmas!

Blogging Break...except Tuesday =)

Ok. I am finally at that point where I am tired and worn out. I am still working full time and doing hair on Tuesdays until 8:30 or so. I work for an insurance company in the claims department and with the 7+ storm dates that have occured throughout Memphis and surrounding cities in the last month, we have never been busier. Add in the impending flood that is already wreaking havoc on peoples homes, its going to take everything in me to finish out these next 3 weeks. I am just so tired. So, with the exception of my weekly update on Tuesday's, I will be back the first week in June as a SAHM, oh my goodness, I can not wait. Hopefully I can post all of the things in my archive (there are too many to count, I just have zero time for extra stuff right now)

I'll be back soon!

~Ashlee

P.S. I wanted to say thank you to my sweet husband for my mother to be gift of this awesome flipcam. He is just too good. Can not wait to film Levi and all of our adventures together!!!

Master Bedroom Inspiration

I am loving these 2 duvets for our Master Bedroom from West Elm .....Hummmmm! Maybe I need a Pre Baby Splurge too!

Sick Day

Well, during my whole married life, I have been sick maybe 2 times....seriously.

Matt and I are rarely sick.

 Thursday afternoon, I came down with an aweful head cold/sinus infection but without fever and I am still not better. Of course, since I am pregnant, I can't take alot of medicine so I am suffering through it.  I really hope the medicine that my doctor prescribed for me won't harm the baby, but I guess I should trust her, yes????

I did make it to both of my family's Christmas functions and basically tried to stay away from everyone. I talked to my doctor yesterday and it seems that there is a 10 day cold that is being passed around and I sure do pray that this is not what I have.

My husband has been wonderful. He has been to Walgreens 4 times, CVS 1 time, and Kroger 1 time, all in the last 36 hours. He even came out one time with me a snuggie (insert AWWWW!) He has also cooked me lots of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese. Thanks, babe!

And this is what we I have done mostly....watched movies in my snuggie =)

Don't you just love the variety?!?!?!

(Not pictured: Bourne Supremacy and Ocean's 11-Those were Matt's picks)

Anyways, I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their friends and family!

Funny Convo with my Mom

My mom and I exchanged this text converstion the other day. She made me laugh.

Me: Love u

Mom: I LUV U LITTLE MAMA

Me: I got a baby bump now

Mom: HOW CUTE IS THAT, YEAH

Me: Ur funny ! turn off your caplock button

Mom: NO I NEED IT 2 C

Me:  funny!!! u crack me up

Mom: IM SO PROUD OF U AND MAT

Me: Thanks mom, u raised me

Mom: THX SWEETIE

End Conversation.

Just thought I would share =)

Free Shutterfly Christmas Cards!

If you are a blogger, then you can head over HERE and find out how to snag 50 FREE Christmas cards.

I was able to get some cute gifts last year such as calendars and mousepads!

Here are some of my favorites!

Hurry Up and Sign Up!

Maurices!

Have you ever shopped at Maurices?

It is a super cute and sophisticated women's apparel store usually found in smaller towns.

Sign up for their newsletter and receive a 20% coupon.

It is like my go to store for Everything! I love the jewelry, shoes, and especially their dresses.

Here are a couple of things that I have bought recently.

I bought this lovely dress for a wedding. I also bought a cardigan to go with it.

Super Cute, huh? $44

I bought this dress for the annual claims conference for work. I also bought some super cute red heels but I couldnt find a pic of them. $44

Lindsey, you would be proud!

I tried this cute plaid shirt on, and FELL.IN. LOVE. I paired it with a deep purple camisole. Too cute!$26

I bought these shoes to go with some black dress pants that I also bought from Maurices.

They are so comfortable.

And, of course these flats. I am definitely a "flats" kind of girl!

So, go check out Maurice's, you won't be let down!



Showing our Razorback Pride!

Matt and I are Arkansas Razorback Fans! We love going to the games and "Calling the Hogs"

Here are a few pics of how we cheer on the Hogs!

Flag outside our Home!

Screensaver at Work

(Lets not talk about that game =))

We listen while we are in the car!

A razorback themed "W" displayed on my shelves (Reveal Monday)

And....of course Azul has some Razorback pride in his bones as well.

Well, he likes the bacon and ham that comes from them anyways!

Matt and I are headed to the Razorback/Ole Miss game this weekend in Beautiful Fayetteville, AR.

We will probably be watching the game in the rain according to the weather channel, but I will be there....

Face Tattoo and All.

High 5'n Orange

I wanted to build these floating shelves for our dining room,

but,

there was one problem.

We couldn't get an entire sheet of plywood in either our car or SUV.

What am I to do?

Get Home Depot a.k.a "Orange" to cut it for me.

I as in me, with out Matt and on my lunch break, and in dress clothes went to Home Depot armed with my specific cut list and got everything that I needed for these floating shelves!

Go Orange!

This is "Charlie" ( I don't remember his real name) He was super nice and was very helpful.

I even high fived him when he was finished.

Super GEEKY moment, I know. He laughed.

Nevertheless, I did it on my own, and I was proud.

Now, onto the real task at hand.

Tackling the project!

I will post about the shelves, next Monday.

I am still working on decorating them.

They turned out F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!

Stay tuned !

Antiques and Thrifting

 I love antique and thrift stores. Just so many treasures waiting to be found. I was looking around my home and noticed alot of Goodwill and Antique store treasures that I have snatched up.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Colorful Tree Framed Pic (Star City 2010): You can read about its makeover HERE.

Azul's Treat Jar: (Mountain View, AR 2010): I love the Amber Color.

Antique Wood Planters: (Eads Antiques): Read about them HERE.

Wooden Bamboo Vase: (Goodwill) Transformed HERE.

Small Green Vase: Goodwill

There are many more things in my home that I aqquired used, but I just love them!

Matt

The Lord was with my husband Matt this past Friday night.....with out a doubt.

Now...I know that a christian always knows that Jesus is with us always, but sometimes, alot of times he is pushed to the back burner of our hearts. Sometimes it takes a tragedy or something hurtful to bring him back to the surface where he belongs and where he should stay.

With a grateful heart, I write this post to say Thank You Jesus for taking care of Matt's life, my best friend, the one that I couldnt even fathom not being able to speak to and sharing each others thoughts, dreams, burdens, we also share a beautiful home, a wonderful marriage that most people never get to experience. Jesus and Matt have loved me more than I deserve. Both are still with me! Thank You!

Matt was in a horrible accident Friday night involving 3 other vehicles. One was a drunk driver. One was a couple of teenagers, and One was a husband and wife.

Matt and 2 other vehicle were traveling in the same direction when a drunk driver crossed the median and hit a car in front of Matt head on causing Matt to slam on his breaks while the impact of the head on collision caused a car to come up over Matt's front bumber and slamming into his windshield and roof. His airbags deployed and glass ended up all over him and embedded in his arms and handsome face. He was transported to the trauma unit in Memphis and later was able to walk out on his own. Praise God!

The drunk driver emerged unhurt....CRAZY, huh?

The car that was hit head on had 2 teenagers in it. The driver was lucky like Matt and excaped with cuts and bruises. His passenger was trapped and had to be airlifted and ended up having a broken leg that will require surgery and I am sure some physical therapy.

The fourth car was the least damaged and they seemed to be unharmed.

All I can say is Thank You!

Here are some photos of Matt's car!

This is the drunk drivers car

Here is the car that had the young girl that was trapped.

Its the one that was hit head on. It was the one that hit Matt.

I love Jesus and I Love my Matt!

 

Keeping Lettuce Fresh

I always seem to be throwing away produce!!

I heard somewhere that adding a paper towel to your bagged produce helps keep it fresher longer.

I thought I would share what I do. It will keep fresh for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks!!

Start by tearing your greens into pieces, washing and spin them in a salad spinner.

 Tear 2 paper towels but leave them intact. You will also need a Ziploc Bag (GAL)

Place the paper towel with the seam down at the bottom of the ziploc bag.

Add your washed and drained salad greens

Press out all the air and seal!

I know this is probably a silly post, however, I am sure you are tired of spoiled produce too!

Give it a Try!

Bad Day...Good Day!

Yesterday started out BAD!

I was leaving home and in MY OWN SUBDIVISION.....I got my first speeding ticket. 31 in a 20!

Anyone else have a speed limit of 20! Its not even 20 in a school zone.

Anyways...

The officer was a complete JERK. He was entirely wrong in how he talked to me. He was asking all sorts of questions that I thought were useless and in a mean tone.

I know what you are thinking....suck it up, right?

Well, I had an accident, rear ender,  BUMP back in September of last year, in which I barely ran into another car at a red light.

I know this doesnt seem to be a big deal....but in MEMPHIS it is. You see, I hit a women with 3 children in the car.

Yeah! I know. Totally the wrong car to hit.

To make an ENTIRELY long story short.....they claimed injuries and got $47,000.00 form my insurance company! And it has definitely changed the way I try to drive...

Earlier this week I had gotten a letter from The State of TN stated that I had 7 points on my record for that accident alone, and I only have to get 5 more before September for something bad to happen.

So back to the speeding ticket....thats another 3 points! So to say that I was upset was an understatement! I was sobbing! And...the mean officer didnt help!

Now on to the Good!

My sweet, awesome, best ever, handsome, caring husband sent me these at work!

And....

Made me this!

My birthday isnt until the 27th, but he made it early!

See...told you he was the BEST ever!

Its a double layer cookie cake! He is so creative.

The  bottom layer is a chocolate chip cake, and the top is a chocolate with white chocolate chips with vanilla icing in between!

I will post the recipe later.

Now, to wrap this up!

I hope you all have a great day, And ME...

I am going to go 20 miles an hour through my subdivision! =)

My Bucket List

Some of these things you might have guessed about me, some may surprise you,

and some will not make sense.

But...to me, these are things that i care for, would like to see and experience.

My Bucket List:

Be a contestant on Amazing Race with Matt

Take an Alaskan Cruise

Go to Greece

Have a Baby

Visit the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Old Faithful, and Mount Rushmore

through caravan tours !

Take my mom on vacation....

A REAL ONE!!!

Visit New York City

Meet Ethel and Sitithana

(our sponsored children in Malawi, Africa)

Visit worldvision.com

Take the Holy Land Tour

Go river tubing in Jamaica or Belize

Climb Dunn's River Falls

Go to Niagara Falls

Become a platinum cruiser with Carnival

.....only 6 more

Take Matt skiing in Colorado

Ride on a Sailboat

( and not at Shelby Farms....Matt =) )

See the Pyramids in Egypt

Take African Safari

Be Debt Free

(COMPLETELY)

As you can see, most of these have ONE thing in COMMON,

TRAVEL!!
It is definitely something I have a passion for!

With Matt by my side, we have already experienced SOOOO many things that were on this list,

We have done so many things,

and only by Jesus,

was that made possible!

( Caribbean Cruise, Chichen Itza, Snorkling, Building a Home,
Marrying by Best Friend, Getting a Chihuahua!)
I am BLESSED!!

How about you?

What are some of the things you would like to do???

Out of a Valley

Well, after the last 2 1/2 months of my husband being unemployed, the company that shut down (except for a few workers) hired him back! He returned Monday with the same seniority that he left with, including all his sick time and vacation time! So, with his severance, it was like he had a 2 1/2 month paid vacation!

Since, I am the ''worrier" of our home, this was a relief!

We do want to give God all the glory that he deserves, and more. He absolutely took care of us and went far beyond anything that I could beleive! He is so good! Everything was taken care of!

At the beginning of the year, we made 4 financial goals. 3 of those are already met......and way more than we initially wanted, and not because of us, but because of God!

Matt had to lose his job, to make us more aware of our savings, and to have a lesson on what it takes for the next time!

God is Good!

Matt's 10 Mile Duathlon

In January, Matt decided that he wanted to do a duathlon (Rike, Bike, Run). He started his training and ran his first 5k at Bellevue called Hope for Haiti, you can read about that HERE.

He also completed his first 10 mile duathlon last Sunday.

HE ran 3 miles, Mountain biked 6 miles, and ran 1 mile to finish.

Here are some pics!!

Ready, Set, Go!!!

He is the one running...   :-)

Everyone setting up there bikes for the transition.

*Notice Azul in the Bottom left*

Coming back in from the 3 mile run.

24 min!!! Way to Go!!

Headed out on the 6 mile bike, Notice how nice and clean his bike was

Coming in from the biking, the trails were MUDDY!!

Here he is headed out for the last 1 mile run!!

And...the big finish....he had to run up a steep hill.

1hr 28min 57sec.

Go MATT!

This one needs to be framed!!