To make you think, laugh, smile, and "awwww"

Have you ever had one of those  lazy enjoyable Sunday afternoons where all you wanna do is watch youtube videos? 

Duh. Of course you have.

Well this Sunday was one of those awesomely lazy ones.

I found some gems that I just have to share.

You know how sometimes even though chocolate is AMAZING you crave something fruity? (Let's be honest though...when do I not crave chocolate?)

Or those days when instead of sweet, you crave salty? 

Lucky for you, I have videos to suit everyone's taste-buds .

1. If you are craving a game-changer, this video is for you.

So the "I hate when I chew mint gum and my ice water is too cold" comment....has definitely been said on more than one occasion by yours truly. Hearing my subconscious thoughts in this context really made me think about all the annoying little things, that really aren't so bad after-all.

2. If you are craving something to make you laugh:

Am I the only person that falls asleep listening to the lull of Liam Neeson's voice?! It is like a freaking lullaby!



  3. I you are craving something to make you smile, look no further!

Wasn't that awesome! Seeing the creativity of others never ceases to make me smile in amazement. Our bodies are indeed beautiful, powerful things!

4. Last, but certainly not least, here comes the "awwwww".

Warning: Baby hungry folks beware.

Why don't I look this cute when I am sleepy?! 

I hope you guys are all having an awesome Tuesday! If not, I hope these videos made things at least a tiny bit better :)

Quote of the Day:

                                                                   Source: girlmeetsbanjo.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Winterlust

                                                                            Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I am currently sitting snug in a warm little house: listening to the quiet buzzing of a baby monitor and watching the snow fall down outside.

Wearing: Jeans and high knee socks

Feeling: Content

The little boys that I nanny are peacefully occupied. One is napping. The other, looking out the window; transfixed by the falling snow.

Some of you may disagree with me, but snow just does a mind good, at least this girl's mind (don't even get me started on rain! Ohhhhhh how I love the rain!). 

Being a former east-coaster, I am certainly accustomed to long, cold, snowy winters...and SURPRISE...I kinda dig em'.

They bring back memories of sitting and reading a book by the fireplace after school.

Memories of wearing my pj's inside out at night to ensure a heavy snow-fall and subsequent canceled school day.

Memories of one snow-storm that was so big, we were literally snowed-in for a week.

A glorious week spent making shadow puppets on the wall and drinking lots of hot cocoa.

Sometimes during these nostalgic moments, I wish that I could step back in time and relive these moments.

I wish that I could be back at home, under my parents care.

I find myself wishing away current worries, responsibilities, and decisions. 

But then, I remind myself that new memories are made everyday.

There lives new possibility and meaning in everything.

How exciting is that?

Sitting here, watching the wonder in a child's eyes as he experiences the snow for perhaps the 4th time in his little life, I am in awe.

In awe of the fact that one day, I will be a parent and will get to relieve all the moments that I loved as a child through the eyes of my kiddos.

Life is incredible.

I am blessed everyday that I get to experience its wonders.

 The baby monitor has ceased its buzzing, so I'd better go!

Time to show this other little one his first snowfall ever.

Quote of the Day

                                                     Source: museofagypsysoul.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Rumor has it.............

......I have been M.I.A.

In order to prove how extremely sorry I am, I have included this video for your viewing pleasure. 

Enjoy :)

Quote of the Day:

                                                                          Source: quotebites.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Find time to be truly happy. It is mandatory!

The Feeling

Do you ever get the feeling that you are so lucky to be alive?

The feeling of pure exhilaration; pure gratitude for the life that you have.

Even though things aren't perfect.

Even though you still do not have a job.

Even though you are stressed when you think about the future.

You have a day, a moment where you get "the feeling".

I can only describe this feeling as Heaven on Earth.

Symptoms include:

1. Constant smiles

2. Contentment

3. Lots of laughs

4. A desire to be better...to do better

5. Being utterly exhausted at the end of the day

I love moments where I can feel and experience all the beauty that this world has to offer us.

Moments spent sleeping in.

Moments spent eating a yummy meal with amazing friends.

Moments spent learning something new (in this case, going to the driving range on a gorgeous day)

Moments spent just being outside without a deadline...without a watch.

As you all know, I like to keep a gratitude journal. 

It helps me gain perspective and it helps me to remember that everyday has the potential to be amazing.

Today, I am grateful for sunshine.

I am grateful for music, the smell of banana bread currently baking in the oven, and friends that know my faults...and love me anyways.

I am grateful for possibilities.

I am grateful for how unpredictable life is. For the chance to evolve and to grow.

I am grateful for the person I am: A person that loves people and who desperately wants to make a difference in this world.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves me and trusts me, even though many times, I am just winging it.

I am grateful for my family and for the unconditional love they have for me.

I am excited for my future and for the challenges and adventures that it will bring.

I'm sorry if this post is too "unicorns and rainbows".....but I am just so happy!

Quote of the Day:

                                                                             Source: imgfave.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Let's face it, if Dr. Seuss said it....it is true!


What are you grateful for today?

Bumblebees really are not THAT cute!

You know how in children's books, bees are always depicted as being super-cute little critters that buzz around happily with their bright little yellow and black bodies shining in the sunshine? (sorry, I got a little carried away)....Well those stories are definitely fiction. 

Change

Change can be the best and worst thing.

 Dontcha think?

It can influence our views, actions, feelings, and environment.

Change can happen in the blink of an eye and can affect our world in just a year.

When I look back to where I was this time last year, I have to laugh.

I laugh remembering how I thought I would just die if a certain boy didn't like me.

I laugh remembering how once I got the boy, it wasn't everything it was cracked up to be.

I thought I knew so much about life, about love.

I laugh thinking about past late night adventures and early morning mishaps.

I have changed so much in the last year and I am better for it.

I have gained perspective; I have gained strength as well.

I have realized that life goes on.

Even in the space of these past two weeks since we rang in 2012, I have changed.

I have re-evaluated certain decisions.

I have laughed, cried, and lived in the moment....and please tell me what could be better than that?! 

The biggest reason why I appreciate change is that it allows me to accomplish my dreams...and after I do, I get to create new ones.

Change allows me to discover who I truly am and what I want out of this life.

We have been blessed with so much in this life.

Even when things are bleak, sunshine is always right around the corner.
Amazing huh?

Wanna see how our world has changed in the last year?

We have all come so far...and we have even farther to go.

The beauty of change is that anything is possible....anything can be.

Quote of the Day:

                                                                        Source: notsalmon.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Embrace change. 

If it is scary or challenging, you will grow.

If it is happy and exciting, it will make you smile.

Either way, it'll do ya good :)

Pretty pictures

Whenever I look at beautiful pictures, I feel inspired.

Photographs have a way of not only capturing a moment, but a feeling.

Flipping back through photo-albums takes me back to lazy summer days spent laying on my trampoline with friends.

I am transported back to a time when I had braces, or crazy poofy hair.

I am taken back in time to first crushes, first heartbreaks, and the start of friendships that still exist today.

Pictures have a way of making our hearts happy, or sad.

Their language is universal and their images can be interpreted in many different ways.

When I see this photo....

                                                                          Source: weheartit.com via Brenda on Pinterest

...I feel free and happy. I want to travel and bask in the glow of the warm sun.

When I see this photo............

                                                                                Source: weheartit.com via Elyse on Pinterest

...........I am transfixed by this little girl's gorgeous eyes. It makes me wonder what she is thinking, what she has seen.




This picture.............

                                                                            Source: tumblr.com via Olga on Pinterest

...........makes me smile. Pure and simple.




This pretty picture................

Source: junebugweddings.com via Li on Pinterest

..........makes me dream about a wedding. It makes me think about that special day and I find myself hoping that I feel this light and happy too.




Lastly, some photos........

                                                                         Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

...........may not be breathtakingly beautiful or artistic, but can be quirky and cute. Pictures like these make me smile. They make me happy.


I am a person that is constantly taking pictures of my friends, family, and the world around me. 


While I might not take the best pictures ever, or have the vision of a great photographer, I can still capture memories.

I can still create a memory that I can look back and smile on.....and for now, that is good enough for me.




Quote of the Day:

                                                                    Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

What images do you love?

Resolutions

I am so excited for this new year!

As is customary, I decided to make a list of my goals for this year. 

I love having things to focus on throughout the year and having a list makes it more official...don'tcha think?

1. Get my lazy booty to the gym (I know....EVERYONE and their dog makes this resolution, but I am for reals. Bye bye chub!)

2. Get straight A's (Or at least mostlyyyyy straight A's)

3. Put effort into a good relationship 

4. Serve others

5. Be more diligent about scripture study and prayers

6. Make time for ALL of my friends

7. Smile at strangers and make an effort to touch people's lives in some little way everyday

8. Learn how to use my camera

9. Learn how to play the guitar

10. Try not to over-think things (This one is gonna be challenging!)

Quote of the Day: 

What is on your list this year? I'd love to know :)

10 things that make me happy

1. The color yellow

-Sunshine, lemonade, daisies...many of my favorite things are yellow. This color never fails to put me in a happier mood.

2. Babies

-My friends can attest to the fact that I am baby-hungry. So baby-hungry in fact, that thoughts of kidnapping getting married and having my own bundle-of-joy, occur after seeing cute babies. True story.

                                                                    Source: hongkiat.com via Ashley on Pinterest

3. Chocolate

-Need I say more? Didn't think so.

4. Baking

-There is nothing like baking something delicious, even if your pale, flour-streaked face afterwards, reminds you of Edward Cullen.

                                                                            Source: google.com via Mindy on Pinterest

Blue-steel face included.

5. A break from school

-Can I get an AMEN?! But seriously, this semester has been rough! Here's hoping that I dominate this next one. fingers crossed....toes too.

6. Being home and having a momma to take care of me

-This twenty-going-on-twenty-one-years-young girl will always feel like a little girl upon arrival at home. There is something about a long absence that makes one's mother want to spoil them....not that I'm complaining :)

7. My DSLR camera (nickname pending)

-I have so much to learn, but I am already having tons of fun experimenting with this little wonder. Modern technology is amazing folks!

8. Painted fingernails and toesies

-Red, plum, blue...you name it! Painted nails instantly make me feel prettier and more polished (no pun intended). 

                                                                           Source: weheartit.com via Meagan on Pinterest

9. Soft leggings

-I have been living in them for the past two weeks and they are amazinggggg! I can now see why people wear them as pants...but let me reiterate...LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS! 

                                                                        Source: google.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

Major fashion no-no peeps.

10. Rainy days

-Now, you may be scratching your head thinking,"umm didn't you just say you love yellow because of sunshine?" and while you are correct...I LOVE rainy days! I feel that I would love living in Washington..the cozy atmosphere just seems like it would scream romance...and romance is my most favorite thing in the world!

Quote of the Day:

We make our own happiness.....so, what is on your happy list?

Recently.....

I've seen this on a few blogs and it looked fun!

Obsessing over: Boots...boots...BOOTS! Hot apple cider, photography, and snow (where the heck is it?!).

                                                                                Source: google.com via Colleen on Pinterest

Working on: Finalizing my class schedule, finding a job, getting fit, and being more Christlike.

Thinking about: Service, money (a lack thereof), fresh starts, boys, and dreams. 

Anticipating: New crushes, snow..I know, I know.. I alreadyyy mentioned it, but I really want some!, and a fun year!

                                                                      Source: charmingdecor.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Listening to/watching: Julie & Julia It is on t.v. and I have never seen it before.

Note to self: Do not watch anything involving cooking when you are starving!

2nd note to self: Marry a man like Julie's husband Eric. He is so cute, sweet, and obnoxiously funny.

Drinking: Eggnog :)

Wishing for: Financial security, my mom to know how much I love and appreciate her, to help others more, to balance everything and basically become Super Woman.....it could happen folks..you never know.

What does your life look like recently?

Quote of the Day:

A New Year

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

I sure did :)

I love this time of year because of the feelings it brings.

Everyone tries a little harder, to be a little kinder.

Our focus turns even more so to the Savior.

As I reflected this year about his birth, I was filled with such intense gratitude.

I will be forever grateful for the birth of that precious baby and for his life and love.

I am so excited for the New Year.

It is a time of new beginnings; a time for reinventing.

I have many new goals for the year, and one of those goals includes getting back to blogging!

I love to blog.

I love typing my feelings out.

I love putting my memories down to be looked at later.

I love sharing my ideas with you guys and hearing yours in return.

But lately, I have let the hustle and bustle of my life take over!

I have discovered that I need to learn how to balance my priorities.

I want to make time for The Lord, school, friends, and myself.

I truly believe that we are happier when we have a purpose.

We are happier when we feel that everything that is important to us, is getting enough of our attention.

I want to give the best part of myself to everyone I care about, not just little fragments.

This New Year, I vow to discover how to be the best possible ME, that I can be :)

Quote of the Day:

What are some of your goals for the New Year?

P.S. My parents surprised me with my first DSLR! I am so excited to start learning more about Photography. I am also excited to document my progress on this blog....and to look back and see how my skills have improved (hopefully!)


Wish me luck :)

Why hello there!

You guys can go ahead and say it. 

I have been the world's worst blogger lately.

It's ok. I know it....and I am so sorry!

My life has been hectic....but really good.

I have been busy with school and busy making great friends.

I have lots of fun stories to tell you....but for now, I want to talk about something that I've been thinking about a lot recently. 

You guys already know that I like to write letters to myself. This way, I can look back on where I was at certain times and how I have changed. I find them therapeutic and cool to look back on. So you should not be surprised at all that I have written yet another one :)

Dear Ashley the dreamer,

Lately, you have been feeling a little anxious. You have been crushing on different boys...and things seem to be going great....until suddenly, the progress stops. After this happens, you are confused. You do not understand what happened to derail the whole thing. You spend the next couple of weeks being happy on the outside....but miserable on the inside. But you know what Ash? Life is amazing.

Words cannot even begin to express all of the awesome things that are happening in your life right now. You have the most amazing friends a girl could dream of, a heart that loves others and desperately wants to make a difference in this world, an able body, a personality that is quick to laugh, and a Heavenly Father that knows you better than anyone will ever know you.

You probably don't want to hear this...in fact I know you don't, but maybe you are not supposed to be focusing on dating right now. 

Maybe you are supposed to be focusing on ways to be a better friend, daughter, disciple of Christ, and just a better person.

You can't force something to happen just because you want it to.

It is great to be determined and go after what you want, but it is equally important to realize where your priorities need to be.

Sometimes you just need to accept that something ended, and move on!

Before you get scared that you have lost your hopelessy romantic notions, do not worry!

You are still more than open to some tall, dark, and handsome stranger sweeping you off your feet, but you are just happy to also have both feet firmly planted on the ground right now.

Rediscover who you are and what your dreams are. There will be plenty of time for a white-picket-fence, cute kiddos, and the whole shebang...but there will not always be time to be selfish.

Dirty word huh?

I guess I just mean that it is okay to make your dreams come true. It is okay to think about what you want once in a while instead of what everyone else demands from you.

 Once you get married, you will not be able to be selfish if you want a happy marriage. The time for being selfless will come and that will be great too!

I guess what I am saying is that you need to take a deep breath....and just be happy!

Good things are coming...but good things are happening right. now. I don't want you to waste the time you have right now wishing for something better. Keep dreaming of Prince Charming. He's there, but you still have soooo much more to learn first!

Love,

Ashley the Realist

Quote of the Day:

"There are dreamers and there are realists in this world, you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not the opposite is true. See the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun. And the realists? Well without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground".

Why yes, I did just quote Modern Family :)

No more chasing for me!

What's new in your lives?

Wanderlust

Wanderlust  noun  "A strong, innate desire to rove or travel about".

Have you ever just had the urge to pick up and leave?

Maybe drive someone coastal and just walk around barefoot........feeling the grainy sand between your toes?

Or maybe, a desire to go to some remote cabin where you can build a monstrous bonfire and sip hot cocoa while you listen to the wood crackle. (ok....I must admit that this one is a little less desired during the month of October...creepy serial killers hunting you in the middle of nowhere? No thanks.)

I feel a little restless.

I want to have an amazing adventure.

You may not know this about me, but a huge part of me longs for the unexpected.

I am the girl that will try to pressure you to stay out just a little longer with me and go for a midnight IHOP run.

I am the friend that will convince you to skip town with me for the weekend....a weekend spent staying up late, laughing, eating, and sharing secrets, crushes, and stupid dramas.

I am a contradiction.

I long for stability, but I crave excitement and spontaneity.

I like to know where I stand with people, but I love for them to surprise me.


I love tough, brave guys; but I appreciate romantic softies that listen when I talk...and don't think I am crazy for crying at the end of Toy Story 3.


True story.

Sometimes I just want to veg on the couch while watching repeats of "Say Yes To The Dress". Other-times, I want to get all dressed up and have a rockin' dance party.

Sometimes, I feel that I get swallowed up in this great big world.

I feel that I am not reaching milestones that I should at this point in my life.

I feel that I am being lapped.


I look at where some of my friends are in their lives right now, and I feel that I am being left behind.

But you know what? That is okay.

I am working on finding my own version of happiness.....and I have to admit that my version is pretty darn great.

What works for one person will not work for me because I am different.

I have different goals, dreams, and expectations.

It's like what that old Lee Ann Womack song that is a staple on old radio stations says: 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger 

May you never take one single breath for granted 

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small 

When you stand by the ocean 

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens 

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance 

I hope you dance I hope you dance 

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance 

Never settle for the path of least resistance 

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake 

But it's worth making 

Don't let some hell bent heart 

Leave you bitter 

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider 

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance 

I hope you dance 

Life is short, enjoy it.

People come into your life, love them.

Never lose your hunger for adventure and knowledge.


Always look at the world with wonder and amazement.

The world is a beautiful place and has soooo much to offer :)

Quote of the Day

Who wants to go on an adventure with me? 


I'm pretty fun :)