Lions, Tigers and Tech! [Moto Zoo Crew Event]

How about an opportunity to go hang out at the Zoo with your family AND see friends along the way? When Verizon hosted their Moto Zoo Event this month and asked me to tag along, I was pumped! My kids don't EVER pass down a chance to run around and see the animals, and the fact that we went after normal business hours made them feel all sorts of cool.

We started our evening with the train and Reese told everyone behind her, "It's my BIRTHDAY!" [It wasn't. Her birthday was still two weeks away...] Then my husband and I tried to keep up [we barely could] while they ran to see the new tiny penguins. We casually led the kids to the Gheens Room where the event was being hosted and we were welcomed with food, an open bar and some cute Verizon hosted games like a bean-bag-toss.

There were kids running around galore and any opportunity we can get to socialize our own children [who have been blessed with an in-home nanny their whole lives], we try to! I also ran in to a few friends I hadn't seen in years AND I got to meet my sweet blogging friend Danielle, who helped host the whole thing! [If you don't yet follow her, you need to. She's super stylish, hilarious AND both of us have a daughter named Reese! Oh, and my kids were instantly obsessed with her, so there's that.]

After the crowd enjoyed their food and drinks and mingling, the Zoo brought out a few animals and the room instantly quieted. There was a little chinchilla [adorable!] and a hedgehog. Pierson and Reese were amazed and it was a really sweet moment for me to watch Pierson [who I think is our current biggest animal lover, he takes after his mama], hold out his hands and follow directions really well.

A special thanks to Verizon for putting on this event! They had their new Motorola Z Force phone there for us to try, as well as speakers and an awesome projector. They used the projector to show the kids some cartoons and the quality was insanely clear. [The cartoon was also super helpful because for my very energetic and social children, they sat and ate for a solid five minutes, high five!]

**Thanks, Verizon, for sponsoring this post and event! It was a blast!**

Reese Elisabeth Turns Three

How did this happen? How did three years fly by SO quickly? September 14, 2013 our daughter decided she was ready to be born and in five speedy hours, she graced us with her beautiful self. We were surrounded by so many friends and family, and most importantly for me, my sweet Mama [and Dad and brother Nathan] were here for the whole thing! They missed my son's birth just by minutes, so with Reese, they decided to be in Kentucky an entire week before she came! We missed them at her third birthday party, but my goodness how loved this little girl is! 

For WEEKS she talked about having a "Princess" themed party but kept saying that she really wanted a "Frozen" cake. So I found a picture of the cake and she was so excited. Nords Bakery has been our go-to for our kids' birthday cakes, and they went out of this world with this one! It looked even better than I dreamed, and Reese LOVED it! I thought if we did simple pastel cupcakes, they would look elegant enough and they definitely DID, thanks Kroger!

Shari's Berries sent THE most delicious treats I think I've ever tasted, their cake pops being my absolute FAVORITE. Within seconds of Reese blowing out her candles and us cutting the cake, the hand-dipped strawberries and cake pops were GONE. [I actually told one of my nephews that I really needed the *last* cake pop because I wanted to save it and eat it later that night, ha!] They even sent Reese her very own mini cake, decorated so tastefully with sprinkles. [We enjoyed the treats so much and got SO full at the party, that we saved the mini cake for her actual birthday--photos to come since her birthday is two days away] ;) 

I remember the second my sweet girl was set in my arms, staring down at her as she so easily nursed, and I thought, "She's done it... She's completed our little family, and I am so in love." For the first few months she was quite possibly the easiest baby in the world, which is saying something because her brother was textbook Babywise. She had some funky spurts, maybe a little colic or just tummy sensitivity, and I'll never forget our first Christmas with her... it was the first Christmas I didn't make it back home to Michigan because she was sleeping so terribly and I was way overly stressed out. But really, she fit so well in our family--she was the cuddly baby I had prayed so hard for, she slept perfectly in my tired arms, and I held so tightly to every single month of her babyhood. 

Now here we are... three years later, and I'm holding perhaps even tighter to the toddler years. The LAST year we will have a toddler! As exhausting as some of those two-isms and threenager bouts are, how I love these stages!! Reese wore her Frozen Ana dress for her party this year and later that night I told my mom, "She was just SO happy the entire time." Everything about it really was just magical." 

ProFlowers sent us some gorgeous bouquets for this special event and everyone complimented how gorgeous they were. They also lasted for an entire week after the party and there's probably nothing I love more in my house than fresh, beautiful flowers. 

Some of my best friends and ALL of our local Kentucky family made it for the party, and I was just reminded of how incredibly blessed we are. Even my brother and sweet sis-in-law came from Nashville, which meant SO much to Reese (and ME!) The cousins all cheered her on as she opened gifts, and at the end, she opened her very special doll house that my parents sent her. 

Reese Elisabeth. Our little firecracker, our adventurous spirit. She's beautiful and brave, curious and intelligent. And I thank every single one of you who help us love her! 

Favorite Phrases:
"Mommy don't put your hair up!!!!!!" [okay this one is actually most despised phrase...but hush]
"I love you to the moon and back." 
"Are you sweaty, Daddy?!" 
"I like your shirt. I like your hair. You look SO pretty!" 
"I poooooooped!" 

Favorite Books:
Pinkalicious
Pat the Bunny
The Bible Storybook
Frozen Songbook

Favorite Songs:
Fight Song
Stand by You
Let it Go
Oh Holy Night
Silent Night
Sunshine
Moon Song [I don't want to live on the moon]

No More When/Then: Finding Contentment in the Here and Now

Have you ever thought, "When I do _________ then I'll be truly happy." Or if you've probably heard, "You know, when I reached thirty I really figured myself out." And, "When I turned forty, I completely stopped caring what other people thought; I became more secure in who I was." 

Currently, the sun is setting, the breeze is blowing, our globe lights are lit on the deck, my sleeping grey cat is nestled next to me, and I just took a deep breathe.

In.

And out. 

I'm working through the marvelous book Wild and Free by two dear, Christian sisters. I've never been fond at writing in books because I've always thought, "What if I re-sell these or give them to someone else?" but recently I decided to highlight the ish out of whatever speaks to my heart. Talk about self-therapy! It's helped me process words and thoughts SO much more effectively. So on page 132 it says, "We weren't living our dream life, and we certainly weren't living anyone else's dream. But we were alive by the skin of our teeth. We were still together, still standing, and still calling on the name of the Lord." [highlight, highlight, highlight!!!]

Coming from someone who has always had the mindset: When and Then, that paragraph was a major conviction. I mean seriously, for the past few years while I've struggled immensely with finding contentment, my life kind of flashed before my eyes. Here I am, twenty-eight years old, a wife of almost eight years, a mother of two children and I have to stop and remind myself: "We are still together, we are still here, and we daily call on the Lord." 

Not too long ago I wrote an article called, "Why I Stopped Telling My Son to be Big and Strong." There I shared a tidbit of how I've literally wished my entire life away and how I am trying to teach him how to be present. I always wanted a boyfriend and longed for independence; then I moved six hours away and now desperately miss my Michigan home. I dated and longed for marriage (well, only when I had met my husband because prior to him I didn't think I'd GET married.) Then babies. Then a teaching degree. Then a Masters. Then photography. And more photography. And to quit my day job and to stay home with my babies. I've wished for my dream home--ya'll know which one: the white farmhouse with the wrap around porch (that doesn't yet exist or in the very least, we can't find it...)--it has chickens and horses and barn cats and gorgeous green grass for miles on end. 

But wait. 

My happiness can't, or shouldn't, depend on my circumstances. My life is not awaiting peace and complete astounding joy only WHEN I sit on that future (completely hypothetical) front porch. I don't want to "find myself" in two years when I turn thirty (omg..) I don't want to live in the When/Then state of mind anymore.

Sometimes I'm an emotional wreck over the fact that my kids are getting bigger. Newborns, a year, the two's and three's; all these years have been indescribable; they're wrapped in pure chaos but contagious laughter and sweet memories. I fear them getting older--will life be as sweet when they're five, six, ten, fifteen, thirty-five, fifty? All of you experienced moms to older children are reading this and saying, "Duh, Ashley. Don't be dumb." But this is only to show you that seriously, finding and resting in contentment is for ME, continuously challenging. 

I hope that wherever you are in life, you can take a moment as you read and breathe deeply.

In. 

And out. 

Do you have people in your life who love you? Do you KNOW that you are loved? That wherever you are, whatever you've done, you've accomplished some pretty great things? Life might not be going "as you planned." Your heart may long for something deeply; pregnancy, a baby, lots of babies, marriage, to be more fit, to be more secure, to find THE right guy or gal...

I don't know what you long for. But I have absolute faith that God does. 

If you have Wild and Free, will you please turn to pages 135-139? I won't sit here and type out word for word what these ladies say, but there is something here that really meant a lot to me and that I think YOU too will benefit from hearing:

"Wild women are secure in their identity because their eyes are on the Lord...Wild women live at ease with all their weaknesses and strengths, sin and spiritual gifts, because they are inextricably rooted in a God who covers and uses it all...A wild woman doesn't have time or space to feel insecure, because her thoughts and affections are for Him and for how immeasurably great He is" (135). 

Ya'll... I am a blessed woman. But I think you are too. As I sit out back, my kids are pulled up on the monitor via my phone and they are sound asleep. Crickets are chirping, birds are saying their good-nights. Tree frogs are croaking, my cat ditched me but my massive dogs lay beside me, helping me feel safe and protected. Right now there is no When/Then even remotely crossing my mind. Because for right now, God has met me here. 

"For I know the plans I have for you...Plans to prosper you, not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future"-Jeremiah 29:11

Hugs, Sisters and Friends. I love you all. 

A Tribe of Radiance

A long time ago, I submitted my first few articles to a blog called The Radiant Life Blog. Lo and behold, and much to my surprise, the founders e-mailed me some of the sweetest notes of encouragement and chose to publish them. Little did I know that as the seasons changed, that I would eventually be asked to be a columnist of an online magazine for the Motherhood section, by one of those same women. 

The Radiant Life Blog over time took some drastic changes. Founder Kelsey Chapman, stuck with the title Radiant for her current magazine, and after this weekend, I absolutely know why. Through Kelsey, God chose women from all around the globe to join together for two whole days to discuss dreams, visions, goals and share creative inspiration. 

"Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." -Psalm 34:5

Who would have thought, because I sure didn't, that so many women could be so diverse, all with incredibly unique stories and backgrounds, to share in one single vision: to empower women, near and far, all while seeking the Lord. 

Friday night I made my way to Nashville where I would be greeted by the sweetest, most genuine ladies who I am now blessed to call dear friends. On this Radiant Retreat, we shared our stories, what makes our hearts skip a beat, and then we laughed--a LOT. 

Amongst my notes of what I plan on saying yes to more, I wrote, "intentional and authentic friendships..." For the first time in just a really long time, I felt a sense of community that I've been lacking. As I sat in the middle of the living room couch, surrounded by these Godly women, I saw God's vision for my life come even more clearly in my head. "If I had unlimited resources and funds, I would own a horse farm, get paid to write and take pictures, and empower women and youth," I jotted. 

One way that I realistically plan to empower women is to continue writing two columns a month for Radiant. Am I the expert in Motherhood? Of course not! But I do feel called to be a mom and every single day I am so thankful that God chose ME to mother the two incredible children that I am. I also feel so blessed that walking beside me are 14+ contributors, writing about marriage, dating, fashion, beauty, whole living, fitness, music, and much, much more. It isn't ourselves that we are striving to work for though, it's 100% our Creator, who has helped make Kelsey's dream a reality. 

We aren't perfect. We don't have all the answers. We are going to mess up, make mistakes, and be in need of lots and lots of grace. But my Lord HOW beautiful that all is, am I right?! If you haven't yet made our way to Radiant Magazine, please go NOW. Check out ALL the lovely contributors that are there thus far; curl up in your favorite blanket with a cup of hot tea and read the wide assortment of columns and articles that await. 

A very special thanks to Meredith, who opened up her GORGEOUS home all weekend long, where she provided us with fresh linens, comfy beds, and lots and lots of coffee! I absolutely adore you, Girl, and am so thankful God intertwined our paths!