Today my guest is Ashley. Ashley and I met through my blog long ago maybe when I was pregnant with Harper and maybe even before. I can't remember when I didn't know her at this point! She lives here in my town and we met in person probably 8 years ago and have been friends ever since. I don't see her as often these days because we are both busy with kids and life but she is someone I LOVE to be around. She's just fun and she makes you feel so comfortable and like you really matter. She always has a positive attitude and is a great encourager. She has an amazing talent in decorating. I'm always amazed by what she does. She also just has the best hair. ha! She used to blog but doesn't anymore but she does have Instagram that you can follow her on.
1. What is your favorite Food?
Anything Mexican. I am obsessed with "taco tuesday's" and weekends where I can indulge in one of our favorite taco places. We love taco food trucks & the local spots for an easy inexpensive meal- & of course, chips & salsa!
2. What is your very favorite piece of clothing right now? (FASHION)
I am in full fall transition mode so I would say anything that is layering & hats! I love a good cardigan that is long that I can wear now with shorts, & then also put on during the fall with skinny jeans. When the cooler temps arrive I will be in skinny jeans & boots all day long! I always throw on a cute hat for accessory & for days that I don't get to was my hair! 
3. Tell us about your Family?
I am blessed to have family on both sides here in town. My husbands family & my parents both live 15 minutes from us so that is a huge deal. We spend a lot of time with them. As for us, we have our 2 precious children- Avery is 7 & in 2nd grade & Channing is turning 2 in Decemeber. Did I just say that? My life is flying before my eyes but I love every second of raising these children & watching them grow. My husband & I enjoy traveling & doing things as a family. We love to bike ride, & take long drives, & of course enjoy date nights together once a month.
4. What is the most important quality in your Friends? OR tell us something that a Friend has done for you that you can't forget.
As I have gotten older I have realized that "quality" is over "quantity" so that's been huge for me in the past 5 years of my life. I have realized that having a few constant friends that know everything, that is always there, that you can laugh with & grow with is GOLD. I am a people pleaser at heart so for so many years I tried to be EVERYONE'S friend until one day I woke up & realized that I can still be a friend without having to over exert myself; I learned that it's okay to put my family first & not have to say the dreaded "yes" to everyone, to still have friends. At the end of the day the most truest of friends have been present at the most important times of my life & have loved me through my worst. And, my closest friends I can go sometimes months without seeing each other and we ALWAYS pick right back up with a dinner or lunch & it's like we never even missed a beat.
5. What's something you have learned recently in your Faith journey? And/or share your favorite scripture right now and why or your favorite Bible Study or book you have read recently.
Four years ago when my Dad had a heart attack was when I decided to really wake up & walk the walk. None of us are perfect, but I realized during that specific time of my life that I was reaching most to God when I "needed" him yet wasn't as much desiring a "day to day" relationship with Him in the good times too. Sure I knew Him & loved Him, I even graduated from an amazing Christian School that I went to my whole life & grew up daily hearing about God. I knew better, but learned that it can't just be because I was taught or raised to be that way, I had to "desire" that passionate relationship & reach for it to get it.
God taught me a ton during that period of my life where I had to wait & trust God to heal my Dad that almost didn't make it. I learned that in life I am going to go through so many obstacles whether I deal with death, births or just good days or bad days- I will walk through a season of something no matter what each day & it's so important that I lean on God through it ALL.
I rededicated my life when I was pregnant with Channing. As an adult I was then full aware of what it meant to really have a relationship with Christ. Through all of this the past 5 years or so I found that the book of Ecclesiastes was just amazing. I learned that there is so much in this world we tend to conform to that at the day doesn't even matter. I learned that just like fall turns to winter & winter to spring, spring to summer.... our lives also have changing seasons. I have maturely learned to work through my emotions &lean on God rather than people to get through each moment of life.
6. What is your biggest Fear?
I hate spiders! But really, to be alone. I hate staying alone. I have never liked it & that will probably never change. It is something I have to constantly work through whenever my husband travels.
7. What are some of your Favorite things right now?
Some of my favorite things right now, hmmm- this is a hard one. I am really into fall coming up & into anything pumpkin smelling so candles & plug in's make me super happy in that scent. I am also huge into Trenta Starbucks Green Teas, iced! My friend Amanda got me into them years ago & I recently picked them up again. Add a splenda or 2 they are amazing. I am also into dark nail polish, short hair, & working out. Ugh, trying to get back on the healthy band wagon that I fell off when we went to Disney world! HAHA!
8. What has been your biggest Failure?
Some days I have felt like I have failed as a Mom. I wouldn't say "failure" but when I really started thinking areas I have at times felt I failed, it's this.
When I lost my job 6 months pregnant with Avery I was forced to be a "stay at home mom" when originally I had planned to go back to work. The months turned into years & now 8 years later I have stayed home with her & now Channing. In the beginning I felt like a huge failure. I had no clue what I was doing. My mom taught me a ton but I felt some years my heart wasn't in it. I am a busy person & have a hard time sitting still for too long. So those long days or even winter months when you are forced inside I questioned myself.
Now that it's been closer to a decade than not of being home, I have learned to embrace what I felt I was failing in. I have learned that not everything has to be as I see it in others, or as clean as I think it does... simply doing the best I can every day & loving them the best I can & teaching them about God & family & life is no way being a failure. It's my job & my calling &I have learned to embrace it all. (And like I said in the "seasons" of life, this is mine). 
9. What do you do for Fun?
I love going out to dinner. Trying new places & being with my family & friends on the weekends. I also like being on the trails in our town they have built this amazing trail system so I think it's so fun to go on them & explore & just walk with Channing during the days. I would say that my most favorite thing in the world to do for fun is decorate. You could close me into a room with nothing but decorations & I could transform some magic. I feel this is a huge gift of mine that I am super passionate about!!
10. Tell me about what animals you have? (Furry things)
No animals here, honestly I am not a huge animal lover but love other peoples animals from a distance! 
11. What is your favorite FILM? (movie)
I LOVE the movie the Holiday. I always love watching it over & over again in the winter, it's a good romantic. Other than that I would say anything that is a chick flick or a romantic movie.
10. What is one Fact we might not know about you?
I am obsessed with mysteries. I watch dateline every single Friday night & have watched so many of them that I have seen them all by now. I could seriously be an under cover cop &figure out all kinds of things... I love 20/20 & keeping up with the news & what is going on with the world. I bet people that know of me would never guess that about me, but it's true.
Don't you love Ashley? And don't you want to run out and buy a few hats now? :-) Love you Ash - thanks for joining us today!
Don't you love Ashley? And don't you want to run out and buy a few hats now? :-) Love you Ash - thanks for joining us today!
