• Weekend Links

    January 10, 2020
    I wish I could find this online to share. It was a Christmas clearance at Barnes & Noble.

    The focus of today is books. I have always loved reading, and I still can’t believe I get to work in a library! It is so much fun to open the pages of a book and be transported to a whole different world. Some stories make you smile. Some break your heart. Some inspire you. I’m so thankful that all of our girls have developed a love of reading.

    I’ve been working on my Goodreads profile. It’s a fun and easy way to keep track of what books you have read/want to read/currently are reading. If you are over there, I’d love to connect! I don’t count the books I read to my kids or audiobooks in my book goal. Do you? My goal this year is to read 50 books.

    Speaking of books– Janssen always has the best printables. I printed small versions of this reading log for each member of the family. We are coloring a book with each that we finish for the year. I really want to have a giant one made. You can also snag some book quote printables for free.

    The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has a Mo Willems exhibit opening next month!! Sign me up!! Elephant and Piggie books were some of the first my girls read on their own. They played a huge part in developing a love of reading.

    What are you currently reading? I picked up The Great Gatsby to read for the first time. Something about entering the 20s made me want to read it. I read a LOT of the classics in college. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much from them since I took such a heavy course load and worked full time.

    It’s been a rough week in our house, and I’m feeling very thankful for the weekend. We are supposed to get up to 4 inches of rain tonight and tomorrow, which is bananas! It’s been a very warm winter so far, and I’m not mad about it. Happy weekend, friends!!

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  • Garden Planning

    January 7, 2020

    Have you seen The Biggest Little Farm yet? It is so good and so inspiring. To see what they did with dead soil and barren land was incredible. The hard work and dedication required to do what they did… goodness. Their self-sustaining farm is huge and so beautiful! It was just the kick in the pants that I needed.

    I am starting to think about garden plans this month. I don’t want to get close to Spring and feel overwhelmed by it all. If we can plan it out in advance and be prepared, hopefully it will go smoothly. Are you laughing also? I am. Nothing every goes smoothly. But, I do want to be prepared and educated.

    The biggest decision that needs to be made is WHERE the garden will go. Since we do live on a working farm, I want to be respectful and out of the way of it all. I know where the farmer’s wife put her garden back when they moved in many years ago. However, that is now where the septic tank is buried. It just had to be dug up, and I certainly don’t want to lose my garden if something should happen again. It’s not likely that it will need to be dug up again soon, but preparation makes me feel better.

    The chicken coop was going to be removed by the people who own it, but its been over a year and it’s still here. I’m guessing that they don’t want it. So, the question of the day– chickens or no chickens. If you have raised them, I’d love to know your thoughts. I’m going to read up on it all and try to decide. I’d love to have fresh eggs at my fingertips. But, we do have a LOT of coyotes around us, and I worry about losing our money to them.

    Scott and I are both really excited to be able to lay down plans again this year. Last year, we were unsure of when we would be moving, and did tiny containers for just a few plants. It wasn’t very successful. We do have a ton of seeds because we bought in advance last year. This is where we buy from. We are determined to make it work this year.

    Here are the books I’m going to read:
    Welcome to the Farm
    Mini Farming
    Chick Days
    Starter Vegetable Gardens

    If you are an experienced vegetable gardener (or berry bush gardener) I’d love to know your tips and favorite resources!

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  • Rediscovering ME

    January 3, 2020

    Happy Friday, friends! Is anyone else extremely lost after the holidays? I can’t figure out what day it is or what I am supposed to be doing. I even worked several days, but still felt like I had forgotten how to do my job every time.

    Moving on– I wanted to share something that has been on my heart for quite some time.

    Do you ever feel like you have lost yourself? I have. I have felt it for years. In 2009, Scott and I started our lives in full-time ministry. Slowly, I felt myself trying to fit myself into a box of what others expected of me. The way a ministry wife is supposed to walk, talk, dress, etc.

    I spent years trying to fit into the mold of what I THOUGHT I was supposed to be. I tried so hard to live up to others’ expectations of me. It was exhausting, and honestly why I feel like I have lost myself.

    I am not obligated to live up to others’ expectations. Neither are you. I am obligated to live a life that fully honors Christ. I have an audience of one that I am living for– and no one else. I’m learning to strip away the weight of expectations from others, and learning to embrace the woman that God created ME to be.

    I know that this does not just happen to ministry wives. Some women lose themselves in motherhood. This does not mean that “just mom” is an insult. I loved being a stay-at-home mother and would happily go back to it if I were able to. I mean that I lost myself to being a mom. I became so focused on meeting the girls’ needs and taking care of everything for them that I forgot to take care of me. I would skip meals, not take vitamins, and eat so much junk. I think this happens to most moms.

    It can also happen with family expectations. I have seen families that don’t see growth or change in people. If you were a certain way as a child, they still treat you that way as an adult. If you do anything different, you are treated as an outcast or made to feel like you have betrayed the family. I have seen it happen so often.

    Through all of this, I am learning to laugh more and have fun. I am remembering who ASHLEY is. Just Ashley, child of God. Not Ashley– mother. Not Ashley– ministry wife. Just me. I’m taking better care of myself. I am digging in deeper to God’s word– reading from my Bible and doing a devotion each day. I have learned that it is ok to be different and break the mold. Part of this re-discovery comes from stepping out of ministry and feeling so lost. Another part comes with age.

    It’s beautiful to realize who you are again. It’s beautiful to know that when we are back in full-time ministry, I will know exactly who I am– exactly whose I am.

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  • Happy New Year

    January 2, 2020

    Happy 2020!

    It’s been quiet on the blog– the theme of the past few months. Life has been crazy, as usual.

    Here’s a quick update: Addison got braces! What was supposed to be just six brackets on the front top/bottom ended up being a full mouth of braces. She also has expanders in the top and bottom and had to re-learn how to eat. She’s done awesome and has such a good attitude about it all!

    I ended up getting some obnoxious virus right before Christmas that made my asthma flare. I spent several days in bed because I would get so dizzy and out of breath if I got up. My sweet husband brought me meals in bed and made sure I was eating. He’s truly the best and most selfless person I know.

    My younger sister and her family have been in town. We’ve had so many fun holidays and activities. We have shared loud and crazy meals, which is such a blast. We’ve alsohad lots of quiet down time at home, and it’s been so lovely. On a warmer day, we went hiking, which felt crazy to do in December. It was so lovely.

    On Scott’s last day off, we decided to make a day of it. We went to Krispy Kreme to use a coupon I had– and we had the worst service ever. Then, we went to Barnes and Noble so Scott could finally use up a gift card that I got him for our anniversary in 2018. Book stores and libraries are our happy place. We ate lunch a Chick-fil-a, which feels like a wonderful first meal of the new year. HA! Since we were so close, we too the girls to Lincoln’s tomb. It was closed, so we couldn’t go inside. Addison loves to learn about Abraham Lincoln and was thrilled to get to see another piece of history. She’s going to be just like Scott.

    Aside from wanting to wish you a Happy New Year and give an update, I wanted to hop on today and remind you of the book club book this month. We are reading The Life-Giving Home by Sally Clarkson. Check it out from your library or purchase it on sale through that link. I think I will do one recap/discussion post at the end of the month and see how it goes. I would LOVE for you to join me.

    I need help coming up with a clever name for book club. Any ideas? My mind is still in a fog.

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  • Eggnog Cutout Cookies

    December 17, 2019

    Ingredients:


    1 Cup softened butter
    1 Cup sugar
    1 egg
    2 Tbsp whipping cream or milk
    1 tsp rum extract
    1 tsp vanilla
    2 1/1 cups all purpose flour
    1 tsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
    1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

    Directions:
    Cream the butter and sugar at medium speed.

    Add egg, whipping cream (or milk), rum extract, and vanilla. Continue beating until well mixed.

    Reduce speed to low. Add remaining ingredients and beat until incorporated.

    Divide the dough and shape into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the dough is firm (2-3 hours or overnight).

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll each dough ball in between two sheets of parchment paper. Cut them into desired shapes and place 1 inch apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. They don’t really rise or spread much, so don’t get too stressed about spacing.

    Bake them for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack and frost with your favorite frosting.

    We make these cookies every year for Christmas! They are so delicious, and we often eat them before we get the chance to frost them! When do frost cookies, we make a homemade frosting. I would share a recipe, but it’s usually a bunch of powdered sugar, a little milk, vanilla extract, and some palm shortening. You can also add a little rum extract for the frosting on these. I just play around until it’s the consistency that I like.

    Here are my favorite baking kitchen supplies:
    Kitchen Aid (love for cookies)
    NutriMill (love for bread)
    Baking Sheet
    Parchment Paper

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  • Festivity

    December 16, 2019

    Our town has started a tree-lighting ceremony before the parade. The kids got gift bags, made crafts, and wrote Christmas cards for people in the local nursing homes. It was so much fun!

    This month has flown by at lightening speed because of so many obligations. Now that programs and events are over, I’m hoping things will slow down and we can actually ENJOY the rest of the month. Here’s to hoping for a few weeks of rest.

    We had a beautiful snow storm last night that kept us home from church. We baked Christmas cookies and watched The Grinch while the snow fell outside. We were going to bake a lot of cookies to give to friends, but two of the three kids have TERRIBLE colds that sound like they may be turning into something worse. So, we made a batch of no-bakes and some eggnog cutout cookies. I’ll share the eggnog cookie recipe soon because they are good!

    This is our last week of school before Christmas break, and I may be more excited than the kids. Scott and I are getting no sleep with Harper being so miserable and awake all night. We’re so tired, and I’ll be glad to turn on Christmas movies every day and relax. Scott even took some time off, and I can’t wait to get time together as a family!!!

    We woke up this morning to a beautiful winter wonderland. I hope that wherever you are, you are able to slow down and enjoy the season– even if it includes snow. It sure is beautiful.

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  • Setting Intention and January’s Book Club Announcement

    December 9, 2019
    Swedish Anglaspel

    Several years ago, I won a big giveaway with Sarah Mae. One of the prizes was Ann Voskamp’s Unwrapping the Greatest Gift book. (Also, the adult version was a prize and is so good.) The girls and I have been reading each day’s devotion in the morning. It has been a great way to set an intention for the day. It has given the kids something to chew on through the day, and also gives them a task to complete. If you have children, I highly recommend getting Unwrapping the Greatest Gift and doing it each year with your children.

    I’ve been thinking a lot about intention. I want to be an intentional wife and mother. I want to be intentional in what I bring to the table in all that I do. I believe that deep down, we all do. I want all that I do to glorify Christ, and that starts with being intentional. I want to slow down and enjoy it all. To study your Bible each day, it takes being intentional with your time. It’s easy to say “not today” and skip it.

    I asked a couple weeks ago if anyone would be interested in doing a book club with me. I’m going to try it out for the month of January and see how it goes. Along with the theme of intention, I was very intentional with my January book choice. January’s book is going to be The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Request your copy from the library or purchase your own so you can highlight and make notes.

    “There is good news waiting for you in the pages of The Lifegiving Home. Every day of your family’s life can be as special and important to you as it already is to God. In this unique book designed to help your family enjoy and celebrate every month of the year together, you’ll discover the secrets of a life-giving home from a mother who created one and her daughter who was raised in it: popular authors Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Together they offer a rich treasure of wise advice, spiritual principles, and practical suggestions. You’ll embark on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing home-building and God-centered traditions; and cultivating an environment in which your family will flourish.”

    Not every month will be a non-fiction book, but I think this is a great choice to start the year. Even if you have already read it, I would love for you to discuss along with us! Please do so in the blog comments so that others can join in– versus on the facebook post where they get lost. If you have a book suggestion, please share!

    **Sally also has a book called Unwrapping Wonder coming out in August of 2020. You can pre-order it now.

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  • Relax – Regroup – Recharge

    December 3, 2019

    I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

    This package was one of the most exciting ones that I’ve received this year!

    Raise your hand if you have been curious about CBD oil. Great! If you want more information about what CBD is, you can go here.

    I had been so intrigued by it after hearing so many success stories. I suffer from HORRIBLE insomnia. I was prescribed a medication for it. The medication had not-so-great side effects. I was sleep-shopping and having so many random things show up at my doorstep. I didn’t remember buying them and some could not be returned. Needless to say- I quit taking that medicine. But, that left me feeling miserable and lacking in sleep. I also get restless legs at night. If you suffer from it, you know how miserable it is.

    After quitting the prescription, I started taking a common allergy medicine to help me fall asleep at night. I felt so sluggish the next day. Without anything to help me sleep, I spend hours trying to fall asleep. I wake up so many times through the night and am unable to fall back asleep. I was exhausted and so frustrated.

    The CBD PM tincture has been so great for me. I have been using it for a month, and feel like I can give an honest review. To use, I fill the dropper with the tincture and place it under my tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. Be sure to use it 30 minutes before for the best effect. I have been able to settle into sleep without my legs crawling– and without taking any additional medicine to help me fall asleep. I still wake up throughout the night, but I am able to fall back asleep relatively easily. The mint taste is honestly a little strong for me, so I prefer the unflavored.

    I take cbdMD premium CBD oil during the day to maintain my general well-being. The bath bombs have also been so good. When I was sick, I soaked in the tub with a relax bath bomb and it was so wonderful.

    I HIGHLY recommend giving these products a try. I am a sceptic by nature, and didn’t know if it was really going to work for me. I am so thankful that I was proved wrong.

    The cbdMD is THC free* and third party tested for quality. It will NOT get you high, as I know many are concerned about this. You can go here and see the process that cbdMD uses.

    I was shocked at how many products that cbdMD has! They even have a pet line!! You can use the promo code MOMSMEET to save 15% on your cbdMD order at cbdmd.com. Offer ends March 31, 2020. Free shipping on all orders.

    *THC-free means not detectable below the lowest level that can be consistently detected in dietary supplements using valid scientific analytical tools.

    I am not a medical professional, and you should seek out your doctors advice if you have any concerns. This is my experience with using cbdMD products.

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  • Cyber Monday Favorites

    December 2, 2019

    Most of these links are affiliate links. That means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase anything through them. Your price doesn’t change at all, but it does help me support my family. Thanks for your love and support all of these years.

    My Little Bend has a great deal going on through Saturday! I love hear leather earrings.

    Fabletics is having a HUGE sale. Up to 70% off!

    Amazon has tons of great LEGO/K’nex/ Tegu/Playmobil building toys on sale today. I really want to get some of these for the kids.

    J.Crew has 50% off everything today using the code MONDAY. My entire wardrobe would be J.Crew if I had my way. Everything is so classic with a hint of fun. This city coat is beautiful and on major sale!

    Board Games are up to 50% off! We always add a new board game to our collection at Christmas.

    25% off beauty and personal care products at Target. Nail polish is a fun stocking stuffer.

    Play-Doh up to 50% off! This is also a fun stocking stuffer!

    Mary Ruth’s Organics has tons of great deals on her vitamins and probiotics. She has the best supplements!

    There are tons of great deals on Coleman gear. Perfect for the outdoorsman/woman in your life!

    FitBit Lite Versa for less than $99.

    Up to 80% all of Wayfair’s website!

    We have and love these pillows. They are $9 today.

    I have similar shoes and get so many compliments! They are $10 off today.

    Midwest is best mug– $2.99!

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  • A Random Assortment

    November 26, 2019

    Hi, friends! It’s been quiet over here, so I thought I’d pop in and let you know we are all alive. I feel incredibly un-inspired, and it’s very frustrating.

    I’ve been down with some sinus misery for a couple of weeks. I’m finally coming out of it, and so glad. I should have a solid set of abs after all of the coughing through the night that I did. They seem to be hiding under a solid layer of fluff. HA!

    My mom, older sister, niece, and I all went up to Christmas on Vinegar Hill on Saturday. We always forget to get pictures together. I did however pull out my phone to take the above picture. The courthouse on the square is so beautiful. It is where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. The flooring on the second level is the same floor that he walked on. If you live anywhere nearby, it is worth the drive to go next year!

    Sunday, we did Thanksgiving with Scott’s family. It was fun to go to her house and stuff our faces. The past two years, I’ve hosted both families together. It’s always been fun, and our families get along well, but I realized that it may be nice to let each family have their own separate time. Plus, who doesn’t love multiple Thanksgiving meals?!

    I’m so excited because we are finally able to switch physicians. Our doctor can NEVER see the kids when they are sick. I don’t take them very often, but I had to take Harper to urgent care multiple times in May. They kept saying nothing was wrong and sending us home.. that was when she landed in the hospital in respiratory distress. The pediatrician who saw her in the hospital is who we are switching to and I could cry tears of joy!!!!!!

    While I wait for inspiration to strike, I wanted to share a couple great deals and fun things that I’ve found.

    Salt Fat Acid Heat is a best selling cookbook. The regular cost is $37, but is down to under $14 currently! I don’t know when this could change, so snag it while you can!

    How beautiful is this Swedish Anglaspel?! I may add one of these to our Christmas decor. Would it be wrong to keep one out year round? Also, I found a German Christmas Pyramid for FOUR DOLLARS this weekend!! Nothing is broken and it’s beautiful!

    Today, you can get really great deals on OSMO STEM toys. I’m a huge fan of learning with play.

    I just finished reading American Royals and it was a fun read. It’s a YA novel written as though George Washington had said yes to the crown. I NEED the next one to come out now instead of in the fall of next year.

    Yes please! Also yes! I love Janssen’s gift guide for book lovers!

    Last up in the random assortment– I was thinking about starting a book club on the blog. Each month, I’ll share a book that we can all read together. At the end of the month, I’ll post my thought and discussion on the book and we can continue in the comments. If there’s a book that you don’t want to read, you can skip the month.

    I used to say that I didn’t have time to read. a couple of years ago, I think I read three books. Last year, I read ten. This year, I’m up to 20 and still going. I put down my phone and read. I carry a book to appointments and read in the waiting room. My mom made one of these for me, and it keeps my library books safe in my bag. What do you think? I’ll make a list and share it in January so that you can request books in advance.

    I hope that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving this year. I am thankful for each and every one of you that support this blog and dream of mine.

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