Ashley Does: My Marriage Comes Before My Kids – And Yours Should, Too

Marriage is a union of two people who have promised to stick together through anything life may throw at them.

It’s sacred. It’s hard work. It’s rewarding. It’s exhausting.

Besides the relationship I have with God, my marriage is the most important relationship in my life.

It’s so important that I place it above all others – including my kids. 

Ashley Does: Mama Meltdown

I had a bit of a panic attack last night.

I am returning to work full time, after being a stay at home mom (and work from home mom) for seven years.

SEVEN. YEARS.

I thought I was fine. I have a goal in mind. Working outside the home is required for this goal. My girls are older now, I won’t be missing any firsts while they are in school or daycare. I’ve got this. Right?

So. Very. Wrong. 

Ashley Does: What (this) Mom Really Wants for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day.

If you are on the internet ever, there’s a chance you’ve seen the “What To Get Mom for Mother’s Day” videos going around.

Basically their message is leave mom alone. Let her sleep in. Do her chores. Give her the TV remote.

Don’t get me wrong…

Sleeping is in nice.

Having a clean house is nice.

Not having to adult is nice.

But you know what else is nice? Thoughtful gifts from my husband and kids. Their time. Their gratitude and appreciation toward me.

I hate the idea of Mother’s Day as a “day off.” I want to spend it with the people who made me a mom! And with MY mom! We are celebrating moms on Mother’s Day and dangit, I want to be celebrated. Not ignored.

Ignore me on Tuesday. Please. Please?

Please.

Ashley Does: Family Weekend

Let me just start with this statement: We are a fivesome of weirdos. We know it, we own it. We relish in it.

On Saturday morning, Joe and I were lying in bed talking about what to do with the day (while the girls made a mess of the kitchen and watched cartoons, of course).

The conversation went like this:
“What do you have planned today?”
“I have to go to the post office and be at church at 4:45 for nursery duty, but other than that we have no plans.”
“Cool! Want to go for a walk?”
“Yes!

So obviously we ended up taking a road trip to Laramie, Wyoming.

Ashley Does: The Father Daughter Dance

I remember my dad taking me to the Girl Scouts Father Daughter Dance. It was a Hawaiian theme. I was probably 9. I felt so grown up, I got to wear tights and fancy shoes and go somewhere with just Daddy. No mom, no pesky little brother, just me and him.

Can you imagine my excitement now, watching my husband take our daughters to their first Father Daughter Dance? This man that I adore, to whom I promised my life 9 years ago, is dressing up and taking his sweet baby girls to dance. Something he HATES to do. He doesn’t even take me dancing and believe you me, I’ve attempted every feminine wile I possess to change his mind. Strike.Out.