My Top 10 Christmas Movies

As there are only 10 days until Christmas, I thought I'd leave you with 10 of my favorite Christmas movies, with just enough time to watch one from now until Christmas!

My10 Favorite Christmas movies, in no particular order (because I really can't pick an order)

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 

(Available as an Instant Play on Amazon)

2.White Christmas

(Available as an Instant Play on Amazon)

3.A Charlie Brown Christmas

4.It's a Wonderful Life 

5.Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

 

6.How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

7.Elf

(Available as an Instant Play on Amazon)

8.A Christmas Story

(Available as an Instant Play on Amazon)

9.Home Alone Collection

(Available as an Instant Play on Amazon)

10.Miracle on 34th Street

Enjoy these movies, they are so fun for me to watch each year, unfortunately I wont get to all of them this year as we spent last night watching my husbands favorite "Christmas Movie" as part of the 12 day's of Christmas I'm doing for him this year.  I will write more about the 12 day's of Christmas for my hubby later after I do it, as I don't want to tip him off yet.  His idea of a Christmas movie is this, I still very much disagree with his classification however this year I indulged him, I may get stuck watching it every year now.  I think my list is much better.

Cheers!

Ashley

Toddler Tantrums

I am at a point where I don't know that I can handle much more of my tantruming toddler.  I ignore, make him stop to ask what he wants without whining.  I honestly don't know how much more I can take.  I have tried every tip in the book, and other than waiting them out I really don't know what else I can do.  The problem is, it grates on my nerves, it stresses me out it makes me feel like I'm going crazy. My fuse gets super short and I snap at him, my husband and my baby girl.  It's a problem that I'm praying through right now.  Maybe other mom's can identify?  The more tantrums he throws, the quicker my fuse runs out each time.  I know this is a frazzled nonsensical paragraph, however  I really am at my whits end with him.  Not to mention he woke up more than my 6 month old last night (5 times to be exact), which makes me an exhausted, stressed out mess today.

Any advice from other moms?  Tips to not allow it grate on your nerves while you ignore the tantrum?

What I am doing however, even through the tantrums that are slowly driving me crazy, is being extremely thankful that my sweet children are here to love and hug.  I will be giving them extra hugs today for sure.

Cheers!

Ashley

A Life Goal - slight personal detour

 A personal goal that has very little to do with homemaking, so feel free to skip.  I have been having a horrid case of writers block and this is the only think that would come out, so here it is.

Many of you will think I am absolutely bonkers for this goal, but as time goes on, I am feeling more and more drawn to it as something, that not only is my heart set on, but I am feeling called to do.  My day job is a ministry position at a church.  I love it.  I honestly truly feel that this is exactly where God has called me to be right now.  I have always had an inquisitive mind, I have always been curious about many things and a deep desire to figure out the, why and how and what it means for me.  My desire to learn this in one particular field has grown more and more over the last few years, and I have decided that I will make it a Life Goal. 

I want to have my PhD in Church History by the time I'm 40.

Crazy? Yes, I fully admit it is crazy.  I also know that it sounds rather dry and boring, however here is where the desire to study this has come from.  Working in an American church today, I have many questions that I have been unable to come up with the answers for.  My line of questions/thoughts went something like this:
Are we doing "Church" the right way? Is there a "right" way?  Is the way we are doing it effective in our current culture?  Do churches at all effect culture?  Does Culture affect the church?  How?  What is the relationship between church and culture?  What does the history of church and culture look like?  If we can look at past examples of the relationship between church and culture, what would they say?  Can we create an effective ministry strategy for today based off of our church history?

I have also always loved to teach and learn, and I think that after many years of practical ministry experience (which I am currently working on and will continue to do so) combined with a PhD in Church History, I would really like to teach at Biola University or another similar place, (but lets admit it, I will always have a special place in my heart for Biola) poring into the next generation of Church leadership. 

So there it is, I am looking into some great programs, but those come with a serious price tag and/or a physical move, which is something we are not willing to do at the moment.  I'm excited about this new direction God has placed on my heart, and while it will not stop me from working hard to become less homemaking challenged, it will challenge me to stretch my already thin time even more.  It will force me to come up with better ways of doing things which I am excited to see how that will happen.

I know that this has little to do with homemaking, but this is what has been on my heart and mind lately and I wanted to share it with you.  I know things have been more quite around here lately, I am working on fixing that.

Cheers!

Ashley

December Goal

As I reflect on my November Goals, I made progress on both, which I am so thankful for!  I not only did something new this month with my blog by vloging, but I also did some great brainstorming and have some great ideas about what is going to happen next.  I also did a bit better about getting somethings done.  It did however discover one thing that I am horrible at and DESPERATELY need to work on this month

Daily maintenance is hard for me.  I truly struggle with doing things daily.  Sure, I eat, drink, get stuff done for my kids on a daily basis, but when it comes to things I don't "HAVE" to do daily or things that I can put off, I don't bother with it.  I have been reading this great book Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George and while not only being a great read, has been really challenging to me personally. If you are looking for a book that will challenge you as a woman of God, this is a good one.  (Side Note: This really is a great book, and if you choose to purchase it if you could please do it through the link I would greatly appreciate it as I do get a small percentage of the sale.  I would not recommend something I didn't truly enjoy.  Thanks for helping support me and my blog!)

There has not been one specific thing I can point out that led me to this thought process, but basically I have come to the conclusion that I am an extremely undisciplined person.  I don't really know where and when it happened, but over the years the lazy part of me has crept out and claimed more and more of my time.  I know that part of it is the exhaustion of not having slept a good solid night of sleep in over 2 years due to pregnancy and babies, however I have been using that as an excuse for far to long.

For the month of December I am going to start a challenge for myself personally.  It may seem dumb and many of you probably already do this, but I am going to make sure that my daily list is done every day this month.  I am sick of seeing this things undone and being too tired to do anything about it before bed.  So I am going to each day create a list of things that need to be done before bed and do them, NO EXCUSES.  Help from hubby and/or kids is allowed.  The one main thing that will be on the list every day is dishes, and the other days will vary so that I can get more done on nights that I don't work.  For example, I work 3 evenings next week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) plus have 2 other nights with church related events (Thursday and Saturday).  So this coming week will be a great test run as it is my craziest week of the month, plus throw in holidays and traveling as well and if I can do it this month than I think I can do it all the time.

I am excited to start this challenge this month so that I can become less homemaking challenged.  What goals do you have this month?

Cheers!

Ashley

1st Vlog and linking up with House of Rose

As one of my November goals, I wanted to get more serious about my blog and start doing more and different things, one of the ways I have decided to do that is by linking up with one of my favorite blogs, House of Rose for a vlog.

She has a schedule and each time, we stop and talk about something we are thankful for or that is making us smile this week.  So here is my VERY FIRST video blog.  I had to film it quickly, but I think for my very first time ever it turned out decent.

If you are visiting from House of Rose, welcome and I'd love to get to know you!  Please feel free to leave a comment and say hi!

Cheers!

Ashley

Black Friday

My hubby and I braved "Black Thursday" this year.  It was perfect, we were out from 7:30 - 9:45pm and got our normal amount of sleep.  We also are splurging a little bit on me this year, for a gift and I'm really excited!  We got this great deal on amazon:

If you read this post, after Amazon's sale, the price may look high, but we got a really great deal and it is something I have been wanting for a good while now. While I love my iPhone for easy pictures, it is getting harder as I have two wiggly kids and taking good pictures of both of them is challenging.  I have missed so many moments between when I clicked the button and when the picture actually took. Hopefully this will help me not miss so many, and take some better pictures over all.

Hubby also scored some video games and movies (also a power tool but shhh don't tell him!). We also got some gifts for the rest of our families, and have very little shopping to do left.  Hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving, and  fun weekend!  My big boy is finally better, so hopefully I will be able to post some more this week, as I have lots of fun things to share with you all!

Cheers!

Ashley

My sicky boy

So my newly turned 2 year old "big boy" (as I can hardly call him my baby boy any more, though as every mom knows, he will ALWAYS be my baby boy, even when he is old and wrinkly) is sick.  He most likely got some nasty bug, the poor thing.  So things have been a little crazy and hectic around these parts the last few days, as there have been many sleepless nights and schedule juggling to take care of the poor sicky.  He was so delirious and sleepy after waking up way to early Tuesday morning, he put himself back to sleep, like this:

He totally passed out standing and leaning on his bed.  The poor thing!  He also passed out a few other odd places, playing with straws.

Hopefully he will be back on is feet in no time, we miss our happy, crazy boy.

Cheers!

Ashley

Photo's in our family

Taking pictures of our little family, is very challenging.  I have been looking for a decent one, (to display in our home as we have no pictures up currently) and well other than the one of us in our halloween costumes, it doesn't exist.  We have cute pictures of the kids, but we have cute kids so that makes it pretty easy.

My husband really doesn't like getting his photo taken.  Which usually means we end up with photos of him making faces like these:

The classic eye roll

 The glare

While my kids are adorable, the are wigglers, and not always easy to get the best picture of, also my toddler always like to try and grab my camera.

I guess we just have real life pictures around these parts.  Any one else feel the same way some times?

Cheers!

Ashley

Today you are 2

My Sweet Boy,

I can hardly believe that it has been two years, since you made your appearance in the world.  What a crazy and wonderful two years it has been. From your first moments in the hospital,

to your first days and weeks ate home you have continued to meat my heart and bring us constant joy.

as you have continued to grow, explore and learn more about the world around you.

As you have grown, you have also developed your own personality, you love to laugh, be silly and have fun.  You are thoughtful, and such a great helper.

This year, you also became a big brother.  Your sister is so lucky to have you.  She obviously adores you, and you take such good care of her and you are such a great helper.

You have so many interests, so many things you love to do.  What will you be when you grow up?

A singer?

An Artist?

A swimmer?

There are so many opportunities for you, I can't wait to see what path you take, just always remember that no matter what, you are always going to be my baby boy.

Love, 

Mommy