Where I Belong - Building 429
This song is one of my absolute favorites right now. I was a vocal music major so I appreciate a lot about the song... But I can just completely loose myself in this song.
It speaks to me. On soo many levels.
See... This world is NOT where we belong. We were created for another world... By a Creator that is out of this world. I'm reading "Captivating" right now... I encourage you to read it if you haven't yet... Wow! As a woman it is showing me so much about myself... It's crazy. Anyways! The part I am reading right now is talking about how the whole earth is filled with HIS Glory... And how God delights in beauty and how He created beauty and that if we can see the beauty of this world... It's nothing compared to the beauty we will experience when we meet with our Creator face to face.
I'm glad I wasn't created for this world.
This world there are many pains and trials and tribulations... Things that aren't beautiful.
We don't belong here. We were made with eternity in mind. We were made to find ourselves and our true beauty in Him. And to finally be at home, in heaven, with Jesus.
My prayer is that MY true beauty will be one that comes from my Daddy in Heaven... and that it will point others to Him so that they too can know and go, one day, to the Home that they were created for. Our true beauty comes from our identity in Christ. That's the only way to truly radiate beauty and peace. Proverbs 31 says "charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting..." - Beauty IS fleeting... Outer beauty is anyways... But an inner beauty that comes from a walk with The Lord and knowing Him will never fade... And it will ultimately lead us to the beautiful place we were created for, Heaven... to be with our Heavenly Daddy for all eternity.
Whatever you are going through, it's only temporary. This life is only temporary. The beauty of this life is only temporary. I'm so thankful that Jesus came and died for me, in the world that I don't belong in, so that I can experience the Heaven that I was made for and the eternal beauty of my relationship with Him.
And that's an invitation for anyone and everyone... Are you ready to experience the most beautiful thing in this world that leads to eternal beauty and life with the Beautiful One that created you? I know I am.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Storm
I really haven't used this blog much in the last couple years, but for some reason I felt like God was calling me back to writing in it during this time in my life... I'm not going to write out details about what I am going through right now... but what I feel like HE (God - the not-so-scary-but-loving-big-man-upstairs) is showing me in my daily life and in our times together.
Soo... Here goes... And bare with me here because I have a.d.d.d.d.d.d.oh shiny.d.d.d.SPARKLES!!! Which totally makes me sound like a super duper girly girl... But I'm not... Maybe "SQUIRREL!!" would have been better than "SPARKLES".... and here we go with my a.d.d. and rabbit trails... You get the picture, ha!
The Storm.
Wednesday (June 12th, 2013) - It was a rough day. Thankfully I have some very close friends that I can speak candidly with and fear no judgement from them, only love.
I was very honest with two of my friends with my feelings and they said to me "Get out of the house... Start a project... Do something..." So I did. I went to the pool with an old church friend and hung out with her family and ended the evening at the lake.... enjoying the beautiful sunset and the kids splashing around in the water and laughing.
Our oldest daughter made friends fast, so she stayed the night... Which meant Thursday evening I was having dinner and enjoying karaoke night and picking my I-can't-believe-she's-a-middle-schooler-girl up.... About a 25-30min drive but I enjoyed the scenery and the company so it was worth it.
While out, I got texts from both my husband and my mother in law. My husband was at an event (he's a SPECTACULAR event/wedding DJ) and my mother in law lives over an hour away from us, north. Apparently there were some nasty storms brewing and they wanted to make sure the girls and I were ok. I don't do storms. At all. I am a big ole scaredy cat. My husband called even. He doesn't take time away from weddings to call... The wedding was being cut short because of the impending doom that was the weather (did I say I don't like storms??).
I was now in my father in law's truck. Driving home. 3 little girls in tow. 30min drive home... Looked up... And we were heading right into The Storm.
I could see it coming. I was terrified. I DON'T do storms. (just in case you didn't already gather that)
It got dark very fast. Lightning. Hail. Strong winds that moved the truck. HEAVY rain. Even pulled over at one point because I didn't feel okay driving in it.
I just knew that this was going to end up a scene from The Wizard of Oz and we were NOT about to be in Kansas (or Georgia) anymore. But with no sparkly red slippers to click our heels back to safety.
I don't do storms. And apparently I have passed that on to my daughters. I faked calm. I couldn't let my daughters see my fear because I wanted them to know it would be ok. We were on our way home... We would soon be safe.... I prayed. God knows I don't love storms and He could calm me, His child that He loves so very much.
Well... IT happened.
God spoke to me. HE spoke. TO ME.
Using my own words. To my daughters. To speak to me. In the middle of this terrifying storm.
My girls were afraid of the storm. In tears. Our conversation went something like this.
Me: Who is bigger than fear and this storm?
Kenz: God.
Me: Who could stop the storm if He wanted to?
Kenz: God.
Me: Who is in control and EVEN if He wanted to could make the storm stop just around our vehicle?
Kenz: God.
Me: Do you trust God?
Kenz: Yes, I do. Just this storm is scary and I don't like it.
Me: Do you trust me? That God made me your mommy for a reason and that I wouldn't do anything that would harm you?
Kenz: Yes mommy, but I've never seen lightning like this and it's bad and it's scaring me pretty bad.
Me: Well then, since God is bigger than it all... Let's pray and we will ask Him to comfort us and bring us through this safely.
Kenz: Ok mommy.
Me: You know, we can pray for God to stop the storm, and He could if He wanted to, but it doesn't mean He will. He could stop the storm completely, but we need the rain and He is control of the storm, 100% and He will take care of us, even when we are scared. ((...my words as we head into praying...))
God? Really? Is this what it's like talking to me? Your calming reassurance to me... When I am so frantic about what storm is going on in my life... Because you know that I'm going to be ok and that you have the power to stop whatever is coming to me... And that nothing comes to me, that you haven't first seen...
I love how God uses conversations that I lovingly have with my daughters to speak to me. I may beg and plead and cry for Him to stop the storm... But I need the rain. I may tremble in fear because I don't know if there is a tornado around the corner, but He says, I've got you Ashley in MY grasp, there is NO place safer than in MY arms. You may go through a tornado or a hurricane BUT I have authority of it all and it all obeys my command. Do you trust me?
Well... Of COURSE I trust God... I mean we all do right? I think we think we do, but not in the way He wants us to. He wants blind trust and faith. No matter the storm. We can't be safer than when we are completely lost and surrendered to Him.
I'm daily learning what it's like to completely trust Him with a child like faith. Yes, I have critics and nay sayers. But it doesn't matter. My God is bigger than them and bigger than my storm. He wants to carry me through the storm... He loves me soo much that He wants to sweep me up into His arms and carry me, HIS bride, HIS beloved, HIS child, HIS chosen one... Through the storms, the calm, the valleys, the mountain tops... Because He loves me and doesn't want me to go it alone.
God doesn't promise all rainbows and flowers for His children. He doesn't promise that we won't be tossed about. He doesn't promise that life will be "fair" - He only promises that HE is fair and that we don't have to go through life alone. He wants to carry us through the hardest times in life. He wants to hold us while the winds and waves try to toss us. Remember the "Footprints" poem/picture? The two sets of footprints and then only one? Yeah. That's how much He loves us. "Those are the times I carried you". Don't you want to be carried through the storms of life by the One that has the power to stop them all? I know I do. And I know He wants me there too.
There is peace that comes from knowing God. There is peace when you allow Him to carry you through the storms. He has a purpose for everything that we go through in our lives. We may never know the exact purpose, but He does. And we can trust Him.
Don't you want that peace? The knowing that no matter what happens, we/you will be ok? That we/you can face any storm that there is because we are in the arms of the One that can stop the storm with just a whispered "Peace. Be still." I know I do...
I leave you with these song lyrics from a song my dad shared with me (& had me sing some) when I was in middle school... Because life is FULL of storms... Sometimes God will calm the storms... But sometimes He wants us to look to Him in complete surrender, so that even though He isn't calming the storm, He can calm us-you-me, His child.
All who sail the sea of faithFind out before too longHow quickly blue skies can grow darkAnd gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white waterPounding on the soulStill we sail on knowingThat our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the stormWith a whispered peace be stillHe can settle any seaBut it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us closeAnd lets the wind and waves go wildSometimes He calms the stormAnd other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trialThat we pass through in lifeAnd though we're shakenWe cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats downOn those who hold to faithA heart of trust will always Be a quiet peaceful place
Soo... Here goes... And bare with me here because I have a.d.d.d.d.d.d.oh shiny.d.d.d.SPARKLES!!! Which totally makes me sound like a super duper girly girl... But I'm not... Maybe "SQUIRREL!!" would have been better than "SPARKLES".... and here we go with my a.d.d. and rabbit trails... You get the picture, ha!
The Storm.
Wednesday (June 12th, 2013) - It was a rough day. Thankfully I have some very close friends that I can speak candidly with and fear no judgement from them, only love.
I was very honest with two of my friends with my feelings and they said to me "Get out of the house... Start a project... Do something..." So I did. I went to the pool with an old church friend and hung out with her family and ended the evening at the lake.... enjoying the beautiful sunset and the kids splashing around in the water and laughing.
Our oldest daughter made friends fast, so she stayed the night... Which meant Thursday evening I was having dinner and enjoying karaoke night and picking my I-can't-believe-she's-a-middle-schooler-girl up.... About a 25-30min drive but I enjoyed the scenery and the company so it was worth it.
While out, I got texts from both my husband and my mother in law. My husband was at an event (he's a SPECTACULAR event/wedding DJ) and my mother in law lives over an hour away from us, north. Apparently there were some nasty storms brewing and they wanted to make sure the girls and I were ok. I don't do storms. At all. I am a big ole scaredy cat. My husband called even. He doesn't take time away from weddings to call... The wedding was being cut short because of the impending doom that was the weather (did I say I don't like storms??).
I was now in my father in law's truck. Driving home. 3 little girls in tow. 30min drive home... Looked up... And we were heading right into The Storm.
I could see it coming. I was terrified. I DON'T do storms. (just in case you didn't already gather that)
It got dark very fast. Lightning. Hail. Strong winds that moved the truck. HEAVY rain. Even pulled over at one point because I didn't feel okay driving in it.
I just knew that this was going to end up a scene from The Wizard of Oz and we were NOT about to be in Kansas (or Georgia) anymore. But with no sparkly red slippers to click our heels back to safety.
I don't do storms. And apparently I have passed that on to my daughters. I faked calm. I couldn't let my daughters see my fear because I wanted them to know it would be ok. We were on our way home... We would soon be safe.... I prayed. God knows I don't love storms and He could calm me, His child that He loves so very much.
Well... IT happened.
God spoke to me. HE spoke. TO ME.
Using my own words. To my daughters. To speak to me. In the middle of this terrifying storm.
My girls were afraid of the storm. In tears. Our conversation went something like this.
Me: Who is bigger than fear and this storm?
Kenz: God.
Me: Who could stop the storm if He wanted to?
Kenz: God.
Me: Who is in control and EVEN if He wanted to could make the storm stop just around our vehicle?
Kenz: God.
Me: Do you trust God?
Kenz: Yes, I do. Just this storm is scary and I don't like it.
Me: Do you trust me? That God made me your mommy for a reason and that I wouldn't do anything that would harm you?
Kenz: Yes mommy, but I've never seen lightning like this and it's bad and it's scaring me pretty bad.
Me: Well then, since God is bigger than it all... Let's pray and we will ask Him to comfort us and bring us through this safely.
Kenz: Ok mommy.
Me: You know, we can pray for God to stop the storm, and He could if He wanted to, but it doesn't mean He will. He could stop the storm completely, but we need the rain and He is control of the storm, 100% and He will take care of us, even when we are scared. ((...my words as we head into praying...))
God? Really? Is this what it's like talking to me? Your calming reassurance to me... When I am so frantic about what storm is going on in my life... Because you know that I'm going to be ok and that you have the power to stop whatever is coming to me... And that nothing comes to me, that you haven't first seen...
I love how God uses conversations that I lovingly have with my daughters to speak to me. I may beg and plead and cry for Him to stop the storm... But I need the rain. I may tremble in fear because I don't know if there is a tornado around the corner, but He says, I've got you Ashley in MY grasp, there is NO place safer than in MY arms. You may go through a tornado or a hurricane BUT I have authority of it all and it all obeys my command. Do you trust me?
Well... Of COURSE I trust God... I mean we all do right? I think we think we do, but not in the way He wants us to. He wants blind trust and faith. No matter the storm. We can't be safer than when we are completely lost and surrendered to Him.
I'm daily learning what it's like to completely trust Him with a child like faith. Yes, I have critics and nay sayers. But it doesn't matter. My God is bigger than them and bigger than my storm. He wants to carry me through the storm... He loves me soo much that He wants to sweep me up into His arms and carry me, HIS bride, HIS beloved, HIS child, HIS chosen one... Through the storms, the calm, the valleys, the mountain tops... Because He loves me and doesn't want me to go it alone.
God doesn't promise all rainbows and flowers for His children. He doesn't promise that we won't be tossed about. He doesn't promise that life will be "fair" - He only promises that HE is fair and that we don't have to go through life alone. He wants to carry us through the hardest times in life. He wants to hold us while the winds and waves try to toss us. Remember the "Footprints" poem/picture? The two sets of footprints and then only one? Yeah. That's how much He loves us. "Those are the times I carried you". Don't you want to be carried through the storms of life by the One that has the power to stop them all? I know I do. And I know He wants me there too.
There is peace that comes from knowing God. There is peace when you allow Him to carry you through the storms. He has a purpose for everything that we go through in our lives. We may never know the exact purpose, but He does. And we can trust Him.
Don't you want that peace? The knowing that no matter what happens, we/you will be ok? That we/you can face any storm that there is because we are in the arms of the One that can stop the storm with just a whispered "Peace. Be still." I know I do...
I leave you with these song lyrics from a song my dad shared with me (& had me sing some) when I was in middle school... Because life is FULL of storms... Sometimes God will calm the storms... But sometimes He wants us to look to Him in complete surrender, so that even though He isn't calming the storm, He can calm us-you-me, His child.
All who sail the sea of faithFind out before too longHow quickly blue skies can grow darkAnd gentle winds grow strong
Sometimes He holds us closeAnd lets the wind and waves go wildSometimes He calms the stormAnd other times He calms His child
Monday, July 25, 2011
re.made.
been working on the house lately. it's hard for me to work from home when my house is in disarray - that combined with being sick for nearly 3weeks and my life has been completely chaotic. if you follow me at all, you know i have a love for beachy things, shabby chic, vintage, etc... basically really relaxed colors and decorating... i want to be able to chill in my house and really chill.
when we first bought this sofa table, it was perfect for what i wanted, but since then i have come to love-it-not-so-much... it was time for some t.l.c. and t.l.c. is just what it got!! above is the before and after picture :) - it brightens up the room soo much and i LOVE it now!! it's like a brand new piece of furniture and all i had to do was buy a can of paint! :)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My 365
Well... I just found out today that APPARENTLY you are supposed to have a blog with your 365 photos in it... And I hadnt a clue. Sooo... Here is my attempt at maintaining yet another blog :).
Here it is:
my20eleven3six5.wordpress.com
Sunday, December 26, 2010
New Direction
Sorta... I have to warn people that may be reading this blog... This isn't a cookie cutter blog where you are only going to read what you want to hear. Very few times do I get to REALLY say what I think or feel about certain things... So I've decided to not sugar coat things. No, that doesn't mean reading this you will feel like you are amongst a bunch of sailors, but it won't always be roses and dandelions either. Soo... With that... you've been warned... :)
Friday, December 17, 2010
I have got to...
Go through my kids clothes! Whew... SUCH an overwhelming task and I don't do well with overwhelming tasks... AND I have a hard time getting rid of ANYTHING for some unknown reason... but they have too much... they have PLENTY of NICE clothes but for some reason they insist on wearing the grubby play clothes out in public... I do NOT get this! I'm seriously considering putting matching outfits together in plastic bags/containers so that if I'm not there to dress them, they don't go out in their play clothes or mismatched clothes and looking like raggamuffins... I mean they do pretty good a lot of the time but then others, I think they just throw on jeans and a shirt and shoes and pay no attention to if it's a good shirt, play shirt or if it matches their shoes and/or hairbow/band that they have on...
Any suggestions? Like... How many "good outfits" to "play outfits" do you keep, etc?
Any suggestions? Like... How many "good outfits" to "play outfits" do you keep, etc?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
frustrated mom mode
I'm a bit of a free spirit and not naturally organized to begin with. Add to that I have 3 little girls (8, 5, and 2), I work for myself (from home), and my husband works retail hours. The oldest two are in elementary school and the youngest is in pre-k two days a week. On top of this, in October I was in a car accident, not my fault, and my vehicle was totaled, so my middle daughter and I have been in and out of doctor and chiropractor visits since then and some days have been completely lost due to back pain, etc. Throw in the holidays, a kindergartner that's struggling in school (we think she may have mild dyslexia), the haunting thoughts that I have when I forget anything, knock something over, trip over my feet, get upset (all things my mom did constantly with Huntington's disease, which my siblings and I are all at risk for), having to watch my diet and exercise because my blood pressure has been up (and the family history of high bp & cholesterol), homework, bills to pay, phone calls to return, emails to return, and trying to make it to church on time on Sundays... and that's me... in a word - chaotic, I'd love to refer to myself as chaotic elegance but trust me, there is nothing elegant in anything I do.
I'm scared I don't know how to be a good mom. My oldest wrote something for me and titled it "Sensational Mom", I cried... I fall soo short of being a sensational mom that it's not even funny. She said I'm one of her heroes... And I'm not really sure what I have ever done to be a hero to her. I look at all these moms that seem to have it all together, even ones that work in the home or outside the home, kids in sports, etc, and I wonder what on earth is wrong with me that I have to bust my butt to clean my house if company is coming over because it's not in "drop in" condition, that my meals RARELY have the daily recommended nutritional value, that my life is soo hectic even without all the extras that these other moms have in their lives.
Sometimes I blame my mom's illness... But I really don't blame it all the time because even though mom was sick, I know the things that have to be done and I really feel like I should be 100% capable of being super mom and doing it all, but dadgumit if there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all! I constantly wonder what God was thinking when He allowed me to be a mom to three incredible little girls, who I feel, deserve soo much more than I can ever give to them or show them how to be. I feel like my girls are doomed to live their entire lives in chaos because that's how I feel we do now. I don't want that for them. I want better for them. And honestly, I don't think I have any clue how to do it.
If my house is clean, my work is behind. If my work is caught up, my house is a wreck. If I have play time with the kids, dinner is a rush to be made and bedtime ritual goes right out the door. If I work out, my work time and my cleaning time is cut short because I do that when the kids are at school. Where is the balance? How do single moms do it? How do married moms that work do it? There has to be some magical thing that I am missing out on... Either that or there really is something wrong with me... (though that certainly wouldn't be the first time that's been an accusation, I don't want to feel like somethings wrong with me)...
Okay... Venting session done... Now... Any helpful suggestions from you moms who have it together or have been there and know what works and what doesn't? I'm willing to try anything...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
my new house...
so I LOVE decorating (and a lot of other things...) but I wanted to share a few pictures of my new AND ADORABLE home!!
Check it out!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wow... It's been a LONG while!!
So, I'm just looking at this and seeing that the last time I blogged was March 16th... And that's a LONG time and a lot has happened since then!
Schools gotten out and almost back in.
My business has grown (Praise the Lord!)
New people in my life... Amazing!!
New goals... New mentality... Lotsa new things I guess you could say...
God's definitely been real to us. And I'm grateful, I don't deserve Him or His love... I will write more tomorrow... I promise, but now I'm going to bed... Well actually going to watch a movie with my hubby and then go to bed.
Check out my new photography blog site: http://www.ashleybrawner.com - I LOVE IT!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
it's. been. real.
so since my last blog, a LOT has happened... a lot of emotions, etc etc etc
I've definitely gotten some good girl time in lately with different friends, all of which has been MUCH needed. Work has picked up and that's great.
It's also been one of those why-did-God-see-fit-to-let-me-be-a:
mom
wife
self-employed
nanny
nurse
cook
maid
baker
personal shopper
taxi
etc
etc
etc
He obviously sees something in me that I am constantly trying to learn about myself. Why am I worthy? Why does He love me?
Because He does...Nuff said. Because He says so...Something I say to my kids all the time "because I said so" but just like with my own children, that doesn't always seem to be a "good enough" answer...And it should be enough.
It should be enough that the Creator of the Universe loved/s me enough that He wanted me here. So why is it so hard? I have no idea...but I know it has to do with my human nature and my sin nature. But now...I have to constantly have to remind myself and rest in the knowledge that He is enough and His reasons are enough. And I'm blessed because of it.
It's also been one of those why-did-God-see-fit-to-let-me-be-a:
mom
wife
self-employed
nanny
nurse
cook
maid
baker
personal shopper
taxi
etc
etc
etc
He obviously sees something in me that I am constantly trying to learn about myself. Why am I worthy? Why does He love me?
Because He does...Nuff said. Because He says so...Something I say to my kids all the time "because I said so" but just like with my own children, that doesn't always seem to be a "good enough" answer...And it should be enough.
It should be enough that the Creator of the Universe loved/s me enough that He wanted me here. So why is it so hard? I have no idea...but I know it has to do with my human nature and my sin nature. But now...I have to constantly have to remind myself and rest in the knowledge that He is enough and His reasons are enough. And I'm blessed because of it.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
end of week 1
end of week 1 -
not at the gym once.
girl scout cookies came out - nuff said.
church was good but quiet times seem to be lacking, fixing this immediately.
my youngest had started repeating prayers at night with us, makes my heart happy.
enjoyed several conversations with old friends, reminiscing is a good thing, brings a smile to my face and my heart
been using cvs extra care bucks! AND lots of coupons at CVS and Publix...
i think i'm getting the hang of it...and i'm REALLY enjoying saving money and seeing my savings!
my oldest was tested this week for advanced placement = i'm a proud mama! she's so smart.
skin care regimen is going well...i'm loving philosophy's "make up optional" line
oh! and i'm doing a clarifying face mask and/or dermabrasion mask once a week
my middle girls party was this weekend...i'm very proud of the cake i made her, she's such a princess!
had a MUCH needed girls night on Friday night...then got home and couldn't sleep!
lol, oh well, time with other mommies is a much needed thing
oh! and I mixed up zambonees with "Bambino" ...yes...i called mistakingly called the zambonee "the bambino" - needless to say others around me enjoyed a good laugh
had a fun evening with friends last night and wednesday night...all around it was a pretty good week.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
your face.
perhaps it's an early midlife crisis...or the fact that my ten year reunion is in less than two months but i've been freaking out about my skin lately. yes. seriously.
i'm trying to be prepared for further skin issues while attempting to maintain a youthful appearance to my skin. i'm also trying to learn the things that i can do and teach my girls early on so they'll know...and in a way i kinda feel like i'm cheating my girls since my mom was very sick and died when i was pretty young. i've had to do a lot of googling and a lot of asking other women in my life, like my grandmother(who passed away almost 6yrs ago), my aunts, my mother in law, skin care pro's etc. i want to be able to show my girls things and share in those mother moments with them that i wish i would have had with my mom but never got the chance.
so! in my effort to figure out how to best treat my skin...i've learned and am learning a lot of things that i can and should be doing with them. i've gotten some face wipes for the girls so that in the mornings when we are brushing our teeth together, they can get into the habit of washing their faces as well...which has been pretty fun because now they want to do face masks once a week with me too :). they've even enjoyed to sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate the skin on their feet, hands, knees, and elbows - it smells like chocolate, what girl wouldn't love that?! i'm learning new things and trying to share them with my girls...they are so silly! they really enjoy the pampering of getting all lotioned up after bath time with a pretty smelling girly lotion. it's been fun and it seems to be a little of a stress reliever because instead of trying to get into what i'm doing, they have their own things that they can use and do what mommy is doing :).
and now to share with you what others have shared with me about some skin care products, remedies, etc - everyone's skin and body is different so what may work for you may not work for someone else, so before you give up, try a few different things...and you don't have to break the bank to do so:
proper/balanced diet
hyrdration(drinking lots of water)
preparation h(no i'm not kidding) - rub a little under your eyes, my girlfriends swear by it!
tea bags(wet ones) - just rest them on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes at night before your nightly skin care regimen
spoons(yes weird i know) - stick them in the freezer 1-2 minutes and apply to eyes 10-15minutes
compress(hot and/or cold)
cold cucumbers - rest them on your eyes for about ten minutes, lying flat on your back
cold eye cream - keep your eye cream in the fridge
peppermint tea - put the dry tea bags on your eyes
clear/radiant skin:
SLEEP
proper/balanced diet
hydration(lots and lots of water)
good ole' soap and water
Mary Kay Timewise
Avon's version of ProActive
Cerave(dermatologists recommended)
Clinique
ProActive
Acutane
Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
AcneFree
Noxema
Clearasil
Arbonne
Beauticontrol
Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn bar soap(Dr Oz recommended)
Shakelee
Philosophy
Dermatologica
i'm trying to be prepared for further skin issues while attempting to maintain a youthful appearance to my skin. i'm also trying to learn the things that i can do and teach my girls early on so they'll know...and in a way i kinda feel like i'm cheating my girls since my mom was very sick and died when i was pretty young. i've had to do a lot of googling and a lot of asking other women in my life, like my grandmother(who passed away almost 6yrs ago), my aunts, my mother in law, skin care pro's etc. i want to be able to show my girls things and share in those mother moments with them that i wish i would have had with my mom but never got the chance.
so! in my effort to figure out how to best treat my skin...i've learned and am learning a lot of things that i can and should be doing with them. i've gotten some face wipes for the girls so that in the mornings when we are brushing our teeth together, they can get into the habit of washing their faces as well...which has been pretty fun because now they want to do face masks once a week with me too :). they've even enjoyed to sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate the skin on their feet, hands, knees, and elbows - it smells like chocolate, what girl wouldn't love that?! i'm learning new things and trying to share them with my girls...they are so silly! they really enjoy the pampering of getting all lotioned up after bath time with a pretty smelling girly lotion. it's been fun and it seems to be a little of a stress reliever because instead of trying to get into what i'm doing, they have their own things that they can use and do what mommy is doing :).
and now to share with you what others have shared with me about some skin care products, remedies, etc - everyone's skin and body is different so what may work for you may not work for someone else, so before you give up, try a few different things...and you don't have to break the bank to do so:
under eye bags:
SLEEP proper/balanced diet
hyrdration(drinking lots of water)
preparation h(no i'm not kidding) - rub a little under your eyes, my girlfriends swear by it!
tea bags(wet ones) - just rest them on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes at night before your nightly skin care regimen
spoons(yes weird i know) - stick them in the freezer 1-2 minutes and apply to eyes 10-15minutes
compress(hot and/or cold)
cold cucumbers - rest them on your eyes for about ten minutes, lying flat on your back
cold eye cream - keep your eye cream in the fridge
peppermint tea - put the dry tea bags on your eyes
clear/radiant skin:
proper/balanced diet
hydration(lots and lots of water)
good ole' soap and water
Mary Kay Timewise
Avon's version of ProActive
Cerave(dermatologists recommended)
Clinique
ProActive
Acutane
Neutrogena Oil Free Cleanser
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
AcneFree
Noxema
Clearasil
Arbonne
Beauticontrol
Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn bar soap(Dr Oz recommended)
Shakelee
Philosophy
Dermatologica
now I realize this is QUITE a list just for a daily skin care regimen for your face but like I said above, no two people have the exact same skin so what may work for you, may not work for someone else...this is a just a list compiled of some of my friends and their recommendations...some things i have used and some i have not...right now though, i am planning on giving several of these products a go and see what i like best and what works best for me and i will definitely report back to you on that one :) and if you are like me, you want to get in the habit of taking the best care possible of your skin!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
detoxifying.
detoxification - beginning of week 1
i've given a lot of thought to doing a full system cleanse with my diet because i have lost almost 35lbs so far and seem to be at a stand still. so. i looked at several detox kits, etc...and i realized that i needed to detox myself in more than just one way...i need/ed a full system overhaul! and you get to come along with me for ride...this is the beginning of week 1! and all these are things that i want to implement with my daughters and so far they are having so much fun with it...they like being girly and getting pampered :)
stage 1- diet & exercise
*cutting out all fried food, all junk food, sodas
*only drinking water, milk and natural juices
*only eating fresh foods(when possible)
*1hr of cardio a day with weight/resistance training as well
stage 2 - skin care
*exfoliating & moisturizing daily
*weekly detox/cleansing/microdermabrasion treatment
*increase water intake
stage 3 - home
*household/housework schedule
*time with family
stage 4 - mental & emotional
*me time...and expressing the importance of me time to my girls...much reading will occur during this time i'm sure
stage 5 - relational
*being intentional with my friendships and all relationships in my life, family, friends, acquaintances, etc
stage 6 - learning
*to learn something new everyday...and to further explore all my interests be it learning a new song, a new cake to make, a new way to decorate something, a new fact about my camera/photography, etc
stage 7 - spiritual
*get in the Word...consistently because everyone needs their cup filled and this is the most important thing that we can pass on to our children...how to have a relationship with our Father
*increase living water intake
ps- today was a splurge day as i did indulge in lots of heavenly edible goodness at a bridal show with my dear friend Katie followed by the goodness that is known as Moe's...there is never a shortage of interesting things that happen when she and I are together for some reason and today was no exception! lol! but we def ended the day with a yummy splurge! so on to hitting it all hard core tomorrow morning!! won't you join me??
i've given a lot of thought to doing a full system cleanse with my diet because i have lost almost 35lbs so far and seem to be at a stand still. so. i looked at several detox kits, etc...and i realized that i needed to detox myself in more than just one way...i need/ed a full system overhaul! and you get to come along with me for ride...this is the beginning of week 1! and all these are things that i want to implement with my daughters and so far they are having so much fun with it...they like being girly and getting pampered :)
stage 1- diet & exercise
*cutting out all fried food, all junk food, sodas
*only drinking water, milk and natural juices
*only eating fresh foods(when possible)
*1hr of cardio a day with weight/resistance training as well
stage 2 - skin care
*exfoliating & moisturizing daily
*weekly detox/cleansing/microdermabrasion treatment
*increase water intake
stage 3 - home
*household/housework schedule
*time with family
stage 4 - mental & emotional
*me time...and expressing the importance of me time to my girls...much reading will occur during this time i'm sure
stage 5 - relational
*being intentional with my friendships and all relationships in my life, family, friends, acquaintances, etc
stage 6 - learning
*to learn something new everyday...and to further explore all my interests be it learning a new song, a new cake to make, a new way to decorate something, a new fact about my camera/photography, etc
stage 7 - spiritual
*get in the Word...consistently because everyone needs their cup filled and this is the most important thing that we can pass on to our children...how to have a relationship with our Father
*increase living water intake
ps- today was a splurge day as i did indulge in lots of heavenly edible goodness at a bridal show with my dear friend Katie followed by the goodness that is known as Moe's...there is never a shortage of interesting things that happen when she and I are together for some reason and today was no exception! lol! but we def ended the day with a yummy splurge! so on to hitting it all hard core tomorrow morning!! won't you join me??
Saturday, February 20, 2010
projects.
projects...i have several i am working on right now, so i thought i'd share a little with you...hope you enjoy!
i've been wanting for sometime now to paint my bedroom a very soft color... here are two that i'm deciding between...though i'm having quite a hard time determining which one i like better and which color will better serve it's purpose:
or something like this kinda pale aqua/turquoise color:
i'm also currently switching around my youngest daughter's bedroom to transition her from the crib to the big girl bed! this is the bedding she has...and i ADORE it! my *plan* is to paint her room a pale pink or green and paint the headboard and footboard pink...i think it will be LOVELY!!
oh...and here are a few finds i've been meaning to do something with for some time now...and just for those of you who think you can't find anything good at goodwill...think again! the two mirrors($5 total) on the left and the chandelier($5) were all thrift store finds, as was the large piece of furniture($45!!! Seriously!!) and then the mirror on the far right was also a piece that i've had for a while, that i found on craigslist($15) and then the bottles($5 total), I found various places(antique stores, my sister's neighborhood, etc) - i've decided that these items have waited long enough and if i don't do something with them now, i will have no choice but to part with them...so i'm doing something with them! can't wait to share the progress of these projects with you!!
oh! and if you get bored...i *am* a full time photographer, and i'd love to take care of you!...so stop on by and check out my photography blog: ashleybrawnerphotography.blogspot.com and my side project, cake blog: simplychiccakes.blogspot.com
i've been wanting for sometime now to paint my bedroom a very soft color... here are two that i'm deciding between...though i'm having quite a hard time determining which one i like better and which color will better serve it's purpose:
this kinda grey color...maybe a little paler grey than this, we'll see...
or something like this kinda pale aqua/turquoise color:
i'm also currently switching around my youngest daughter's bedroom to transition her from the crib to the big girl bed! this is the bedding she has...and i ADORE it! my *plan* is to paint her room a pale pink or green and paint the headboard and footboard pink...i think it will be LOVELY!!
oh...and here are a few finds i've been meaning to do something with for some time now...and just for those of you who think you can't find anything good at goodwill...think again! the two mirrors($5 total) on the left and the chandelier($5) were all thrift store finds, as was the large piece of furniture($45!!! Seriously!!) and then the mirror on the far right was also a piece that i've had for a while, that i found on craigslist($15) and then the bottles($5 total), I found various places(antique stores, my sister's neighborhood, etc) - i've decided that these items have waited long enough and if i don't do something with them now, i will have no choice but to part with them...so i'm doing something with them! can't wait to share the progress of these projects with you!!
oh! and if you get bored...i *am* a full time photographer, and i'd love to take care of you!...so stop on by and check out my photography blog: ashleybrawnerphotography.blogspot.com and my side project, cake blog: simplychiccakes.blogspot.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
ashley moments.
ashley moments/pulling an ashley.
a term lovingly given by many of my family members for my foot-in-mouth moments.
aside from the fact that i *really* need to laugh at myself right now...
i've decided that maybe...just maybe...i'm not alone in my foot-in-mouth moments...so! i'm going to share some of the favorites and hope you'll share some of yours with me! i'd love to know that i'm not alone! soo...read! and enjoy! and don't forget to leave me some of your best foot-in-mouth moments!
*know what something means BEFORE yelling it around families at DISNEY*
so, we were on the boat for Tom Sawyer Island at Disney with my in-laws and it was very crowded...so i thought i'd be funny and said "don't drop the soap" followed by the weirdest looks i had seen all day, given to me, along with my father in law telling me to "shhhhhhhsh" - see i've always thought that meant that it was too crowded to lean down and pick up something if you dropped it...needless to say i was wrong and i quickly learned that!
*always check maps*
on a family trip to Kentucky, my in-laws told me there was a spot on the river that you could see across to other states, namely Missouri, well...I was convinced they were trying to pull one over on me(as the often do) and I explained to them that they were WAY wrong because Missouri was one of those square states up near Montana that you have to drive to PA to get too...I was *a little* wrong...In my defense though I was *very* pregnant!! and geography isn't my strongest subject
*check before sending*
i've been married for 8yrs and am very flirty and affectionate with my hubby...in an effort to be a little flirty I sent my hubby a private message to his cell phone from my phone (i had also been messaging with my mother in law). about ten minutes later i get a message from my mother in law "I don't think you really want to see that"...yeah...turns out i had given my MIL a VERY good laugh when she opened a message from me that said "be naked when i get home" - she posted this on facebook...yeah...she loves me...
*marines & nicknames*
i get pretty confident when i think i'm right about something...especially nicknames...and my father in law is a marine(not former, not ex...once a marine ALWAYS a marine, another lesson i had to learn)...marines are affectionately known as jarheads...yeah...apparently i misunderstood and in a conversation with my father in law, i, very matter-of-factly, called him a jughead...yeah, thats a comic, not a term for marines.
there are MANY more...but i'll leave those to the imagination for now ;)...i'd love to HEAR some of your "Ashley moments"
a term lovingly given by many of my family members for my foot-in-mouth moments.
aside from the fact that i *really* need to laugh at myself right now...
i've decided that maybe...just maybe...i'm not alone in my foot-in-mouth moments...so! i'm going to share some of the favorites and hope you'll share some of yours with me! i'd love to know that i'm not alone! soo...read! and enjoy! and don't forget to leave me some of your best foot-in-mouth moments!
*know what something means BEFORE yelling it around families at DISNEY*
so, we were on the boat for Tom Sawyer Island at Disney with my in-laws and it was very crowded...so i thought i'd be funny and said "don't drop the soap" followed by the weirdest looks i had seen all day, given to me, along with my father in law telling me to "shhhhhhhsh" - see i've always thought that meant that it was too crowded to lean down and pick up something if you dropped it...needless to say i was wrong and i quickly learned that!
*always check maps*
on a family trip to Kentucky, my in-laws told me there was a spot on the river that you could see across to other states, namely Missouri, well...I was convinced they were trying to pull one over on me(as the often do) and I explained to them that they were WAY wrong because Missouri was one of those square states up near Montana that you have to drive to PA to get too...I was *a little* wrong...In my defense though I was *very* pregnant!! and geography isn't my strongest subject
*check before sending*
i've been married for 8yrs and am very flirty and affectionate with my hubby...in an effort to be a little flirty I sent my hubby a private message to his cell phone from my phone (i had also been messaging with my mother in law). about ten minutes later i get a message from my mother in law "I don't think you really want to see that"...yeah...turns out i had given my MIL a VERY good laugh when she opened a message from me that said "be naked when i get home" - she posted this on facebook...yeah...she loves me...
*marines & nicknames*
i get pretty confident when i think i'm right about something...especially nicknames...and my father in law is a marine(not former, not ex...once a marine ALWAYS a marine, another lesson i had to learn)...marines are affectionately known as jarheads...yeah...apparently i misunderstood and in a conversation with my father in law, i, very matter-of-factly, called him a jughead...yeah, thats a comic, not a term for marines.
there are MANY more...but i'll leave those to the imagination for now ;)...i'd love to HEAR some of your "Ashley moments"
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
my kids are the best.
My kids have been making me laugh and smile a lot today...And I've needed it! So, I thought I would share a few of the things that they do that put a smile on my face and maybe it will bring a smile to your face too. I think that the stages that children go through are, in many ways, a gift from God. I know that even on my worst days, something is going to happen, with my kids, that is going to crack me up!!
A, my youngest love to dance, bounce around and clap to the theme from Hannah Montana and The Office. She will stop what she is doing and get to where she can dance, I kid you not, I plan to post a video of this soon.
K, my middle girl loves to sit on my lap and tell me how pretty I am.
M, my oldest loves to make things for me and create things.
A loves to climb all over me and lick my face.
K loves to cuddle right up against me as close as she can.
M loves for me to come outside and run with her.
A climbs up on me with a books and says "reee mee" (which is "read to me" in baby speak).
K says she wants to marry her best friend because she loves him and he's her best friend.
M thinks she is an expert at everything, drawing, applying make up, etc.
A is hungry ALL the time! She *loves* chocolate and goes to the pantry saying "eeeeat eat. eeeat eat."
K is soo sassy! She dances around and always goes to put dresses on and wants to wear heels a lot.
M used to go and ask for candy by pointing and saying "shimmeee shimmeeee"
A has started talking and using her own versions of words and I absolutely ADORE how she talks about things and talks to us...She even calls her daddy by his first name.
K has asked people to start calling her "Princess" instead of her birth name because she is a princess! She also quotes Anjelica Johnson's skit "beautiful nail" and "bon qui qui" - look them up if you don't know them... you won't be sorry.
M is so smart! She amazes me on a daily basis with the things that she knows how to do and take care of. She helps out with her little sisters so much and on Valentines Day, she made me breakfast in bed, toast and all!
What are some of your favorite things that your kids, nieces/nephews, etc do? I'd love to hear about them!!
A, my youngest love to dance, bounce around and clap to the theme from Hannah Montana and The Office. She will stop what she is doing and get to where she can dance, I kid you not, I plan to post a video of this soon.
K, my middle girl loves to sit on my lap and tell me how pretty I am.
M, my oldest loves to make things for me and create things.
A loves to climb all over me and lick my face.
K loves to cuddle right up against me as close as she can.
M loves for me to come outside and run with her.
A climbs up on me with a books and says "reee mee" (which is "read to me" in baby speak).
K says she wants to marry her best friend because she loves him and he's her best friend.
M thinks she is an expert at everything, drawing, applying make up, etc.
A is hungry ALL the time! She *loves* chocolate and goes to the pantry saying "eeeeat eat. eeeat eat."
K is soo sassy! She dances around and always goes to put dresses on and wants to wear heels a lot.
M used to go and ask for candy by pointing and saying "shimmeee shimmeeee"
A has started talking and using her own versions of words and I absolutely ADORE how she talks about things and talks to us...She even calls her daddy by his first name.
K has asked people to start calling her "Princess" instead of her birth name because she is a princess! She also quotes Anjelica Johnson's skit "beautiful nail" and "bon qui qui" - look them up if you don't know them... you won't be sorry.
M is so smart! She amazes me on a daily basis with the things that she knows how to do and take care of. She helps out with her little sisters so much and on Valentines Day, she made me breakfast in bed, toast and all!
What are some of your favorite things that your kids, nieces/nephews, etc do? I'd love to hear about them!!
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