Happy Birthday Cruz!

We made it my sweet Cruz. 

Happy Birthday to our best boy.  

$100 gift card guy

Dear $100 gift card guy,

You know who you are. You are the guy who gave $100.00 to the downtown Dutch Bro.'s coffee stand and asked that they use it to pay for everyone who drove through this morning. Until it ran dry. Courtesy of the Drive Through Difference. 

I want you to know that your generosity touched my sweet co-worker this morning. Brought her and her mother to tears after receiving the news that their coffee would be "on you". See, what you didn't know was that they had a particularly rough morning. 

My co-worker's (Rose) mom is in horrible health. She is wheel chair bound and is need of daily trips to the local hospital to get her many bandages changed. Upon arriving at the hospital this morning and unloading the wheel chair from the back of her car, Rose slipped on a large patch of ice. Badly bruised the left side of her body and quite potentially did some damage to her wrist. To make matters worse the nurse that for the last year loyally changed her mother's bandages quit without one good bye leaving a new, much scarier nurse assigned to the task. All this ON TOP OF THE FACT that their family dog - the one that protects the home and won't leave her mother's side - escaped while trying to load the car. This very minute the dog is still missing. 

So thank you. From the bottom of my heart and most certainly from Rose's too. You many not have realized the incredible impact throwing $100.00 on a Dutch Bro's gift card could have but I assure you - watching Rose tell me the story with fresh tears still in her eyes, so very thankful, profoundly hopeful that her bad day would end up all right....

Thank you. It is all I can say.

Ashley

Drive through difference

I listen to positive life radio pretty much all day. Even at the office and back at home in the afternoons. 

The only time I am not listening to PLR is during my drive into work. That is when I get my entertainment news fix via Dave Ken and Molly (ZZU).

I could tell you many cheesy stories about how a caller has brought me to tears by sharing his or her faith or about how they played the EXACT right song at a time I really needed it or how they have provided me many opportunities to grow closer to God through their music....but I won't.

What I am going to tell you about today is the Drive Through Difference and how it totally inspired me. 

The DTD is something they promote a few times a year - it is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus and bless a total stranger by the simple act of giving. The idea is to pay for the person behind you in a drive through. 

Could be a cup of coffee at Starbucks, an ice-cream treat, a quick lunch, or dinner. 

I knew it was going to be happening today and tomorrow but as it frequently does, life got away from me. Thursday was here and almost gone and I had totally forgotten about it. 

That is until I arrived at Em's to pick up Cruz for his doctor's apt. 

She started telling me how she was crying this morning over breakfast due to an older man's emotional testimonial about how someone had paid for his coffee this morning. He goes on to share a story about how he and his wife were fighting and how his morning started out with screaming and yelling. Receiving this simple gift, he said, changed the course of his day and gave him hope. 

Emily then proceeds to whip out a card - intended for a lucky stranger at Starbucks- and begins to write the most amazing message about how she only hopes the person receiving the card can know Jesus's love. 

It was all I needed. 

I yelled at her to get me a card and away I wrote. 

Happy Drive Through Difference. Jesus has changed my life...I hope you have or will be able to experience his incredible love- Praying for YOU.

I had the distinct pleasure of spending $13.84 to pay for the bold red Ford Edge behind me in line at Wendys today. 

Me: And I would also like to pay for the car behind me.

Wendys (sweet young girl):  You would? Really? That's so nice of you. Why? Do you know them?

Me: I would. No, I don't know them. It is the Drive Though Difference today. Oh and when they come to the window, can you give them this card?

Wendys: Sure. It's going to be $13.84. Would you still like to pay for their lunch?

Me: Yes I would. And can you please remember the card?

Wendys: Yes. Have a great day. 

When I received my half salad I didn't speed away. I slowly pulled away so I could watch the older lady grab a 20 from her purse, smile as if it were Christmas morning and then stuff it back in her wallet. 

The only thing I can say is joy. I haven't felt that much joy in a long time. 

Even better was knowing that I might have had a hand in the two ladies eternal joy. 

Thanks to my dear sissy (and the AMAZING book she is reading and quotes to me every five seconds) I realized that giving just to give means nothing other than a free whatever for my new friends. 

Giving with the intent to share Christ...now that is real love. 

Eternal joy means a life spent in heaven. How can we not want to share that?

Thank you EMILY LOVE! Fist pump sista!!

God has called us to be radicle. Live a life different than this world. One way we can do that is through radicle, INTENTIONAL generosity which in turn will allow us freedom from the love of money and JOY because we have shared crazy abundant love. 

Love that will allow you to relish in the presence of our Creator.... For ALL TIME...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 

I challenge you to take part in the DTD tomorrow. 

I promise you that YOU will be the one changed. 

Exterior plans

A few days ago I showed you the interior plans of our big upcoming remodel. 

Late last night we received VERY preliminary exterior plans - the first of, I'm sure, many to come. 

I have been DYYYING to share them with you but first allow me to remind you what the house looks like now. 

Right? So pink and nothing special nor unique. 

Here is the initial set of exterior plans from Ryan:

Quite the difference huh?!

A few things. 

1. I LOVE the back. I think it will look amazing - the glass door panels, the metal roof pergola, the stone columns, the stamped concrete floor....

2. I don't so much love the front. I think it is too "track home-ish". Do not get me wrong, I LOVE Greenstone Homes (we still OWN one, in fact) but I think you could march right on over to Rocky Hill or River District and find some version of this home there.  I can't blame Ryan...I finally gave him the link to our inspiration board yesterday after he had already finished the drawings but we have to do some work. 

Here is what needs to change:

• The pergolas over the front door and garage door - both need to go. Definitely want to see if we can fit double doors. All glass.
• I can't stand the half rock wall - needs to go. Maybe a whole wall of stone instead?
• I don't like the siding either - needs to go. Faux stucco?
• Oh and we did extend that front kitchen window one foot so imagine an 8ft. x 4ft window as opposed to what you see now - 7x4.

The only problem is I don't know WHAT I want based on my inspiration pictures....the house shape is as it as - something I can't change.

{all via Pinterest}

I can tell you this. I want something unique. I want something that CLASSICALLY stands out. I want people to notice our house as they drive down Molter. 

Lastly, I want something that matches the hard work we have put into designing the inside...something I know we can accomplish. I just don't know how. I guess that is why we hired Ryan. To help us figure it out. 

We meet with him on Tuesday night to go over our ideas, inspiration photos and to keep the project moving forward. 

Can't wait to see round 2!

Important shout-outs

1. To my HOT MODEL SISTER:

Emily - I wish I had the nuts to do what you did yesterday. 

Not only are you stunning but you reek sophistication and grace. I am OBSESSED with your new hair and wish a million times I was you!

PS: If a producer from America's Next Top Model approaches you in the airport this weekend, I might punch you.

2. To Lucy & Trey: 

Lucy & Trey - Thank you for being the best cousins in the world! Cruz  looks forward to coming over to play every day. Even when you try and ride him like a horse and tackle him he still kinda likes it - don't let the screaming fool you. 

He would be a lonely boy if it weren't for you two. 

You may not know it yet but you will all be best friends. Cruz sure loves you a LOT!

PS: Pulling your hair, Lucy, is his pay back! :)

3. To my husby:

Nick - I may not say it everyday but I sure think it... 

You are the most amazing father, husband, provider and friend I could have ever asked for. 

Your work ethic amazes me every day - even if we don't get to go to Hawaii this year - I still think you are the best salesman on the face of the planet...plus I know we will go next year! :) 

I believe you can do anything!

Oh and if it works out that Liberty Lake picks me, it will be because of you! You are my encouragement all of the time. 

How can I be any luckier to get to call you all family?! 

Seriouslyyyyy.

My favorite things

I feel like I always have a current list of favorite things. Don't we all?

Like things that are in-the-moment obsessionssssss - with a capital O. 

Typically this list changes season to season but sometimes when I have hit the product/thing jackpot???

It never leaves. 

Here are my current favorite things. EVERRRRRRRRRRRRR.

1. Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System

Did you know that the Clarisonic cleans your face 6 times better than you do??????
When I was pregnant with Cruz my skin was glorious. Not one zit. Even through nursing - amazing. Fast forward 6 months...I started getting UGLY chin acne. It was horrible, disgusting and totally embarrassing. I was literally hiding my chin with my North Face fleece each night from Nick so he wouldn't leave me for the 75 yr old hottie next door.
I had never had acne as bad.
So Christmas came around and I was blessed with this little ruby by my Grandma Leal. Along with some topical cream, using my pink Clarisonic has all but cleared up my chin, left it void of wrinkles AND as soft as Cruz's back side. I am obsessed and hope to have "Clarisonic skin" my WHOLE life!

2. Cruz's cool mist humidifier

It isn't so much the humidifier part as it is the NOISE part!!!! We did an experiment. Two nights in a row after three consecutive 7pm-7am sleeps WITH the noise we tried life without the noise. The first night I woke up twice. The second night I think I seriously woke up 5 times.

For Cruz's birthday (on Sunday O.M.G) he will be getting the mac daddy of noise machines. We don't need the mist when he isn't sick we need the NOIIIISSSEEEEEEEE.

3. OPI Rapid Dry Spray

I have a serious obsession with manicures and pedicures.
When I was traveling as a district recruiter I would also make time in my travel schedule to stop and get a mani. Seeing as though I would be standing in front of hundreds a day representing Combined Insurance (totally their first impression), I some how convinced myself I needed amazing nails. That it fit my look.
 In each city I had my favorites.
In Portland it was the nail place next to the Fred Meyer by my Grandma's house.
In Seattle, the nail place across from Olive Garden at South Center.
In Boise, a small little shop over by BSU.

I really could get a mani once a week.....
BUT, now I have a kid, am working part time and think that blowing 60 bucks a month on manicures doesn't make sense. Don't get me wrong Kelly and I still get our nails done but more like once a month...not each week.

Because I have had to scale back I have stocked up on OPI nail polish from the Beauty Supply store at an attempt of accomplishing the fete at home. I am very happy to report that I have gotten amazing at painting my right hand. I know - big deal. BUT I am even happier to report that I have found my miracle nail product - the OPI Rapid Dry Spray. Spraying this on your nails 45 seconds after you have finished painting that last nail drys them in 30 seconds. I AM NOT KIDDING. Just a few sprays and I can get up play fetch with Liam or change a dirty diaper without smudging my beautiful paint job.
 LOVE!

4. Buckle's BKE Long Yoga Pant

So I totally have to dress up for work. Everyday. I don't get Friday jean days. We sell Lincolns here which means we have the oldies and richies walking around here throwing down 60k+ for some of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. We can't be walking around in sweats and ugg boots.

Let me tell you the SECOND I walk through my garage door into my home I am stripping off my leggings/tights/slacks and running to the bedroom to find my yoga pants.

I love these in particular well, 1. I am supporting my bestie Erin who manages the Valley Buckle but 2. THEY ARE LONG!!!!!!!!!!! They sell LONG yoga pants and for us tall women a 34 in. inseam = heaven. I am a hip mom for goodness sake (at least I hope so). I can't be running around in Albertsons showing my white athletic socks to the world because I am wearing flood pants. Sick.

5. SCENTSY!

I guess the theme here is when I love something I LOVE something.

Nick was really mad at me yesterday because I changed my Scentsy pots. All 5 of them. I had just changed them three days ago.

Here is the thing...walk into my living room and you will smell dog behind. Liam is a human sized animal which means when he passes gas, burps or has halitosis it would be like Nick fluffing, burping or breathing rotten onions/poo 24/7. Get the picture??

He thinks we I have spent too much money on Scentsy smells but if you really asked him, I don't think he wants to be smelling rotten onions/poo/halitosis all night either.

6. Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets

These are my ALL time FAVORITE blankets/nursing covers/stroller blankie EVER!!!!!!!! Unfortunately I didn't get to use them as swaddles (their intended purpose) because by the time Cruz was over his jaundice and off the light blanket (7 HORRIFIC days) he refused to be swaddled.

I have three of these bad boys and they are Cruz's blankies. Especially the orange star one - he is super partial to that one. I know the second he gets tired or is sick because he will go find his blankie and bury his face into it. We take them everywhere.

I just saw they came out with security blankets called Issie! 2 come in a pack - which is BRILLIANT - so if you lose one or need to wash one, you still have another.

Placed my order yesterday. Expected delivery - next Tuesday!

7. Cool Names for Babies



By now you all know about my baby name obsession. Every day I come up with new names for Nick. For our boy. Cause our girl has the coolest NAME ever. PVS. That is all I am giving you. :):)

I found the book at Hastings while researching bible study books for the Dream Table. I had to have it.

The chapters:
i. Hot Cool - Mainstream Names
Like top 100 of cool, coolator, what Europeans call cool, the exoticizer, bad girl/good girl names, mac names, cool middle names and cool nicknames - just to name a few!

ii: Cool Cool - Famous Names
Celebrity, Athlete, Model, Artist, Literary....names

iii: Pre Cool Cool - Old Names
Ancient, Holy, Colonial, Geezer, Old- Lady and names no one may be cool enough for. LOVE!

iv: New Cool - Creative Names
Foreign Word, Spiritual, Color, Space, Invented, Too cool, Streamlined and Non-name names (like Bravery. AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Love Bravery!)

Anyway it is my new obsession. This means I have enough names to present Nick with each night for A MONTH! Yay for me...maybe not so for Nick.

So long Miles Boring Salzwedel....hello Bravery Maple (the street name of the house Nick and I fell in love in) Salzwedel??

Oh and because I can't resist - here is part of the coolator (chapter i) - so I can leave you something to ponder this fine Wednesday.

Uncool   Cool    Cooler

Anne  Anna  Annika

Avis  Ava  Avery

Brianna  Bryn  Bronte

Carol  Caroline  Carolina

Casey  Cassidy  Cassandra

Charlene  Charlotte  Chiara

Cindy  Sydney  Sidony 

xoxo

House Plans

Other than politics and Preshy's growth and development- these days the transformation of 311 N. Molter is consuming both Nick and I's every waking moment. 

Creativity. Ideas. Daydreams. 

Last night right about 10:30pm lights were out and we were in bed. 

It was pitch black besides the master bathroom Scentsy (linger - maybe my all time favorite scent) and the faint glow of my iPhone. I was reading Mockingjay - book 3 of the Hunger Games series which BTW is so good I can't think of doing anything else. I am obsessed with Katniss and Peeta...can't even handle how it is going to turn out. I have 100 pages to go!

Nick was supposed to be sound asleep when he totally startled me, sat straight up and preceded to tell me what type of furniture would work best in our new living room.  

This happens all the time - totally stemming from working with our architect, Ryan from RnD Designs. 

The initial meeting happened in November. Ryan came over to the house, received the official house tour, sat with Nick and I to hear our thoughts/plans/ideas and took some pics. After coming back a couple of weeks later to take measurements of the entire house and waiting one more week....we finally received our first set of plans!!

I can't wait to show you our house plan progression! 

But, I should warn you that since November there have been 3 sets of plans due to many "I don't like that!" or "That doesn't work for the space." or "Well, since we are doing that, we may as well do this." or  "OMG, why didn't we think of that!?" or "Ryan, can we do this?"

AND lastly I am SO proud of Nick and I because we came up with most of the ideas on our own. Many hours spent touring real estate, watching HGTV, scouring magazines, walking into home improvement stores and re-model experience have made us 100% confident on our style and the types of things we HAVE to have in our dream house. 

We do have one more drawing to go before the top floor addition is complete and we move on to the exterior drawings but boy we could NOT BE HAPPIER. 

Without further ado I present to you 311 N. Molter in its current state. This is our current floor plan - what we are living in right now. 

Much better than my house tour series, right?? 

Here is house plan #2 - the first initial drawing:

So as you can see we are doing two HUGE additions. One in the back of the house - extending 8 feet. And the other to the Master and garage - also extending to give us more room for Nick's shop and for our new master bathroom and closet. 

There were quite a few things with this drawing that we really loved (new open kitchen and sliding glass wall) but also quite a few things we didn't (raised kitchen peninsula bar, kitchen appliance "triangle", master bath lay out, laundry and basement stairs) so back to the drawing board. 

Here is house plan #3:

Ahhhhh getting THEERRREEEEEEE.

Love the basement stairs, patio/pergola/fire pit, master closet.

Didn't love the layout of the master bath, the fact that the prep sink is on the wrong side of the range, the location of the fridge, location of the washer/dryer...

After writing out list of things we both loved and didn't love we talked to Ryan and sent him off for round 4. Here is what he came up with and we are in LOVE (well minus a few MINOR details).

New entrance/foyer, new master bathroom layout, a new pass through bar area via an extension of the current laundry room, changing the location of the fridge slightly, adding a 8 foot by 4 food window to the kitchen, extending the glass wall (out WOW feature) another 7 feet and moving closet space in the master to create a slightly bigger guest bath and walk-in closet for bedroom #2.

Like I said earlier - only two minor changes to this set of plans and we are finished with the interior. By the time we are done we will have added usable square footage (this doesn't even include our 1,500 sq foot basement) and dramatically changed the look and feel of the house.

We won't actually start phase 1 until late spring/summer. Until then we have to finish the exterior plans, secure permits, gather bids and most importantly save money.

This ain't gonna be cheap. But, so so so so so worth it.

Every day I pinch myself that we get to live here. In a great location, great established neighborhood - minutes away from the park, the school, the lake, the farmers market...Starbucks. :) I finally love my house and more importantly that Nick and I get to go through this together and make our dreams a reality.