Reflections

As I lay here in bed thinking about my day and thinking it is way past my bed time... I can't help but think about all the graduates that I saw walk across the stage tonight and receive their diplomas. Essentially accepting the next chapter of their lives; college, the military, jobs... but no matter what they choose to do they are entering adulthood. Gone are the days of high school where things are so "hard" or so "easy", gone are the days where making sure you got to class on time and made a decent grade were your biggest responsibilities. Now begins real life. Life with choices and consequences, don't get me wrong mistakes are to be made and we learn  from mistakes, but we should only make the same mistake once after that it becomes a choice. All the young people I saw graduate tonight have choices to make, whether it be college or a job, either way they have to do something. As I think back to my own graduation, which was 10 years ago, I can't help but to think of the person I was. The shy pudgy girl that was made fun of, who tried to hide behind baggy clothes, who thought that braces would make her prettier, who thought that maybe just maybe that boy that she'd had a crush on since the 6th grade would finally notice and acknowledge her (he never did). I'm proud to say I'm not that girl any longer, I've grown, I've matured, I've grown out of that awkward phase (which I'm convinced lasted my entire childhood until I turned 19). I've come a long way in 10 years and I've made some life long friends, I met my soul mate, my best friend and we are building our life together. I became a better person, a better Christian, and I have my Lord to thank for that. Do I look back wish I could change things? Of course I do, if I had the chance to would I? Probably not, the choices I've made and the mistakes have made me into the person I am today. I'm pretty proud of how far I've come in these 10 years and I hope that 10 years from now I can say the same thing. To all you young people out there who may be reading this, don't ever give up on yourself, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made you perfect in His image and you are beautiful just the way you are. Don't conform to the things if this world keep God first and he will take care of you. He answers prayers, I'm living proof (or I should say baby Robbins is) . We serve an amazing Creator and he loves us enough to give His only son to die for our sins. This is an evil world we live in and unfortunately there are people who will try to make you believe otherwise that there is no God but I know the truth, we know the truth, it's in his word. Stay true to yourselves and true to God it's the only way to survive in this world. 

Ok I'm off to bed have a blessed night friends. 

Ashley 

Mothers Day

Today is a day reserved to celebrate mothers. Mothers that are still here, mothers who have gone, mothers who are not yet mothers but will be very soon, and those women who have been like mother to us. Today we celebrated with a delicious lunch with my in laws prepared by my husband, ribs, loaded mashed potatoes, and beans, with cake for dessert! Then we did some yard work and prepped the garden for planting! It was a very productive day and we are both beat!! 

Today I wished all the mothers in my life a very happy day and I even got some well wishes too! I also had some time to think about how the women in my life have shaped who I've become. 

My mom, she's been through a lot and has preservered through it all, she's taught me to be strong and to stand up for myself. She's there for me when I need her and I know she'll be a fantastic grandma! 

Memaw, she's the woman I fear and respect most in this world. When I say fear the fear stems from disappointment, I've never wanted to do anything that might make her or my pawpaw think any less of me. As I've grown older our relationship has changed we've grown closer, she's great at listening and doesn't hold back her opinions, which can drive me crazy at times! But I love her and wouldn't trade her for anyone or anything! 

Martha, my moms twin sister, really it's like I had 2 moms that looked just alike! How many can say that? She's an awesome mom herself and I definitely am a better person because of her! 

Grandma Sallie, she's the nicest most caring woman I know. She finds the good in people and never stops praying for us! 

Denise, she's been in my life for almost 12 years now. We've been trough a lot over the last decade and I'm grateful for her, he makes my dad happy and is a wonderful mother and grandmother. 

And then there's Patty, my stepmom, she left us all much too soon and I miss her all the time. When I was 15 she passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. She never got to see me graduate or get married and she won't be here for the birth of my child. It's still hard but I know she's in a place that's amazing where she's no longer in pain and she can watch over us until the day we see each other again! 

Cindy, she's responsible for shaping Chance into the man he is today. The man I love and my husband. She definitely had her work cut out for her from what I've been told, but to her I'm  forever grateful, she raised a rambunctious little boy into an amazing man. 

Well those are my mom shoutouts all these women has had some sort of impact on my life and have helped to make me the person I am today. I love all of them so much and I'm sothankful for   each and every one of them, I just hope that I can be as amazing a mom as these women. 

Have a blessed Mother's Day friends and if you're able hug your mamas! 

Love 

Ashley 

15 weeks

Today we are 15 weeks and 1 day!! Boy time is flying! Monday is a prenatal visit I'm pretty excited to get to check in on baby Robbins. First trimester symptoms are few and further between, I'm still SO tired and have no energy but I just know that means baby Robbins is growing and using up all my energy! I'm ready for that second trimester energy I've heard so much about! I've also had my share of pregnancy brain moments... Ok ok I'll share just to give you all a laugh... I forgot to leave a tip for the waitress at lunch one day so I went back to the resturant to make sure she got it! I was cooking chicken and using the meat thermometer the chicken wouldn't cook any hotter than 98 degrees... Yes the thermometer was set to Celsius!! I'm sure I've done more silly things but I just can't remember them right now!! 

I've started a regristry so I've been putting all kinds of gender neutral things on it until next month when we find out if baby Robbins is a he or she! We're thinking of having a reveal party, just something small with all of our friends, but fun none the less! 

That's about all I've got for now I'll leave you with a bump pic it was taken at 14 weeks 4 days! Have a blessed night friends thanks for reading! 

Ashley