Mini Tribute

I have done a few posts about individuals who I have lost in my life, usually when that difficult time comes rolling around in the year. Since I had been slacking on my blog, I am a few days late with the one for my grandma, the most important person in my life who I lost way too soon. I find it hard to get words out without breaking down into a puddle of tears, so I will keep it short and to the point, using what I said on Facebook.

Today while I was doing some spring cleaning, I had GAC on in the background...I mean who doesn't like to clean with country music blaring?! Well first, Garth Brooks' song "The Dance" came on...which gives me chills every time and I tear up. THEN, Martina McBride's song "I'm Going To Love You Through It" came on right after...talk about pulling at a girl's heart. Both make me think of my Grandma and I just lost it and had to text my mamma. She simply responded with "I love you" and it is all I needed to make me smile.

{From Facebook, March 25th}

"15 years ago, yesterday, my grandma passed away. She was beautiful inside and out, making friends no matter where she went and willing to do anything for others. Her laugh was one of the best sounds to ever fill our home. I wish she was here to see the great parents her children are, the great accomplishments her grandchildren are making, and her adorable great-grandson. She has missed a lot, but I know she is looking down from above, sending us her special love. I love and miss you SO Much grandma.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH"

<3 Ash



Pilot or Firefighter?

This cute little boy has become obsessed with planes recently. Maybe he will be a pilot and ignore the "firefighter blood"??

Play time with Auntie!

It is NO secret that I am absolutely in love with my nephew! It is such a blessing to be an aunt and I love to spoil this little boy! I mean, look at him, who wouldn't!

 Told you he loves me....BIG SLOPPY KISSES!

Hey Auntie! Can I join you in MY toy?!



New Ink

For those of who you don't know, I got my first tattoo the spring break before I turned 19. It says "Live, Laugh, Love" on my foot and I got it for my grandma. That was the saying that we all knew her by and I had adapted as my own (if you see my apartment, almost all the decorations consist of this saying).

People say that once you get a tattoo, you will just want more. I didn't think this was true, but now I do. You constantly become more aware of tattoos and think of things you would like to permanently mark on your body. I do believe that tattoos should have meaning to them and a personal rule is I have to want it for at LEAST 6 months before I actually go through with it. As soon as I got my foot tattoo, I fell in love. I loved the cursive used and everything about it. I wanted to get something that represented my faith, but I didn't want to get a cross. I began searching for different kinds of cursive and thinking of places that I could put it (being a future teacher, I don't want anything in an inappropriate place).

FINALLY...after TWO YEARS...I found the perfect cursive and went through with it. The week before spring break, I went into a tattoo shop that was recommended to me by a friend in Flagstaff, made an appointment, went back the next day and 25 minutes later I have a beautiful new tattoo! It is not completely finished...eventually I would like to add a trinity knot below it that will become a "never-ending faith" representation.

SPRiNG BREAK!

I spent my last spring break {as a college student} by enjoying a week home filled with family, relaxation, laying out, and friends.

Let me tell you, this was definitely needed!

While others enjoyed vacations away from their homes, I was as happy as can be spending as much time with my adorable nephew as possible.

With another one coming in August, I want to soak up as much time with Jax one-on-one as I can. Even though he won't remember these events when he is older, the bonding time is so rewarding and that he will never forget.

Jax and I got to have some fun nephew-auntie time at Miss Anna-Banana's third birthday party! I have watched Little Miss Anna since she was a newborn at TT and then started to nanny for her & her brother, Liam, last summer.

Liam is exactly one month younger than Jax, so they are little buddies!

Along with the birthday party, I babysat Jax a couple times and enjoyed a spring training game with the whole fambam {minus Jaime & Matt, they had to work}

St. Patty's Day was spent enjoying the company of friends I had been missing!

James, Bryce, Ashley, my brother and James' roommate all enjoyed a few drinks at Tim Finnigans {sp?} and then the girls headed out to Mill Avenue

Sadly...Mill was filled with some creepers, as well as, Ash and I were not "feeling" it so we decided to head home and spend some time with my Mamma & sister

Overall, it was a great Spring Break and I wouldn't have done anything differently!

<3 Ash

I'M BAAAAAACK

I could probably come up with a million excuses as to why I have been neglecting my blog

{but}

I will stick to the truth...

I have been consumed with what I call life {friends, family, school, etc.}

and taking a few minutes out of my day to blog just didn't seem like a priority.

Sometimes one needs a vacation in order to get back into the swing of things!

So, I can't make any promises that I will be blogging daily or even weekly, but I am going to try my best to find the time to post about blog-worthy things!

<3

Ash