Good Stuff

I am feeling this overwhelming urge to blog, but can't really think of squat to blog about. So, I thought I would do a good stuff list. Little things that make me happy. Enjoy!

1. warm chocolate chip cookies and a cold glass of milk, enough said

2. when the perfect outfit just comes together, one that people notice and one that makes you feel great

3. sleeping with the windows open on a cold night but being warm as toast under a thick goose-down comforter

4. crisp new magazines

5. an awesome book that you can't put down, one that makes you think days after finishing it

6. hitting all the green lights, not getting behind slow drivers, and finding a front row parking space

7. getting a basketful of awesome-ness at Target and spending under $100, doesn't happen very often, but when it does- boo-yah!

8. my babies sleeping... mouths hanging open, covers tangled, hair every which way, little snores here and there, dang I am lucky

9. lunch dates with my hubby

10. soft, warm, squishy babies (Kelli and/or Amy, I need a fix...)

11. Friday afternoons, no homework, pizza for dinner, and just knowing that on Saturday you can sleep in and spend the day with your family

12. a blog post that people can laugh at, sympathize with, or be cheered up by

Ok, so I am feeling all warm and tingly now. I hope you are too. Have a Happy Friday!

I'm Thankful

Since we'll be in Tulsa, OK for Thanksgiving and we're having our "official" holiday dinner today, I am doing my thankful/gratitude post now! Here goes!

I'm thankful for:

my family. Seriously, I have been blessed with 4 absolutely amazing children and a really cool husband. They are all so different, but in such neat ways. Yes, they annoy me from time to time, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

my parents. Sure they have their flaws, but they're them and that's all that matters.

the Gospel and my testimony of it. This one speaks for itself.

friends, both new and old and those undiscovered. I am majorly blessed in the friend's department.

my new ward. Seriously, this little lost puzzle piece has FINALLY found her puzzle. I am super excited for all the future holds.

chocolate. Although I indulge WAY LESS than I used to, it's still nice to have on hand.

Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Chick Fil A, and Lean Cuisines. My four basic food groups.

Clothes, shoes, makeup, purses, and jewelry. Man, I have said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE being a girl! We have so many more options than men!

my minivan and that it currently only costs $30 bucks to fill the tank. I went from $97 to fill the Suburban and $65 at the beginning of Summer to fill the van. Gas better not go back up!

trials and tribulations. Sure, they suck when they're happening. But, I know they are gonna make me stronger and I am meant to learn something.

my room! I am just so in love with my mattress set (a Stearns and Foster, worth every penny) and I love my craft area. I seriously just love having my own space. Ok, so I have to share with Jon and most days there are crumbs in my bed, Hot Wheels on the floor, and empty juice boxes on my night stand. But, I just shove them aside and I'm good.

my red hair. Ok, so just to clarify: I am a natural redhead, PROMISE. But, it is fading a little and I do get it spruced up from time to time. But, it's still a lovely shade of strawberry blonde underneath. I just like it a little more intense. Thanks, Israel. Ssshhh...

my Swiffer sweeper. It's really alot of fun to go behind Jon and pick up all the crap his sweeping missed. Seriously. I just really like my Swiffer. Makes cleaning easier.

finally losing a teeny bit of weight. I have lots more work ahead, but those 20 pounds being gone has renewed the fight in me. It will surely be hard. Especially after visiting The Cheesecake Factory for the first time yesterday. Thank goodness it's all the way in Arlington.

my little sisters and the new found relationships with some of my older siblings. Family rules!

So there you have it. My thankful list. And, like I said last year, I am just so thankful to be me. Yes, I have issues. But who doesn't? But, I like me and all that I have. I have to remind myself of that often. But, I think I am pretty darn swell and I know I am really really blessed.

**last year's thankfuls here**

Holy Freakin' Cow!

Although at this rate, it's gonna be holy freakin' some other animal that's not fat...

So, I am super excited. And rightfully so. Because, I just did my weekly weigh-in and I have lost 20 pounds! I never would have believed it possible that I could lose 5 pounds, let alone 20! This helps motivate me so much, I have been in a slump lately and I was scared I wouldn't be able to keep this up. But, after this morning I am truckin' on. I know I still have a loooong way to go, but I am super stoked. Seriously, I am gonna have a cheesy smile on my face all day long!
Just wanted to share. Yay me!

Hope and Faith

No, this is NOT about the election....

Yesterday evening I got a much anticipated and highly welcomed visit from some lovely ladies. I got a house call from the Relief Society Presidency and the sister missionaries in my new ward. I felt the Spirit the moment they came into my home. They were all just so nice and the visit went so well. I quickly got over being bummed about my other ward. While I am gonna miss several really cool people, I am beyond excited about my new ward. I haven't even been to church yet, and it already feels so right! I can't even describe it. I firmly believe that Heavenly Father has big plans for me in this ward and I am so stoked! I am very much looking forward to Sunday and all that this path in life has to offer me. I found it very intriguing when I was told by the Relief Society president that the members of my new ward had been fasting and praying about the state of things in their ward for over a year. They had been losing families left and right due to various factors and it was causing them alot of anxiety and sadness. They really were unsure as to how things were going to end up for their ward. Then this boundary change happened and they feel as if their prayers were answered, and so do I. I will let everyone know how Sunday goes, but I think I may already know.

New Addition

My sister Kelli had her baby today, yay! And, due to her prone to fainting husband/ my brother in law (Bryce), I got to go in the OR during her c-section. I have been there each time she has had her babies and I freaking love it! Awesome experience. I would love to be a Labor and Delivery or NICU nurse, but I really don't wanna go to school. Maybe I could fake it? Anyway, everything went well and he is a little doll. We think he looks alot different than his two brothers, his hair seems lighter and his little face has the same expressions but he looks like his own little self. Of course babies grow so fast he will probably look different tomorrow. Now, for more details: Corgan Kelly Taylor was born at 12:31 p.m, weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 & 3/4 inches long. He makes the cutest little sounds and is totally serious about eating. He is a champion nurser! I just loved holding him and kissing his sweet little face. His brothers are gonna be in love with that little cutie! Of course being a chick, I got a teeny bit baby hungry, especially after seeing the cute clothes in the Mommy and Baby boutique at the hospital. But, it has now passed. Whew! I am in a no more babies phase this week. But, enough about me. Congrats guys! We love y'all!

Corgan Kelly Taylor


Kelli and Corgan


Eating his blankie


Aunt Ashley and Corgan


Sooner dress! How cute is that?


P.S. This is my parent's 28th grandchild!!

Weekly Weigh-In

It's been a whole week already? This week has been interesting, to say the least. Exercise has been minimal, mainly due to alot of laziness and a little boredom. Add in a few shin splints and you get the picture. But, I have tried to make up for it by parking waaaayyyy away from every store I go to and we must have walked the length of the mall 4 times yesterday, because we were lost, so surely that helped. I have had the urge to snack more this week, I blame PMS but who knows? I allowed myself a cheat weekend, crazy I know... My family is no different than alot of families in that we eat out on the weekends more. I try to cook a few nights a week and the others we kinda have "every man for himself". Which means- sandwiches, cereal, or a TV dinner on nights we are busy, like softball, football, etc. Which brings me back to the point, I let myself eat things I haven't had in over a month. A Whataburger Jr (half order of small fries), thin crust supreme pizza (1 & 1/2 slices), and the worst of all.... a hot dog. This better be PMS, because I don't want the last three days of eating to become a habit. Which is exactly how I got this way in the first place. I am still reading and following labels to the letter. If it's not low-cal, I split the recommended serving size in half. I am charting calories like crazy, and NEVER go over 1800. My BMR (basal metabolic rate = the amount of calories you burn even if you were totally sedentary) is 1800, so I figure I for sure won't gain if I stay under it. So, I am happy to report... that I finally HIT 10 POUNDS OFF!! And, I looked up my "happy weight", yes there is a formula to figure this up, and I need to lose exactly 100 more to be there. (Check yours here) Sounds daunting, but I am determined. Several items of clothing are baggy now, which definitely helps. Darn it, I may have to buy NEW clothes? Bummer.... Here's hoping for a good diet/weight report next Sunday.

P.S. I definitely recommend reading labels and most especially checking calories of your fave restaurant food online. I looked at several places I used to frequent and some of the combo meals were over 1,000 calories each. Which explains alot. And, just so you know, on the days I cheated, I had minimal food the rest of the day, like lots of fruit to make up for the cheat.

His name is Jonah...

What a great day! We just got in from Austin. We are giddy from seeing Amy and Jesse and meeting their new little guy- Jonah. What a cutie!! He is absolutely adorable! He is so tiny, it's like holding a doll. Amy and Jesse are in love and exhausted. Jonah Anderson (last name is being withheld) was born 9/22/08 at 12:30 pm. He weighed 6 pounds and was 19 inches long. See what I mean? He is teeny tiny and perfect. Right now he is a little jaundiced, but otherwise, he is doing great! Amy and Jesse are so cute and I know they are falling more in love with him by the moment. They really make such a cute little family, and I am so happy for them. I got a kick out of seeing my baby sister and her husband, they are parents! And, finally... what you've all been waiting for- PICTURES!! There's a TON of them, you might wanna grab a snack!

Amy, Jesse, and Jonah


Momma Amy and Jonah


Daddy Jesse and Jonah


Jonah!


Jonah!


Jonah Anderson


Jonah doing his impersonation of Frogger


me and Jonah


Chan and Jonah


Hunter and Jonah


Hunter and Jonah


Hayden and Jonah


Chloe and Jonah


Myers children with Amy, Jesse, and Jonah


Hayden and Uncle Jesse


Hunter and Hayden


Chan-Man


P.S. I also took my mom with us. But, we hogged the baby alot! Sorry mom. I do have pictures of mom with Jonah, but my flash caused her to blink and close her eyes several times. I feel so bad. She is going to stay and give A & J some much needed and I am sure appreciated assistance for the next week or so. Love you Mom!

National Lampoon's Myersville Vacation

Well, as promised I am doing THE POST about our "vacation". I am waiting on some pics from my sister in law to be emailed to me and my card reader broke, so I can't download any. But, as soon as I get some pics I will post them. We had a pretty amazing time and just to be with family made my year. It has been anywhere from 11 to 13 years since I have seen my siblings and they have spouses and children I have never even met. We had plenty of highs, lows, and drama. So, here goes:

The Highs

1. Having lunch at Mcgrath's and going to The Living Planet Aquarium with my brother Ken. I couldn't believe he was sitting across from me for reals. And, I forgive him for spilling a large ice cold Dr Pepper on my leg.
2. Seeing my brother Jason and meeting his wife Cadette and their daughters Skylar, Makayla, and Riley. Sweet and beautiful family. We spent a ton of time with Jason and his girls. He has turned into a pretty amazing husband and father. Who woulda thunk it?
3. Driving through gorgeous Provo Canyon. We saw moose, streams, deer, and a giant fire up in the mountains. Absolutely breathtaking!
4. Seeing Jeremy and meeting his wife Denise and their kiddos, Christoper and Alexandra. Jeremy is so freaking hilarious, especially now that he dresses like a mountain man and has a full beard.
5. Just being in Utah during Pioneer Day. The spirit there was amazing. The museums were so neat. The films we saw were so touching. I am so blessed and proud to be a member of the LDS church.
6. Getting to spend all day Saturday with 4 of my brothers. We went to my sister in law's family cabin up in the mountains. The cabin was built in 1904 and was so neat. Nestled in the mountains among trees, complete with a stream. We ate and talked while the kids played games on the grass, tubed in the stream, and went swinging on the coolest (tallest) tree swing ever.
7. Getting to spend so much time with Jon and the kids.
8. Being able to absorb so much church history.
9. Not having to cook or clean for a week. Thank you family for feeding us and thank you to the cleaning staff at the Holiday Inn Express.
10. Making it there and back in one piece.

The Drama

1. Seeing my sister Julie. She is not in a good place in life at all. I will not elaborate, if you know me you know the situation. Pray for her....
2. The trailer. Dragging. Heavy. Nuisance. Expensive.
3. Our hotel toilet overflowing. Thanks Hunter.
4. Not seeing much of my brother Ken. Not getting to meet 6 of Julie's kids. Sadness.
5. My niece Mary cussing me out. No worries. I can cuss people out way better than her.
6. My brother Jason accidentally shooting a hole in his roof with a shotgun...
7. Not enough time to spend with family.
8. Chloe throwing the most GIANT tantrum ever. I thought the cops were gonna come. Or the very least we would be thrown out of our hotel.
9. All the farting. Seriously, who knew?
10. The driving almost killed us. So freaking long and far. Nothing to see but road. We drove in 10 to 12 hour stretches. Once we started hallucinating we knew it was time to rest.
11. Hayden getting stuck in the water on a pile of rocks in the stream. Scary. I have never heard him cry so hard.
12. Hunter falling from the tree swing. He looked like a rag doll. I was afraid to look at him after the fall. His legs look like raw meat. Scary stuff.
13. Getting back to normal. Missing my brothers and sister. Thinking we should move there. Am I freaking crazy?
14. Driving home with tears on my face and a lump in my throat. I don't think that feeling will ever go away.
So, there you have it. It was crazy and fun and memorable. I can't wait to do it again. I love my family so much. The past week was a blast! I am sure I will remember more. Like fry sauce and Chloe eating so much dessert on her birthday she almost barfed in the bushes. As soon as I think of more, I am so posting.

Con-GRAD-ulations Hayden!

Today was kindergarten graduation for Mr. Hayden. They did a little ceremony where they sang 2 songs, got their diplomas, a special award, and finally CUPCAKES!! Hayden is such a cute, sweet, smart little boy, of course I am super proud and biased. He got 2 special awards: most improved phonics and best penmanship. Only one other kid got 2 awards, everyone else got 1. Go Hayden!! I am so glad this year is almost over, I am looking forward to a fun summer. Here are a few pictures:

Happy Mother's Day!

No matter what your mothering style is, you are wonderful and you are doing great! Being a mom is a hard but fulfilling "job" and no one can love and care for your children the way you do. Remember: one mom's strength is another mom's weakness. There is no perfect way, just your way. I hope y'all all have a relaxing and wonderful day, you deserve it! Do what makes you happy and content. But, remember your manners, eat your vegetables, finish your dessert, and wear clean underwear!! Have a GROOVY Mother's Day!!

1 Dozen Years...

of marriage! Happy 12th Anniversary to me and Jon!! It seems like a lifetime ago that we were married. We have had so many ups and downs and so many amazing memories, I couldn't imagine sharing it with anyone else. Although he drives me bonkers pretty darn often, he also makes me smile. We are so lucky to have each other and to have wonderful children. I am so thankful for him and his fun personality, I love the way his eyes crinkle up at the corners when he smiles, how peaceful he looks when he's sleeping, the way he plays with our kids, the cute little gray hairs popping up in his beard, and so much more. He really is a pretty cool guy. I love you, Jon.
Forever, Ash

Jon, right before our wedding


Me, right before our wedding


Sealing the deal


Before we cut the cake


Our rings


Me and all the kiddos


Me and Jon May 2008

Boys - 15, Girls - 12, 1 undecided

I just wanted to congratulate my sister Amy and her husband Jesse. Today they found out that they are expecting a BOY! We are super excited for them. Chloe and I were crossing our fingers for a girl since us girls are pretty outnumbered. But, we'll gladly take a baby boy. We are just happy as could be that this sweet little angel is coming to our family. Now, we are anxiously awaiting for Kelli and Bryce to find out what they are having. These babies are gonna be my parents 27th and 28th grandchildren.... WOW! I am counting the days...

Spring planting

I have no idea what took me so long to think of this... but, I had the brilliant plan to let each child pick and plant their own tree. So, we headed to the Home Depot and let the kids choose a tree. Hayden wanted a $200 palm tree but I steered him towards a cheaper yet I think more beautiful tree. I have nothing against palm trees, I have 2 of them by the pool that cost me a pretty penny or more like 3,000 pretty pennies. Anywho, we are now the proud owners of 4 new trees. And I must say they look splendid. Chloe and Hayden chose Magnolia trees and the big boys each picked a Bradford pear. Jon and I picked a small Mexican fan palm for our flower bed. It really changed the look of the house. Gotta love curb appeal. I took one photo of each type of tree, since it was starting to rain. I think we'll do this at every house we ever live in. Crazy tidbit: one of the trees we bought and paid for had a Walmart price tag on it, which we didn't notice until after we planted it. Go figure? They were even able to scan it. Freaky...

Congrats!

My two little sisters, Kelli and Amy are gonna make me an aunt again! I seriously cannot wait. It's been like 15 months since there was a baby in this family. That is entirely too long. Girls- I am so proud of y'all and I love both of you so much. Now, hurry up and deliver already... Just kidding, but I am anxiously awaiting the newest members of our family.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

My little Chan-Man, I can't believe that 16 years have gone by since the day that you were born. You are absolutely my angel. You came into my life at a time when I needed a miracle. You brought with you a ray of sunshine that brightened the lives of not just me but Grandma, Grandpa, Kelli, and Amy as well. I was scared to death when I found out that I was gonna be a mom, but I knew that if I loved you with everything I had in me that we would be ok. There have been highs (you winning the spelling bee 3 times) and lows (you vomiting the entire way to Utah and back in grandma's van). I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I am so proud that you are my son, your intelligence blows my mind. You are a cool big brother and the kids love you so much. You mean so much to all of us! Chan- you make us proud and you make us smile. I hope all your dreams for the future come true and then some. You'll always be mommy's little boy, even when you are a famous rock star! I love you buddy! Now for a little flashback from when Chan was little bitty.

Chandler's first bath March 13, 1992


The bathtub picture at Sears. I know a bunch of little kiddos who had this same shot taken. Chan was 4 and 1/2 months old here.


Giving me a dental exam. Chan is 9 months old in this picture.


Chan's 2nd birthday. He was such a big boy. This is when he was in his I love Aladdin phase. He would watch that movie over and over again.


Chan's Jamaica hat. That Halloween I dressed him in some tropical shorts, flip flops, and an orange tank top. Oh yeah, I also painted his skin brown. He got alot of compliments on that costume. He was 4.


One of my most favorite pictures of Chan. Such a sweet little man. He was almost 5 here.

Movie Watching Spree

I have had a headache since yesterday afternoon, and now bodyaches. I sat up until 4:00 this morning with a bucket, afraid I was gonna barf. So, I am not sure if I have the flu or not. No chills, no fever. Needing something to distract me, I got onto my DVR list and to my surprise all 7 of the movies in the Love Comes Softly series had either recorded or were scheduled to record on the Hallmark channel. At 7:00, Hayden and I started the first one and he lasted all the way until the middle of the second one. I myself watched 6 of them, and I am gonna finish the last and most recent one after the kids go to bed. I really enjoyed them immensely. I am not embarrassed to admit that I am a Little House and Anne of Green Gables fan. As a matter of fact, I think I would gladly leave all this behind and take my family back in time to the Old West or out on the wagon trail. Yes, I know life was hard back then. But, it was simple, and beautiful, and innocent. Not, the hustle and bustle crap we live in today. No power lines, no pollution, no global warming, no cars, or stores everywhere, or fast food. Just simple people trying to make their way in the world. Now, if I did get to go back in time. I wanna be like the movies I saw: pretty dresses and a smidge of make-up. I'm still a girly girl. I could try and plow the fields or make bread, I would just need an extra lacey bonnet or some ribbons on my boots or something.
P.S. if anyone is curious about a birthday gift for me, I'll take the Little House or Anne of Green Gables series (books) please. I never owned many of the Anne books, but I did have almost all of the Little House books. I don't remember what happened to them.

Priceless

Priceless ads are my favorite, I've done one on here before. You can find it here. Well, it's time for another. This one's a biggy. C'mon sometimes you need more than three things to make something priceless, duh!

Green Apple Fizz bubble bath- $10
Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner- $7
Dove Nutrium soap- $2
Olay cleansing cloths- $4
Neutrogena sugar scrub and body butter- $15
Daisy plus razors- $4
Crest toothpaste- $3
Listerine- $6
In Style magazine- $4
Taking "one of those" where there's plenty of hot water, no one walks in without knocking, all the kids are sleeping, I have great products, a new magazine and you feel like a new fresh smelling woman baths. Plus time to brush and floss- PRICELESS!

Since watermelons aren't in season yet,

I got the next best thing. These are the individually wrapped pieces, but they'll do just fine. They don't sell the sticks anymore, or even the all one flavor bags, ugghh! I had a love affair with watermelon sticks at one time. Just the name watermelon stick makes me happy. When I was a kid, I used to be seriously addicted. Then I grew up and figured I would look silly sucking on candy all the time. Plus, I would like to keep my teeth for as long as possible, never mind being a good example to my children. But, I was feeling nostalgic tonight and checked a few sites and sure enough found me a case of pure, sticky, sugary, fake fruit goodness. I guess these will be an early birthday present or something. When Kelli, Amy, and I were little our mom would drop us at the public pool for a couple of hours several days a week to swim. This was before the world was as psycho as it is now. Anyway, we would get to stop off at 7-11 on the way home from swimming to pick a treat. I would almost always get a stick and could make them last about 2 days, or until the next trip to the pool. There would even be an imprint of my tongue on the stick, gross. I am super excited, and I sound like I'm 9 again! Even though I am supposed to be trying to lose weight... I think I'll be ok, if I pace myself. Now, if I start buying my other childhood diet staples in bulk: chick-o-sticks, Skor bars, sixlets, and Funyuns I am gonna be in trouble.

Happy Valentines Day!

Have a happy, kiss and hug filled, chocolate and flower infused day! Kisses to you!

Good fortune, Hannah Montana, and a diagnosis

To say today was busy would be a giant understatement. After getting the kids off to school, I headed to the gastroenterologist. I finally know what's wrong: I have an ulcer and IBS. Yes, I will spare you the gory details. You're welcome. I am now on ulcer meds and a high fiber diet. Afterwards, Jon and I did something we haven't done in ages... no not that! We went driving around looking at houses, and even went into a few model homes. Talk about daydreaming, we found a house that seems like it was built for our family. The problem is, a family our size needs a house that is majorly expensive. But, it was fun to imagine. We then went on to PF Changs, yay! Except, Jon hogged the lettuce wraps! We barely got home in time to pick up the kids and get homework started. Then, Chloe and I were off again, to visit Kelli and the boys and then to see this. It was absolutely adorable. Miley Cyrus is so cute! I definitely think she is a very good role model, and she seems to have a heart of gold. We had to wait in a huge line full of kids of all sizes in wigs, glitter, and leggings. It was worth it, and the digital 3D was awesome. It is so much better than the old 3D. That movie made me want to be 12 again, complete with my old Chuck Taylors, fingerless gloves, and bubblegum pink lip gloss. I am so gonna get Chloe's Hannah Montana cds and stick them in the car. I highly recommend this movie for any family that has little girls, it was really fun! So, there you have it. I am finally home and exhausted! Before I go, I want to share my fortune from lunch. Ok, one I found on the floor. I took it as a sign that it was meant for me, I didn't like what my other one said.

Ashley's fortune: The courage to be great lies deep within each of us.