my happy

  

  1.  Stopping on grandma and grandpa's porch with Morgan to watch the rain at 6am, in the dark.
  2.  Morgan playing his little game with me where he sits up in his crib as soon as I lay him down and giggles furiously. He could do this over and over if I kept playing too.
  3.  Pumpkin anything. Pumpkin ice cream? Ahhmazing.
  4.  Loving my new job.
  5.  Going to dinner with my mom and laughing till we cry. You need that sometimes.
  6.  Looking back at our wedding pictures every week {or nearly every week} to find one of my favs to share.
  7.  Reading reader comments. People actually read my blog?!? Yay!
  8.  Driving home with the windows rolled down {there's only a short window when you can do that in Wisconsin, when it's not too hot or freeeezing}.
  9.  Sitting on the couch next to Frank and watching a 30 min TV show. Cozy and carefree.
 10. The bond I have with my sorority sisters. It's indescribable and amazing.

This post was inspired by Danielle's at Changing Lanes. 

Wedding Wednesday...on Thursday

Can we pretend I didn't forget about it again on Wednesday?

Let's pretend I posted this yesterday and not today, mmmkay?

 Thanks for being so supportive. =)

Moving on...

This one never fails to leave a smile on my face. 

It is a candid moment captured so that we'll never forget it.

It was taken during the ring exchange when the officiant {my uncle} was telling Frank to repeat after him. Frank forgot what he told him to say and asked him if he could repeat it in shorter phrases. 

We both cracked up and the chapel was full of laughter. 

Definitely one of those imperfectly perfect moments.

xoxo,

Ashley

{Capture Life Moments Photography}

The Little Farmer

Saturday we headed to our local pumpkin patch/apple orchard, "The Little Farmer". It is a local favorite, and every fall we all look forward to going. It's a place that's fun for people of all ages, but even more enjoyable when you get to bring your own little one there and experience it through their eyes.

Last year, I was so excited to take Morgan there for the first time. I must admit, it was a little bit of a let down last year because he was so little that he obviously couldn't really get into it yet. 

But this year was a different story. He LOVED it. He loves the crisp air and soft breezes and it's so fun to just watch him relish in it as it wisps through his long locks of hair. He loves watching people in general, but he also loves watching other children. As we walked around the play area, letting him lead the way, it was so fun to watch his face as he took everything in with amazement. 

This year he was able to swing in the swings in the play area, munch on freshly baked muffins and apples with us, go on the hay ride, pick out pumpkins and watch the farm animals. He was so into watching everything that was going on around him, that it was hard to get him to peel his eyes away long enough to look at the camera.

This first picture was snapped in the same spot last year and this year.

What a difference a year makes! 

 Swinging and watching the big kids play on the hay stack.

 Picking out our pumpkins.

 Waiting for the hay ride.

Family shot on the hay ride.

xoxo,

Ashley

it's the little things

Dear Morgan,

I love everything about you, my big-little guy. Yes, even when you're throwing yourself on the floor in a fit because I won't let you have something you want or won't let you do something gross/dangerous{like eat bugs for example. you'll thank me for that one, someday}. But, it's still kinda cute.

But what I really love about you, what really makes my heart swell with motherly love, are the little things you do....

Like when you come and lean against me when we're playing on the floor because you're tired and need that closeness.

Looking back at you in the backseat in the rear view mirror and finding you with legs crossed and a book on your lap, staring intently at the pages. 

When you give me a little wave "good-bye" with a smile when I tuck you in at night.

When you hold your sippy cup with one hand on the bottom of the cup. I just find it so stinkin' cute!

When you stand quietly at the sliding glass door staring out at the activity outside, relishing in the crisp autumn breeze.

When you tug at my pant legs and reach up with your arms because you want me to pick you up. 

When you're sitting in your high chair and cock your head to the right and smile at me.

When you run up to me and give me a big open mouthed kiss without me even asking for one!

Oh, little man, I could go on and on. But I'll stop for now, because you've just woken from your nap and I know there is a huge smile and a little squeal waiting for me when I open the door to your room.

Love,

Your blessed Mama

updating the little ones room

I decided after Morgan's vintage baseball birthday party

that I was going to incorporate the things I had purchased 

for party decor into his bedroom decor.

His birthday was a month and a half ago...

I just finally got around to making those changes. 

There's still a long way to go. 

It's starting to come together, 

but it still doesn't have that cohesive look I'm going for.

So, even though it's not done yet, 

I wanted to share a few pics with you.

I made this bunting for Morgan's birthday. I love the color combo and the fact that it really is made out of vintage fabric my mom gave me!

I made this pillow out of the same material and some pillow stuffing I had from an old project.

I bought this shelf yesterday at Goodwill at $1.99!

The baseballs sitting on the top of the shelf were signed by guests at his party!

I bought these blocks at a thrift store awhile back and they were used for his party. Now they are sitting on the window sill.

Homemade chalkboard, also from his party.

Of course a little touch of burlap for my boy =)

I replaced paper poms that were hanging with these white paper lanterns from our wedding!

Last, but certainly not least. A vintage school map I found at Goodwill yesterday for $2.99!!! I think I may be obsessed with it! How cool is this?

I'll be sure to post an update with full view of the room when I'm all done.

xoxo,

Ashley

p.s. I'm linking up with: 

and

WW: Wedding Wednesday

So, I think I may have missed a Wedding Wednesday {or two?}.

But have no fear, I'm back with another favorite wedding photo 

to share with you on this lovely Wednesday. 

Seriously it is gooorrgeous outside. 

Fall is definitely in the air. 

And I'm lovin' it.

Now, onto the photo:

This photo showcases our programs which I handmade. 

I designed them in Powerpoint, printed them

and then folded them in half and 

glued the popsicle stick in between the pages.

And then I finished them off by tying 

a yellow ribbon around the handle. 

And boy did they come in handy that day!

{I know I've only mentioned a hundred times how hot it was}

xoxo,

Ashley

Oh, how pinteresting!

Today I'm linking up with The Vintage Apple 

and sharing with you some of my favs from my recent pins on pinterest. 

Because yes, I'm that obsessed with that website.

I want to kiss whoever came up with that idea. 

Or yell at them for sucking up all my time and for my mountains of laundry and neglected kitchen =)

p.s. Leave a comment if you still need an invite!

How cute is this doormat from urban outfitters?

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Ashley on Pinterest

For real. What's a friend if not someone you can dig into a big piece of chocolate cake with? No guilt.

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

How breathtaking is this? Reminds me of our wedding, but with 10x more candles and jars.

Source: emmalinebride.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I'm pretty sure I need this for Morgan's bathroom.

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Can I move into this room already?

Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

We could learn a lot from 8 year olds.

Source: tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Beautiful centerpiece! Succulents + baby's breath = fabulous. Have you seen the medicine bottles in my shop?

Source: stylemepretty.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I think I know what I'm doing with my canvas now!

Source: thevirginiahouse.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

xoxo,

Ash

thrifty finds

Does anyone else get a high from digging through thrift stores, hunting for treasures? I know I sure do. And I know I'm not the only one. Is there a support group out there for people like us? Who am I kidding? I don't wanna change. I ain't no quitter. {FYI - I hate the word "ain't", but it was fitting here}

I hit up my local Goodwill at least once a week, sometimes more. Then I bring my bag of goodies home, excitedly show them to the hubby {his enthusiasm rarely matches mine} and then set them aside and forget about them for a day...or week...or month. Yea, it's bad. 

You see, when I buy things at thrift stores I see potential in them. Rarely are they functional or beautiful on their own. No, they require a little TLC before I'll put them out on display. And that my friends, means they require work. And sometimes I get a little lazy...or is it that I'm exhausted from chasing a certain little person out of cupboards? {Yea, let's use that excuse. It sounds better}

So anyways, I was cleaning our bedroom when I found this stack of Goodwill treasures hiding in the corner of our room. I decided to drop everything and share my finds with you right this second because blogging is more fun than cleaning. Procrastination at it's finest, ladies.

Without further ado, { <---Is that how you spell that word? I never know} my recent thrifty finds:

Now don't get all judgy on me when you see this first one, ok? I was almost embarrassed to take it to the check-out, lest the cashier think I'm some super freak cat lover. Nope, I just bought it for the frame, peeps.

Blogger is being stupid and rotating my pictures without asking me. How rude.

Deal!

 

 

I'm really excited about this next find. It's a vintage measuring scoop and it's actually in pretty good condition. I'm going to wash that bad boy up and use it.

49 cents!

I bought this canvas, not for the hideous floral print, but because I figured I could use it for some DIY project. Paint over it? Cover it with fabric? I'll think of something.

Pretty cheap for a canvas, no?

I bought this frame because I thought it would be cute with a little burlap saying in it. Perfect blend of rustic and chic!

Again with the rotating of my pics! Grr.

And last, but not least a cute little message station with memo board. I love the little hook of the bottom. I think I might replace the memo board with something else, I just haven't decided what yet. {ok, you've got me. I'm considering burlap.}

Now to decide where I'm going to put it.

Have you got the urge to go thrifting now? Me too. But, I guess I better get back to the cleaning, eh?

xoxo,

Ash