travel

When Mom’s Away: 3 ways I know my family missed me

February 27, 2012 By Ashley 18 Comments

This past week, I attended Blissdom, a huge blogging conference with over 700 women (and a handful of men). I left my husband and my kids for a few days (I left Wednesday and returned Sunday). After the initial feelings of freedom, I also wrestled with the usual mom guilt of leaving my kids. I really don’t know if that ever gets easier, but at the same time, a few days away can really help you refocus and rejuvenate from the usual routine. Attending this conference was amazing for me, and I have so much to share once I can sift through it all and make some plans. But one of the best parts of my conference was coming home to my family.

3 ways I know my family missed me

My house was CLEAN.

This was amazing. The toys were picked up, the playroom was (kind of) put together, and our bedroom was freshly painted. My husband truly went above and beyond, and even enlisted the kids to help! I imagine many of you are like me and this is a rarity. And one to be treasured.

My kids didn’t bicker once.

I’m still in a state of shock over this one. When I came in the door, after they threw themselves at me, they each sat on one side of me on the couch, clinging for dear life. Typically, my kids bicker for where they’re going to sit, who gets to be on which side, who is kicking the other one… the list goes on and on. But last night, there was an hour of perfect harmony. Talk about Bliss!

My husband made dinner.

When we were first married, I did not cook. I had been a single woman who worked, went out, and loved takeout. Who needed to cook? Of course, as the years progressed, we added children, and my husband’s work days extended, it became apparent someone had to feed this family. It turned out that it had to be me (when can kids cook anyway??). Anyway, once I took this task on, my husband forgot that he knew how to cook. Seriously. But last night? I had a full meal waiting to eat when the kids went to bed, so it was a mini-date on top of it.

Sigh. It’s good to be home.

18 Comments Filed Under: travel

You’re Moving to Alaska?

November 30, 2010 By Ashley 23 Comments

Bless all of you who are still reading my sad, neglected blog these days. The end of the year craziness has been compounded with projects, craziness, and my impending move to Alaska. Yes, Alaska for anyone that may not be following me on twitter (and if you’re not, what’s up with that? Let’s be friends). In a few short weeks, our family will be headed up to Alaska. (Which will hopefully go better than my move to Utah.) While ignoring my trepidation of having to play nice with a new group of mommies (always intimidating), I have (sort of) come to terms that there will be snow. I don’t have to leave the house, right? Ahem.

So, in honor of my soon-to-be new state, I thought I would chronicle the most common reactions I receive when people hear that I’m moving to Alaska.

1. Wow, it’s going to be so cold there.

This is one of the first reactions every.single.time. I subsequently roll my eyes to myself and think, seriously? That’s original. And then when someone simply says something like, that will be different, I reply with Yeah, the cold will be tough. Groan.

2. You’ll be able to see Russia!

Um, okay? This one tends to throw me. I am not too sure what the appropriate response is here..

3. You can be friends with Sarah Palin!

Not so much. Although Melissa from Peanut Butter in My Hair did recommend I become the Palin girls’ social media representative after their recent Facebook encounters. Hmmm..

4. It’s going to be light/dark all the time!

Another not so much. Do people know nothing about how Anchorage works? I certainly did not have to look this up. Ahem.

5. You won’t need to buy new shoes, you will just need snow boots!

This may or may not have been hubs. And newsflash honey? I will Always need to buy new shoes. Especially when you move me to the arctic! (Wait. It is considered the arctic, right?)

I’m not sure Alaska is ready for me.

Now, everyone please chime in and tell me how to survive the cold. I may have been raised in Philly, but my Southern Roots prefer the warm weather!

23 Comments Filed Under: travel

And then we moved to Utah

September 8, 2010 By Ashley 4 Comments

I recently shared with you the story behind my first move. For that move, I was single, on my own and excited to live in the city. Fast-forward a few years to 2005 (and a few various living locations around the Atlanta area) to a move to the suburbs, where I met my now-husband and had a baby, all within a year (although that’s a whole other story). A few months later, I would experience a very different kind of move..

Our son was born in November of 2005- he arrived early but healthy after a very uncomfortable pregnancy, filled with contractions and morning sickness. We were so in love with our little family of three (plus a dog who would later go live with my father and stepmother, but that’s another story- and another move). So, when my husband came home and asked how I would feel about moving to Utah, I just kind of laughed and said sure, why not.

I have since learned to temper my responses to such seemingly offhand questions.

It had been an interesting few months, filled with emotional highs and tears (some from the baby, some from me). We were going through such an adjustment period with our son. To be honest, I think he adjusted just fine- he was the easiest baby, sleeping all night long, dozing throughout the day. But I was a mom now. Talk about the longest three-letter word ever. Whatever the case might be, it did not really matter. We had agreed to go, and soon we were packing up our townhome and preparing to fly across the country- with a four month old. (Amusing side note- my daughter was half this age when we moved another time.. anyway).

As our plane touched down, it suddenly occurred to me how much life was about to change. As we set up the carseat in the rental car, I shivered, pulling my coat tighter around me. We drove towards our hotel, and I was awestruck by the mountains that shot up around me. The mountains were so magnificent in their simplicity and natural presence. Snow capped the peaks and tumbled down the valleys. It truly was one of the most beautiful scenic views I had ever seen. these mountains, so unlike the Appalachian mountains I had grown up used to, were breathtaking. It was only after we had been driving for awhile that I noticed how far down the snow went. I suspiciously looked a little closer. Hmm..

It turns out I did not need my Nancy Drew kit to determine how fresh this snow was or how it was still in existence. No, my friends, Mother Nature opened her arms and welcomed me with arms wide open and full of snow. Yes, it was snowing. In April.

What had I gotten myself into?

Stay tuned for more of my moving series- and more about Utah. I experienced a whole lot more than just a change in weather..

Photo credit HERE

4 Comments Filed Under: Moving Series, travel

My first move

August 4, 2010 By Ashley 5 Comments

I have talked before about moving a lot. I have been to many locations as a result of my husband’s job. But the moving actually didn’t begin with him. No, the first move occurred when I was discovering… well, me.

As I crossed the street, I felt a sense of awe as I moved among business people rushing to their meetings, darting around these buildings that stood tall and proud. I walked towards my destination with my Starbucks in hand, reveling in the sense of purpose that can only come from rushing among people in a city. Realizing I had a bit of time to spare, I slipped off to the side and settled in front of one of the city’s many (and I do mean many) fountains. Settling down in front of the crashing water amidst a bustling city, I enjoyed the peacefulness of a warm breeze and the energy around me. I closed my eyes and took a sip of my coffee.

Ahh, welcome home the city seemed to be telling me. This move was the first time I really made a journey of any kind, I was moving away from all of my friends and family and settling myself in the world of wonder- which for me we know was Atlanta, since we all know I left my heart in Georgia. This move held so much magic mainly in its mystery, as I had nothing to guide me or no idea what happened next. i would sit in for a lecture in my political science class and have political figures making guest stops share their views. I would grab a starbucks before a study session beneath a massive banking sky-scraper, wondering if the genius in my calculus class was fast on his way to joining the harried-looking businessmen dashing for the revolving doors. I loved how the little side streets would be shut down so bands could play and vendors could sell the delicious fares, from vegan veggie wraps to good old finished barbeque (we are in Georgia, after all). I would browse through the underground shops between my classes and think of how lucky I was to be in such an energizing, alive location.

The packing and loading of my parents’ explorer was filled with nothing except excitement and anticipation. I continually crushed the feelings that I could possibly fail because to me, I was following my dream- and while I knew that the exact path of said dream was yet to be defined, I was confident in the destination I had chosen.Even today, if I had known the challenges and curves I would be taking through life’s path, I would not want to warn myself. There are always decsions that could have been better made, but at the end of the day it was all worthwhile. I have reached an amazing place in my life, with my education, my passions, my husband, my children.

So, I would never want to take away that moment from that girl that I was then. Meandering the streets with the CNN building on one side of Centennial Olympic Park with the buildings of my campus on the other, I to this day urge her to embrace everything she is going to learn. All of what will play out will be hectic, crazy, and not at all what you had ever expected. I would love to take away the fear of what is to come, which I can only do now in such a state of contentment. But to myself, standing along the streets of Atlanta, with people rushing to meetings and that warm breeze in the air, go ahead and take your coffee, settle down in front of that fountain, and wholly embrace your welcome home.