Who I am

Several months back, my friend Betsy composed a blog post in which she answered simple questions about her everyday life that define her as a wife, as a mother and as a person in general.  I thought it was a great idea and here's why...........

 

Although this blog is my own and I pour countless hours into it, more often than not, my posts aren't about me.  I usually make it into very few of the pictures I share.  I rarely talk about my own thoughts and feelings.  My posts are a reflection of my life, but not of ME.  Me as a wife. Me as a mother.  Me as a daughter, sister, friend and Christian.  My entire purpose for putting so much time and energy into this blog is so that in years to come, it will serve as a priceless treasure full of stories, pictures and memories of times past.  I try my best to carefully document each and every part of our lives in hopes that Kyndall and any future children we may have can someday reflect on their childhood with fond memories and an appreciation for the life that Matthew and I gave them.  I want them to remember the little things.  The milestones.  The trips.  The funny stories.  The trials.  The triumphs.  The good, and yes even the bad.  Most importantly, I want them to remember who we were as a family and what a BLESSED life we lived!  Part of that life is me.  I want them to remember my quirks, my likes, my dislikes, my habits and even my shortfalls.  Someday, when I'm long gone, I hope they will look back on this particular post and appreciate the person that I am today, at this very stage of my life.  Who I was on October 17th, 2012. 

 

So, I hope that by answering these questions as truthfully as possible, I am able to achieve that.  Some of them are deep, some of them are silly and some of them probably seem trivial.  But each of them give a glimpse into the heart, mind and everyday life of Ashleigh-Anne Hughes.  Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and Christian.

 

My life priorities?

 

Although I would like to say they look something like this.....

1.) God  2.) My Husband 3.) Kyndall 4.) Family 5.) Friends 6.) Careers and Finances

 

If I'm being honest, they actually look more like this......

1.) Kyndall 2.) My Husband 3.) Family 4.) God 5.) Friends 6.) Careers and Finances

 

That was a tough one to admit.  But, it's the truth.

 

Hobbies?

 

Photography is definitely my most enjoyable hobby.  I'm sure that's evident by the sheer number of pictures posted in my blog alone.  Although I'm not very good at it (yet) and I'll probably never make it into a career (I wish!), I do enjoy the satisfaction that it brings me to know that I've captured a moment in time.  A memory that will forever remain untouched.  Here's a recent quote I found that I think sums up my love for pictures: "The best thing about a photo is that it never changes, even when the person in it does."

 

I've also come to enjoy blogging as a hobby, obviously.  I've always loved to write (and talk!), so I've  found that blogging allows me to do that in a productive way.

 

I also enjoy making bows for Kyndall and doing the occasional crafty thing.  I've never been very creative, but if someone gives me an idea, I can usually run with it and make it my own.

 

Religion?

 

Of all the things that define me, I hope that this one stands out above the rest.  I was born and raised a Southern Baptist, which means I have deep convictions which tend to lean towards the conservative side.  However, above all else, I love people and I love Jesus.  Doctrine and theology aside, I just want to be remembered as someone who showed the love of Jesus to others.  At the same time, I feel it's important to hold fast to my morals and standards which are defined in God's word.  It's a fine line and I often have to remind myself to "hate the sin, love the sinner". 

 

As a family, we attend church every Sunday and Matthew and I agree that it's EXTREMELY important to raise our children in church.  Our religion (I'd rather call it a "relationship") is the very foundation for our family and every decision we are faced with is carefully bathed in prayer. 

 

Political Affiliation?

 

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I'm a loud and proud Republican.  Though politics are often above my head, I get very passionate about the social issues such as the right to life and the sanctity of marriage.  We're exactly three weeks away from the 2012 Presidential election and I've found myself getting more and more passionate about these issues.  Here's another quote that I love: "No matter who is President, Jesus is still King!"  So very thankful for this reminder!!

 

Coffee?

 

Yuck!  I can't even stand the smell.  However, you can give me a big ole Coke Icee any day of the week!  (Or everyday of the week, as I've been guilty of here lately!!)  I truly love them and crave them to the point I'm a little worried for myself!  When I'm not pumping my body full of my drug of choice, you can find me with a glass of sweet tea or a Diet Dr. Pepper.  I also enjoy a big tall glass of cold milk every now and then.  As with the coffee, you can keep the alcohol as well.  No wine, beer or fruity cocktails for this Southern Baptist!  =)

 

Breakfast?

 

I'm not a breakfast eater, so I usually just skip it but occasionally I'll have an Eggo waffle.  Butter only, no syrup---yuck.  Peanut butter toast is also another rare but yummy choice.

 

Lunch?

 

Again, I'm being honest here so please no judging.  Usually if I eat lunch, it's some type of terrible, horrible, processed, packaged food.  My terrible meals of choice are:  Frozen pizzas, buttered noodles, a hand full of Cheez-Its,  a PB & J sandwich, Marie Calendar's frozen chicken pot pie, tortilla chips with shredded cheddar cheese melted on top, or frozen egg rolls.  I know, I know.  Terrible choices.  Top any one of those terrible choices with a Coke Icee and I'm a happy, happy girl!!

 

Vices?

 

Hands down, Facebook!  I spend way more time than I should on there, but don't we all?  What did we do before the world of social media busted onto the scene??  I love keeping up with friends and family and seeing pictures of peoples' kids, pets and everyday lives.  I love hearing other peoples' thoughts, opinions and ideas.  In general, it's just very addicting to me and that's probably not a good thing!

 

My other vice is probably reality TV.  Just recently someone asked me what my favorite TV shows are.  As I thought about it, I realized that EVERY SINGLE ONE of them is a reality show!  I'm not sure what that says about me, except that I enjoy.....well.....reality!!  Some of my current favorites are Dancing with the Stars, Teen Mom, 19 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, The Amazing Race, Swamp People (thanks to Matthew), Bringing Home Baby, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, The X-Factor, American Idol and Shark Tank. 

 

Appearance?

 

Although I wouldn't be caught dead leaving the house without a shower and make-up, I couldn't care less about my clothes, shoes and accessories.  I've never cared for brand names or big ticket items like Coach purses and designer jeans.  Give me a shirt from Ross, some old Navy Jeans, a cute pair of flip flops and a Target purse and I'm set!  I buy my make up from Target and I schedule my hair appointments around my trips home to Tallahassee because I refuse to pay more than $50 for a cut and highlight.  I don't consider myself a frumpy Mom and I haven't gotten to the point of "letting myself go", but I definitely put very little thought into my appearance.  I am who I am and no amount of money spent on purses or shoes is going to change that or make me feel any better about myself.  By the world's standards, I could use a MAJOR boob job, some liposuction and a complete style make-over but in my "old" age I have come to realize that I don't have to live up to the world's standards.  I have a husband who loves me just the way I am, imperfections and all.  I want my daughter to grow up knowing that beauty comes from the inside and that her self worth is not dependent on what she wears or how much she paid for her purse.  I feel like the only way to do this is by my own example, since the world is constantly screaming "you're not pretty enough, you're not skinny enough and you're not good enough".  Ok, rant over!! =)

 

Sleep?

 

As evidenced by the time stamp on many of my blog posts, I am the true definition of a night owl.  I rarely go to bed before midnight and if I do, you can be assured it must've been one heck of a day!  Late at night when everyone is asleep and the house is quiet is when I finally enjoy my "me time".  It's when I blog, catch up on e-mails, watch my DVR'd shows and just unwind from the day.  I'm most definitely NOT a morning person and waking up is never easy for me.  Thankfully, I've trained Kyndall well and she sleeps until around 9:00 or 9:30 everyday.  Some days it's closer to 10:00!  I know I can't do this forever, but for now it works for us and I'm going to enjoy it while I can!

 

Do I Work Out?

 

Bahahaha!!!  That's a big fat NO!  Though, I know I should.  Even though I don't fret over my appearance, I also know that it's important to be healthy and to set that example for my daughter as well.  It's probably something I should try to incorporate into my life, but I truly just have no desire.  I am baffled by these Moms/Wives who seem to thrive on working out and going to the gym.  I wish I had that kind of determination and zest.  Unless you count dancing around in my living room with my 2 year old or bending over 2,738 times per day to pick up toys from the living room floor, then the answer is no, I do not work out!

 

What Keeps My Sanity?

 

That's simple---Coke Icees!  =)  Though this is true on occasion, I do have other ways of staying sane.  Blogging is one of them.  Like I said, I love to write and express myself and I feel like my blog is a good outlet for this.  Talking is another one.  Talking to my husband, talking to my Mom, talking to the check out lady at Target, talking to the teller at the bank.....Just kidding of course, but when you are alone with 2 year old whose vocabulary consists of 50 words or less, you find yourself desperate for adult conversation at times!!  Truly, though, I love to talk and express myself.  Just telling Matthew about my day and having a meaningful conversation over dinner helps keep me sane.  Another is making trips home to Tallahassee.  It's a running joke that I spend more time in Tallahassee than I do here in Charleston.  It's no secret that I miss my friends and family back home terribly, so making the 6.5 hour trek back to Florida every few weeks definitely keeps my spirits up.  I know we're not the first young family to live far away from our extended family, but let me tell you it's HARD not having any help near by.  Sometimes just going home and letting someone else change the diapers, give the baths, and cook the meals for a day or two is such a blessing and a welcomed break.  I'm thankful that I'm able to do this pretty often and I fear the day when I can't jump in the car on a moment's notice and go home for a few days.  I pray we're never THAT far away from our family.

 

Music?

 

I mostly listen to Country and Contemporary Christian.  Funny, right?  However, I've also been known to jam out to the latest over-played pop songs on occasion.  ("Call Me Maybe?")  I can't even remember the last time I've bought a CD and I don't do any of that downloading stuff.  But I do love the satellite radio on my car and I'll probably splurge and renew the free subscription as soon as it runs out!  I never knew how much I hated commercials until I didn't have to hear them anymore!

 

Pet Peeves?

 

Oh where to begin?!  Here are a few......People who smack their food or chew/talk with their mouth open.  Bad grammar and improper spelling.  Hypocrites.  Riding in the "fast lane" when you're not going fast.  People who are rude to restaurant servers.  Babies crying/babbling in church.  A dirty microwave--gross.  Chairs that are not pushed in and a shower curtain that is left partially open.  Cursing.  Seeing parents smoking in a car with kids in the back seat.  Grocery carts left in parking spaces that could otherwise be used for parking CARS.  People who can't admit when they're wrong or apologize when necessary.  When the bag boy smashes my loaf of bread that I have so carefully chosen from the shelf.  Selfishness.  I could go on and on, but you get the point I'm sure!  =)

 

Car?

 

I drive a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.  We've been married 4 years and it was our first "big purchase" together.  I love it, but someday when I'm no longer hauling kids and strollers around, I'd love a sassy little sports car of some kind.  Maybe a cute little mustang or a convertible of some type??  Hey, one can dream!  For now I'm happy and proud to be driving my Mommy-Mobile!

 

Saver or Spender?

 

Definitely a saver!  I've been called cheap, but I like to say frugal.  I try to be wise with what we've been given and not stretch our family beyond our limits.  We enjoy the luxuries in life like eating out on the weekends and yearly family vacations, but overall we are definitely savers.  My husband has a degree in economics, so would you expect anything different??  Though I rarely spend money on myself, I do have to watch out when it comes to those oh-so-cute little girls clothes!!  They suck me in every time and I find myself spending more money than necessary on things for Kyndall.  Though most of them come from Target or off a clearance rack, it can still add up!

 

Some of my Favorite Simple Things in Life?

 

Photographs, the color pink, Coke Icees, the beach, Target's dollar bins, Target in general, Barnaby's Pizza dipped in ranch dressing, fresh sheets, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows, monogrammed things, thoughtful notes--both writing and receiving, smocked dresses and big bows, the smell of clean laundry, Fall, Reeses Pieces and Candy Corn, a clean house, going "home", weddings, babies, happy tears, fresh flowers on my kitchen table, seeing Kyndall's eyes light up at the mention of Minnie Mouse, good reports from my doctor, breakfast for dinner, traveling, Christmas music, watching Steel Magnolias for the 1,000th time, looking at the stars, time spent with my Grandparents, foot rubs, cruise vacations, animals, ice cold watermelon on a hot day, saving money with coupons, candles, surprises, baby giggles, watching the Ellen show everyday at 4:00, my Grandma's fried cornbread, getting "real" mail, saying prayers each night as a family, watching old home movies, hearing my baby girl say "Mama"......Going to sleep at night knowing that I am blessed beyond measure and have everything I could ever need or want! 

 

And there you have it, my life and my personality in a nutshell!  I hope this will serve as a reminder of who I am and what my life is all about in years to come.  As I am quickly approaching the big 3-0, I feel like I'm at a good place in my life.  I'm happy and blessed and living out my dream of being a stay at home Mom and wife.  What more could I ask for?  Though some of the things I mentioned above may change, I hope that the really important ones will always define me for who I truly am and the type of life I've chosen to live.