eight months with davis

Davis Owen is now 8 months old. I can't believe it. The last 8 months have flown by and I miss every milestone that has passed.

And can I state for the record that the 8 months of pregnancy DID NOT fly by!!! Not fair. Being pregnant at 32 was much different than at 21 when our oldest was born. Davis is the youngest of 4, so I know the ropes as far as morning sickness, no sleep, difficulty breathing, fighting the urge to eat everything in sight, fighting the urge to punch everyone in sight...the list goes on.

Baby D is such a happy baby. He brings a smile to everyone's face. He loves to love on you. He loves learning new things as well. Boy wants to run a marathon I tell ya. Table food, check. He can down some beans, apples, avocado, grapes, carrots...and everything else in sight. Davis makes me want all the babies. No one ever asked the dreaded, "so are you done having kids?" question. Now, it's all the time. I guess the difference in age between him and his brother. Or maybe it's just typical for others to want to know the next time you and your husband plan on being intimate, while you're ovulating, so you can become pregnant. I mean I get it. #notreally

We went to the park and attempted some pictures. He was more interested in eating grass, sand, rocks, sticks and anything else that presented itself.

Enjoy our sweet baby! And I make no apologies for your ovaries and what they might be saying to you after seeing such cuteness.

{mom the grass is dry and uncomfortable}

{i can't, i can't do #8monthsold}

{look at mason, crazy brother}

{i'm positive this gravel is perfectly fine to eat}

{my thighs bring all the moms to the park...}

{and they're like...you get the picture}

{my sweet baby}

{who me? i'm the favorite. shucks}

home sweet home

We currently live in Collierville, TN. The downtown is adorable and full of southern charm. When you walk down Main Street, you feel as though you belong in a Hallmark movie. It's just like those sweet small towns you see on t.v, I can't get over it!! Totally in love.

Tonight I walked around the downtown square. I went a little too early, as the sun was still shining so bright. I was able to get a few pictures and wanted to share. I edited the photos in Adobe Lightroom. It's very overwhelming, but I'm committed.

I'm going to do a little research on Collierville and the downtown area. I want to be able to give you a little info about each picture. For now just enjoy :)

sweet addy jane

My sweet friend Heather was kind enough to let me shoot her little girl this past weekend. Not only was it humid, it started pouring. I'm still learning how to use my Nikon D3200, really trying to stay off auto mode. There is nothing wrong with using that setting, but digital cameras offer so much more, especially for those with a creative eye. 

A few things I learned from this session...

Scope out the location and look for the best lighting. Both indoors and outdoors. This was mistake #1. 

Make all the adjustments to your camera settings first depending on where you will be shooting. While I had my settings ready, we moved back and forth between natural light and using a flash indoors. This created shadows. Mini mistake #2. 

Remember the age of your subject! Addy Jane is 11 months old, mobile and loves to move around. I have 4 kids, so I'm no stranger to circus that is family photos. However, I should have been ready and more prepared so I wouldn't miss as many shots. Smedium mistake #3. 

Overall, I'm happy with the photos. Again, wish I had more crisp, in focus pictures, but this was a learning experience. For both of us!!

Now onto the photos. These are just a couple from outside. I will be working on the rest of the album this week. 

{addy jane enjoying some leftover cake}

{sweet girl and those baby blue eyes}

{addy loved sticking out her tongue and hanging toes out}

{balloons are a great photo prop}

Stay tuned for more photos of sweet Addy Jane! I can't believe she will be one next week. 

the housewife, part 2

Welcome to the "Housewife Chronicles" Part 2 {still as ridiculous as part 1 ;)}

How did I come up with the title for my blog?

I honestly have no clue how I decided. I wanted something funny, sarcastic, honest and sort of summed up what I might be talking about in general.

I think we all live a little of the "American Dream." While we may strive to be better, to have more, we should all be grateful for what we do have.

I'm thankful for staying at home with my kiddos, my cozy roof and hot home cooked meals.

Anyway, so I tried some catchy housewife slogans, mom sayings, using a family name, my own name and nothing really fit. So I came up with...

{almost suburban housewife}

Let's take a look:

almost: very nearly, not quite

suburban: of or characteristic of a suburb {suburb: a town or other area where people live in houses near a larger city}

housewife: a married woman who manages her own household, especially as her principal occupation

So if I understand this correctly...

I'm not quite the girl who lives in a house/suburbs outside of the city, but I professionally manage my home.

Basically, I'm living that rich life, but in an apartment, down the street from CEO & Brain Surgeon Parkway. We are in an amazing school district. I stay at home raising my 4 zoo animals while my life partner works 40 hours a week at a corporate job. {housewife: check}

Why do we live in an apartment with 6 people...never said I wasn't crazy!!

The average home around my sweet apartment complex is somewhere around $450k. I'm sorry, but no thanks. Not only do I hate the mortgage on said house, but I do NOT want to be the one responsible for cleaning it (all of the above fulfills the suburban part...so suburban: check).

And on a more serious note, we are not Memphis natives (larger city we live outside of...almost: check) and were brought here for very special circumstances. So buying a home here is something we're not ready for. Tennessee is beautiful and there's so much to see if you're willing to travel.

There it is. For the 4-5 readers I have, lol. Welcome to the "Burbments!" Where yoga pants and top knots are appreciated.

the housewife, part 1

Welcome to the "Housewife Chronicles" Part 1 {sounds as ridiculous as the series will be ;)}

So you know, this will be a 3 part series. I tried writing a little about myself the other day and was stumped. I've added a little over the last week and still, it feels unfinished.

Part 1: About Me
Part 2: The meaning behind my blog title.
Part 3: How I spend my days as a SAHM.

So I'll do stats first, they'll blow your mind, swear. Ok, kidding.

Ashley Ann
Cancer/32/Blue Eyes/Fake Long Brown Hair
Spouse: William (My Current Life Partner in Crime)
Children: Yes please, all the babies.
Jaymes 10, Bailey 8, Mason 4, Davis 7mths
Born: Louisiana
Raise: Texas
Living: Tennessee
Sisters: 3, Jenny (Georgia 25 Married) Molly (Califorina 22 Married) Emily (20 In a Relationship)
Parents: Insanely Happy (Married 27 Years)

I know those are boring, it's so hard to list your likes and dislikes in your 30's. I mean, I have legitimate pet peeves. We all do. I'd like to say I have a very liberally open mind.

I think I've always been to scared to really share my feelings on moral and political issues on social media. We are cruel and judgmental of others and it's unfortunate. We are all entitled to our own opinions and we shouldn't be judged for this.

Hopefully, you're still reading and you'll be my blogger friend.

I want to divide this up into 3 parts. I'm having trouble organizing all my thoughts though. This is a problem I see in a few aspects of my life. I'll be bleaching the toilet and then remember I left the sink going. So I go turn that off and start making a snack.

I like to pretend I know how to cook. Did you know you can through just about anything into a crock-pot and call it dinner??!! Mom for the win.

I love every.single. romantic comedy made. 50 Shades of Grey counts right?! I also like inappropriate humor and comedy, Amy Schumer.  If you don't know her, google her, YouTube her, fall in love with her.

I love taking pictures, mainly because I want to learn how to use my camera. I mean gosh, paying $700 for something, learn to use it. Read the manual. Right??!

Mexican food, right to my soul.

I like men's t-shirts. Especially the V-neck, they are so soft and comfy. And I'll always be a size XS. I said it. I know size shouldn't matter, but when you go from a large to an x-small in the same shopping trip...#winning.

I suppose that's good for now. You know what I like to watch, wear, eat, do for fun and the names of those in my family :)

Until next time...

photographer wanna be

{sunflower fields off walnut grove in shelby county tennessee}

There's a gorgeous patch of sunflowers not to far from where we live. I've seen several local photographers hold mini sessions out there. The photos are beautiful. It's rare to have such easy access to something so beautiful. It's literally right off the road. I first went with my daughter last week. She wasn't really feeling the [stand in bee infested sunflower field] that I requested. I did get a few though. Such a good sport.

I wanted to write this post, mainly to document some of my favorite pictures I've taken with my camera. 

Here are the specs on Norman the Nikon:

{Nikon D3200}

Lenses: 18-55mm & 55-200mm

For the last few years, I've been shooting in auto mode. I had no idea what ANYTHING else was or how to use it. I would google tips and tricks, but never found anything that really helped. Until I feel upon this fabulous blog! 

Moose's Nikon D3200 Cheat Cards

Also, follow on facebook...

Nikon D3200 Tips for Beginners

It was there that I found these amazing cheat cards for using my camera. You can print them or view digitally on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android or PC. I download them into ibooks on my phone so I can pull them up whenever I need them. 

{here is an example of one of the cards}

And here are a few of the photos I have been able to take since using these amazing tips...(including the sunflower picture above)

I hope to really study up on the tips and put them to use. I would like to use our camera for all big events. The 3,498 iPhone pictures just aren't cutting it for frames. Poor babies, no photo albums to send them off with. I can, however, send them off with their own personalized external hard drive. That's the same, right?!

clay pot decor

This was a super easy and fun project. I spend 40% of my week at craft stores. I'm sort of afraid to admit that, but it's better than the grocery store or like the gym. Who am I kidding, I need to detour to the gym. That's obviously another blog post.

So here are the details for this cute project!

Ashland Spanish Moss {1}

Price: $4.79

(use your coupon for this item)

Ashland Clay Pots {2}

Price: $0.49 a piece

Craft Smart Outdoor Paint {1}

Price: $0.79 - $1.29

So I painted each pot in a light charcoal color. Just one good coat, of course 2 would be fine as well. They dried quickly. Then I took a dry brush and lightly added some white paint. I painted all around and then wiped so it gives it that aged look.

It's not pictured, but I added a little something in the pot to create a base.

Floracraft Styrofoam Half Ball {2}

Price: $2.99 a piece

{after}

So here is the finished look. With the upside down Styrofoam ball, the candle sits even and steady. I hot glued the moss around the edge of the pot, on the inside. You can easily change out the candle this way. Now, I don't light the candles. I have some LED candles that I put in them. So cute at night.

Hope you enjoyed this crafting session!

cheap desk transformation

Okay so we had purchased this desk over a year for our son. Really inexpensive from Target, part of the RE collection. It's the cheaper/fake wood and has metal legs. Small drawer, which is perfect for a student. Well, he never used it. Ever. I take that back, he did use it for trash, candy and dust. Boys.

Well I was curious if you could paint it with chalk paint. I'm not a pro and have no ideas the real do's and don'ts. I rarely follow directions when cooking, sure never read the directions on a paint bottle. Yikes.

So anyway, I painted it with a French Teal paint. I'm positive I purchased at Michaels Arts & Crafts store. I can't seem to find it on the website though. I'll try to post a picture later.

{before}

{after}

Now I didn't paint the legs. They are metal and wasn't sure where I was going with the look of the desk. I'm thinking cream or even a gold would be pretty. For now I've left it alone. I did add a coat of the wax finish to create that smooth surface. Didn't really give it that aged looked, wasn't fitting in my opinion.

I think it turned out really cute though. I can use it in our living area instead of hiding it behind the couch. I decorated with some frames and fresh flowers. Oh those gorgeous chairs, I'll have to tell you about those later :)

meet the housewife's kids

That's right readers, (on the small chance there is a man reading, I do not want to affend), it's time to talk about me. I love talking about me. Kidding, I really don't. My life isn't all that different from yours. We've had our fair share of tragedy and heartbreak, but we're still here. So here goes...

 Jaymes O'Neal - 5mths shy of turning 15 I mean 11. But with that attitude and lip, I wonder some days. Jaymes is our oldest, and so sweet. He's very sensitive and cares deeply for his siblings. He's very close to his dad. A love gaming, MINECRAFT (<---- because that's a tween obsession), swimming, outdoor sports, reading and most of all spending time with his sister Bailey. There's many reasons why and it's not just because he has too, or she's closest in age. I'll share that later though, promise. Jaymes will start 5th grade this year and I'm in shock. Next year middle school?? First of all, am I looking like a middle schooler's mom? Is this where the mom jean transition comes in? I remember how protective my parents were and it drove me crazy. I now know why. Kids can be mean, all kids, even my kids. I, of course, have patience and I would kindly slap a child remind a child to play fair and nice. Anyway, we're so proud of him and can't wait to see what his future holds. I know he will accomplish great things. 

Bailey Anne, sweet B. Well that's what I call her. Well actually I don't ever really call her that, I just use it in text form. Bailey is genuine, she loves to love. She is sympathic and appreciates others feelings. Bailey enjoys art, reading, math, science, basically anything that involves school. She is almost 9, come October 30th. She loves to give hugs and has never met a stranger. B is our only girl, she would love to have a sister, but with 3 brothers that's not looking to good. There are perks to being the only girl...you will always have her own room and she really never has to share her stuff. Ha, she'll learn to appreciate this one day. I had 3 younger sisters growing up, not quite such how my parents survived that one. I'm assuming all the garage time was my dad's therapy. It conviently came with a tv and cold beverage. Back to B though. I just adore her so much, she's taught me so much about life and how to appreciate each moment we're given together. 

Mason Emery, you are the light and the spunk and the adventure in my life. 

Baby Davis Owen, you make you want to have all the babies...literally #allthebabieshandthemover!!!

I will add more in a few!!! These kids, they are needy. Wouldn't have known!

nightstand renovation

I finally joined the chalk paint bandwagon. I started small with picture frames and other small crafts. My intention was to redo the master bedroom nightstands. While I'm picky about a lot of things, coasters and water rings are unfortunately left off that list. Therefore, the tops of the night stands were ruined. Sanding and staining would work, but I wanted to go bold.

As you can see the top is slowly showing signs of damage. It's not horrible, for most they wouldn't even care. By most, I mean husbands. Seriously don't care. Barely noticed the change. 

The body of the nightstand was nice. No damage at all, the bronze knobs had already been removed. I wasn't sure if I would replace them at this point. 

So the color I used was perfect!! Love it!! I might have painted frames, pots, trays, etc. 

Americana Decor - Brand

Yesteryear - Color

Hobby Lobby - Store

$8.99 - Price

Don't forget to use your Hobby Lobby 40% one item coupon that comes out every Monday. I need to use 2 bottles (8 fl oz) to coat (2 times) the nightstands. So using my coupon, (my daughter might have used her phone to get the 2nd one, like maybe), I got 2 for $10.80!

These the knobs I picked out! They are turquoise in color, which I'm loving right now. These were purchased at Hobby Lobby. You'll see a pattern here :) I waited until they were 50% off. This happens every other week. 

Original Price: $3.99/a piece x 6 = $23.94

      Sale Price: $1.99/a piece x 6 = $11.94

I didn't catch a picture in between coats. I apologize for that. But, I will let you know that I painted 2 coast of the Yesteryear. Then sanded the corners and sides of the drawers, sides, feet and top. Then rubbed on the finish wax. The trick is to add a coat with either a brush or clean white tee (like a Hanes/I used one of my son's) then immediately rub in and off the furniture. It's dry and so soft to the touch. 

(different day, same coffee mug)

So there you have it! I adore them!! The color choice was perfect for my taste and on the first try, I'm very proud. Sometimes we have these incredible images in our head, then we get to crafting and it goes terribly wrong. I've done this many times. And like I've said before, it's because I had to get everything at once, instead of waiting and shopping around. 

goodwill finds

Over the last month, I've ventured out to several local Goodwill stores. I've never really thought to look there for crafts.

I've read many DIY blogs, craft & cooking blogs, and much more. They always seem to find these gems. Why wasn't my Goodwill that awesome?? Or was it me, was I not looking hard enough?!

Well I've found several wonderful pieces and I want to share a few. No need to really break each one down, they're all simple and easy to do. Find frame, sand, paint...find plant pot, paint, fill...take my current nightstands and give makeover...find daughter amazingly adorable baby crib, sand, paint...you see the trend.

Oh, by the way, I always try to use proper punctuation and grammar, but sometimes I slip up. Please forgive me. Texting has ruined us, between spell check and emojis, I'm not sure how to write a proper sentence anymore. Thankfully, my kids are in elementary school learning for me (insert wink emjoi). 

Okay so on with the project pictures...but first, below is a yucky piece of lumber we found outside. Just laying around. My husband asked what I was going to do with it. I didn't know. So I thought about it for a few days.

I painted it, added some letters and viola!!

How adorable is that??!! I already had the paint and the letters/symbols were $0.99 a piece. So it cost a total of $6+tax. It's sitting on my dresser.

Find #1: Wooden Doll Bed

Cost $5.99 - Goodwill Find

Paint $8.99 American Decor Chalk Paint

(still have half a bottle left)

After: Pale Pink and White Baby Dream Bed

I sanded just a little. There was no paint or real damage at all. Great shape. Then painted 2 coats of the pink chalk paint. Painted the rocker white and always added a few strokes of white to the bed itself. I applied the wax coat as well. It's so soft to the touch. Love it. 

Sweet baby Nina loves her new crib. She was a flea market find. More like a giveaway, the lady was so sweet and just gave her to my daughter, B. Bailey has an American Girl Doll and a baby from FAO Schwartz that we got while in New York 2 years ago. They stay in her closet. In fact, baby Jack sleeps in plastic bin marked "TOYS", poor thing. And Rosie, her AG, she sleeps in her closet. It's always dark, cold, and she rarely has a blanket. *Sigh*

Find #2 

Cost $1.00 - Goodwill Find

Ribbon $2.00 - Clearance at Hobby Lobby

Flowers 40% off $12.99 - Hobby Lobby 

(used the bunch for several projects) 

Estimated cost of project under $5

So this is planter was one of the orange ceramic ones we use to plant flowers in. It was $1.00 and sits about 15" high. I added a coat of chalk paint, color unknown at this moment. I'll leave you in suspense. Added some fake flowers and a bow

Find #3

Cost $1.99 - Goodwill Find

 Flowers 50% off $9.99 - Michael's

Painted, white washed, wax, added 2 flowers wrapped in twine 

(used the bunch of flowers for several projects) 

Estimated cost of project under $4

My husband and I, September 2013. This sits on my nightstand. Very shabby chic, but not overwhelming in color. 

So those are a few projects I've been working on. I have so much more and I think I will continue on a new post. I re-did some furniture pieces and worked on some holiday wreaths as well. 

I'll leave you with a tip. If you know what you want to make or find, write it down. Then check out your local thrift stores first, clearance sections of craft stores and $1 bins at Target. I always thought I needed to purchase everything at once for a project and spent more than needed. 

Sending craft love your way!