Ashley Boulais

So if I had room to add it to my goals,  I might add being more self confident.   But then,  goals are supposed to be attainable and I don't know where to start. Seriously,  I am the meanest person I know - at least to myself.  The self talk inside my head is terrible and relentless. It's about my grey hair. It's about my fat legs and flabby everything. It's about the stretch marks on my stomach from those two miraculous boys of mine. It's about my stubby chewed fingernails and long cuticles and hangnails. It's about my my dry skin. It's about the bags under my eyes. It's about the dirty dishes in my sink,  the piles of laundry, the unwashed linens, the toys and clutter everywhere. It's about my lack of energy to make a change.  My constant "resolve" that never actually affects anything but my belief that "nothing will ever change,  so why try?" It's about my moodiness. It's about my selfishness. It's about...

I was in the mood for something light-hearted and this fit the bill. Finding Jesus, by Winston Rowntree,   has essentially no words,  minus the intro,  which honestly I could have done without.  The book is basically Where's Waldo only one is looking for Jesus.  I knew it might be a bit borderline blasphemous but the intro was the worst of it.   I actually enjoyed the pictures a lot.   The detail was incredible and I loved the Biblical references - Jesus waving to Moses or Noah, or turning water into wine.   It was clever,  creative and overall a fun way to pass the time. At first I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for.   Jesus doesn't have the same obvious attire that Waldo sports, and sometimes Jesus isn't even in color,  but once I spotted him I just knew. It's a fun book,  but be careful if giving it as a gift.   I could see it being offensive to some. I received a free copy of...

Courtney Defeo, author of the book In This House We Will Giggle , wears many hats. She is a devoted wife, the doting mother of two girls, an avid blogger and the mastermind behind ABC Scripture cards. In this book she is seeking to empower parents to be intentional about raising children who exhibit the kinds of characteristics we all hope to see in our children. There are twelve chapters, and twelve virtues, each of them coordinating with the theme of the month. January - Joy February - Love March - Forgiveness April - Faith May - Patience June - Perseverance July - Respect August - Responsibility September - Service October - Humility November - Gratitude December - Generosity Each virtue has a definition that is easily remembered even by a young child,  a memory verse, discussion questions, and a suggested reading from The Jesus Storybook Bible. ( Which FYI is an absolutely amazing book! It is a must-read! ) Each chapter also includes an activity and prayer. This ...

Author Jennifer Clement tells a beautifully haunting story about friendship, family,  and a life lived in fear of becoming a "Stolen Girl." Prayers for the Stolen follows the life of a young girl named Ladydi, who like all young girls on the mountain of Guerrero, Mexico, lives with an ear to the ground just listening for the sound of the SUV of the cartel coming to snatch her.  She keeps her hair short,  her teeth black and her skin dirty.  This was common practice for little girls living in a time and place where drug Lords ruled.  "When I was born,  my Mother announced to her neighbors and people in the market that a boy had been born.   Thank God a boy was born! she said. Yes, thank God and the Virgin Mary, everyone answered though no one was fooled.   On our mountain only boys were born,  and some of them turned into girls around the age of eleven.   Then these boys had to turn into ugly girls who sometimes had ...

The greatest thing about having a smart  phone is couponing!  (OK so maybe it might be snap chat or being able to look up anything I want on Google at any time I want!) But as a stay - at - home - mom it feels so good to save money.  I worked full time for a year while my husband finished school and there was something rewarding about that.  Motherhood has lots of other rewards for sure and I wouldn't trade this for a job that paid millions,  but it's good to feel like I am contributing in some way financially... and well,  in the very least I feel less guilty about my impulse buys.  :) *see FrankenFrappe pic* New coupon apps I am exploring? *Ibotta - rebate app (you can get a Starbucks gift card! ) *checkout 51 - rebate app (send you a check once you've hit $20) *cartwheel- Target specific. I love the ability to scan a Barcode to see available offers! *grocery IQ- make your shopping list and find printable coupons! What are your favorite couponi...

I received a free copy of this book , Your Family in Pictures , from bloggingforbooks.com for writing a review! I received the book in the mail just today and got through the whole thing already.  The author has an impressive resume.   She is a writer who has learned to tell stories through her photography.  Me Ra Koh has worked with Sony,  Nate Berkus (think Target and HGTV), and Disney. She also has a nationwide program called CONFIDENCE which provides workshops for women desiring to hone their photography skills.  ( I want to go! ) The book contains seven chapters: Setting Yourself Up for Success,  Developing a Photographer's Eye,  Everyday Life,  Holidays,  Family Portraits,  Tweens and Teens,  and Family Vacations & Travel.   In each chapter there are several subcategories.   For example,  the chapter on photographing teens includes how to do senior portraits,  graduation pictures,...

That awkward (and adorable) moment when your two - year - old son tries to pump.  In other news, my baby is two months old today .

I really stink at goals.  I like setting them though.  :)  Yesterday I got my first smart phone so now I feel motivated to use all my apps to be a better, healthier person...though ironically I have been sitting on my bottom not sleeping and playing on here.  Not exactly the healthy I was shooting for.  So it goes. I am excited to read some more.  I have a new book on the way about tips on photographing those precious family moments.  I just had my second sweet baby boy two months ago so I have plenty to capture.  Plus I like photography so it will be good to brush up on how to be better.  Should be a quick and easy read...nothing too time consuming for a mom of a toddler and a newborn.   :)  I get to stay home with the boys now and life is busier and richer than ever!