Summer so far

It seems like the start of spring was just happening and Boston and I were wearing sandals and capri's for the first time of the year and yesterday I heard my nephews talking about them going back to school soon. I'm not sure if time seems like it's going quicker because I am older now, because I have a baby, because we have just been having fun or just an accumulation of all three. Whatever it is I wish it could slow down a little though.

With that being said we have some staggering statistics to report: (actually they aren't that staggering of statistics I have always just wanted to write that in a sentence since I took an introduction to journalism class a few years back).

•5... The number of (big) boxes of otter-pops we have gone through.

•14... The number of times we have gone to the pool.

•4... The number of times we have gone to the lake.

•8... Hikes

•3... Camping trips 
*2.... Fishing trips

•10... Boxes of sidewalk chalk 

•6... Big cases of bubbles`
*1... and one plant that we have kept alive for two months!

 I can't even list the amount of times we have gone on stroller walks, fed sucks or went to the park. We have also had to play 'This is How we Roll' on repeat since it is Boston's new current favorite song to sing and dance along to. We plan to keep soaking up every second of sun, warm weather and good memories we can out of summer before we have to put on our hoodies and leggings. We have even more fun plans for this week. 

Here are just a few pictures of what we have been up to.

She usually can't go one car ride without putting on a pair of my sunglasses.

This was last Friday, not The Fourth of July even thought it looks pretty patriotic, she just looked so happy with her two 'tonytails' (pigtails) and pearls.

Camping with the family... and just to calm your fears she did wear a helmet.

My hiking buddy! I'm pretty sure she is my favorite human I have EVER met.

Monday evening we got caught in a rain storm in our matching shoes. We had to hide under a random apartment for cover but she had so much fun with it.

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

bad ass mom

Have you ever looked in a magazine or online at a picture of a person that was posted... On this picture some people said really awesome things and tagged their friends that it reminded them of while others just tore that picture and the person in it to shreds. When that happens I normally don't pay attention to it because I'm sure they don't care about it anyways and why would they care about someone they don't even knows views.

This happened to me Sunday. To clarify I do not think I am a celeb... I'm from small town Preston, Idaho (actually not even Preston but Fairview which isn't even a town), my house was on a dirt road. I now live in Logan, Utah (still a small city) I work part time, and me and my baby just do our thing for the most part. Some random person made a meme of myself and Boston and it got spread like wildfire. I got tagged in it by people showing me random places it got shared all day one Sunday...one huge morning show host (who has 20 million followers) shared it.

Although I am humbled by it and I see the nice meaning behind it, it was made without my consent and posted everywhere without me even knowing. I have even messaged the morning show host to take it down. He has yet to respond so I just decided to give my input on the matter.

***Don't be a bully...I have seen this in my life the past while and it's disgusting. Their are a lot of forms of it... This time people I didn't even know went off saying that single moms were basically 'sluts' who shouldn't have had sex with a loser. That was delightful. I met Boston's 'dad in August and got pregnant the following June. Obviously it wasn't a random party hook up (if I don't call her 'dad a loser I would expect others to not call him that as well). People also commented saying I looked 15 and obviously that's why I was a single mom. At first that upset me but then I just realized when I am 50 I will probably look 40 and when they are 50 they will look at least that age... So, really it sucks for them not me. (Just as a disclaimer sometimes teens or casual times result it pregnancy... I promise judging them shows a lot more about you than it does them). After reading some of those comments and being pretty disgusted and offended by I thought about my own amazing dad... He would A-not get so worked up over a Facebook post B-never use such filthy and disrespectful language towards anyone and C-not be insecure that he might not get as much attention or praise as he feels he deserves on Father's Day...  Even more disturbing is that the majority of the people with the vulgar and offensive remarks are parents... I pray that their children don't end up with their manners. I do give myself credit for the extra work I do for her. If you are an awesome parent that got tagged in this or showed it to an awesome parent, props to you, I'm glad you are doing your part!

***Boston was with me all day on Father's Day. Not once did I tell Boston to wish me happy Father's Day or did we buy a special present to celebrate me... We celebrated my dad, who is an amazing dad to me and the best grandpa Boston could have ever asked for. I think good dads are wonderful... Actually, I think good parents in general are wonderful. Do I think I am her father figure? No. I think she has plenty of awesome father figures in her life. I think I do a lot for her but, I also think most moms do a lot for their child. I saw a lot of idiots post that 'unless you have nuts (or other male parts) you aren't a dad'... I am sorry but that it one of the last things that makes a person a dad. Gender expectations for parents are stupid. The first time I went camping I went with my mom and I am positive a forest ranger didn't stop her and her three daughters to say, "mam, excuse me but this is actually what a dad is supposed to do not a mom". Boston and I play catch together and not one of our neighbors has ever came out and said, "please stop because that is what a dad is supposed to do". A while ago my brother-in-law did my niece, his daughters hair and seriously, you get the point, nobody made a fuss about it being the mothers job. The people commenting were insecure... (No one is trying to take their holiday away from the good dads) and idiots on what the meaning of a dad is.

So, that's my rant for today, I didn't really want to post anything about it to begin with. It wasn't something I asked for and believe me when I tell you that sometimes playing the 'single mom' role publicly I get nervous and insecure about it anyways.... To all of the awesome people who sent messages, and said awesome things about us on that... THANK YOU, I am humbled by the kindness I have seen from people. Saying something mean about someone online that you don't know isn't cool. It won't make you feel better and it actually probably hurts their feelings. 

And props to ANY 'bad ass' parent, married, single, or whatever they may be. Raising a child is tough work no matter who ya are... if you know someone who fits in this category or that is even just a pretty 'bad ass' parent (since this word is being used a lot) tag them in this or share it for them!

And on that note... Happy Wednesday! Boston and I are going to go see a noon movie to make this summer cold weather a little bit more fun.

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

Changes

There have been a lot of changes going on in our lives lately... Good and bad...So I hate change. I don't do well with it. I'm sad when the seasons change, styles change, it changes from morning to night... Ect. Yesterday we spent the afternoon on a walk, drinking diet coke and blowing bubbles & it made me feel a lot better. Someone once told me that "changes kick ass and rejuvenate the soul..." So, I'm counting on that being true. Fingers crossed. Also, the cool thing about this picture is that Boston is wearing one of my dresses from when I was her age! ....(thanks mom)

Our friend, Sam moved this weekend. He will be back for a week every two weeks but it's still pretty sad....(yes, Sam, I am dramatic.. But it's sad and Bosty will miss him).

I sure wish I was better at handling the seasons of my life.

What do you guys do to make changes easier?

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

National best friend day was yesterday.... So glad I have this little peanut to be best buddies with.

Thoughts

Ten random thoughts from the past week... Sorry for the complete randomness; my mind is cluster lately.

•Tuesday morning I saw some strawberries that looked really good but they weren't mine so I didn't take them... I wish that concept made sense to more people.

•Sometimes it takes you years (and I mean years) to realize that you have something great. 

•Life becomes easier when you delete negative people from it.

•I am really particular with those who are in mine and Boston's frequency lately.

•Bad things are going to happen. People will hurt you but that's not an excuse to hurt someone back.

•The things I find to be most attractive in people are hardly physical. 

•Over the past year my circle has decreased in sized but has really increased in value.

•You will never ever regret being silly and having fun with your children and they will never forget it.

•The older I get the more content I am with who I am.

•Sometimes silence can speak more than your words can.

XO:

Ash&Bost

BRONSON

We took too long of a nap Tuesday... So at 10:30 at night after baths we decided to be kitties. She loved it so I loved it.

Venting

I feel like 97.5% of the time I have a pretty decent attitude. Not because 97.5% of the time my life is perfect but because having a bad attitude won't change anything. If I go to Starbucks and they don't have the drink I want available being upset about it will do a lot of things but making my drink appear isn't one of them. Today I am grumpy and I am going to vent... So, if you wanted to read a flowers and rainbow post then today you have came to the wrong blog. So, here is my vent session for the week...

• I hate that my bedroom window faces the east and even with black curtains the sun comes in at 6:00 am.

•  People who say mean things when they hide behind their computer since you know they would never say it in real life.

• Growing my bangs out. 

• Pepperidge Farm cookies... Not because they are bad but because I ate almost a whole bag by myself yesterday.  

• People who flake out on plans.

* Finding something on sale that is absolutely perfect then not finding it in my size. Speaking of sizes... why can't they have a small and a half? Who fits perfectly is small, medium or large?

* When moms try to "out mom" each other. Most of us for the most part are a pretty equal version of amazing and terrible.

• The construction in Logan. Seriously it makes me so upset.

• The little girls in our neighborhood who always try to take Boston's toys... Where are their parents ever...?

• Waiting in lines.

* People who are huge copycats. I get that I am basically an accumulation of every person I have ever met but its honestly pretty annoying to have one little copycat daily. Be your own person.

• Waking up early. 

• People who take hours to text back. 

• Christina Grimmie not winning The Voice.

• Rainy days when we have fun outside activities planned.

• Allergies.

• Commercials on the radio.

* The guys at the gym who try to give you advice. Unless I specifically walk up to you and ask you for your advice on working out I do not want to hear your 'wisdom'.

These are pretty trivial things to be upset about but I needed a really good vent.

XO:
Ashlynn&Boston
BRONSON

Our Pictures

My VERY favorite app is Instagram. I love pictures. I have always heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and I totally agree. Their are about a handful of people I follow on Instagram that I'm just in love with their beautiful pictures and moments that they capture, a ton of fitness and health ones for motivations, some other users I follow are moms who post super cute pictures of their life, who I look up to, and I actually follow a page that posts a ton of different amazing recipes and pictures of cookies (they are probably my biggest weakness). I first got Instagram and I didn't realize it was a social network, I just thought it was a photo editing app. I posted my first picture of me, Boston and her 'dad and was so confused when I got notifications for it (I swear I am technology illiterate).We have been so busy lately that I have slacked on posting any blog posts so I decided we would share some of our pictures and Instagram pictures from the last week. If you have Instagram find us (ashnbost_bronson) so we can find you and have some more fun pictures to look at.

Tuesday night Bosty and I did our facial masks. She loves it!

Wednesday, on my day off, I went and worked for my brother-in-law doing construction. Cause, ya know, babies are expensive. Boston's Uncle Ryan helped babysit along with her Aunt Ami, so I was able to work an extra day. It was really nice of them.

"Mere' mommy... Sit... Me" translation: "come here, mommy. Sit by me." I love my big girl.

Our toenails are always matching but Friday we made our matching summer anklets. This is our third summer doing this!

Saturday morning we went and saw the Easter Bunny and to an egg hunt in Franklin. Although she looks scared this may have been one of the top three moments of her life. She was so excited! She went back over to him countless times to give him hugs and five. Franklin is such an awesome community and it was so great going with my family to it.

Saturday we played with my friend, Kat and her little boy, Cash. Boston is so happy and content coloring with the sidewalk chalk.

EASTER!

Easter 2011 I took Boston's 'dad to my family party. He helped hide eggs, was so cute to my nephews and I was pretty certain that was going to be my favorite Easter I ever had... I was so wrong.

Easter with my baby was the best time ever! The Easter bunny left toys and outfits and treats around her basket with eggs hidden around the house... The Easter Bunny was pretty excited about it.

And Boston loved getting all of her stuff!

We had an Easter egg hunt with all of the cousins.... Boston and my niece, Bracken got a huge head start.... and Boston still was pretty terrible at it... but she loved it and was adorable!

W

We also played a game where we put shower caps and shaving cream on our heads while the rest of the family in teams competed to get cheese puffs to stick (strange but really fun)... My parents and nephews were a little too excited to be able to throw cheese puffs at my head.

I always say that Easter is one of my top days of the year but I have to honestly that this is the BEST of I have had YET!

I take a picture each Easter of my baby....It's mind-blowing to see how much she has changed and grown!

That's our life in pictures for the last week... to say we had a great, fun-filled week would be an understatement. I basically ate my weight in Cadburry Eggs and Peeps so I would say it was a success! Boston was however pretty upset this morning that their weren't any eggs around the house and baskets full of toys and treats. We are two blessed girls. I hope your holiday weekend was great, too!

XO:
Ashlynn&Boston
BRONSON

Perspective is Everything

I was really really really grumpy yesterday morning... And I mean really grumpy. Boston has a sinus infection and we spent half tthe night awake. I woke up and I was so tired, so mad I missed out on sleep, and basically just sitting in a whole pile of bad attitude.

The same thing happened last night and I decided I needed to change my mood about it since I couldn't change the situation of it. Instead of being mad about no sleep I looked at Boston and I being awake at night from a different perspective... I got a lot of cuddles in, we watched Sesame Street at 3am, I let her take a bath in the middle of the night with extra bubbles, we had some yummy treats and ended up sleeping in. She woke up feeling so much better and I woke up so much happier.

These days won't last for long and I am glad that Boston being sick turned into her trusting even more that her mamma will take care of her. After her nap today she woke up feeling ten times better... It's amazing what just changing my perspective can do for both of us...Perspective is Everything. If you can't change something try changing how you look at it. 

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston BRONSON

She also discovered today how great it is to roll around in the clean, warm laundry straight from the dryer.