Visit with Santa

Mason was so excited to tell Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas! Benjamin went right along with it and just smiled.

Thankfullness

Adding our family pics... Do I really need to tell you why I should be thankful? :)
See for yourself!!!

I am.

I am.

I am Ashley Lloyd

I am a mother of 2 boys.

I am a wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend.

I am a believer.

I am a teacher.

I am open to change.

I am an optimist.

I am a lifetime student.

I am easy going.

I am a movie go-er and book reader.

I am a baker.

I am a crafter.

I am a lover of children.

I am persistent and consistent.

I am a history buff, or like to think so.

I am a sports fan.

I am a listener.

I am a Sinatra-Buble’ kinda girl.

I am a do’er not a sitter.

I am a guide.

I am a now and not later.

I am a mother.

I am a teacher.

I am Ashley Lloyd

Halloween and Inbetween!

Start off with some Halloween Pictures! The boys were Batman and Robin and we went trick or treating with one of our coolest 3 year old friends, Ethan Howard, "I'm Leonardo, THANK YOU!"

Then Mommy and Daddy had some "adult" fun and went as "Walmartians" :)

the boys helping pick out the pumpkins! They were so excited! :)

and now... Ill be doing a lot of this....

I have an obsession with Pumpkin ANYTHING! Tis' the season!!

GRATEFULS....

1. My wonderful husband and loving boys.

2. For my "Intro to ELL" class being OVER! so tough, but its done! Now time to focus on my other classes as they wind down.

3. Amazing family and friends, YOU GUYS ROCK!

Lesson:

This video is amazing, I posted it to Facebook and Twitter, but it is truly inspiring, remember these boys are in high school, yet are more mature than a lot of adults in this world.

Two Cleveland Wrestlers Successful Struggle

a whole month!

A whole month!
I cant even believe its been exactly a month since I have updated!! So much for daily gratefuls!
Well. What can I say?!?! My new job has had me on my feet, THANK GOD!, and Im pretty sure my brain hasn't turned off since my last post. My 5th class started on the 20th of September... and my class that has been kicking my butt is coming near to its end. I couldnt be happier! This class has been something else! Good, but just oobles more than one should have to have on top of 12 other credits!
Haven't looked at my last post, but Im pretty sure I want saying how grateful I was to have my husband! Well, I echo that 1000 fold! He has been so strong and needs some serious RnR for himself.  Tough being a single caregiver, kudos to you single parents out there!!

Sunday was the walk for the cure. Trekkin for Tata's! www.trekkinfortatas.com or www.diaryofamadwhitecancerpatient.com Patti's Blog. Read it! She has had an amazing past couple weeks. Can I say coin toss for the Cards Saints game?!!??! What what? OH and meeting Fitz! AAhhhh!!


My boys, they are getting so big!! Ben is going on the potty randomly, just wish I could be as diligent as I was with Mason and we would be diaperless in no time! FOREVER!!!
Mason, my man is writing his name!!! writing it!

Well, there are some tidbits, Im not even going to lie and say Ill update soon, WHO KNOWS! Its October and my schedule usually never stops until April.
Ill be sure to update on Halloween fun!!

Let me mention the AMAZING ladies at WMG. I can't begin to say how "at home" I feel.

9.13.10

Recap!!

Okay. Started new job today. LOVE the change. Have some questions, but still grasping on who to direct them to.

School, Getting tough, but I have AMAZING support.

ME - walked around the MCC Dobson campus for 15 minutes in the dark looking for the rental. Yeah. That was not fun and I may have panicked inside, a little, okay a lot.

Gratefuls
1. Some great people at the new place, some overly heart warming, some not so much.. BUT everyone is different.

2. Cash to get my self some food on this long long long Monday.

3. Thankful for my husband x 1000000 this morning. The jeep wouldn't start (first day at new job, taking jeep into the dealership for repairs, did I mention first day at new job?) He was there to charge up the battery for me, THANK GOODNESS! He is one great kid I tell ya.

4. Oh and another shout out to my Father in Law switching my tire because my husband was under the weather! Thanks grumpa.

Lesson:
Sometimes when you are just worn out, you wonder why you signed up for whatever task you took on, then you get home find your oldest boy in bed with a picture of you and him, fast asleep, and checking what he did at school today and his name scrawled across the top. We worked on his name last night, although at the time I didn't think he was really taking anything in, he surely was because he did his "A" and precisely the way I explained. Love.

9.9.10

gratefuls:
1. astronomy class being so laid back.
2. finally getting a good grasp on assignments for EDU220
3. feeling well so i can take care of my 2 undertheweather boys. hubs and bb.

lesson: instead of saying "this is so dumb" i had to clear my head to really be able to take in the guidelines for my weekly assignments in EDU220. sometimes you just gotta let go.

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9.8.10

gratefuls:
1. For having caregiver that cares about Masons education as if he was he son. Thank you Diane for all your help with this transition and limbo!
2. Sterling for having such a big heart. I dont think you realize just how much patience you have. To infinity.
3. Granny for the gift certificate to Pottery Barn Kids! Used it a little unconventionally, but scored some really adorable books. "Scrambled States of America" "The Rule About Little Brothers" "Do Unto Otters: Book about manners." LOVE THEM!

Lesson:
Along political lines. Just because you are allowed to do something underlaw... still doesnt make it morally acceptable.
Mosque at GroundZero - Constitutional right. If they wanted to spread pbeace why wouldnt they just pull back after the broken hearts show they are still wounded.
Pastor burning the Koran on 9/11 - Constitutional right. Should he? its ugly. A peaceful religional should not desecrate someone elses holy book because they disagree. Jesus wouldnt have allowed it. What is this dude thinking?

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Girls Night In?

My cousin said it "Goodbye life, Hello homework"

That got me thinking...
Me -Mom with two kids
Her -Freshman in college. All of 18.

Two different walks of life.
i see this a golden opportunity to learn from eachother. WE may not have the same major and may not be taking the same classes... but homework is homework. We all have different ways of explaining things. So what if we got a study group together for homework time. Need someone to look over something you've written or a math problem that seems like a mess...
who wants to try it out?
Im thinnking a friday night after the kids are in their dreamstate, for those moms who are interested, meeting somewhere... and trying it out.
any takers?

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9.7.10

Grateful for:
1. My 3 gratefuls… how I love you three, so lucky to have you in my life.
2. Getting to work safely today.
3. No scorpions in 24 hrs!

Lesson:


Friends, when you find that you feel like you have lost touch. Sit back and remember, even though you haven’t heard from them. Ask yourself why you haven’t reached out. And if you have, remember, they are just as busy as you feel you are. It’s the little notes, like the little gem to follow, that keep the friendship genuine.
“I love reading your blog. You are always so happy, positive, and grateful for every single thing life gives you. You are a wonderful person Ash and I am so glad to have you in my life” – Courtney

9.6.10

gratefuls:

1. weekend full of family and food :-)
2. health 3. strong bug killer spray! Stay away scorpions stay away! Lesson: Instead of being bored, muster up this extra time and do things you ways find yourself saying "I never have time"

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Cottonball

noticed mason was doing canonballs into the pool, told him what his "trick" was called, clearly lost in translation. silly kid.

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9.5.10

slacking on the gratefuls, but far from lacking reasons to be.

1. financial help for school, so I can keep me head in my studies. Thank you!

2. it being sunday and having another full day tomorrow with the family :-)

3. New sweet phone! still learning all the quirks, but downloaded this great app so I can keep up on my gratefuls!

Lesson:
It amazes me sometimes on how relevant a sermon could be at any given time. This morning was a great example. If you have seen previous posts, I was at a cross road and was struggling with the decision. I literally said "if tuition is free, than that is clearly God telling me what to do." For the record, getting a job at a preschool and having a discount, just a discount, is unheard of. In making that statement, I truly was reaching for the stars. The stars are what I got. Sermon was about weeding out the desires from The Whisper. Sometimes it is hard for us to turn off all the noise and just listen. He surely got my attention.

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You'll know, You'll just know

I never really understood how you would know when God would show you where you should go. My SIL Kerrin said, “let God guide you” My uncle said “Oh you’ll know his plans, you’ll know”. Not to mention the other amazing people in my life helping me clear my mind, looking at monetary, physical and emotion aspects of changing jobs and taking on my full plate of classes.

Two double whammies in two days.

First day, the school offered me a generous hourly wage, and in childcare you lucky if you get 8/hr. I was floored when she offered me above that. It would still be a significant pay cut to what I am making now, but I would love my job and be making a difference in the little ones lives. Money almost always out trumps desires. I still had one heavy burden that I needed to work out. Child Care costs for my boys. And not only that, Child Care where THEY were actually learning as well.

The school does not have opening for them right now, but as soon as they open, WHAMMY goes the next miracle. Full tuition for the boys WAIVED!

My heart fell to the floor, I want to run out of this building wailing my arms and sobbing with happy tears.

I can do that on my first day. Wailing my arms with the kids, they will love it!

God is good.

*side note - I must include that last night I told Sterling that it would be a true sign from God if it was free child care. - Wallah!

8.22.10

Gratefuls

1. Amazing people. Past and present.
2. Family - never fail to know what to say.
3. Classes tomorrow!!!

Lesson: I've started this reading plan from my app on my phone. Taking me through different books of the bible. This is my second week and I'm in Matthew. This is an amazing book! I've been tweeting and sharing via facebook verses the past couple nights. Most are what I try to live by. So expect a lot of verses to come through, unless a bigger lesson is learned :)
Matthew 7
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

8.18.10

So much to be grateful, start my post back with more than I alotted myself :)

First off, thankful for the chance to go back to school! Hoping financial aid with help me with the money part (I hate it!) So I can take care of the education part and start my career as a teacher! I have been carrying a folder of all my information for school with me since I was given in saturday from Jocelyn Gibson. Its for the Mary Lou Fulton Teaching College at ASU. It has the fast track plan she put together for me. On her time. So grateful! If all goes well, I will be part of the graduating class (fall) 2012. This is going to be hard work, really hard work. But I have the drive, passion, commitment and support to get through this on the up side. Back to the folder, on the front it reads "Leadership in making a difference." How perfect is that for teaching? Makes me smile when I see it.

My husband, he is all in with this decision, he knows that he will be taking a larger role at home, covering for my classes and homework, he too has hard work ahead of him. He is all in, just as I am with school. So thankful that he is willing to sacrifice for the bigger picture, our bigger picture.

Opportunities. I have an interview with the bank for a Part Time teller position next thursday. I really want this for all reasons BUT finanical ones. Ill be cutting hours, cutting pay., but increasing time at home with my boys and for my school work. These balance it out for me and make me want it more than anything right now. But sadly, money is what makes the world go round, and what balances it for me, won't pay our bills, I'm praying on this and the decision I hopefully need to make.

My mom. Stepping up to the Monday challenge! Getting back to school means night classes for me. Monday will be
especially strenuous. Getting back into the busy season with Sterlings job, means later hours for him. Monday I will be in school from 425 to 950. My mom has offered to pick the boys up from school and keep them until Sterling is off of work. Now the trick is to find help on tuesdays and thursdays when my class will begin at 545 and possibility of Sterling working late. Oh don't worry eager family! You will be getting an email with this plee once my school is totally finalized and paid for! :)

For the miracle that is babies! My sister from another mother (and father:) ) had her sweet little hayden 8 weeks early. By the grace of God, Hayden is healthy and breaking all statistics! If she continues to progress the way she is, she'll be headed home almost 2 weeks earlier than she was due! She is so stinkin adorable. Strong just like her mommy.

Papa and Gigi. For putting together a beautiful ceremony for my sister and Angel in 2 days. Well it was all Gigi but Papa was there in more ways than one.

Next in line!
Have a blessed day!
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Oh Haaaaaayyy...

Um hi.
I have absolutely no idea where to begin, this is often where I find myself wanting to blog about it, but then get irritated because of the overwhelming feeling I get of sharing EVERTHING that I want to. So I list, with some detail.

1. I'm going back to school!!!! - as long as my grant money makes it and I can find a way to pay for this semester, its on like donkey kong. Ill be starting at ASU after I finish this fall and winter! THEN teaching I will, by school year 2013!
2. My sister got married last night. Her hubbs is going into the Army and they wanted to get all the married bennies from the military and since they have a baby, what they hey! Oh and she might love him or something of the sort. :)
3. Look for a good paying part time job. Want to stay with the bank, they have child care reimbursement and that is great! But I am also exploring the thought of Starbucks! They have great benefits even for part timers (I'd want early mornings and 30 hrs a week!) I need to get away from the Data Entry, sit at my desk all day, job so I will not have the hatred I have for the computer at home. Staring at it for 9 plus hours a day 5 days a week, makes me nauseous! Plus everyone at Starbucks is always cheery, even at 5am! I can be that! 
4. Run across some really amazing people lately. Lucky me!
5. Mason keeps asking for his friend "JoJo" from Oregon, but he may have been replaced by a girl named "Kota" who he met at Chelsey's wedding.  . .  Oh how innocent.
6. Popcornopolis is amazing. Every time. They get us at Costco. Every time.

There is clearly more meat to all of these, maybe I can expand later. If not, catch ya tomorrow, beginning my gratefuls again!

Crabbin

We got a chance to go on small boat and pull up some crab pots, certainly no Deadliest Catch here, but it was really fun and educational! Did you know they can only keep male crabs? They throw all the females back!

Shootin Time

Personally, I am not a fan of guns. The power from them just freaks me out. I shot 3 times and I was done.
When I pulled the trigger, I tried to keep my eyes open, but just couldn't! No thanks, But I do want to take some small firearm classes to have under my belt, God forbid I ever need to use them. Knowledge is power.

in this picture you can see the shell flying out of the cartridge. 

Mr. Lloyd - a natural.

Mason hangin out the window because it was loud, but he wanted to watch :)

Choo Choo

While in Oregon, We took a ride on an old time steam powered train.

This was was permanently parked.

It took us along the pacific coast to Rockaway Beach, OR.
Mason's fear of loud noise was tested, but he broke out of it, and enjoyed the ride with us! Beautiful!

Took a break before heading back and played on the beach.

The boys first time.

The Scene

Oregon in nutshell… Green Green Green.

Stuff in stories I tell ya. Myths here in Arizona.

We think flagstaff is green, but nothing campared the Tillamook County.

I have dreams about our home in Mooresville, and sometimes feel like I made them up because its been so long. This place reminded me a ton of North Carolina and the Smokey Mountains. These should be called the Smokey Mountains.

We stayed on a quaint little farm on the Jacobs property most of the time. There was a camp fire that roared 24/7 all week long. Fishing and animals! Benjamin LOVED the cows, every time we drove by a pasture, he’d wave his hand and say “hi, hi, hi” in the sweetest little voice and giggle to himself. Mason conquered his fear of horses by petting one! The boys went to a local petting zoo and saw those animals. I’ll have to get the pictures from their papa.

The beaches were foggy and mysterious looking. The high all week was about 68 degrees, so needless to say, the only people in the ocean were children, who seem to have no care about the temperature of the water or their wet clothing.

We went to see the Octupus tree, recommened by Lauren Jacob, and it was so neat. 

On the same path there was an old lighthouse. 

The fog was super thick and I got some amazing pictures that, dare I say, were very “Forks” like… 

I also captured a picture of what I SWEAR was the exact same rock that Ariel perched herself in the Little Mermaid.

The Jacobs built their home with their own hands, and it was stunning, along with the stunning view below from their cabin like home nestled in the mountain. I can’t believe that I didn’t take a picture of it, but I did get one of their barn.