Nuggets of Wisdom

Kids say the darndest things. If you have any, you know what I'm talking about.

I have always been drawn to the sea or anything sea related, hence my career choice. So naturally when Finding Nemo came out, I was determined to see it. Chris and I had just graduated high school (and gotten engaged) and I was getting ready to visit my grandmother in Florida for a week with my sister and two cousins (good times, good times...), and we wanted to make sure we spent time together before I left. So, Chris being the awesome person that he is, knowing I desperately wanted to see it, took me to go see Finding Nemo while expecting it to be childish and boring. When he walked out of that theater not just one but both of us were in smiles. I turned to him, "See, that wasn't bad now was it?" To this day it is still one of my favorite movies...

I can't tell you the joy I felt when Bella took a shine to Finding Nemo like I did. Well, that might now be true; she took to it a little more than I did. When she was a toddler she watched that movie every. single. night. You think I'm joking...
She still watches it to this day and I love it because I am able to teach her about the ocean along the way.

We were on our way home from a PTO meeting last night when this conversation came from the backseat:

Bella: I love Finding Nemo but the swordfish freaks me out

Ashley (Me): How are you scared of the swordfish, he doesn't even do anything?

Chris: I think she's talking about the fish in the beginning.

(to Bella) Are you talking about the one in the beginning?

Bella: Yeah.

Ashley: That's a barracuda. 

Bella: Well, he has sharp teeth and that's creepy. That "ca-coon-ga" freaks me out...

I lost it. There is nothing quite like a good life and it to be something from your child seems to make it even more special. I love her mispronunciations and I love that she shares my love of the ocean and things ocean related. I really need to keep (or start) a book of all the funny things she says. That will definitely be a little nugget of wisdom when she gets older and learns how to pronounce and accurate names. 

Although I know sequels usually ruin the nostalgia of the first movie, but I cannot wait for Finding Dory. We will definitely be making a trip to the theater for that one. 

Good Medicine

If someone were to ask me the most important rule in marriage my answer would be laughter. Yes, love is a very important thing, and you can't have a healthy marriage without it, but a marriage without laughter is the same as no love ...in my opinion.

Laughter has so many different benefits. It is known to lower blood pressure, increase memory, and even give you a workout; not to mention how close it can bring people together. I encourage you to have a good laugh at least once a day. If you need help in this department may I please recommend Regular Show. It is a cartoon, but who says cartoons are just for kids?! I love this show and I have recently gotten Chris hooked on to it as well, we love it!

I'm always looking for something to make me laugh because, well, who doesn't like to laugh?

 This only seems appropriate with finals being next week, because this is truth...

 The expression the cat is making gets me every time. The longer I stare at it the funnier it gets

 Sharks are so misunderstood and that makes me sad. 

You know this is what is really going on 

 I have always wanted to get our cat a harness to test this "theory" out.

....Stayed tuned and I might ;) 

I hope these at least gave you a chuckle...

Ashley 

Hug a Tree

Earth Day always brings back memories of elementary school. I loved Earth Day! It was the one day we were exempt from school work and spent the entire day outside to take in "Mother Nature;" one year I even got to sing in the trio ...it was a rap, what?! Yup, that's how I roll... My favorite park was always the artificial rainforest. Every year one student's dad would set up a tarp with plants galore and a sprinkler system all inside to simulate a rainforest ...it was awesome. It's the small things like that that make childhood so great.

Anyway, a couple of months ago I became aware of the documentary Trashed, and even though I have yet to see it myself, I urge you to take the time to. It is a problem that we most definitely need to care of, and we can't make motion unless everyone does their part.

Before Chris and I moved from our home a few years ago we were avid about recycling, but we got off track when we moved into the apartment. So, our decision for Earth Day is to start back in our recycling and making sure all of our plastics get reused and stay out of landfills and most definitely our oceans.

With my heart (and my career) being with the ocean and the animals who call it their home, this hits home for me and I most definitely want to do my part. It is hard to talk about ocean conservation and not hear the world Sylvia Earle. I admire her for all that she has done in her field and only hope to make a change in my field as she has. If you find TED Talks interesting, I urge you to take the next 15 minutes and watch Sylvia talk about how we can protect our oceans. So what are you doing for your part this Earth day?

Happy Earth Day!!

Random Friday

Here are 20 random things about myself because, well ...you might want to know.

1. I count things ... continuously.
2. A blank journal must always occupy my nightstand.
3. When I was younger, I went through a stage where I flipped around the house instead of walking (yes, that is true ...ask my parents).
4. More than likely, I'm twirling my hair right now...
5. I have multiple tubes of chap stick in many purses, in my car, in my nightstand, in the bathroom, and in my camera bag
6. I stayed up until 5 am reading New Moon (just FYI, I despise the Twilight series)
7. If something I own gets scratched or a defect I have to buy another one
8. In elementary school, I loved candy canes but hated peppermints ;)
9. I did not see The Shawshank Redemption until 2013
10. I can touch my nose with my tongue
11. I can breathe underwater (aka I have my SCUBA license)
12. I love Sharks. I think they are fascinating and seriously misunderstood
13. I hate Chick Flicks
14. I probably would have stalked Sherlock Holmes ...I love him!
15. I have never seen the original Star Wars
16. I am 4'11
17. I could never eat too much Nutella or too many Rolos
18. I own more than 25 bottles of nail polish (...and counting)
19. I am on Kindle #4
20. Camping on the beach is the perfect vacation to me (yes, in a tent)

The past week has been crazy! We are finally at what you would call "Finals Week," and let me tell you ...it's hectic. Last week I was so stressed out and freaking out about not getting everything done in the time frame it needs to be done that I sent myself into a panic attack. Ugh...
If you couldn't tell already, I do not handle stress well and have a hard time managing it without freaking out on myself. So, when I have to let go of reality and just veg out I go to one place, Pinterest. Oh Pinterest, how I love you. I could honestly spend my entire day pinning away DIY projects, dinner ideas, new decor ideas, the next item to buy for my closet, and so on. Today I came across something that I should tape to my bathroom mirror, or my forehead, which ever would get the message across better.

We all need a mantra to keep ourselves grounded during difficult times, something that speaks to you. A motivating line, a chant, a particular scripture, whatever helps you. I encourage you to put that mantra up in your home somewhere where you will come in contact with it daily, and if you don't have one, go find one. Pinterest is a great place to start or Scripture. It will always have a place in your life and a guidance that you will find no where else.

-Ashley