Welcome Back! I wouldn't stress about family traditions. I tried to force them but the best ones came organically as kids remembered what we did the year before and wanted to do it again. The forced ones just were something "we had to do" and became one more stress, especially around busy holidays like Christmas. And if I structured it as a tradition and we didn't do it one year, I felt like a failure. But other fun things have come up over the years...pancakes with confetti for breakfast on birthday mornings, Brunch at our favorite breakfast place the last day before school starts, writing letters to the tooth fairy about how and why we lost the tooth, etc. that were never planned....they just got repeated over the years and now are tradition. Something good about Covid holidays was it was a good excuse to drop some traditions that had gotten stale. For list making, to-do lists, meal planning, etc. I love the 5x7 Shutterfly Notebooks. They are often a free item (just pay shipping) and I use vacation photos for the fronts. They are the perfect size to keep in my purse, on my night stand or where ever I go. I love the idea of video affirmations. I think that would be really good for my 13 yr old. Short ones I can text him before a track meet or just because. Last part on the pets. Check with local Animal Shelters and see if you and Lee can go volunteer. Some have minimum ages that he might not have met yet but might be good for others! They just need kids to love the animals and keep them used to be around kids.
When my daughter was in elementary school, we had a neighbor that gave horseback riding lessons. Kylie, my daughter, LOVES animals; especially horses! So, when she began taking riding lessons, part of her responsibilities were to take care of the horse she rode! Everything from feeding, to bathing, to mucking the stalls! It truly made Eddie (the horse) feel like hers! They had a beautiful friendship that lasted many years!!! Ask around! I’d bet that anyone who gives lessons, would encourage this type of additional learning!!! Good luck!!! P.S. I think your new schedule sounds much better for you! We will all be here for you!!!
So Wonderful to see you back again! First of all - I need to look into your hot water tea brewer. Secondly - a dog! You need to find the right fit for your family - you do love to travel and you talk about going back to work - big things to consider. Would you have a dog sitter when you travel? Working full time - find a breed that is happiest with a dog companion (like a cavalier king charles spaniel - so they'd have each other). But there are many options that may work better for your current lifestyle - volunteering at dog shelters or rescues. A lot of these organizations look for dog walking volunteers. Some like volunteers to come and read to the dogs. Some look for people to be weekend fosters when they are staffed at lower numbers. You could also become regular fosters. Fosters are desperately needed because than the shelters have that much more room for more dogs. This would be a way for you to bring a dog into your home to love and care for and help them on their way to their "furever ". Could I do it - likely I'd be a foster fail. I've rescued more than a half dozen dogs and all the foster parents I've met have hearts of gold and approach what their doing as a means to empower these furbabies and get them into their perfect home!
I LOVE the idea of mailing letters to friends. I used to do this years ago but it kind of feel by the wayside. It’s so nice getting mail that isn’t junk or bills! It brings such happiness and is the reason I used to do it. There is also something about putting pen to paper and showing your thoughts/love that way. I think that is a wonderful idea! Also keep making these videos for you! Your passion and happiness shows because of it and it is what brings us back. Much love always ❤️
Hello friend! Glad you’re doing well. I make lists like this all the time. That and brain dumping at the end of the day help calm my brain down. I often don’t know what in the world I was on about when I read it back so it was just taking up unnecessary space! I understand how you feel about revisiting your priorities and making it the best for you and your family. I’m taking a break from my blog because I’ve been struggling hard lately and I just can’t get anything out at the moment. It’s sort of like having a self-care-intervention 😂 My husband asked what I want for Mother’s Day and I told him that I want him to take the kids to his parent’s house Saturday so I can have the ENTIRE day to myself. I’m going to do any cleaning before then so I can actually do something for me. I might garden, I’ll definitely do some sewing, and I’m going to have a Me-Party Tea-Party! I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day as well!
You are so inspiring. I really need to make my lists too. I love your ideas. Being in a bit of a lockdown right now I find myself stuck in a rut with what we want to do/can do. But a list will help make the most of this time. I too need to declutter the mind, and I am inspired to get organized. Also everything you said about goals and missions, totally resonates with me. Thanks for the helpful an timely reminders. Much love to you Ashley. You have been missed.
Hi Ashley. Just sharing my thoughts on the pet front.... we are travelers and a dog definitely doesn’t fit in with our lifestyle but we love kitties. They’re fine if we’re gone all day and are very self sufficient. As long as you’ve got a dependable person to come and feed/scoop litter boxes while you’re gone on a long vacation you’re good to go. I feel it has definitely benefited my kids. But to each their own. Just sharing our experience. Good to see you back and glad you’re all doing well!!
It’s absolutely bonkers how much is in our heads at any given time! Wants, needs, worries, tasks, schedules...purging is absolutely necessary. It is definitely crucial to ones mental health. I have found the Reminder app on my phone to be so helpful. Anytime something pops into my head I put it in the app to remind me later in the day (if it’s to call someone or something) or another day or put appointments in there...so they will pop up to remind me, etc. It’s helped me stay organized. Totally understand the pet dilemma...they bring such joy but are a huge responsibility and can cause less spontaneous plans. But if the desire for a pet is there, you will always figure out the logistics! I think your new plan sounds great!! As always, we love to hear from you regardless of how much time has gone by...but I’m excited for future videos!! Great to hear from you Ashley!!
I’ve missed you! I’m here to watch videos when you post them and have the time. I always love seeing your face and beautiful family but I know life can be CRAZY! ♥️
Ashley, this is such a good activity! Everybody goes times of being overwhelmed especially when they are as driven as you are! I go through this struggle every few months and sometimes you just need to take the time to re-evaluate and prioritize just like you did. One thing that helps me with my To Do List which I swear by is setting tasks with Letters Number A1, A2, B1, B2, etc. This helps me separate my MUST get done, would be good to get done, if I have time type of things -- K
Hi Ashley! This video helped remind me of my own priorities that I want to learn to hone, also get better at planning ahead in all areas of my life, routine is definitely helpful a lot of people. Also, I stick around for you videos no matter how often you post because I watched you and Joe in your See Ya Reel Soon videos and saw two people that loved each other who had good values and treat each other with blatant love and respect, when I watched you two with each other it made me hoped that my husband viewed me in a similar way. Even though I don’t truly know you, the small bits of you that I’ve seen have connected with me and that’s why I watch for your videos, you do whatever works best for you and your family, I’ll always be watching for whenever you post!
I got my dog Lucy when I was 11 and I think it was the perfect age. Going through those rough teenage years with a pet companion was such a blessing. Glad you’re back Ashley! The new plan sounds great, whatever works for you works for us too!
If I lived closer, I'd totally do a mama playdate and show you how to build something. Whenever we have a project, we include the kids (unless painting/staining is involved).
So good to see your video Ashley! I paused it to comment on pets. My Aunt and my father both have set up ‘pet-sharing’. My aunt kept the dog during the week when her friends worked and then switched on the weekends with each family dog sitting for the other’s vacations. My dad shares with my brother’s family - very flexible - they just go day to day depending on schedules. Perhaps you could try that idea with family or friends. Also, just a personal note. I never had a pet when my girls were growing up for the same reasons that you said. I was honest with them and encouraged their love of animals so that they would be ready to become pet owners as adults. One of my most important decisions as a mother was to not bother with guilt. Huge topic but that was one of the best decisions that I ever made. We all just do the best we can with what we know and who we are at any particular moment in time. Be as loving to yourself as you are to your loved ones. 💛
Thank you for all of this, Tracey, especially the words on guilt. I have been making a concerted effort to work on refocusing my mom guilt. I’m definitely going to try to take on the perspective you have!
If those list titles were brain tabs that was indeed a lot of tabs open in your mind (I counted 17?) :D Definitely a great mind therapy task to just write things down and give your brain a rest. I do it all the time as well. Also a great analysis of what you want out of this channel. Again, thanks for sharing. Some of the brain tab topics have inspired me to have a think about those also. All the best.
I love self teaching diy projects!! RUclips helps SO much when I am looking to take on a project that is a step above the normal craft projects. Thank you for this video, I am definitely doing a brain dump like this tonight!
It’s so good to hear from you Ashley! I think the new schedule is great, whatever is best for y’all is awesome! I’ve been following SYRS for so long that I’m just happy to hear y’all are doing well☺️
Ashley, your list making speaks to me! I love making a list to organize myself, otherwise I’d forget half of the things. As for getting your kids a pet, my husband grew up with no pets and he doesn’t feel like he missed out. The dog we got when we got married was his first dog! Our current dog we got when my kids were 12 and 9, and those were actually really good ages to have a puppy. He does give my family a lot of joy, but it is hard to be spontaneous. And your new video schedule sounds great!
I really like the idea of doing a video twice a month. My husband and I have struggled with inconsistency with our little channel, but we enjoy making videos. Sometimes it is difficult to edit the videos with our busy schedule. But, maybe if we create a more manageable schedule, we can stick to it. Thanks for the idea! I know a lot of people commented about your concerns about getting a pet. One suggestion (that someone else mentioned also) is to get a cat instead. We don’t have a dog for many of the same reasons that you mentioned. We tend to travel a lot, and we aren’t sure how they would fit into our schedule. However, we really love having our two cats. They are such blessings in our lives, and they are easier to manage than a dog. They can be left alone for longer periods of time. We have put our cats in a kennel in the past when going out of town. Sometimes, we’ve had friends come over to check on them instead. With all of this said, you know what is best for you and your family. Cats do have claws, and they can sometimes scratch furniture, for example. There is a lot to consider. Thanks for the video. Take care!
Yes! I think having a manageable schedule will make you feel less stressed and more accomplished. Again, just ask yourself the question of why you’re editing and posting your videos to your channel and your heart’s answer will guide you down the right path. Thank you for the advice on cats. Since I was 9, I grew up with cats and also loved them. Our concern with cats right now is the scratching both on the kids and furniture... any advice for that??
I do have a friend in Mass who "rent a horse" for their daughter. So they go to the stable twice a week and help take care of the horse and in return she gets riding lessons. I am not sure of the details-if there is a fee, etc... But, they are really loving it.
I loved this video, I used to do this type of thing before bed every night to help me sleep better and to start my next day fresh and organized. I feel like this reminder of an old habit is just what I needed to start getting my mind in order. I appreciate it so much! Thank you for this video.
As far as pets…do a common goldfish. They’re pretty easy to take care of (and easy to replace - lol). When you’re out of town, you drop in a slow feeding pellet and it takes care of that issue. And fish don’t miss you when you’re gone to work or travel. 😉
Yes! This had been a strong consideration! I just find them kinda boring and for not getting to pet them or hold them, you still have to change their tank every week! But I do need to think about it more, it may be better than any other option! Thank you!!
@@AshleysLemonadeStand yes! They can be kinda boring since they can’t be cuddled! 😉 They are good for teaching responsibility in feeding and tank maintenance. My daughter talked to hers so much that she trained them to follow her in the tank as she moved about her room and also to chase her finger when she moved it along the outside of the tank! 🤣 It’s definitely an option as a starter pet. We now have a 1 1/2 year old Yorkie named Walt that we adore (and he’s much more cuddly than Gubbles!!). 🥰
I’m a list person :). I like google keep and sometimes paper lists. Google keep I like because I can share it with my husband who can then see what I have on my plate, and sometimes he chips in if it’s something he knows how to take care of :). Sometimes the satisfaction of crossing it off on paper is nice too though.
Glad your back! ❤️ I’m so happy that you have found a schedule that works for you. This should be enjoyable for you too. I am a big list person. I have so many lists and they help organize my thoughts. I also use planners, but not as much these days.
Hey Ashley! I’m a mom in a family of 7 so I get the grocery issue. My daughter also has Celiac so I get the $ stuff too. I meal plan for 2 weeks at a time (dinner we all eat GF together). Use store curbside pick up so I don’t go off my list by shopping inside. Select coupons from the store app and use the app Ibotta (doubling coupons). These things help keep $ under control. Hope this helps!
And finally…I’m sure there are many viewers like me. That adore you and your sweet family, but are also insanely busy and can’t watch twice a week every week. I watch them all but sometimes in more of a binge fashion when I have time to myself. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Your friends will be here. Life is crazy. But it’s nice that we can all go it together. Much love from KY! ❤️❤️
I’ve heard of Ibotta! I will definitely take a closer look at it, now that you’ve mentioned it. Thank you for these tips - so very helpful!! And thank you for your perspective on how you watch, it’s a great reminder of the great support I have no matter how often I post! And I’m happy to hear you watch when you can and also never feel pressure to watch it right away!!! It’s all about doing what’s best for you in either side and that makes me really happy. 🥰
Connor turns 4 tomorrow! So crazy to think how fast this stage of our lives with two littles is going. How are you doing Ashley? I’m having a very hard time with Harper having turned one at the end of March. I had to have a partial hysterectomy with her so you know us having a third is completely out of the picture. So getting rid of the baby stuff and saying goodbye to that stage is well it’s a lot.
Ah! I love this so so much! I’m a list person too and have planners galore! When it comes to posting I definitely feel you there. I was like stressing trying to come up with content content content and it was like ahhh!! So I’ve told myself hey it’s okay I’ll post and it will be somewhat consistent and mindful! Sidenote I so love that joy mug! ❤️
This is amazing, I feel like your videos always come out right when I need to take a step back and take a breath. P.S. I’m a pre-k teacher and Lee is absolutely wonderful 😊 he is going to shine so brightly in school
The pasta is actually relatively pretty easy. Especially if you are just doing spaghetti or fettucine or something like that. You can get decent pasta makers even on Amazon and watch a few RUclips videos on it. That's what I did. Is it going to make you a pasta gourmet, probably not, but it is good. lol RUclips is also how I learned to use most of the power tools I use and build everything I've built. The largest thing I've made was the entertainment center for my bedroom. Is it perfect? Again, nope, but it looks pretty dang good if I do say so myself and fits the space and has the exact specifications that I needed without having to pay someone else a trillion dollars to custom build it for me. I also have the pride of knowing that I built it myself. Cats are a lot easier to be spontaneous with. They are way more self sufficient than dogs are. I have both, but we can leave the cats for a few days or a week and just put out extra food and a couple of litter boxes and they are fine. You can't really do that with a dog. You pretty much have to board them or have some one stop in on them a couple of times a day at least. We will usually have someone check on the cats once a day too, but, honestly, they would be fine if we didn't.
I know! I don’t know what’s holding me back from the homemade pasta - I literally have all the equipment and I’ve watched my family do it countless of times. You’re inspiring me to do it and to build something! And yes, I’m wondering if cats will be in our future, but we just worry at the kids age that scratching might be a problem.
@@AshleysLemonadeStand You can do it! I’m faaaar from an expert, but I’ll give my advice/opinion with my limited experience building things if you ever want or need it. I’m only a message away. :-) I don’t have kids myself, but my young cousins kinda grew up with our cats and that was never really an issue. We just always made sure to tell them to be easy with them & pay attention to them to kinda be able to tell when they were over being played with. Maybe get a young kitten so they could grow up knowing your kids and how they play with them.
Hi Ashley! Check out Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester. You and the boys could volunteer or sponsor an animal! They are a rescue that has dogs, cats, horses, and other farm animals. I’m sure there are other rescues you could look into as well!
I feel like I've been roaming aimlessly through life this past year. After watching this, I'm wondering if some purposeful list making would do me some good ;)
Check out Home Depot or Lowe's and see if they are starting back with their kid activities. They have building a craft things for kids and it might give you some experience with hand tools to build your confidence before you start on power tools. LOL
I truly believe that the price you pay for having children is worry and guilt. I’m sorry to say that it never leaves you but the things you worry about change as they grow. When they are little you worry about them making friends and who to invite to their birthday parties, then it’s school exams, then girlfriends/ boyfriends! There’s always something, but as long as they are happy and loved that’s all that really matters. Regarding your vlog scheduling, don’t get bogged down with when you post - we’ll just be waiting here whenever you can.
Ashley, could you put out to your neighborhood a service for caring for pets while their owners were away? Just like dog sitting or something that your boys could go with and help feed, brush, walk, etc. only accept jobs when you felt up for it but make yourself somewhat available and get to then see how your boys interact and decide from there if you want to add a critter to the family? I love our ten year old lab but the boys though they love her don’t give her much attention.
Ashley,. I'm a beginning woodworker and I've gotten a lot of good information from Steve Ramsey on RUclips. His channel is Woodworking for Mere Mortals. Good luck!
I can *solidly* assure you that Lee is not behind. Sure, he will be influenced by other kids, but that can be very “teachable” about good friends, your family values versus others etc. ☺️
Volunteer to be a pet foster. Volunteer at the shelter (dog walker) Volunteer to walk a neighbors animal. Get a fish. And not a crazy color fish cause you need to be able to substitute an imposter cause fish shelf life is pretty short.
You are not depriving your kids of anything, as far as pet ownership goes. My son is 4 and did not do preschool. Some people skip pre k which is fine if your state doesn't require it.
I guess my comment got deleted . I tried to share some good stuff but it disappeared. Maybe because I put a website name in it. So I said I like eMeals. Just google it. Anyway we all went Gf when my daughter and son needed to ( celiac ) and we all benefited greatly! Easier to cook one meal
Oh I’m so sorry! Was it a link? RUclips can be weird sometimes about that stuff. I’ve been considering having the whole family go all GF, too. If you are ever out and ordering food, do you have anything with gluten or since you go GF so much now, do you find you have a reaction because your body isn’t used to it? Thanks for sharing! Definitely googling it!!
I have a daily planner and a lot of notebooks and lists. I actually have 2 Disney happy planners. I just got a dry erase calendar as well. Trying to get more organized. I like your idea of a list of things at the end of the day before going to bed. I might have to try that. X is singing his abc’s. “a b c d e f g, next time won’t you sing with me” hahaha it’s the abbreviated version.
I get so behind with daily posts. And I JUST figured out how to do the correct notification thing for this channel 🤣😅. The group here is so supportive it’s amazing.
A lot of stables will let you trade riding fees for chores around the stable. Mucking out stalls, feeding, grooming etc. Also, we haven’t done preschool either. I’m worried about letting X go. Especially during the pandemicy
Ok I’m totally looking into this! And yes, we’re also worried about sending Lee during the pandemic since there are no vaccines for him yet. So many difficult decisions!!!
@@AshleysLemonadeStandhoping Lee is enjoying school! X is very much enjoying it. Especially math, which boggles my mind because I’m not a numbers person haha. I hope you were able to find something about the stables!
@@AshleysLemonadeStandit’s so much easier to comment as I watch, then I don’t forget anything 😅 Also, very late on the comment reply. Just found the emails that had hidden in my inbox
Welcome Back! I wouldn't stress about family traditions. I tried to force them but the best ones came organically as kids remembered what we did the year before and wanted to do it again. The forced ones just were something "we had to do" and became one more stress, especially around busy holidays like Christmas. And if I structured it as a tradition and we didn't do it one year, I felt like a failure. But other fun things have come up over the years...pancakes with confetti for breakfast on birthday mornings, Brunch at our favorite breakfast place the last day before school starts, writing letters to the tooth fairy about how and why we lost the tooth, etc. that were never planned....they just got repeated over the years and now are tradition. Something good about Covid holidays was it was a good excuse to drop some traditions that had gotten stale. For list making, to-do lists, meal planning, etc. I love the 5x7 Shutterfly Notebooks. They are often a free item (just pay shipping) and I use vacation photos for the fronts. They are the perfect size to keep in my purse, on my night stand or where ever I go. I love the idea of video affirmations. I think that would be really good for my 13 yr old. Short ones I can text him before a track meet or just because. Last part on the pets. Check with local Animal Shelters and see if you and Lee can go volunteer. Some have minimum ages that he might not have met yet but might be good for others! They just need kids to love the animals and keep them used to be around kids.
When my daughter was in elementary school, we had a neighbor that gave horseback riding lessons. Kylie, my daughter, LOVES animals; especially horses! So, when she began taking riding lessons, part of her responsibilities were to take care of the horse she rode! Everything from feeding, to bathing, to mucking the stalls! It truly made Eddie (the horse) feel like hers! They had a beautiful friendship that lasted many years!!! Ask around! I’d bet that anyone who gives lessons, would encourage this type of additional learning!!! Good luck!!!
P.S. I think your new schedule sounds much better for you! We will all be here for you!!!
So Wonderful to see you back again! First of all - I need to look into your hot water tea brewer. Secondly - a dog! You need to find the right fit for your family - you do love to travel and you talk about going back to work - big things to consider. Would you have a dog sitter when you travel? Working full time - find a breed that is happiest with a dog companion (like a cavalier king charles spaniel - so they'd have each other). But there are many options that may work better for your current lifestyle - volunteering at dog shelters or rescues. A lot of these organizations look for dog walking volunteers. Some like volunteers to come and read to the dogs. Some look for people to be weekend fosters when they are staffed at lower numbers. You could also become regular fosters. Fosters are desperately needed because than the shelters have that much more room for more dogs. This would be a way for you to bring a dog into your home to love and care for and help them on their way to their "furever ". Could I do it - likely I'd be a foster fail. I've rescued more than a half dozen dogs and all the foster parents I've met have hearts of gold and approach what their doing as a means to empower these furbabies and get them into their perfect home!
I LOVE the idea of mailing letters to friends. I used to do this years ago but it kind of feel by the wayside. It’s so nice getting mail that isn’t junk or bills! It brings such happiness and is the reason I used to do it. There is also something about putting pen to paper and showing your thoughts/love that way. I think that is a wonderful idea!
Also keep making these videos for you! Your passion and happiness shows because of it and it is what brings us back.
Much love always ❤️
Much love to you!! I also love receiving letters for the mail - such a lovely surprise! Thank you for your support ❤️
You got this Mama! Lee is wonderful and smart!
Thank you so much!
Hello friend! Glad you’re doing well.
I make lists like this all the time. That and brain dumping at the end of the day help calm my brain down. I often don’t know what in the world I was on about when I read it back so it was just taking up unnecessary space!
I understand how you feel about revisiting your priorities and making it the best for you and your family. I’m taking a break from my blog because I’ve been struggling hard lately and I just can’t get anything out at the moment. It’s sort of like having a self-care-intervention 😂
My husband asked what I want for Mother’s Day and I told him that I want him to take the kids to his parent’s house Saturday so I can have the ENTIRE day to myself. I’m going to do any cleaning before then so I can actually do something for me. I might garden, I’ll definitely do some sewing, and I’m going to have a Me-Party Tea-Party!
I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day as well!
You are so inspiring. I really need to make my lists too. I love your ideas. Being in a bit of a lockdown right now I find myself stuck in a rut with what we want to do/can do. But a list will help make the most of this time. I too need to declutter the mind, and I am inspired to get organized. Also everything you said about goals and missions, totally resonates with me. Thanks for the helpful an timely reminders. Much love to you Ashley. You have been missed.
Just know I love any videos you put out. thank you Ashley! :)
Hi Ashley. Just sharing my thoughts on the pet front.... we are travelers and a dog definitely doesn’t fit in with our lifestyle but we love kitties. They’re fine if we’re gone all day and are very self sufficient. As long as you’ve got a dependable person to come and feed/scoop litter boxes while you’re gone on a long vacation you’re good to go. I feel it has definitely benefited my kids. But to each their own. Just sharing our experience. Good to see you back and glad you’re all doing well!!
It’s absolutely bonkers how much is in our heads at any given time! Wants, needs, worries, tasks, schedules...purging is absolutely necessary. It is definitely crucial to ones mental health. I have found the Reminder app on my phone to be so helpful. Anytime something pops into my head I put it in the app to remind me later in the day (if it’s to call someone or something) or another day or put appointments in there...so they will pop up to remind me, etc. It’s helped me stay organized.
Totally understand the pet dilemma...they bring such joy but are a huge responsibility and can cause less spontaneous plans. But if the desire for a pet is there, you will always figure out the logistics!
I think your new plan sounds great!! As always, we love to hear from you regardless of how much time has gone by...but I’m excited for future videos!! Great to hear from you Ashley!!
Great video...great things to think about 😊
I’ve missed you! I’m here to watch videos when you post them and have the time. I always love seeing your face and beautiful family but I know life can be CRAZY! ♥️
Ashley, this is such a good activity! Everybody goes times of being overwhelmed especially when they are as driven as you are! I go through this struggle every few months and sometimes you just need to take the time to re-evaluate and prioritize just like you did. One thing that helps me with my To Do List which I swear by is setting tasks with Letters Number A1, A2, B1, B2, etc. This helps me separate my MUST get done, would be good to get done, if I have time type of things -- K
Oooh, I really like the letter/number system! Definitely trying that out for myself, thanks!!
Hi Ashley! This video helped remind me of my own priorities that I want to learn to hone, also get better at planning ahead in all areas of my life, routine is definitely helpful a lot of people. Also, I stick around for you videos no matter how often you post because I watched you and Joe in your See Ya Reel Soon videos and saw two people that loved each other who had good values and treat each other with blatant love and respect, when I watched you two with each other it made me hoped that my husband viewed me in a similar way. Even though I don’t truly know you, the small bits of you that I’ve seen have connected with me and that’s why I watch for your videos, you do whatever works best for you and your family, I’ll always be watching for whenever you post!
I got my dog Lucy when I was 11 and I think it was the perfect age. Going through those rough teenage years with a pet companion was such a blessing. Glad you’re back Ashley! The new plan sounds great, whatever works for you works for us too!
If I lived closer, I'd totally do a mama playdate and show you how to build something. Whenever we have a project, we include the kids (unless painting/staining is involved).
So good to see your video Ashley! I paused it to comment on pets. My Aunt and my father both have set up ‘pet-sharing’. My aunt kept the dog during the week when her friends worked and then switched on the weekends with each family dog sitting for the other’s vacations. My dad shares with my brother’s family - very flexible - they just go day to day depending on schedules. Perhaps you could try that idea with family or friends. Also, just a personal note. I never had a pet when my girls were growing up for the same reasons that you said. I was honest with them and encouraged their love of animals so that they would be ready to become pet owners as adults. One of my most important decisions as a mother was to not bother with guilt. Huge topic but that was one of the best decisions that I ever made. We all just do the best we can with what we know and who we are at any particular moment in time. Be as loving to yourself as you are to your loved ones. 💛
Thank you for all of this, Tracey, especially the words on guilt. I have been making a concerted effort to work on refocusing my mom guilt. I’m definitely going to try to take on the perspective you have!
If those list titles were brain tabs that was indeed a lot of tabs open in your mind (I counted 17?) :D Definitely a great mind therapy task to just write things down and give your brain a rest. I do it all the time as well. Also a great analysis of what you want out of this channel. Again, thanks for sharing. Some of the brain tab topics have inspired me to have a think about those also. All the best.
Yay ! It's Ashley!! Hi Ash , so good to see you!! Ok, now I'll watch the video ..
So glad your back! I enjoy watching you! I have been watching you a long time and just love it!❤️
I love self teaching diy projects!! RUclips helps SO much when I am looking to take on a project that is a step above the normal craft projects. Thank you for this video, I am definitely doing a brain dump like this tonight!
It’s so good to hear from you Ashley! I think the new schedule is great, whatever is best for y’all is awesome! I’ve been following SYRS for so long that I’m just happy to hear y’all are doing well☺️
Ashley, your list making speaks to me! I love making a list to organize myself, otherwise I’d forget half of the things. As for getting your kids a pet, my husband grew up with no pets and he doesn’t feel like he missed out. The dog we got when we got married was his first dog! Our current dog we got when my kids were 12 and 9, and those were actually really good ages to have a puppy. He does give my family a lot of joy, but it is hard to be spontaneous. And your new video schedule sounds great!
I really like the idea of doing a video twice a month. My husband and I have struggled with inconsistency with our little channel, but we enjoy making videos. Sometimes it is difficult to edit the videos with our busy schedule. But, maybe if we create a more manageable schedule, we can stick to it. Thanks for the idea!
I know a lot of people commented about your concerns about getting a pet. One suggestion (that someone else mentioned also) is to get a cat instead. We don’t have a dog for many of the same reasons that you mentioned. We tend to travel a lot, and we aren’t sure how they would fit into our schedule. However, we really love having our two cats. They are such blessings in our lives, and they are easier to manage than a dog. They can be left alone for longer periods of time. We have put our cats in a kennel in the past when going out of town. Sometimes, we’ve had friends come over to check on them instead. With all of this said, you know what is best for you and your family. Cats do have claws, and they can sometimes scratch furniture, for example. There is a lot to consider.
Thanks for the video. Take care!
Yes! I think having a manageable schedule will make you feel less stressed and more accomplished. Again, just ask yourself the question of why you’re editing and posting your videos to your channel and your heart’s answer will guide you down the right path.
Thank you for the advice on cats. Since I was 9, I grew up with cats and also loved them. Our concern with cats right now is the scratching both on the kids and furniture... any advice for that??
I'm glad you are back!!!
I do have a friend in Mass who "rent a horse" for their daughter. So they go to the stable twice a week and help take care of the horse and in return she gets riding lessons. I am not sure of the details-if there is a fee, etc... But, they are really loving it.
I loved this video, I used to do this type of thing before bed every night to help me sleep better and to start my next day fresh and organized. I feel like this reminder of an old habit is just what I needed to start getting my mind in order. I appreciate it so much! Thank you for this video.
I am definitely going to do these lists!! I feel lighter already!
So happy to hear that!!
As far as pets…do a common goldfish. They’re pretty easy to take care of (and easy to replace - lol). When you’re out of town, you drop in a slow feeding pellet and it takes care of that issue. And fish don’t miss you when you’re gone to work or travel. 😉
Yes! This had been a strong consideration! I just find them kinda boring and for not getting to pet them or hold them, you still have to change their tank every week! But I do need to think about it more, it may be better than any other option! Thank you!!
@@AshleysLemonadeStand yes! They can be kinda boring since they can’t be cuddled! 😉 They are good for teaching responsibility in feeding and tank maintenance. My daughter talked to hers so much that she trained them to follow her in the tank as she moved about her room and also to chase her finger when she moved it along the outside of the tank! 🤣 It’s definitely an option as a starter pet. We now have a 1 1/2 year old Yorkie named Walt that we adore (and he’s much more cuddly than Gubbles!!). 🥰
I’m a list person :). I like google keep and sometimes paper lists. Google keep I like because I can share it with my husband who can then see what I have on my plate, and sometimes he chips in if it’s something he knows how to take care of :). Sometimes the satisfaction of crossing it off on paper is nice too though.
I do mostly paper lists, purely because I like crossing stuff off. Or dry erase because erasing the finished item is SO satisfying.
Thank you for this video... I don’t know about NH but in NY we have farms that you can donate your time to.... they usually are rescue farms... 😊
Glad your back! ❤️ I’m so happy that you have found a schedule that works for you. This should be enjoyable for you too. I am a big list person. I have so many lists and they help organize my thoughts. I also use planners, but not as much these days.
I can totally relate to this video!! I need to make lists like this as well.
Hey Ashley! I’m a mom in a family of 7 so I get the grocery issue. My daughter also has Celiac so I get the $ stuff too. I meal plan for 2 weeks at a time (dinner we all eat GF together). Use store curbside pick up so I don’t go off my list by shopping inside. Select coupons from the store app and use the app Ibotta (doubling coupons). These things help keep $ under control. Hope this helps!
And finally…I’m sure there are many viewers like me. That adore you and your sweet family, but are also insanely busy and can’t watch twice a week every week. I watch them all but sometimes in more of a binge fashion when I have time to myself. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Your friends will be here. Life is crazy. But it’s nice that we can all go it together. Much love from KY! ❤️❤️
I’ve heard of Ibotta! I will definitely take a closer look at it, now that you’ve mentioned it. Thank you for these tips - so very helpful!!
And thank you for your perspective on how you watch, it’s a great reminder of the great support I have no matter how often I post! And I’m happy to hear you watch when you can and also never feel pressure to watch it right away!!! It’s all about doing what’s best for you in either side and that makes me really happy. 🥰
Connor turns 4 tomorrow! So crazy to think how fast this stage of our lives with two littles is going. How are you doing Ashley? I’m having a very hard time with Harper having turned one at the end of March. I had to have a partial hysterectomy with her so you know us having a third is completely out of the picture. So getting rid of the baby stuff and saying goodbye to that stage is well it’s a lot.
Welcome back! 🤍
Ah! I love this so so much! I’m a list person too and have planners galore! When it comes to posting I definitely feel you there. I was like stressing trying to come up with content content content and it was like ahhh!! So I’ve told myself hey it’s okay I’ll post and it will be somewhat consistent and mindful! Sidenote I so love that joy mug! ❤️
Your videos are nice!
This is amazing, I feel like your videos always come out right when I need to take a step back and take a breath. P.S. I’m a pre-k teacher and Lee is absolutely wonderful 😊 he is going to shine so brightly in school
The pasta is actually relatively pretty easy. Especially if you are just doing spaghetti or fettucine or something like that. You can get decent pasta makers even on Amazon and watch a few RUclips videos on it. That's what I did. Is it going to make you a pasta gourmet, probably not, but it is good. lol
RUclips is also how I learned to use most of the power tools I use and build everything I've built. The largest thing I've made was the entertainment center for my bedroom. Is it perfect? Again, nope, but it looks pretty dang good if I do say so myself and fits the space and has the exact specifications that I needed without having to pay someone else a trillion dollars to custom build it for me. I also have the pride of knowing that I built it myself.
Cats are a lot easier to be spontaneous with. They are way more self sufficient than dogs are. I have both, but we can leave the cats for a few days or a week and just put out extra food and a couple of litter boxes and they are fine. You can't really do that with a dog. You pretty much have to board them or have some one stop in on them a couple of times a day at least. We will usually have someone check on the cats once a day too, but, honestly, they would be fine if we didn't.
I know! I don’t know what’s holding me back from the homemade pasta - I literally have all the equipment and I’ve watched my family do it countless of times. You’re inspiring me to do it and to build something!
And yes, I’m wondering if cats will be in our future, but we just worry at the kids age that scratching might be a problem.
@@AshleysLemonadeStand
You can do it! I’m faaaar from an expert, but I’ll give my advice/opinion with my limited experience building things if you ever want or need it. I’m only a message away. :-)
I don’t have kids myself, but my young cousins kinda grew up with our cats and that was never really an issue. We just always made sure to tell them to be easy with them & pay attention to them to kinda be able to tell when they were over being played with. Maybe get a young kitten so they could grow up knowing your kids and how they play with them.
You might want to check out the cookbook “Instant Loss on a Budget” by Brittany Williams. Her recipes are gluten and dairy free.
Totally checking this out. Thanks for sharing!!
Groceries:
1. Make a list & stick to it.
2. Don't go to the store hungry.
Yay you’re back! :)
Hi Ashley! Check out Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester. You and the boys could volunteer or sponsor an animal! They are a rescue that has dogs, cats, horses, and other farm animals. I’m sure there are other rescues you could look into as well!
I feel like I've been roaming aimlessly through life this past year. After watching this, I'm wondering if some purposeful list making would do me some good ;)
It is life changing - you should! -- K
Check out Home Depot or Lowe's and see if they are starting back with their kid activities. They have building a craft things for kids and it might give you some experience with hand tools to build your confidence before you start on power tools. LOL
I truly believe that the price you pay for having children is worry and guilt. I’m sorry to say that it never leaves you but the things you worry about change as they grow. When they are little you worry about them making friends and who to invite to their birthday parties, then it’s school exams, then girlfriends/ boyfriends! There’s always something, but as long as they are happy and loved that’s all that really matters. Regarding your vlog scheduling, don’t get bogged down with when you post - we’ll just be waiting here whenever you can.
Ashley, could you put out to your neighborhood a service for caring for pets while their owners were away? Just like dog sitting or something that your boys could go with and help feed, brush, walk, etc. only accept jobs when you felt up for it but make yourself somewhat available and get to then see how your boys interact and decide from there if you want to add a critter to the family? I love our ten year old lab but the boys though they love her don’t give her much attention.
Would also help with grocery budget ;)
Missed you guys. Please video something, enjoy family life since Disney is out of the question.
Ashley,. I'm a beginning woodworker and I've gotten a lot of good information from Steve Ramsey on RUclips. His channel is Woodworking for Mere Mortals. Good luck!
Sending full support po sayo
I can *solidly* assure you that Lee is not behind. Sure, he will be influenced by other kids, but that can be very “teachable” about good friends, your family values versus others etc. ☺️
Volunteer to be a pet foster. Volunteer at the shelter (dog walker) Volunteer to walk a neighbors animal. Get a fish. And not a crazy color fish cause you need to be able to substitute an imposter cause fish shelf life is pretty short.
You are not depriving your kids of anything, as far as pet ownership goes. My son is 4 and did not do preschool. Some people skip pre k which is fine if your state doesn't require it.
What kind of surgery did Joe have
Have you ever been to the UK 🇬🇧
I have not, but would love to someday!
I guess my comment got deleted . I tried to share some good stuff but it disappeared. Maybe because I put a website name in it. So I said I like eMeals. Just google it. Anyway we all went Gf when my daughter and son needed to ( celiac ) and we all benefited greatly! Easier to cook one meal
Oh I’m so sorry! Was it a link? RUclips can be weird sometimes about that stuff. I’ve been considering having the whole family go all GF, too. If you are ever out and ordering food, do you have anything with gluten or since you go GF so much now, do you find you have a reaction because your body isn’t used to it? Thanks for sharing! Definitely googling it!!
Wonder what happened to these lovely people
I LOVE seeing new videos, but I also know you have a lot going on! So take as much time as you need!
I have a daily planner and a lot of notebooks and lists. I actually have 2 Disney happy planners. I just got a dry erase calendar as well. Trying to get more organized. I like your idea of a list of things at the end of the day before going to bed. I might have to try that. X is singing his abc’s. “a b c d e f g, next time won’t you sing with me” hahaha it’s the abbreviated version.
I get so behind with daily posts. And I JUST figured out how to do the correct notification thing for this channel 🤣😅.
The group here is so supportive it’s amazing.
This is genius! I love lists, and I need to start working on a book like this
Ooo! Which tea did you end up choosing?
I want to do carpentry trade school and build a playhouse and some furniture! Hehe
Right?! That’s what I’m saying!
You can foster pets or volunteer at stables etc
A lot of stables will let you trade riding fees for chores around the stable. Mucking out stalls, feeding, grooming etc.
Also, we haven’t done preschool either. I’m worried about letting X go. Especially during the pandemicy
Ok I’m totally looking into this! And yes, we’re also worried about sending Lee during the pandemic since there are no vaccines for him yet. So many difficult decisions!!!
@@AshleysLemonadeStandhoping Lee is enjoying school! X is very much enjoying it. Especially math, which boggles my mind because I’m not a numbers person haha. I hope you were able to find something about the stables!
I have such a hard time getting motivated to clean.
Hello!
Also, X man says hi. I hope you don’t mind me blowing up the comments 😅
I love your play-by-play responses!!!
@@AshleysLemonadeStandit’s so much easier to comment as I watch, then I don’t forget anything 😅
Also, very late on the comment reply. Just found the emails that had hidden in my inbox
I like having pets, but it’s much easier having a cat. Also, babies are easier to take care of than puppies if that helps