Hello 2014!

Well, we made it!  2013 is in our past and we've got a fresh new outlook on things!

It's with great pleasure and intermittent melancholy, we say goodbye to 2013.  It was a rough year for our family.  Daddy was gone for 8 months and, as always, that's when some of the most trying times occur.  We bid adieu to some great friends who moved on to their next assignments.  We were able to really appreciate the family and friends we have, we wouldn't have made it without them!  We added to our family, a cutie named Whipper, Klassie, misc birds and such.  We also welcomed another niece and nephew!!!  We have The.  Most.  Adorable.  nieces and nephews, this brings us to 14 grand kids for my parents...holy moly! 

We also had to say goodbye to several of the world's best men.  All unexpected, all a direct hit to the heart.  Sometimes real life just gets a little too close for comfort.  While I am very Blessed to have known them and I appreciate the times I had with them, I just was not ready to let go.  Death has no age discrimination and all three were gone, IMO, much, much too soon.  And I'll have to stop there, Some wounds are still much too fresh.

So, on to 2014...

This year I look forward to more.  More of everything.  I know there will be heartache but there will also be joy.  We are getting really, really close to Brian's retirement days so we are kicking it into high gear on planning and preparing.  I have a feeling I'm gonna blink and have a daughter graduated from high school, a "baby" entering middle school, and a retired hubby.  Time is flying.  So, resolutions?  I don't know about any of you but I detest the word for it's expectations, then "failures."  We are focusing on continuing to build our foundation, one tiny step at a time.  Small, reasonable goals we can accomplish, and in doing so the feelings of accomplishment and growth which will lead to more success.  Crossing Fingers, Right!?!

Anyhoo, all that aside, it's time for me to get my groove on.  The house has been somewhat neglected with all of the holiday activities and people being home.  I just detected a smell needing investigation....ewww....so, off I must be.  I hope to be on here more this year and hopefully I'll be able to grow this blog a bit.  Anything is possible, correct? ;-)

Much love and many Blessings for the New Year.  Thanks for stopping by!

~Ashleigh

Soooo...What's Been Going On?

Good Afternoon all!  It's been another busy chapter in the WoodsFam's Life.  We've worked on cleaning up and clearing our yard, working with animals, organizing the house, and cleaning (s-l-o-w-l-y).

Our yard life is a work in progress, always.  We've managed to work on some of our bigger projects (our "hoard" pile) and a few smaller, like getting some animal areas bettered.  Kyleigh and Lucy have been working with the horses and we've seen a small (yay!) improvement in temperament and cooperation.  This goes FAR for us!  It's been hot, for the most part, and we've had a few storms.  Got some bigger hail last week, along with some damage to our trucks, camper and roof....yes, that darn roof again!  I will just never understand why the previous owner shingled when it would have been much, much better to put a metal roof on.  Seriously, the cost difference really isn't all that much but the benefits of metal are so many.

As for our house, I've been trying to stay in the air conditioning, mid 90s is pretty hot up here where I wear shorts and flip flops for 50*F days.  We I am trying to wrangle this place up a bit but I'm afraid the assistance is less than consistent, in direct contrast to the complaining.  Ugh.  But, I am pushing forward and hopeful we will get some sort of cooperation.  I admit, I tend to run out of steam between working and "nagging" the children.  I was able to steam clean my carpets, Thank You Lord!  It looks like I am gonna be saving up to buy another steam cleaner as renting one would pay for it within 6 months or so.  I think I managed to bring up a hefty amount of gross to the top of the carpet in addition to what hit the dump bucket.  I think I may need to steam once a week for awhile to get it under control...

I am still working on photos, I need to watermark before I post.  I should have several but they will be the last.  My camera got dropped and no longer works.  5 Years was a pretty good run, I guess.  So, maybe I'll save some more and cross my fingers for one of the "better" models.  Always something exciting.

What are your summer projects?  Share 'em here!

Have a Wonderful Afternoon.

~Ash

2 Years

***Disclaimer***

This turned out much longer than I intended.  

It's been just over two years since we moved out of town and attempted to build a little farm.  Much has happened in this relatively short time.  We've had Daddy come and go several times, leaving us to figure some things out on our own.  We've added animals to the mix and worked a bit on our house.  We've added a little bit to the outbuilding we started with, a huge shed.  We now have chicken coops and a turkey pen, a place for rabbits and more fencing.  I have a few raised garden beds and we planted several trees, none of which took.  There have been vehicle changes, with more to come.  (Momma will need a vehicle and Kyleigh will be getting her license soon.)  We've had friends, family, visitors, house guests and "squatters" a few guys who've lived with us while in transition.  LOL, squatters, Classic!

We gave homeschooling a try, ultimately choosing public schools again.  This was the best choice for us but I still miss the homeschooling from time to time.  We have been Blessed with wonderful teachers, a dedicated principal/superintendent and an awesome elementary principal, not to mention the most wonderful staff.  We have made wonderful friends and have been mostly accepted by "the locals".  Ha!  We've had new experiences, like brandings, and become a part of this community.  We feel the pride of our little towns and it is wonderful to have that sense of family/community, which we have longed for.  Being a part of the military is it's own group, which we will always remain, but living here has been so much more than we could have hoped.  We have been through some tough times with this new family, the losses felt throughout the entire area, and we've had a great time cheering on the home team. Go Horns! Our kids have blossomed.  They've seen so much of the world in cities and suburbs, this "ranch life" has been an awesome new discovery.  They are so much more engaged.  I can't think of any other way to put it.  Kyleigh has really stepped up with the animal care and has matured into a beautiful young lady.  Lucy has opened up and has made so many new friends, some feel like we've known them forever.  Nick is our little, or not so, doer.  Whether it's shoveling snow or running the weedeater this kid knows how to work.

I'm just so grateful to be where I am.  I look forward to many more years and experiences in this little, tiny piece of the Big Sky.  I think I may have to share a few stories from these first years, the blog is only about 8 months old and there were some HI-larious moments, some terrifying, I have yet to share.  Hopefully you'll get as big a kick out of them too.  We ARE the Woodsies.  This IS our life.  You just can't make this stuff up!

How many of you are "living the dream"?  Care to share?  I'm all ears eyes.

In closing, I leave you with a phrase which has become synonymous with the WoodsFam....

"That's NEVER happened, I've just NEVER seen/heard _____________.  (Fill in the blank as you wish, it's probably been uttered.)

Oh, and let's not forget "That's a first."  And NO, these are not spoken as compliments.  They are always stated with shock, awe, confusion and/or disbelief.  Maybe I'll share some of those moments in the near future.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

~Ash

Overwhelmed

It's been a long week for us.  We've had too many heartbreaks in the last few days.  Our family is just fine, thankfully, but there are other families experiencing great loss.  It's so frustrating when you want so badly to help but there's just really nothing you can do but pray.  I know prayer is help but I want to do something more.  It brings back so many memories.  Sad, lonely, depressing memories of our losses back in 2005.  I know I can't relate completely but what I can relate to is devastating.  A roller coaster of emotions and no way to ease them.  So many tears, so many uncertain moments, so much loss.  And mine were spaced out over several months, not several hours.

Life changes so quickly and we do our best to hold on and go with the flow.  When these things happen our first response is "Why?"  Why God?  And we can answer it immediately with, "it is not for us to know now." A closer relationship with God?  Our family?  Our friends?  It makes one reflect on life and loss.  I know I certainly have those "WTFudge?" moments in my life.  What can we do from here?  Everyone has their own way of coping, some better than others.  It's those who have difficulty coping who are on my mind this week.

That's where my desire to help is aimed.  I want to help people, emotionally.  Anyone can help clean, send cash etc., but not everyone is willing to sit and listen.  It's hard to hear sometimes, how people suffer quietly.  Every day there is someone who could use a smile or a hug, an "I'm proud of you."  We lose so much on a daily basis we become blind or immune to it until it smacks them in the face.  Please, be that shoulder to lean on.  Everyone has a need.  A quiet room and conversation with a friend, a random hello in the parking lot, unleashing the dam of tears you just can't hold anymore.  A need to release.

Apparently the need to release is right here.  I thank you for those who continued reading, I know it's not an uplifting topic today, Debbie Downer In the House!  I hope to gain some positive mojo soon, this stinks.  I am also hoping to share something FUN soon, I think the world could use a little LOT more laughter.  So I leave you with this:





Blessings.

~Ash

Happy Mother's Day

My Biggest Gifts...

Well, it's been a year since I started my journey of 1000 Gifts.  Last year my mom gifted us with the photography companion to One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  I took the challenge and ended up buying the full book.  I was hoping to hit at least one "gift" a day for the year.  I got to #339, not too bad.  I went through those days of listing several and then there were those I didn't list any.  It's not anywhere near as easy as I had thought.  I don't even want to know how many "repeats" there are in there, I'll chalk it up to being especially grateful for those.

I will be reading through these gifts today as a reminder of just how blessed I am.  I have drifted away to a point and I need to recenter and focus on the beauty of the life we have.  Somewhere in all the shuffles of daily life, I have allowed myself to forget the most important part of my days...gratitude.  Gratitude, reflection, recharging...they are all the part of my day I should bring to the forefront.  It's in these moments I can really understand just how happy I truly am.

Here's to another year of Gifts.

~Ash


And here's one more gift, like I could skip him...pssshhhaaaa

My Partner in Crime All Things!

Say it With Me Now!

TGIF

YES, It's FRIDAY!!!  Praise the Lord!  It's been a crazy week and I, for one, am ready for a long weekend.  Our time with Daddy is growing shorter much faster than usual.  These extended trips are getting old and I'm ready to not have to go through it ever again.  Of course, I am thankful we've had a little more time together between this one and the last.  It's still a long time to be apart.  Our household always needs a period of adjustment.

That being said, I hope you will forgive the erratic postings for the next few weeks while we transition to a single parent home.  With all of the after school activities (cheer, basketball, wrestling) it may take me a minute or two to get us moving along somewhat smoothly.  I'll be putting A LOT of miles on the truck for the next few months...and so will Kyleigh...  LOL  Loving the early driver's ed and looking forward to not having to drive everywhere myself.  Yay!  Can I get I Woop Woop?!?

So, please forgive me for my altered attention span of .05 seconds, replacing my usual .07 seconds.  I promise I will be back on track eventually to entertain (bore) all of you.  Ha.  I will be working on some projects in the meantime and will share them as soon as I can.

P.S. Does anyone care to provide a doggy daycare?  I swear these boys argue more than my kids!  And the whining...don't EVEN get me started.  Ugh.  LOL

Thanks for reading.

~Ash

"The Small Things"

Good Afternoon to you all.  It's a lovely, albeit cold, Sunday here in Montana.  This week is the beginning of Lent...Shrove/Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.  While most of us look forward to Fat Tuesday and the excesses it "allows", I have been pushed closer to the solemnity of the season.  We will, as usual, have our Mardi Gras fun and start this annual journey with eyes wide open.

This past week I've been seeing a quote quite frequently.  It seems to sum up what I've been feeling lately.  I guess 2013, for me, is about self discovery.  So far I've had a very different mindset to the world and life in general.  I guess this back to basics discovery is my first step.  It carries into all areas of life, be it feeding my family, taking care of the animals or just smiling to a stranger.  It is quite simple and has become a sort of mantra for me.  I hope it touches you and helps you think a little more about the little things because we should all remember that it's the little things in life that brings great results.  Are you ready?  Here it is...

"Do small things with great love."

~Mother Teresa~

To read more about Mother Teresa click here.

What are some little things in life you can do to make a difference?  Just something to think about so please share and maybe your little thing will be a big thing to someone reading.  

Thank you and have a Blessed week.

~Ash

Yes, I'm still rambling...

We are almost up to 1,000 page views!  Can you believe it?  I can't!
 LOL  I guess someone is reading this. WoW!

Ok, enough of the "yelling."  I realize my posts are random and inconsistent and I am working daily to get this blog running somewhat smoothly.  I've decided HTML is like numbers...not sure I really care for it too much.  Oh well, live and learn and conquer!  Muah ha haaaa ~that's my E-Vil laugh~  I am slowly getting the hang of this and hope to one day get somewhat proficient.  As long as I can entertain you, I will do my best.  I may not have a "Monday This" or "Friday That" but I hope to keep your attention, even if it's just nonsense from our day.

So, in keeping with my baby stepping, I have been trying out new recipes and such.  You know, the taking care of oneself and others part.  When I said basics, I meant it.  I'm not going extremist or anything, just making some subtle (or not so subtle) changes around here.  I figure if I ease into it maybe it won't be noticed so much.  I mean, Hey, I'm not above tryin to pull one over on this family.  Let's see who really listens to mommy.  In all seriousness, I really have focused on a more natural, less is more, style.  Be it clothing, vehicles, foods, or other luxuries.  When we collect too many of these we don't have the time to use/enjoy everything.  IF we can find them in what could surely grow into a major hoard.  LOL  The side effects will be difficult to deal with, ie:  cleaner home, healthier bodies, more energy, more money, more "fun" time, etc.  We are just gonna have to struggle through it...

In signing off today I just want to know...will you come back again?

Much love,

~Ash

Step 1

I focused on foundations yesterday.  Today I am looking at the bricks of this foundation.  Us, the WoodsFam.  In order to succeed in any venture, one must first focus on themselves.  This is not selfish, it is absolutely imperative, it's your "footer."  (Jiminy, can we tell my hubby is a structural engineer?)  A farm depends on it's people.  To be successful in any way, you have to be able to work physically and mentally.  Your home depends on you to keep it running.  The garden can't take care of itself and neither can the animals.  Yeah, the horse grazes and the birds free range but there is a little more to it.  Without the people, the farm dies.  So, we must take care of ourselves and each other.

The goal is to be healthy, productive, happy.  I know I'm loved and I love.  Loving myself is not always so easy.  Visualization is key to improving your outlook on yourself and your life.  We have to see ourselves the way we want to be.  I have battled this for a very long time.  I've always been hard on myself.  I have made a conscious decision today, it ends here.  It's been something in the works for a very long time and I am finally at the point where I can say it out loud.  I will be held accountable for my declaration.  I AM A GOOD PERSON!  LOL  I AM LOVABLE!  I DESERVE ________!  Got it?  It's so freeing.  "I'm good enough.  I'm smart enough.  And doggone it, people like me." ~Stuart Smiley aka. Al Franken

So, I am hoping to take you step by step through our journey here on the farm.  I realize it's a hobby farm blog, it's also a WoodsFam blog...the two go together.  It's for the betterment of all, here on the 'ole homestead.  Healthy, happy people make for healthy, happy animals.  Please, don't go, it will get better...esp. when the weather stabilizes.  Hehe

Thanks for reading and be sure to leave some ideas or examples for our growing home.

~Ash

Foundations and Dreams

Have you ever really thought about how long it takes to build something almost completely from scratch?  From the ground up?  From a sparkle in the eye?  From some odd, random thought?  How long it takes to actually SEE the progress?  Anyone?  Well, I'm here to tell you this family takes its time...not always by choice...

We all live in the more is better, instant gratification, entitlement world.  It's difficult to wait for our dreams.  When Brian and I started talking about our future and our dreams we could see everything all laid out in front of us.  We knew we wanted children, a small farm and each other.  Two of those were "easy".  We made a commitment to each other and entered the sacrament of marriage.  Young, "dumb" and in love we began our trek together.  We had a child, moved around, had a child, moved around, had a child and moved a few more times.  In our years together we've been successful.  We've had our ups and downs.  We've had the joy of babies, moving around the world, buying our first house.  We've had the ache of loss, people, things, places.  All of these moments have made us stronger.  All of these experiences have brought us to this place. Today.  The now.  We've been together almost 16 years.  Slowly building the foundation for our family.

NOW.  Today is now.  We have a healthy, happy, loving family.  Our children are amazing.  We are more in love now than ever.  We can see the little sprigs of hope and promise (promises...right, lol).  Our family is in a good place.  We live in a house on land.  The foundation.  Yes, we have work to do but the foundation is set.  We have room inside and out.  We see the completion of things, slowly.  We have work to do.  Hopefully we will always be able to do the work which needs to be done.  We have small areas growing outside for our animals.  Fences, shelters, pastures...  One step at a time, steady as she goes.  The dream is coming to fruition.

We have a ways to go.  I don't believe we will ever be finished.  Life is for living and while we are here we plan to do it all the way.  We are closing in on Brian's retirement years.  We are looking forward to spending our time together, working the farm and enjoying each other.  It's been a road for sure.  We are approaching another separation, geographically.  It's difficult to be apart for the better part of a year.  I am so grateful we haven't had to go on longer stretches.  It can be taxing, physically and emotionally.  The most difficult is watching the children and knowing there are moments in their lives Brian will not be able to witness firsthand.  There have been too many already, just ask Kyleigh.

We are Blessed.  We are Hopeful.  We are Faithful.  We are Loved.

If anyone would like to share their story, please feel free.

Much Love,

~Ash

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013!

I have many resolution ideas for this year.  I won't be posting any right now but I do intend to share as the year goes on.  May you all have a wonderful upcoming year.

Sending out good thoughts and prayers.

~Ash

A Detour...

 Hello All.

**Disclaimer**
I am an opinionated person.  However, I usually share my thoughts with those who wish to discuss.  I am not attacking or arguing anyone's opinion, simply stating my own personal opinion.  I welcome comments.  I only ask they be kept respectable.  Thank youl


It's been crazy all over.  I waited, I thought, I mulled, I calmed, I cleared...  I tried to understand.  My thoughts and prayers are with Newtown.  It is an unspeakable act of violence.  An act of cowardice.  An act of selfishness.  I wish I could say it was preventable.  We will never know why.  There will be no "closure."  There will be no understanding.  There will always be an emptiness.  There will always be pain.  There will always be the "what ifs". There will always be precious memories.  They will always be precious, beautiful children of God.  They will always be the adults who gave all they could for the safety of children.  Those who made our young their first priority.  All I can do is always offer up prayer...try to raise my children with conscience and empathy for others.  The ideals known as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS...yes, I do believe in them all.  I believe they should be the backbone of our beliefs.  I have known many people from devout Christians to atheists.  All have expressed the agreed opinion of believing "do unto others..."

It is absolutely imperative, IMO, we become a more moral, ethical and RESPONSIBLE country.  Yes, the USA was built on freedom.  Unfortunately, those freedoms have been manipulated etc. over the many years of our existence.  I believe our Founding Fathers intended our freedom to be reliant on morals, ethics and responsibility and good 'ole common sense.  All the laws in the world will not overcome evil.  Deep down, I believe society as a whole is good.  Taking away all labels, religious or political et.al. America as a whole is good.  It's the minority who lack emotions and are obviously deeply disturbed.  To expect anyone to predict the actions of another is absurd.  Whether we like it or not, it is up to us to be responsible for our actions.  It is up to us to demand accountability of ourselves.  Until we embrace our own personal responsibilities and become accountable for our own actions, we cannot realistically expect it of others.  With freedom comes great cost.  With freedom comes great responsibility. With freedom comes pain, suffering, loss and joy.  Yes, joy. Freedom has a price and many have made the sacrifice.  In my experience this "sacrifice" is not seen as such.  It is seen as an honor...a duty...a privilege.  A true hero will never accept the title, they will never feel they deserve it.  They will always think "if only I could have done more..." or "isn't that what everyone else would have done?".  I personally know true heroes.  I am Blessed to have them in my life.  I am thankful every day for all I have.  Not materialistically, the true riches of life are intangible.  Joy is what I feel when I see my children, my husband, my family.  Joy is hearing of a new little family blessing.  Joy is watching the triumph of others.  Joy is good.  To me, joy could be explained or demonstrated as a picture of wildflowers on the prairie or a smiling dog.  Joy is....

I pray people see more joy and acknowledge the error of their ways, myself included.  We all have things we need to work on in our personal lives as people and as a whole.  I pray all of these tragedies are a wake up call to all of us.  Life has consequences.  Life has rewards.  Whether it's repercussions from abortion, stealing, cheating etc. life will always catch up with us.  We will always know what we are responsible for.  We will always know if we were held accountable.  We will always have to live with our decisions.  Did we leave this world a better place through our actions?  Did we help those in need?  Did we express our love and gratitude to all?  I know I have work in this department.  I believe we all have work ahead of us.  Will you make it better or more painful for those around you?  The decision is yours to make.  The path of least resistance is rarely the path of the joyous.  For only in true heartbreak and suffering can we realize the wonders of love and joy in our lives.

May God bless and keep you all.
~ash