Ashley is mom to four beautiful children, John 17, Andi 15, Landon 4 and Addi 2 and wife to her husband Mike. She resides in Tennessee and is one of the marvelous mommies behind the online boutique,
Three Pine Design.
Welcome Ashley to The Patch!
TLPP: What is a “normal” day like for you?
Ashley: A normal day consists of getting up at 6am to get myself ready. I then go downstairs and pack lunches for my two youngest children for preschool. My two oldest children are old enough now to get themselves up and ready for school, so that is nice. I get the little ones up at 7am, and they tell Daddy bye as he leaves for work. We eat, get ready, organize book bags, tell the big kids bye around 7:45 and are out the door by 8:30. I take them to preschool by 9am, and then I go down the road to a Physical Therapy clinic where I work, while they are in preschool. I leave work at 1:45 pm to pick the kids up at preschool by 2 pm. We come home, organize, eat a snack and the big kids are home by 4 pm. I catch up with them, do a few chores and then start dinner around 5 pm. We usually eat around 6 or 6:30, then it is time for baths, big kid homework, and some down time before the little ones go up for the nightly bedtime routine around 8:15 pm. Once the little ones are in the bed, I don’t feel like doing anything except crashing on the couch for some downtime with the older kids and dad! I try to be in bed by 10:30 pm and then wake up and do it all over again. This is my schedule on Tues, Wed, and Thurs, and then I use Mon and Friday as chore days and errand days. I also work two weekends a month at a hospital. Between everyone’s schedule, it stays pretty busy!
TLPP: What has been the best advice you have received?
Ashley: To not get too busy that you don’t recognize and appreciate the special moments of life either with friends, a spouse or your children.
TLPP: What is your biggest challenge as a parent?
Ashley: To balance all the needs of my family and still have time for my needs. To try and keep life in a healthy perspective each day.
TLPP: What is your favorite time of day?
Ashley: Two times: 1) when my little ones are all clean and smell so good and we sit and read together before bed 2) after the little ones are in bed and we sit with the older kids and just hang out, visit or watch TV together.
TLPP: What has been your best moment so far?
Ashley: I can not pick just one. I truly LOVE being a mom and have had so many wonderful and special moments with each one of my children. I always treasure the times when I have all my children together for an activity. (That gets harder with a 17 and 15 year old!)
TLPP: What are your kids into/their favorite thing?
Ashley: John (17) loves music. He plays the guitar and drums. He is very talented!!! Andi (15) She loves music too and also loves the arts including drama and singing. She is also an avid reader. Landon (4.5) loves anything and everything cars and trucks!! He really is obsessed! Addison (2.5) she likes anything “pink” right now and also loves Cinderella, even though her dress is blue!
TLPP: Name one product you can’t live without?
Ashley: I guess I could do it, but I would hate to live without a washer and a dryer!! With 6 people in the house we have A LOT of laundry!!
TLPP: What advice would you give to new moms out there?
Ashley: To try and keep things in perspective and always treasure the small, special moments with your children. Keep up with the things that just HAVE to be done around the house to keep it flowing smoothly (like laundry, dishes, straightening, etc.), and then let the bigger things go without feeling guilty. If you can keep up with the necessities of the home, it will also help your personal stress level to stay low.
TLPP: How do you find time for yourself?
Ashley: Honestly, during the week I do not have a lot of “me” time. The best way for me to really have time alone to do my own thing is to schedule it in advance. I try to have at least one day a month scheduled with my husband for me to escape for a while, and leave the kids at home. Most of the time I can fit it into our busy family life, and when I have a day it is very appreciated!
TLPP: What is your favorite thing/treat you do for yourself?
Ashley: Since I try to be frugal, a trip to Starbucks is a treat every once in a while. For a big treat, I would go to see a movie or better yet a show, or let myself buy a new outfit / accessory / shoes, etc. I LOVE to shop!
TLPP: Being a mom, what is the most valuable lesson you have learned so far?
Ashley: That life is far more fulfilling when you spend it focused on those you love rather than yourself.
Thank you Ashley!
