Why I don't blog consistently...

Hey Everyone, I know its been awhile since I have last posted. To be honest I don't feel like I have anything to say, but it has been on my heart and mind to get back at it. I am not techi at all...so it is going to be the most basic of blogs but I am learning so much right now that I need to share. I have so many questions that I need to write them down. I need to have an outlet of verbal ......I'll let you fill that in. :) Watching what our country is doing to itself leads me to the shaking of my head and wonder if the world is going to get better for my children. Every parent is different but when did our differences become so set in stone and everyone else can go to hell cause they are wrong..sort of speak. I mean we are all different...different everything...no one was raised the same...NO ONE! Even in a family from the oldest to the youngest the parents don't train each child the same. Similiar, yes, but lets be honest the baby of the family gets spoiled! hahha...Anyways, I dont want to get to political. I just want to be a mom trying to protect her children and their rights when they become adults. I want to share what I have gone through and am learning. You may or may not agree and that is ok. I just ask that you be respectful of my views as I will be to yours. That what I write is souly my point of view, thoughts, and research. Happy reading and I will be posting once a week as long as my children allow it. OK SMALL GILMORE UPDATE: We just got back from vacation a couple weeks ago. We went to the Dominican Republic for a week with my entire family. It was so much fun! Here are a couple pictures from that. Right now we are getting ready to for Halloween. No, I don't have costumes..hahaha we are going to a Dr.Suess themed party. The kids are 2 and 1 so they aren't really into it yet. Therefore, neither am I. They just want to bounce in the bounce house, and eat candy. Totally ok with that. :)

Happy Summer!

Hey Guys, How is everyone's Summer going?? Ours as usual is extremely busy!! As soon as June hit we have had non stop company. The children seem to be handling all the changes pretty good! For the month of June Charlie's mom came out and visited us! It was a wonderful fun visit! We were really sad to see her leave...(we are spending Christmas with her) She was wonderful help with the children and did all my laundry. Plus, it was nice having her here when I had 5 teeth pulled! I was down for the count and Charlie didn't have to take time off to help her help me. hahaha... Also in June my brother Denver got a job up here so he has been with us as well. He is busy working but he is with us in the evenings. Titus really likes having "Uncle Never's" around to play. July, brought our first camping trip with my parent's which was alot of fun! My sister was there as well. The kids got to swim, roast marshmellows, and eat DIRT! haha..seriously, Amelia took to eating rocks and dirt...yuck! 2 days after we got back from camping I got really really sick. I spiked a fever out of nowhere and it remained high for a week! We are talking 102.7-104.5. It was not a good time. We went to the ER and after hours there I got sent home with no infection and a high fever. Yes, they discharged me with 104.5 fever. (and you wonder why I question the medical field.) So, my Aunt and Grandma came up for the week and helped with the kids, because again Charlie doesn't really have time to take off for my illness. hahaha...I hardly ever get sick, so getting knocked down was tough. It was such a blessing having family be able to drop what they are doing and come up to help! I am much better now...Cause we think was a spider bite! yeah!! Softball season has come and gone as well. Charlie's team didnt do as well as they have in the past but it was still nice to for to be able to play. We planted a garden this year and that is doing really good! We have peas, cukes, tomatoes, red cabbage, peppers, and lettuce! It has been fun to see Titus get excited about picking the veggies and then getting to eat them. :) Amelia, has decided in the past week that it is time to walk. Yeah...ugh..hahaha I am not ready for 2 babies to walk!! It is inevitable so I shall try and embrace it. :D She is such a joy and Titus and her get along splendidly!! Well, I think that catches you up...we are busy doing life things..haha

Spring Pictures so far...busy busy busy

A new adventure:

Hey Guys, I don't know about you but Spring has sprung here (FINALLY) and that means we have been outside as much as possible getting a jump on yard work. We have 5 acres and the people before us didn't really take care of it very well. They mowed the lawn and through everything in the hedge; which has crept into the yard. Which left a small yard, so we are reclaiming the yard! It's been fun and Titus and Amelia love being outside soaking up the sun. Hey! They sleep better at night so I am all for it. Charlie and I have started a new adventure. As you know we are all about getting in better shape, better nutrition, and doing it in an organic natural way. After participating in a couple groups with the a coach through beachbody we decided to join! We love the coach we have and she is an inspiration. We are taking the month of May to get the training and then in June we are going to be doing clean eating challenges! They are so fun and personally I love the accountability. Without accountability we all fall off the track. Our website is: www.beachbodycoach.com/AMgilmore Check out the workouts! I am sure you have heard some of them. Let us know what you think...check us out on facebook or email us at teamgilmore13601@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you. If you want to join a group now let us know. We will be showing you are before and after pictures. Listen, we aren't perfect....I hate cardio! I love sugar...but long term we needed to do something to help us stay focused. :) I'll post pictures of the kids this week for you all to see them. They are growing so fast! Titus just got a haircut...Amelia has her first tooth and is army crawling....oh and before I forget...we are doing AWESOME in potty training.. Hope you are all doing well!!!!!

Moving the Swing Set

Our swing set was in a spot where I couldn't see Titus at all if he was to play on it, so on Easter we had all the strapping young men help move it. I am so grateful for their help. Now Titus can play on it and I can see him if I am getting dinner ready. There will soon be a slide on it. Oh, and yes we needed that many guys because it apparently was super heavy..hahaha

Easter

Hey Guys, This year we celebrated Easter up. My family and some of our friends came over for lunch and a fun egg hunt for the kids. Titus struggled with it a little bit, but by the end he was getting the concept. We hope you had a great sunny Easter!

When did it become ok...

I was sipping my coffee this morning watching the children play and for some reason my mind wandered to....what will they call adults when they can talk. I remember when I was little thinking," I can't wait to grow up and be called Mrs..." Then it dawned on me children don't do that anymore. I still can't wait to be called, "Mrs.Gilmore". That's right I have yet to be called that by any child! Granted the children I do hang around either call me Aunt Ashley or they can't talk yet. So my question is why? Why? When did it become ok for children to call adults by their first name? I shouldn't have to ask for a child to call me Mrs.Gilmore the parents should be instilling this in them. It's respectful. I am open to Mrs.Ashley don't get me wrong. I just think that the whole I dont want to hurt your feelings, or make you feel old, or "label" anyone has gone to far. It isn't about any of that its about children being respectful. You can bet when Titus starts having friends I will ask them to call me Mrs.Gilmore! Titus and Amelia will be trained to call you by your last name and or Miss,Mr,Mrs,Ms, and your first name. Don't be offended it's about respect! They aren't an adults equal. Yes, they are human but they are little humans learning to be an adult. I know they will get confused sometimes because hearing you call your peers by their first name gets confusing, but I will gently remind them that they are to call them such and such. Really, why is it so offensive to be called Mr,Mrs,Ms,Miss in the first place? Really you don't want to be respected? I have been asked by my parents peers to call them by their first name and I politely declined. They aren't my peers, my children's friends aren't my peers...just my thought on this.