Happy Adoption Day!

August 5, 2013 By ashleylately 11 Comments

Hey y’all!

Oh, I have so much good stuff to talk about today!

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you know this already, but for those of you that don’t, Friday morning, my friends Joyce and Wade finalized the adoption of two of the Littles! Little Man and Little Girl are officially part of their family forever!

Best day ever!

I got to go to court with them, and it meant so much to me to get to be a part of their special day!

Little Man is so stinkin’ adorable! He has gone from a sweet little baby to a precious little toddler, and he is so much fun!

Little Girl is such a sweet, funny, beautiful girl! She makes us laugh so much and has a smile that lights up a room!

She loves making funny faces with me. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing some of those faces in instagram selfies in a few years :)

Friday evening we had a special dinner to celebrate! I got a giant cookie for them and they loved it!

So cute!

It’s been a long time coming. After years of prayers and over a year of loving these babies, this day finally came, a beautiful answer to those prayers. I’ve said it before, but one of the greatest things in the world is watching a family be created. Adoption is such a beautiful thing, and it is even more special to watch it happen to people you love. There is nothing like seeing one of your best friends become a mom, and it meant so much to me to be there. It has also been amazing to know that these wonderful children that I love so much will be a part of this family forever. I can’t wait to share more about these little angels! To allow them some privacy, I won’t be sharing any details or their names, but I’m excited to finally show their sweet faces!

“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1: 27

The Sunday Social, Week 61

August 4, 2013 By ashleylately 6 Comments

Hey y’all!

1. What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count)?

I can’t live without my iPhone, Dr. Pepper (that counts, right?), and mascara

2. What is your all time favorite book? Why?

It’s so hard to choose! I love Redemption by Karen Kingsbury. It was the first book of hers that I ever read, and I fell in love with the characters and the story.

via

3. What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013?

I’d really really like to organize my closet. Probably not going to happen though :)

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?

Ohhh this is a hard one! I had a really awesome freshman year of high school and a really awesome junior year of college, so maybe one of those?

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?

Sorry folks, got nothing for this one!

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

1. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?

3. When did you get your first cell phone?

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?

5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?

Have a great Sunday, y’all!

Ashley Lately

July 30, 2013 By ashleylately 8 Comments

Oh hey, y’all!

I know, I know, I said I was going to do better at blogging, but it’s been a crazy couple of weeks. Blogging just hasn’t been a big priority lately, but I’m really trying to jump back into it.

Here’s a little bit of what’s been going on lately.

We had a big summer sale at The Vintage Pearl a couple of weeks ago. We had popsicles, tea, and lemonade, had a bunch of giveaways, and had a sale on some summer jewelry! Sarah was able to come back to help us out, and we had a fantastic day!

I have THE BEST team!

Becky and I got to meet Kathi Yeager a couple of weeks ago when she came in TVP! She is one of the hosts of a morning show on one of our local radio stations! I have been listening to her show on my way to work for YEARS, and it was wonderful to finally meet her! She’s super sweet!

Last week, I got sick, so I spent most of the week in bed when I wasn’t working. Colby and Joyce, Wade, and the Littles were all out of town, so it was just me and that cat. Alone. All week.

He was by my side pretty much every moment.

It was cute. At first.

I couldn’t do ANYTHING without him next to me. It’s sweet that he wants to snuggle, but when I’m trying to fold laundry, it’s not really very helpful.

I was so excited last week when it was announced that Neely was named best local blogger by Dallas A List!

It was so fun seeing this in my email :) Neely SO deserves this, and I’m so excited for her!

This is going to be such an exciting week! The adoption of these little sweeties is being finalized this week!

I can’t wait to have these precious babies officially with us forever! I also can’t wait to show you their sweet faces! I’ll be back later in the week to “introduce” you to these sweet Littles that I love so much!

Have a great Tuesday, y’all!

The Sunday Social, Week 60

July 28, 2013 By ashleylately 11 Comments

Hey y’all!
Today’s Sunday Social questions are all about food!

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate! I can’t live without chocolate!

2. What’s your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Um…chocolate? :) Dr. Pepper too!

3. What’s the weirdest/craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?

In elementary school, we ate seaweed in our science class. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t think I would eat it again.

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

I don’t eat Asian food or barbecue. Asian food has weird sauces that I can’t handle, and I got food poisoning after eating barbecue a few years ago and…I just can’t eat it again.

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

There are so many! My momma is a great cook, and she always cooks wonderful meals!

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

My family makes an awesome taco soup! It’s one of the few things I can actually cook :)

2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained

1 chopped onion

1 can Chili/no beans

2 cans chili beans

1 can stewed diced tomatoes

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 lb. velveeta cheese-or wal-mart brand

16 oz. sour cream-add 10 mins before ready to serve

Combine all ingredients and heat thoroughly.

Pour over chips and sprinkle grated cheese on top.

Let me know if you try it :)

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

1. What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count)

2. What is your all time favorite book? Why?

3. What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013?

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?

Have a great day, y’all!

The Sunday Social, Week 59

July 21, 2013 By ashleylately 13 Comments

Hey y’all!
Today’s Sunday Social is all about tv talk!

1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

I loved USA High, California Dreams, Hang Time, Full House, Family Matters, Saved by the Bell, and all of the fun shows like that!

via

2. What is your current favorite TV show?

Army Wives! I also love The Voice, Nashville, Scandal, and The Young and the Restless.

via

3. Which reality show would you NEVER do?

Survivor. I couldn’t do it.

via

After a couple of hours, I would be ready to go home! I don’t like to get dirty. Or be outside for more than a few hours. Or sweat.

4. Which reality show would you LOVE to do?

I don’t think it’s on anymore, but a show I would have loved to do is Don’t Forget the Lyrics!

via

I have always been good with song lyrics, and I think I could totally win :)

5. What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

I really don’t know! There’s not really anyone on tv, at least on the shows that I watch, that I feel is like me!

6. Which TV character would you want to date?

I love General Holden on Army Wives :)

via

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I love him! He’s such a good guy!

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

These are all about food!

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

2. What’s your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

3. What’s the weirdest/craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Have a wonderful Sunday, y’all!

Happies & Crappies

July 19, 2013 By ashleylately 4 Comments

The Vintage Modern Wife: Happies and Crappies Link Up

Hey y’all!So…kinda forgot to blog this week. Oopsie :)I’ve got fun stuff to tell y’all about, but that’ll have to wait until next week because today I’m linking with Stephanie and Sarah for Happies and Crappies!For Happies and Crappies, we share the good things and not so good things about our week!Happies
My fabulous friend Amber is the winner of my Seattle’s Best Coffee giveaway! Yay Amber! I’ll be in contact with you shortly :)Monday night, Regina was in town, and we got to hang out!!

We had such a fabulous time! I love getting to hang out with her, and I’m so thankful for our friendship. She’s amazing, y’all!

And, we got really cute mani/pedis :)

Last night was C’s last baseball game. I haven’t been able to go all season, so I was really excited to get to see him play!

He got a hit, and his team won the game! They were undefeated the whole season!

Joyce and Wade are taking care of another foster kiddo for the week while his foster parents are out of town, so he came to the game too!

He got REALLY into the game! His clapping was pretty stinkin’ cute!

Crappies

It’s been kind of a long weird week. Let’s just say that I’m pretty excited about my Sunday afternoon nap!

What are your happies and crappies this week? Link up with Steph and Sarah!

The Sunday Social, Week 58

July 14, 2013 By ashleylately 12 Comments

Hey y’all!
Today’s questions are all about music!
1. What is your all-time favorite song?

My all-time favorite is “The Dance” by Garth Brooks! I had the privilege of seeing him perform it live last weekend at Toby Keith’s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert! It was seriously one of the greatest moments of my life.

2. Who is your favorite singer/band?

Garth Brooks, of course :) I also love Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Little Big Town!

3. What song reminds you of your childhood?

You’re welcome :)

4. What songs put you in a good mood?
I love fun songs like “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood, “Gunpowder & Lead” by Miranda Lambert, “22″ by Taylor Swift!

5. What is your music to rock out to in your car?

I love having Britney Spears dance parties in my car on a long trip! It’s just more fun :)

6. What is the most embarrassing album or song you own?

Oh dear. There’s a lot :) One that is embarrassing, but still something I’m comfortable blogging about is Paula Abdul’s greatest hits CD.

via

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

These are all fun TV questions!

1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

2. What is your current favorite TV show?

3. Which reality show would you NEVER do?

4. Which reality show would you LOVE to do?

5. What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

6. Which TV character would you want to date?

Have an awesome Sunday, y’all!

50 Years On The Road

July 11, 2013 By ashleylately 6 Comments

Hey y’all!

This past Sunday, my church celebrated it’s 50th anniversary!

We had a special service on Sunday to celebrate 50 years as a church family! It was really exciting to get to be a part of such a special event!

We have such a large church that we typically have two services on Sundays because our auditorium has a hard time holding all of our members, but this week we had a combined service! We managed to squeeze everyone in!

This was just a little over half of our auditorium! Sooo many people!

Several of the guys on our ministry staff spoke.

We also heard from our four most recent pulpit ministers! It was really neat to get to see all four of them speak on the same day!

We had a potluck lunch after our service! In the nine years I’ve been here, I don’t think we’ve ever had a potluck lunch! Because we are such a big congregation, it’s difficult, but we managed to pull it together! I intended to take pictures during lunch, but we were helping with the Littles, and naptime meltdowns were starting early :)

It was nice to get to hear about all of the wonderful ministries that my church has been a part of through the years. We heard about mission works, prison ministry, and children’s ministry, among other things. I’ve been helping out in the children’s ministry for a few years as a Bible class teacher, and I love it! I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing church family!

OK Tornado Relief Concert…or, the Greatest Day of my Life!

July 10, 2013 By ashleylately 13 Comments

Hey y’all!

I was one of the lucky few people to get tickets to Toby Keith’s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert! When Garth Brooks was announced as a performer, I KNEW I had to be there!

I tried my best to limit the number of pictures, but it was so hard to narrow them down!

Here we go!

My sweet friend Lori went with me! She loves country music as much as I do, and we had a fabulous time!

GAC’s Storme Warren was our host for the day! Really cool to get to see him!

Mel Tillis-He is an Oklahoman and such a legend in country music, and it was really special to get to see him perform!

Kellie Coffey-She grew up in Moore, Oklahoma, and she lives there now. She was actually at home in her shelter during the terrible tornado.

Bob Stoops, coach of the OU Sooners, is a good friend of Toby’s, and he came out to introduce Garth Brooks!

GARTH! He opened the show with “Rodeo”!

“Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House”

“Papa Loved Mama”

His lovely wife Trisha Yearwood joined him for “In Another’s Eyes”!

Trisha stayed and performed “She’s in Love with the Boy” and “How Do I Live”!

They are so cute :)

He also played “Callin’ Baton Rouge”, “The Thunder Rolls” long version, and “Friends in Low Places” long version!

He closed his set with “The Dance”. It is my favorite song, and I definitely got emotional watching him sing it. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to get to see him perform live, and it was everything I hoped it would be and more!

John Anderson

Barry Switzer, former coach of the OU Sooners and Dallas Cowboys, introduced Willie Nelson!

Willie Nelson

Toby joined him to sing “Beer for my Horses”, and he stayed around to sing backup on the rest of Willie’s songs.

Sammy Hagar

Ronnie Dunn

“…peace, love, and country music…”

Carrie Underwood performed via satellite from The Grand Ole Opry!

Wade Hayes-I used to listen to him back in the ’90s, and I had no idea he is from Oklahoma! He performed his song “Old Enough to Know Better”, and it was really cool to get to see him!

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin introduced Toby Keith

Toby!

Toby’s daughter Krystal performed a song from her upcoming album. She’s good, y’all!

Toby put together a fantastic show! I said it before about Blake Shelton, but I’ll say it again now about Toby Keith: I love how much he loves Oklahoma! Toby still lives in Moore and has raised his family there. He said he would never live anywhere other than Oklahoma!

It was such a long day of great music! The concert started at 3pm, and it was close to 11pm when we left. Time passed quickly because the show was so good. It was hot, but it was so worth it!