First Day Of School 2011

Wednesday was their first day of school! How cute do they look? We went to school to register and the boys got to meet their teachers, then we spent the rest of the day shopping for school clothes and supplies. They sure are growing up fast! I am so proud of the young gentlemen they have become and I can't wait to see what this school year holds for us - not to mention this mom will have a little more free time. As a Nation, let's all pray for the children going back to school this year ; bullying seems to get worse every single year.

The Way I See It - Teen Mom Edition

I have mentioned on my blog before that I watch the shows "16 And Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" and I love the rawness of the emotion coming from the teens as they struggle to be young and parents at the same time. I was also a teen mom and got pregnant at the age of 19. It was so hard to try to grow up and figure out who I was, all while trying to give life to a human being who depended on me 24-7. As I have watched the show, I realize that I am more and more like Amber Portwood, although you may all not see that. You see, alot of her anger and hurt issues, I have also dealt with - and also needed counseling. When I watched the episode where Leah is playing and she just walks out because the pressure is too much, that is exactly what happened to me. I remember wanting to enjoy my kids, but not being able to because the anger of the past mixed with the stress of the present didn't allow me to be the mom I had hoped to be. I cannot imagine feeling like that and having to deal with this -

Could you imagine having cameras following every little move you made? I sure can't. We all make mistakes and about 25% of teenagers today are becoming parents before their 21st birthday. We only see a small percentage of their life, yet Amber will always be known as the mom who hit her baby's father on national television.

I just wanted to encourage my readers to think about what this has probably done to their lives. We do not know what the future holds for Gary and Amber - and I do not know them personally, but I do catch myself reading the negative media or visiting TMT (a website dedicated to all the Teen Moms and everything they do!) and feeling sorry for them, especially Amber. The media will never give her a chance to be a positive role model for her daughter. Even if she does completely change in rehab, her and Gary get married and live happily ever after, and they ride off into the sunset - she will always be seen in a negative light. And for those of you that say she made the decision to be on the show - think about how many stupid decisions you made when you were SIXTEEN years old. She was just a baby herself! I'm sure she nor her family had any idea that this would become a crazy teen sensation!

If you take nothing else from this blog post today, please just look at this face and see the hurt she is experiencing. She has been through more before the age of 21 than most of us go through our whole lives. The majority of us will never have our fifteen minutes of fame - and we should be happy about that because we have seen firsthand what the "popular media" can do to a person's life.

Change Is Gonna Come.. And Extras!

First things first, I have decided to change the blog up a little bit. I do 100% of the posting and this is my safe place to talk about all types of things so I have decided to change the overall feel and look of the blog. I will be going from "Life In The Fab Lane" to "Ashley's Avenue - Life as mom, wife, designer". I think it will help the blog to open up for more viewers and to further explain what the blog is all about. I want to talk about my family, but also have an outlet as the learn the basics of Interior Design. I'm hoping to have the new blog up and running within the next three weeks. It should be here on this website, but if for some reason we decide to move it, I will post the details later. I am looking for a website domain to be able to post on, so we shall see how that comes together for me.
I posted awhile ago about the case of Johnny Clarke and Lisa Straub who were brutally murdered sometime last year. There are still NO leads. I have become close to Johnny's mother and I promised to continue to ask for prayers and to post story details to keep the case alive. If you would like more information, you can add www.facebook.com/ripjohnny. This is a Facebook page run by his family only. There are so many untrue stories being told about the case, but straight from his mother, there are NO leads.
Am I the only person who thinks Jessica Simpson looks pregnant? I saw this picture on Tuesday and had to come post for you all to get a look. I think she would be a wonderful mom, but it might put a detour in her wedding plans. What happened to marriage THEN baby?
How absolutely cute is this? Blaze is the perfect child. I couldn't ask for a better son!!
His little brother on the other hand is a WILD CHILD!

I hope no matter where my blog ends that you all will continue to follow me on this journey called life :)

I Would LOVE Some Advice!

I am needing some discipline advice. Nothing seems to be working with my little monkey, Ace. He is in this phase where he is breaking or messing with everything in our home and it is getting very expensive. We have had to replace televisions, toys, gaming systems, lights, fans, carpet, etc.. over his destructive ways. I hate to complain and try to keep this to myself, but I would love to hear some advice. I am feeling alot like the two women in these pictures tonight! Please leave a comment or e-mail me with your ideas or what has worked for your child.

I Need Some New Friends!

I love the ones I have, don't get me wrong, but I am ready to make some new mom friends. I am about to be a full time housewife - I say that instead of stay at home mom because after 7 years of being one, my kids are finally heading to school full time. I will have all week to get caught up on housework and get this house organized and clutter free. I also look forward to having time away from my children so I can enjoy them more when they are here. I am interested in finding some mom friends, possibly even a bible study group, yoga class, etc.., to do something with at least one day a week during the day. Anyone interested? You can comment here or email me at momwifedesigner@gmail.com.