Life...

Well Life has been nothing short of Amazing! All our hard work seems to be paying off. And my husband and I feel like we can breathe easy and enjoy our family. We are loving every minute of our lives. For those of you who don't know. A year ago our family was in a very different place. We used every last drop of our savings on our wedding. Saved a little more, tried to have a baby and got pregnant. we were very happy and thriving newlyweds. and then my husband was hurt, and he lost his job. The state, salvation army, church's and family had no way to help us with rent and we had to leave our home, sell most of our belongings, and move to another state into a bedroom where my brother and sister in law let us stay. after a couple months my husband found a job driving long haul and was only home a few days a month. We then moved again to stay with my mother in her living room for a couple months and after that we moved once again into his sisters home. Finally in May we were able to get our own apartment. Its big enough for everyone and since we moved here we have made huge changes to our daily lives. We save, coupon, budget, make our own items, and enjoy time rather than material possessions. I have started businesses to help make money and we work together as a family for everything we need. I am telling you all this because i know how many people are out of work. I know many people in a bad situation and just have no idea what they are going to do. This time last year my husband and i had nothing but each other and now we have everything we have ever wanted. were happy, healthy, and are financially stable. We set goals and we reach them together and we no longer "need" so many things. we simply enjoy what we have. I think we are doing so well because we are more aware of our spending but also because of what we went through last year. we know what is truly important for us and our children to lead happy, healthy lives. I promise if you are in a rough spot that things will get better. and i promise you will view things differently when it does.

Pay it Forward!

Hello everyone. I know that in this economy we are all thinking of how we can get presents under the tree for just our family let alone give any to those in need. I mean hell we are in need ourselves right? Well I want to strongly encourage all of you to keep reading and maybe change your mind and your Christmas lists just a little to fit in something for a child that could use something too. As most people know i joined Scentsy back in August. Scentsy strongly encourages their consultants to give back to the community in any way possible and this led to me starting a charity event for a local Domestic Violence Resource Center. My goal is to be able to deliver 100 Scentsy Buddy's to them during the holiday season. They intend on using these buddy's to give to children during their first counseling session. Scentsy buddy's are $25.00 and they are a stuffed animal with a scented pack in the back of them. When the child gives their buddy a hug the comforting smell is released through the buddy. Please take a moment and visit this website http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C37/ and learn about what this amazing place does for the children who just want peace in their lives. They truly do make a difference in those childrens life and now you can too. If you would like to donate please email me at Tobley@rocketmail.com My name is Ashley. Thank you very much!

Budgeting YUCK!!

I am fully aware that the title Budgeting does not entice many people since its actually one of the most dreadful things we all do each month but hear me out... So My husband was getting quite overwhelmed by doing our budget. By "doing our budget" i mean he just kept a number in his head of all our money and accounts etc. Obviously that can be stressful and wasnt working. So he decided it should be mine to deal with. I was not very excited about this at all. The last thing i want to do is worry about our finances. However it is a part of having a family and needless to say....I started our budget. I found this really great website called www.budgetsimple.com It is exactly what it says. SIMPLE! we do not do any online banking and we also have other income that does not hit our bank account so tracking it on our online banking is not an option. This website puts it all in one place. Lets you know when your purchase was not budgeted for and keeps you aware of how many times you step out of your budget. We are a nickle and dime family so this was very important for us. You input your salary and any kind of salary not just from work. like Social Security, child support etc. then you enter in all that you are planning to spend during the month. it keeps everything right where it needs to be and flags things so that you know and are aware of what is going on. Anyways there is a bit more too it but just know that if you are struggling a little on making a budget or if you have that notebook filled with all of your transactions its time to move on and find a easier way. check it out i think you will love it!

Bread Making???

Well my Blogging Friends I have always been a lover of bread. In fact i am probably addicted to bread of all kinds but I have always wanted to make it. Well Yesterday we ran out of bread and i needed it to make my husbands lunch. I know what you are thinking.....just go to the store and get a loaf. Well in our world that is just not possible for we have one vehicle and when my husband is at work i am home. So i went on an internet search....found a few recipes, liked none of them, and created my own out of the multitude that were there. Now just so you know we do not have a bread maker. and we do not have a stand mixer so this is a real from scratch made with my own two hands kinda recipe. In my opinion this is the EASIEST sand which bread recipe i have found. It takes a great deal of time from start to finish but not too much hands on time. simply just the rising time. so here we go are you ready???

What you need:
2cups warm water
2Tbs Sugar
1Tbs Dry Active yeast (if using packets measure them)
2Tbs softened butter
5 1/2 Cups All Purpouse Flour (more to work with)
1Tbs Salt
2 Large Bowls
plastic wrap
Pam or other cooking spray
Two Full size loaf pans

First thing to do is take care of the yeast. Now do this first!! because if you do not get the result you need from the yeast all else is out the window.
*Place luke warm water and sugar in a large bowl until sugar is dissolved.
*Then add the Yeast. Stir until dissolved. Then let sit for 5-10 min. or until kinda bubbly/foamy
*Next Add your flour and your salt! and let the fun begin!! MIX, MIX, MIX! Don't use your hand quite yet because you have to grab the BUTTER!
*Cut up the butter into smaller pieces so its easier to incorporate within the dough. Now add it to the dough and start mixing with your hands.
*When you get it a bit easier to handle you will want to Flour your counter or workspace thoroughly and start kneading the dough. You will be doing this for quite a while. But its a nice little upper body work out. Keep up the good work!!
*You are finished when your dough look like this!
nice and smooth and elastic but NOT STICKY!

Great job! now shape into a ball and place into your greased bowl!

Now place a greased piece of plastic wrap over the top. Grease side down. :) Like this...

Now its time to let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it gets doubled in size! So go put up your feet, watch some dr.phil, play a game with the kiddos or finish that laundry :)

When it has Doubled in size it will look like this!

If it has doubled in size then you are doing AWESOME!! A little pat on the back is in order!
*Now you punch down the dough (this is not the time to take out aggression lol) just get the air out.

*Now Knead it a few times and cut the ball in half like this!

*Now we place into our two greased loaf pans and let rise again for an hour. Go relax, Have some Coffee and read :) (i know easier said than done)

Have they Doubled Again???

*YAY ITS TIME TO BAKE FINALLY!!!
*Set oven to 350 and Bake away for 35 to 40 min or until golden brown.
My oven is hotter than normal so it took only 32 for me!

Let cool for about 5 min. then take out of loaf pans and let cool until ready to eat.

Slice it up! and Enjoy!!! Great Job!!!! You just made bread!!!

Its not always Sunshine and Rainbows....

Well hello everyone! Today I feel exhausted mentally and physically and could quite literally lay in bed all day to catch up on sleep but if you are a mommy you know that isnt possible so here i sit, watching my beautiful kiddos play and enjoy their day. I often wonder if i am over extending myself opening two businesses and being a mom and house wife. But what would life be without a little risk and chaos. I would like to one day leave this planet knowing that i gave it my all than to wonder what could have been. But still im tired. Sometimes it takes everything I have just to want to watch Barbie fairy secret for the 5th time in a row for the week. Or to listen to Zephan cry every time i leave his sight (isnt separation anxiety awesome?) By the end of the day I have worked on both of my businesses every free second I had, Cleaned the whole house, did the laundry, answered my mothers calls 50 times about DisneyWorld (she is excited to go), texted my husband all day (my favorite part of the day lol) and made dinner and bathed the kiddos. On to a family game or movie, watch our prime time television after the kids are asleep then when the whole house is asleep i work on business again. Then sleep and it starts again. This is not me complaining just simply being real. I would hate to have a "mom blog" and have it seem that i am some perfect person who can do it all perfect all the time. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes its messy,chaotic and hard to push through. So for you moms out there who may be feeling this way...no worries my friend. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow is infact a new day and perhaps that day will be a Sunshine and Rainbow kinda day.

Journey with Scentsy

Hello all! just wanted to update on how my journey with Scentsy is going. I finally feel like i can breathe financially! I really hoped i would after joining Scentsy but i had no idea that I would become this successfull so quick. I mean i am not a seller. I just tell people the truth and they love the product just as much as me. Its been amazing to get out of the house and have some time alone and sometimes its even a family affair when my husband and kids attend a party with me. He is the math wiz for the Scentsy biz lol. so his presence is super helpful. My commision check was amazing since getting my 5% raise. and I must say, getting a raise and 50 dollars worth of free product, plus an award is pretty darn amazing if you ask me. I never in a million years thought i would love this so much. I guess its because its mine! I can do what i want with my own business. make what i want, work when i want and be able to be with my family when i want. Here is a pic of my order that came today. This was just one party! My hostess did a Phenomenol job didnt she? I think so!

These are the wonderful Hostess Rewards that my Hostess received! She said she had no idea she would do that well :) WAHOO!

New business venture!

Well as most of you know i embarked a while ago on a path with Scentsy wickless candles. It has taught me that i am a great entrepreneur and that i absolutely want to meet my original goal i had a year ago. I was started up a business on Etsy back then and my family and i had a huge hardship financially and i was never able to start it up and see where is went. We are now financially stable thanks to Scentsy and now my husband and I will be opening our Etsy site soon. I can not wait to share my passion with the world. If you have a gift in creating something you should really look into Etsy. Its an amazing site offering strictly handmade goods. I will post more when we are ready to open!

Catch up!

Hey everyone! not to much has gone on but i wanted to update everyone on some Christmas ideas that will be nice on the wallet. We have started our shopping and and have so far shopped exclusively online clearance. Pj's, T's, small toys, backpacks, blankets etc. are all over for small prices! many 5 and under. how great is that? my first and number one always is Walmart. They ship in a very timely manner, the comments on items are always very good and the prices can't be beat. Also they have the lowest free shipping amount set at 45.00. pretty crazy! we have a lot of our shopping already done! My second is Toys R us! Shocking i know, but really i am serious. They have an amazing clearance section with a ton of great items. Expecially puzzles and games! most under 10.00 and there free shipping is set at 75.00. I feel that 75.00 is a bit high for us but if you have a lot of children in your family you could definately take care of your whole list in the clearance section. Happy thrifty shopping everyone!

Kendals 6th Rainbow Birthday! (on a strict budget!)

Hey everyone. well i enjoy showing all the ways that my family and i are becoming financially free. I am huge on Birthdays!! i mean i do it up big time for every birthday of my kids. I know some people disagree with my ways but i feel that Birthdays are HUGE. After all it is the day you were born! It is the one time in life that you without a doubt change someones life. To me its everyone's own personal holiday. With that said, i also usually spend a great deal of money on the cake, decor, presents, goodies, games etc! so here are some ways that i made this party a cheap "best birthday i have ever had!"-kendal

Well first i am going to be honest. i attempted cake in a jar and drastically failed! not just once but four times!!! so if anyone out there can help me on that it would be great! However I did do a rainbow cake for the first time! and it was a huge colorful hit! the girls were freaking out!! Super duper easy! 2 boxes of white cake mix made to package instructions! then break up into 5 bowls. I then used neon food coloring and regular to get a very vibrant color. after that use 1 cup of each color and just add the next color on top and so one. see picture of batter below and it will make more sense. :) Bake and frost!!

For table decor i went to walmart in the party section and bought some dollar party favors, plates, etc....check it out :)

I also added a balloon arch! this sounds spendy and difficult but it was 5 bucks! fishing line and balloons i blew up myself!! I watched a youtube video and there ya have it. here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJA0y1MG6OM

And here is my balloon arch! pretty sweet huh

Now to my two favs! paper streamers and pom poms to hang from the ceiling!!

Check out these sites for the how to!
http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to#slide_0
http://ellaminnowpeas.tumblr.com/page/8

Last we did rainbow popcorn for movie time!!

2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup water
food coloring
2 cups unpopped popcorn or two bags

Pop corn in an air popper. (i used microwavable and it was fine)
Boil the sugar, butter, water and food coloring for 3 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
Slowly poor the sugar mixture over the popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
Let dry on a cookie sheet. To speed this process dry in a 200 degree oven for 10 minutes, watching carefully.
I did this recipe for about a bag and a half.

AFTER ALL THE HANDMADE DECOR WAS FINISHED THIS PARTY INCLUDING PRESENT (BARBIE BIKE) WAS 150!! SUPER SAVINGS RIGHT THERE!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY PRINCESS KENDAL!

SCENTSY SUCCESS!!

well everyone i have told you all about my venture with scentsy to help our family get to financial freedom. and well....you can take a look at the pic with my Kendal who is my official scentsy assistant. this was just ONE ORDER!!!! can we say MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!!! GO AHEAD SING IT :) I DID.....

SCENTSY RAFFLE!!

HEY EVERYONE! i am having a scentsy plug in raffle! if you purchase 40.00 worth of product you will be entered into a raffle for a free plug in! I will announce the winner after the party is closed! too buy from party go to www.tobley.scentsy.us and click on "buy from party"

The Adventure Continues

Ok everyone we have accomplished two more money saving projects! check them out!

Dishwasher Soap- 1 cup Borax, 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup citric acid, 1/4 cup kosher salt, and 1/2 cup washing soda. Mix it all up and you are done! now just use about 2 tbs in your dishwasher and then put some vinegar in the rinse agent section. If you are like us and dont have a rinse agent section then just put a splash in the bottom of the dishwasher :)

Fabric softner-any type of conditioner you want for the scent (we used some dollar store stuff that smelled nice) use 2 cups of the conditioner, 6 cups hot water and 3 cups vinegar. find a container you want to use (we used the old laundry soap container shown above) dissolve the conditioner with the hot water into the container. add the vinegar and your done. give it a little shake before use :) this may smell a little like vinegar but it wont after drying at all :)

Laundry Soap Adventure!!

Well WE DID IT!! on our journey of becoming a frugal family with money to enjoy life we have decided to make our own laundry soap. All of us were excited about it. For Kendal it was a project and a life lesson! and for us it was simply just really Cool lol. Using everything you see here it should last our family of 5 about a year. and it cost us 20 BUCKS!!! oh yea thats right 20!!! to start off we just did 2 cups of everything including 1 cup of the grated fels naptha. you only use 2tbs for a large or dirty load. only 1 tbs for a small load.

All these ingredients were purchased Walmart :)

***This is probably not a very good idea for front load washers.

Change

So i dont know how everyone else feels about change but lately im not liking it so much. Once i feel like we have made some progress financially we take a step back....well today i have made a decision. i have been researching many ways to cut costs on things and i have decided that little by little i will be making a change that will financially benefit my family. First thing will be making our own laundry soap. I started realizing how much we spend on laundry to get clean. i mean i wash 1 to 2 laods a day and the cost is crazy. if you are a mom of an infant and a 5 yr old you know what i mean. I will post how it goes and the costs for it soon. chin up everyone this economy will not win!

SCENTSY!!

Well in my last post i explained that my husbands check will be garnished and that i will be looking for weekend work. I looked for two days and realized that well there is no weekend work. lol so i am going to put everything i have into Scentsy. I fully believe and love in the product so I know i can do well. I have all my goals set into place and i will succeed!! If any of you moms out there need some extra money, something thats just for you or something new and different to do then check out my website and join my team. you will not regret it. We will Rock Scentsy together!! www.tobley.scentsy.us

Rough day for my house

Well we received some bad news today that my husbands check will be garnished and therefore this puts me out for weekend work! ugh. Which is not at all something i want to do. I want to be home with my family. i know know who wouldnt but this is part of our plan. me be home and him work. I know that he could just work weekends also but its important to all of us that he gets time with the kids aswell and so here i go...looking for work YAY me. ugh this bites a big one. I have decided that we are going to research every money saving tactic. EVERY SINGLE ONE and i will become financially happy before i die!

introducing....ME

Hello everyone!! My name is Ashley and I am a stay at home mom of 3...well more like 2 1/2. My stepson is here every other weekend. I have three kids, Triston age 14, Kendal age 6 and Zephan 3 months. I thought that i would start a blog and perhaps help someone like myself with the struggles of being a stay at home mom and wife. Im a crafty, frugal mommy and my kids are crazy and full of energy and attitude. I believe my daughter is a 16yr old stuck in a 6 yr old body. can you relate? It amazes me every day how much attitude can come out of one little body. most people say she is just a little me, i however have no clue what they are talking about lol. My Stepson Triston is a handful. seems to think he knows everything there is to know but whats new he is a teen lol. And my little Zephan. Well he is too young for anything still but he is a cute cuddly bundle of joy. And my husband...well he is the description of perfect. he is amazing and supportive and my best friend.

For the most part our lives are pretty average. day to day there's school, work, car pools, shopping, cleaning and more cleaning. Lately i have felt like all i am is a mom. I dont know if anyone else can relate to that but that is how i feel. My identity seems to have morphed into a mom/wife role and whatever i used to be has ceased to exist. Day in and day out I happily take care of my family and love every minute of it. however i cant help but miss a little me time. So a week ago i embarked on a new life path with a company called Scentsy. Im sure you have heard of it, they are amazing and pretty much everywhere. I already feel a sense of belonging with this. I feel like when i work on my scentsy business that i am concentrating on me and something that I love. Which i must say for a mom is pretty darn important. Well looks like my first entry is a bit longer than i thought it would be so i shall end now. Thanks for reading and keep checking back :)