Today I am thankful to be an Aggie. I say it often-going to Texas A&M was one of the best decisions that I've ever made in my life.  During those years in College Station, I made some of the best of friends, grew closer to friends that I grew up with, made the most incredible memories, and was able to know about "The Spirit can ne'er be told...."  I'm so proud to be apart of the Aggie family.  If you aren't an Aggie, you don't get it, you'll never get it, and that's okay.  You can think we are crazy, & I've heard many describe it  as "cult-like".  Say what you will, but you've never been apart of something so great & indescribable.

Every year on this day we, the Aggie family, remember those whose lives were taken & forever changed when the Bonfire collapsed.  And today is no different...

"There will never be a moment when we accept a loss so great.  There will never be a day when we are again willing to pay a price so high.  There will never be a November 18th that we do not stand in silence and feel emptiness. Their names and faces will never leave the hearts of those who knew them, or were here when tragedy struck, but now there is security that tomorrow will not forget them either.  They are history here, strong like the Century Tree, heavy like Muster, honorable like the Corps, Spirited like the Aggie Band, dedicated like the student body, and forever burning like the Bonfire they proudly built." -Jessica Cannon '06

11-18-99 | 2:42am 

We will never forget....

Day 17

17-I'm thankful for the beautiful weather that we had today.  The crisp cool air puts a spring in my step & joy in my heart.

24 Day Challenge

Yes, I know....another post about working out, dieting, but guess what...this one is different b/c I completed the challenge & it works!!! 24 days ago a friend called me and wanted me to go on this journey with her.  She is getting married in the spring and wanted to give Advocare a try.  So I thought why not?  What do I have to lose, expect pounds?!?!  So, we signed up, and I'm so glad that I did!!!

The first 10 days of the challenge is a cleanse phase.  The first 3 mornings & the last 3 mornings of your cleanse phase you drink a glass of fiber (mix it with your OJ & it's not bad to choke down),  have a meal replacement shake (mine were chocolate & they were yummy!), some vitamins( OmegaPlex, Herbal Cleanse), SPARK (the most amazing energy drink ever!) and eat lean proteins & veggies.

Within the first 24 hours, I could feel a difference.  I was satisfied, and full of energy...amazing energy, energy that I haven't had since long before Emma was born.  My cravings for sweets were gone within the first 48 hours, and I really have only had one day when I craved some chocolate during the 24 day challenge.

Next is the Max Phase or Burn Phase---during this phase, your body is clean & ready to absorb all of the vitamins that your body needs.  I continued with my meal replacement shake, SPARK, and then my vitamin pack, and continued to eat lean proteins, veggies, and I added in whole grains, and dairy back into my diet.  The way to look at this portion of the challenge & taking all of these vitamins is this....your body is like a sponge.  A sponge has a lot of tiny holes in them, our body is the same way.  No matter how much of a well balanced diet we eat, there will still be holes in our body, so we take this vitamin pack to fill those holes & give us the optimum nutrition.

Now, I didn't get to work out every day like I had hoped--only 2-3x per week.  And there were some days that it was hard to eat right because we were traveling a lot during this time, but I was able to make healthier choices, and watch my portion control & that's a huge step for me.  So I'd say I was on 75-80% of the time.  And my energy level is still HUGE & my cravings for sweets are GONE...yes, GONE!!! I feel that now I can go into the holiday season & make healthy choices for myself & know that they are going to add the inches back onto my waist line. So, are you ready for my results......
I lost a total of 6.8 lbs. and 8.75 inches!!  I went from a size 12/14 to a loose 10!   Other people on the challenge have lost a lot more than me, but I'm proud of myself, and amazed at the amount of energy that I have!  I've learned so much about myself through this process.  And I can't wait to continue my journey with Advocare!  My goal is to lose about 10 more lbs. and tone this body up!

Do you want to take the 24 Day Challenge?  Leave a comment or email me at ashley.moore06@gmail.com & I can answer any questions you have & help you get started to creating a new you!!!

15 & 16

15-I'm thankful for the amazing family that I married into.  The Moore's are such a close knit group, which I truly love.  I love the Moore Family Night Dinner tradition every Tuesday, the candid conversations around the table, the laughter, and the nephews-they are hilarious!  Words can't describe how great I think each of them are.  I'm so blessed by each one of them and our time together!

16-I'm so thankful that I get to stay home with Emma.  I loved teaching, but as my 5 years were upon me, I slowly didn't find fulfillment in my job.  I didn't look forward to going to work or staying late for that matter.  But I'm grateful that I had 5 great years of teaching.  I think parts of it really prepared me for motherhood--like having to be organized & planning ahead.  I love every moment of being a mom---IT'S SO HARD, yet, so REWARDING!  I love being able to be the first person Emma sees in the morning.  I love breakfast with her, lunch, reading books, snuggling, kisses, and that precious smile.  The good outweighs the bad!  And I've learned so much about myself being a mom.  So, thanks to Matt for working so hard to let me be able to stay home.  And all PRAISE BE TO GOD for allowing me to be a mom.

Thankfulness-Days 11-14

11-I am thankful for my sweet grandparents.  I could write about all of them for days, but I'll keep this short. I'm thankful that I got to know my poppy before he passed & spend time with him.  I'm thankful for Granny and her vibrant personality & love.  I'm so thankful for Maw Maw & Paw Paw-for their wisdom & knowledge.  I'm thankful that I was able to know all 4 of my grandparents and that Emma has gotten to meet 3 of them.  What a blessing!

12-I'm thankful for weekends at the ranch with family.  There is something about being out in the country that's so good for the soul.  Sweet, wonderful time with one another & no technology.

13-I'm thankful for lazy weekends with the family.  This weekend was one of them-I love knowing that it'll be okay if everything on my to-do list doesn't get done.  I love being snuggled up on the couch with Matt & Emma and loving on them.

14-I'm thankful for Mondays & getting back into the routine of things.  As much as I love being lazy, I love being able to mark things off my to-do list.

Day 10

I'm normally not much of a morning person, but since Emma arrived she has forced me to be.  And really & truly, I haven't been that pleasant of a morning person until about 17 days ago.  17 days ago, I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  The first few days were hard, but then my energy level shot out of the roof.  If you want to know more about the 24 Day Challenge-check it out here!  The other thing I started doing was getting up at 5am...yes, you read that right 5AM!  I figured if I get going at 5, by the time Emma gets up I'd have a lot of things done around the house. I get up, have my Spark (Advocare Energy Drink) and have my quiet time.  It's great really---me, my Bible, and a little time with the Good Man upstairs.  I have been blessed & refreshed by this time & I don't plan on stopping.  My heart is full, my relationship with the Lord is growing, and I'm a more pleasant person throughout the day. 

So today, I'm thankful for my morning quiet times.  Refreshing. Quiet. Rested time with my Lord. 

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." - Psalm5:3

Day 9

Cooler weather....Yes, I am so thankful for the cooler weather that arrived over night and all the rain we received yesterday.  The Lord knew we needed it.  Fall & winter are my most favorite times of the year-cool weather, blankets, scarves, hot chocolate, snuggling, fallen leaves. Don't get me wrong, I love summer, but the winter is my favorite. It refreshes my soul.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul.  I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." -Psalm 146:1-2

Day 8

Words cannot describe how blessed I am to have married into such a wonderful, loving family.  Today, I'm thankful for my in-laws. They. Are. Great.  Every Tuesday Bubby & Papa take Emma for the day for me.  It gives me a chance to grocery shop, run errands, finish projects, therapy, dr. appointments, and even an occasional mani/pedi.  Then we end the day by having the entire family at their house for dinner.  What a blessing!  Today is no different....physical therapy, groceries, errands, dentist appt. and tons of crafting to do.  I love Emma, but I do look forward to Tuesdays & the fast paced, peace & quiet it gives me to refresh and get organized!

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.  How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!" -Psalm 92:4-5

Thankful-Days 5, 6, 7

Day 5- I'm so thankful for wonderful weekends in West Texas.  Being able to get out of the busy city & refresh your mind & soul with the simple things in life is the greatest.  I'm so thankful for the time we had this weekend with my family out at our ranch.  Morning hunts have always been my favorites--cool weather, peacefulness, the sunrise, the sounds of the country, and quiet time with my dad.


Day 6-I'm thankful for my church family.  I'm a member of Houston's First Baptist Church and have been for a few years.  This year I was really looking for support & encouragement from new moms, like myself, so I dove right in and got involved with the Motherwise Bible study & our MOPS group.  I have been so blessed by both.  Motherwise was an incredible Bible study where I learned so much more about my role as a mother & wife, and where I also meet some other amazing young moms going through the same struggles that I'm facing in this season of life.  And I met wonderful godly women who have had children & are now grandmothers, and they have taught me so much.  Ms. Becky, my mentor mom, has blessed my life so much.  Her faithfulness to the Lord, her husband, and her children inspire me to be that kind of mom.

Day 7- I'm thankful for my sweet friends.  In this life I have had some truly incredible friends.  For some of those friends life has taken us down different paths and we don't talk much anymore, others who I may not talk with or haven't talked to in months, but I know if I ever needed anything they'd be there, and those that I see and talk with on a regular basis.  I thank God for all of them.  Each of them, whether the last time I talked to them was 3 years ago or yesterday, have touched my life in so many ways.  They've helped me get through some rough times.  They've made me laugh, cry, and have encouraged me.  I have many memories of wonderful friends-those who have passed on & those who are still here with us today.  Thank you all for sharing your life & friendship with me!

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..." Psalm 103:1-2

Thanksgiving-Day 4

I am thankful for my wonderful, sweet, loving parents.  They have been a constant support , encouragers, friends, and source of love for the last 27 years.  They have shown me the importance of family, living a life with God, and unconditional love.  They have pressed on in their marriage of 30 years and have never given up.  They know the meaning of this covenant that they made & fight for it.  They set boundaries for me as a kid, which I'm so thankful for, because there are so many parents that don't do this for their children.  They are amazing parents, and over the last 10 months I watch in awe as they have become amazing grandparents.  Emma is blessed to have them in her life, and so am I. My cup runneth over.

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you;I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:1-2

"Give thanks to the Lord..."

It's the 3rd day of November, already....where has time gone?  I intended to begin this post on the 1st, but lets play catch up. November....Thanksgiving....I have so many things I'm thankful for, and I plan to post one of those things daily. The Lord has blessed me so much, and I'm so grateful!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."-Psalms 118:29

1-I'm thankful that God sent His son to earth to die for me, so that I can live eternally with Him.  I don't deserve it....never will, but He loves me anyway.  I'm thankful for His unfailing love, His constant presence in my life, and His goodness.  He is so good!

2-I'm thankful for my sweet husband, Matt.  He loves me, challenges me, supports, encourages, works so hard, and puts up with me.  He is the love of my life and best friend.  I'm so thankful that God sent him into my life when he did (His timing is always perfect & He is so good!), and for choosing me to be Matt's life partner, supporter, encourager, friend, and wife.

3-I'm so thankful that God has blessed me and chose me to be Emma's mom.  There has been no greater job.  My cup runneth over with love for that sweet little girl.  She has brought so much love and joy into our lives.  I've learned so much about myself & about my job as her mother.  Words will never be able to express the love that I have for her.  Thank you, God, for my sweet Emma!!!

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High." -Psalms 7:17