Okay, friends. I am so excited to introduce my friend, Ashley, to you because this lady pretty much changed my world/life/future/career. Ashley married one of my guy friends from high school and I've known her for years. However, she just so happens to be the first blogger that I ever "followed" and she is basically the one who led me to discover the world  of mommy/craft/cooking/etc. etc. blogs. And if you've been around here long, you know that my discovery of the blog world led me to change the concentration of my PhD program (read about that here and here). Now, instead of studying Renaissance literature and never finding a job after I graduate, I get to study digital literacies and do Internet research and study how women are writing online {and I have a way better chance of getting a job in the future, too}... and I have Ashley to thank for all of it! So read what she has to say below. Maybe she'll change your life too. You never know...


Hi Arizona Russum Gals (well, I guess there could be a guy too), I'm Ashley and I run a little 'ole blog called Dirt Stains and Paint.

I was so excited when Jen asked me to tell you all about my summer goals because:

1. I love reading about Jen's adventures, and
2. It's actually forcing me to sit down and think about what it is that I want to accomplish this summer.  

You see, up here in Seattle, it's not exactly sunny year round, so these summer months are CLUTCH.  We've got very limited time to soak it up.  Plus, as a mom to two little munchkins, if I don't plan some of these things ahead of time, my days will get filled up with diapers, spit up and bottles.   

1.  Finish decorating this house.


We just recently moved to our gorgeous new house and thus I have this huge blank slate that needs to be Ashley-ized.

Blank slate builder beige.  Woh woh.

This will include, but is not limited to:

-A complete design of the playroom for my munchkins, and their friends, to terrorize play in all day

-Pictures on the wall in the family room...it needs to feel homey!

A recent pic that's a candidate to be a framer.

-Curtains!  Eek, I can't believe we've lived here for 2 months and I still don't have curtains on the windows.  I have to paint these said curtains though.  Painted striped curtains have been on my Pinterest boards for months...and I need them in my house!

I won't even worry about tackling the upstairs for now...that will have to be next season. :)

2.  Read the Hunger Games.


Yes, I know, a little late to the party right?  But better late than never is what I say!  Plus, I'd way rather watch the movie from the comfort of my own home..or at least that's what I've told myself!

3.  Get into my pre-pregancy jeans.


We were blessed with the addition of our 2nd son, Brenner Joseph on March 11th, 2012.  When you visit my blog, you will see that I LOVE my boys and I absolutely LOVE being a mom to all boys. Summer inspires me to get up and get out anyway, so now I just need that hot mom bod back and I'll be feeling good. :)

Me rocking the 5 month prego-belly.

This sort of goes along with #3, but...


4.  I want to go on more nightly walks.


These are great times to chat with my husband, adore God's creation, unwind - just enjoy and reflect on this crazy, but irreplaceable season of life.

A wise person once told me that in these early years of motherhood that the days are long, but the years are short.  I feel like nightly walks would help us to savor this season.


5.  "Flip" my first piece of furniture.


I've just recently discovered that re-doing furniture is a fun hobby of mine.

$15 Goodwill coffee table transformed to a cute shabby chic state of being.

I like the challenge of developing the "potential" in a piece.  I like the hunt of a good deal.  I'm sort of a deal-bragger as a matter of fact.  If you ever walk through my house, I will proudly say yep, got that for $40 or yep, $10 for that side table.  I want to see the potential in a piece and sell it for a profit.  Selfish goal? Maybe.  But I've unlocked this creative side and I want to get the affirmation of "flipping" my first piece of furniture.

So there you have it - my summer goals.  A little bit for me, a little bit for my family, and a little bit for my wallet.