Friends Don't Let Friends Wear Nude Leggings

Have I discovered my Halloween costume?! Hehehehe.

11 things to know when you are 25(ish)

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/25956-11-things-to-know-at-25ish

The Quarter Life Crisis

The quarter life. It's the life no one tells you about. Or is it new? I am inclined to believe that this is a unique consequence of the 21st Century. I'm a woman, I'm 25, and I am trying to make every major life decision in a matter of months. Helloooo....aren't we supposed to be prepared for these things?! Especially as a Christian, I am supposed to remain calm and put all of my faith in God's plan. There is just one problem, we all want to take our lives by the reigns and plan. Plan it all. At 25.

For me, my 25(ish) craze began with one, well...two big decisions. First, I decided to go to law school. Second, I broke up with someone I dated for a very long time. Talk about a life adjustment.

At the time, I thought I had lost it. Literally. I had always felt so in control and so sure of my plans and then all of the sudden, as if blubbering while being called on in class wasn't enough, I was single and totally confused.

Challenge yourself. Be yourself. You are capable. You are intelligent. You know what's right.

It's amazing how trusting yourself can bring the biggest reward of your life. Not only did I find myself, I grew in my faith, focused on my incredible friendships, and found the man that constantly encourages and challenges me.

I learned that while things might not make sense at the time, there is a reason, and to always remember that God has BIG PLANS. BIG. But sitting on the couch isn't going to help either of us fulfill those plans.

How do you decide what you want to do professionally, how do you find "the one," where do you want to live, and overall....who do you want to become?

I'm getting a law degree and I am trying to figure out the best area for me to practice. A law degree is so valuable because the options are endless...but everyone knows I am horrible at making decisions! I know I want to use my degree, but I also know that I want to become a wife and mother. I want to continue to put my relationships first, but I want to be successful professionally. I want to be a positive and encouraging friend and family member, I want to inspire others, and I want to live a Christ-filled life that I can be proud of.

For now...I am going to hold my head up, focus on my faith, and as I was told by a friend today...."just keep on trucking."

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/22864-what-to-know-when-youre-25ish

Why "The Real Thing?"

Ashcroft Family Christmas Photo (can't you just hear the loud noises coming from this picture?!)

Why "The Real Thing"? Well....why not?! Growing up a Coca-Cola brat might have a little something to do with it (I am surprised these were not my first words). Beyond being completely submerged in the Coca-Cola business by BOTH sides of my family, I realized the meaning of the words as I grew up. I have been a witness to "The Real Thing" my entire life, and for that I am truly blessed.

Both sets of my grandparents grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas. My dad's family ran the Coca-Cola plant in Sulphur Springs and my mom's uncle was a manager at the plant. My mom went to visit Sulphur Springs when she was 14 and my dad was 15. They had their first date and the rest is history.

My dad's grandmother was so confident that my mother was the "one," she gave my dad a ring and told him that one day he was going to give it my mom. While college and life separated them for many years, my great-grandmother was right, and my dad married my mother March 7, 1981.

My father's mom "DeeDee" died of cancer when I was very young. My memories are limited, but they are full of warmth, love, and fun. Everyone always begins their stories about DeeDee with laughter and a small role of their eyes. She was intelligent, witty, and warm. I hope I inherited some of her spice (also known as a southern lady's gumption, charm, and sass).

I have her diary and it is by far my most treasured possession. On the inside cover there is a cartoon cut out of a 1936 newspaper that reads "Girls in my time didn't chase men, but a smart girl usually managed to make the right man chase her." Amen!

My grandfather suffers from Alzheimer's, so my memories of he, too, are limited. He and my father have the same laugh, a laugh that is contagious and can fill a room. They are both quite stubborn (obviously something I have not inherited), and both are beyond gracious and kind. BeeBee, much like my father, is an incredibly hard worker. His ideal day was fishing on his boat, appropriately named "The Real Thing", with an ice cold Coca-Cola in hand.

BeeBee's birthday is around the 4th of July and we used to go up to Lake Texoma every summer to celebrate with him. Memories of time spent at Lake Texoma fill me with warmth and yearning. I can still taste the watermelon and I can still smell the recently caught catfish we were going to cook for dinner. The picture below is of BeeBee and "The Real Thing." Not to shabby, eh?

My mother's parents, "MeMommy and DeDaddy" have been beyond instrumental in shaping me into the woman I am today and the woman I hope to be. Talk about role models!

MeMommy never meets a stranger. She is the epitome of a social butterfly and she is so much fun! She has an adventurous heart and loves to travel and see the world. She takes such interest in others and truly has a servant heart.

DeDaddy was an OBGYN and every person that he has ever come in contact with him loves him. He is kind, compassionate, humble, and brilliant.

Both MeMommy and DeDaddy have incredible faith; I will forever seek to emulate their faith both personally and in my marriage.

DeDaddy always looks at MeMommy from across the room and says to me "Aren't I just the luckiest man in the world?" And MeMommy always talks about how cute DeDaddy is. 60 years later and the two are still madly in love!

I am beyond blessed to have parents who have raised me to believe in love and to dream big. My father and mother have sacrificed so much to raise me and my sister.

Anne and Frank in the 80's! Please take note that in almost every picture on this post, at least one member of my family is wearing an item of coca-cola clothing.

I will never forget when a family friend described my dad as "the most patient man in whole world." I agreed....but our friend felt compelled to share why he thought my father was so patient, and sadly, his response is completely on point. He said "I mean...you, your mother, and your sister are not just women...you are WOMEN." It is true. We aren't an easy bunch to handle. We are talkers. ALL of us. Even our two weenie dogs Rosie and Rubie. I don't know how he ever gets a word in!

My sweet dad really is the most patient and amazing man in the entire world.

My mom is the master of relationships and at always making people feel special. She is the perfect blend of her parent's characteristics. She is brilliant, funny, kind, warm, and humble. She truly is everyone's cheerleader. She is the mother, friend, wife, and daughter I can only strive to be.

Influenced as a witness to the extraordinary lives and love of both sets of my grandparents and my parents, I too am seeking “the real thing.”

But, what is the “real thing"?

It is love, faith, and joy.

It is living a real life. A fulfilled life. An exciting and adventurous life. A life that impacts you and others.