Hi friends! Today we’re excited to launch our Simplicity Series 2.0 with a sweet friend and amazing designer, Ashlee Proffitt. So many of you loved our Simplicity Series over the last year. This feature will continue to highlight those 6 products each woman can’t live without. BUT, each gal will also provide tips on making what matters happen and the systems, routines and products they’ve put into place to stay organized. We hope you love it! And without further ado, meet Ashlee!
Hello! My name is Ashlee! I was born and raised in southern Virginia and now reside in Tampa, Florida. I am a pastor’s wife and a mama to 4 little ones. I am southern at my core with a heart for southern drawls, front porches and sweet tea.
I fell madly in love with the art of design (and all things paper and ink!) while studying at James Madison University. I have a sweet little online shop that brings beauty and Truth into the lives of women and I have the pleasure of working with creatives to build strong brands for their businesses.
How do you take care of yourself so that you’re physically and mentally prepared to be your best self for others?
As a mama to little ones (all under 6!) and a wife to a husband with a very demanding job taking care of myself is of utmost importance! My first step is to get up early! I set my alarm clock for the wee morning hours before the little ones rise. I enjoy a cup (or two!) of coffee, read my Bible and pray. This isn’t always perfect but it’s a great step in the right direction to having my heart set on what matters most as I start the day.
And then I pursue general good health habits (pursue, meaning, it’s not perfect but each day I make choices that become habit and lifestyle), going to bed and getting rest, exercising and eating healthy.
In your home, how do the mundane parts of life get done?
The mundane parts of my life get done by actually putting them in my planner. Crazy! I know. I am just super forgetful and thrive best with routine! Managing a home and family this big takes planning and diligence.
So I actually schedule out my days and my responsibilities.
Sunday (evenings) – I create our Weekly Meal Plan, and the Grocery List. (I also list out everything that needs to get done that week for the family and for my business. I even schedule coffee and lunch dates with friends during my Sunday evening routine. Listen, days go by too fast to not intentionally pursue the relationships in your life.)
Monday – Sync Meeting: My husband and I ‘sync up’ on Monday mornings before the kiddos get up. We look at our calendars and plan a date night, appointments we have, people we want to have over, etc. We go over our budget and talk about anything that needs to be addressed (from lightbulbs that need to be replaced to one of the kids needs some extra daddy time this week.) We start this time by reading Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening and praying for one another. It’s not always as amazing as it sounds. But it has been a wonderful way to increase our communication and ability to manage lots of different things at one. Monday is also Grocery Shopping Day! Hooray! My kids love this day. Not. BUT having a plan and doing the shop weekly with a list in hand makes it go super fast. Also, I don’t give them the free cookie at the super market until we are almost done. Bribery works every time.
Friday – Yard Work / House Work Day!
Saturday – Laundry
The thing is, when there is time and space allotted for the mundane, it all becomes much more enjoyable!! (Less frantic and less a sense of not really important… because in reality, taking care of my family and the needs of the home is of the utmost importance.)
What is one tradition or routine that’s really important to your family?
Yay! Like I said before, this little family thrives within routine so we actually eat almost all meals at the table. My husband is a pastor and his office is in the home. So breakfast, lunch and dinner are all eaten at the table as a family (unless one of us has a meeting or date with a friend, obviously.) It’s amazing what that time can bring to a family, the sense of unity and stability. The table is where hard conversations and big belly laughs happen and questions are answered and tears are comforted and life comes together in one big beautiful mess of a family. Now there is always the pizza night in the living room exception to the dining table rule, of course.
At dinner each night we use the Q & A a Day: 5-Year Journal. Each of us take turns answering the question of the day. I can’t wait to look back at those answers in the years to come!
Your PICK SIX: What 6 things can you absolutely not live without?
1. Bible: ESV Study Bible/ Gospel Transformation Bible or Jesus Storybook Bible for the littles
2. Coffee!
3. Planner + Meal Planner & Grocery Lister
4. A Good Pen + Blank Notebook
5. My Camera (I am obsessed with documenting life!! I never want to forget those chubby little cheeks or the mischief those little hands get into.)
6. Fresh Flowers & Indoor Plants (I can’t even tell you how many I have… it’s an addiction!)
My hope is to raise children who love God and love others. My hope is to continue to build a marriage that lasts until the day we meet in heaven. My hope is to encourage and inspire women to lead a life that is purposeful and intentional, making the most of the time and gifts they are given.
This is never about being perfect, for we will never perfectly ‘keep it all together.’ However, we utilize organizations and systems so that we can make the most of our time with those we love and to the pursue those big amazing dreams!
Follow along with Ashlee:
Blog: http://ashleeproffitt.com/blog/
Shop: www.ashleeproffitt.com
Instagram: @ashleeproffitt
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The Simplicity Series features busy gals, in different stages of life, making what matters happen and tips and tricks they’ve found to be helpful. Simplicity is about building margin into your life and spending time on and with that which fuels your heart. While we love to share products and services that help us day to day, but simplicity is about HEART and intentionally choosing the thing that matters most (your TREASURE) more than anything money can buy. We wear many hats and we know you do too, so we’d love to hear your thoughts as well! For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34
We want to know how you intentionally create joy in your life as well as the ways you make your busy life simpler. Submit your story here.
