My Everyday Featuring ... Ashley Howry

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I met my husband at a small Baptist university in Missouri. He was there on a football scholarship and I was there on a music scholarship. We were friends for four years. Our last semester of our senior year we began dating. We graduated in May, were engaged in July and married in October. It was a whirlwind time and I wouldn't have had it any other way! After our wedding, I moved from Missouri to Texas to where Travis was already living and working as a football coach/teacher. I got a job teaching middle school choir and worked for one year. We were pregnant within our first year of marriage with our first daughter Emma. Eighteen months later came a little boy Colt. Twenty months after that came another little boy Colt. And twenty two months after that came our baby girl Eloise. Four babies in five years. I told you we like to do things in a whirlwind. ;) I have stayed at home since our first was home. I adore every minute of it and I can't imagine a better job than loving on and training up our four babies.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
Definitely first thing in the morning. Especially when we have nowhere to be. There's nothing I love more than sitting on the front porch sipping coffee watching the kids play in the yard. Slow mornings with lots of giggles.

[#3] Name Three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
@bitsofsplendor / @tiffanyruda / @mollyjunegrams

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
The biggest challenge is finding the time to be creative. I have learned through trial and error that the majority of my creative time is best spent while my kids are either napping or in bed for the night. When they're awake they are my focus. My husband and babies will always be my number one focus. My blog (www.thevanillatulip.com) and anything creative take a back seat to them!

[#5] What is a family tradition you love sharing with your kids? 
One of my favorite traditions that we have started with our kids is having big morning breakfasts together as a family. I love the slowness of the morning mixed with the smell of coffee cake, bacon and hot coffee. While breakfast is being made, the kids curl up on the couch with my husband. 

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
I would choose this image because it 100% depicts life for me right now. Every time I sit down to feed the baby the others are usually within a one foot radius. I adore my little pod! I know soon enough they'll all be big and wanting their own space.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
This particular day my husband texted asking how our day was going. I texted him this picture back. It was one of those days where everyone was fussy, including myself. 3 out of 4 kids were still fussing in the car. In an effort to cheer everybody up we were on our way to Starbucks for cake pops and coffee :) obviously we hadn't made it there yet.

Be sure and follow @thevanillatulip on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms