326 Days & Counting!

It is absolutely crazy how fast time is going!  I can't believe we are down to about 10.5 months till our big day!  Since I last posted it's like I blinked and time flew by.  I've also started our "wedding" website and you can check out all things wedding by going to Ashley & Adam. 

I've only been home 1 week out of the last 4 so I haven't made as much progress as I should have on our wedding plans but I have lots of ideas swirling in my head.  My parents did come down for a quick visit this past weekend and mom and I went to a bridal show in Chattanooga.  It wasn't very large but I did meet with a couple vendors that I want to follow up with more (videographer, DJ/speciality lighting and florist).  I also made 3 appointments to try on gowns at some local boutiques in the coming weeks.  Also... I tried on dresses for the first time!  Saturday morning mom and I had an appointment with my wedding coordinator who also runs a linen business so I wanted mom to see everything she had available.. then we ran by Hobby Lobby because I've decided I want to make our invitations.. (why pay someone to do something that I love to do?!).. and then... I decided to run into a bridal store to see the colors they have available for bridesmaids and the bridal gowns were calling to me.  They carry the line that I really like - Maggie Sottero - so I decided to bite the bullet and try on a few.  The third dress I put on I think could possibly be THE dress.  It even fit perfect... meaning.. no alterations!! I've never bought a speciality dress that didn't need something altered!  Maybe it's a sign.. I'm not ready to "say YES to the dress" quite yet though. 

Adam and & I spent 8 days in Michigan over the 4th of July.  It was BLAZING hot.  We had a lot of fun and I came back with an awesome tan.  Our baby boy also swam in the pool for the first time!  Cutest thing ever!  We ordered him a life jacket for next year because he seems a little bottom heavy, funny thing is, he can stand up on his back legs in the shallow end and he's like my height!  Some of the most exciting news that we've known for a few weeks now but couldn't share is that his sister Ashleigh & her husband Drew are expecting their first baby in January!  We are really excited for them and they will make wonderful parents!

I've got lots of pictures from Michigan just haven't uploaded them yet - here's some from my iPhone:

As you can tell, our baby boy LOVES spending time at his grandparent's house.

June Check-In

It's been a whirlwind these past few weeks.  When I called back what I thought was "our" venue to pay the deposit and ask a few follow up questions, everything fell apart.  I feel like when Mom and I went up there for the tour we got the sales pitch.  I'm so glad I had some things to clarify with them or I would have been horribly disappointed come Wedding day..!  We have decided on another venue that I think is a better fit overall anyway that's still on Lookout Mountain and available on June 8th!  They are even doing some renovating this fall that will make it even more fabulous.  We still have the option of an outside ceremony but at this point I'm leaning towards having everything inside. 

Sneak Peek!

I've been meeting/interviewing wedding planners/coordinators and have my last meeting tonight with a husband/wife duo.  We met the photographers last night and have them booked -- it's another husband/wife duo and they take such beautiful, traditional photos.  Next up with them will be our engagement pics in a few months. 

Last week I had to go to Niagara Falls, NY for the week for work.  I flew home Friday, the day that Nick Wallenda walked across the wire over the falls!  I was glad to get out of there before the 100,000+ people flooded the city.  

Today would have been my grandparents 59th Wedding Anniversary, a bittersweet day for sure.  I remember when we had their surprise 50th wedding anniversary party with all the family.  I'm so grateful for all the wonderful memories I have of my grandfather.   

Step 1 -- Find a venue and book the date!

These past 3 weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions - excited, happy, loving, anxiety, stressed -- you name it I've been there!  Still over the moon happy and in love though so that's what matters right??  We went to Michigan for Memorial Day so it was fun to see all of Adam's family and celebrate our big news.  We got back late Monday night and then Mom came down Wednesday evening.  I have been researching venues pretty much everywhere from south of Knoxville to the GA border looking for the "perfect" spot for our big day.  I narrowed in on 2 contenders and made appointments to go see them with mom Thursday morning. 

There was one place we saw pictures of online (that shall remain nameless because I don't want sued) that we were sooo excited to go see.  The pictures just made it seem like the perfect spot.  Well, on the way out to this "spot" the road went from bad to worse to flat out awful!  We drove down the LONG gravel driveway into the gravel parking lot and I really didn't even want to get out of the car (I had the same feeling several times house hunting and it brought back unwanted memories!).  Once we got out of the car, the first thing you see across the river was barges being loaded at a huge dock.  Not exactly the backdrop I was going for.  The Italian style house had a lot of damage that was very visible and when we went inside to meet the event coordinator the place was dirty.  There was even a dog in the kitchen while they were preparing food for an event!!!  Thanks but no thanks!  We went through the tour and quickly left.

The first place we saw is one that I've always thought was beautiful when I've seen pictures on the web.  The estate sits at the top of Lookout Mountain right across the GA border.  The girl that met us to give the tour was knowledgeable and personable and suggested different ways to stage the events.  When mom saw the croquet lawn, where the ceremony would be, she started crying -- it is such a beautiful, romantic area.  There's a huge patio on the back of the house we would use for the reception and it overlooks the valley.  The only downside with this venue is there's not a good rain back up.  We would have to rent a pavilion on the property as the backup, especially since we are having 150 people and a seated dinner.  I'm ok with the reception being in the pavilion but they told me the ceremony would have to be as well -- the HUGE problem I have with that is they aren't willing to flip the space in between so guests would basically be sitting at round tables for the ceremony.  I can't imagine paying all the thousands it will be to have guests sitting there like they are at a sporting event... decisions decisions.

Adam went back up there with Mom and me Sunday evening so we could see what the area looked like around the time of our proposed ceremony and it was really pleasant out.  He really liked the area and the uniqueness of it.  I called the venue yesterday and we have a hold on it until tomorrow for June 8th, 2013.  So we are getting married in 368 days!  I also have a hold on a photographer who's work I really like and a B & B that's right across from the venue.  Now we all just have to start praying for no rain!!!  

Thursday evening the girls I work with threw an engagement party for me!  It worked out great because mom got to come with me.  They had everything pink for decor and all my favorite foods (fruit, pink cupcakes complete with engagement ring toppers), pepperoni rolls, chick-fil-a nuggets (extra crispy), pink champagne, and lots of other goodies!).  They got me a beautiful tiara and a rhinestone picture frame.  

 

We are engaged!!!

Note:  We got engaged 5/20 but I waited to post this so we could get a hold of friends/family before they read it on here!

Wow -- what a day!  Adam started things off with a bang this morning!  He woke me up from a dead sleep at 7am to pop the question!  I said... YES! :)

Let's back up... Tuesday was Adam's 28th birthday.  We had plans to go to dinner pretty much right after work at PF Changs (his fav).  He got home before I did to let Henderson out and then we were going to head on once I got home (a few minutes later).  I was getting off our exit and he calls to tell me he's going to FedEx (quite a ways away and towards the restaurant) to pick up his new "mouse" for his computer.  I was like I'm almost home?!  Why don't we just get it after dinner?!  So he reluctantly agreed.  I'm thinking we've lived at our house for over a year and had probably 50 packages delivered and they've never required a signature -- this must be some computer mouse!  Little did I know, the ring was what we picked up! 

After we finished dinner, our fortune cookies came!  They could not have been more perfect! 

Adam's said:

"You are about to embark on a most delightful journey!"

Mine said:

"An exciting opportunity lies ahead of you."

Pretty good fortunes!  Actually, mine was reversed when I opened it and it said "moustache" in Chinese and I was like what kind of fortune is this?!?

So, we finished up, grabbed some blizzards from DQ for dessert and headed to the FedEx pick up center.  He ran in, got the package and we headed home.  

Fast forward to Thursday... Adam hadn't said anything about this super-duper mouse that had to be signed for so I'm like how's your new mouse?!  Why did you need a new one?!  You just got one a month ago!  He gave me some story about how the new computer game needed a new mouse and blah blah blah... so I bought it.  Then, I was in the basement putting something away and I look over at his computer and I'm like well that's strange.. looks like the old mouse to me!  

My parents and grandma came down to see us Friday.  We had a nice weekend hanging out around the house, going to some yard sales, eattin' some good meals, chatting with the neighbors, etc.  While mom, grandma and I were out at the yard sales Saturday morning, Adam and my dad had gone to the shooting range.  After they finished up, Adam asked my dad for his blessing for us to marry.  We've had fun teasing Adam about asking my dad while they were at a shooting range!  I guess they were back home though and Adam said he said to my dad "Since you're out of ammo, I wanted to ask you something..."

We went to dinner last night, came home, watched some TV and headed to bed.  Fast forward to this morning...

Adam always gets up early with Henderson to take him out, feed him, etc while I'm still sleeping.  I heard Adam come back in the room and then heard him brushing his teeth and fixing his hair in the bathroom.  I thought well that's weird, why is he getting ready so early in the morning...usually he comes back to snuggle me until I wake up.  Then, he shut the bedroom door (which we NEVER do because the cats don't like to be shut out!  Trixie was on the bed and Mason was shut out when this happened so Mason proceeded to rattle the door the whole time).  He said "I have to talk to you."  In my half asleep state, my first thought was Wow.. he's really serious.  Then, I thought, oh no, he's going to tell me my Japanese maple is dead out front!  (It's been looking pretty rough all weekend and it's kinda become a joke because Adam confessed to spraying it with weed killer, so I assumed he was preparing me for what I was going to see when I did get up.)  He kept asking me if I was awake and then proceeded to tell me how much he loves me, that he always wants to see me happy, that he wants to have a family with me and that he wants to marry me!  

I was so caught off guard (not to mention looking like what the cat drug out of the woods probably!) the first words out of my mouth were.... Are you serious?!  Followed up with .... "Did you ask my dad..."  Adam goes... Are you going to say yes or not?!  I said of course I will marry you!!  

Such a great way to start the day :)  

Our first call was to his mom and then we ran upstairs to wake up my parents and grandma.  They are all so excited and happy for us.  It took a while to call all of Adam's siblings and the rest of our friends/family but everyone has been so excited for us.  We don't have a clue when -- I'm thinking Spring 2013 at this point.  

I couldn't be happier to spend my life with Adam and I love him more than I ever thought possible.  Not only am I marrying my best friend, I am gaining so many wonderful family members.  I love his siblings like they are my own and feel like I'm getting the sisters I never had and didn't know I wanted :)

Now, let's talk about the ring!!!  We literally ring shopped from Louisiana to Michigan over the past 14ish months.  As you may have come to realize, I'm a pretty picky girl!  When we first started looking, I thought I wanted the rings that have "wavy bands" but then I never liked the way the band and engagement ring "fit" together.  Then, I was really liking halo mounted rings... then.. around October I saw MY ring.  I think it was love at first sight (kinda like with Adam!!).  It's a round solitaire with 6 shared prong diamonds mounted on either side of the band.  It's such a classic and the diamond he got is BIG and GORGEOUS!!!  I remember he told one of the jewelers somewhere that I was too beautiful to have a simple mounting (how sweet is he?!).  I can't stop staring at the ring!  I told him I'm going to have such an unproductive week!  We are heading to his parents house this weekend for Memorial Day and are looking forward to celebrating with everyone.  I guess next up, we will have to figure out this whole wedding planning thing!  We all know there's going to be lots of pink!!!

And now.. some pictures!!   

First time I've been early to work in a while!  So excited to share the good news with my co-workers and friends!

12 Days 8 States

After Easter, life got crazy again.  We drove back from WV Sunday evening and I left bright and early the next morning for Oxford, MS.  Talk about a long, boring drive!  I was invited by Winchester, another division of Olin, to participate in some training at one of their new locations.  It was neat to see another branch of the business but it made for a long drive in a short amount of time.  Oxford is a cute, quaint town.  It's also the home of Mississippi State so there were tons of college kids roaming around.  The old downtown has a lot of character and charm and I'm sure I could have done some damage at the boutiques lining the streets had I had more time (and energy)!

I got back Tuesday night, worked Wednesday and Thursday, then flew to Pittsburgh for a weekend in Morgantown!  I was a guest speaker at an engineering conference at WVU Saturday morning (wow, that makes me sound old!!) so I invited Jen & Lauren to come stay at the hotel with me and we had a reunion with Jaime.  It was so much fun being together and having girl time!!!



Love how this picture turned out (no, we didn't plan to match!).  This was taken in front of Woodburn Hall on the downtown campus.  Lots of memories in that town!



I flew back to TN Sunday, did laundry and re-packed!!!  Thursday, Adam and I were up BRIGHT & EARLY to drive to Atlanta to catch a flight to San Francisco for a long-weekend together (along with 3/4s of his family).  We had been counting down since February for our trip to Cali and San Fran has always been on my "bucket list" (ok - mainly Alcatraz) but San Francisco just looks so beautiful in all the pictures!  That being said, CA deserves it's own post (or two) so more to come!   

Hippity Hop -- Right thru April

 

It’s hard to believe that this was the 3^rd year Adam has gone home for Easter with me (Henderson’s second).  It’s funny to compare the past 3 years of Easters – see below.  I guess we haven’t really changed that much, the biggest change has been our zip codes over the last 3 years!  I love that Adam tolerates my need for us to match on Easter Sunday J

 

 

Adam was wearing my grandpa's tie in the middle picture and one of his white dress shirts this year (bottom pic).  Funny thing is, he didn't try on the shirt prior to Easter morning and the sleeves were a little on the short side!  Lesson learned about not trying things on in advance!

 

We had a nice visit at home and got to spend time with Abs.  That little tyke has soooo much energy!  She can wear out 5 adults and still keep going and going and going!  She loves to wrestle Adam.

 

   

Telling Adam what to do - wonder who she learned that from??

 

 

We also celebrated Granny, Chip and my birthday while we were all there together.  I can't believe I'm 26!  When did I get this old?!?  I still feel like I'm 18.



Family pic for my birthday minus the cats



The April Birthday Babies and our official "candle blower outer"

  

 

 

We ended Easter weekend with what's becoming our traditional Easter egg hunt with Miss Abbie.  I remember in 2009, when we "hid" the eggs for her by laying them in the grass.  Now, she will race you to get them in her basket before you can and loves to decorate them ahead of time with paint, stickers, dye, markers and sometimes even rocks.  

 

     

Tornadoes Part II

March 2^nd, less than a year after the horrific tornadoes swept through the region, we got slammed again.  This time, the storms hit even closer to home.  Friday afternoon a co-worker and I headed to lunch in Cleveland before a meeting at the Division office.  It had started raining on the way to lunch and by the time we left, the sky was sooo dark and strange looking.  We pulled into the office parking lot and the admin was yelling for us to GET INSIDE!  We all huddled in the back of the building away from the windows/doors until the “all clear.”  The storm didn’t come that close to us but once it passed, another co-worker called and said Ooltewah had been hit and the road to our subdivision was closed.  I think I had a mini heart attack. Adam had left a little early to go pick Henderson up at daycare and was down near Chattanooga/Ooltewah.  I called him and he was getting off our exit.  He was able to make it to our house and luckily, we had no damage!  Our power was knocked out for about 6-7 hours but we will take that over damage any day.  About 3 miles north of our subdivision houses were completely flattened.  The tornado had come up over the hill and just left a huge path of destruction.  I made it home about an hour later and right after I went by they closed the Ooltewah exit.  There were cops and ambulances everywhere.  We had tickets to the Brad Paisley concert in Knoxville and I really wanted to still go.  We were still under severe tornado watch until about 10pm that evening but my theory was whether we were there or not, a tornado was still going to come if it was coming.

So I talked a disgruntled Adam into leaving and we made the trip to Knoxville, which was also under a tornado watch.  The concert was great!!  Scotty McCreary opened for the Band Perry who opened for BRAD PAISLEY!! I also like to go to Brad’s concert when I can, nice to support my fellow West Virginians.  Carrie Underwood also made a surprise appearance, it made my night!  She is so pretty and I love their duets. 

While we were at the concert, another tornado did come through the Ooltewah area though, again no damage to our house.  By the time we got back home, around midnight, the power was back on.  

Saturday morning we drove around the town and it is so sickening to see the damage that was done.  It is truly a miracle that no one was killed – had the storm been 2 hours later, kids would have been home from school and parents from work. 

Video of damages on street to our subdivision