I recieved a small parcel in the mail & opened it to find a card from my beloved grandmother Janet Leile Parke. She is intelligent, strong, beautiful, faithful, loving, & the best grandmother I could have ever hoped for & I hope to be just like her when I'm older.
She is my biological father's mother & she has faithfully kept in contact with me for all these years. This means more to me than she will ever know. I have a whole other side of family of which I hardly know anything about. Except her. She is super special to me & I flew to Florida back in December of 2006 to see her for the first time in 13 years. It was a very emotional reunion, I'd seen her in photos so I had a good idea of what she looked like. I was waiting for my luggage, I then heard someone call my name & I knew it was her. We hugged each other & cried happy tears. It was awesome. Now a year & a half later she tells me that she probably will not be able to make it to mine & Vaughn's wedding. I said I understood but I was a bit sad. I opened the parcel & read the card. Towards the end of the card it read: I will be at your wedding. I couldn't believe it! Tears immediately came flooding to my eyes & I fell to the floor & cried for a good two minutes. It means so much to me for her to come all that way to see Vaughn & I. She has no idea just how much this means to me. I am so grateful. Thank you grandmother, I love you & I'll be seeing you soon!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The search is over...finally & the winner is...
:So as of Wednesday I was a "dress-less" bride with a wedding in 53 days & bridal photos in 14 days ...through a miraculous miracle & prayers from mom, grandma, myself & even the neighbor the bridal shop allowed us to return the dress.
they ordered the wrong size & I wanted the right size.
simple.
we got our money back.
the next day I discovered an awesome bridal shop:
http://www.bridalexpressions.biz/
*AmAzInG*
Such unique styles that were totally "me".
Located in south salt lake but completely worth the drive.
I told the bridal shop employee that I needed a dress altered & ready to go in exactly two weeks. She didn't seem the least bit worried, apparently with utah brides this occurs quite frequently...
I had faith that everything would work out for the best & remained very calm despite the situation, yet deep down I'll admit I was a bit frazzled.
I chose six gowns to try on & then ultimately was won over by this sophisticated masterpiece:
they ordered the wrong size & I wanted the right size.
simple.
we got our money back.
the next day I discovered an awesome bridal shop:
http://www.bridalexpressions.biz/
*AmAzInG*
Such unique styles that were totally "me".
Located in south salt lake but completely worth the drive.
I told the bridal shop employee that I needed a dress altered & ready to go in exactly two weeks. She didn't seem the least bit worried, apparently with utah brides this occurs quite frequently...
I had faith that everything would work out for the best & remained very calm despite the situation, yet deep down I'll admit I was a bit frazzled.
I chose six gowns to try on & then ultimately was won over by this sophisticated masterpiece:
LoVe... LoVe...LoVe it
I love the way it hugs my curves... It's beautiful, timeless, classy, sassy & not to mention looks ~smokin hot~ on
We were also diggin on the "spicy" thigh brooch. Mom said I had attitude (in a good way) when I walked out in this one.
Yep, we'll take it!
A funny bit of info: all the gowns at the shop each have their own names & this one just so happens to be called the Ava gown, which also just so happens to be the name Vaughn & I would like to name our first little girl. A for Ashley + V for Vaughn + A for Ava = AVA! I've loved the name Ava for years ... quite the funny coincidence!
Anyway, after more prayers that all would turn out for the best, the blessings continued on:
the seamstress announced my dress ready for wear by June 1st, Hallelujah!
The alterations only totaled up to a measly $35.00, such a blessing!
This may seem a bit silly but I know this is the dress I was meant to have all along.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Marriage on the Mind
Honestly, 80% of my life right now has been consumed with getting ready to get married, so there's really nothing else to blog about besides love, wedding details, marriage, & well... love.
I couldn't help but wonder how much, if at all, anyone is interested . I suppose if you don't care, there's really no point in reading for a couple of weeks, because really.. that's all you're gonna be hearing about!
Okay, moving right along....
I was just recalling the night Vaughn revealed unto me that he is in love. I hope he doesn't mind that I am writing this on the blog... I just wanted to share because it's too special.
The night was December 16th, 2007. He was sooo nervous & I knew it. I was a bit confused because he told me he had something to tell me but then he fell silent for what seemed an eternity. I began to worry, whats going on?! Ah, the suspense...
He said he didn't want me to feel like I had to reciprocate what he was about to say. Okay I say.
I have his exact words from the moment because I stored them in my mind until I arrived home & then wrote them down in my journal. Here goes: "I wanted to say something to you... I have been thinking it for awhile now & I don't want you to feel like you have to reciprocate what I am going to say or even say anything at all but Ashley........
(long pause)
........I LoVe YoU.
I've realized this last week that I have fallen in love with you & I've wanted to say it so many times this weekend it almost burst out of me!" I was speechless, in a good way. I recall the spirit being there & it was the sweetest of sweet moments. With Vaughn I have quite the collection of those sweet moments. He then said he was quite hesitant to tell me because he didn't want to scare me away. Since I wasn't quite expecting it, I just kept quiet for a moment to collect my thoughts. I knew that I really liked him & loved to be with him & I had never laughed so much in my life. Vaughn can get me laughing like no one else can. We just have so much fun together. I realized that I was just simply happy whenever I was in his presense. My family also mentioned that I would light up whenever they would ask about him. So yes I told Vaughn, I love you too. Of course my emotions were present & I had never told a boy that I loved him. Ever. So this was a huge deal to me & up to that point I had never been in love. I think he was quite relieved when I reciprocated the feeling. It comes so easily to love my Vaughn. I can honestly say that Vaughn is my best friend & he will be forever & ever.
Nine days later...
December 25th, 2007: the day Vaughn & I decided to make marriage our goal,
we both have had marriage on our minds....
I heard a quote in which I completely agree:
"The successful marriage depends in large measure upon the preparation made in approaching it". I loved hearing that! I am so glad I have waited until now. I am glad because it's so much more sweet to me. Waiting for something makes everything that much more wonderful when it finally arrives. I know that Vaughn & I have been preparing our entire lives for an eternal marriage. We have worked hard & have sacrificed much these last few months for July 15th, but it's so minimal compared to the glorious blessing of being able to be sealed in the temple for time & all of eternity. I am in awe of mine & Vaughn's relationship. If people really knew just how in love we are... Someone told me the other day that they don't believe in true love. I then told them that they obviously have not seen Vaughn & I together then.
What Vaughn & I have is the truest love you will ever find.
TrUe LoVe.
I hope that person will be fortunate enough to experience true love because there is simply nothing better! Can I get an amens! ,
I couldn't help but wonder how much, if at all, anyone is interested . I suppose if you don't care, there's really no point in reading for a couple of weeks, because really.. that's all you're gonna be hearing about!
Okay, moving right along....
I was just recalling the night Vaughn revealed unto me that he is in love. I hope he doesn't mind that I am writing this on the blog... I just wanted to share because it's too special.
The night was December 16th, 2007. He was sooo nervous & I knew it. I was a bit confused because he told me he had something to tell me but then he fell silent for what seemed an eternity. I began to worry, whats going on?! Ah, the suspense...
He said he didn't want me to feel like I had to reciprocate what he was about to say. Okay I say.
I have his exact words from the moment because I stored them in my mind until I arrived home & then wrote them down in my journal. Here goes: "I wanted to say something to you... I have been thinking it for awhile now & I don't want you to feel like you have to reciprocate what I am going to say or even say anything at all but Ashley........
(long pause)
........I LoVe YoU.
I've realized this last week that I have fallen in love with you & I've wanted to say it so many times this weekend it almost burst out of me!" I was speechless, in a good way. I recall the spirit being there & it was the sweetest of sweet moments. With Vaughn I have quite the collection of those sweet moments. He then said he was quite hesitant to tell me because he didn't want to scare me away. Since I wasn't quite expecting it, I just kept quiet for a moment to collect my thoughts. I knew that I really liked him & loved to be with him & I had never laughed so much in my life. Vaughn can get me laughing like no one else can. We just have so much fun together. I realized that I was just simply happy whenever I was in his presense. My family also mentioned that I would light up whenever they would ask about him. So yes I told Vaughn, I love you too. Of course my emotions were present & I had never told a boy that I loved him. Ever. So this was a huge deal to me & up to that point I had never been in love. I think he was quite relieved when I reciprocated the feeling. It comes so easily to love my Vaughn. I can honestly say that Vaughn is my best friend & he will be forever & ever.
Nine days later...
December 25th, 2007: the day Vaughn & I decided to make marriage our goal,
we both have had marriage on our minds....
I heard a quote in which I completely agree:
"The successful marriage depends in large measure upon the preparation made in approaching it". I loved hearing that! I am so glad I have waited until now. I am glad because it's so much more sweet to me. Waiting for something makes everything that much more wonderful when it finally arrives. I know that Vaughn & I have been preparing our entire lives for an eternal marriage. We have worked hard & have sacrificed much these last few months for July 15th, but it's so minimal compared to the glorious blessing of being able to be sealed in the temple for time & all of eternity. I am in awe of mine & Vaughn's relationship. If people really knew just how in love we are... Someone told me the other day that they don't believe in true love. I then told them that they obviously have not seen Vaughn & I together then.
What Vaughn & I have is the truest love you will ever find.
TrUe LoVe.
I hope that person will be fortunate enough to experience true love because there is simply nothing better! Can I get an amens! ,
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers day at the park
Happy Mom Day to the greatest mother in the universe!
Abbie chimed in: "Happy Mom Day, we love you & you love us & she takes care of us, thank you for fixing my special dinner, Love you momma!"
Abbie also mentioned that she will soon be an "Old, nutty grandma" & "Thank you for making me everything I like, pizza and I also like tacos, yogurt & I love you cause yew so special to me"
After church we went to the park to play baseball, it was a good time & perfect weather
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Engagement Photos
There are so many awesome photos, it's difficult to choose favorites!
Thanks Kyr you did a great job!
Thanks Kyr you did a great job!
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