Good Evening! Usually I post about my wedding and how excited I am to be getting married but I would like to take this moment to express how thankful I am for the life I've been chosen to live. All my life and probably every day of my life someone mentions how spoiled I am and have always been. I am very spoiled...I pretty much always get what I want. Growing up my parents provided me with what I wanted now I provide for myself with Aaron's help at times. (LOL) So you're right, I am spoiled...VERY spoiled actually, but I don't take for granted life does not have to be this way and everyone is not as fortunate. In addition to me being spoiled I'm also spoiled with the company I keep. I'm surrounded by many great people who have played a great role into making me into the lady that I am today. People hear me speak on my possessions and the type of life style I am accustom to living and automatically assume that tough times don't exist in my life or I've never had to struggle. It's not that I don't struggle its that I'm always on my hustle. My goal is to be two steps ahead of the struggle in life. So with that being said please allow me to share 5 things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.


1. FAMILY- My family is everything to me. If I have it so does my family. I come from a huge family and they are the true definition of FAMILY. There is not a such thing as falling, or struggling, or hard times in my family. My whole family from youngest to oldest have been taught when one is down we are all down until we can pick them up. So with that said we are the family that lifts each other up in times of happiness and in times of need. Not only do we treat each other this way, we treat all that are within our family's circle the same way. I am thankful to have been taught this. It almost keeps me on top of my game, I'm always afraid to fall because if I'm down I can't be of assistance to those who made need me within my family's circle.
2. LOVE- I'm thankful for love. With so much hate in my generation its hard to identify love any more. I'm thankful to have found love. I'm surrounded by love every where I go. When I'm social networking its nothing but love. My blog receives nothing but love. My babe is ALL love. Last but not least my friends are crazy but I probably couldn't love them more. It may seem strange to be thankful for love, but just imagine life without something or someone to love? Life wouldn't be worth living. As a child before you can talk, before you can walk, before you can do anything you are first taught to love. Love is an important thing to possess. It's important to receive love and it is also important to give love. When all else fails Love will prevail. It may not seem that way but trust me. Nothing can come between true love, not even death. So if you have nothing to love or no one to love, I encourage you to get you something to LOVE because believe it or not....SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BABY! (in my best Patti LaBelle voice)
3. HEALTH- I know I'm not the healthiest but I'm working on it..Last Thanksgiving (2011) I spent it in the hospital with my dad. He had a severe but minor stroke. We didn't even know if he would be able to ever write his name again this time last year. This time last year he didn't even know how to use a remote for the TV or use his cell phone. I'm completely thankful and forever grateful to GOD to say he knows how to do all of these things as of today. I hope that was the last Thanksgiving I spend in the hospital. I thank the LORD everyday of my life for my health and strength. So many people complain about feeling bad and not being their dream size. I'm just glad to have my health and strength and I'm even more glad my dad has his health and strength. He's isn't 100% but he's about 85% there. I couldn't ask for more of a miracle in his life. You ain't got to have a beach body, or the perfect shape, just praise GOD that you are here and your health isn't in any worse condition.
4. AARON- That's my BABE! We fuss and fight like cats and dogs but I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. As stated above, I'm spoiled...It's my way or no way most of the time. I'm just not the easiest person in the world to get along with...let's just say that. Aaron handles me so well some times he amazes me. He spoils me bunches but he always seems to know how not to spoil me too much. He puts up with my attitude and my ways and he just loves me for me. I couldn't ask for more. He wants the best for me the same way I want the best for him. It's really hard to find someone that's as solid as he is. I'm never disrespected, I'm always treated like number one, he knows how to pick me up when I'm down. Seriously...Who could ask for more? I've been with plenty different guys and nobody compares. I look at other people's relationship and I stop and praise GOD. (LOL)
5. DRIVE- You see me with all these nice things and wonder how I got them. It's my drive that helps me do what i have to do to get what I want. I'm a customer relationship manger by day, a cake artist by night, and a beauty salon assistant on the weekends. Yup, that's three jobs. My drive to have and provide the best life possible for myself and those around me is out of this world. My drive is EVERYTHING....I hustle like this because I realize I'm the two paychecks short of the projects like everyone else. I hustle like this because I can't struggle, how can I be who I say I am if I not available to those in my circle who may need me? You can't call yourself family if you guys aren't able to life each other up in times of need. Everything I want I have to be able to get, I don't want to not be able to afford what my wants. I don't have to work three jobs, you're right. It's a choice...not being able to do what you want to do is a choice to in my eyes. So with that said I view the DRIVE that god a given me as a gift. I can't thank him enough for giving me this gift. We won't ever go with out....and I said WE because as long as you're in my circle WE will always be just fine.

So...those are my 5 things I'm most thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy family and friends tomorrow with good food and great laughs. Life is too short to be sitting around miserable. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!






 

I've been neglecting my wedding blog! My apologies, fall/winter is my season! I love winter/fall fashion. I shop until i drop until literally during this time of year. I'm still planning my wedding and knocking things out slowly but surely. I've finalized the actual ceremony at the Carpenter Theatre's Gatwald Playhouse. I'm extremely excited to get married there. I wanted everything all at one location from the start. I've also decided on my meal options for the receptions. I do not want the typical plated meal or buffet. Instead I'm going with food stations and each station will be themed and the food will be some wild and crazy display. I don't want a sweet heart table instead I want a "royal table" so that Aaron and I can sit with our closest friends and family. We also will have different chef's to service the stations and carve meat for our guests. The chef's at the Carpenter Theatre are coming up with some great ideas for us such as a ice cream bar to go with our wedding cake and mash potato martinis. Next up I have a bridesmaids event for the girls of my wedding to go over the coming year of wedding planning and FUN! I also am down about 8lbs since joining weight watcher 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it wil be 10 lbs by Thanksgiving and my goal of 25 by February when i begin my wedding dress journey. Thanks for reading and keeping my encouraged! I love you all!

As you can tell, I'm always up to something. My mind is like a solider and always working! So we're coming up on a year and five months to go. That's no freakin time for a huge wedding. In addition to getting toned and shedding pounds there's a lot more I have to do. I have a whole timeline of events for my bridesmaids just so they can come together and know each other for our big day. I want them to kinda form a "sisterhood" by way of my wedding. The events are extremely fun and will def call for lots of laughs. I'm excited! I also have made appointments at two different bridal boutiques to try on gowns in February. I'm not taking a crowd with me or any friends. I'm taking my maid of honor, mother and god mothers. If they can all agree on a dress along with my approval, THAT'S THE DRESS! I'm extremely excited to lose weight and to try on dresses. About my dress...I want my dress to be extremely classy with a very small bit of sexy edge. I love sexy edge but my wedding does not call for much sex appeal. My wedding will be nothing other than classy! Every one will be treated like royalty. I don't want people cooking and decorating and all of that at my wedding...I'm going to hire people for that so that each guest will enjoy our day just the same. Aaron and I have been talking about some cute little things and surprises at the wedding. I'm excited, and def not telling a peep about what we have up our sleeve! I'm excited for the next year and six months to come. The world is not ready for #May3rd2014! This blog is not even the half of what our wedding day will be! Please get EXCITED!

As promised the Engagement Party Pictures have returned and I'm ready to share! First before I share I want to take the time to thank each and every person that attended! We really enjoyed the fellowship, kind words and gifts. Please enjoy these pictures and as always we have about 300 or so shots so if you want to see more please email me at [email protected]!

Also, weight loss update! I'm down 5.2 pounds. That's awesome for week 1! I'm extremely motivated, this week I'm adding some working out to the mix! Stay tuned for more pounds loss!

The enagement party is over! It was so much fun! Everyone that showed up raved over how great of time they had. We had about 65 to 70 guests. It started out over whelming but it ended a tons of fun! We had our photographer shoot pictures, which aren't back yet. As soon as the pictures are back ill be sure to do a post with further detail. Well now that that's over I'm on to my "next big thing"! Getting this body right to walk down the isle to my babe. I joined weight watchers! I said to myself, if I can commit to marry I can commit to look awesome. So my first goal is -25lbs by February 2013. I think that's extremely resonable. That's just about four and a half months to loose 25lbs. Pray for me! I'm trying. So as I gradually learn to eat right I will begin to incorporate some excersise. I don't want to scare myself. I'm excited. I'll do a weekly post with my progress. Operation "wedding body" is now in motion!

I really want everything at the wedding to be meaningful and personable. Two things I love too see at weddings are flowers withe meaning and signature drinks. They're cute touches that I love and really want to have at my wedding. Well first up the flowers.... I only want fresh flowers at my wedding. They can be expensive but extremely worth it. I did my research and I wanted flower other than roses that represented things of Aaron and my relationship. I also wanted season appropriate flowers. I like roses but they're expected at weddings and a bit over priced. So I think I'm going with peonies. They come in multiple pinks/blush tones and white which will be gorgeous with my midnight, black, and white color scheme. The peony flower represent "happy life happy marriage" which is perfect for a wedding! I also want to mix hydrangeas in with my peonies. Hydrangeas come in a periwinkle blue, white and pink. They represent perseverance. These two flower combinations represent two things I hope to have throughout my marriage.

Now for these signature cocktails! I have already created mine. It's so yummy and sweet just like a peach. I haven't thought of a name yet and I'm not telling the recipe but I know everyone is going to love it. Aaron hasn't thought of his yet but I think it should be smooth and strong just like him! He's working on it... The signature drinks will be served during cocktail hour to our wedding guests along with fruit and cheese. I really want the signature drink to serve as a conversation piece for our guests. We will also serve the signature drinks during the open bar hours at our reception. I want the drinks to looks nice and pretty...maybe in some sort of cute display. Presentation is everything! What drink ideas do you have or have had at a wedding? Do share....

So as you know our engagement party is approaching and approaching fast! October 13th at 6:30pm our families will meet and come together to be apart of our special day. So I've been working extra hard to help my mom make this successful. From planning menus to decorations to invites...I've helped with it all....my outfit is all taken care of and it is fierce! Kinda KimYe inspired and I'm excited about that. Aaron and I are also taking more engagement pics that day since we will be dressed in more dressy attire. Can you get excited!?! My coordinator and cousin have been helping so much. I'm so grateful for them...they're working like its then getting married and I can't do enough to show how thankful I am! So...this blog is where we go live. My cousin has created a iPhone app for our wedding and a website! That girl is on the ball. Follow her and my coordinator on Instagram @iamebonyangel and @bumblebeemick a Mother and daughter team that I couldn't live without right now!

First up, the iPhone App. So my Brittany created this wonderful wedding app. It's for pictures only. It's our way of seeing our wedding and wedding events from the eyes of others. How cool is that!? The app is called "Wedding Party" it looks like the above icon. You have to create a user name and password and our wedding parties name is AaronLovesAshlie. Download it and take pictures at the wedding events and please upload them so the world can see our wedding journey. The pictures will alo automatically stream to our website which is up next...

My Brittany again...created this beautiful website for Aaron and myself. (www.mywedding.com/aaronlovesashlie) It's awesome! The website is a way to learn more about our wedding and what upcoming events we will be having. The website does have a cute blog she created with some questions Aaron and I answered. Please write in the guest book if you visit so that we will know you were there.

With the world going super technical and virtual we wanted to keep our wedding as up to speed as possible. My lovely coordinator/ big cousin created these reminder cards for guests at our engagement party to have. The reminder cards have the wedding date, our app info, blog and wedding website. That way people won't have to try and remember how to find us online. Also if you're on Instagram don't forget to hashtag all your pictures from our wedding events #may3rd2014 so that the world can see #may3rd2014 is a SERIOUS MATTER!

Last but not least...I brought some cute little ideas to life for this engagement party. I got mini cards made for song requests at the wedding. I will also have these at the wedding and different events to get as many request as possible prior to the big day...Cute little cards to make everyone feel apart of our special day. Also at the engagement party I made cute little gifts to officially ask my wedding party to be apart of my big day. I asked them but nothing has been official. I bought them root beer sodas that have labels that personally ask them to take part in our day. My wonderful aunt made chocolates with our picture on them and I also have a few games up my sleeve to engage the families.

Sooo go check out all these fun apps and websites. Leave a comment and let us know what you think! Special thanks to everyone making these things for us you're the best from the east to the west!

Aaron and I have been together about five years now. It's been a long five years but we're making it. As stated in previous posts we're most definitely seeking marriage counseling for at least a year prior to the wedding. We need it. Our backgrounds are completely different but the foundation of love we were brought up on is what bonds us together. I stop and thank god everyday that we haven't had any "other girl/guy" issues. It's been me and him since day one. If there has been someone else I've never felt disrespected nor has he. I'm saying this to say....the success of our relationship is built on the foundation set before us. In past relationships I've delt with "others" and you spend most of the relationship accusing and assuming rather than enjoying each other. I'm happy to say we've had five years of enjoyment and a life time to come. I'm no relationship expert, just speaking from experience. A lot of people ask us how we got here and to make it simple....it's been AARON and ASHLIE since day one. Nobody has had the oppurtunity of knowing our business or sharing our relationship. Relationships should be intimate no matter who they're with! It's just better that way...

Also, I want to thank everyone for reading. It means the world to me. Everywhere I go people tell me how much they're enjoying my wedding blog. From work, to the mall, to family functions, Facebook, Instagram, and twitter. The love shown doesn't go unnoticed! I'm just happy to be able to share a once in a life time journey with friends family and my social media babes! Please if you have any suggestions or topics for my blog or our wedding email us! [email protected] or comment.

I'm a shoe freak. I live and breath shoes! The latest and the greatest is all I wear on my feet. I have not graduated to red bottoms yet but one day! I'm not a white shoe wearer so that's not an option for the wedding. Plus colored shoes are so daring and so me! I love the thought. You know the saying..."something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." We'll my something blue was going to be my shoes but that's so expected of me with my wedding colors being midnight white and black...but o well, I love the thought of tipping down the isle in blue shoes to my KING! But I don't want really high heels because I want to be comfy and I want to look up to him and short. Short is always cute! I hate to feel taller or even with him. So my mom says wear chuck taylors, Jordan's, Tom's....something kinda quirky that suit us. Eeeeehhhh sounds cute, but I need to be sexy and bride like this day. We will save fun for the reception and honey moon. I'm wearing heels, not high high heels like normal, but heels... At the wedding I'm thinking blue shoes but the reception I want party shoes. My shoes for both have to make a statement. My babe will probably get into some comfy fly sneakers at the wedding once I change into my sexy shoes. I def want some Giuseppe's or some Louboutin's to walk down th isle in. My needs may out weigh my wants, but you never know it could happen! I only plan on doing this once so I want everything that I want. What are your thoughts!? Any cute shoe ideas, email them to me [email protected]!

The most! I'm known to typically always do the most. Why have one when you can have two? Big or small? I want BIG! That's me....but they want to know what I love the most about my Aaron. Well, what a hard question! I love everything about him. He's everything to me! He's cute charming, loving, funny, super cool, tough and did I mention SEXY. I love him. He gives me butterflies just like he did when I use to go visit him in the hospital when we first met. Very few things in life give me butterflies. I'm extremely hard to excite, but he excites me. Besides all that mushy stuff Aaron takes the time to put up with me. I'm like an apple, I put up a hard fight but I'm mushy on the inside. My hard shell is not easily broken. Most give up before getting to the mushy but Aaron didn't. He got right to the core. It's hard to find a man that accepts the flaws and all. I question why he loves me all the time, But I guess it is not for me to know. I only know why I love him! He's the best, that's why! Whenever I call he comes running. He is well known and respected in our city and I love that. When we started dating it shocked the world, but everyone loves us together. My mouth his attitude....we're like 2012 Bonnie and Clyde! He's what I imagined as happily ever after and forever. My big tough guy!