They Call it Amore

Hello my dear friends!

It's been a while since Jeff and I said our nuptials, and what better way to keep memories of a lovely wedding alive than pictures? I have had an amazing experience with each and every photographer that I've had the priveledge of working with this past year, including the husband/wife duo, Kim and Chris Smith.

These two run the business Blue Bulb Photography - are fun, laid back, and seriously awesome photographers. If you're looking for a personable local photographer for a great price, I'd highly recommend them!

Now lets see some pictures!

The process of getting ready...

Jeff and I wrote letters to each other to read before the wedding... you know, to make sure that neither of us had changed our minds. ;)

These guys had entirely too much fun "getting ready."

We had our own fun, too. I loved my crew of girls!

These girls really were fantastic. I was spoiled with attention, giggles, and delicious hot chocolate. Thank you!

Once makeup was applied, hair was curled, and ties were knotted, group pictures were taken (Here's a few of MANY)!

The ceremony was short and sweet, and the reception was laid back and was filled with good food, mingling and fabulous people...

The wonderful photography duo!

So many people were involved with making this wedding a special and unique affair. My aunt, Lori Greiving made the dresses, veil, and tons of other little details behind the scenes. The Haleys were the most gracious and accommodating hosts I've ever met, and Shellie is one heck of a party planner! The list goes on, and on and on... but here are just a few snippets of the details that these fantastic people poured themselves into to making this one unforgettable day!

The cupcakes were delicious, dainty, and courtesy of the talents of Sherrill Moody and Laurel Kramer.

Did I mention that I had a phenomenal Maid of Honor? She also did the bouquets ( among many, many other thankless tasks for which I am eternally grateful).

Thank you , thank you, thank you! again to everyone that was involved. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people to support me and my family.


Lots of love,
Ashley

Showers of Happiness

First of all, I want to say that I am unusually lucky in that I have some of the most amazing friends. I say this knowing full well that I am not the easiest person to get along with. When I asked Ashley Fister to be my maid of honor, I knew that I'd get a lot of help and advice, but she blew me away with her amazing skills, tireless work, and dedication to making this wedding memorable. One might wonder where one gets these fantastic traits. Well, in the case of Ashley, I think it's safe to say that her mother is a huge contributor. Ashley and her mother planned a fantastic wedding shower, went overboard with food, graciously hosted and entertained my friends and family in their home. It was a wonderful afternoon full of laughter, satisfied bellies, lovely gifts, and entertaining factoids about Jeff and I.

Lori( my aunt), Karen Parker( my grandmother), Libby ( my mother), and I. Three generations all on one couch!

Lovely friends! Ashley, Kendall, and Vanessa

The whole affair was so much fun that even Jeff couldn't stay away ( or I gave him the wrong time, either way, he was entertaining and helpful, and could not stop talking about days later)

SO much good food! The delicious cake was just a small portion of what Nancy and Ashley did!

Some Trials Try You More Than Others

My life has been very full, and very busy as of late. I've been able to develop a wonderful and deep relationship with an amazing man who treats me like royalty, I have been blessed to find employment while I work on improving myself, I have a brother who is preparing to serve an honorable mission in Mesa, Arizona for the next two years. The Lord is blessing me in so many ways, it only stands to reason that he's going to present me, and the people in my life equal opportunity for trials and growth.

My mother was diagnosed in the past couple of weeks with a Glioblastoma, which is an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer. We caught it by accident, because we took her in thinking she was having stroke like symptoms. As she stands, her life expectancy is 2-4 months. Because we caught it, and she's a candidate, they are going to perform a craniotomy next Friday, which has the potential to extend her life up to a year.

A lot to digest? It certainly was for me. After a weekend of bliss with the man of my dreams, it certainly grounded me back to Earth without any padding. Jeff and I had originally planned on a May wedding, but with the information about my mother in hand, we made the ultimate decision to push the wedding forward to February so that she would be able to actively participate and enjoy her daughter getting married. The entire concept has been slightly overwhelming, but I have been amazed with all the people in our lives that have stepped up to make this happen, not just in a simple and sweet way, but in a big loud and amazing and lavish way.

Really, my family and I are so grateful to those who have been supportive and ever present through this ordeal up until this point. I am so touched to see the generosity and selflessness of others, and it is reassuring to know that there are people in each of our lives that will be there in such a dire situation when you need them the most.

Its going to be a tough time ahead, and I'm still processing everything, and trying to move forward. I just wanted to let everyone know the situation, and to thank those of you who have been so awesome to me and my family. We appreciate you more than words can express.

I also want to thank my dear, dear fiance, without whom I would not be so put together and functioning. He has been my rock, my comfort, and my voice of reason. I am eternally grateful to have such a solid companion and outstanding man as my future husband. Thank goodness I got to him before someone else figured out how amazing he is.