She Said Yes!

Mister and I had a very important task to fulfill this week.

We needed to ask Nat to be our flower girl!

Mister helped pick out some flowers for my favorite little girl, and we headed to her house.

When we got their and popped the big question she heartily agreed to be in the wedding!

Hugs and more Hugs went all around.

Having her be a big part of our day means so much to me, I love this little girl to pieces!

After she said yes, we got ready to take a picture, but Nat was adamant that she be as tall as Derek for the picture.  I think she secretly thinks he's cool.  Don't worry, he likes her just as much.  Just don't tell anybody.

As she was standing on her stool, she looked over... and up... at Derek... looks like she's gonna need another growth spurt or two to catch up.

Later, Derek asked her how tall she thought he was, she did some quick mental calculations and measuring with her fingers, and answered "20 inches".

The he asked how tall I was... calculations and measurements later, "20 inches".

How tall she was... again, "20 inches".

Hmmm, maybe we need to work on Math... Don't worry Nat, I'm no good with numbers either!

Love you Nat, so glad you'll be a part of our big day!

Ash

Blow-Up Mattresses

If ever you need to go to Target to register for your wedding, I have one piece of sage advice:

Don't wear a Red Polo.

Mister made this crucial mistake.

It's not just the Red Polo that did him in, it's the fact that he had to be the one to hold the gun.

It's not a scanner it's a gun.

Big difference.

Apparently.

Whilst deciding on a shower curtain for our future bathroom (thanks Mister for letting me get the pretty one!) I noticed a lady walk into our aisle.  

Walk right up to Derek.  

Really close to Derek. 

 He just looked down at her.

Then she simply asked, "Do you know where the blow-up mattresses are?"

He didn't even answer.  I think he was confused. Why was she so close to him?

After a moment she said, "Oh..." And began to back away.

Still, he said nothing.  Just continued to stare at her.

"I guess you don't work here..."

And she practically ran out of the aisle.

I wanted to tell her they were located in the camping aisle...  but I couldn't stop laughing long enough to be coherent.  I'm overly helpful like that.

Poor Mister.  Thanks for taking life in stride and letting me laugh along the way.

Just another reason why I love ya.

ash

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Every winter it gets cold (unless you're a Floridian, then this doesn't apply to you).

And every winter, about two weeks in, I begin to hate the aforementioned cold.

My winter jackets, scarves, boots, and sweaters no longer seem like appealing clothing apparel.

Well, except for maybe the boots. I like them.
And the Scarves.

I convince myself that this is all part of the "Circle of Life" and that it is necessary for me to enjoy all of the things I adore about the Summer. 

Like warmth.

And the Sun.

And warmth.

And the ability to go outside for more than 3 seconds without turning into an icicle.

And warmth.

Every winter as I'm tail-spinning into pure hatred for the shivery season, I do something that I'm sure a lot of people would reprimand me for.

I pray for Snow.

As in, ask God to make it snow.

And although I'd be content with a Blizzard, I commit myself to being satisfied with just a Flurry.

Growing up in Florida, the chances of seeing Snow were pretty slim (read: zero percent).  But then, living in Ohio spoiled me into thinking that anytime the weather dropped to 32 degrees it would automatically snow.  We lived close to the Great Lakes, so it was somewhat true for our area.

Then I moved to Kentucky.  And the first few Winters produced enough Snow that I was still able to go sledding, and have a few Snow Days, where I got to avoid classes on the hill and stay in my nice warm bed a few hours longer.  The snow was so good to me.  I was in harmony with winter.  Eventually however, winters have become less white, with the same amount of frigidness.  It truly makes me sad.  And thus, I began to pray for snow.  

I ask God to bless me with snow as a reward for "toughing it out" with all the cold.

Yes... I know this is silly.

Yes... I know some would say this is not what prayer is for.

Yes... I am an adult.

So now, every time I see snow, I thank God for this personal blessing He has given me.  His little way of saying "see, the cold is worth it" and "you can find beauty even in the ugliest of things".

At the end of last week, when I woke up, I looked outside and saw less than a dusting of white on the ground.  But still, it was snow.  My snow.  And I was so thankful to see it.

You can't even really tell there's snow... and my car is black. It should stand out.  Yet, I was over-the-moon happy!  It had snowed!  I wasn't going to be miserable and cold for nothing today, because today there was snow.

I took a picture of the "snow" on my windshield as I was waiting for my car to heat up.

I'm pretty sure this is just ice... Not snow.

I was too happy to care.

In hindsight, I might have overreacted.

But then, the next day, there was even more snow!  And this time it really was sticking to the ground!  And enough to see (without stretching your imagination!).

 The view from my window!  I know it's not as much as some people, in some areas were fortunate enough to receive.  But it was still so much more than I was expecting.  I was so thankful for this beautiful sight!

This morning my car actually looked like it had gotten in on the fun!  I was just overwhelmed with so much excitement!  The snow had melted within an hour of me leaving for the day, and it flurried for the remainder of the day, but I was thankful nonetheless for what little we got.

Want to know a secret?

There's a chance of snow tonight.

And it's supposed to accumulate.

So yes, before I fall asleep, I will be praying for Snow.  

And thanking God for the snow he already gave me.

Hope you and yours are staying warm!

Ash