Wow....it's been awhile.

Hello, All!!

I have received several comments on how long my honeymoon was going to last so I thought I would write and tell everyone that I am still here. I took a HUGE blogging break to get used to my new life as Mrs. Shelley. I hope to blog more often now and catch everyone up with pictures. Here's my favorite!!



Our wedding was absolutely perfect! I could not have asked for anything to be different. All of our amazing family and friends really made the day. I am sure there will be a post about with pictures coming soon.



Well after our wedding, we headed to Riviera Maya, Mexico and spent a blissful week relaxing and sight seeing...I might have to do a blog just on our trip alone! It was so wonderful.

Since October, we have been so busy. As you all know I was laid off last year. Well I am now a student again!! I started college again in January and will graduate next May with a degree in Graphic Design. I am loving Graphic Design and not so loving homework! Will has quit his job as a Service Advisor and started working with my dad. My dad has worked in the Restaurant Equipment business for years and is going to open another location here in town so Will is busy learning the trade. It is so great to be able to see him more and spend more quality time with him. Before when he was working at the dealership he would leave by 7 am and not be home until 7 or 8 pm. Then it was eat and go to bed. Now I see him tons more. :)

Other than that (which takes up almost all of our time) we have been celebrating the holidays, birthdays, spending time with family and trying to keep sane. Luckily we have a great family support to get us through. :) (Hi to Mom and Mom-in-Law reading this! Love you!)

Here are a few more pictures from our wedding and bridal portraits by our amazing photographer, Jessica Meinardus.








I will try to keep you posted more often. This and next week are finals so say a prayer for me!
Ash

The Countdown has begun!

Wow...In 18 days we will be getting married!

So you understand the reason for my absence in blogland. We have been wrapping things up and trying to make sure all our checklist are complete. I can't wait to see everything all put together. October 24 is going to be here before I know it!

Also, we have been house hunting. We found one house that we both loved only to find out halfway through the process that the seller had not been honest on the disclosure and we withdrew our contract. Hopefully we can find another house that we love soon.

I have been keeping up with all of your blogs through my reader and I apologize for the lack in commenting.

In other news I have decided to return to school in the Spring. It's been almost 5 years since I was in college. I have decided to get a degree in Graphic Design. I am beginning to think that this lay off was God's gift to me. Giving me the opportunity to plan our wedding and figure out what I wanted to do as a career.

I'll leave you with one more picture.....so sweet :)

Photo Credit: Jessica Meinardus Photography

Been Awhile...

Wow....Does anyone still read this???

I haven't blogged in nearly a month! What's wrong with me!  I managed to keep up with all of you through my reader but just haven't been motivated to make a post.

Nothing too exciting has been going on lately.  Just busy! 

Let's see in the past four weeks I have had Etsy orders to fill, spent time with close friends, wedding planning and traveling. AND oh yeah, We have been house hunting which has filled most my days!

House Hunting summed up in one word - STRESSFUL!  There is so much to think about (area, resale value, what we really NEED) and so much to do(appointments, offers, reading a zillion pages of a contract) and the bad stuff (waiting on offer to go through, being rejected).  Our heads are still up (after a day of pure depression :) ) and the hunt continues.

Wedding planning was put on a short hold for house hunting, but with only 104 days to go I need to be getting busy!  

We went camping on the 4th (my first camping experience ever) and it was pure bliss.  hehehe yeah right.  Anyone who know me knows that is not the true.  It was fun but I will not sleep in a tent ever again!  Post with pictures to come soon.

Other than that life is moving by way to fast.  When I go to sleep tonight I will wake up and it will be Wednesday already.  Anyone else feel like that?

Off to bed I go...back to wedding planning tomorrow.  Lots to still get done!

Weekend Getaway

A couple weekends ago Will and I took off for Branson, Missouri. We left out Saturday morning and came back on Sunday evening.  Also Logan and Mandy (Will's brother and wife) were in Branson.  So Saturday we met them for some retail therapy at the Outlet malls and then headed out to dinner.

 I am so upset that I didn't take any pictures but these two.  Sorry Logan and Mandy!  After dinner we headed to the race track - go carts that is.  We had a blast!  Although the seatbelt rubbed the threads on my shirt and ruined it.  

Sunday Will and I did a little more shopping, some putt putt and eating.  It was a great little getaway and we plan on doing it again soon.

Crafting...

Lately I have been crafting every day. I am attempting to clean out my supply closet before I start on wedding projects.

Here are a few things I've done lately...

Cross Canvases - 

This one is for my friend Leah for her kitchen - 

This one will be for sale in my Etsy shop

Initial board - 

Hairbow Holders - 

Abstract Canvas - 

This is also for Leah for her bathroom. (work in progess)

Door Hangers - 

This one is my fav!  It has a front and back!
Name Plaques - 
Custom Orders Etsy Bulletin Boards - 

Whew!  Still tons more to come...Stay tuned!

Engagement Pictures Preview!!!!

I am in LOVE with our Engagement Pictures.  

I have uploaded the pictures to our wedding blog.

To see, click here.

Can't wait to see what our awesome photographer does with our wedding.

All photos were taken by Jessica Meinardus of Jessica Meinardus Photography.  She is located in Van Buren, Ar and is incredible.  Check our her website and blog here.

Visiting

My great, wonderful friend Leah came up to spend a few days last week.  Main objective - Get Ashley a wedding dress!  Leah was a college roommate for a few years, one of my best friends, and also a bridesmaid in our wedding.  

I was so excited for her to get here!  It seems like everytime we plan to get together something happens....Snow storm, Poor Alex gets sick (Leah's son), Leah gets sick, I get sick, and so on. But this time it worked and she got here on Wednesday.  

We went and toured the location where we are getting married after she got here.  Thursday was full of dress shopping and we found the ONE!!  I love it!!  I cooked two wonderful dinners (insert big grin here) and enjoyed getting to catch up with my friend.

Here are some pictures from our adventures - 

Trying on dresses

Gavin wasn't so sure about this one

Will enduring our hours of girl talk

Thanks for coming up Leah!!  See you soon!