A Beautiful Mother's Day Weekend

heyyyyy!!!!

Ashley here!! Today is day 8!!! EIGHT days already at my new job! I love it.  I am SOOOOO much happier.  TONS happier.  People close to me tell me they can tell a difference.  It is really hard to work somewhere that you have given everything you can and just keep getting kicked down.  It is exhausting and very defeating.  I am thankful for what I learned and how I grew but I am excited about my future with this company!

Not only that but every other Friday, the office closes at 1! yipppeeee!!!! This Friday will be the first time they are implementing this new schedule.

In other news, we had a wonderful weekend this past weekend.  Yay Mother's Day!!!
Saturday my mom wanted to spend the WHOLE day together for Mother's Day celebration.
The biggest thing my mom wanted to do was go to the beach for the day.  We picked THE perfect day to go.  It was BEAUTIFUL and there was a really nice breeze so it didn't get unbearably hot.  That didn't stop me from getting a tiny bit too much sun...in my defense I put on sunscreen.  Apparently I just missed a few spots!

 

My dad and The Husband went fishing:

That night all 6 of us got together for a mother's day dinner.  it was very yummy ! To say I was tired at the end of the night is an understatement!

Sunday morning The Husband and I stayed in bed until 1130!!!! That is CRAZY for us.  We are usually out of bed no later than 8!!! Clearly we needed the rest.
That afternoon, we went to The Husband's parents and then dinner that night.

 

We had such a relaxing weekend! We definitely deserved it after all the hard work we put in last week.  I'm hoping we can catch some more sunshine this weekend and get a LOT more relaxing in.

I hope you had an amazing weekend!
How was your Mother's Day?
What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Love The One You're With

Yesterday, The Husband and I wished each other 'happy 6 years since our first date'  I'm not joking - we actually say sappy things like that to each other.  Every month on the 10th (dating month-iversary) and then the 13th (wedding month-iversary).  Yes we are giant dorks. And to make it worse - The Husband remembers more often than I do!  I started reminiscing over the last 6 years that we have known each other. It's like a lifetime - like I don't remember my life before him. Yes, I had a life before him but I can't remember what it was like NOT knowing him. 

Last week, The Husband and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. Three years. It is a lot of time and none at all at the same time. Things are so different in so many way since the day we said ‘I do”.  It isn't always easy that’s for sure.  Actually our first year of marriage was the toughest.  We didn't have to adjust to living together; we had already been doing that!  We were given a lot of obstacles to overcome, big decisions that I had never dreamed of having to make.  I mean when we got married, I hadn't made a car payment, mortgage payment, applied for a non-student loan. I hadn't bought a car or house – nothing major.  The Husband had to make decisions for his business, house, vehicles, it was a mess. It was stressful and it was hard.  We were both stressed for different reasons.

He ended up taking a step back from his business and found a job working for another company. He was there until the company shut down – a mere four months later. Then he was able to get another job with a much larger company.  He was away a lot. He would be gone for a week, home for the weekend, and leave again on Sundays.  It was hard on us, on our relationship.  He was stressed because he wasn’t happy, because he was never home. We didn't do a whole lot when he was home, we spent a lot of time in ‘solitude’, no socializing  - with anyone. We needed those moments for us, to catch up, recover. Get in our snuggles. 

But here we are three years later, weathered the storm and made it to the sunshine. We are so much better for it, so much stronger.  Look, the reality is that marriage doesn't make a relationship easier. In some ways it can be harder.  There is change and compromise and thinking about the ‘we’ instead of the ‘me’. Sometimes that transition isn't fun.   At the end of the day, there is no one I can imagine being stressed with, waking up next to, going on dates with, or with whom I could imagine running around the house chasing me while the giggles are unending and the silliness never stops.

We celebrated our third anniversary the day of, the way we always do.  We go to our favorite restaurant in town for dinner then make our way to ice cream.  This year the restaurant was more crowded than I have EVER seen it! We had quite the dining experience, drawn out over a couple hours. After dinner, we decided to wander around Total Wine to make room for dessert! J 

The third wedding anniversary gift is leather or glass/crystal.   We bought The Husband some new tequila to try.  NEWS FLASH (to me): The Husband really likes Tequila. I had NO IDEA.  I thought his bevi of choice was rum! So anywho – the tequila is in glass so there you go J we are also ordering him a leather sheath for his fishing pliers.  Look at that – he got the traditional AND modern gifts!

So this was a NO BRAINER for me – leather. PURSE or SHOES?! I went with purse. I’m so glad I did.  I was so excited when it was delivered that when I got home, I had The Husband take some pictures for YOUR viewing pleasure. PLUS it is super adorbs! 

 

  

We have a lot to learn as a couple and as individuals.  We are still young and have so many new things to experience together.  I'm not an expert and I know I'm not the perfect partner - ask my family.  This weekend my parents, husband and I were discussing chores, cooking, laundry, etc and I ACTUALLY said "if someone else is going to do it for me, why should I do it too".  Yeah - entitled/spoiled/princess-complex much?! I am very fortunate that The Husband helps with the chores and the cooking and doesn't expect me to do all of it. 

Here is what I know FOR SURE :

• You have to make time for each other.  Life gets in the way, you get busy, there’s family, chores, friends, work.  We all get caught up in the whirlwind that is this crazy thing called life.  It isn’t always easy.
• You love for the things they do right, you love for the ‘flaws’ or the annoying habits they have.  Maybe they slurp their drink when they aren't using a straw; maybe you don’t like the way they scroll through the guide when you are browsing for a tv show; regardless – you love them anyway.
• When it gets hard, stay and fight.  When you are totally committed to your spouse, there are very few things that can’t be overcome and worked out.
• The grass is not always greener.  What you get in social media is what the ‘host’ wants you to see.  FB, blogworld, Twitter, Instagram, etc – you are seeing THE. VERY. BEST. of people and their relationships. Keep that in mind and don’t compare what you have to what they have.   

It is not always easy and sometimes it isn't that fun, if we are being completely honest.  But it is ALWAYS worth it =)

You can read about our first date, wedding recaps, and anniversary one and two.
Happy Tuesday!

Love The One You're With

Surprise Anniversary Date

This past weekend The Husband planned a surprise day trip for our 3rd wedding anniversary, which we celebrated last week. This day trip was a secret the entire time - even during the drive to the destination he wouldn't tell me. It wasn't a short drive either - for a couple HOURS I had no clue where we were going or what we were doing. Talk about a LONG ride!  I didn't even know what to wear, I knew we would be outside but I still couldn't decide what to wear. I put on jeans the morning of and took shorts.

On the way down I realized I forgot my sunnies and asked if we could stop somewhere for me to buy a new pair. When we FINALLY got on the main road to get to where ever he was taking me, we found a Kohls - one of my favorite stores. The Husband decides he needs a whole new outfit for the day while we are there! That one didn't plan for us being outside and it being warm. It was like 80* Saturday!!! I did find me some super cute tortoise shell sunnies!

We got back on the road and less than 10 minutes later I found out where he was taking me - a wild animal compound/safari!!!! Here is how it works - you drive your vehicle through this compound FULL of African animals that are roaming wild.  Then you leave the compound and go through the mini zoo. Now, if you WANT, you can pay for an insider type of tour. That was the other surprise - The Husband set up a private photo tour for us. This meant we would have a guide, be able to roll the windows down, AND get up close and personal to a lot of the wildlife.

The tour wasn't for a few hours so we did the walk thru part of the excursion first. This area wasn't huge but it was a lot of fun to wander around, holding hands and seeing the animals. AND I fed a giraffe!!!!!

Here is the crazy thing - we walk up and there aren't any giraffes nearby.  I was bummed but The Husband asked the attendant if they would come over once we had food. The attendant said "come here Bobby" and I'm not even lying the giraffe started walking over!!! I couldn't believe the giraffe was being called over by name. Like a pet!!! It was amazing!

 

 

We found the Lory aviary where we could feed the pretty birds.

We actually didn't have any more cash but decided to go in anyway. I'm so glad we did because The Husband was able to get one to eat a Hibiscus flower out of his hand!

Can you tell he wears jeans ALL the time?!

After we ate lunch, it was time for the 'safari'. We started out in a station wagon with back windows that only rolled half way down.  we talked to our tour guide and told her we were not happy with that SO she got us into a blazer and the windows went ALL THE WAY DOWN! yay! satisfaction achieved.

We took over 200 photos for the day but I will save you from all that and show you some of my favorites.

  

 

  

On the way home, we decided we needed some ice cream, so we stopped for Blizzards. I got the mint oreo - pass, if you get the chance by the way.

It was definitely one of my favorite anniversary things we have done so far...not that I have many to compare haha.  We only just celebrated our third year of marriage and are officially into our fourth.  I honestly don't know how we have already been married that long - it seems like we JUST tied the know.  But so much has happened in the past three years and our lives are very different.

For those who don't follow me on Instagram, here is the photo collage I made for the past four years on our wedding day/anniversary.

Happy Almost Friday!!!

Five Years of Happy

Yep - That's how long The Husband and I have been an 'us'

It is crazy to think all the milestones we have hit together; 

all the memories we have made; 

all the things we have done in a few short years. 

You can recap from last year here

The biggest thing we did together this year was buy a house.

We bought a HOUSE people! EEEE! 

I can't believe it has already almost been a year since THAT happened!

We have been to two weddings - November last year and this past weekend.

We have spent a LOT of love and time on making our house a home.

We went on vacation for a few days.

We fished a LOT this past year.

Notice a trend? 

"WE".

There isn't much that we do without the other.

There are many who don't understand this. The idea of being in constant communication literally all day, sounds exhausting to some, ridiculous to others. That is just how our relationship is - that's how we love it. If one of us is tired, we don't stay the extra hour at a party, or go out alone.  To us, time together is THE most important thing.  At the end of the day, he is who I have, for better and for worse...its in our wedding vows. 

I can't believe today we celebrate five years of awesome together =)  When The Husband woke me to say he was leaving for work, he said "Happy Anniversary. I have loved every second of the past five years." Melts my heart! He is so sweet and I can't wait to see what many many more years has in store for the two of us 

Here is a teaser from the wedding we went to this past weekend - recap tomorrow 

The man standing next to me is incredible in so many ways.  I am so thankful every day to be a part of his life and he a part of mine. The past five years haven't always been a walk in the park and getting married didn't mean it all suddenly fell into place and everything got easier.  I do NOT have it all together and we are certainly not a perfect couple - we are perfectly imperfect but beautifully happy.  We wouldn't have it any other way.  

Happy Halfway Through The Week!!!! =)

Oh The Places We Go

It is so strange where The Husband has lead my family and I; Of course my life would be very different had I made the decision to join the Navy like I had been planning...

Sorry if you already know this little story lol!!!

I was accepted and working on all the application stuff.  I had been dating The Husband for MAAAYYYBEE two months when I found out that my application was being accepted.  We were visiting my parents in Georgia and he had been really REALLY quiet.  I finally asked him what was going on and he told me he was sad that I would be leaving.  My mom pulled me aside and told me 'The Navy will be there if this doesn't work out; finding someone who loves you and makes you happy is not an every day thing'  I told The Husband if he wanted me to stay to see where the relationship went, he had to ask me.  He did and that was it.  The day my life completely changed course. Some of you may be thinking it is ridiculous, if he loved me he would have waited.  That is probably true, but I'm glad I didn't make him =)  It wasn't like I had always dreamed of joining the Navy my entire life - so it isn't like I gave up my childhood dream. 

I was talking about this with my dad on our run this past Saturday.  I have absolutely no regrets and zero thoughts about 'what if'.  However, it is CRAZY the things I do now that I would have NEVER thought I would have gotten into - and I know I have said that before lol =) 

First - I hunt and go shooting; he even successfully taught me to shoot clays.  I'm actually pretty good if I say so myself =) 

Second - I am a BIIIIGGGG fan of fishing; shockingly so! I love going off shore, catching big fish, and eating it at home.  I haven't cleaned a fish yet...that's gross! So that part of my remains super girlie...I have a feeling I'm going to need to learn how at some point. BUT I am able to bait my own hook and all that goes with that.   In the respect, I am mildly self-sufficient on a boat =) 

This past Friday, a group of us took the day off of work and went off-shore fishing.  They briefly opened red snapper season for the first time in a couple years for the entire Southeast coast of the country.  we left the house by 4 am and were on the boat, in the dark by 530! I almost immediately laid down and took a nap.  It was definitely the best decision I made for myself because I didn't sleep well the night before. I woke up to the sun rising and it was gorgeous!

At the end of the day, we were all exhausted from fighting big fish and lots of them. Remember this trip when we went to the Keys? Yeah THOSE big fish...except on Friday I LITERALLY almost went overboard holding onto the rod trying to bring the fish in - I was SCAAAARED!!!! I yelled at someone to hold onto me lol...but seriously, scared! Thankfully I didn't go over, I didn't lose the rod, reel, OR the fish.  That thing was a BEAST!! Oh and I was SORE until .... yep, my arm is STILL sore today from trying to horse that silly thing in. 

 

Oh and this little beauty is a Trigger fish...and the one I am holding is considered a big one! They are SOOO yummy!!! 

Oh that would be a third thing, I eat a LOT of fish now because of The Husband =)  My life has been so very different - I was a CITY girl to the max and The Husband has added a little bit of country.  I like it! 

How would your life be different? Is there a hobby you have that you probably wouldn't have picked up without your significant other?

The Time I Took The Husband to the ER

Good Monday to ya!

I was going to post about some DIY projects The Husband and I did this weekend...

It was all scheduled and everything...

That was before our trip to the ER last night.

Don't worry - we are all fine and dandy...

The Husband's face on the other hand is a little worse for wear....

This is the story of the time I took The Husband to the ER:

We currently have a normal run-of-the-mill water heater.

Well at the old house, we had a very nice tank-less water heater.

So when we left, that water heater went with us.

Yesterday, The Husband starting installing the tank-less at the new house.

We were trying to drain the old water heater so we could move it.

As he was trying to wrench free a bolt, the wrench slipped and BAM!

Right in the face with the open end of a giant wrench!

He handled it very well - went into the bathroom, asked for a towel.

washed it out a little and started applying pressure.

We added a little ice to help with the swelling.

He asked me to call my parents to come check it out to see if he needed stitches.

They said definitely - so off the ER we went.

Let me be clear - my husband is TOUGH. No tears, no wincing - NADA!

Here I am, completely unscathed and ready to burst into tears at any moment.

He was more upset about not being able to have fresh dinner.

Seriously - can we gain a LITTLE perspective?! haha!

We were in and out of the ER in about an hour - not bad by ER standards.

The only time he flinched even a little was the THIRD shot of Lidocaine.

The Husband is pretty hard core. He didn't even cry when the initial injury happened!

One hour and four stitches later, we went home. 

He was fine; the swelling was so much better 

the wound isn't as bad as it seemed.

I on the other hand, was not. 

Once everyone left, I had a moment of crying.

Whatever - no judging. I was sad for The Husband! 

He was hurt and I couldn't help. 

Most annoying feeling EVER.

The lady that stitched him up did an amazing job.

They are teeny tiny stitches and will come out in 5 days. 

I'm sure in the next 5 days The Husband will be tired of me asking if he is OK. 

Maybe I will switch it up and ask "How are you doing".

Certainly NOT my idea of a good weekend wind-down. 

Oh and the hot water heater is still not properly installed...lovely haha!

How was your Sunday evening?

Stay-cations Are The Best

Hey Y'all!!! I'm back!! I had to step back from everything -- well mostly everything and just take some time to be with The Husband. Work has been so stinkin' stressful and then we have been just SOOOO busy that we have hardly had time for just the two of us. In addition to relaxing together, The Husband and I also worked on some home projects.  We did a little of everything and I will share those projects tomorrow; I will share one tomorrow and then one on Monday or Tuesday. =)

After nearly two years, we finally felt compelled to go back to the beach. I know you are probably thinking we are crazy for living so close but never going but the truth is The Husband doesn't like the sticky/salty feeling and doesn't enjoy just hanging out in the sun so we haven't been in about two years. It just isn't his thing. I love reading in the sun and lounging but I know he would be bored to pieces!

A group of our friends were going and the guys were going to surf fish and surprisingly The Husband was looking forward to the trip. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, with a nice breeze and tons of sunshine! oh and word to the wise -- MAKE SURE TO PUT SUNSCREEN ON YOUR FEET. Seriously our feet were SCORCHED!!

It was so wonderful! I read my nook -- Catching Fire

The Husband caught some sharks. 

It was a great day! I think The Husband would even be willing to take another trip to the beach!

Oh and we ended it with a slurpee for the ride home. This girl LOVES a Slurpee!! YUM!!

Monday afternoon, we went shooting/fishing/hunting. Yes - we did all those things but thankfully only went to one location; an orange grove that a friend of The Husband's has access to.
He fished and I got bored so I grabbed a beer and hung out with Aeron while The Husband walked the ponds.

 

Car-bar anyone?! OK this is a lot little staged -- don't worry Mom!! =) 

We shot some plastic bottles while we waited for the sun to start setting so we could go get us some hogs!

I took a shot and missed. I was so sad! Seriously, it is the first thing I have shot at to take down and missed. I am sure some of y'all are not into harvesting/hunting but it is fun being outside and looking for food. I felt so Hunger Games without the fighting for your life scenario. I will tell you one thing - this girl would NOT have survived. Once we were dropped off in the orange grove, I felt VERY lost and disoriented. I know I would have just curled into a little ball and cried in HG. I definitely wouldn't have been out there alone - yes I'm a fraidy-cat even when I'm armed!

All in all, we had two full days of being outside. It was so amazing. We wanted to go out on the boat but after the beach on Sunday and getting a wee bit too much sun, we decided staying in pants or indoors was our best option.

Tuesday we did some grocery shopping and laundry. Other than that, we watched Unstoppable; awesome movie!  We also caught up on our recorded shows - like 100% caught up. We are NEVER caught up. I was actually a little disappointed because I don't like commercials and I like having a variety lol.

It was so nice to reconnect as a couple and as friends. Time together is so important for us - especially when we can be silly or creative or serious or whatever together. Sometimes it has to be all about US.

Happy Halfway through the Week!!!

Dating My Husband

Alright people - we are getting into the homestretch for the weekend! YAY!! This week has been so long for me - the days have flown by but the week is creepy crawling by.

The Husband and I have been together about 4.5 years...I know it is not that long in the grand scheme of things but it is my longest relationship.  Anyway - we have been so busy with the house and moving and then holidays and birthdays. Life is finally starting to slow down for us a little bit.  This means more time for us to be a couple again.

We have started dating again which includes a lot of laughter and flirting. I love it and I miss this aspect of our relationship - the dating.  I think dating your spouse is very important to the growth and nuturing of a marriage -- all dating; going out with friends, other couples, family. It is all so important, especially because you don't want to isolate yourselves from those that have been supporting your relationship and your growth, from family to friends who helped introduce you to one another to all the people who support you as a couple and as an individual.

So we went on a movie date on Saturday with my family. Tuesday we went out for Valentine's Day - nothing fancy. We had gift cards for Red Lobster so we went there and I had a really yummy meal: pecan crusted wood-grilled shrimp with a cherry glaze. DELICIOUS! I love spending one on one time with The Husband - and dates are always so much fun!

Last night we went on another date. We met after work and went to my favorite Mexican restaurant. I devoured that food - it was so delicious! Afterwards, we dropped off my car at his parent's house and went to the Magic game. We had pretty good seats - THANKS AERON! - and really enjoyed one another's company. We had so much fun.

    

As we walked back to our truck, J asked if I had fun. I told him I did. But I told him it wasn't necessarily fun because the game was awesome or anything. It was fun because we laughed a lot and goofed off and interacted on a friend level. This is an imperative part to my relationships. You have to stay friends; they should be your best friend.

The Husband is 100% my best friend - the person I want to talk to when anything happens, who I want to know things first.

Do you still date your significant other?
Do you flirt with them still?

What I'm Lovin' Wednesday

Hey Fabulous! I'm so happy the week is headed into the second half already! I have a lot to get done in the next five days and I'm looking forward to having a lot of weekend time to do it. I thought I would link up for WILW (you can here) since I don't have a project to share at the moment:

I'm Lovin' that we are closing on MONDAY! I know I said we would be closing on Friday but the appraisal didn't come back until yesterday and the loan processor can't have it ready by Friday to close. That's alright -- I get an extra weekend to get stuff done and projects finished.

I'm Lovin' our new house and all our decorating ideas!

I'm Lovin' that Target had a bathroom set that proved to me that I'm not crazy and gray DOES work with tans/beiges. I have been wanting to paint the bathroom a dark gray but was concerned it wouldn't do well with the counters and tiles.  I'll share with you a picture of the bathroom and a picture of the trash can:

 
Can you tell one of the photos was taken with a camera phone?! =)

I'm Lovin' that we are less than TWO MONTHS from Christmas! I can't wait to decorate this gorgeous house and get a Christmas tree set up! Oh my gosh --- WHERE WILL WE PUT IT?! Oh the decisions!

I'm Lovin' Gallery Walls 

I started designing the wall we will use for a gallery of us =) I'm so excited to have SO much wall space at the new place. I have walls designated for weddings (ours and friends/family), family pictures, pictures of/with our friends, an 'us' wall, and then in the man-room we will have tons of pictures from all the fishing excursions and pictures of people with their biggest catch while fishing with us.

I'm Lovin' all of our friends and family and all the support they have shown/given us over the past several months trying to get this process together, the funds saved up, and finding the perfect house!

I'm Lovin' all of you for your love and support, prayers and positive thoughts. You guys are amazing!

I'm Lovin' my AMAZING and wonderful husband. Enough Said...

What are you loving this Wonderful Wednesday?!