Our Very First Christmas

We...

spent 30 seconds in a money blowing machine,

(Ashley- $15, Brennan- $31... we'll leave the money making up to him)

got a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Clause,

ate & ate & ate,

saw Frozen,

balanced spending time with both of our families,

the ones who matter most to us,

played hilarious games,

watched a ba-jillion Christmas movies,

and got to WAKE UP TOGETHER on Christmas morning 

and have our very own little moment. 

Just the two of us.

It was the merriest Christmas I've ever had.

And the $75 in Chick-Fil-A gift cards didn't hurt. 

Or my new bag that I had been dreaming of for months, and thought it had sold. (You sneaky Santa Brennan)

But I would trade it ALL in a fifth of a second for Bren any day.

He's my favorite present of all time you know. 

Happy Birthday, Handsome

I am behind on blogging
and this post is long overdue
(sorry future children, who I will force to read this blog)
but it was my (way) better half's birthday last week.
He's 26 now!
I think he's the best thing to ever happen to this world.
And it's because of everything he's taught me.
I have learned so much from him on how to be a better person ever since I met him,
but especially in the last 3 months and 1 day we've been married.

Here is a list of things the birthday boy has taught me:

1-Don't compare yourself to your friends.
This is one of the biggest lessons he's taught me. I have an amazing group of girlfriends. A lot of us got married around the same time, and it's only human to compare yourselves! Your engagements, your wedding budgets, your bodies, your rings, your honeymoons, your flowers- anything and everything. It was tough, and I was tough on myself. Brennan picked up on that, and told me that I had to stop comparing myself to my friends. He flat out told me that guess what, their weddings may be better than yours, and who cares? Because we have each other, and we know what we have. And the moment I realized that, I was at complete peace for the first time during the whole planning process, and I could enjoy life so much more. It's still true to this day, and it's always a process, but I'm much happier when I focus on just my life with my Brennan.

2-Teasing is necessary.
Brennan feels it is his duty to tease me since I didn't grow up with brothers. So when he comes home from work and licks me like a dog, tickles me TO DEATH, or tackles me to the floor, I try to enjoy it. ...And fight back. This has taught me not to take myself so seriously.

3-Have good people skills and good things will happen to you.
Brennan has taught me this one only through example. I just watch him in social settings. He is so nice, funny, and generally interested in what people have to say, it blows my mind. He isn't just friendly, he is your best friend after 10 seconds of knowing you. And you know what's happened because of it? He gets offered jobs by people he helps at the bank. His professors love him. His institute teacher added him on Facebook and messages him every class he's not there. I didn't have to worry about taking him to my company Christmas party last weekend. He talked to my coworkers more than I did, and had plans to watch the Jazz game with one of them after the party. I am always so proud to call him my husband, especially in those situations, and I strive everyday to be just like him in social settings.

4-You don't always have to look perfect.
I've always loved hair, makeup, and clothes. But Brennan likes me best with no makeup and in jeans and a t-shirt. If he had it his way he would throw my makeup away. It's been so refreshing for me. He's made me so comfortable in my own skin, even when I wake up with a zit or my hair is going every direction possible, he makes me feel so pretty and has never pointed out a flaw (and I have many of them). There is so much power in realizing you aren't perfect and don't have to be.

5-You do not need to spend $250 on Christmas decorations.
The day after Thanksgiving, Brennan had to work, so my mom and I headed out to find me some Christmas decorations. I love having our own little place and wanted it to have some Christmas cheer. Well, Christmas cheer isn't cheap. My mom even let us have one of her smaller trees, and the decorations from Target were almost $250. I payed for most of it with gift cards from our wedding, but Brennan didn't like that, and wanted me to take it back. We compromised, and I took half of it back, which I was bummed about, but really not too bummed because I'm so happy I married someone who is smart with money.

6-Wish people GOOD birthday wishes.
This one is funny because it's something that has always been important to me and when I learned it was also so important to him I loved him even more. He is so against only saying "happy birthday" on someone's birthday. If you know the person well enough to know their birth date, you can write something a little more creative than happy birthday. And those birthday wishes are the ones that really make someone's day. My friend the other week told me that Brennan sent her the nicest birthday message and I really loved that.

7-Get off your phone.
I love my phone. Not even as close to as much as I love Brennan, but I enjoy social media, unfortunately. Brennan is much less into it (another reason I admire him so much). He has taught me to get off my phone and live in the moment. That you can make every minute memorable, but you probably won't remember what you read on your phone a week from now.

8- Exercise, but eat treats too.
Brennan has such a happy medium when it comes to this. He rarely misses a day at the gym, but if he wants a cookie sundae from Chick-Fil-A on the weekend, he will eat it, and if drinking Coke makes him happy, why stop? He's definitely taught me that life is too short, and to eat the dang cookie sundae.

9-Family is everything.
Sometimes he texts his mom goodnight. It melts my heart. And if he has a day off and I have to work, you better believe he is spending the whole day with his family. I love this about him.

10- Pray together. On our knees.
We have never not prayed on our knees. Brennan always makes sure of it. He is much better at praying than me, but somehow I always say it? He probably thinks I need the practice.



10 lessons and 10 moments when I realized I love this boy even more than I did before.

Happy Birthday, handsome.

The Happiest Time of the Day

Every time he leaves me in the morning,

my heart sinks a little bit,

and stays that way until he comes home to me again 

at 6:30 every night.

The happiest time of the day. 

I'm always impatiently waiting 

with open arms

(and sometimes a camera.)

I Got the Job

I got a new job.

I'm the Marketing & Communications Assistant at IDS in Draper.

I plan their company parties, update their social media, write for their newsletter, coordinate travel for the company, and lots of other things I couldn't even tell you yet.

Because it's something new every day (which I'd say is a plus).

So far so good.

But I've got a lot to learn.

So wish me luck.

My very own key that gets me into every room in the building. I feel so official. 

First stop after my first day. This Dirty Diet Coke & I had a little celebration. 

Ya Gotta See the Baby

Who do you think he loves more? 

Love List

A little list of things I am loving about my Brennan as of late...

I love how stoked he was to go to Settebello and split a pizza after going to our good friend's wedding downtown. He was so proud of his idea and said "that hit the spot" at least 3 times.

How he calls Almond Roca "bark". No clue why. I introduced him to it on Saturday and he called it bark tonight. He loves the bark though so that's good. 

How he stole 3 giant Barbie clips from his work so we can use them as "chip clips" at home.

How he requests Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, Top Ramen, and frozen waffles when I go to the store. The tastebuds of a five year old and so easy to please.

When he tells me I don't match. (It's so cute how he thinks he knows.)

How he is studying so hard for his insurance test when it's about the least fun thing ever.

How he went on business appointments with my dad for 5 hours ON HIS DAY OFF.

How he requires a minimum of 10 minutes of cuddle time every morning before we have to get up and start our day.

When he gets so upset with himself that he isn't sore from the previous night's workout.

How he answers the phone with "hey baby" in Buddy Garrity's voice from Friday Night Lights whenever I call him.

How he sings in the shower e v e r y single morning and when a song comes on he loves he yells, "What a tune!"

How he refuses to open his birthday present early, no matter how many times I beg him to. 

One of the things I love the very most...

I always wonder how personal I want to get on here. But then I remember that this is my online journal, and I need to write things that I never ever want to forget.

Like a few nights ago, when Brennan came home after getting a hair cut from our sister-in-law. It was late and he had been gone a lot longer than I thought he would, and I was laying in bed. He came home, into the bedroom, gave me the biggest hug and started crying.

He had just had a long conversation with our sister-in-law about our darling little niece Greta, and how she is kind of struggling at school. Greta is an angel. She is special. She wasn't supposed to walk or talk, and she is the Gregory's little miracle. I'm so lucky to know her.

He sat and cried and told me that at Parent Teacher Conference, the teacher said that the other kids have a hard time understanding her, she plays alone at recess, and that she can't put on her own coat. Her older brother Jude will ask his teacher if he can go to the bathroom and will go check on his little sister. If that doesn't melt your heart I don't know what will.

I have always loved a grown man who would cry, and one of the things I love the very most about my Brennan is how sensitive, loving, and emotional he is. I love how much he loves and worries about his little niece and nephews. I asked him that night what he's going to do when it's our own kids, and he said he "won't even be able to handle it."

Could he be any cuter?

Hi from the Gregorys

Trying to take a picture to send to my cute mom to thank her for my new Free People headband she got me. 

Brennan snuck in the picture.

Embarrassed that I was just caught in the selfie act. 

"There is nothing worth sharing like the love that let's us share our name."

XOXO

These days

We thought life would go back to normal after Brennan got better. We we wrong. Here is what's happening these days: 

Currently...

Have been to a total of 5 INTERVIEWS in the past 2 weeks. Brennan is going to start working with my dad and my dad can't afford us both, so I got canned (not really, I'm working there until I find the right job.)

Had to turn down a job with StyleLately because it wasn't enough hours or pay. It really was a bummer because the job was right up my alley, dang it.
 

Have been wearing so many oversized aztec sweaters that Brennan has started calling me "Chief". I bought 4 in the month of October. No one stopped me.

Being so grateful for Colgate wisps. If you do not have access to your toothbrush at all times of the day and do not use these, I really don't know why. 

Googling:

how tall is dwight howard

lebron james wife's wedding ring

cafe rio specials

Is kim kardashian's butt real

coconut oil hair mask

ab ripper X

catching fire release date

leopard loafers

sore bleeding throat

white ottomans

white round coffee tables

PS4 release date

does bleach kill fingerprints

difference between an M.D. and a D.O. doctor

       ......... Brennan calls me the Google Queen. 

Now have cable AND INTERNET. We feel so high class over at condo 834.

My hair was dyed grey with huge brown stripes in it when I asked for my blonde to be touched up. I'm still so beyond confused how that happened. My world came tumbling down, but I pulled it together, called a new hair girl sobbing and she got me in the next morning and fixed it. She's now my best friend, angel, and lifesaver.

Realizing as I'm posting these pictures that I really love two things in life: food, and Brennan.

Got really sick and googled my symptoms in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. It told me I either had throat cancer or tonsillitis. And no, I couldn't fall back asleep after reading that.

Had to miss Halloween because I was so sick, which meant missing out on seeing my niece and nephews in their costumes, and Brennan's friends couples party. Sad times.

Finally found the perfect coffee table to complete our family room for the unbeatable price of $75.

Discovered that liquid leggings are just as comfy as regular leggings but twice as cute. Except I was worried that my space heater at work was going to melt them... someone please confirm or deny this.

BABY LUCAS WAS BORN. The happiest day of October, by far. He is the most perfect baby boy I have ever laid eyes on. He's already bonded with his aunt Ashy. Well, when my husband the newborn-holding-hog lets me have a turn. As much as I said it wouldn't, it did make me baby hungry. But then I make myself snap out of it.

Would love for someone to explain to me why lamps are so expensive. It's a LAMP. 

Want to be remembered for being the best gift giver. Seriously though, I want it written in my obituary. It's taking everything inside me not to tell Brennan what I got him for his birthday and Christmas.

Starting a craft night with my friends the first Tuesday of every month while our boys play church ball... If that doesn't scream that I'm a married woman now I don't know what does. I'm not crafty but maybe now that I'm a wife I'll miraculously develop the talent. Wish me luck. 

CAN'T. STOP. VACUUMING AND WINDEXING.

Dreaming of a Michael Kors bag. But when I got married my "Michael Kors fund" turned into the "rent fund" so I'll just keep dreaming about it.

Should be cooking more meals for Brennan than I do.

Gym attendance since we've been married:
Brennan- 16 times
Ashley- 4 times

Tried my first Dirty Diet Coke. Time stood still. How am I ever supposed to drink regular Diet Coke again?

The drillmaster adding knobs to our kitchen cabinets. 

My 2 favorite fruits in the same place.

Pumpkin for Mrs. & Reeses for Mr.

Thinking about opening our own Pizzeria Limone now.

Go here, order the cookie sundae, but tell them to heat up the cookie first. PARTY IN YOUR MOUTH.

Brennan's kind of date night.

The Trujillo family!

Lucas Anthony Trujillo. 8 lbs 9 oz. 22 1/4 inches. Born October 24th at 11:38 pm. 

He's in heaven, if you can't tell. I can't wait to see how he is with his own babies. 

It only made sense to take a selfie in my "CELFIE" shirt.

I leave notes when we have to spend nights apart.

Bren is stoked he now has somewhere to place his glass of coke. 

Just cold, as always.

XOXO

A Sick Day

 

Our better half got sick.

 

Really sick. Really fast.

 

It absolutely broke my heart,

 

and I wish I could have been sick for him.

 

If it was possible, I'd do it in a second.

 

But since it's not,

 

I made sure to make it the best sickness experience he's ever had.

 

It included Fresca, back scratches, cuddling,

 

soup, saltines, Coke,

 

ESPN, a Full House marathon, and Easy A.

 

I think I loved being his nurse more than he did...

 

I'm telling you,

 

taking care of people is my calling in life.

 

Especially him.

 

 

Our First Dinner

After more than 3 weeks in our own place,

I thought it was about time I made my husband dinner.

I love playing wife.

I love decorating, vacuuming, organizing, grocery shopping, cleaning, budgeting,

the whole nine yards.

But one area I don't feel as confident in is cooking, 

and I was nervous to cook for Brennan!

But I gave it a shot. 

I decided for my first meal I should make something I've made before, just because I was already dealing with a new and unfamiliar kitchen. New appliances, new pots and pans, all those new things.

 To be honest, I ate something similar to this at some fancy restaurant once, and made this dinner up based off that. It's a balsamic marinated steak with whole grain pasta with a light alfredo sauce with sun dried tomatoes and spinach, with a little balsamic glaze and parmesan cheese on top, with some sautéed asparagus.

It sounds kind of tough, but it's really not.

 You just have to time everything perfectly so the steak isn't overcooked, or the asparagus doesn't get squishy, or the pasta sauce isn't sitting there thickening.

It actually turned out!

I think.

Even though Brennan has not stopped talking about this meal,

I think it may just be because he loves me

and wants to make me feel good.

The Wife Life

 

So if you couldn't tell by my sweatshirt or necklace, (I know, it's a bit much)

 

 

I've been a wife for 20 days now. Can you tell I'm loving it?

 

We don't have a couch, a working washing machine, or internet.

 

We just got a dishwasher last week and cable yesterday,

 

and I've still never had a better 20 days in my whole life.  

 

It's amazing how things have worked out for us. Like how when Brennan's car broke down just days before we got married, his dad took it in to get fixed over our honeymoon, and they fixed it FOR FREE. Or how the dishwasher we wanted at Lowe's was out of stock so they gave us the upgraded version FOR NO EXTRA COST. Or how extra cash or a wedding gift comes in the mail just when we need it. We are so beyond blessed.

 

We love living in our own little place. There is nothing more fun, I promise. My mom remodeled almost everything while we were on our honeymoon and it is so darling. I will never be able to repay her for all she did. I'll be doing a post of the whole remodel soon!

  

 Not only does the condo have 2 bedrooms, IT HAS 2 BATHROOMS. "I seriously think having our own bathrooms has helped our marriage." -quote from my husband himself! It's so true though, I can't imagine us trying to both get ready for work and school in the morning in one bathroom. We also love our place because it has great vibes. I'm all about vibes. And I think my Anthropologie candle definitely has something to do with those vibes. I am obsessed with that candle.

 

The only complaint Bren has had since moving in is our towels. I registered for them at Macy's because they were just what I wanted- big, good quality, comfy, and white. Well Bren informed me that they are too soft for him, even after washing them: "Our towels don't dry me off they just rub the water around my body." HA HA HA. So he made us go to Walmart and get him some $3 towels. I was laughing the whole way to Walmart, but now he's as happy as can be.

 

But not as happy as when we finally got our Comcast to work! Oh happy day.

 

The best way to appreciate the little things in life is to get married.

 

It only took a few nights of sitting in our empty family room,

 

 laughing our heads off, with nothing and no one but each other,

 

to realize that you really are the happiest when you have the least.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big things happened & big things are happening

Some pretty big things have happened in my life.

Some would say the best days of their lives.

And I would have to agree.

One hundred percent.


First of all, I had a bachelorette party. I wish everyone had the group of friends I have. I am so lucky and I love them so very much. The night started out at The Dodo, then continued next door at Blue Boutique, and then finished at two in the morning after a hilarious night of present opening, Cosmo reading, story telling, and treat eating.

A few days later, I had my wedding dinner. It was held at the Draper Day Barn and it was absolutely perfect. Café Rio was catered, and good vibes were felt.

This is the only picture I got the whole night, but I couldn't be happier that it was of my girls and I. I was full of nerves that night because I had to give a speech. To this day I can't remember much of what I said, just that I cried a lot of tears. But I do remember all of the other speeches family and friends gave SO WELL, and I love that because I think about at least one of them every single day. I have never felt so special than at that wedding dinner. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding ordeal.

The next morning, I GOT MARRIED.

The most amazing day of my life. I felt like a princess, and I enjoyed my entire day. Is it bad that I wanted to keep dancing at my reception? When we got in the car after we were sent off, Brennan said, "People always say that after the reception, they wish they would have just taken the money, but there is no amount of money I would take to trade for that amazing night." And I couldn't agree more. There really was magic in the air. That day was the first day I got to call Brennan my husband. I  don't think I will ever be more proud of anything in my life than the fact that Brennan Gregory is my husband. If you know him, you know how lucky I am.

Next, we honeymooned.

We stayed at the Kierland Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona, and I can honestly say it was the best location for a honeymoon! Here is why- the flight was only an hour, it was hot during the day, and the perfect temperature at night, and the resort was on a sort of City Creek type of outdoor mall with the most AMAZING shopping and restaurants ever. There were three different pools, some had slides and some had lazy rivers, and they all had pina coladas, which were my favorite. It was perfect because we could lay in bed all day if we wanted and not feel guilty, but there was also always something to do if we wanted to do it. The sun, eating, and shopping are definitely some of my favorite things so to say I was in heaven is an understatement. The best part was that Brennan chose our honeymoon location all by himself and surprised me. I can't believe he was even nervous about whether I'd like it or not... A+ BABE.

Now, we are...

waking up together every morning in our cute little condo,

visiting 12 different furniture stores and are still couchless,

making our bed everyday so far, (my husband has made it more than me)

And joined the BANGS CLUB. (Please try not to laugh that I'm in a robe here, I was just about to get ready for bed. And yes, I love robes and wear one daily.) What is it about getting married that makes girls want to change their hair? And I am no exception. I feel like I look more like a wife, don't you agree?

Life is so good. There's just no way it can get any better. I mean my name is Ashley Gregory, what more do I need?







Dear Brennan

To my husband in six days:

 

 

     I want to be the first person you come to when you've had a hard day. And I want to be the only one who can make you feel better. And yes, I will love you when it's easy, when it's perfect. But I will love you even more when you need it the most, when you feel your least perfect. I want to laugh so hard with you that we have tears streaming down our faces, and we fall off our couch. We will never ever go to bed mad at each other. We will be quick to forgive, like we always have. We will pray together every night. There will be so many times when I will be with you witnessing my love grow for you right then and there, and it will be the coolest feeling. I will always adore you like I have from day one. We are going to be poor newlyweds, and I'm excited for it because I hear those are the best times. We will be smart and we will do what we're supposed to, and it will all work out. We won't worry about things because that will get us nowhere. I will put your needs and wants before mine, and you will do the same for me. We will remember that our marriage is a covenant and we will always treat it that way. We will remember that we get to live together forever because of Heavenly Father, and our marriage will make Him so proud, I know it. You were made for me Brennan, and I will never forget how lucky I am to have found you. I will be so good to you. And I hope you'll be proud to call me your wife.

                                                                                                                              Love,

                                                                                                                              Your Ashley