Hikers

I have to be in a wedding dress a week from today for bridals. So I'm looking for any chance to be active and told Bren we should hike Bell Canyon.

We saw a tarantula. Brennan was more scared of it than I was.

We took a different trail back...and got a little lost. 

It lead us to a neighborhood...and then a road...and we ran until we found our car.

It was all uphill. AKA HARD. Brennan kept yelling stuff like, "Think wedding dress!" and "Don't Stop Ash!" and "Only spoiled girls stop running." He was kidding, obviously, but I was so glad he pushed me. 

He went and got chicken fingers and fries after. I got water. It was a sad moment. But I was proud of myself.

We said "I love you"

On January 7th of this year, I was over at Brennan's. It was the last day of winter break and spring semester was starting in the morning. We just hanging out on his couch, laughing, goofing around, and having good talks. It was just an especially good night and I could feel my love for him growing right then and there.

The thought popped into my head that I needed to tell Brennan that I love him. This thought had come to me a few times before because I had loved him for a LONG TIME at this point, but I didn't want to say it first. Because that's the boy's job! But for some reason that night, I didn't dismiss the thought right away. It felt right.

To this day I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE NERVOUS FOR ANYTHING IN MY LIFE. But as we were laying there, I wanted to tell him that I loved him. He closed his eyes for a minute, and I said, "Hey guess what?"

"What?!"

"I love you."

"You do!?! I love you too Ash!"

"Then why didn't you tell me!?!" (I gave him a little punch to the arm)

He laughed, paused, and said, "I have been waiting for the perfect time."

He then said, "Ash I need to explain something to you. I just keep falling more and more in love with you. It's crazy. It's almost like at first I tried to not let myself love you, because I wanted to be very careful."

After asking why, he then said, "Before I met you, I promised myself that the next girl I loved would be my wife."

Besides knowing that I had the biggest smile on my face after that comment, I don't remember the rest of the conversation exactly, besides telling Brennan that I wanted to be Ashley Gregory. His reply: "Don't worry Ash you're going to be a Gregory!"

We of course couldn't leave each other after this, so after talking some more and saying "I love you" at least 10 more times to each other, my phone buzzed, and it was a text from my mom saying my classes start early and not to be too late. Brennan grabbed my phone and typed something back to my mom, but told me not to read it til I left. So he walked me out, we said our new and improved goodbyes that now included "I love you", and I drove away and looked and my phone.

Again, I was smiling so big. January 7th, 2013 will always be one of the best days of my life.

Oh, and you better believe these were my notes at school the next morning...

Baby Magnet

This is my favorite baby and my favorite boy.

This baby loves my boy.

On our way home from dinner, my boy made this baby stop crying when I couldn't.

He made her laugh harder than I did.

I am nervous that when we have kids, they will like their dad more than their mom.

His dad skills will trump my mom skills, hands down.

There is not one baby, toddler, or child that does not love my boy.

And that is one of the things I love about him the most.

Lately

1. What do I do when I've had no motivation at the gym this week AND craving a Sweet Tooth Fairy sugar cookie AND have to be in a wedding dress in 2 weeks for Bridals?

2. Why is my mom the best mom in the world every single day? It is not an easy job. She knows every single thing there is to know about me, and knows just what to say and do to make me feel better. She is the ultimate wedding planner and has things done before I can even remember they need to be done. We really are best friends and have so much fun together. 

3. The other night I was watching the ESPY's with Bren. It's like the Grammy's for sports. Some big football dude won an award, and when he went on stage, all I could focus on was his hair! It was all cornrows, but there was a big braid on the top of his head and then two smaller ones on the sides of his head. He looked like a dinosaur. I said to Brennan, "That guy looks like a trinocherous." I guess I meant to say triceratops, but it was close enough to me. Brennan was laughing so hard he was crying. Just one of my many blonde moments.

4.Wedding planning, getting homework done in my classes, and work stress, combined with not sleeping enough lately all added up yesterday and I was feeling super overwhelmed. We had a half off massage certificate, so my mom told me to get one after work. The massage was just what I needed, and near the end of it, my masseuse Jessica asked if I wanted to know my "chakra colors." I had never heard of this, but I guess it deals with healing energy. I wish I knew more about it, but I don't. Anyways she told me my "colors" were yellow and blue that are connected by green. That meant nothing to me, but as she explained it, I was in awe because she was SPOT ON. And we didn't even speak a word the entire massage! So blue represents motivation. They like to be on a schedule, they like to get things done, and they like to make goals. Yellow represents being social and artistic. You have a creative mind that you like to use. You love to be around people. Green is all about love. You have the capacity to love people much more than others. Brennan has always told me that so I was probably sitting there with my jaw dropped during the massage. She described me perfectly! 

5. My appearance could really benefit from some sun.

Introducing...The Littles

 

Let me introduce you to some of my best friends.

Their names are Jude, Greta, and Ezra. And they happen to be my future niece and nephews.

They are no regular little kids. Spend five minutes with them and you'll see how extremely special they are. They could make anyone's worst day become one of their favorite days. If our kids are half as cute as these little Gregory's, we'll be set.

For Pioneer Day we went to a real life farm, and as you can tell, the littles came dressed for the part. Brennan has family who live on an amazing property in Centerville. We barbecued, played with the horse and chickens, and watched fireworks.

These three were in heaven. Even though Ez and I are the best of friends, ...I was definitely replaced by a horse that night.

A Bit About Brennan

This is the love of my life. And this is a little bit about him.

He:

Loves Tiger Woods, Lebron James, The Jazz, and the Yankees. But he says he loves me the most.

Is still a little boy at heart.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup shakes make him whole.

Owns more clothes than me. Probably because he is a much smarter shopper than I am.

A Coke ADDICT.

Laughs at almost anything.

A frequent Chick Fil A customer.

Is THE BEST MASSEUSE IN TOWN. Still won't admit where he learned his skills.

Is the most amazing uncle in this land. I can't wait for him to be a dad.

Knows how to take a good picture.

Is too hard on himself.

Loves a good self help book.

Is the ultimate PEOPLE PERSON. He will go far in life because of it.

Would do anything in this world for me.

Has never once forgotten to open my door.

Can't fall asleep when he's with me because he claims he "still gets butterflies."

Is good at everything he tries.

Loves his mom.

He goes without checking his phone for HOURS and LIKES IT! ...The social media addict (me) is working on that.

Has gotten emotional in an episode or two of Friday Night Lights.

Can impersonate anybody flawlessly.

We had been looking EVERYWHERE for the perfect navy suit for Bren for the wedding and couldn't find anything. He texted me this picture and said, "My boss said I could borrow his navy suit for the wedding!" Fits like a glove doesn't it? 

My goal in life is to try to be more like Brennan. Every hour of everyday I ask myself, "WWBD?" (what would Brennan do) He has made me my best version of myself.

I cannot WAIT for this ring (and my fingerprint) to be on his finger in 58 days.

 



Over the Weekend

We had our engagements taken by the unbelievably talented Alixann Loosle! Even though it was stressful getting our outfits together, (finding the perfect balance of matching, but not TOO matchy) it was actually a lot of fun for both of us! And even a little bit romantic.

 It was also a WORKOUT. Alix had us hiking up rocks in the canyon and down steep hills to fields- while in high heels. The shoes might now be on their last leg and I now have five bug bites, but it was completely worth it when she let me see a few shots on her camera. I almost cried they were so beautiful. It's going to be a looooong two weeks until we get to see them!

We finished around 9 and could not drive fast enough to Porcupine Grill, one of Brennan and mine's favorite places to go, to get our favorite thing there: their nachos! If you've never had them, you are missing out. After that we barely made it through the Chick-Fil-A drive thru to share a peach shake. Brennan had never had it before which blew my mind since he eats there at least twice a week. It was love at first sip.

Saturday we went to my favorite baby's very first birthday party, Miss Jayda Faye Kehl. I wish I could have a birthday party like that at my age! There were two cakes and tons of macaroons- Bren ate six. She is one loved baby. If she ever goes missing, Bren and I probably kidnapped her. Happy Birthday Jayda!

 

 

After that we stopped by Draper Days to try to find Brennan some cheap jerseys he saw at a booth last year, but we had no luck. Then we watched the fireworks on my back porch- the best seats in the house.

 

Sunday we graduated from our Temple Prep class! We are both actually sad that it's over. What's not fun about talking about being able to be together forever and ever? I love this quote from President Hinckley that was discussed in our class:

 

 

"Every man who truly loves a woman and every woman who truly loves a man hopes and dreams that their companionship will last forever. But marriage is a covenant sealed by authority. If that authority is of the state alone, it will endure only while the state has jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction ends with death. But add to the authority of the state the power of the endowment given by Him who overcame death, and that companionship will endure beyond life if the parties to the marriage live worthy of the promise."

 

 

I am so beyond blessed to be a part of something that allows me to be with Brennan after this life. 

 

 

 

Things I've learned while getting ready to become a MRS.

I'm getting married in 60 DAYS.

I think I have more Mr. and Mrs. things than I should. But you know what, I kind of love it.

Here is what I've learned:

1. Expect to do some sort of wedding planning every single day.

2. If you are a perfectionist, I recommend eloping.

3. You will literally have to start counting sheep at night just to stop your mind from racing about wedding thoughts so you can go to bed. And when that doesn't work, you resort to NyQuil.

4. You will be OBSESSED with cleaning and polishing your ring. You'll stare at it constantly.

5. Cake testing has been the least stressful part of the planning so far. I wonder why.

6. Your fiancé does not care what shoes you are wearing with your wedding dress. He doesn't care how you word your invitations. He doesn't care what flowers you're doing. So don't bore him with the conversation, even though you're dying to talk about it.

7. Moms are angels. Absolute wedding planning angels. And NOTHING would be possible without Momma Ang.

8. The temple prep class Brennan and I have been taking every Sunday at 10 am for the past month has been the most fulfilling part of this whole thing. I love him more after every single class and CANNOT WAIT to go to the temple.

9. When you have a question, the answer is Etsy.

10. I wouldn't trade this wedding planning craziness for anything.

YOWPO- You only wedding plan once.

I call it my online journal

On February 11th of this year, Brennan had some homework to finish when we were hanging out at his house. We went upstairs to his room so he could grab his laptop and book, and he handed me his journal and told me that he wanted me to write in it while he did his homework. He said to write about when we said we loved each other for the first time, which was about a month before, and anything else I wanted to say.

I was kind of nervous and didn't know where to start, but I wrote and wrote and wrote. I kept writing even after Brennan had finished his homework. It was right then and there that it hit me that Brennan was meant to be in my life forever. I had known for a while that I wanted to marry him, but as a flood of emotions hit me and Brennan was wondering why I was crying, I knew that he would someday be my husband.

Just a few days later, on Valentines Day, Brennan and I both had school, but I scheduled us some massages we got that afternoon, and then that night we went to dinner, a movie, and then went back to my house. We walked down to my room, and there was my bed, decked out with Valentines Day decorations, gifts, and a JOURNAL. Brennan started the first five pages for me, and here is a bit of what he said:

Confession: The journal is not as used and abused as it should be. I think it's because I don't have cute handwriting, I don't know. So even though the last thing I thought I'd ever do was get a blog, I know I'll be much better at updating this than an old school journal.

So here's to this online journal. Wish me luck.