Perfect magnolia
Sunday, September 5, 2010

Posted byAshley C. at 1:45 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

Labels: God, shopping, summer

Yankee Candle. Amazing.

Posted byAshley C. at 9:46 AM 2 Love Notes  

Labels: fall, Spring, summer, winter

We're engaged!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 30, 2010

Finally!  You know what I'm talking about!  I no longer have to wish and hope and dream about the proposal. ;-]  I am officially soon-to-be Mrs. Joshua Staples!!!! Woot woot!!!!  If my computer weren't charging, I would still be running around the house screaming and dancing . . . and posing with my new ring in the mirror!  ;-] 

Yesterday, Josh and I spent the entire afternoon hanging out at Navy Pier.  The weather was perfect; the breeze was perfect; the Summery, warm, comfortable feeling of the day couldn't have been better.  We walked around Navy Pier and decided to take a seat on one of the benches.  I kicked my legs over his, he layed his arm across my shoulders and we just hung out and flirted.  Not just any kind of flirting; the kind of flirting where I have to ask myself, Have we really been dating for 5 years? the kind of flirting that stirs butterflies in my stomach.  I was cuddled in his arms and simply enjoying the moment for what it was.  After we both could no longer fight our hunger feeling, we agreed to grab dinner at Harry Caray's.  While eating dinner, I told him, You know that day that I've been wanting all Summer?  The day where we just hang out, walk hand-in-hand with our ice cream cones, enjoying each other's company?  This is that day.  This day is so perfect it seems unreal.  He just smiled.  Shortly after, I told him, Babe, I just want you to know that I don't even need a ring.  As long as I can have your last name, I am perfectly okay with that.  He just laughed and said "Yeah right!"
After dinner, we rode the ferris wheel and then were determined to find a bench amongst the tons and tons of people standing around waiting for a bench to clear to watch the fireworks.  We found the perfect bench and were sure that there wasn't a better seat at Navy Pier.  After the fireworks were over, I stood up and was ready to go since he had work the next morning and we had a long ride home, but Josh asked, "What time is it?"  9:12, I said.  "Sit back down, we still have some time to hang out."  So, we decided just to hang around and enjoy the perfect, warm breeze and that special moment that is so difficult to duplicate.  He had his arm around my shoulders and I kicked my feet up on the bench, leaned my back into his side, rested my head on his chest and nestled in closely to him. 

Why don't you just propose to me already?  Hey, wouldn't it be so cool if when you . . . And I was cut off by Josh placing this beautiful diamond ring in front of me.  I quickly gasped for a breath, turned around and looked at Josh, who was already on his knee.  Babe, are you serious? 
"Ashley Leilani-Nicole Couch, I love you sooo much.  Will you marry me?"  And the only word that could come out of my mouth was Yes. I grabbed him in the tightest hug and just started crying.  Crying because I couldn't have imagined a more perfect moment, on a more perfect day, with the most perfect guy I have ever met.  I couldn't believe that the moment I had been waiting for for so long had finally just happened.  The ring that he placed on my finger was THE perfect ring. 

I just kept hugging him, looking at him, and kissing him . . . and repeated about 30 times haha!  He said, "If I would have known I was going to get this many kisses, I would have asked sooner!"  So we just sat around, talked about what each other was feeling, assuring him that the ring was absolutely perfect, and promising that I didn't know he had a jewelry box in his side pocket.  Any of you that know me know that I ask Josh every day When are we getting engaged?  Is the day any closer?  Are we going to be engaged by ______?  Have you even purchased the ring yet?  What does my ring look like?  You already know the day you're going to ask me?  I am just the biggest eager beaver when it comes to wanting to be his fiance.  So for me to tell him, Why don't you just propose to me already?  was just another comment/question that the day couldn't end without.  But, I did not expect him to take me literally!  :-]

I still cannot believe that he is my fiance!  It really hasn't hit me, I don't think.  I can't believe that within the next year we will be shopping for wedding bands, looking for a place to live,  joining our bank accounts (YES!  I mean . . . ), looking for wedding attire, looking at furniture and appliances . . . taking steps to sharing the same last name . . . eeeek, it sounds amazing!!!!! 

And for those of you that are curious, the ring is a 1.5 carat solitaire.  ;-]  Yipeeee!!!! Homie did good!!!

Posted byAshley C. at 7:53 PM 2 Love Notes  

Labels: engagement, Josh, love, summer

Road Trip!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Our 5th anniversary is this Friday and he gave me two options:  1) fly to Orlando or Naples, FL for 4 nights or 2) take a road trip to any place I want.  What did I choose?  ROAD TRIP!  We've been to Florida before.  I love Florida, but I wanted something a little more relaxing.  I feel like with so much going on around us, it's more like us just hanging out and that ends up resulting in us just "being there" with each other.  With it being a milestone for us, him working so much and us not doing a single thing this Summer exciting, I wanted something more us.  :-]  So, I told him that I wanted to go visit the Smokies and he was so up for the idea!  The only catch was that he took off work Thursday-Sunday (which in itself was a huge deal), so that means that I had to somehow get off work Thursday, too (thank you sooo much, Krissy!).  So, we made some reservations, paid for our rental and we're leaving tomorrow morning!  I cannot wait!  :-]  I love, love, love, love  Tennessee!!!  I just might not come back!  I'm so glad that I have my camera because I'm going to take a gazillion photos of everything.  :-D  And ony our list of things to do: ziplining, horseback riding, and hiking!  I will share lots of photos with you when we get back! 

Posted byAshley C. at 2:24 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

Labels: Josh, summer, vacation

This may be an easy one.
Thursday, July 22, 2010

It is no surprise why a home burglary would leave someone feeling scared and paranoid.  In their own home.  Which, in itself is a feeling that nobody should ever feel.  Your home should be your safe-haven; your refuge from everything going on outside in the world.  But, when a burglary occurs, all of those warm, comfy, home feelings are kind of thrown out the window.  I've been pretty afraid to be home by myself because I have this feeling that whoever did this will return because: 1) our house was an easy target for them; 2) they somehow managed to get past all 4 of our dogs and probably aren't even scared of them anymore; 3) they know what kinds of things we have in our home that might be worth monetary value to them. 
People keep telling me that I'm being paranoid . . . well, obvisouly they've never had their home broken into and their belongings stolen from a complete stranger.  Because of this so-called paranoia (which I am by no means denying. I am paranoid, but have a legitimate reason to be!), I have my own ways of feeling protected . . . now, a thing I have to discover how to do in my own home.
Yesterday, I saw a family down the street talking with the police so I pulled over and asked if their house was broken into, too and they said that their car was.  The cop said that they have their suspicions and gave me some details to look out for.  But I am convinced I was a born detective, so I decided to drive around today for about an hour and look for suspicious activity.  I didn't find anything too weird, but I was following this kid for a while (from a distance) and ended up losing him decided he wasn't weird (haha!).  I'll be doing the same tomorrow. ;-]  I'm determined to get my photos back!  Oh, hey burgular, you may want to be smart and keep a low profile and not be so obvious, stirring up so much activity!  That's how you get caught! This may be an easy one. ;-] 

Posted byAshley C. at 3:55 PM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: random, struggles, summer

While you're away, the thieves will play
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

 . . . I came home and she was right, some of my belongings were dumped on my bed and floor while others remained untouched.  Me and Josh's laptops, the wii, the PS3, and some controllers were all gone.  I couldn't help but kneel on the side of my bed and cry out loud.  How could someone do this?  Mom was downstairs talking to the insurance company on the phone and Lowell was looking around for more things to add to that awfully long list . . . 

I had plans yesterday to babysit a couple towns over and mom and Lowell had off of work because mom had to get dental surgery.  I was reminding mom to watch out for the UPS guy to drop off my cell phone (different story, different day!) and waited around as long as I could for him.  I was eager to babysit because I could practice my so-called photography skills on the kids; I grabbed my camera bag and headed out the door before I was late.  I got to the house where I was babysitting at about 12:45.  Mom called that house at about 2:45, on the other end mom was speaking frantically,
 "Ashley?  Oh, my gosh, when are you going to be home?!  Someone broke into our house while we were gone!"   
Wait, are you serious?!  How the heck did they get in past the dogs?
"They sliced through the kitchen window.  There's things dumped all over your room.  I need to know what's missing."
Can you go in my room and tell me if some things are there?  Is my laptop, wii, or Josh's bags missing?
"None, of that is here.  How many bags did Josh have?  Please tell me you have your camera with you!"
Oh, my freaking goodness!  My laptop is gone?  Josh had 3 bags there, how many did they take?! 
"There's only one here."
Okay, let me call and see when they'll be home.

I could not contain myself; I just started bawling.  My laptop is gone?  Every picture of me and Josh from day one is on there.  Every picture I have ever taken of Andrew is on there.  All the pictures from the family reunion and last weekend are on there.  All of my music, schoolwork, resume, is on there.  What about Josh's computer?  Any picture that I've ever taken is copied on his computer.  All of his important documents and computer-programming work are on there.  Fortunately, the kids' parents would be home in 30 minutes.  Let me tell you, that was probably one of the longest 30 minutes of my life.  I could not wait to get home, survey my belongings and be able to talk to Josh.
I came home and she was right, some of my belongings were dumped on my bed and floor while others remained untouched.  Me and Josh's laptops, the wii, the PS3, and some controllers were all gone.  I couldn't help but kneel on the side of my bed and cry out loud.  How could someone do this?  Mom was downstairs talking to the insurance company on the phone and Lowell was looking around for more things to add to that awfully long list.  Mom was saddened by her jewelry being gone since it was left for her when her mom passed away.  Her credit cards and money, laptop, camera, wedding ring, and some other valuable things were gone.  Things that could not be recovered.  I just could not believe that all of my pictures had been stolen from me.  After I gathered myself, it was my turn to make several phone calls.  I had to call and suspend my cell phone line, call Dell and gather information and report 3 stolen laptops, call my cell phone insurance company and report a stolen replacement cell phone, and call UPS to see if my package was delivered.  I was able to take care of all of  that; my phone got suspended, the stolen phone fee was waived, I got the tag numbers for all laptops, and my package would be delivered tomorrow.
As I was cleaning up my room, my mom yelled to me and my step dad, "Guys!  Come look what's in my garbage!"  We both ran downstairs and in the garbage was one of Josh's laptop bags stuffed with the cheapest of all of the jewelry.  We called the cops and they came to the house, took the bag and did fingerprints again.  After that, I was finally able to get a hold of Josh and felt so comfortable just letting all of my fear, doubts, and anger out.  The moment he said, "Baby, what's done is done.  We still have each other and our families.  Any picture that was worth showing off is on Facebook anyway.  Plus, I planned on getting you a new Mac anyway."  Just hearing him speak so calmly with no ounce of worry in his voice dried my tears up quicker than anything else could have.  He was right.  What's done is done, crying is not going to get me anywhere.  I still had my Lover, my Jive, my best friend and any amount of my missing belongings could not come close to what he meant to me; that's all that mattered in that moment.

Today is a new day, but the fears of yesterday still reside in our home.  Although Josh stayed with me last night, I could not fall asleep because I just kept replaying the incident in my mind. I wonder what he looked like.  I wonder if the dogs went crazy.  I wonder how long he was in our house.  I wonder what else he took that I/we didn't notice.  I wonder who's room he went in first.  I wonder if we've seen him in passing before.  I wonder what else he saw that he wanted.  But most of all, I wonder when he'll decide to come back.  Our central air is getting fixed today (after 3 weeks of heck!), so once all of the windows are shut and locked, hopefully he will not try getting in.  It's very, very sad when you've got to walk around your own home with caution, wondering if someone is walking around it with you; when you have to think twice about leaving something out or hiding it before leaving; when you have to decide what lock to install on your bedroom door, not in fear of someone in the house getting in, but in fear of someone who doesn't even belong in the house getting in.  I feel so violated knowing that someone came into our home, went through our belongings, things we've all worked so hard to buy, and decided what they wanted to claim as their own.  It's a sick thing knowing that someone was in my room, going through my belongings, and taking things that have no intrinsic value to them.  Their hands touched my door knob, my bed, and their fingers filed through my dresser drawers and they decided what they wanted of mine.  Now, my job is to research home security options, call around to the local pawn shops, and I guess it wouldn't hurt to research a new Mac. ;-] 
I guess it's lessons like these that make us remember what matters most to us.  :-]     I'll keep you posted on any further information or findings we come across. 

Posted byAshley C. at 9:44 AM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

Labels: family, finances, lesson learned, me, struggles, summer

Summer's a bad influence!
Thursday, July 15, 2010

Don't worry!  I made it back from Michigan alive (well, it was a close one!).  Remember me telling you about the Summer being a thief and stealing time?  Yeah, well, I don't see an end in sight with its thiefing!  Speaking of Summer, I've been feeling a little bit of pressure to lose weight, look thinner, feel better.  So, in order to conquer those things, I don't know what I was thinking, but I thought it was a good idea to start the Atkins diet.  It sounded like a good idea since you can look 15-20 pounds in a month (and I only want to lose 20!).  On top of that, I just started a 4-week bootcamp at the gym I work at.  With doing both things to my body, I was guaranteed to end this month looking like a Victoria's Secret model.  Or something close.  Okay, maybe not.  But, I was willing to give it a shot.  I made it through the diet 1 day but continued hearing and reading stories about people that lost all of the weight but immediately gained it back plus some.  I do not want to run my body through the ringer doing something so extreme.  Plus, the Atkins isn't teaching me a "healthy lifestyle;" all that it is, is a crash-diet.  So, instead I figured that it would probably be a better idea to watch what I eat, drinks lots and lots of water, no fast-food, no eating past 7 p.m., and working out regularly.  Now, that is something that I can do forever.  I love me some fried chicken, bread, pasta, popcorn, etc. and I am not willing to give those things up for a lifetime.  I want to enjoy life and enjoy the unexpected events that occur and not be so hard on myself for eating a piece of fruit. 

Hmm . . . speaking of unexpected events happening, I can't believe that me and Josh will be celebrating our 5-year anniversary in a little less than 1 month!  He's planning this one since I planned the last one!  Man, it's really exciting and scary!  :-]

Posted byAshley C. at 8:27 AM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: food, Health, Josh, summer

Soaking in sweat
Thursday, July 8, 2010

For the past week, our air conditioner has not been working.  That wouldn't be such a bad thing if the weather weren't in the mid-90s all week.  I've contemplated begging Josh to rent a hotel room for me.  Going a week without a shower (since I'll sweat right away anyway!).  Sleeping outside on the table.  But then I realized that after I make it through this, I'll finally be prepared for the real world (and probably a little stinky, too)!  My step dad has been calling this same company every day since last Sunday and they keep saying "Oh, there's a waiting list.  We'll call you back."  But, without fail, we keep going to bed sweaty and irritated.  Finally, yesterday Josh texted me and asked if mom would get mad if I had an AC hanging out of my window.  I told him no, but a portable one would be cooler!  But I followed that text by another saying that the guy will be here Friday, I'll be gone, and it will be a waste of money.  So, he just brought back a twin window fan.  Sweet!  It has temperature settings for automatic on and off.  I ran that thing for probably 2 hours before we noticed lots of gnats flying around my ceiling fan light.  Lots.  Yup.  The fan sucked all of the outside gants inside my room.  That means that we had to find a way to get them out of my room (No!  I did not turn my light off, leave my door open, and turn the hallway light on!  What kind of person do you think I am?!).  Not to mention, the fan got turned off and I cried myself to sleep, soaking in my sweat.

The busy, busy central air guy will be here tomorrow afternoon.  I will be gone tomorrow morning.  Hopefully to a place as cold as ice.

Posted byAshley C. at 3:52 PM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: summer

Family time!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Well, after 5 years, I think I'm in . . . kinda, sorta, semi.  Maybe.  Josh's mom snapped at him when he went to the family reunion without me.  It was pretty awesome.  I was at work when Josh told me that after I get off, me and Errika need to hurry up and get there because the family wants to meet me; that caught me off guard because I was not expecting to go at all.  Josh has a rather large family (7 aunts and uncles, I think?) and I've never met any of them since they are all so scattered but it felt good meeting all of the people that he always talks about.  It was really cool to meet them and it was cool to have my best friend there with me to "break me in" since it was only going to be me and Josh the following day.  It was nice to have a day with Errika, but it felt more . . . I don't know . . . intimate with just Josh and me. 
Josh's family is a Christian family and I think that is a really beautiful thing.  From what I know of, there is not a single person in my family that is a Christian, so to see a family having the most important thing in common is awesome.  Josh and I were talking about how valuable it is to be sure that you instill your Christian values and morals into your kids strongly so that you aren't losing it from generation to generation.  You want the values to be just as strong as great, great grandma's and that doesn't "just happen."  I thought it was cool, too that Josh's family seems very family-oriented.  They said that twice a year, a family newsletter will come out and any big news and information will be in there.  Come on, what family has a newsletter?  On top of all that, there is a family reunion every 2 years.  I really hit the jackpot, eh?  :-]  Maybe at the next reunion . . . never mind. ;-]   

I really wish I had the time to edit some of the photos from the reunion, but honestly, I didn't have time.  Not long, some will be posted!  :-]

Next weekend will kind of be a tiny reunion for me and some of my dad's side of the family.  Me and Errika are taking a road trip to Michigan for my cousin's wedding.  Since Josh's union is currently on strike, there is a slight chance that he will be going with us!  Errika and I planned for just the two of us, but having Josh tag along will be cool, too since he has never met any of my family.  I can't wait to see what happens!  :-]  At this point, maybe I should be saying my sister, Errika, huh?   

Posted byAshley C. at 8:35 AM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: family, friends, summer, vacation

Summertime
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Step-sister is town (along with her kids) for a month, Taste of Chicago, hang out with friends, sleep, several failed attempts to get that third barn painted before his family reunion next weekend, family reunions, weddings, rollerblade, work, job-search . . . . ahhh, Summer.  I mentioned to Josh a couple days ago, I haven't blogged in a few days and it makes me sad.  But to be quite honest, the Summertime is a kind of time that steals everything else.  Busyness happens and then you're looking forward to the next busy event and more life gets in the way; I like that.  I like looking forward to the busyness of life.  :-]  Speaking of which, I've got a hair appointment, a pedicure, a mini-roadtrip with Errika, a wedding, and a small "family reunion" next week that I've been looking forward to all Summer.
We haven't even gotten around to doing some things that I've been looking forward to . . . the zoo, picnics, fishing, looong car rides, tennis, nights in Chicago, etc.  Hopefully some time this Summertime! 

Posted byAshley C. at 8:11 AM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: Busy, summer

Unforgettable Experiences
Monday, October 26, 2009

Two and a half years ago, I went on a missions trip with 7 others to Indonesia.  It was my first trip outside of the country.  I was honored that God chose me to go and be a part of His work on the other side of the world.  In my opinion, I do not feel that I was as effective as I should have been.  But, who am I to say that God hadn't used me?  I might not know how He has used me until I am in His Kingdom.  I made friends, lasting memories, unforgettable experiences, and so much more. 

Posted byAshley C. at 5:08 PM 0 Love Notes  

Labels: Christianity, God, prayer, summer

Love in Full Bloom
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Love in full bloom. That's what I have been feeling a lot the past few days. Maybe it has something to do with the weather. There is something so much more different from winter and summer and the feelings the two seasons bring.

Today me and Josh were supposed to just go to the park with our bucket of baseballs and two bats. One of which is probably two times the size I should use. We make do with what we have . . . I guess. We planned on going and hitting around some balls and just have fun together. Of course, those plans didn't go through. Instead, we decided to pack ourselves a lunch and go have a picnic instead. Again, those plans fell through as well. I had to hurry to get to class, so we just set up our lunch on the back patio and enjoyed it there instead. Before we started eating, I felt like something was missing on the table. "Close your eyes. Promise you won't open them." I told Josh. So, I snuck over to the lilac tree, cut him some lilacs, and brought them to him. He deserved something sweet for once. Even though they made his allergies flare up.



The weather has been so beautiful and so fresh lately that it really has forced me to look at me and Josh's love a little differently. I truly do believe that love goes through its seasons. Summer is the best. Both in the actual seasonal meaning and in the relationship sense. Why summer? Because not only is it a time for couples to be able to enjoy each other in the beautiful weather, do enjoyable things, but most of all, my favorite reason: it's temporary. If summer were summer all year round, it wouldn't be what it is. Summer is a time of renewal, fun, and freshness. I look at summer as a representation of a dimension of love. Of course, there are 3 other seasons and love needs that. Love needs a time of hardships, dryness, and storms. If it didn't, love wouldn't be what it is. Love needs a summer time for the reconnection of the two and as much as I don't want to say it again, but a refreshment of the two souls. Even though summer is a more enjoyable time, it's opposite, winter, needs to be embraced, as well. When winter comes around, it really is a hard time for all living things like plants and animals to endure and push through this kind of weather. Not all living things get a chance to see summer again, but if they are strong enough to get through the craziness of winter, they are sure to see summer. This is so much like love. Not all couples are strong enough to persevere through hardships, but when they do, they are going to have so much more beauty to show off in the most beautiful seasons of life.

I am so grateful and thankful that God has placed an amazing man like Josh to go through life with. Anytime I need Josh, he is never behind me watching me experience life, he walking beside me, hand-in-hand experiencing it with me. I couldn't ask for more.

Joshua, I love you and I appreciate you more than I could ever express. We have the most beautiful love I know because we have been able to endure the hard times and embrace the good. Let's enjoy our summer together. I can sleep well at night knowing that I have the most amazing man to hold me through winter's nights.

Random fact: The original name for a butterfly was a flutterby.

Posted byAshley C. at 9:13 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

Labels: beauty, fall, love, Spring, summer, winter