Found It!

This is sort of turning into a wedding planning blog...so bear with me if you're not really into it. It's just what I've been spending the majority of my time on this summer. The "it" I'm referring to is my wedding dress! I ended up going with the one that I was 95% sure of when I tried it on the first time. I did try on my other two favorites again, just to see if I'd get that "feeling." But when it came down to it, the other one just made me feel like a bride. :) It'll look great for the beach and reception back here. Wish I could post a pic but you'll have to wait until July 11th at least. I don't have too much more to do with the wedding/reception as far as putting deposits down and booking things. Hopefully I'll just be able to enjoy the planning and relax when the wedding gets here. :)

Dresses, Dresses, and More Dresses!

So if you're married you know all about the wedding dress hunt! I've been looking the last couple of days and there is just so much out there. A-line, silhouette, sweetheart, strapless, tiaras/headpieces, veils, slips, corsets, princess, bustle...the list goes on and on. I will admit it's been lots of fun trying all of them on. :) And it's nice looking for me for a change, not for someone else! There are a few that are sticking with me...those few that you try on and they literally take your breath away. I could tell from the looks on my mom's and friends' faces which ones those were. I know I'll settle on one eventually, and I don't have to worry too much as long as it's ordered about 7 months before the wedding. Until then, I'll enjoy it! :)

PS I can just about guarantee I won't be wearing THIS one! ;)

Wedding Ticker :)

Wedding Planning!

Well the wedding planning is officially underway! Let me just say that I'm glad I don't work in the summer so I have the time to do all this...it's a lot of work! It doesn't help that we're going away to get married then coming back and having a big reception, but it's what we both really want. Our families and friends are excited about it too! I just remind myself that at the end of the day, I'm marrying my best friend, and that's what truly matters. I'll be updating our wedding website as more things are booked. I just put some new things on there today. Here's the link:

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AshleyBywater&NathanGwin

Leave a comment on our guestbook (and wish me luck)! :)

PS I just had to add this picture to my post! I'm definitely not to that point (and hopefully I won't ever will be) but it was too funny!

We are engaged!

Just wanted to share our wonderful news with everyone on my blog...Nathan and I got engaged today! It was absolutely perfect! We had my family over for brunch and sometime before my parents left, Nathan showed them the ring and asked for their blessing. He put it on Louie's collar while I went outside to clean off the patio tables. He came out and asked if he could help with anything and I said no thanks. I went back inside and they both followed me. We were in the living room and he asked me to check Louie's ears (he's had an ear infection). I looked down and there it was, along with a beautiful heart-shaped keychain. He told me he loved me and asked me to marry him. I kept saying "What is that?! Are you kidding?" in the midst of all my crying! We hugged on the living room floor with Louie watching. :) It was perfect...very "us." Thanks to everyone who called/emailed/texted/left a facebook comment today. It's very much appreciated. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend! :)

Sorry!

So I really stink lately at this blog thing! lol Sorry it's been so long...nothing new has really been going on. The school year is almost over and I can't believe it. I really had a great group of kiddos this year and it'll be sad to see them leave. They will just be across the hall though. ;) Nathan and I are doing well. We did some ring shopping a few weeks ago so I'm just waiting to answer the big question! Then the planning fun starts! I'm trying to decide if I want to try and get a job this summer or just relax. I know I want to volunteer out at the APA quite a bit. I know that may lead to me wanting to bring a dog home, so we'll see how that goes! Hope everyone is doing well. Until next time...:)

2008 Year in Review

Where did you begin 2008?
At Jill's, then Brad & Cory's with my friends and Nathan

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
taken and living with Nathan

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Just to see babies that were born

Did you have any encounters with the police?
no

Where did you go on vacation?
Mexico!

Did you know anybody who got married?
yes, lots of weddings!

What sporting events did you attend?
Cardinal games, Alex's baseball games

Where do you live now?
Granite City

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
I didn't think "never" but I thought I would put it off a lot longer...getting my master's degree!

What was your best season?
summer, I love the weather and my birthday :)

Any regrets?
no

What do you want to change in 2009?
stop drinking soda, take yoga classes

Overall, how would you rate this year on a scale of 1 to 10?
8

Have any life changes in 2008?
no

Change your hairstyle?
yes, shorter

Get a new job?
no

How old did you turn this year?
25

Did anything embarrassing happen?
probably in my classroom

Get married or divorced?
neither

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
only the funny audition parts

Start a new hobby?
no

Been snowboarding?
no

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
yes...until they closed ours :(

Been naughty or nice?
little of both

What school did you go to?
teach in Hartford

Did you change much?
no

Are you happy with who you have become?
yes

Did you fall in love?
more every day :)

Did you go on any camps?
no...not real outdoorsy

Did you see any movies at the theatres?
yes

What's a song you were hooked on?
live your life, womanizer

Did you get really dressed up for anything?
lots of weddings

What is the saddest thing that happened?
aunt tina passing away

What is something that really made you smile?
Louie makes me smile every day, and teaching

What are your plans for New Years?
going to mike and charlie's party

Will you be getting a midnight kiss?
yes

Think back to the beginning of the year and now think of now what’s different?
I'm better educated, Dalton is almost 1

What’s the same?
pretty much everything else

How was your last winter?
cold

Summer?
loved it, took some classes then enjoyed the rest and went to mexico!

Fall?
beginning of a new school year, loved that too

All in all, it was a pretty great year. With every year that goes by, I'm more and more thankful for my family and friends, Nathan and Louie, and my wonderful "job." Here's to 2009! :) Have a happy and safe new year everyone.