Our Story by Matt

I honestly do not know if I am as good with words as Ashley claims but, I do know I love her very much and love to tell our story.

 I first met Ashley in January 2010 during the first day of a children's literature class. For those of you who don't know I am also an education major and will graduate in the fall. I had a previous career in the investment and mortgage fields. I can't recall exactly who sat down first, probably the overachiever (not me), but I was seated in front of Ashley.  I am generally a pretty quiet person until I get to know someone and very private with my personal life.  Ashley was bound to change all of that within the first 30 seconds.

The strange part about the situation was that I didn't feel uncomfortable when she was asking A LOT of questions. I could immediately sense a caring person who was generally interested in what I had to say. A lifelong friendship was born within seconds. I don't say this lightly; however I was blown away by her drive and zest for life.  I wanted to follow her to see all the great things I knew she would accomplish. Here are a few pictures so you know what I mean:

Here is an example where Ashley lead the opening activity at career day at Kingsbury Elementary. She called the girls from her Girls on the Run team up to help and we were the side kicks as she did the button turning chant.

One of our only pictures together before we started dating. Again, at Kingsbury Elementary

Ashley was and is very open about who she is and how her upbringing by her parents and her faith were of utmost importance in her life. Besides being in perpetual motion  I began to realize just how genuine Ashley is. There is nothing false or pretentious about her. Ashley is perfectly content being Ashley. I love that!

Let's be honest, nobody really wants to sit in a class on a beautiful Thursday afternoon but, I couldn't wait for that class so I could see Ashley. During that class we did every single project as a team, actually I showed up and Ashley did all the work. Our very first project was an author study and I pleaded that we use my favorite book of all time Make Way for Ducklings.  That was the first and only time I have ever won ANY concession from her.  Ashley didn't like the fact the book was in black and white because as we know every color in the spectrum has to be used in Ashley's work. I think we used that book because Ashley understood the personal significance that book holds in my heart. 

We quickly became the very best of friends.  Anything significant that may happen in one of our lives we would immediately tell each other.  Ashley MADE me sign up for Skype so we could talk whenever we wanted. We texted so much that I am fortunate that I  have unlimited texts. Our conversations centered around school and football.  If anything important happened in my life I immediately thought I have to tell Ashley or what would Ashley think.

 That semester and summer we we did a few innocent things together like grocery shopping and a trip to Swan Lake with my nephew. I soon realized that grocery shopping wasn't the same unless Ashley was with me. The time at the park was very special. Ashley bought all kinds of toys for my nephew and I could see how much she enjoyed spending time with him. Perhaps I was a little jealous.

Here is a picture of my nephew and me. Ashley met him two years before, and he didn't forget the fun time they had together!

 As time went by I realized how much I needed Ashley's friendship. I was learning a lot about myself through Ashley.  If I was to make a decision I would talk to Ashley first. I kept thinking that I could only ever be friends with her and I would cherish our friendship forever. Soon I realized that I missed Ashley when we would have to spend long periods of time separated from each other.


 Early in 2011 it became apparent to me that I had developed feelings for Ashley. If I would have sat down and made a list of what I was looking for in a girlfriend Ashley would have checked off every box.  I had made a pact with myself that I didn't want to date anyone until after the stress of school was over so I just kept my feelings for her to myself.  In November of last year a large group of Education majors went on a field trip to Atlanta.  Ashley and I sat on opposite ends of the bus just because I was the last one to board. Ashley brought her lap top back and sat down with me for the trip to Atlanta.  I was so very happy that she was sitting next to me and that we could laugh and relax with each other.

This was on the trip to Atlanta. It was just us being friends!

Early this spring I knew Ashley would be graduating soon and would probably take a job in Columbia or Lexington.  I had to say something. I had missed other opportunities in the past because I didn't speak up and there was no way I was letting Ashley get away. It was almost like a movie to me. I had one opportunity and I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way. I mustered the courage and told Ashley that I had feelings for her and I wanted her to stay in Sumter. As is Ashley's way she quickly moved on to something else and I felt lost for a few moments. I knew I wanted her in my life and now wasn't sure what she would say. I understood her relationship status at the time and throughout those first two years, but now I wanted a chance. We were simply innocent friends and now I was telling her my feelings and that could have ruined a great friendship.  Luckily Ashley responded with a YES! and we planned an ice cream date for a Saturday afternoon. Time has passed and our frienship has blossomed into something very special.  There will be much more to our story as time moves forward and I can't wait to tell more.  What I can tell you now is this;  I have never been happier in my life and I know that is because of Ashley. Ashley is still my very best friend and soon I will be able to call her more than that!

I love thinking about how far we have come over the past two years. I can't imagine life without Ashley in it!

Little bits of Happiness: Grocery Shopping and Ice Cream Dates

Relish-ing Hot Summer Days

I cannot believe the summer days are going by so quickly! It's crazy when you realize we are already into July!! 


So I spend a majority of my time with the kids that I nanny and with my family. Sometimes family time is simply sitting around in the living room with everyone on their iPads and laptops sharing things from Pinterest or Facebook. Other times it's spending a Saturday going to the Flea Market, Farmer's Market, and grocery store and having to buy bottled waters, frosties, and IBCs just to stay hydrated! I absolutely love my family time!!


I am extremely grateful that I have been able to spend a lot of time with Annalyse this summer. The past few months, she has been on a "mine" kick. She is constantly asking, "Is that mine?" or taking things from people saying "No, that's mine." So in order to help her learn how to share for when she starts going to school she and I started playing this game...


It took a while for her to catch onto this game. Anytime she tried to take something and say mine, I would ask her, "Did you buy that with your own money?" Then, I would have to tell her, "No, you didn't." Then I would ask her "Who bought it?" She would look at me and I would tell her "Grandpa bought it." She now thinks grandpa buys everything... which probably is pretty accurate. Then I would ask her "So what does that mean?" and she would gave me a blank stare, I would tell her, "We have to share." After many many times of doing this to her (and kinda feeling like a mean aunt, but hey, it's turned out pretty cute!) she finally caught on and it has turned into this:

Me: Annalyse, did you buy this with your own money?

Annalyse: No...

Me: Who bought it?

Annalyse: Grandpas bought it?

Me: Oh, so what does that mean?

Annalyse: We gotta share.

I wish I could have gotten us on camera doing this but I didn't realize how cute it was until it turned into her own conversation. I did get her own conversation on camera though:

 It was hilarious the first time she did this out of no where... She randomly picks things up and looks at me and says very animated "Did you buys this with your own money? and then quickly says "Okay, now we gotta share." It's crazy how fast she is growing up! I'm sooo excited for when she starts going to school! 

Here is another video... sorry about the loud music... this was taken during nap time while Eric was watching something loud on TV... I don't know where she gets the saying "I swing all the days!" Then it's so cute when she goes at the very end "Did you buy this with your money and this with your money?" and before I can so no she goes, "Then we gotta share."

Here are some other pictures from this summer!

First, Matt, Annalyse and I made cupcakes in an ice-cream cone! They were so much fun to make! Not sure how good they were cuz I wasn't in the mood to try one... And I got to wear my new apron! (Over  a Florida Gator shirt of course )

So one thing I really really miss this summer is Helena. She is serving a mission and it's just not the same not having her here! Although I'm use to her going to China and Belgium for months at a time, it's weird not being able to just email, text, or call her. I have been really good at writing her letters! Here are some of the cute ones I've sent her!

So It was the 4th of July so Christie and I spent some time getting ready together!  Annalyse gave me a big smile for this picture!! And sorry the other picture is so blurry but it was dark out when we went to watch fire works!

Also new this summer is my car! I have been wanting a car sooo bad and my dad has been itching to buy a car with my money so WHALA! I got  Florida-Blue Mazda Tribute! I love it! All it needs is my Florida Gator front license plate...

 So I decided to save gas and stay the night near my job but didn't bring a shirt for the next day... so Kat and David were close and Kat said she would let me borrow one... and this is the one she chose... how was I so successful up to this point in not wearing a gamecock shirt? I mean after a whole semester on the Columbia campus and graduating from a USC campus... i am now ruined. (I'm an academic gamecock and an athletic Florida Gator... so yes, I have some University of South Carolina shirts but none that say gamecock...) Oh well, I did give in and wear a baseball "Fear the Fish" shirt after my gators were knocked out of the CWS... but only because I cheer SEC after my gators... so this is what started the streak...

Also this summer I got to go to my first baseball game! I have such great friends who when I say something they listen. So when I said I wanted to go to a baseball game, TADA! It happens : ) I even have a baseball (bought not caught) to remember it by : ) It was soooo much fun! And even though everyone on Facebook provided evidence that it was in the 100s outside (dumb), I didn't mind the weather at all! 

So I learned a couple of things at the baseball game:
1.  As the team is warming up and the pitcher yells to someone, "Joel you're on the radio", it doesn't mean that it's a Billy Joel song.
2. When the pitcher "owns" someone at bat, it doesn't mean they are the batter's manager or agent....
3. Only really cool kids and really uncool adults bring baseball gloves to games.
4. If you never saw your parents drunk, you never got to say whatever you wanted to them without being beaten for it.

So finally to top off this summer, Matt and I have had some fun adventures so far this summer! I made us a "to-do" list full of adventure but we haven't completed it yet. We always have fun and laugh sooooo much when we are together! And the best part is even though we had a to-do list, the best things that we did weren't even on that list! We just laugh soooo much whether it's flying kites or sitting in the car! It's the small things that I love so much!

Number 1, the real "ICEE" machines were all out of order... probably from being over used cuz it's been so hot outside. So we did one better and got a Birthday Cake shake from Zaxbys! LOVE LOVE LOVE! And chocolate whip cream was soooooo good!!! 

I tried to take a picture but it was so good and went so fast that I didn't get one of the actual shake... but here is the empty cup! 

Oh, and Matt realized how I'm the actual one who needs to learn how to share better... I tried to tell him I was looking out for his figure but some how he didn't really believe me... but at least I could say to him "Did you buy this with your own money?" Which since it was my planned date and I had the "financial assets" in labeled envelopes, it was my money! But let's be real, I DID share most of it...

So Surprise 1 was a kite! And Surprise 2 still hasn't taken place and it has to do with someone else so I can't say yet... It's my good-girl prank : ) GO Gators! : )

This pretty much catches up the fun things for the summer! I still have a ton of pictures with my three kids that I nanny but I'll have to do that in another blog... this one is soooo long! : ) Another day!

Small bits of Happiness: Dry Erase Makers & Cute Ribbon

Mustard-ing up my Cooking Confidence

So, it's no secret-- I'm a HORRIBLE cook!


It goes as far back as I can remember. I was babysitting one time and remember the mom asking me to start macaroni and cheese for the kids for dinner while she finished getting ready. Five minutes later, she came out to make sure I found the box and pot... and found that not only did I find the box and pot, but I had dumped the noodles into the COLD water... who knew you were suppose to let the water boil first! 


*So Matt's question after reading ^that^ paragraph:
     "You didn't read the directions on the box?" 
My response: 
     "They put the directions for mac and cheese on the box?!?! I thought people just knew how to make it!" 
Obviously, not.


As if this wasn't indication enough, I've often times made things like chicken alfredo and forgot to buy chicken... I figured they put that in with the noodles or sauce... somewhere!


And not to downplay my individual cooking skills and call someone else out, but a few years ago, Brittany and I wanted to make fried rice. It only took us about ten minutes and when we were done, it was crunchy!! What did we do wrong? Well, we didn't know you have to steam (you know, like cook!) the rice first.


So! I have decided that since I have a Bachelors Degree in teaching, the next step is to learn how to cook! Also because although hotdogs are my first love, I probably shouldn't feed them to my kids and future family for three meals a day...


Step 1: Buy a cookbook. Check!

Step 2: Find Recipes to add to cookbook. In Progress...

You should totally send me your favorite recipe. No hotdog recipes though. I have that down to an art.

Step 3: Experiment. Check!

       So Kathryn and David went out of town for David's brother's wedding. So I got to dog sit and be closer to work. It was like having my own apartment all over for five days!

      Matt decided to come down Sunday night for a couple hours and have dinner with me! I told him I would cook. He told me we could cook together. So our adventure began! I looked up a recipe for Quesadillas (which when you ask Matt to spell that out loud you get "Q-E-S-D-A-L-L-I-S... no wait... and then he spells it the exact same way...again... oh boy!)

    *So Wahla! I made these buffalo chicken and bacon Quesadillas! And have no horror stories! They were delicious!

Here is my messy cooking space. I look for real right?! I seasoned the chicken with some of Kat's Greek season-all stuff... and it was delicious! Matt informed me later that Quesadillas are not Greek... at least I added seasoning though...

There is a light on the top of my maker that tells me when they are done! I truly believe they do this for people like me who have self-diagnosed ADHD and keep lifting the top every 5 seconds...

All I needed was to go pick a small green leaf out of the yard and add it to the middle on top of the sour cream and picante!: ) What wonderful presentation!

Step 4: Take Private Cooking Lessons. In Progress...

Matt's Mom is going to help me out here : ) More to come later!

Small bit of Happiness: Lime Kool-Aid and Clean Windshields

****Update****

Step 5: Buy a cute cook apron to cook in. Check!

Carolina Pottery is my absolute new favorite place!!!! I LOVE my new apron! I think this is what I needed to officially start my cooking lessons!!