Blissfullness & Blessings!!: June 2012

Our Love Story

The day I met Kenny Owens, will be a day I will NEVER forget! It was in June of 2004; June 19th to be exact! I was going through a tough time in my life & needed to just get out! So...a couple of my friends/cousins & I decided to ride to, what was then, Gametime to "parking lot pimp" LOL! "Parking lot pimp" is what we did when we decided to just "chill" in the parking lot of the club and not go in! I know...sounds a little crazy...but that's what we did when I was 19 years old LOL!! First of all, I have never been the type of girl to “holla” at a dude, but this particular night, I was in rare form & was having so much fun! So, I spotted this SUPER CUTE, light-skinned dude with braids that had on a green jersey! I was determined to get “the boy in the green jersey” phone number & was not leaving Greenville until I got it!! Long story short, I got his number in the parking lot of Gametime & we became friends. We went on one date & that was it! We were just what I said…friends...no more, no less! We carried on this friendship for about three years off & on...I thought he was one of the best friends I’d ever had! We talked about EVERYTHING! In October of 2007, I ran into Kenny in his uncle’s club, Alley Gator’s. We had not talked or seen each other in a long time! I agreed to go visit him one Saturday night after that just to “chill” & that “chill” turned into something serious! I never expected it to go as far as it did, but you cannot run from true love when it finds you. We started out “talking” & made it “official” on January 18, 2008. A couple of weeks shy of our 4 year anniversary, Kenny asked me to be his wife! Another day I will NEVER forget…December 25, 2011…a very special Christmas Day!!! I wrote the following words in a poem to Kenny ("Kay") for Valentine’s Day in 2008 that sums up the love I have for the Love of My Life, my fiance: “…The key to my heart,I thought I threw away. Some how, some way you got it, And now I’m here to stay. I almost missed out…The thought brings chills over me. But timing and patience,I learned is the key. One last time, I’ve fallen in love. But this time I truly believe You’re my angel sent from above.”
Enjoy our Love Story!!!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Oh May, oh May...where did you go?!

As most may know…I celebrated my 27^th birthday on May 10^th! 27? Yea…I am 27…wow LOL! This was my last birthday as “Ashley Thomas”…the next one I’ll be Mrs. Ashley Owens! I had a wonderful birthday thanks to my Hubby to be, my family, & my friends! On Thursday morning, I received the prettiest flower ever at work from “SOS”! Hmmm…wonder who that “SOS” could be?! They were a dozen of purple of roses…the color of our wedding! What a great start to My Day & I knew the best was yet to come!!! He also came to my job, picked me up, & took me to lunch. He had a truck full of surprises for me…he gives the best gifts!! He was on 2^nd shift on my birthday …so he had to go to work that evening. That was ok though because he took off that Friday (& so did I) & the rest of my weekend was going to be with him…can you say super excited?! On Thursday evening, some of my family, friends, & me went to Olive Garden. I enjoyed every second of it & was so thankful for everyone that came out & celebrated my day with me…I felt so special!

Kay had a full day planned for the two of us on Friday. After going to look at a house (we have to do this kind of stuff in between time LOL), he told me we were going to the restaurant of my choice! I chose Rick Erwin’s downtown Greenville! Neither one of us had been there before, surprisingly, but I had heard nothing but good things about it. The food was so good & I’m so glad I chose that restaurant! After Rick Erwin’s, we went to Carolina Ale House to have some drinks…that’s “our spot”!! Fun, fun, fun birthday…he’s the best hubby to be in the universe!!!

Besides my birthday…we had some other interesting things going on in the month of May. On May 11th, I received a phone call from the bestest Bridal Consultant eva’…Mrs. Brooke Pearson (she’s married now yay)! She called to tell me that all of the dresses, except the Mini Maid dresses, were in!!! I could not wait to see them! So…I headed to the Bridal Shop on Monday afternoon to see them. GORGEOUS…I’m so in love with my girls’ dresses! Later that day, I had my mom, Alicia, Tab, & Zyon to meet me at the Bridal Shop to try on the dresses! I also filled my mom’s car up with all of the girls’ dresses & took them to my house (per their request lol)! This day was so exciting! You see…I had saw the dresses in a totally different color than what they were going to be & I had not saw the Matron/Maid dress…so I was anxious. No disappointment at all….PERFECT!!! I’m so proud of myself for picking out such pretty dresses! I also had a meeting with our Wedding Director on May 24^th. We met at Simpsonville First Baptist Church at 6:00pm. Ms. Alma is so sweet & I am looking forward with working with her! My cousin, Lisa, also met with Ms. Alma & I. Although we have a Wedding Director, I asked Lisa to help with whatever else needs to be done on that day! On that Saturday, Ms. Joanne (my caterer/decorator) came to my parents’ house & met with us. She brought us some hor' dourves to sample & some cake! DELICIOUS!!! Mom, Litbit (aka Faith), & me were her “testers”! Kay is a “selective” (notice I said selective & not picky LOL) eater, so he only tried the cake! Kay & I finalized our reception menu with her also.

On Monday, May 28^th, Kristi, Kamaiya, Alicia, & I went to David’s Bridal to find some shoes for the Bridal Announcers. We took Kamaiya's dress to pick out the "right" shoes & we found them!!! I also found my hairpiece. I've been looking & searching for a hairpiece for months and finally found one that was "it"! On Wednesday, May30^th, I met with Ms. Rita Owens about invitations. She was referred to me by Loren. After spending a short period of time with her, I thought I had found “the invitation”! She allowed me to take it home & show Kay & my mom, which was really sweet of her. After a long night of thinking, I decided to go a completely different route with my invites! I’ll share that with you later in the blog!!

Wait...is the month of May over???!!! OMG...I have so much to do!!!

A few pics from my bday...

My Birthday Roses from my Love.!

Beautiful.!

Loved my Cake...Bride to Be.!

Aunt Carol put cake on my face LOL!

Me & My Mommy.!!! :-)

My Mother-in-Law, My Sisters, & Me.!!!

Kalisha, Aunt Joyce, & Me

My Aunties & Me.!!

More Aunties & Me.!

I Love the Kids.!!

LuLu & Kal with the Bday Gal.!!

Go "Auntie Pam" (her real name is Carol LOL)

"Queen for a Day" (gift bag Kay gave me)!!!

My Hubby knows me so well...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Jessica Simpson.!!!

Coach Bag from my Hubby.!

Aww...he loves me.!!

@ Rick Erwin's

Evidence from "The Tasting!!!"

The Strawberry cake (with real & fresh strawberrie) was DELICIOUS!!!

The food we tasted.!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

April Showers...Brings May Flowers!!!

I know, I know, it has been more than a month since I posted! So much has happened within this last month until it is unbelievable! Time is moving so fast!! The showers definitely came in April, & the flowers are blooming so beautiful...it all let's me know that the biggest day of my life is in the near future! I'm so excited.

So...what has happened?!?! I took my dress to get fitted on Tuesday, March 27th. My mom & Faye went with me to the fitting. Oh yea...BJ & Justin went also...what kids do you know make "fun" in an alteration shop? They surely did LOL! So...my mom already had in mind what she thought should be done to my dress & my seamstress added to my mom's list! I asked Ms. Brenda (seamstress) to add just a little of crinoline, have the front hemmed, the top altered, & my straps tightened. I also had one more thing done to it...but if I tell what it may give away my dress a little too much, so I better keep that to myself LOL! I love my seamstress & I think she's the best, but I was on pins & needles for 3 whole weeks! The thought of my dress being out of my hands for 3 whole weeks was really getting to me! Finally, she called me to let me know that it was ready for pick up! So, my sister (Faye) & I went to pick it up one Saturday morning; April 28th at 10:00am to be exact! I was so anxious to see what she had done! Everything was perfect...I didn't expect any less though! So...where's my dress now? Well, I had to take it back to the bridal shop to have a couple more things done to it before I take my Bridal portraits. When they finish, it will be safe & sound at my one of my aunt's house!

In the midst of the wedding planning, Kay & I are also house hunting! We have so many things going on right now until it's unbelievable...but it's all exciting stuff! I'm still in disbelief that my life is completely changing...getting married & buying a house...GOD is so good! Things are happening so fast! After searching & looking at many houses, starting on April 14 @ 12:00 Noon, I think we're finally narrowing it down. We've been from Greer, to Taylors, & down to Simpsonville searching for "the house". So....house hunting on top of wedding planning...you all can imagine how I feel...TIRED (all caps) LOL! All of this is going to be more then worth it in the end! :)

Here are a few pics....enjoy!