Just the two of us

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We are so blessed to have amazing photos from the very talented Meigan with Blink Photogaphy. She and her assistant, McKinsey, captured some of my favorite moments from our day. 
Just the two of us…

You may have seen this one in the paper. 
Or, you may not have, considering it was blended in with the classifieds. 
I’m so glad I paid $53 to be blended with the classifieds. 
(sarcasm)

And the perfect photo for our thank you cards….

I think this one is getting framed….

I don’t normally love pictures of myself, but I do love these….

Love…

My veil and my dress don’t match at all, but wearing my mom’s veil made the day even more perfect. 

I’m so glad I didn’t hide my tattoo.

Happy Monday everyone, 

Rewind: Where were you

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A repost from September 11, 2012 that I looked back on today.

I know where I was.  I’ll never forget.

I shared these memories today with my cherubs and my niece.  My conversation with the group of 10 year olds quickly turned to looks of shock and horror.  Only two of them were even alive.  One was one day old and the other was a little over a month old.  I tried to help the rest of them understand the impact those events had on everyone, including myself, that day.

My niece said, “What those men did was not nice and just rude.  They made a bad choice.”  That sweet little six year old couldn’t have said it better.

I told them this story.  My story…..

I was a 17 year old senior in Mr. Adam’s government class in the southeast side of MVHS.  He received a phone call and quickly turned in the TV to CNN.  Shortly after that we watched the second plane hit the twin towers.

There was silence.  A room full of arrogant and invincible seniors immediately became hushed with silence.  Everyone knew the world just changed forever.  Boy, did it ever.  One of my best friends Jen was in that class.  I can’t even remember the conversations between all of us.  Sometimes I wonder if we even had conversations or if we just sat there in shock and awe of what we were witnessing on the TV.

Then an announcement came on for the entire school to tell of the events that just occurred.  They asked the teachers to leave the TV’s off.  There could have easily been a riot after that announcement.  We wanted to see what was happening.   We needed to know what was going on.

Immediately we went on a lock down.  No one in and no one out.  More planes were crashing, so who really knew if our little town would be next?  It wasn’t impossible, unfortunately.  Thank the Lord that never happened.

The next period I went to the office to serve as office assistant and Madelon let me call my mom immediately.  She was crying.  Saddened by what she was watching but happy to hear my voice.  She had talked to my brother and my sister and everyone was okay.  I wanted her to come get me.  They wouldn’t let her.  Can you imagine not being able to pick up your own child?  That’s when we all knew this world we lived in would never be normal again.  You’d have to have your ID checked to get into your child’s school.  You’d have to have your body patted down to fly on a plane.  All because some idiots decided killing 3,000 people would get us back for whatever we had done to them.

I was worried my brother would have to go to war.  Would they do a draft?  It was on everyone’s mind.  One thing was for sure.  You crash into our country and we’re going to fight back.  So who was to say they wouldn’t do a draft and my brother wouldn’t have to go fight?  I thank ALL of the military men and women who stepped up and volunteered to continue fighting for our freedom.

So after sharing this story with my cherubs and my niece I pondered on their innocence of these events.

It’s unfortunate that my students know what a “lock down” drill is and why we have to do it.  Isn’t that sad?

It’s heartbreaking that my niece knows that four planes flew into places and killed 3,000 people.  Isn’t that sad?

It’s sickening to know the world that my sweet littles have to live in is so much different than the world I grew up in.  I use to be able to ride my bike whereever I wanted and whenever.  Now we have to worry about creeps stealing kids.  Everyone is on edge.  Everyone is overprotective.  It’s no longer human nature to just TRUST someone.

What has this world come to?

It comes down to this.  We were attacked and we fought back.  When you get defensive you put up a guard and a shield.  Since September 11, 2001, we as Americans have not been able to put that guard and shield completely down.  Will we ever be able to?  We hear about a man killing men and women at a temple and in the back of my mind I’m always wondering….couldn’t that have happened to me? Couldn’t that have happened here?

I want my trust back in this world.  I want my life to feel at ease.  I want my littles and all the cherubs to live in a world where we trust and love and the word “terrorist” doesn’t even exist.

After this long day of constantly pondering about where I was 11 years ago those are the things that I couldn’t wish more for.

One of the many pictures that brings tears to my eyes.  

I am thankful for the men and women in our military who fought or are still fighting.  I’m thankful for the police officers and firefighters and any public safety members who risk their lives to save others when the bad guys try and take over.

I’m heavy hearted tonight, but thankful.

Thankfully yours,

Garth Brooks……Check!

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Just over two weeks ago we sat on a boat in the middle if Lake Monroe and decided we had 
to make the trip to Chicago to see Garth. Definitely a prompt from my cousin and his girlfriend mentioning they were going helped. (Thanks Sarah and Matt!)
I will forever be grateful that my guy said “sure, ok” to a 3.5 hour trip north and a hotel stay. It was totally worth it. Not to sound cheesy, but it was practically like a dream come true. I kept telling him last night during the concert that it kind of seemed unreal. I never actually thought I would see Garth Brooks in concert. This wasn’t Mike’s first Garth concert, but I could tell he enjoyed it just as much as I did
I have so many fond memories of listening to Garth as a child. We listened to his tapes in the old Cadillac or Astro minivan. We listened to him on the old stereo on Saturday morning when we cleaned. We listened to him all the time.  
I can remember in elementary school school taking his CD in to music class.  The music teacher told us to bring in our favorite song.  Mrs. Lockwood was going to let us play our favorite song for the class. We had to tell what type of music it was and then everyone got to listen.  I can remember hearing some Boyz 2 Men, some Mariah Carey, probably a few of TLC, and I’m sure a few rap songs from the boys.  (Nowadays there is no way in hell we could allow kids to bring in their music to listen to!) 
My choice was from Garth’s album “In Pieces”. One of my a favorite fast songs of his….”Ain’t Goin Down til the Sun Comes Up”
Looking back….I’m shocked my mother let me take that in.  I’m shocked I didn’t get in trouble.  I mean….the lyrics are a little risqué.  At the time, I had no freaking clue what that song was about.  I could sing all the words and I loved it but I have no idea what it was about.  Promise. 
Another memory of a Garth song I have…..”The Thunder Rolls”. Every time I was with my grandpa and that song came on he would always say….”Sounds like rain’s a comin” That always made me giggle.  I remember riding on roller coaster ride and asking him to start that song over and over in their old green cougar.  
Every time I hear “The River” it reminds me of him.  Like its a song that still speaks to me as if grandpa is still here. 
I hear “Unanswered Prayers” and I think ……man I thank God that he didn’t answer mine so long ago in a previous relationship. I thank God he didn’t answer Mikes when he was in love in high school. So thankful for unanswered prayers. 
I hear “The Dance” and I reminisce of old middle school and high school dances but most definitely the end of the county fair Friday night dance. Whatever boy I was crushing on and who I wanted to ask me to slow dance that year. And then I remember……thank goodness for unanswered prayers. 
I hear “Two of a Kind” and I think of us. 

Our seats were so close…I couldn’t believe it. 

A one minute countdown til Garth!!

The drummer was in the ball thingy and Garth was a climbing all over it.  To be honest…I was a little concerned for his health.  He was all over that stage.  Sweating like crazy and screaming and yelling.  I sure hope he makes it through his whole tour and stays healthy!

This man puts on one hell of a show. He sang and moved the entire time.  He is nonstop. 
Simply an incredible show. 

Throwing water into the crowd…

“Caaa…aaa…aaaaaaling Baton Rouge”

He played so many of his most amazing hits.  I can hardly think of anything he didn’t play that I love and listened to. 
He also played two of his new songs, one in particular that I loved and can’t wait to hear again….”People loving People”. Every single person in this world should listen to this song. It’s like a manual for what we need to fix this crazy sick world. We just need people loving people.  If you have heard it…I highly recommend it. 
Here are the lyrics…
“People loving People”

Doctor, you ain’t got a pill
For whatever’s makin’ this world ill
You can’t get forgived inside the store
And peace, it’s a politician’s war

You won’t find no resolution in
The bottom of the bottle
In the stars, or Aristotle
The only answer to the problem

Is people loving people
That’s the enemy of everything that’s evil
Ain’t no quick fix at the end of a needle
It’s just people lovin’ people

Words aren’t what they seem to be
And talk is cheap, but lies are free
We fear what we don’t understand
And we been scared since time began

All the colors and the cultures
Circle ’round us on a spindle
It’s a complicated riddle
The solution is so simple

It’s people loving people
That’s the enemy of everything that’s evil
Ain’t no quick fix at the end of a needle
It’s just people lovin’ people

You can pawn it off on kings and queens
And those behind the curtain
Say I can’t make a difference
In a world so full of hurtin’
But I believe the remedy
Starts right here with you and me

People loving people
That’s the enemy of everything that’s evil
Ain’t no quick fix at the end of a needle
It’s just people lovin’ people
It’s just people lovin’ people

I could literally see the sweat dripping off of him.  Incredible. 

Then Trisha joined him and they sang one of my favorite duets “In Another’s Eyes” and she sang some of her favorite singles like “She’s in Love with the Boy” and others. 

And an encore that was just sick. Just crazy. The stage moved. Parts of the stage moved.  He was everywhere.  Craziness!

All of his melodies bring back memories.  That, to me, is the definition of an amazing musician.  A timeless musician.  Someone who puts on a show, not just a concert. Someone who makes you remember all of life’s greatest triumphs and most difficult challenges. 

Someone who comes back after so many years!

Another check off the bucket list….

Prepping for the walk

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It took a lot of hard work to get us ladies looking gorgeous for the wedding.  Thank you so much to Codi and Aunt Cathy for documenting the preparation and to the team from Capello Hair Designs…..Katie, Holly, and Hannah.  We thank you so much!  They came to Blu Falls and prepped us all right then and there.  It worked out perfectly. 
So glad we had a large bridal suite to make it all work.  Of course we were crammed in there and bags were everywhere….but we definitely made it work.  

And I did have a little time to lounge.  

They have a jacuzzi tub…in the bridal suite.  Who in the heck would have time do take a bath??
Not me!

But I had time for a picture….

The decorating crew who I could never thank enough….Kelli and Trisha.
THANK YOU!

Me and my girls!

Finally my turn!

Also a huge thank you to our makeup artist….Melissa, my very dear cousin!
She is AMAZING with makeup and offered to take help me out.  

Love this photo.  Me and Shai getting our hair done.  

There were a MILLION bobby pins in this head.
Had to be.
Took me over 30 minutes to take my hair down!

Also…LOVE this photo.  She looks so excited!

Good thing Mikey likes big butts!

and he cannot lie….
Some more photos from our amazing photographer Meigan with Blink.  You can check her out here
She’s simply incredible.  She took photos of everything I wanted….and more.  She is so much fun to work with and constantly had us laughing.  Very easy going!  Highly recommend her!

 

I loved going through all the photos of Mikey getting ready with the guys.  This is when I wish we could rewind to that day and I could be a fly on the wall.  I want to see all the things I missed!  

So handsome.
Getting his tie adjusted by his dad.  

Then it was time to squeeze my booty in the dress. 
And a tight fit it was. 
Apparently the County Fair and vacation right before your wedding are not great for your waist line.  

One thing I didn’t want to cover was my tattoo.
It means so much to me.
It’s like that old phrase….”If you got it, flaunt it.”

Boots on!

The final moment of panic as my sister tries to fit me in!

This moment was hard.  Not going to lie. 
I love my sister to death and I’m so glad she could be there for this special moment. 
It was tough to miss my mom so much and realize that this is just one more of those things she’s had to miss. 
I realize she has an amazing seat in heaven, but boy it sure would be easier with her here!
Finishing touches!

You know how we all hate looking at photos of ourselves?

Well this one….I don’t.  I kind of love me here.  

Love

Brody saw me first.
His reaction….”Oh my….you look like a princess.”
Made my day….and made me tear up a bit.  

The necklace I bought from Etsy through a lady from Australia.  Highly recommend her jewelry.  Gorgeous!

And a bracelet my mom use to wear….her mother’s bracelet. 

Four things a bride must have….and I kind of forgot about until the last minute.
Thank goodness for my sister who stepped in quickly and took care of in the last week as I panicked a bit.

Something borrowed – The bracelet was my mom’s and my sister had it….so I borrowed it!
Something blue – I took one of my grandpa Snider’s old jean shirts that I had and cut a heart of it.  Sewed the heart in my dress
Something old – On my bouquet I had my mom’s wedding charm.  The charm my dad bought her when they got married
Something new – A charm my sister made me for my bouquet that had my mom’s photo

So many people to thank for making our day so amazing!

Next up….”That first look”

Have a great Thursday!

That First Look

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Before I saw the man I would spend the rest of my life with….I wanted to see the guy who would give me away.  
Emotions ran high for some very obvious reasons.  
I was more nerve that my dad would be a mess and then I became a mess.  The thought that I would be given away almost terrified me.  For 30+ years I was his little girl.  Now, I had to grow up and start a family with someone.  Hopefully someday have our own little ones.  
Seeing my dad brought up so many thoughts and emotions. 
He looked so handsome. 
Looking back I feel like after this moment the entire day just flew by. 
Again, I want to thank Meigan and McKinsey with Blink Photography for capturing all these amazing moments.  

Then the photo gals took me outside to wait for my guy. 
The look on his face was priceless.  
He looked terrified, yet ecstatic.  

He grabbed my hands and said, “wow….that dress”
Those words said it all. 

I probably could have stayed in this moment for the rest of the day.
Just looking at each other. 
Melting away in the heat….and love.  

Then he pulled away again and just kept looking me over. 
That, ladies, makes you feel REAAAAALLLLLL good. 

And we walked towards the gazebo.  The place we would say “I Do” just a few short hours later.  
I knew I wouldn’t have the sense to take it all in during the moment of the actual vows so I’m glad we took the opportunity during photos to do so.  

This man is my forever.  

Love him so, 

Test Day 1 = Success

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Today was Test day 1 for Shiloh. 
See the baby gate?
That’s our attempt at keeping Shiloh out of the living room and off the furniture. 
On Sunday we made our first big married couple purchase….. A new couch and new recliner for the living room. 
The only problem with that is our 5 year old puppy Shiloh. She not only enjoys eating trash but also enjoys eating furniture. She went so long without eating a pillow…..but slipped up a few weeks ago. 
So yesterday we set up a baby gate. 
Today I came home and the baby gate was still up and she was still on the correct side of it. So….I praised her and gave her a treat. 
I know she’s probably teasing me. We will try again tomorrow and keep trying until the new furniture arrives. Even then she may stay in the garage so I can get though the day without worrying if my new couch is tore up. 
And please save yourself the trouble. We aren’t trying a crate. She’s never been in one and it’s too late now….we feel. So, save your breath. 🙂
Xoxo, 
Ash

Rehearsal Dinner

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Our rehearsal dinner was perfection.  
At a little spot we love to eat dinner at. …. Wolfies Waterfront Grill in Noblesville.  
Our favorite things picked off their menu. 
Our favorite people to help us celebrate. 
A cozy little spot in their upstairs for just us and our family and friends. 
Just like everything….the night flew by and before you know it we went from hellos to goodbyes.  
That’s the only thing I hate about life….how quickly it flashes before our eyes. 
I’m so glad that Codi and Aunt Cathy could capture some of the moments of the evening for us. 
Our head flower girl, Shailynn

So grown up…so handsome.  

Brody Boy

Kate and Melissa

Walker was very popular.
Here he is with his girl, Kynsey.  

Brody and Chey

Chrissy and Joe Paul

Aunt Beth and Aunt Cathy!

Mallory and Amanda

Me and my MOH Meg!

The uncles in deep conversation

Chunky man Walker

And we got to celebrate with Patty!

Singing Happy Birthday to Patty

Bryce and Kynsey

Joel and Kelli

Sarah and Matt

Friends at the table!

Aunt Beth and Uncle John

The twins!

Aunt Cathy and Wood

The ring bearers are loving their suspenders

Father and sons 

We’ll never be able to thank those quite enough for their love and support throughout our wedding.  I can’t believe it’s already been a month since the big celebration.  We are still trying to find out what a normal life is with all the business!

Love to all,

Rehearsal

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I apologize for the delay in wedding blogs, but life has dealt us a different hand of cards I was not expecting….to say the least.  Life gets busy and you forget about how enjoyable and relaxing it can be before the craziness of back to school begins or the aftermath of a major life event…like our wedding.  
I hope to continue blogging for as long as I possibly can, but I’ll just have to be honest and admit that it may not be as regularly as I had hoped.  Just like the stack of books I have to read.  I may not get to read them as often as I would like.  End of the day approaches and most of the time I just want to lay down and close my eyes.  That book sits next to me wishing to be read…and I just don’t have the energy for it.  
One thing is for certain that I have learned in our first month of marriage.  Life isn’t easy, but as long as you have your family and close friends by your side….it’s manageable.  And through it all, I know that there are a million other people out there that have it way worse than me.  Sure I through a couple of pity parties for myself…who hasn’t?  In the end…I’ve got my husband who is working really hard to make this marriage the best it can be.  I’ve got my family who kicks ass at being by my side through it all.  I’ve got great friends who know just what to say at the right time.  
So….let’s take a look at our lovely rehearsal back on July 17, 2014.  The weather was perfect.  The people were perfect.   The littles did so well, which made me highly doubt they would be able to pull it off again in two days.  The moments of rehearsal made me nervous.  It was all becoming incredibly real.  Not like I was going to vomit, real.  Just shaky, real.  

Chatting things over with Bridesmaid Amanda

This would be the scenery behind us as we got married.
I paid attention at rehearsal because I knew I wouldn’t be able to on the real day!

Sassy Pants Willow

Flower girls getting ready for practice!

My best friend.  My girl.  My MOH….Meg

Love this boy and all his antics.  One of our handsome ring bearers…

Bridesmaids Jeffer and Krista Lee

Another cutey ring bearer…Brody Law

Practicing the giving away part.  I got a little emotional here.  

What hams!

Miss Mallory

Who knows what was being said at this point!

I know it’s hard not to criticize ourselves in photos….but MAN that butt is big.  

Loving Brody’s look here.  A few of our groomsmen, Cody and Joel and ring bearers Brody and Colton

A good looking group of men!

The parents

Chunky boy Walker

Brody waving!

This was incredibly uncomfortable!

Decorating crew +1!

He just loves having his picture taken!

The holding cell.  

One more round of practice!

If only they would have done this on the real day.
Cutest thing ever!

I really don’t know what Willow is doing.
Probably the queen wave we’ve always taught her. 

The ladies

Signing my life away…

Or the marriage certificate. 

Pastor Woody!

Shai and Walker!

What a great evening.  I’m so glad we have the pictures to remember all these special moments.  

Love to all,

Last fling before the ring…

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A week before our wedding I was blessed by my MOH and my family and friends to have one last night out as a single lady.  It was a BLAST to say the least.  We took a party bus downtown and had the luxury of starting the lingerie shower at my best buddy Ted’s house.  Of course he wasn’t home to enjoy all the fun, but we did poke (literally) fun at him a bit and left him so beer bottles in the flower beds. 
 Following the little shower and games we headed to Bakersfield which has the best guacamole and margaritas that I’ve ever known.  Yummo.  Seriously.  At this point I had quite the buzz going and may have tormented and totally annoyed some of the other Bakersfield visitors.  Oh well….
After Bakersfield we cruised in our bus a little bit and took part in all the yummy drinks the ladies had packed for us.  After our cruise we ended up at a fantastic show at Talbot Street.  Those ladies (err…uhhh…men?) never cease to dissappoint.  
As soon as we left I bothered a cop and asked him if he was next surprise.  Unfortunately he was a real cop and was not amused at all by what I asked.  Oops!  Then I was ready to continue the party.  Problem is…no one else was.  So, I pouted and was mad.  And next thing you know they’ve got pictures of me passed out on the bus.  Can you imagine?  
Fun was seriously had by all, especially me….I most definitely will never be able to thank all these girls enough for spending the evening with me enjoying being Miss Plank one more time!

Up next….  Rehearsal and Rehearsal dinner!

1 week 1 day

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We did it! We are married!

Mrs. Schenck here 🙂
Since our vows we’ve been running nonstop. Just got home from the honeymoon on Friday. Attempting to get caught up on life before work goes back on Monday for the Mr. and Tuesday for me!
Promise to give you a more in depth view of the wedding and our honeymoon very very soon. 
For now….
XOXO 
Mrs. S