First Christmas

        It's December 27th, 2012 which means that Carson and I just spent our very first Christmas together! We stayed close to home and celebrated with Carson's side of the family. It was really warm and cozy and tasty. I missed my own family but it was nice having a husband this Christmas. We opened our own gifts to each other in the morning, saw Les Miserables with the family in the afternoon, and hung out around the house eating and visiting for the rest of the day.

 

We opened our gifts with the Dipo family late that night and it seemed like everyone got something fun. My mom even sent Carson and I a couple new tablets which were super fun! Overall, it was a pretty great day. It even snowed which felt very Christmasy.  It was a great first Christmas! I can't wait for next year so Carson and come to Christmas in Texas and meet the rest of my family. I already know they're going to love him :)

       

The Honeymooners

 

We stayed in this adorable bed and breakfast in Leavenworth.  It's called Abendblume and we were the only two people there the entire time.  So naturally, we took a tour of all the rooms.  Each room is different but at the end of our little tour we felt satisfied that we did indeed have the best room.  It was so adorable and it had this balcony with a gorgeous view of the mountains.  We lucked out because it was still great weather and we ate breakfast out there each moring.  Did I mention they brought breakfast to our room? It was practically a feast, not to mention, absolutely delicious!

 

It was so nice to have our first vacation together.  We didn't have a care in the world and we were surrounded by the beautiful mountains and fall leaves.  We did lots of strolling around town. Leavenworth is an interesting little town with funny little trinket stores and every sign is written in old english which is pretty fun.  Sadly (or happily, depending on your point of view) we did not eat German food.  Though we knew we should, we both agreed that German food isn't really that good so we mostly had Mexican.  We thought the architecture, old english font, and slew of souveniers devoted to beer-drinking was German enough

 

 

 

November 3rd, 2012

Our wedding day finally came!  After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, we finally got married!  The entire day was wonderful but my favorite part was the sealing.  I didn't expect to get emotional or feel anything but I started crying before we even got in the sealing room.  As Carson and I waited together in the celestial room, I alternated between smiling and crying.  I was just so overwhelmed and I couldn't believe that we were MINUTES away from becoming husband and wife.  Once the waterworks began I could not turn them off.  We both bawled the during the entire sealing.  I think I may have had a couple of high pitched squeeks but other than that, silent and sweet tears.

 I will admit that I was a little freaked out by the fact that it was raining when we were exiting the temple but we made it through and even got this amazing picture:

We got a zillion pictures taken and then finally it was time for the ring ceremony.  I have to say, it was a little scary because we didn't get much time for rehearsal but I couldn't be happier with  the bridal party.  Not only are they expert walkers but they are seriously fantastic dancers!  The ceremony was a mix of sweet and silly.  I cried some more during our expressions of love and Carson compared our love to peeing himself.  We heard a tender duet of "Make You Feel My Love" and then we boogied down the aisle to Chris Brown's "Forever."  It was fantastical.

The rest of the night was just pure fun.  It was a reunion of all the people I love plus great food plus great music plus crazy dance moves.  We ate, we danced, we kissed, we posed for pictures, we threw rose petals in the air with little kids. 

*Sigh*  It was pretty wonderful.  I got the guy of my dreams and all the most important people in our lives were a part of it.  I love my husband, my family, and my new family!  We are thrilled to start this chapter of our lives and so happy to have the support of our family and friends :)

The First Year of Forever

 

                Exactly one year ago today, Carson and I began dating.  In 5 days, we’re getting married.  When I was younger I always promised myself that I would date someone for AT LEAST one year before getting married.  It just seemed like a good rule of thumb.  I didn’t want to get caught up in the Mormon tradition of getting engaged on the second date and meeting up at the temple for the third.  It used to sound romantic but more than anything it really just sounded crazy.  You know what’s romantic? Getting to know each other and feeling totally comfortable, learning about our flaws with each other, and truly trusting each other. That’s romantic.

                In a couple of days we’re going to have a new anniversary.  November 3^rd, 2012 is about to become history.  We are about to establish a new family—and that family tie will be established in heaven as well.  That we can be the foundation of generations is incredible.  I’m glad that our first day as husband and wife will have the foundation of a year behind it.  It doesn’t mean we’re completely prepared but I think we’ve learned a little bit about how to get along, how to compromise, how to listen, and how to love.  I'm so excited!!

A New Name, A New T-Shirt

My soon-to-be in-laws were cleaning out their rec room (aka "Wreck Room") this past weekend hoping to make more room for family when the wedding weekend rolls around.  In the process Diane, Carson's mom, bestowed this t-shirt upon me.

The Dipo's were given these shirts a couple years back while others got to wear shirts that said "I wanna be a Dipo."  My soon-to-be sister-in-law Jenny was able to be a part of the fun and got to wear the "I wanna be a Dipo" shirt before she'd even gotten engaged to Morgan!  Luckily, he got the message and she got to be a Dipo after all :)

And now it's my turn!  The bad news is I can't wear it for another 26 days.  The good news is I have something to pack for the honeymoon. So let the XL Dipo shirt diet begin today! Who says a food baby at a wedding is tacky?

I'm Going There Someday

I love everything about Carson--his looks, his personality, his character, his sense of humor, his kindness...everything.  It's really wonderful to be with someone you truly enjoy.  Underneath all of those great qualities is something I love even more, something I've always known was essential when choosing the man I would marry.  Carson is a man of faith.  He grew up in a family that taught him to love God, to faithfully serve his fellow man, and to be diligent in choosing the right.  The most important thing we have in common is our desire to make faith in Jesus Christ the center of our lives.  We both believe that this life is merely a moment in the grand scheme of eternity.  That is the primary reason that we do not simply wish to be married "until death do we part" but to be sealed in the temple "for time and all eternity."

 

In the temple, we will be sealed together with that same priesthood given by God to Peter.  In Matthew 16:19 he says "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."  The ceremony will be small and simple, without glamour or glitz.  The focus will not be about lavish decorations, crowds of people, tasty food, or beautiful music.  It will be quiet and reverent and will focus on the promises we are making to each other and to God.

 

Sadly, many of my family members will not be able to join us for the sealing.  As you may know, entering the temple is a great priviledge and therefore cannot be open to the public.  One must first obtain a temple recommend which requires a meeting with a bishop to ensure that you are spiritually prepared for the blessings of the temple.  Of course this requires membership in the LDS church.  However, that is not the only or even the most significiant qualification.  One must also excercise faith and repentance as well as be baptised and maintain worthiness through church attendance, regular repentance, standing as a witness of Christ, and keeping one's body clean from drugs, alcohol, and pre-marital sex.

 

Me, my dad, my sister, my grandmother, and my step-mom

Though my family consists of individuals with a firm faith in Christ and a desire to follow him, some of our beliefs differ.  I am proud to have grown up in a family of Christians who believe in doing good to all men.  I am also proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly termed "Mormon").  Because of my faith and my beliefs, I have a strong desire to be married in the temple.  I know that this is what my Heavenly Father wants for me and I have been taught from a young age that a temple marriage is a worthy and admirable goal. 

I am sad that most of my family will not be able to share in this special moment with us.  I would love nothing more than to have my family with me in the temple, sharing not only my joy of being sealed to Carson but sharing in the joy of the spirit that can be felt in the temple.

 

Despite familial strains, I know that the Lord will bless us for choosing to be married in the temple and for qualifying for that sacred priviledge.  I know that we will gain protection and power against the forces in this world that try to tear apart marriages.  I cherish the opportunity to be sealed for time and all eternity in the holy temple.

 

I am also grateful for family members and friends who have chosen to support Carson and I even when our choices seem selfish or confusing.  It means so much to me to have them wait for us at the temple and to be there to recieve us when we come out.  It means so much to have them attend the ring ceremony where Carson and I will be able to engage in more traditional customs such as walking down the aisle with my father, declaring our love to each other, and exchanging wedding rings.  I hope that the people we love most will feel that love and know that we want them to be a part of our wedding and our lives.

 

 

Dad and I

This blog is a love story, a Carson-and-Ashley story but I want to dedicate this particular post to some of the first loves of my life: my mom (Emma Vidrine), my father (Scott House) and his wife (Elizabeth House), my brother (Adam House), my brother's mom (Kathy McCauley), and my grandmother (Amanda Tally). 

 

My mom and I

Me and Adam around 2000

Kathy and David





My grandmother and I

 


The Bouquet Before it Began

Did I mention that I happened to catch this lovely bouquet at a friend’s wedding last summer?  I didn’t have to move a muscle.  It was literally volleyed right into my hands after a couple of clumsy hands franticly tried to catch it. I’m not trying to say that catching a bouquet means you’ll get married….I’m just sayin’ that it worked for me!  After I caught it, the photographer got a picture of me and the lucky guy who caught the garter.  I guess the idea is that we would somehow end up together.  After all, we were next in line for marriage.  I'm happy to say that the bouquet worked it's magic and but I never saw garter guy again.

 Fast forward to October. We’d gone on two dates before Carson left for a vacation in Hawaii with his dad. We hadn't even decided to make things official yet.  He even sent me this note in the sand with a little heart. *Sigh* Don’t you just love a guy who doesn’t play games? 

 How can you top your own name in the sand?  You can't.  But you CAN use the left over condiments in your refridgerator and write your own little hello.  Besides, what's more romantic than a chocolate greeting?                           

Carson in front of the Hawaii tabernacle

From Girlfriend to Fiance

Eight wonderful months after we began dating on July 10th, 2012, Carson and I hiked up Tower mountain. I thought we were going on a whim.  He'd mentioned it before and when he suggested we go that evening I figured it was as good a time as any.  When we reached the top, Carson  suggested that we get a picture of the two of us with the beautiful view behind us. He set up the camera timer and ran over to me. We smiled for a few minutes waiting for the flash and when nothing happened we decided to turn around and enjoy the view instead. Carson told me we could see the temple from up there. I searched the scenery, pointed, and asked questions like "Near that big circle thing?" When he stopped answering, I turned around and he was down on one knee with the ring box open.  It was the perfect proposal complete with a lovely speech that I could barely listen to through my excitement!  The ring was pretty nice too :) As you might have guessed, the camera was on video and he got the whole thing on tape.    It was the best proposal a girl could ask for--totally alone with a beautiful view and the absolute perfect guy.  I'm going to be Mrs. Ashley Dipo!

Anxiously Engaged ;)

Before I start, let's take a step back. On August 15th, 2010 I wrote this:

"I've started to believe that romance is a rare effect on silly people. I'm careful not to act like a love sick fool. But it's all I really want to do. Who will ever be such a fool with me? Reality, practicality, maturity. I'd rather be a fool in love."

It's 2 years later and my dream has become reality. I'm engaged to a fellow fool and feel more in love than ever. Like every good story, ours started once upon a time in the year 2011. Though we'd known each other for over a year through church and mutual friends, we never dated until this time. Our friendship started during the summer. I'd always thought he was cute but now that I was getting to know him even more I was starting to love his sense of humor too.

Towards the end of the summer he attended a "White Trash BBQ" at my house. Though the wig didn't do anything for me, I have to  admit that at this point I'd developed a full-blown crush. Luckily,someone took a picture to commemorate that moment.

Only a week or two later, we both attended the same Colbie Callait concert. After coming to say hello, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I blurted out my little secret to my friend Megan. This is a picture of us after the concert:

Fortunately, she didn't keep my secret a secret for very long and the following weekend I was out on a date with Carson! We saw a hockey game and I got a bear hug for every score they made. Go Chiefs!

Then he took me home and we decided to watch a movie. I snuck upstairs for a moment and when I came back down he was in the love seat (which has a terrible view of the tv). I took that as a sign that maybe this wasn't a date...maybe we were just hanging out as friends? So I sat on the big couch and we watched the movie. I later found out that he thought I just didn't want to sit near him. Once again, my friend Megan untied the knots for us.

Days later we were swinging in swings at the park and Carson was trying to tell me that he really liked me. We still laugh about what I said next: "Are you nervous?" Well, of course he was but he didn't admit it then. It didn't matter though. Our feelings were mutual. Carson Dipo wasn't just my crush anymore. He was about to become my boyfriend!  I had no idea then that he was only a few months shy of becoming my fiance. 

I'm so grateful to have met the love of my life and that he loves me back just as much I as I love him.  I guess Mr. Right (or in my case Mr. Carson Dipo) doesn't have to be one or the other--the practical choice or the guy that makes you melt--sometimes he's both!