3-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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In honor of three happy years together, I thought I would re-post our very first blog post. It documents our love story. Our love story? It's a good one. Andrew and I were definitely meant to be together. The Lord's hand was very apparent during that phase of our lives. Many of the miraculous details aren't apart of the story we wrote below, but this gives an overall gist.

In some ways, I can't believe it's only been three years! (I mean that in a good way of course) It just seems so much longer. I can hardly remember life before I had my Andrew. Wasn't I a miserable, unhappy wreck? All I know is life would sure be like that now if I suddenly didn't have him anymore! Love ya, babe. You're my perfect match in every way.

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-December 29, 2006-

How it all began...

Version I: By Andrew

We were first introduced by her sister, and since Rachel was/is so cute I asked her out on a date. Of course she was dieing to go out with me so she said yes...We went to the D-Backs game and we were together everyday after that. She was planning on serving a mission, and actually had her call already...so I knew that I didn't have a lot of time to work the magic, so I laid it on pretty thick. After 2 weeks I knew that she was the one I wanted to marry, so I popped the question. She thought I was a little crazy, but was willing to kick around the idea! Sweet! Well, to make a long story short, she took a week to thing about it and we were married 3 months from our first date!

Version II: By Rachel (A much more accurate version)

I moved from BYU-Idaho back home to Arizona to prepare for my MISSION to Charleston, West Virginia. My little sister, who had met Andrew at the high school where he had coached wrestling, introduced the two of us in passing in the hallway at church. I thought nothing of it. A few weeks later, however, I noticed that he kept smiling me and I could just tell that he was going to ask me out. I was annoyed. I tried to avoid it until one Sunday Andrew cornered me and asked me to a Diamondback's game. I was focused on a mission and wanted nothing to do with the drama of dating. I did not want to go! But I love baseball and so I went for the game. I remember dreading that date the entire time before he picked me up. Most first dates totally suck but my mom says that when I got home after this date, I was floating on cloud 9. It was the best first date ever! We saw one another every day after that though I kept reminding him that I was leaving in a few weeks to West Virginia. (Why do you keep asking me out??) Ten days from our first date, Andrew asked me to marry him. Well...sort of. He never really even asked me the question or showed me the ring because when I realized what he was about to do I freaked out, refused to let him ask, and told him he was very much a cRaZy person. That next week I couldn't shake the feeling that I should at least think about it all because there had been way too many coincidences to list in the circumstances that allowed me to meet Andrew. As I prayed about it, I continued to go forward with my mission plans. I even gave my farewell in Sacrament (with Andrew watching from the back row) and set the date for my TEMPLE endowment. Exactly a week after he proposed, I got an unmistakable assurance that I was supposed to be with Andrew Ashmore. So, in the Celestial Room of the Mesa Temple, I told Andrew that I would be his wife. Two and half months later we were married and moving up to Rexburg, Idaho, to start our new life together. I haven't regretted my decision once!

RACHEL'S FAVORITE THINGS

I love to make lists. Lists give me a sense of organization and power in a world of stress and worry. When there is a lot to be done or a lot to think about, my brain can't handle focusing on one thing at a time. It tries to solve all of the world's problems at once...and then bad things happen and nothing gets done (think along the lines of tantrums and full-blown meltdowns). Being a perfectionist probably doesn't help much either. As a result, I resort to writing lists for anything and everything that pop into my mind: groceries to buy, chores to accomplish/errands to run, students who need extra help, items to pack for a vacation, favorite baby names, Christmas gift ideas, things that annoy me, famous people I've met, life-changing books, recipes to try, things I'd like to learn more about, funny things my students say, and...I'll even admit, businesses in Southeast Idaho with names that sound dirty (you'd be surprised at how many there are...but I'll refrain from sharing that one).

Instead, I'll share my current list of favorite things--things that make Rachel Ashmore happy. If Oprah can do it, why can't I? I'll just humor myself into thinking people would even care without me having my own talk show, magazine, or a million dollar fortune. In no particular order...

1. Dinner Schedules

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While we're on the topic of lists, dinner schedules are among my favorite things. I don't mind cooking dinner so much...it's the having to come up with something every single night when I'm tired that drives me crazy. Especially when my husband's only help with the decision is to assure me that: "whatever you make is fine, dear." Too many of these nights turn in to popcorn and cereal for dinner...simply because I don't want to have to come up with anything else. This list is a lifesaver. I spend 10 minutes jotting down a schedule 1-2 weeks in advance, and then I'm set. Dinner time is relatively stress free! I also find I'm wiser with the food we have and ingredients are less likely to spoil before I remember to use them.

2. Settlers of Catan

I love, love it! I apologize to any friends of ours who feel that we're social only to play with your game. It's only partly true.

3. Colorful Socks

Wearing colorful, fun socks, even with tennis shoes and jeans (or black dress pants for that matter) over top of them, can make my day so happy. If you ever see me looking especially chipper...ask to see my socks.

4. Dimples

More specifically, Andrew's dimples. All I have to say is: if Andrew doesn't pass those adorable genes on to our children, he's going to be in big trouble, Mr.

5. Bath and Body Works Hand Soap

Transforms any hand washing experience into a heavenly walk through an apple orchard. But I can't justify spending 5 bucks for a little bottle of this stuff when I can get a gallon of hand soap for 99 cents at Sam's Club. Oh well. I guess you now know what I'd spend my sweepstakes winnings on.

6. Tumbleweeds

It's kinda hard to explain. For some reason, one of these rolling down the street make me grin from ear to ear. They are so funny to me! I guess it just seems like something you'd only see in cartoons and old Westerns.

7. Blogging

It combines so many things that make me happy. I enjoy writing, journaling, scrapbooking, taking pictures, and staying in contact with friends and family. (And yes, I may have told people once or twice just to look at my blog rather than just telling them about something.)

8. Musicals

I'm one of those who actually like it when characters in a story randomly break out into song and dance. Andrew and I do it in real life all the time (definitely recommend that). When Maria runs over the hills with her arms outstretched, or Elphaba rises in the air promising to fight the wizard with all her power, or Gene Kelley dances those tap shoes through the rain with such grace...I totally get goosebumps. There are a few exceptions however. Carousel and Showboat teach horrible lessons, and little ophan Annie singing "The sun'll come out tooo-morrowww!" makes me want to throw tomatoes...and explosive devices.

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9. Father of the Bride Movies

I am a huge movie watcher and would find it impossible to name just one favorite. However, these ones are close pretty close to the top. If you haven't seen these classics already, take my word for it and check 'em out. I like the 2nd one even better than the 1st. I've seen them at least 30 times and yet I still laugh out loud every time. Martin Short is a frickin' comic genius.

10. Books on Tape

I love to read and rarely have as much time for it as I would like. I'm also a multi-tasker who hates to waste time. To solve both of these problems, I frequent the public library where I can check out as many books on tape/CD as I want. Just by driving to work and home again and running a few errands a week, I have listened to countless books: Helen Keller's autobiography, The New Testament, probably 15 Junie B. Jones books, Shackletons's Antarctic Adventure, Cricket in Time's Square, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The History of Classical Music, Emma, and Stargirl just to name a few. I am currently in the middle of Little Women for the first time. (loving it!)

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11. Children's Chewable Vitamins

I struggle to swallow giant adult pills. I feel like they sit in my throat for days afterward. Chewable pills have been the answer. But honestly, why do they even have those giant horse pills for adults? Wouldn't everyone prefer fun-shaped, candy-tasting ones instead? (Don't you just love Andrew in the background trying to figure out why the heck I am taking pictures of my vitamin bottle?)

12. Red

My all-time favorite color. You wouldn't be able to tell from standing in my living room though.

13. Canning Jars

I have a whole set of them that I use as water glasses. They just make me feel happy and domestic...like we live in an old farmhouse or something.

14. Corner Pieces

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They're just the best. Crunchy, chewy goodness that can't be matched by any other pieces from the pan. Andrew was a genius and started making brownies in 2 small square pans instead of one large 9x11 pan. Twice as many corner pieces!! (BELOW: I plan to own one of these pans some day. Every single piece is an edge piece! What a glorious thought! Too bad there wouldn't be any pieces for Andrew.)

15. Run-less Nylons

Ladies, I don't know if you can relate, but I have the hardest time keeping my nylons "run free" for more than a few uses. It is so frustrating...especially here in Idaho where nylons are a necessity in these ridiculous winters. A brand new pair without a run spreading mercilessly down my leg just makes me feel "good all under."

Now, what silly things make your list of favorites?

Most Favorite Costume EVER.

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At school on Friday, the students arrived dressed in their Halloween best. The classroom they found, had been the scene of a horrific crime the night before (Poor Alf...may he rest in peace). The student's job was to examine the crime scene and evidence carefully before writing up their take on the case.

What happened?

Who committed the crime?

What was the motive?

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It was fun to watch them try to make sense of all the senseless evidence.

As for the teacher...she dressed up as a bunch of grapes.You have no idea how excited I was for this costume. So silly, so unique, and it only took a bag of purple balloons and a fake grape vine to wrap around my head.

We need more holidays that allow for such behavior.

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WORD TO THE WISE (FROM THE UNWISE)

NEVER pick a fight with one of these, because...

YOU WILL LOSE!

This evil contraption will haunt you in your dreams, and make you literally shudder each time you use it in the future. Not to mention, you will forever hold scars as proof of your idiocy.

Momma Chefs

Some friends and I started a recipe blog! Being a Mormon housewife, I figured it was only appropriate. We swap recipes and try out one another's favorites. If you're into that sort of thing, you should totally check it out. {Click on the picture}

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I didn't pick the name, so just overlook the fact that I don't happen to be a "momma" quite yet. *sigh*

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A FRIENDLY LETTER

Dear 24-Hour Flu Bug,

I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes!

Love,
Rachel

Some people are so modest about their birthdays...

...you know, those people who don't even bother to tell anyone, and so nobody even knows until like, the next week?

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I'm not that kind of person.

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I love my birthday! I promise, it really has nothing to do with presents. It's just my special day, and I want everyone to know it... just 'cause it's happy. I mean, I'm sure glad I was born.

I woke up in the morning to Andrew exclaiming: "Breakfast in bed!" On my bedside table was a glass of chocolate milk and a splendid donut with the sprinkles scrunched up on one side. (anyone familiar with Brian Reagan's comedy?) I've always though donuts were one of the most glorious food inventions ever dreamed up.

At school, as I was checking in homework first thing in the morning, the pile of math sheets were soon joined by a pile of very thoughtful birthday gifts: a candle holder, several candy bars, a stick of gum, a 50 cent piece, a shiny rock, and dozens of notes proclaiming me to be the "best teacher in the whole wide world."

At the end of the day, in the middle of a frustrating lesson on long division, one of my students waltzed into the room with a bouquet of balloons and a huge grin...followed by her mother and a pan of chocolate cupcakes. The class spontaneously burst into song. They had all known about it the entire day, and successfully kept it a secret from me. It was my first surprise party that I was genuinely surprised for.

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After work, Andrew and I made a temple trip to do initiatories.
(I don't know if you can tell in the picture, but it was snowing...yet again.)

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After a Broulim's grocery store run, Andrew and I worked together on my birthday meal of choice. He grilled chicken in the back yard, while I chopped, and boiled, and grated in the kitchen. The result was just about the most beautiful salad I've ever seen.


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The secret to the yummiest of salads?
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Chopped Apples.
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I realize that the temple and a salad doesn't sound like a super, exciting birthday. I still have friends whose birthday would be spent clubbing until all hours of the morning...but as Andrew and I cozied in front of a movie before bedtime, I thought to myself that I really couldn't have planned for a more perfect #24.

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Thanks, for all of the gifts, cards, phone calls, and text messages! =)
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What the Heck??!

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I got home today to this in my living room. I had never seen it before and had no idea where it had appeared from. I stared at it in horror and panic for a good minute...praying that it wasn't an early birthday present. Andrew was conveniently not at home to explain.

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It's not that I don't like surprises. A kitten? Good surprise. A hot pizza from Craigo's that prevents me from having to cook dinner on a Friday night? Even better surprise. A surprise, however, that requires me to regularly clean out a 20-gallon tank and remember to feed stupid, non-cuddly, personality-less creatures that stare blankly at nothing all day? Very bad surprise.
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I figured Andrew knew me well enough to know this, so when Andrew came bounding home, threw out his arms, and exclaimed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY !"

I answered, "What-ever!" with as much attitude as I could muster. This sent Andrew into a complete hysterical laughing fit as I looked on unamused. After getting up off the floor, he explained that we are just watching the fish for a week while a friend is out of town. Luckily, I know him well enough to know when Andrew's just trying to push my buttons.