New Blog

We started a new blog! It's in the works, but we have 1 post up. The link is www.gogibbys.blogspot.com. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Wishes!

I just wanted to write a little post about this guy on his birthday! Some random facts about Devon:
*he loves Extreme Home Makeover
*he really likes clothes and looking nice
*he loves his family
*he's studying landscape management, and will someday make an amazing landscape architect!
*he really likes dancing
*he's into running
*he's nice to everyone and is very easy going
*he loves food, and will eat almost anything
*he works as a high school tutor
*he's great with kids
*he's very low maintenance, he doesn't need a lot of material things; also, small things make him really happy
*he's a very hard worker
*he's very serviceable; he always looks for ways to help and serve me
*he will someday make a great husband. (in the very near future i might add...)

Happy 22nd Birthday Dev! I love you!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Ever since I was a little girl I have absolutely LOVED Disneyland! We lived in California until I was about 3 1/2, and my parents would take me about 4-5 times a year; once we moved away we have definitely been back to visit! Lately, I've just had this great desire to rekindle my Disney spirit and visit once again. Tonight I was looking at the website (www.disneyland.disney.go.com) and the background music and pictures brought back such nostalgia. I keep trying to probe Devon into going, but I've come to the reality that being married is expensive and we are....poor. However, I have found a slight chance at making my Disney dreams come true-Devon and I are going to San Diego on our honeymoon. We had talked of going to Sea World, but tonight he asked me if I'd rather drive up to Disneyland....does that question even need to be asked?! To heck with Sea World, I'd take Disney any day :). I hope he knows since he brought up that option that it's permanent in my mind; I think he just did it so I'd stop bugging him about taking me there :).

What's been going on!

So I realized I didn't even blog the whole month of February--these are crazy times! This is just a short recap of what's been going on:

-Devon and I went up to Burley to do wedding stuff (didn't really end up doing wedding stuff); thus, we are going up this coming weekend to do the stuff we were supposed to do last time
-while in Idaho, we went snowboarding! it was great, haven't done it in a long long time!
-I got my wedding dress :)
-we picked out invitiations; they are being made as I write
-we booked our honeymoon to San Diego!
-we found an apartment!! This was probably one of the best things of all. We looked SO hard to find a place and had the hardest time! Married housing is very difficult to find--but we found somewhere and are so so excited about it! Funny side note...it happens to be the exact same apartment in the exact same complex that Devon's sister Colette and her husband Eric lived in when they first were married...how weird is that ?! We decided it was fate.
-we took our engagement pictures; Lindsey Hale did them, it was so fun! I can't wait to see them.
-we bought tickets to go see DAVID ARCHULETA!! (march 27th at the e center) If you scroll back to about a year ago, you can read my post about how much I love David! Devon has started to love him too, it makes me really happy.
-many other things were done and still much to do. on my to do list: research cell phone plans, finish registering, find bridesmaid outfits, contact a florist, find jewelry and veil, find plane tickets for houston reception, order a cake, make interviews for temple recommend, find groomsman ties, collect addresses and more.

The thought of summer is so exciting to me. I love wedding stuff; however, I don't know how much I love it while going to school and working. Life is great, I'm happy-and I hope all of you are too! Pictures and more frequent posts to come.

Coming Along!

Well I feel that our wedding plans are going great! We've registered at one store, I have my dress, we have a photographer, and our plans are moving right along! However, the rest of the aspects of my life are suffering just a bit...Me and Dev have decided that it's going to be a challenge to keep our (we wish!) 4.0 gpa's this semester. Just a couple of scholastic set-backs:

1. Devon went to class on Friday realizing that it's a Tuesday/Thursday class.
2.I went to my math class thinking I had all day to take my test, realizing it finished in an hour.
3.We went to marriage prep thinking we had lots of extra time to write our papers, when in fact they were due that day.
4. We have yet to get all of our books...hmmm, how are we doing our daily reading?
5. We each have 0 preparation points for marriage prep. Well, Dev has 1 :). The way I see it, arn't we preparing enough?

Well, anyways--hopefully we will get ourselves into a better homework routine! Everything else is so great though. Wedding planning has been really fun. Oh, and we are getting married in 100 days!

My Ring

ENGAGED!!!

I, Ashley Vincent, am officially engaged to Devon Gibby!! He proposed earlier tonight and everything was just so perfect! He had told me on Sunday that we were going to a piano recital for his friend, and I totally believed him. Tonight when it was time for him to pick me up, his roommate came to the door and said he was taking me somewhere and had to blindfold me. I new then that he would probably propose, but prior to that I had no idea! So we first went to the movie theater where we first met, and everything was staged perfectly. The same people were there and they pretended like we were going to see the same movie--the other people proceeded to pretend to go to the movie and Dev took me to the next place. We then went to the first place we officially hung out and the same people were there too. We played the same game we had played that night and reenacted everything, even the conversation. Next he took me to JcW's where we went to eat on our first date; following that we went to Thanksgiving Point where we went and the same couple that was on our first date was there, so everything was reenacted exactly like it had been. After that we went to the place where we first kissed. Then he took me to the canyon and there was a blanket by the river with flowers and a couple of candles. ( oh and the whole time we were in the car we were listening to a cd he had made with songs that had special meaning to both of us). When we got there we sat and talked and he told me why he wanted to marry me and proposed! And of course I said "YES!" Everything was absolutely perfect and so well planned. I'm so grateful for Devon and am absolutely so excited to marry him; I couldn't think of anyone better that I would want to spend the rest of my life and forever with. We are getting married May 8th in the Bountiful temple! Pictures coming ASAP.

Absolute Blog Slacker!

I have been an absolute blogging slacker lately! Life has been a bit busy, but I'm going to try to make it a goal to be a more consistent blogger. My Christmas break was absolutely wonderful! The first week and a half were very relaxing-it was so nice to actually have "free time" and time to sleep! The weather in Houston is also a heck of a lot different from what Provo was experiencing. While Provo was getting dumped with snow, it was almost summer like weather in Houston. While I do enjoy to get out of the cold every now and again, I also like how the snow makes it feel more Christmasy. It just doesn't feel like Christmas outside when it's in the 70's....I shouldn't complain though :). Anyways, we had a great break, and it was so fun to have Devon come and visit! My family really liked him, and we had a great time. Devon has now decided though that he is in love with Houston and wants to move there! I told him to wait until the summer time and then see if he really loves it...But now it's back to school again. My classes this semester are looking good except for Math-my teacher doesn't explain anything, and I'm already totally lost in the first week....I'm thinking that's not a good sign! It is good to be back in Utah though with my friends and return to some sense of a scheduled life, however crazy it may be! Life is great for me right now, I can't complain one bit. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year!Chris, Me, Rachel and Ryan right before I left to come back to Utah.
Me and Devon ice skating at the GalleriaOn New Years Eve-we went out to eat with my family and had a great time!

Oh Baby...

So as many of you know and are experiencing... this week is finals week. Most people are almost done or completely done with their finals by Thursday...nope, not me! This is my own fault; however, I have been studying and not slacking off. I don't think I remember a week in my scholastic career where I have been so stressed out! I just keep telling myself that it will all be over soon and then i can finally enjoy Christmas. I have learned a few things and have had a couple of realizations over the past couple of days:

1. I am way too highly emotional and over dramatic at late hours of the night.
2. When feeling large amounts of stress, I become on the verge of psychotic.
3. My body requires 8 hours of sleep to function properly.
4. I am a much happier person every other week of the year, except this one.

Needless to say, I feel like the cat in the picture.

Holiday Fun!

Beautiful snow-the view from my apartments
Pretty temple square lights

I love Christmas time! It's a bit different trying to celebrate the holiday in college-you have finals and so much to do that I realized I really haven't done many Christmasy things. One thing we did do is go to temple square to see the lights. I love doing this! It is so beautiful and really is a great way to put you in the Christmas spirit. However, the night we were there it was super super freezing and really busy...but that's ok, I still loved it. Also, today it finally snowed! I hurried out with my camera to take a picture-I've been wanting it to snow so badly! And I was a little miffed when I got a phone call from my family in Houston, Texas the other day saying it had snowed there! What the heck?! When does it ever snow in Houston and not Provo?? They even sent me a picture of their little snowman they built, they were so proud! Anyways, I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving I got to go to Devon's house in Burley, ID-we had so much fun! We got in Tuesday night and ate dinner with his family and then some of his high school friends came over. It was fun to be able to meet them and to get to know Devon's family better. The next day we spent pretty much all in Twin Falls. We went to see the new temple there, went to the mall and then went to some water falls that were so beautiful! That night we went on a double date with Devon's friend Brock-we went out to eat and then roasted smores. The next day was Thanksgiving! We started off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade (a tradition in my family) and then helped a bit before dinner. Alot of Dev's extended family were able to come, so I think there was about 25 people at dinner. We played games later that night and visited with all the family. The next morning I had to leave to get back to work for the oh so highly anticipated black Friday. It was a really nice break, and I was so glad to be able to spend it with the Gibby's. Here are just a couple of pictures-most of the Thanksgiving pics are on Devon's camera, but here's a couple from our trip:



On our way to Burley, I know....this could be our most attractive picture yet!In Twin Falls at the new temple

The product of my father

So today I was thinking about my family and trying to figure out which one of them I am most like...and I've decided that as I have gotten older I have become so much more like my dad! My dad has very strong views on certain things, and as I've gotten older I've realized that my views are pretty much the same when it comes to politics and such. I called him last night ranting about a certain political issue that's been bugging me, and he just laughed at my emphatic views on the matter....it all comes from you, dad! Also, my dad loves people and is a very social person. I always am impressed by how many different connections and friends he has throughout the world-I love people too; I love meeting new people, getting to know about them, and making new friends. This is always a trait I have admired about him. For those of you who REALLY know my dad, he is kind of an emotional guy; needless to say, I follow in his footsteps. We both share the gift of crying...well, I don't know if it's really a gift. This really is something I appreciate though-my dad is very emotional, especially when it comes to his children. I remember at a young women's activity each father had to tell a little bit about their daughter. When it came my dad's turn he started talking about the day I was born...and the crying began. At the time I was embarrassed, but as I look back on it now I realize that he only cries when something is really important to him; I appreciate his emotional side. I'm glad my dad and I share different traits; being away from home and talking on the phone to him often has really made me realize just how much we have in common! He is one of my greatest friends, and I'm really grateful for the relationship we share.

Blessings

So I decided that since it is the month of Thanksgiving, I should take some time to remember why I am so blessed. So here it goes:

1. I have an AMAZING family-immediate and extended. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family who does so much for me and loves me!
2. I have the most loyal, wonderful friends in the world! And an amazing boyfriend :)
3. I live in the best country in the world--where so many opportunities are available
4. I attend a great university, where I receive an excellent education
5. I do not have any debilitating diseases and am able to see, hear and walk!
6. I have financial security-a home to live in, food to eat, nice clothes to wear, and a job.
7. I have been born into the gospel, and have a testimony of the happiness it brings!
8. I live in a beautiful place, with gorgeous scenery
9. I have talents that bring me joy, and that I can expand on

Now for the more trivial blessings:
10. my car! --love this thing :) it takes me to wherever I need to go
11. yummy food--i love food, esp. good food. it brings me so much happiness
12. my ipod--music is such a huge part of my life, my favorite is to listen to it while I'm getting ready
13. my cell phone--oh my, what would i do w/out this thing! it's my lifeline to a world outside of BYU...
14. make-up! oh my, how grateful i am for this...
15. television--keeps me updated on my fav. shows
16. computers--amazing invention.

There are so many other things that I could list...this is just a short summary. I'm grateful for this time of year that we have to really think about what we're grateful for, hopefully we can remember that all year round!

Baby Mania!

So I've had a very strange baby hungry yearning lately...where does this come from you may ask?? I have no stinkin clue! I'm not married, so it's not even remotely possible...so why do I want one? Is this normal? I ask myself...do other people feel this way? I work at a kids clothing store, so I see cute kids and babies all of the time; plus, I see adorable baby clothes constantly and want to buy them. But for who? Definitely not me. On top of this, I have baby dreams! I either dream that I'm pregnant or have a baby. Exhibit A: Last night I dreamed that I had a 2 year old baby boy named Logan. He was the cutest, sweetest baby ever! He had bright blonde, curly hair and big blue eyes-adorable. Anways, this is my ranting topic of the day-do other people feel like this? Is baby mania normal?

"A Collection of Thoughts" By: Ashley L. Vincent...

Thought #1:
I love the fall! Today as I was walking from class, the sun was shining, the leaves were blowing, and it was just an absolute beautiful day. I have been noticing lately how pretty the leaves are getting. Devon and I went on a walk in the canyon on Sunday, and it was just gorgeous! I'm so happy that I live in such a beautiful place.

Thought#2:
Domestication (Is this a word?). This is my new goal. I have found that I rather enjoy cooking and have decided to broaden my cooking horizon's to make a new goal and try cooking new recipes. I would also like to be a bit more crafty, and possibly take up sewing one day. However, it will not be for a while considering school seems to be more important at the moment.

Thought #3:
Throughout my experience working at The Children's Place I have discovered something...the mother's of Utah are beautiful! I see these mom's come in all of the time looking absolutely perfect-dressed well, hair is great-and the amazing thing is that their children look the same. I don't know how they do it...I strive to be like this one day--hopefully that doesn't sound too vein. However, I do realize that other things are much more important.

Thought #4:
Samuel the Lamanite is amazing! Today as I was reading my scriptures I realized just how much courage and guts it must have taken him to preach repentance from the top of a wall. When I realize that the people I so admire in the scriptures are real, I am in awe. I don't know if I would have the strength or gall to do some of the things they do- they are all my heroes :)

Thought #5:

The other day I went to Kung Fu Panda and one line really stuck with me. The old turtle (can't remember his name) said something like "Each day is a gift, that is why it is called the present". (bet you didn't know animated movies were so inspiring!) Anyways, I LOVED that and really think it's true. Each day is truly a gift filled with new adventures, opportunites and blessings-- my new goal is to tr y and realize that, and live accordingly

We carved pumpkins for a date we went on. Our's is the cat on the right, hopefully you can tell it's a cat...Me, Devon, and pretty tree-on a walk in the canyon

I've Been Tagged!

*8 Favorite TV shows:
1. What Not to Wear
2. The Hills
3. Hannah Montana
4. What I Like About You
5. American Idol
6. Take Home Chef
7. The View
8. Wizards of Waverly Place

*8 Favorite Restraunts:
1. Carabbbas
2. Happy Sumo
3. PF Changs
4. Cafe Rio
5. Benihanas
6. Brio's
7. Cheesecake Factory
8. Kneaders

*8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Got to eat lunch at the Cannon Center
2. Ate Pasta Roni for dinner
3. Slept in :)
4. Had time to read a book
5. Talked about life lessons with Meg
6. Hung out with Dev
7. Bought new Halloween decorations
8. Went on a walk


*8 things to look forward to:
1. Getting paid tomorrow
2. Cold weather forecasted for the weekend
3. the Twilight movie
4. the weekend
5. pumpkin carving
6. hanging out with my friend Amanda
7. using my coupons to go fun places
8. HSM 3!

*8 things I love about fall:
1. Walking past Bath and Body Works and smelling the scents
2. Crunching leaves
3. Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations
4. Fall clothes
5. 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC Family
6. Pretty drives through the canyon
7. Going to Thanksgiving point to the corn maze
8. Thanksgiving, and lots of good food

*8 Things on My Wish List:
1. To do well in school this semester
2. To travel to lots of fun places
3. To go to watch the Olympics in 2010
4. Learn to play the violin again
5. Be more organized
6. To learn to cook better and become a bit more domestic
7. I really want a watch with fake diamonds around it...
8. To just continue to be happy, healthy and love life!

*8 people I'm tagging:
1. Kaitlin
2. Audrey
3. Leslie
4. Rachelle
5. Lorina
6. Hannah S.
7. Lauren F.
8. Dani

I am mortified!

For anyone who saw a bad picture linked to my blog, I never ever ever ever ever would post that! I had no idea it was on there until someone mentioned it, and I took it off immediately! I am so sorry for anyone who may have seen it , and promise I was totally unaware and would never have any association with such a thing. I am so mortified and have no idea how this happened. It just goes to show how sick, twisted and sneaky the world is. Again my total apologies! ~Ashley

A fun visitor!

So last Wednesday my dad flew into town to visit for a while...little did he know he would be here longer than expected (due to Hurricane Ike). It was so fun though! I love when any member of my family comes to visit me, especially since I'm so far away from home. He took me out to eat every night, which is such a treat for a college student! My fridge has been filled with leftovers :). It was just so fun to be able to spend time with him and talk to him. We also went to the very exciting BYU football game on Saturday! My dad is a very avid football and Cougar fan so it was fun for him to attend one the games live. We were a little worried about the rest of the family back home with the hurricane. They are all doing ok, our fence got blown over but that is it. We are so grateful! I love my family and am so blessed to have such a great one! I'm especially grateful for the wonderful relationship I have with my dad, he's the best! So thanks dad for coming to visit, love ya!

Home Sweet Home!

So I'm totally moved into my new apartment. I love it, and I love my roommates! We've had a great time so far and have met some nice people in our complex. Classes have started and are going great! This semester I'm taking: Language Science, Language Development, Phonology, Food Science, Teaching of the Living Prophets, and a vocal class. I love speech pathology; I'm so glad that I chose it as a major! The more I learn, the more I love it. So that's just a brief recap of my life the past couple of weeks: moving and school. Here's just a couple of pictures of my new apartment!

In love with Lochte...

I love the Olympics! I have had so much fun watching them...especially one particular swimmer, Ryan Lochte. Now don't get me wrong, I think Michael Phelps is amazing and all, but I think Lochte is great too :). (And not to mention very, very attractive...) He has currently moved to the position of my computer screen saver. I was so excited for him the other night when he snatched the gold in the 200m backstroke. I think he's a great olympian, and has made my olympic viewing experience much more enjoyable! So congrats to Lochte and the other olympians-Go team USA! P.S.-photos provided for your viewing pleasure