Ashley's blogging debut

Hi everyone

As you can see, Nick decided that it would be a good idea to share his blog. So now he describes it as "our" blog. I guess as a welcoming gift, he changed the background to my favorite color purple. Even though I keep a daily journal, I never thought that I would want to go public but I'm excited to share some of my thoughts with you all.

First things first... We're getting married!!! I know that Nick posted the news on his last entry but I just wanted to share my excitement. Just in case you haven't heard our story, here it goes. (Well my side of it at least) Nick was the first person that I met at my first class on the first day of school at SDSU. So we became friends and lab partners. I started to like him our sophomore year but never wanted to admit it. I just wanted to focus on school so I tried to fight the feelings for about 3 years. I guess I loss the fight because they just wouldn't go away. During our senior year I began seriously praying about my feelings for Nick. Even though I felt tortured by constantly being around him and trying to hide my feelings, I decided to trust God that if anything was to happen between us it was going to have to be up to God to make it happen. Around this same time last year we began hanging out a lot which led to dating after we graduated. Now a year later we are engaged!! Every time I think about our relationship it reminds me that God does hear my prayers.

Being engaged has been filled with much excitement but along with it has come some trials and opposition. The last few weeks especially have been quite difficult for us. It seems like everyday we have had to fight discouragement and frustration. I knew that planning a wedding wasn't going to be easy but Nick and I promised ourselves that we would have fun with it. I think for now on we are going to take a different approach to planning this wedding and it will definitely include fun and complete trust in God. I am a firm believer that there will always be opposition right before a breakthrough. I also believe that through it all, Nick and I have gotten closer and closer. Everyday my love for him increases. One of my entries in my journal on October 17 reads, "I really don't know what's going to happen now, but I do know that I love God with everything that I have in me and I also love Nick with my entire being".

We are a blessed couple... We have amazing family and friends that continue to support us. Soon the details of our wedding will begin to iron out. I can't wait to see how all this pans out. So much more to come soon!

Steps of Faith

I've been making some moves lately if you haven't already heard. First I headed out from Atlanta to San Diego on a 4 day adventure of Motel 6 and Waffle House meeting all kinds of characters all the way. GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, NM, AZ, and CA. I was unsure of whether this was right decision or not. But at this point nothing ever seems to be sure.

Of course if I hadn't come to San Diego then I probably wouldn't have proposed to my fiance and given some thought to living at home for a while. So, yes I am getting MARRIED. Long story short it was an unplanned, spur of the moment proposal. I called her father to ask for her hand in marriage over the phone in the bathroom after seeing the movie "Fireproof" (a must see I recommend http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/). We headed down to Sunset Cliffs. I decided to go there since that was where our first date was. I proposed there in with the cold wind wisping across our faces.

Soon after I headed home to the Bay Area, and we started our wedding planning which will be a bit of grind with a proposed date in March or April. I've decided to live at home and work until Ashley and I tie the knot. And then we will move in together.

Through all the stuff that's going on between a wedding, football, living circumstances, and work, I try to stay grounded and not in space.

My focus has taken a big shift from football to our upcoming wedding, but my regime in preparation for a professional football opportunity has not changed. The door is still open and I will continue to pursue it until God closes that door.

It's a new beginning and not the end of the world like some say it is.

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but we are just trying to have fun.

(I know the new color is a little womanly, but it's our wedding colors)