First Post!

Hey all!  I've never blogged before, nor do I really read others blogs very often, but it seems to be a great way to let others know what's going on, etc so I figured I'd give it a try.  Forgive any and all grammatical errors, it seems we get too used to texting all the time and thus find it appropriate to insert "idk" or "lol" or "u r" at any given moment, but I'm going to work on remembering that I would rather not be judged for poor grammar.  For those of you who don't know, I'm a little bit of a grammar/spelling nazi.  My husband, oh by the way this is Ashley talking, inserts comma's wherever he feels like it, just in random places (I really do love you Mikey, that's why I tease!) and I'm forever fixing his written work.  Of course, I just learned this year that ANYTIME you have the word "and" or "but" you have to put a comma in front of it.  It was not like this when I was growing up.  Why do I keep talking about punctuation, you all don't care!

Ok, anyway, we have been married for a little over 4 months now and we are back in our house!  For those of you who are unaware, which I can't imagine anyone is, but whatever I'll say it again, I bought a house in Tennessee in July of 2009 and it was destroyed, literally, in the floods that Nashville experienced on May 2, 2010.  So it was brand new in July and then brand new all over again this past July.  As you can imagine, it was an extremely difficult time for me.  In the midst of planning a wedding, though ours was a very informal affair, but a ton of fun, my home was destroyed and consequently so was everything I owned, along with 2 roommates belongings.  So about a month before I got married I was left owning next to nothing with nowhere to live.  Mikey was FABULOUS during this time, and still continues to be.  I ended up signing a short term lease on a one bedroom apartment where Mike and I lived for a little over a month after our marriage.  We moved back in at the end of July and I went back to work in the middle of August.

I wish I could say I passed this "test" with flying colors, but I can't.  As stated before, it has been very difficult.  I have delt with anxiety in a severe way, as well as some post traumatic stress, which of course is the cause of the anxiety.  (I'm diagnosing my own post traumatic stress, but not diagnosing my own anxiety).  For those of you who have never suffered from anxiety, it is an extremely handicapping process. I began to have panic attacks 2 days after the wedding and they continued for quite some time until I finally sought help.  I'm pleased to report that, because of God's faithful answer to prayer, I'm doing so much better!  My husband has been more supportive and loving then I could have ever imagined.  I knew he was fabulous before, but couldn't have dreamed how wonderful he could be through such a difficult time.  I often wonder why God allowed such a terrible thing to happen to me, and I still don't understand why, but I do know that He gave me the tools and people necessary to make it through.  First and firemost, he gave me the Holy Spirit, who is an ever present help in a time of need.  Then he gave me my husband, who is so  patient and works so hard to understand.  And so many others that he provided that have been help when I needed it!  Because He was so faithful to me and gave me so many people to help when I needed it, I've committed myself to helping and talking to whoever I can!

Wow, this is turning into a long post!  All that being said, we are adjusting quite well to our new life together!  Our home is beautiful, our friends are fun, and our time together is precious!  God is good and life is great!

Love to all and hope you enjoy!