Mr & Mrs Matthew Norman

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

Today was "Mash's" (as i like to refer to them: matt + ash) wedding. It was a beautiful wedding! Ash looked EXQUISITE! And Matt treats her like a queen. They pulled it off in 2 months and it was awesome! I'm so excited for them! I love you both! Have fun on the honeymoon!!!

Bachelorette Party!

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Originally uploaded by rimo523.

Last Saturday, a group of girls and me took Ash out to dinner in Indy. After we sat for 3 hours at the restaurant, we walked to the Circle to watch Ash embarrass herself :) I made up a list of 10 things she had to do. She did them all including the last one: get a radiohost to interview you. She did an interview over the phone with 99.5 radio d.j. and then 20 minutes later we heard the interview on the radio. pretty cool! Anyway, below are some of the things she had to do. It was an awesome night! I love you Ash!

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

The gaggle of girls that celebrated with ash!

Back: mandy, becky, mary, joni, amanda
Front: amber, katie, me, ash

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

an excited and giddy, yet embarrassed bride-to-be

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

me giving her her first assignment:

#1: go to the top of the steps on monument circle and scream "I LOVE MATTHEW JOSIAH NORMAN!!"

she was really nervous and got to the top and said, "i'm embarrassed!" there was a lady on the circle who had a megaphone and went up to ash and asked if she wanted to use it. of course! how coincidental is that? who goes to the circle with a megaphone?!

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#2: gather 3 people and sing "goin to the chapel"

this was one of the funnest ones. these guys helped her and sang along. the one on the far left, REALLY got into it: knelt down in front of her, held her hand and then kissed it. it was hilarious!

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Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#3: get 5 guys' philosophy on marriage.

this gentleman was so very kind. she asked a 19 yr old what is philosophy was...he said, 'good luck.'

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#4: get a guy to sing "L is for the way.." or "you are so beautiful to me" (think little rascals)

this guy was thee guy to choose. he really turned on the charm and sang "you are so beautiful"--he claimed he didn't know the other one, (but who doesn't know "L is for the way you look at me?!")

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#5: give 3 people your autograph because this is the last time you'll be "Oakes"

this guy's name was FORD? hah, not really sure about that one. another guy she gave it to told her he couldn't read her signature. she quickly replied, "that's to protect myself."

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#8: get a guy to propose to you.

she actually asked this guy's buddy (who was the 3rd person she had to ask) but he was trying to back out of it and stuttering. so this guy shoved his buddy out of the way, knelt down and said,

"Ashley, you are one of the most beautiful ladies i have ever met. would you PLEASE marry me?"

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

#9: get a guy to give you his t-shirt, signed.

ash chased this car down and one of them promptly volunteered his shirt. how nice of him!

Depressed? or Selfish?

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

(This post is gonna be straight-forward. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone, it's not intentional.) Depression is invading our culture with a vengence. Here are some statistics:

~In any given year, about seven percent - between 13 million and 14 million people - will experience a depressive disorder
~About 16 percent of adults will experience depression at some point in their life.
~Depression can quadruple a person's risk of dying within 6 months after a heart attack
~Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to physical illness
~Depression in women occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44.
~One in seven men will develop depression within 6 months of becoming unemployed
~ Research indicates that the onset of depression occurs earlier now than in past decades

These are just a few of the many growing statistics. The Devil is quickly gaining footholds and more control through depression. I believe there can be a chemical imbalance, contributing to depression, but like a wise man once said, "if the Lord can do miracles like raising the dead, surely he can cure a chemical imbalance." (K. Solomon)But less obvious and more prominent is the cause of SELF. A situation happens and it didn't go the way we planned it. These types of thoughts enter our head:
"It wasn't supposed to happen this way."
"This isn't how I wanted it."
"What am I supposed to do now?"
"How can I fix this?"
"How is the going to affect ME?"
There is a pattern of self. It is a choice to think these things. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ." WE--it's our responsibility and choice to dictate our thoughts. Once these thoughts take root, they start to grow...and flourish. Pretty soon, it invades our life and that's all we think about is ourselves. How will I get out of this? Why can't I be happy? What do I do now? Why ME? Then it turns into pity parties and we sit at home, eat and watch t.v. and mope about because obviously there's nothing else WE can do, since everything bad is happening to ME. We don't feel like going anywhere because nothing good will happen; we don't feel like talking to somoene because they might tell us something bad. Next thing we know, we're at the doctor for medicine because we're so depressed.

There are easy solutions to this problem. But first, we have to recognize that we HAVE a problem with ourselves and it is derived from selfish motives and thoughts. It all begins with a thought process. After admitting that there IS a problem, we have to realize that we can't get rid of it on our own. God definitely has to intervene and help and he is more than willing to do that of course, because he's our Dad! When we give the problem to the Lord and not try to do it on our own, it will go a lot smoother. Also, get out and do stuff! Exercise! "Moderate and even gentle exercise such as a brief walk is effective for depression recovery." (Uplift Program) At least it gets our serotonin moving which stimulates the muscles and regulates our body process. Another recovery-help is to surround ourself with a good support group and not people who will pull me back down. Find close friends who are encouraging and uplifting. Ecclesiastes 4:10, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." We need to make sure we have a support group that will push us to improve and rely on God and get out the depression. Ultimately, depression begins with a choice. Is it about me? Or is it about God and His will? Am I depressed? Or am I selfish?

(This post came from a discussion with Lisa Oakes and her new revelation. Thanks, Lis!)

CHEESE!

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

A few years ago Ash and I went to a photo place and had pictures taken. I was given responsibility to keep the pictures after we got them...I lost them. It's been over 4 years and the other day my mom said, "here, i found these in my room." No idea how they got there, but I'm glad she found them. I always felt bad about losing them because first of all, these are just 2 of many great pictures and secondly because I had no clue where they were and didn't think I'd see them again. But these pictures remind me that Ash and I have been best friends for a long time. I love you so much girl!!!! (I'll try and scan them all and send them to you---look how different we look!!! LONG HAIR! for both of us---me, before braces: Ahh!)

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

So patriotic