Alan & Ashleigh

Thankful...

2011-11-27T15:26:00.003-07:00

I just want to list a few of the many things I am thankful for, since it is Thanksgiving weekend after all:

1. My amazingly patient, loving, selfless, kind, nonjudgmental husband
2. The gospel
3. The temples
4. The scriptures
5. My awesome family
6. Opportunity to go to graduate school
7. Place to live
8. Jobs
9. Food
10. Good health

Now, time for my favorite month of the year. December! Christmas and my birthday, how fun! ;)

P.S. We are drinking sparkling cider in case it looks suspicious. Ha ha.

"Al-oween" Party

2011-11-04T22:13:00.013-06:00

The 6th annual "Al-oween" party was a hit! A big thanks to Dan and Cindi Witt for letting us use their basement and to all of our friends who helped out. I look forward to Al-oween every single year. It is so fun to be with all of our friends and family. Thank you everyone for dressing up! Here are some pictures from the party:

Al and I went as Clark Kent and Lois Lane:

Our amazing family and friends:

Doughnut Eating Contest:

Looking forward to next year's party already. :)

Update

2011-05-16T23:29:00.005-06:00

So I never think that anything really significant or amazing is happening in my life, so much so that I need to blog about it. Today I realized though, that if my attitude continues this way, I may never write on my blog again. Besides, one of my New Years Resolutions (I know, I try not to make them either) was to blog once a week. Nothing fancy- just an update on the lives of Al and myself. So here is the update for last week...

My mom, sister, and I went to Phoenix, Arizona to visit my uncle Brad. We had an amazing time! The weather was in the high 90's and we just laid by the pool all day long. They have an amazing house with a large swimming pool, so everytime we go visit it feels like we're at a spa. They bring us Crystal Light lemonade with fresh lemons they grew in their yard. They make amazing food for every meal, play fun music on their stereo while we lounge by the pool, and make us feel like celebrities. We definitely get the star treatment! Unfortunately, for Al, it was girl's weekend and he wasn't invited. I did miss him dearly. Sometime he has to come to Phoenix to get the royal treatment himself.

Also last Monday, May 9th, my sister and I started graduate school at Westminster College. We are both getting our Master of Art in teaching, with a k-8 teaching license. It's fun having her with me in every class. We have an instant "study buddy" and partner for everything. We had a paper due the first day of class. Got it back- DON'T ask how I did. HOWEVER, we all did poorly and get to resubmit them. The teacher just wanted to get an idea of how we write. I'm on my third or fourth draft after editing and hoping the final version I turn in on Wednesday will blow her socks off! I really want to get straight A's. I don't know what happened in k-12, but I feel like they did not teach English very well. I would even include my undergrad in that statement. I did well on my undergrad papers...grad school is just a whole different level. It's okay though. I'm up for the challenge!

Lastly, Alan had a softball game tonight. They lost, but he played well. He hit a ball into a whole by the fence and got a home run! The other team couldn't get the ball (or catch it for that matter) to get him out. Therefore, nice job baby! Home run!

Oh, and lastly, my sister is getting married! August 13th, 2011 in Salt Lake City. She is marrying a guy named Devin Lanier. He makes her SO happy. If you want to see two people completely in-love and on cloud 9, hang out with them. It's like they're in their own world- no one else exists. I'm happy for them. They should soak this up now because this phase doesn't last. I don't mean that in a bad way sweetie (Al). I love Al more today, now that we've been married for 4 1/2 years, than I did on our wedding day. I think marriage is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It takes effort on both sides, but I love being married to Alan. He is such a blessing in my life. I love you baby! Thanks for putting up with me and being patient with me. XOXO. To everyone else reading this, go tell your spouse how much you love them, appreciate them, and give them a BIG kiss. Be the kind of spouse that is loving, forgiving, and selfless. Focus on making your spouse happy- don't think about yourself. Not trying to preach- just my thoughts...

These pictures are from February, 2011. We went to CA to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. Al and I went to our favorite restaurant in Newport Beach, CA, "The Rusty Pelican."

Christmas 2010

2011-01-25T22:48:00.015-07:00

Mili is the daughter I've never had and hope and pray I get one day. I love her so much. We have so much fun together. She even has Alan wrapped around her finger. For Christmas this year she told her mom, Sharissa, what she wanted to buy Alan and Me. She chose this AWESOME Lulu Lemon workout jacket which I LOVE! She has amazing taste. I saw this jacket in California and really wanted it, but it was too expensive. How amazing is it that Mili chose it for me without knowing! She also bought me these heart bowls because she told her mom that she didn't think I had any to make cookies with. Ha ha. She and I love to bake.

For Alan, she was determined to get him a FOOD BASKET. She had her mind made up that Alan wanted a basket with food in it. As if that wasn't funny enough, she wanted to fill the basket with salad, carrots, sushi and soy sauce. Sharissa tried to gently persuade her in another direction by telling her that Alan might not like that kind of food. To this she replied, "That's because he doesn't have any. He'd like it if he'd tried it." She is too funny! In the end though, she chose this remote control pillow.

Alan and I bought her everything princess. She is obsessed with the Disney princesses. Her favorites are Belle and Ariel. We got her some princess puzzles, Belle and Ariel pajamas, a kitty statue (another obsession), a Belle look and find book, Beauty and the Beast read a-long book, and I made her the pink and brown skirt in the picture. She picked out the fabric and I sewed it for her in my sewing class. It's only my second project so it isn't perfect, but she doesn't seem to notice it. She loves it because it twirls so well- it's like a princess skirt. ;)

Alan and I also went to Washington for Christmas with my family this year. There are too many pictures to post all of them so that is why I only posted the group shot. It was also my aunt and uncle's 25th wedding anniversary celebration, my birthday December 27th, and my sister went through the Portland, OR temple to receive her endowments. Super busy and so fun to be with family.

Thank You

2010-11-02T21:46:00.003-06:00

Thank you to all of my amazing friends and family for their uplifting and supportive words of wisdom. You don't know how much each and every one of you uplifted me. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I am blessed to have you all in my life. I love you all.

Patience

2010-10-30T23:53:00.009-06:00

Do you ever feel like you're just stuck? Like the whole world around you is moving and you are the only one standing still? I can't help but feel this way for the last little while. I thought after I graduated from college my life would just fall right into place. I definitely thought I would have a baby or at least be pregnant- no on both counts. I also thought we might have plans to be buying a house or already be in a house, again no. I thought my music career as an LDS singer would be a lot closer than it is feeling right now; and I thought that we would be making a little more money than we currently are...Life has never gone as I planned, so I don't know why I thought it would start going my way now.
I can't help but feel depressed though. Hard as I try, the sadness always finds me. Everyone tells me, "Just have faith" or "Heavenly Father must be testing your patience" or "The Lord's time is not our time." Sometimes I want to tell these people to just buzz off (and that's putting it mildly). I'm not trying to be rude. They are probably 100% correct in everything they are telling me...but how come I feel like I am the ONLY one in the world being tested in ALL areas of my life on how to be patient? I feel like I'm just standing, waiting for my number to be called- to catch a break, even in just ONE area of my life, and it never comes.
I know that there are many people out there far worse off than I am. I am blessed in many ways, but somehow it's easier to count the ways I haven't been blessed- the things for which my heart longs for that I don't have. I am blessed to have good health, a loving and caring husband, and an amazing family on both sides. Not to mention that my husband and I both have jobs and a place to live and food to eat. The list does go on...
I think the foundation of my sadness is the constant struggle of not getting pregnant. What am I doing wrong? I've seen so many different doctors, been through surgery, numerous tests, taken endless drugs, tried alternative medicine, changed my diet drastically, took up consistent exercise, fasting, prayer, blessings, more prayer, more fasting, more pleading, crying, begging, and now I'm down to just waiting... I really don't get it. I do not understand how drugged out women can get pregnant and I can't. I don't get how teenage girls can get pregnant and I'm not; or how my friends can get pregnant on birth control or the week after they go off, and I've been trying for THREE years. Al and I would love our baby like no one has ever loved a baby before. We are far from perfect, but we would raise them in the gospel and try the best we know how to do a good job of raising the Lord's children- should He decide to send any of his spirits down to us.
I do believe in the Lord's timing and I know that He has a plan for all of us. I just wish I knew what mine was so that I wouldn't feel so lost right now. I try to fill my time with projects around the house, my music, shopping, working, church, Utah football games (Go Utes!), but the heartache is always there. As a woman, I think most of us feel like one of the best and biggest callings in our lives is to be a mother. The Church always talks about our role as mothers...I agree and stand by everything they say, but lately it has been really hard to hear because I'm not getting the opportunity to be a mother. I'm ready and willing and now, just waiting....
I don't mean to be such a downer. I really just needed to get my feelings down on paper and sent out into the Universe. I know some people can relate. If you can, maybe you can give me some pointers on how to not feel so sad and lost? It's really hard to do when everyone around me is living out my dreams of having children, buying a house, getting the high paying job, making their way into the LDS music industry, etc...
With that being said, don't worry about me. I will be fine. I know the Lord would not want any of His children to be sad or unhappy. I know He has a plan for all of us. I hope one day I look back on this and realize I just needed to be patient. It's all in the Lord's timing. Not my timing- His timing.

My cute husband with our sweet friend's (Paul and Brittany Wiseman) baby. Al is such a natural with children. Thankfully Paul and Britt have let me take on the role of "auntie Ashleigh" to Ellie and I get to babysit her a lot.

Home Make-Over

2010-10-06T12:01:00.009-06:00

I don't know about any of you, but for the last 3 years I have been wanting to make my apartment more chic and modern looking. I love looking at design magazines and blogs- daydreaming about how to make my apartment look like the pictures in the magazines. Usually I like too many things and I don't know where to start. Living in a two bedroom apartment with no storage space is an obstacle- and one that I have not mastered, YET.
Now that I am done with school I have more time on my hands. I am determined to turn my apartment into a fabulous and chic downtown apartment- on a very limited budget, might I add. I am tired of walking into my home and looking at clutter and stuff everywhere. Goodbye to the days of college living. I now realize my husband and I are adults- yes, adults! We can no longer get away with having an apartment that looks like a college student's. I want my home to be inviting and personal, yet stylish and fresh. People always say, "Wait until you buy a house. You're only in an apartment." Well, to them I say, "Who knows how long we will be in this apartment. There is no reason why we shouldn't love and adore our home, whether we rent or own. It's our home... and it should represent my family and me."
I am writing this to all of you so that it will actually get done. Now that I am telling everyone about my new project, I have to follow through with it. Remember, it will be on a tight budget using things I already have in my home. When I finish this lovely project, I will post before and after pictures. I can't wait! Here's to beautifying and enriching our home and life!

Graduation!!!

2010-08-29T16:58:00.009-06:00

Yes, it has been a long, LONG journey for me to finish my Bachelor degree. After 8 years of going to school on and off, I finally finished!!! I had to take 18 credits this summer, but it was worth it. Thankfully, the Lord helped me through it all. My degree is a BS in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I walked in May, but I technically didn't graduate until August 6th, 2010.

This is on August 6th after my last final of my undergrad career. Of course it was my math final, but believe it or not, I received an A in that class! Thank you Heavenly Father. This is Al and me at Rodizio Grill for his cousin's wedding dinner/ celebrating my graduation.

Al, Me, Meg, Ellen, and Brad.

These were taken in May. I walked on May 7th, 2010.

Fagergren Family Reunion

2010-08-29T15:26:00.024-06:00

During the last week of June the whole Fagergren clan (minus Brian and Kim's family- we missed you!) went to Newport Beach, California to visit Michele (Alan's sister) and Jim Earl and their family. It was a wonderful break for me since I was in school at the time (18 credits- ugh); however, most of the time I was studying. Michele has a picture of me doing my math homework on the beach while everyone else is playing. I was quite content though. It's better than being stuck in a classroom!

Here are a few pictures from the trip. Michele's twins, Tanner and Taylor, are adorable! Everywhere Alan goes, the twins want to go too. They adore Al.

Taylor and Me.

Alan and me at Disneyland.

The twins and Michele meeting Buzz Lightyear.

I LOVE the swinging ferris wheel at California Adventure. To me, it is the scariest ride in the entire park. However, it is also the most fun! I laugh and scream the entire time because I am so scared. The best way to ride it is facing backwards when you swing. Our niece and nephew were very brave to come on it with us.

Al and me with our "Bug Eyes" on before watching "A Bugs Life."

Our niece and nephews were picked to be helpers during the Star Wars show (thanks to the signs made by Jim).

Al and I call ourselves the "A-Team." We thought it fitting to get a picture in the big 'A' in front of California Adventure.

The Fagergren family at the Angels baseball game.

Thoughts on Life...

2010-02-20T14:47:00.003-07:00

I often think to myself that I am a pretty good person. I try to be kind to everyone. I try to help others as much as I can. I try to count my many blessings and be grateful for each and every one of them...Then I see people like Rob and Erin Koelliker and I think to myself, "I have such a long way to go." If I could be half as good of a person as these two are, maybe I could be content with myself.
These two are some of our closest friends. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They always make Alan and I laugh. You never leave them without feeling more uplifted and joyess- if that's even a word. They are so strong in their testimonies of the gospel... Needless to say, Alan and I look up to them a lot. More than they know.
I write this today because we just returned from their little boy, Henry Robert Koelliker's funeral. He was only 4 days old. Heavenly Father called him back home. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. I do know what it is like to lose someone you love (my father and grandfather). I only hope they will find peace and comfort in the beautiful graveside service today, in Elder Johnson's words,in their friends and families, and of course, in the gospel. Time does heal the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. It isn't easy and it isn't fast. It feels like a roller coaster. Some days are great, others are painful and sorrowful, other days are filled with heartache and longing. This is the process of grief. Some days I would just start crying out of the blue after my dad died. It would be months later and it would all come rushing back. The one thing that I hold to (besides loving family members) is the gospel. I know I will see my dad again someday.
Rob and Erin, I know you will see Henry again someday. He was such a special spirit that he didn't need to stay on this earth. He is part of your Eternal family. You two are such amazing and wonderful people. Alan and I feel proud to know you and be close friends with you. We are here for you always. I will continue to be inspired by your examples...We love you.

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-28T18:05:00.003-07:00

Christmas Eve party with Alan's moms side- the Bringhurst/Patton family dinner.

Christmas 2009 with Mili

2009-12-28T14:00:00.006-07:00

Mili was SO cute! She picked out presents for Alan, me, and Britt. I told her I was so excited to find out what she got me. She replied, "We got you some gloves!" ;) She then helped me rip open my present. She told Alan, "We got you these baseballs!" They were really Utah golf balls- she just thought they were baseballs. Ha Ha. Alan and I bought her a game and we bought the whole family a telescope because Mili LOVES the planets. Hopefully she will enjoy it over the years. When we handed her, her present, she said, "Oh thank you! I LOVE it! It is sooo BEAUUUUTIFUL!" She said this while hugging it and swinging back and forth. She hadn't even opened it yet. I guess she loved the wrapping paper a lot! Ha Ha!

December 2009 Fun with Mili

2009-12-28T13:54:00.003-07:00

Thanksgiving 2009 in Saint George

2009-12-28T13:29:00.006-07:00

Pluto Princess & NY Met

2009-12-28T13:22:00.004-07:00

Halloween 2009

Halloween Party

2009-12-28T12:57:00.006-07:00

Our fourth annual "Aloween" party at the Fagergren cabin in Midway. Lots of fun! Theme: "What Happens in Vegas..."

Halloween Fun At Wheeler Farm

2009-12-28T12:28:00.006-07:00

I took Mili to Wheeler Farm to go through the hay maze, pick pumpkins, and ride on the tractor. She loved it!

Family Photoshoot

2009-11-28T15:22:00.005-07:00

Many of you have seen my facebook page, and therefore have seen these pictures. I love pictures! And I am not good at writing in my journal. Therefore, I take pictures to document our life together. Alan said, "Don't you normally take family pictures once you have kids?" I said, "Maybe other families do that, but we are going to take family pictures every year with or without kids." So, here we are at Wheeler Farm on Halloween morning taking family pictures. Al was a great sport. I have the BEST husband!

Hello, Again

2009-09-16T08:51:00.007-06:00

I realize I am not as savy a blogger as many of my fellow bloggers. I seem to forget I even have a blog, until at some random moment I am reminded of the blogging world. So, here I am once again trying to keep up my blog. Will one of my expert blogging friends please email me how to put a cool template on my blog for the background? Not only am I very bored with the color scheme, it also reminds me what a novice I am at blogging. As you will be able to plainly see when you see my pictures and descriptions out of order. ;)

The few followers I may have following my blog are well aware that I am more a post pictures with small captions blogger. Once again, I have some pictures to show my recent adventures. Can I keep you, Mili? Man, I am so in love with cute little Mili. I so wish she were my daughter!

Mili, Me, and Britt at Wheeler Farm yesterday. The tractor ride is the BEST!

Mili's latest phase is to do imaginary play. She is some character from a book or movie/TV show everyday. However, the characters all seem to be princesses in her eyes. This is the outfit she wore yesterday to Fashion Place Mall and to Wheeler Farm. ;)

I just love these pictures. She has a huge smile on her face because she is playing with "Uncle" Alan.

Summertime swimming with Mili, Al, and Me

Mili's 2nd Birthday

2009-02-25T20:43:00.005-07:00

Mili on her second birthday. She looked like a ballerina princess. She was sick with a cold, but in a great mood. She is adorable! Is it weird she isn't my child, but I feel like she is and treat her like she is? I don't care- in my mind, she is my "adopted" daughter.

Celebration Dinner

2009-02-25T20:33:00.002-07:00

I won a singer/songwriter contest for the best of the LDS jukebox. I get to have one of my original songs on the "Best of the LDS Jukebox" CD that comes out in spring or summer. I was SO excited to win! I have been trying to make it as a singer for such a long time. I finally feel like I am making progress. This contest definitely helped jump start my career. I also just got asked to perform at a club started by a 106.5 DJ here in Utah. Hurray! So, here Al and I were at a celebration dinner. Thank you everyone for your votes and support on my singing career.

Fun Times with Mili.

2009-02-25T20:12:00.011-07:00

Mili is the girl I nanny. What more can I say- except that we have a ton of fun together! This is just a collection of random times together...

Utah Utes football parade day.

Mili loves dressing up in my clothes.

Mili and Ash sledding.

Playdough crowns.

Children's museum.

Al and Mili at the Children's Museum.

New Years Eve 2008

2009-02-25T19:59:00.005-07:00

Al and I at the Utes basketball game. Go Utes!

Al and Rob celebrating New Years Eve.

Erin and I celebrating New Years Eve. Look at our home-made virgin strawberry margaritas! So cute- and yummy.

Our cute friends- Rob and Erin.

Al and I ringing in 2009.

Ashleigh's Birthday

2009-02-25T19:47:00.005-07:00

Celebrating my 25th birthday at Benihana's (A.K.A. Asian Hooters - The Office).

Our cool Chef.

Half of our friends at my birthday.

The other half of our wonderful friends! Don't Al and I have great friends?! They are so supportive, so nice, and such a joy to be around.

Al and I at "The Cheesecake Factory"- one of my favorite restaurants- for my birthday lunch.

Christmas Eve 2008

2009-02-25T18:23:00.003-07:00

Christmas Eve night - trying on our annual Christmas Eve present to each other- pajamas.

My pj's.

Al's pj's.

Here Al and I are taking our annual picture by the Christmas tree. It was 2 years ago, on Christmas Eve 2006, that Al proposed to me. We took a picture by the tree shortly after. Here we are re-enacting the day.
The traditional nativity scene played out from the scriptures. Al's brother, sister in-law and nieces and nephews are playing the roles.

Christmas for Mili

2009-02-25T17:58:00.003-07:00

Mili is the little girl I nanny for. Al and I love her like she were our own child. I have been watching her since she was 6 months. She is SO ADORABLE! For Christmas, I went a little overboard for her. Oops!

Here is Al and Mili holding up some of her new presents from us. She loves Sesame Street - especially Ernie and Elmo!

Here I am with Mili, Dan and Sharissa- Mili's parents. They are like my second family; and the best bosses in the world!

Alan's Christmas Work Party

2009-02-25T17:50:00.003-07:00

Al and I had fun (or at least I did) getting dressed up for Al's work Christmas party at Snowbird. They had a yummy dinner and dancing at The Cliff Lodge. Plus, they gave us a huge discount on a room for the evening! Quite fun. I LOVE dressing up.
December 2008

Christmas Tree Lighting at Pioneer Square in Portland, OR

2008-12-22T00:01:00.007-07:00

Al and Me after the tree was lit. You should have seen the streets and sidewalks in downtown Portland. It was like a mosh pit! Everyone wanted to see the tree lit - including my family and I. It was also my mom's birthday. Happy birthday mom!

Me and Britt

The fam- Britt, Doug, Mom, Al and Me

Mom's birthday too - eating pie after the tree lighting

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-21T23:38:00.007-07:00

Al and I spent our Thanksgiving this year at home with my family in Washington. It was raining...surprise, surprise. ;) It was great to go home and see everyone.

Al and Me taking our picture for our Christmas cards. If you haven't gotten yours yet - this is pretty much what it looks like. ;)

Al and Me

Doug and Mom

Britt, Mom and Me

"Twilight"

2008-12-21T23:26:00.004-07:00

This was a girl's day out during Thanksgiving break. We went to see the movie "Twilight," which we all loved of course! I have read all the books and strongly recommend reading them if you have not already.
Britt and Me in the theater after the movie

Mom, Britt and Me

Utah vs. BYU Nov. 22, 2008

2008-12-21T22:26:00.005-07:00

This is not to boast or brag about beating BYU. This is merely to congratulate Utah on a 12-0 season after their final game against BYU. We are big Utah football fans. Go Utah!

Some of our friends and I on the field afterwards celebrating a 12-0 season.

Al and I after the big win.

Me, Brian Johnson (quarterback for Utah football) and Amber at Skybox after the game.

Carrie Underwood Concert!

2008-12-21T21:49:00.008-07:00

November 19th, 2008 - Carrie Underwood Concert

Me and my friend Brittney at the Carrie Underwood concert. Unfortunately, Al had to go on a business trip so he couldn't come with me. This concert was the best concert I've been too. She is by far my favorite singer! She is AMAZINGLY talented!!!

Joining the blogging world

2008-10-04T14:31:00.000-06:00

Hello All,
I have seen quite a few friends blogs for some time now, but have never felt the desire to create a blog. Until now. I read my friend Bethany's blog and firgured it was about time Alan and I created one (thanks for the motivation Beth). What a great way to keep in touch and let our friends and family know what's going on in our world. Plus, how fun it is for me to look at my friends pictures and to read their thoughts. Hopefully, our blog will be as fun and interesting.
Since I am new to this, it may take me a few days (or weeks) to get this up and fully running. I am excited to be starting this though. Thanks to all of you who inspired me to do this. :)

Love,
Ashleigh