the case of the missing Aggie ring

Ring day is the most anticipated event for a Texas A&M student. On September 21, 2008, Josh and I  received our rings in the same group. Then there was the task of earning the right to wear it. Fun stuff.

Last month we had a small scare. When Josh went to put on his Aggie ring, he couldn't find it. We were in a hurry to meet some of his new classmates at Thursdays on 1st and 3rd, so we decided to look as soon as we got home. Josh was pretty bummed about it, but didn't want us to be late. 

Once we got back home, we set up the investigation. The most likely suspect was our two year old. We remembered that the previous night, Peyton played on our bed while we put away laundry. He also loves to explore what's on our nightstands. This kid is notorious for taking my eye drops and using my chapstick. (see the video at the end of this post) Also, Josh puts his jewelry on the night stand. 

After tearing apart the upstairs, we decided to ask Peyton. Here's how it went:

Josh: Hey Peyton, where is Daddy's ring?

Peyton: ring all gone, bye bye

Josh: is it with your toys? Where is it?

Peyton: ring, ALL DONE!

Ashley: what color is the ring?

Peyton: yellow (uh oh...toddler speak for gold)

We both had a heart attack. I went and got my Aggie ring and showed it to Peyton.

Peyton: OH, HERE Daddy! Daddy's ring! (double uh oh)

One thing that scared us was that our new place has floor vents that aren't bolted down. Peyton discovered right away that they could be lifted off and has already dropped a basketball key chain into one. We knew that if he had dropped it down one, it wouldn't be easy to get to it.

After we put Peyton in bed, we got back to the search.After knowing Josh for 7 years, I've found what works for us when he loses stuff. I make him back track up to the last time he saw it. I'm sure it gets annoying, especially since he gets in a really bad mood about losing somethings. BUT it works. The night before, he had put it in his pocket while watching a movie downstairs. (we checked the chair he sat in...no dice) After that he took out the trash. (ugh, did he somehow throw it away?) 

At this point we were really stumped and started to feel sick about it. THEN Josh had a light bulb moment. He remembered seeing Peyton play with my jewelry box. We found the ring in the first drawer I opened. YAY!

Peyton is a genius. He played with Daddy's ring, and put it where it belongs...in a jewelry box! That's why he was saying "all done" as he does when he puts his toys away. Ultimately, we learned from this that we need to keep valuable jewelry out of Peyton's reach.

Dear Peyton,

This picture WILL be framed in your dorm one day. Even if for some crazy reason decide not to go to A&M.

Love,
Mom

proudest member of the Fightin Texas Aggies class of 2033

love story

the infamous laundry room

Most of you know that Josh and I were college sweethearts. We met in February of 2006 in the Traditions dorm laundry room. I knew right away he was the one. I even went upstairs "to get something" and brought a good friend downstairs to meet him and see what she thought. I should write a post about that night sometime.

Fast forward about 2 and a half years later to July 11, 2008. I had just started the second summer session at A&M and was recovering from a tonsillectomy. (Yes, I had my tonsils removed at 21...it's no fun, I definitely don't recommend it) Josh called me while I was walking to class that morning and said we should go on a date. He told me he would pick me up at my apartment at 5:45 pm. In true Ashley fashion I lost track of time and hopped in the shower a 5 pm. When he got to my apartment to pick me up, he was pretty upset that I wasn't ready. We never went to dinner that early, so I didn't see what the problem was. He said he was really hungry and sat on my bed pouting. I felt bad about it and got ready as quickly as possible.

He chose La Bodega for dinner, which was one of our favorite restaurants in College Station. Of course there was a 30 minute wait. (I later found out this was messing with his time line.) We decided to sit in the bar area until our table was ready, and once I sat down a waitress spilled a shaker right under my feet. (which somehow didn't get on me.) Looking back, I realized that Josh wasn't acting like himself during dinner. He ate his food super fast, went to the bathroom a few times, and he wasn't talking much. As we were walking back to his truck, he said he made a "friend at football camp" and wanted me to meet him. This guy was staying at the Traditions dorm and it would just be a quick trip. Josh is always making friends so I didn't really think anything of it. I was kind of excited to go inside since it had been 2 years since we lived there. 

As we were walking up to the side entrance I said, "how are we going to get in? We don't have an access card." Josh said, "Well maybe someone will open it for us." We got to the door and there was a water bottle keeping it open. This is when I started to get suspicious. We walked down the hall towards the laundry room and I could see rose petals. Once we got to the door, Josh had to pull me in the room and I kept saying "oh my gosh! What are you doing? I can't believe this!" I think I also said "holy sh**" but let's pretend that didn't happen. 

check out the candle holders that Josh found at Michaels, so fun! (everyone knows I love bling)

Right before he got down on one knee, I remember saying "hang on" so I could set my purse down. (really, Ashley?) He proposed with my great-grandmothers diamond that was set in a solitaire. (so special to me) I said yes and the rest is history.

What just happened!? Josh had a huge smile that night :)

He thought through every detail, down to having my favorite colors and flowers. I love that he had Caleb and 3 of his football buddies set it all up exactly to his specifications. I have proof :) They had to turn people away from doing their laundry. I can only imagine what those people thought.

Caleb was a huge help that night

setting out the marbles

waiting, waiting and more waiting since I wasn't ready on time

Congrats on making it to the end of my novella. I can't believe it's been 5 years since this special day. I remember that my face hurt from smiling so much. I still get giddy when I think about it.