1 Incredible Year

Well, last year at this time I had 1 day of work left before family started to come in for my wedding. I was excited, yet had a list of things to get done and knew they would not get done without all of the family coming in. Now, I don't think they knew what they were getting into... covering the church floor with felt seemed like an easy thing to in thought... :) Yet in reality it was a huge job that they will remind me of forever! I remember the first night everyone got in having all of the ladies sit around and help put together all of the favors. Before I knew it we were done and I think still have some left over from them.

The next day was the day of felting the floor, and getting the park ready for rehearsal. Everything was beautiful, I stole away with some of my bridesmaids to do a few last minute things and then we had the rehearsal.
That's when it all hit me like a brick. Literally - I was emotionally overwhelmed with things I could not interpret and had a good hard crying fit for 10 minutes. Luckily - the loving people around me were understanding of my stress, and after that, I was fine. Better than fine, I was fantastic! The rehearsal dinner was beautiful, and it was so nice to be with everyone we loved.

I woke the next morning relaxed and excited, mom tweezed my eyebrows, and I was on my way to get beautiful! Hair, photos, makeup, photos, breakfast at Panera Bread with a quick stop in Target, and then on to get my dress. Ah the dress... The Dress. It was something... :)

As we got to the church the flowers were beautiful - yet not the right flower... Funny, the only dream I had about the wedding was getting there and the flowers not being right. However, in my dream we had pink carnations, at least these were still red roses, just not the one's I was expecting. I got over that fast enough.

Dress on, then I got to see him, HIM - the one person who changed my life completely. Who in that one body was capable of loving me so deeply and the love I felt for him was immeasurable. I am lucky. I know that. He is a gift and I am so happy to be his.

More pictures at the Mansion, then more at the church, and before I knew it I was pacing and waiting... I came out of the room I was locked in and remember seeing Em, I had seen her earlier, but something about that moment she was excited - and so was I. I gave her a piece of my bouquet as we waited to go it. Dad was proud, it was written all over him, and with his death grip he walked me down the isle... or trotted, I walked so fast - I think I was anxious to get to the front. :) When we watch the video it's almost funny. We had a sweet ceremony, with a few tears. Yet saying forever to this man seemed like the easiest thing I have ever done.

Then the party began.. well, pretty much.. Food was great, cake was great, and I loved talking to people I had not seen in a while. A few sweet dances later, and we were ready to leave. Red felt on the car.. Nice... :)

Then after a quick pit stop we were on our way to Atlanta - I prefer to forget about where we stayed that night and just think about that night.
That's probably a good place to stop.

Thanks to all of my family for all of the red felt, bossing around, and love and support you all gave during a very special yet busy time in our lives. This last year has been so incredible. I am deeper in love than I ever thought possible, and it's only been 1 year.

Family

I am very fortunate to be able to get together with my family and more importantly get along when we do. I love my family very much and am looking forward to our big vacation together next year!
We have lots more great pictures coming soon. We will post them on Pictage as well as send out a disk to everyone so you can print them any way you want - and since your family you may end up on our website once we get it up.

Visiting Churches

It sounds fun doesn't it? Going to a new church, seeing how different people worship and meeting new people. Well, to say the least, it stopped being fun years ago.
When me and my now husband were dating we visited a lot of churches and then decided on one that we grew to really love. Then after the wedding and move, we wanted to look again for one closer to our house. Almost a year later now, we still have not found one that we really like, and at times feel like giving up all together.
We have visited one that we've been to twice, and will probably visit again, but the music was pretty drab.
Anyway, we visited a different church this last Sunday. Normally we wouldn't visit a church we knew was really contemporary, but they sent us this pamphlet that was well designed, and we thought it would be fun. I knew when I heard U2 on the sound system before the service - that this may be a little too far on the contemporary side. There is so much great contemporary Christian music out there they could have been playing, I was disappointed. Now I do like U2 - but not during church. Anyway, it felt more like a concert, with no real substance.
I know people worship in many different ways, and we respect that, but we need to find a place that we are comfortable worshiping at. I'd like to be able to forget my environment, and worship the Lord in song, and hear His word spoke and taught. I'd like to find a balance between contemporary and traditional worship styles. I'd like to find a minister who had a gentle heart, yet a good head on his shoulders. I'd like to find someone who didn't put people down at the pulpit, and who knows that the same grace that saved us, also saved him. I'd like to find a church with some young couples our age that we could get to know.
We found this once - are we asking for too much to find it again?? Are we looking for too much in a church? We've moved from trying to find a church to love, to trying to find a church that didn't offend.
So it's back to a list of churches that we know nothing about and scared to visit.
Please keep this in your prayers.

Books

Before I start I would like to say that as a child I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder books - I read them all!

1. One book that changed your life:
House Of Leaves (I got it for my husband as a gift when we were "just friends" he said he thought about me when he read it) I think that was a good move...

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Sense & Sensability or anything Jane Austin

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
the Bible

4. One book that made you laugh:
I just can't think of one... I have a bad memory

5. One book that made you cry:
The Red Tent

6. One book that you wish had been written:
Every Wedding Dress Ever Made (I guess this would be a picture book)

7. One book you wish had never been written:
I wouldn't say I wish it had never been written - but I really hated Cold Mountain.

8. One book you’re currently reading:
Daughter of Fortune

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
the Narnia series (if I don't read this soon my sister in law will probably end up reading it to me over the phone)

10. Now tag five people:
These people have to email me their list:
mom
Jenny
Beth
Betty
Brit