Easter Visit with the Family

Mom and Dad-in-Law, Erika, Jim, Steph, Peter and me (Bill was taking the picture, and apparently hasn't found the zoom on the camera.)

Aren't Peter and Erika so cute?! This was the best picture I could get, they wouldn't hold still!

I was quite happy with this flower arrangement, I think it looks veryMartha-y. The daffodils go around in a circle with the tulips in the middle. I brought it up for Bill's Mom for Easter since she said she didn't need me to make any food (I still made muffins though). Best part is, all the flowers and the container only cost $15. Florist make such a profit on their arrangements!

A Toast to Laura and David

Here is the text of my toast to Laura and David that I made at their wedding April 8th. I thought I would post it here because a few people have asked me about it, and also so I can look back on it in the future.

I first met Laura over seven years ago as we sat in the front row on our first day of Spanish class freshman year at Grove City College. I remember thinking when I saw her that this is a girl I can work with. Little did I know that she would become one of my closest friends.

Laura was witness to all the stages of my relationship with my husband—from the first signs of love, through our engagement, and I was honored to have her in my wedding party when I walked down the aisle almost four years ago. And now I have been witness to her relationship with David. From the first time she said, “there’s a guy I have been emailing…” all the way through to today.

Laura, God has blessed me with your friendship. He has given me a loyal, loving, fun, and generous person in you. I am so excited that you are married! God has joined you with a wonderful man, and you have so much to look forward to as a wife. I am very happy to be continuing on as your friend through all the adventures before you.

David, even before I met you I knew you were someone special. Not long after you and Laura started dating, she was glowing. Now that I have known you for a little while I see a man of integrity who loves God and desires to be obedient to Him. I also see a man who loves Laura with a great love that will last forever.

David, I have every confidence that you know what an amazing woman God has entrusted to your care. I know that you will do your best to honor her, cherish her, and put her needs before your own

Laura and David: since I have four years on you with this marriage thing, I feel like I can offer you a few small words of wisdom.
· Remember marriage is not just a relationship between a man and a woman, but it is a sacred bond that includes God. Look to Him as an example of how to treat your spouse and seek to honor Him in your marriage.
· Don’t isolate yourselves; seek out other couples to fellowship with, it can be a great encouragement and way to strengthen your relationship with each other.
· If hard times ever come (and they probably will), remember that it is the two of you as a team against all your problems. Don’t let the problems ever turn you against each other.
· Lastly, don’t forget to make time to have fun together!


Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness,for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.

May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

So tonight, please join me as I raise my glass to toast Laura and David. To the bride and groom!

Wedding Day Recap

It was a beautiful day, despite the rain, filled with laughter, love, and tears. Laura was as beautiful and radiant as any bride has ever been--and now she is a married woman!

The day started with many last minute details, I was frantic to get everything in the car without forgetting anything! Dress, shoes, veils, tiara, emergency kit, camera, makeup mirror, where on earth is the hair spray, umbrella, oh-no my keys! Four of the six of us girls (me, Laura, Amanda and Cheralyn) crammed into my car with all our stuff. We then headed to the salon to watch Laura get her hair done and veils attached while we did our own hair and put on makeup. Two hours later we jumped into the limo and enjoyed lunch from Chicken Out as we drove to the church. Laura was not too nervous and more than a little excited!

When we arrived at the church we all headed to the parlor where we had plenty of time to finish dressing and just enjoy each other's company for a while. The other two bridesmaids, Megan and Kristen joined us there.

Once all the family arrived at the church with the flowers and the photographer the day really sped up. We did pictured and hugged lots of people and ooohh'ed and aahhh'ed over the flowers and how beautiful Laura looked. The assistant from the church came to line us up to walk down the aisle and the nerves hit! My stomach felt like it dropped and Laura started looking a little teary. As I made it to the front of the church and turned to look for Laura I caught David's eye and smiled at him--he looked pretty calm. As the doors opened and Laura started her procession you could feel the emotion. She had a few tears trickle down her face--over a happy smile. David certainly was blinking back a few tears, as was I.

The ceremony was beautiful, Christ-honoring, and heartfelt. As we recessed back down the aisle, I glanced at my husband and could tell we were both thinking how happy and blessed we were to be married, and was it really almost four years ago that it was us standing up there? We waited in the parlor until the guests could make their way out and as each bridesmaid/groomsman couple came to congratulate Laura her squeals of sheer excitement got louder! (we got in trouble with the church assistant lady for being too loud). Laura and David made a run for the limo through the crowd of guests as we threw rose petals at them--it was fun despite the damp weather.

The photographer took many more pictures of the families and the wedding party, then we were on our way to the reception. We proceeded Laura and David only by a few minutes and were there to greet the new married couple as they entered. The hall was decorated beautifully, the cake looked amazing, and the gift table overflowed. Cake cutting, the toasts, eating, and dancing all followed in quick succession and the evening was over far too quickly. Laura and David left in their snazzy convertable getaway car for their honeymoon. I gathered up all of Laura and David's things and the long awaited wedding day was over.

Not Babies Anymore...

The Three Girls: Pumpkin, Patch, and Buttercup

Here is PJ: He doesn't appreciate his bachelorhood.

Pumpkin and Buttercup enjoying some spring clover from our backyard.