June 2009

While I'm waiting to get wedding pictures back so I can blog in detail, I am going to do posts to catch up from the summer months. I took kind of a blog break....so here is what has been going on. I did a picture blog to update everyone from March - May...and I'll be doing the same for each month until we are up to date. June was pretty uneventful...except for our annual girls' trip. Michelle and I went to Dallas...and this year little Miss Finley came along. We were both trying to save some money with the wedding and Finley's first birthday...plus, it was Finley's first trip and we didn't want to be TOO far from home. She was fantastic!!! She travelled so well! She was actually really good all weekend long. We stayed with my Aunt Julie and her family. It was really nice and relaxing. They have a great house and a pool! We were able to do some fun things...Michelle and I went to Fogo de Chao! Its our FAVORITE place to eat!!!! It was yum!!!! Our events pretty much revolved around food. :) We went out with all my family (and my mom was there too) one night to Bucca de Beppo! Its fantastic!!! We met my friend Alleigh (sad to have no pictures) for dinner at the mall and was able to catch up with her. Our biggest event was going to Market with my mom. We were so blessed that she was able to take us! I was able to get a lot of wedding stuff done...we got table centerpieces, church decorations, bridesmaids jewelry, and my wedding band! It was a successful trip!!! Sadly to say, Michelle and I did a TERRIBLE job of taking our camera...so here are a few pictures (mostly from our family dinner at Bucca de Beppo) from our 3rd Annual Girls' Trip:

And She's ONE!!!!!

Happy Birthday Little Miss Finley!!!!

I can't believe its been a year since she was born!!! It was actually much earlier than I am typing b/c at this time last year, I was already home and in bed. I got the call after midnight...I was asleep on the couch and I answered the phone to hear Devin telling me its time and they were at the hospital. I was up and on my way to Mercy Hospital! Sweet little Finley entered the world and has entertained us and made us all smile ever since. She is a beautiful gift from the Lord!!!!

Last Year:

This Year:

What’s In A Name?

Everything!

I am leaving behind my last name and taking on my husband’s name. This is very bitter-sweet for me! I have waited my whole life to find this amazing man that God would bring me…and for me to take his name. To represent him. To be identified with him. But, I never realized what I was leaving behind. Farquhar. The name my parents gave me! I was identified with them! It’s my family. It's how I was raised. It’s the name that every one of my brothers, their wives, and all their kids will have…but I leave it behind. All growing up, I’ve been a daddy’s girl. This makes it even harder. There is part of me that is sad to no longer have his same name because its what I have of him. However, if that is ALL I have of my dad, then I am lying to myself…I have his faith, his hands, his eyes, his love for theology and so much more. I also leave the name my mother took when she married my dad. It’s the only way I have known her. To leave her name doesn’t make me lose her either…I have her faith, her compassion, her love for others, her gift of singing and so much more. She is an example to me. She left her last name of Hogan to become a Farquhar. However, the blessings I see in the Hogan generations are what I see in the Farquhar family too. So, even though I leave my last name, I will not leave my faith! People who know our family will see that Petrashek has a strong foundation from Farquhar and Hogan! My family has laid a phenomenal ground for Ken and I to continue to build on.

Petrashek. Ken has made a tremendous name here for himself where we live. A name that I am proud to be associated with. He has an incredible reputation. His character is upstanding and he loves the Lord. He takes a stand for what he believes and I completely respect him and am encouraged by him. I am excited to make a name for OUR family and carry on what Ken has started. I pray that I represent him well. I pray that we actively and purposefully make decisions that will give our future generations something to be proud of. The Petrashek name…A name that is, first and foremost, honorable to the Lord. That it will remain respected in the community. That it will be a name our future daughter will be sad to let go…and our future son will be proud to carry on. I pray that our future generations can look back and see what God has done in our family. I pray they will see a family of men and women who seek the Lord and share his Good News!

So…some may say, “a name is just a name.” But I say it’s everything! It’s how people know you. Not just to distinguish you from someone else, but it also has a character and a reputation attached. What character and reputation do I want attached to my name? One of honor, one of respect, one of pride, but mostly one who absolutely loves the Lord!

We Did It!!!

Well, its official!!!! I'M MARRIED!!!!! :) The wedding day was absolutely perfect and everything was beautiful!!! I will be posting pictures and comments and all the background now that I am back to "real" life!

God is completely good! I know He shows His goodness daily, but I see it more in Ken everyday. Ken is perfect for me and its fun to watch God reveal that to me more and more.

No big news in the 10 days we have been married. We are starting to renovate our little country house. Thats about it...We are just getting back into our work schedules and learning to live with each other. Its really fun to live with him, but its been interesting to see us work around each other and together. I think the weirdest thing for me is that his house is now my house....I don't have my home to go "home" to anymore. And my house is still on the market, so we are still dealing with that. I am thankful that it didn't sell before the wedding b/c it would have been crazy trying to move everything before then. I have to remind myself that God's timing is perfect in ALL things. He already has the future owner of my house picked out...and we just have to be patient and obedient.

I can't wait to start showing off everything wedding! I had a hard time not posting anything during the planning, but I wanted to keep somethings a surprise!!!

Thats about it from here! But, I will be back soon! ;)

September 1st Is One of My Most FAVORITE Days

Because today is the very special day that God gave this world Michelle. He had her life already picked out before time began and He created her at the moment of conception....but today is the most fabulous celebration of her world-life beginning! I love today with all my heart because she is truly one of the greatest loves of my life! My life would not be as wonderful as it is without her in it! God has used her to change me and grow me to be more like Him!

So Michelle...I know you are trying to ignore today....but I can't because I am so grateful that the Lord created today and that it was His PERFECT timing and plan to have you here!!!! So many people's lives have been changed by you (Devin, Finley, Mine, and even Ken's...just to name a FEW). I love you with all my heart, sister!

36 Days And Counting!

I have really taken a break from blogging this summer. At first it wasn't intentional, but as the summer went along, I just realized that blogging wasn't a priority. Balancing work, wedding planning (in a different city than the event), spending time with Ken, spending time with friends and family, living in two places, trying to sell my house, trips, and just all things life have taken my time away from my blog. This will probably be my last post before I'm married :) but then I will be back. I actually miss it a little. So once this little shin-dig is over...I plan to blog about my summer, the wedding, and post lots of pictures!!!

So, what's going on right now? I have two showers this weekend. I had my first last weekend in Tulsa. It was a bit overwhelming!!! Meeting new people, seeing people that I haven't seen in YEARS, and trying to catch up with friends...on top of opening presents from all of these sweet people wanting to celebrate with you! It was fun and very humbling! I've been on the other side so many times and I love being able give gifts and enjoy each bride's excitement. However, being the bride brings about a new humility! I can so easily give grace to others, but I have a very hard time accepting it! Seeing how generous everyone is and seeing their excitement for us and realizing how many people have been praying for me....its completely overwhelming! There is nothing else to do except to praise my Lord! He is the giver of ALL things! I am understanding now, more than ever, how wonderful my family is...what amazing friends God has given us...and how much love people share. There is no way that Ken and I could fill our house with such beautiful things....but what makes this even better is that whenever we pull something out, we think of that special person who made it possible for us to have...great dishes, a domed cake stand, a rice cooker, a waffle maker, a lamp, bedding, towels, popcorn popper, homemade outdoor furniture, our engagement picture framed and reminding us Who we belong to, a book full of friends and family sharing their Christmas stories (my personal favorite), and the list just goes on and on. Humility! I wish I could express our gratitude for all that people are doing for us. All we can say is, THANK YOU!!! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

Football season starts next Saturday! I am PUMPED!!! Our opening game is against Georgia!!! I SO hope they bring a REAL bulldog!!!!! :) I will be there at 2:30pm for one of our biggest games of the season....looking for the bulldog! And then cheering for the COWBOYS!!!! By the time summer gets here, I am so ready for football season...and this year is no different. I am a little worried at how high we are ranked in the polls. I am hoping we live up to they hype! We have a home game every single weekend in September! CRAZY!!!! But, after every single one of these home games, on our first off weekend.....there will be a wedding...MINE! :)

The house still hasn't sold, I'm still living in two places, still planning a wedding, and still working out life as it comes....but the days are narrowing to a day I've looked forward to for a long time! In 36 days, I finally get to marry the man of my dreams!

Finally...

And, here are the last of the engagement pictures!