Let's Talk Wedding: Getting Ready

I'm so thankful I was able to get ready for my wedding at home. I had always wanted to have my wedding in my backyard, so it was nice to at least get ready there. It was fun getting my hair fixed and doing my make-up in my mom and dad's room. Michelle had made a CD full of lovey, wedding type songs and we were playing it loudly. :) Ruger wouldn't leave my side, which is pretty typical when we are at my parents' house. He just sat there and watched all the activity. While I was doing my makeup, Michelle was getting her hair fixed. She and I would head downtown so she could help with my dress. The rest of the girls were getting their hair fixed a little bit later and then meeting us downtown for pictures. (There are a few pictures missing and I am hoping to find them and will add them later).

I knew early on that I would need a place to put my dress on. I was worried about driving downtown in it...plus, I wanted some professional shots of me getting dressed. My mom and I brainstormed about where we could do this. We thought about hotels, but didn't want to pay for one. We finally thought about churches! First United Methodist in downtown Tulsa was kind enough to let us use a room for free.

Here we go....Let the BIG DAY begin!!!! :) I'm going to see Ken for the first time that day....

Let's Talk Wedding: The Church

We decided to get married in Tulsa because all of my family lives there and most of Ken's family does too. It just made more sense so that the majority of our family wasn't paying for a hotel. Plus, I had A LOT more options in planning! :) The first decision was where to get married. I grew up in two churches. We didn't really have ties to either of them after I was in college. When I was "planning" in college (come on....most of girls did it!), I just thought when my time came, I would pick a church that was pretty. I consider my home church and church family to be where Ken and I live, so I wasn't really going for a sentimental place. However, I picked a place that was sentimental for my mom AND it was BEAUTIFUL....well, it was GOING TO BE beautiful. My parent's church is where we decided to get married, and they were building a brand new place of worship. These pictures show the progression of the construction (at least what we were able to get in there and take pictures of)....which was going on, literally, up until the WEEK OF THE WEDDING! Seriously...it was STRESSFUL! About two weeks before the wedding, we thought we were going to have to move it b/c there had been so much rain that they couldn't lay the concrete outside. It was scary, but God truly gave me a peace about it and was convicting me to just trust Him. He brought me back to my main goal: At the end of the day, no matter what, we will be married! Thankfully, everything went perfectly! :)

This is the main entry/lobby area:This is the auditorium in July: In August:
On the wedding day:
The congregation had the chance to sign the concrete floor before they laid the carpet in the new building. My mom went to the stage and signed mine and Ken's name. She wrote it right where we would stand and take our vows.Standing VERY close to where my mom signed our names. :)
This is the sculpture of what the church would look like in the end. The church had this on display in the former lobby area. The outside...finished perfectly and just in time!!!! Praise the Lord, for He ALONE is good!

Let's Talk Wedding: In the Media

Some of my pictures were selected to be in a magazine:

Let's Talk Wedding: Bridesmaids' Hair

I asked my bridesmaids to find pictures of what they wanted their hair to look like, so I could give it the AMAZING woman who was doing our hair. She did a GREAT job!!!!!

Here is Michelle, my maid of honor: Here is Emily: Here is Tia (Tia didn't have bangs, but our hair-dresser made it work!):And, Abby did her own hair and looked just beautiful! :) I wish I had a finished look of the back of their hair, but I can tell you that each of them truly looked as close as they could to their pictures. They were all beautiful!!!!

Roman-Style Chicken

by Giada di Laurentis

I got this AMAZING recipe from "Keeping Up With The Joneses". Her picture of it (which you see below) looked FABULOUS and I couldn't wait to try it!!!! And try it, we did....for our anniversary! :) This will definitely be something that we make again and again....and it may just end up as a tradition for our anniversary!!!!Roman-Style Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow/orange bell pepper, sliced
1 bag/carton sliced mushrooms
3 oz. prosciutto, chopped (I used about 5-6 slices turkey bacon)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup white wine (I use the white cooking wine from Walmart)
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 Tbsp capers
1/4 cup chopped, fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a heavy, large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, cook the chicken until browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Kepping the same pan over medium heat, add the peppers, mushrooms and prosciutto (bacon) and cook until the peppers and mushrooms have browned and the prosciutto is crisp, about 5 minutes. (When I make it again, I will cook the bacon a little before I put the vegetables in). Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, wine and herbs. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.

3. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20-30 minutes.

4. If serving immediately, add the capers and parsley. Stir to combine and serve. If making ahead of time, transfer chicken and sauce to storage container, col and refrigerate. The next day, reheat the chicken to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the capers and the parsley and serve.

I served over garlic mashed potatoes! IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!!! Enjoy!!!!

Our 1st Anniversary

One year ago today I married my best friend. The most amazing blessing and answer to prayer that God could have given me. I didn't deserve him, but in God's timing and grace I became the wife to the most wonderful man I know. He challenges me to be a better person. He makes me thankful that I waited. He makes me laugh everyday. He's perfect for me. I love coming home to him. I love sharing life with him. I love that my parents love him. I love that he takes a stand for Christ and his faith. I love that he seeks the Lord's guidance and asks for wisdom. I love that he desires to be godly. I love that he's more than I could have asked for in a husband. I love that he makes me a wife. :) I love that we just enjoy each other for who we are. I love that he is kind and generous. I love everything about him. I love him with all my heart and am so thankful that we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary!

One year ago today...

We laughed, we loved, we spent time with family, we visited with friends we hadn't seen in a long time, we danced, we ate cake and we made memories that will last a lifetime!