Sunday, August 21, 2011

Blast From the Past

My aunt sent me these pictures of my grandparents' wedding.
And, when they were newlyweds. I just love seeing these pictures...they show a life that I never knew of them. Its funny when we're little, we think our parents' lives started when ours did. I'm sure I thought the same thing about my grandparents. Its so fun to see their life before kids. How much fun they had and see them doing things I do with Ken.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Latest Project

Our latest home project was to fix this "window" in our living area. I don't know why this look was every trendy...its just so weird! Anyway---the only picture I have to show the "before" look was when I took a picture of our Christmas tree this last year. In the picture, you can see the wooden bars in the "window" cut out. I hate them! I really just don't get it. Its been on out list since I moved in, but just wasn't a priority. Finally, we had most everything else finished so we could focus on this. It actually was much easier than we though. Ken cut out the bars, measured for the new wood, then I stained and put a gloss on it. I love the way it turned out!!!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Bridal Luncheon and Prayer Shower

My last bit of wedding sweetness was a Bridal Luncheon that my sister-in-law's mom, Linda (next to me), and a long time friend, Judy (next to my mom), graciously threw the day before the wedding. It was such a blessing to have my family and bridal party there. To just spend some down-time before the big schedule started. To enjoy some girl time with all of them before I didn't have time to sit down. Linda and Judy truly were so very gracious! They served us in every aspect! It was just beautiful!!! Every place setting was perfect. There were hor'dourves, a main course of these yummy chicken pockets, and dessert. We sat outside and the weather was just BEAUTIFUL!!!! We had come off a week of straight rain and God gave us the most perfect weather for the weekend! My aunt gave this really great devotional about being salt in world and sharing Christ through the ministry of marriage. Before we all left, we did get to take some fun pictures of us girls! I also had a really special shower two days before the wedding. My mom's bible study friends threw me a Prayer Shower. I really wish I had taken pictures. I honestly can't remember if I forgot the camera or what. Not only was there lots of coffee and yummy goodies, it was just a time to collect and pray before the wedding.

With the invitations, they included stationary for people to write our prayers for Ken and I. Each person brought them to the shower. One by one, they read their prayer and prayed over us before the big day! It was incredible. Yet again, I was humbled by these women who love my mom. I didn't know all of them...there were a few there that have been friends for my life, but quite a few were new to me. Precious prayers prayed over our marriage. Here are some things the ladies wrote/prayed for us:

"My prayer for you is that you would be fully present on your wedding day. I pray you will be fully aware of the beauty and significance of entering into a covenant relationship with Ken and God."

"Father, in their marriage, let there be love, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and grace. May you be found in the very center of their relationship."

"Let them always think of ways to please the other rather than themselves, giving, loving, understanding, affirming, overlooking faults, building up and not tearing down, laughing together, and most of all praying together, worshipping and seeking you together."

"May you both always see each other as God's perfect choice for you and may you treat each other like a precious gift from God every day of your lives."

Because of this shower, I've had the privilege of throwing Prayer Showers for two of my friends (and another coming up next week). The time was intimate, a time of worship, and just a complete blessing! Its my favorite shower!!!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Wedding Showers, Part 2

I had 3 more wedding showers that were just so wonderful, and I was so blessed by each one that I wanted to share them as well. My very first shower was thrown my some women that I have known forever (at least, it seems like that), Nancy, Linda, Paula and Fran. The shower was at The Travoli Inn in Broken Arrow. I had been there once before b/c we took our engagement pictures on the same grounds. I hadn't been inside though. It was so cute and elegant. The hostesses and the Inn did such a great job! The tea sandwiches and desserts were so good! Each table was set beautifully! And, my mom did a little devotional too. I was able to see some of my college friends too! It was fun to have them there. And, I was so excited to have my sisters-in-law as well! For hostess gift (for every one of my showers), I made coasters. Ken and I had gone to visit his family in MN before any of my showers started and his mom helped me make them. We took tiles from Lowe's and stamped them. One set had bible verses and the other set were for Christmas. After stamped them all, we sprayed an adhesive on them, and once they dried, we added the felt stickers to the back so they could set on furniture. They turned out really, really well! This shower, my mom gave me one of my favorite gifts! She and my dad definitely went above and beyond in their generosity. This was the first thing they gave me and I had NO idea! It was awesome!!!!! She had one of our engagement pictures matted and framed with a bible verse plaque on it. Love it! This shower was the most humbling to me. The ladies at that attended were friends of my mom. I think I met at least 1/2 of them THAT day. They were so overly generous!!! What I walk away with is know how much my mom is loved by her friends. But, also, a confirmation of the love we all have in Christ. So many of these women have served in ministry with my mom or are in bible studies with her now. The act of grace they showed us through the giving of gifts for mine and Ken's house was just overwhelming! Learning that so many had prayed for me as I was single was humbling. Such a blessing!

My next two showers I blogged about here.

My fourth shower was my bachelorette party. All us girls met in OKC at my best friend and maid-of-honor's house. She had lingerie hung all around the house. It was soooo cute! We had appetizers, drinks and I opened some fun personal gifts. :) From there, we headed to Bricktown and to Red Pin. We had dinner and drinks there and enjoyed a few games of bowling. Its not the traditional bachelorette party, but this was perfect for me. I'm not really the "going-out" kinda girl, so just enjoying some fun with my girlfriends was exactly what I wanted. Yet again, Michelle did a fantastic job putting this together. She is so creative and it was perfect down to the last detail! My last shower was my church shower. Some of my best girlfriends (Lorinda, Tommie Lee, and Toni) from church threw a sweet shower on a Sunday afternoon at Toni's house. It was so much fun to get with all the women from church who I love so much (below is the pastor's wife, Jean). Countryside very much became a home to me after college. I love that my mom and Millie were able to be there too. I love the prayer/advice box they did for us. I still have it sitting out in my living room. Its such a great reminder of how many people prayed for us (and still do).
Such blessings...each one of them. I'm so thankful for each gift that has made an impact on our home. Its humbling and yet overwhelming to realize how many people love and care about and pray for you as you get married and start your new family. So thankful for relationships and friendships.