Blessed

I really hate any sort of weather day that isn't sunny, but seeing this on the forecast makes me incredibly happy.

You see, we've had only a couple snow storms come through this winter (while the east coast is getting slaughtered), and we are going to be in a desperate situation come summer because of it. I was talking with some ladies at school and they were saying that the snowpack (the snow in the mountains that creates runoff and water supply during the summer) is at 8% of where it needs to be (though this was a few weeks ago and could be slightly outdated information). That's like enough water for one week of the summer.

And California is in an even worse place than we are. They are in a mega drought. The members there fasted for rain this past Sunday. And we've been praying like crazy for some rain/snow.

And Heavenly Father is answering prayers. I've seriously never seen such a steady forecast of rain/snow as this. Heavenly Father cares about our needs and He will answer our prayers. He cares about what we care about.

Reception: Details

I've gone back and forth for a while, maybe two days, the order of posting wedding pictures. Since we did things out of order, it's hard to find a logical photography timeline. But then I gave up. Because this post was done and I didn't want to worry anymore.

One of my favorite things about our wedding were all of the details! I am impressed with how it all came together and really helped create a theme! Almost everything we used for decorations were DIY or borrowed furniture, so that eliminated a lot of expenses.

We borrowed Spencer's mom's old, vintage-y typewriter and stuck a note in it saying "Forever is Here" with our names as authors and copyrighted 2013. We used our engagement pictures to create a guestbook.

I had lots of random things on this dresser to create a fun display, but these two of my favorite pieces. The monogram B and a quote by President Monson, "Choose your love. Love your choice."

Le gift table.

Our wedding favor was a mix CD of some songs that have been played over and over in our car rides, or that we just particularly liked.

I am so glad we rented tables and chairs rather than borrowing some from the Church. These white folding chairs make things look a little more polished.

To add more variety to the decorations and the pavilion, I came up with two ideas for centerpieces. One, with old, vintage-y books and the other with glass jars. My favorite part was the use of baby's breath. Such a delicate look when it's arranged all by itself. We filled No. 10 tin cans that I stole from work (stole from the trash, mind you--not really stealing) with the flowers and called it good. Each table also had a different picture of Spence and I and a wooden block with "Things You Don't Know About Him/Her..." 

Another piece that I made, a fabric chandelier. Totally random piece of decoration that I saw on Pinterest (all hail, Pinterest) and just had to try out. I'm quite proud with how it turned out.

Probably my favorite, favorite place of the whole reception. I borrowed this chest from my Aunt Nancy Kay and filled it with random things like milk glass and white dishes, pictures, and lace bunting. The cake on top and Paige's (Spencer's twin sister) floral work here are amazing.

Seriously so proud of this cake. The delicate lacing. The flowers. The ribbon. It's perfect. And it was delicious! We ordered it from a local grocery store bakery--big risk that totally paid off! We couldn't decide on a flavor so we did Almond Poppy, Lemon Poppy, and of course, Chocolate:)

These lovely ladies helped keep the food tables stocked. They were such a blessing to my family so that we didn't have to worry about that and we could just enjoy the evening.

Again, Paige's floral work steals the show.

My parents came out to Utah the Saturday before the wedding to help with preparations and such. Since my parents were in Texas for most of the time that I was planning and making everything for the reception, my dear mother wanted to do something special for the reception. So she made cookies. Delicious, (relatively) labor-intensive cookies. And about 400 of them. She made a batch or two every morning since she got up earlier than the rest of us. And they were worth it. I'm not a fan of almond-anything, and I loved these cookies. But maybe I just like cookies...

Spencer was worried about not renting a sound system or a dj, but this totally worked out fine. Megan put together a playlist of love songs (and not the sappy kind) that filled the place with the sweet sound of love.

While the people definitely made the day most special, I will always remember the details because of the effort I put into organizing this vision. (Back-up career #2 Wedding Planner)

There are so many special moments included in this day. I'm so grateful for all the people that came to help set up (the lights were a pain in the butt, the tablecloths that were billowing in the wind...), who stayed at the pavilion after we were done setting up to "protect" the stuff (Dad and Candace), and the people who stayed to take it all down. Such a beautiful day, followed by the best day (because we did our reception the night before we got married).

I Used to Be Really Funny

and maybe I still am. A little.

I was sorting through some stuff on my computer, trying to make my life happy and orderly again, when I came across a word document title "blog update." Now given the date of this document and its title, I'm not sure where I was intending to upload/post it since I hadn't created a blog yet, but here I am four years later, finally posting it. Well posting one day of it.

I found this entry to be particularly funny, and part of it explains my dad's and mine relationship to a T. So enjoy the thoughts of a once younger me.

(Context: this was the first post--actually one of only two posts--about our cruise after my graduation in 2010).

Sunday July 4

           

     We left the quiet town of Copperas Cove in our dust at the weeeee hour of 5 am :/. For the next 10 hours, we drove. And drove. Until we made it to NEW ORLEANS! Oma and Opa were already at the hotel, early and impatient as usual. Dad, Kim, Gary (the GPS) and I drove and almost got lost going to the airport to pick up the aunt and uncle. Yeah. The GPS almost got us LOST. It happens?

Looking through a phone book, there are hardly any good restaurants around our hotel. But there is a Red Lobster. Great. I settle for a salad since seafood is disgusting to me.

Dinner talk is fabulous as we all catch up. Mom and Dad brag about me as usual. When the talk of grades comes up, I say “Yeah I only got one ‘B’. Fourth grade language arts. An 84.” To which my dad replies, “We should send a letter to that teacher and tell her she stained your perfect record.” I look at him in disbelief. “She’s DEAD,” I say. I’m nearly in tears from laughter as my dad puts his foot in his mouth.

After thoroughly enjoying my SALAD, we went back to the hotel to watch fireworks. On the way home from dinner, I realize that I am very glad my MOTHER taught me how to DRIVE. Stopped at a red light, waiting to turn left into our hotel’s neighborhood, I feel my dad’s foot easing off the brake. “NO LEFT ON RED!” I yell. “Oh,” he says quietly. When the light turn greens, he turns to me for approval before turning left. I nod. We all (aunt and uncle included) laugh as we head for the hotel. Up ahead, there is a stop sign. 500 ft. 300 ft. 100 ft. “DAD! Are you gonna STOP?” Again he replies, “oh,” and heeds my warning. As we finally, safely pull into a parking spot in front of the hotel, my dad looks at me and says, “Why is your face red? Are you embarrassed because you corrected me?” “No,” I reply, “I’m embarrassed FOR YOU.”

 Standing in our hotel room watching explosions of color through a dirty window, we realize that my aunt’s room had a LOVELY balcony from which we could view MORE fireworks more easily. After watching nearly 5 different sets of fireworks, we decided to call it a night. I, of course, couldn’t go to sleep without finishing the Bree Tanner book which CONVENIENTLY had no CHAPTERS. 

Saturday is a special day

for staying in your pajamas until 3:30...



Seriously. This is bad.

And I have no motivation to get up/change.

We've had a pretty productive day though. Got some laundry done. Cleaned out the closet, the fridge, and other random cleaning. I messed around on the blog, figuring some things out. Spencer's graded some assignments (yay for TAing where you can work from home and be in the same room as your wife).

Tonight should be fun. Spencer's got some fun things planned. Like walking around downtown and taking some pictures, using one of our many giftcards/coupons for a dinner out. I'm excited. Maybe I should get ready so it will actually happen...


Maybe at 4:00...