Friday, June 22, 2012

Blessed

Josh and I went to Providenciales, an island in Turks & Caicos,
for our honeymoon.
It was amazing to say the least.

While I go through my 879 pictures to choose which ones I can use to persuade all of you to go there ASAP...for now I want to share my very favorite part of our whole trip.
Above everything gorgeous we saw and everything fun we did...
Sunday at the Turks & Caicos LDS branch was my absolute favorite.


I had seen pictures of the building.
I had heard stories of the island,
stories of the people,
and heard Josh talk endlessly about his love for the place and the people.
This wasn't just another "honeymoon spot" for us.
There wasn't even a question of where we would go.

 
Josh and his companion, Elder Davies, were sent to the islands to open them up for missionary work.
They were the first two to begin a branch, help it start up, baptize men and women, and help bring the priesthood to the men there.
On our first date he talked mostly about his family, baseball, and his mission...
so as you can imagine he was beyond excited to get back there ASAP
and so was I.
On sunday we got up and headed to this gorgeous building.
I was soooo anxious and super excited.
Not to mention Josh was shaking and a little red.
He was like a 5 year old on his first day in Disneyland...it was so fun to see!

 
We walked in and he immediately started hugging and shaking hands with people he had missed.
The spirit was amazing in this small room amongst a branch completely different to the wards im used to.
President Otin, the branch president, was conducting.
Josh loves him so much-and it was easy to see the feeling was mutual.
He introduced Josh and expressed his excitement for his being there.

The meeting was incredible
I have never felt the spirit so strong.
I cried like a baby the whole time.
One talk was given by a young boy about the word of wisdom,
the other talk was given by a young man about the atonement.
This young man spoke french so his talk was translated.
Although I had no idea what he was saying...I couldnt take my eyes off of him.
The sweetest feeling was watching someone living a completely different life than me, in a different culture, and speaking a different language have the same beliefs as me.
We are all children of God, and equally important in Heavenly Father's eyes.
I know that...but oh how wonderful it was to be reminded while I was across the world.

 
After that talk was finished, President Otin, asked Josh to bear his testimony.
Josh got up and expressed his love for all the people in the room.
He kept it short and sweet because although my non-emotional husband never cries...
he was about to lose it.

 
I tell you what-to any women out there that have the opportunity to visit where their husbands served...run there. One of the greatest blessings thus far in my life has been the opportunity to see the people my husband whole-heartedly served, the place he fell in love with, the examples of the time he spent teaching about the Lord's gospel...and above all...to see how much he cherishes his experience.



After sacrament, Sister Otin, pulled us into the relief society room to show us something.
That board in blue in the picture is full of baptisms and missionaries with members...
there are pictures of all the missionaries that have since come to serve on the islands.
Amongst all the pictures...up in the top right corner...
you'll find our wedding announcement.
It was so sweet and so humbling.
Over two years since Josh has been there...
that shows how much love these people have-it is something to aspire to.



This is President Otin.
Him and his wife are so kind and sweet...so pure was the feeling I got from being around them.
He is wearing the tie Josh gave him the last day on Turks, and Josh gave him the tie he was wearing that particular sunday as well.


Just a small portion of the people Josh got to know so well while in Turks


Best sunday of my life.

Friday, June 15, 2012

A wedding...A baby...A weekend

Last week was quite the week!
It started on wednesday when wedding festivities began for Rachel and Jarom.
Then thursday began with me hearing the news that one of my best friends
Whitley
had her sweet baby Liam early thursday morning.

So off I was to a day full of a gorgeous temple ceremony
a happy happy couple
visiting and snuggling a sweet new baby
pictures
a ring ceremony
a super fun reception
and visiting with so many friends
It was a perfect day.



 Is he not gorgeously adorable?


The fabulous new Mrs. Rachel Rogers







So after the wedding on thursday...
I got ready to leave friday morning for an impromtu trip to Carlsbad.

My mom is getting surgery on her shoulder next tuesday.
So she wanted a chance to get out before she will be kept down for the next several months.
On tuesday I found a hotel
On wednesday my dad booked it
and on friday we were off!




Cherie got a new coach purse.
She was beyond excited and mentioned it the whole trip.
And you wonder where I get my shopping addicition from...


Story: As we are walking out the door to dinner-the night we get to Cali
I run to grab something in my bathroom stuff...
turns out my 5 blade razor wasn't covered and right at the top.
So you can guess what happens next and BAM I was cut deeeep.
My finger bled for about 15 minutes straight
like I had never seen my body do
and it hurt like a mother...
BUT ranger dan wrapped it up and off we were.
Great way to start off a trip right? ;)


It was a quick
but very fun trip.
My parents, hilarious nana, and me.
I missed my new husband but was grateful for a weekend with these folks.
I love nothing more than time with my parents-always have.

The weekend was spent...
laughing at Nana's deafness (dont judge-she laughs too)
catching up
eating
driving around adorable neighborhoods
walking with my pops
shopping
beach
some sight-seeing
and me chopping my finger

All good times!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Today...

...is the lovely wedding of the gorgeous Rachel Semrad and the wonderful Jarom Rogers.
I am so excited!!

 I remember when we were in highschool and Rachel had a crush on Jarom.
Every girl loved him...but his eyes were set on Rach...
as they should be.
She is an amazing person.
 Kind-hearted, sweet, loyal, an incredible friend, thoughtful
and the list goes on.
I am so excited for her and Jarom to begin their lives together and I know today will be gorgeous! 



Some girls I absolutely love last night at the wedding dinner at Tia Rosas.
So smart to have it there, right?
Delicious and such a sweet night!


Congrats Rach and Jarom!!


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

04-13-12 ~Party Part II~

Besides the fact that Josh was sick
we really loved our reception.
It was full of seeing family and friends
ones we see all the time and ones we never get to see.
It was the best feeling having so many people you love in one place!
We decided against a receiving line...
and for us
it was the perfect decision.
We got to talk longer with certain people and still saw everyone
and our parents were able to hang out with people they hadnt seen in forever-
we all loved it.


So after the festivities
the party began
and it was a blast!
I wish I would have danced longer
but let me tell ya
I was sooooo tired
I only lasted until 9pm like scheduled
But still-thank you to all my friends and family for making it such a good time!



 Josh's famous "cat-daddy" move
Boy I love him
He hates dancing but was such a great sport...
he was the greatest husband from the start!








Gotta love Cherie...she is always a hit


 Bouquet Toss:
So onto the toss
hahahaha ohhhhh
if any of you know Ms. Kylee Knoles
she has never been one to happily trot to the bouquet toss.
She stood in the very back and never made a try at those flowers
I would know...I was right there next to her for the hundreds we've been to.
This was all UNTIL my wedding
Man was she up in the front ready for that bouquet.
Just look at that face and determination.
Oh it makes me so happy





And look at Scott-he was so excited.
SHE CAUGHT IT!
And good thing because her wedding is set for October 27th
I couldn't be more excited for two of my best friends!







Garter Toss:
Haha the look on my face says it all.
I was worried Josh would take it too far-
to be funny of course-
but that sweet boy was very good and I was proud.




Scott was ready...this time for his turn...




...but Josh's best friend, Luke.
made a huge leap
 crazy catch
 fell to the ground
and got that dang garter.
It was awesome to watch.




The Send Off:
The send off was a bit of a blur.
I was upstairs changing with all my girls
and half of them would be leaving back to their prospective homes in other states
so I was looking forward to some last moments with them and to say goodbye.
So imagine my panic when Im not even dressed and I hear my new father-in-law yell
"The sparklers are lit!"
hahaha
it was a mad dash at that point while I put my dress on
the girls grabbed my stuff
and we all ran downstairs.
So to you girls- I love you and thank you and sorry for my panic!







And off we were to our brand new life
but thankful for the perfect wedding day!