Wedding Weekend

Good morning, girls! As you already know this past weekend I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding. It was a whirlwind of a weekend as I traveled to Tallahassee, Florida (my hometown) last Thursday and turned around to Tennessee on Sunday morning. Although I don’t have high quality photos I wanted to share with you what I do have to give you a glimpse into this crazy wonderful weekend…

Rehearsing…I’m on the far left.

The bride and her father.

Excitement for the rehearsal dinner!

Almost all the girls…missing one of Janice’s sisters.

Part of our bridesmaids’ gifts!

Sleepover! We all slept in one bed. I’m on the far left…

Staring the morning off right! This photo brings back so many memories of breakfasts and dinners in this kitchen during sleepovers growing up…love it.

Hello fresh morning faces and coffee!

While waiting for our turn in the make up chair at the salon…

Getting hair and make up done at the salon.

Minutes before the ceremony…

Right before she changed into THE dress…she was GORGEOUS.

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Touchton.

With all the groomsmen. This just makes me smile.

The only photo I have so far of the wedding party taken with someone’s iPhone…I’m the third one from Janice (the bride).

I had the absolute sweetest time getting to stand by Janice as she married her best friend. I adored seeing his massive smile as she walked down the aisle and her father cry as he gave her away. I shed a few tears as they exchanged their vows they had written. I smiled when he tenderly kissed her for the first time as husband and wife. I loved seeing them walk out as Mr. and Mrs. It was just too wonderful!

Then the reception started…it was the best. I cried again when her father gave his toast (he broke down at the very start) and Janice danced with her father and new husband. I had so much fun dancing when the music started to play for everyone to join. I danced with the other bridesmaids as we constantly had to pull up our long dresses for more mobility. It was definitely worth it though! I also got to “swing dance” with one of the groomsmen! We all filled the dance floor until it was time to send Janice and Stuart off on their honeymoon…

I just can’t put into words how much I adored this weekend.

A Sailor and His Lady

There once was a sailor who met a beautiful young lady. He quickly became captivated by her and longed to know her. Their friendship grew deep as roots were planted. He pursued her heart with diligence and valor while she slowly surrendered. She was rather captivated by him too. This sailor made her stomach do summer saults in the best way possible and she made his blood pump faster. So he asked her father for permission to make this beautiful lady his wife. They hiked to the top of a waterfall where much to her surprise he bent down on one knee. The lady said yes.

On January 26, 2013 the two entered into a marriage covenant and began to intertwine their lives to become one. It was the sweetest day to mark the beginning of their adventures as Mr. and Mrs. Touchton…

This weekend I stood by one of my best friends as she married her best friend. I smiled, cried, laughed, and danced my way through it. It was a sweet time. 

Off to Tallahassee I Shall Go!

{8th grade}

Good morning, friends! Do you remember when I wrote about being asked to be a bridesmaid? Well, this Saturday is my dear friend, Janice’s, wedding! I’m traveling to Tallahassee, Florida (my hometown) as soon as my 7:45am class is dismissed.

I have so much excitement and joy for this wedding, but more so for their marriage. Their relationship is centered on Christ and I know He will be their foundation as they enter into this marriage covenant. I can’t wait to see Janice marry her best friend. I can’t wait to see his face as she walks down the aisle. I can’t wait to hear them exchange vows. I can’t wait to hear them announced as Mr. and Mrs.

Ahhh! Godly marriages just get me fired up!

Anyway, I’ll be back next week with details about this extra special weekend!

Weekend & Sunshine

{Hello sunshine! It makes me one happy girl.}

Oh weekends. I just love these two days and this past weekend did not disappoint.

Let me start with Friday…there was glorious sunshine! After nine days straight of rain, the sunshine was welcomed with joy. There was something special about Friday. It seemed like every body had a little extra joy and that was also true of my sweet kids at work. On Friday afternoon, we danced and sang songs, but mostly I just enjoyed getting more insight into their personalities. As soon as I left work, I headed back to meet one of my roomies. We were the only two here this weekend so we decided to have a girls’ night with the two of us. SO. MUCH. FUN. We made puppy chow and danced in the kitchen. The kitchen dancing turned into our own little dance party. We danced for nearly an hour and were sweating by the time we stopped! I felt like I was back in middle school, but it was the best feeling to just let loose.

On Saturday, my parents drove over and we did a little shopping. We started the morning with oatmeal and americanos at Starbucks (yum!). I had such a sweet time spending the day with them in my college town. Later that evening I had a pancake dinner with a few of my friends and enjoyed that time with them. Not to mention the banana chocolate chip pancakes they made! I definitely ate well this weekend.

Sunday was another day full of richness. The morning started with church which was such a time of grace and truth. I came away simultaneously challenged and refreshed. The afternoon was also a favorite…homework while listening to my Billie Holiday Pandora station. The blinds were opened and natural light flooded the living room. It was so cozy.

{I’m thankful for Sunday afternoons.}

I hope your weekend was filled to overflowing with sunshine and sweet moments!

Adoption

Just try and watch this without smiling, laughing, or crying…I did all three.

I don’t have much to say this morning except that adoption has been on my mind a lot lately. I just love hearing adoption stories because I know that God’s heart is for adoption. After all, I’ve been adopted by Abba because of what Christ accomplished on the cross (Romans 8:15)!

Anyway, I’ll end with sending you to read this blog post. I promise it will make you smile and then you’ll want to read more and more about this family’s story.

Happy Friday! I’m definitely extra happy today because it’s not raining for the first time in nine days. Woohoo!