Honeymoon Stories...

Last Saturday, we went down to Tricia's family's home to have dinner all together and have Cody and Tricia share honeymoon stories!

We stopped at a new Bojangles' for lunch on our way down to their house, and I

had to take a picture of this sign for our little friend Boaz :)

This is their sweet cat, Meeka.  She is so cuddly and purrs all the time... literally.

This is one of their dogs, Humperdinck.  I love him to death and wish he were mine.

We were loading Tricia's dresser in our van to take home, and Meeka hopped in too!

It was pretty cute :)

Isn't he beautiful!?  And so loving.

*yum*

I thought Alex's lemon was cute floating in her bottle.  She was getting over

the flu, so she made sure everyone knew not to drink out of her bottle (hence, her name all over it ;)

My delicious dinner... I *love* salmon!

I love their colorful glasses.

I posted this photo on Six Angles today if you want to see it a little bigger!

Two adults trying to figure out a puzzle that an 11 year old can do in minutes.

:)

It didn't help that none of the directions were in English.

Trish and her brother Brad!

Look at his ring :D

Hopefully I will take time to get some photos tomorrow at the celebration... if I do, I promise to post some :)

Have a fantastic weekend!

Em

P.S. I did a photoshoot for my friend, Sydney this week. Check it out if you please!

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Do it with a Smile... not a Sigh!

Recently, my dear friend Lauren posted about rejoicing always.

For me, it is difficult to have joy when I'm not in a very joyous situation - something I've been working on and praying about. I have seen the Lord working in me, and growing me in this area, but by no means have I arrived - nor will I ever. I am constantly being sanctified and God is always teaching me something (or sometimes when needed, slapping me in the face with it).

One of the things that helps me remember to be joyful (in all situations) is Scripture.

Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"
If I remember Who I am living for, and why I do the things that I do, it should not be hard for me to do it with a (huge) grin on my face!


Philippians 2:14
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning"
When I think about how undeserving I am, I wonder "Why would I complain about anything?"  I am blessed to have the chores I have and the responsibilities that have been given to me.


Philippians 4:11
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."
Contentment is not something that comes naturally.  You learn to be content.  You have to make a conscious effort to be happy and joyful in whatever place God has you.  That brings me to trust...


Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
I am not content when I am not trusting the Lord.  He has an incredible plan for my life that I could never think up.  He knows where I am to be, when I am to be there... I should be content - thrilled! knowing that when I trust Him, He will lead me in His way!


Last night I created and hung this on our living room wall -

I could probably go on and on, but I don't have time.  Those were just some thoughts I had in my head and figured I'd share :)

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Strawberry Festival 2011

I went to the Strawberry Festival with my parents and a few friends a

couple weeks ago, but I didn't take any photos! - Shocking, right?

But my sweet friend, Jean Marie, did! And she made a slideshow video

of her pictures. It's quite long (11:10) but loaded with fun times. If you're

interested in seeing it, you can click here.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hope you're all having a lovely week so far! Cody and Tricia's wedding

celebration is this Saturday, and then the only wedding festivity left is

the rest of their life! It will be nice to settle into the "normal" flow of life again...

just adding Tricia! :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just a tidbit of a quote that I've been pondering...

The primary cause of boredom, is the hatred of work.

~Elisabeth Elliot

(I discovered this quote in the book, Large Family Logistics - a book that I am loving!)

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Do you wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Interesting fact to ponder...

Orange is symbolic of Irish Protestants while green is symbolic of Irish Catholics.

On the Irish flag, there is an orange stripe, a green stripe and a white stripe.

The orange is for the Protestants, the green is for the Catholics and the white is for

the hope of peace between the two.

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Cute? Yes, I think so.

I was going to say, "I have some very cute little friends."

But really, they have me... They've completely stolen my heart.

On Sunday, they had a music contest - and they were so cute!

Very focused on eating clovers. I thought she was going to turn into a clover by the end of the day!

Practicing! :)

Doesn't he look like he knows what he's doing?

*swing!*

The awards ceremony ;)

New calf! How sweet is she?

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Cody & Tricia's Wedding: Farewell Photography

First of all, I love my brother to pieces...

Me and him after they got married... One of my favorite photos ever.

And that photo leads me to my second point, Farewell Photography.

I tell you what - Eric is a photog genius and really has a true gift. We are so thankful!

He put together a slideshow of some photos from Cody and Tricia's

wedding, and I thought y'all might like to watch it!

{Click Here}

...and if you have a facebook, like his photography... you won't regret it!

On another note... or the same note - you decide ;)

I am so blessed.  I have so much to be thankful for - right now thinking namely

of His providence and perfect will! I so look forward to every new day He has planned

for me... I pray my life is a testimony of His love and that He receives all glory!

I love this verse:

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love

shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the

LORD, who has compassion on you.

{Isaiah 54:10}

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Cody & Tricia's Wedding: The Big Day!

The bride about to get ready...

Her sister, Alex, made these headbands for all of her sisters for Christmas last year!

Becca :) Who is officially my sister-in-law's sister's sister-in-law.  Confused?

Sisterly assistance :)

And boots... plenty of boots :D

The official photographer at work... making stunning photos.

Tricia's youngest sister

All finished with hair and make up!

Seeing her hair for the first time...

She loved it :D

Eric

FarewellPhotography.com

Watching his beautiful bride approach...

Our cousin recording the moment...

*excitement*

*sigh* They're so sweet.

My Grandma...

...and Granddad

This might be my favorite shot.

Her Daddy taking a deep breath

One of her dearest friends fighting back tears

Hugs from her brothers...

Her Dad, my Grandma

Isn't she gorgeous!?

With her sister, Alex

Hugs from her new cousin! ;)

We then went to a family friend's home for dinner.  We got there, and the lighting was

beautiful - but no one was around!  So here's me.  Heh.

Our friends are really good at setting tables :D

My sister-in-law's sister's mother-in-law and her daughter.  Are you catching this yet?

Basically - My brother married Tricia, whose sister married Joseph, who is Tina's son and Becca's brother.  Yes!  We're related!  ;D

Yummy cake

They're here!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Cody Case!

Hugs from friends...

...and Mommies :)

My Dad toasting

Cutting the cake...

If you're wondering, yes, they were nice to each other ;)

And that concludes my photos from Cody & Tricia's wedding!  I hope you enjoyed each one!

I'll be sure to post a link to Eric's photos when he has them posted.  Here's a sneak peak for now...

(I know. He's super gifted.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas,

and let birds multiply on the earth."

{Genesis 1:22}

;D

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