Blessed Weekend

This weekend I spend an amazing three days (really like 2.25, but three sounds better) in Indiana. I hadn’t slept all week prior with the excitement building up in me and was over joyed getting ready Friday morning to head into work. After a short two hour work day, a friend, who I am very thankful for, picked my jittery self up from work and drove me to the airport to catch a series of flights that put me into Indianapolis. (The photo of Indiana from the sky (the middle one) makes me think of the song "fly over states," people just don't know what they are missing in those corn fields.) Practically running off of the airplane before my scheduled landing time of 3:00pm I was greeted with hugs and squeals from my ecstatic mother. It felt wonderful to be back in Indiana for a weekend filled with many more hugs to come.

 I spent an hour riding around town with my mom and little brother talking, laughing, and holding my brother’s adorable new puppy, Oakley (photos to come). I even got to take a sneak peak at his new crib come his Sophomore year of college.  After an almost tearful goodbye I headed to the country to celebrate the wedding of two beautiful friends, Kelsy and Jonathan (now) Tapp. Hugs and squeals and joy overcame the air when we were all reunited for the first time in many months. Friday was a glorious reunion and Saturday was only better, getting our glam on and watching Kelsy marry her best friend left me and many others in tears throughout the day. Waterproof mascara should have been demanded! I was a hot mess throughout the day! Ha. Go figure!

  

To top off the whole weekend, I got to see two of my high school friends aaannnndddd spend Mother’s Day with my very own mama. From morning coffee, to Sunday gourmet meal, to rolling around in the grass in the back yard with the dogs, it was a perfectly wonderful day.

While the weekend was filled with countless tears and the goodbye’s seem to get harder and harder, the weekend brought pure joy to my heart. I am thankful for all and am blessed that God placed them all so perfectly in my life.

Now after landing at an absurd hour Sunday night/Monday morning, I am running on empty here in Tampa, but can’t help but look back and smile. What a great weekend I was given. I wouldn’t change a thing…

Roommates I Portraits

And so four girls begin their junior year at Anderson University and the memories continue. I took a few moments and captured some of their times together. I felt like a part of the family by the time we were done and couldn't help but miss my days spent doing countless stupid things with my best friends. Those are the days you will never forget and the friends that you will always have. College is a wonderful step in life and these girls get to spend that time together (be jealous). Here is just a small piece of what we got from our hour of laughter and fun. Enjoy...

Such goooooobbbssss and I love it.
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Prunie

Sunday morning I arose before the sun and put on a floral blouse & little black skirt. The gps is set for Lexington Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana and my heart could not be happier.

This is the morning I get to see one of my best friends. Over the past eight months, the telephone is what has kept us connected through the trials that have been before us. But today that all changes. This day I get to wrap my arms around her and put my hands on her prego belly for the very first time.To say that I was a giddy five year old would be an understatement. Seeing her step out of the car the squeals began and I got to give her infinite hugs for the six hours Elkhart held my presence.

The shower was beautiful & full of laughter. The owl theme was on everything and fit Jess in every way.












The gift I gave to Jess was home made. It will need some altering once the baby comes, but until then... Her expected due date is 10.23.11 and I made her this to represent her baby's birthday. She cried the moment she opened it. It was perfect!

Just as with any baby shower, there was CAKE! This was not your standard cake now. I received my piece and with excitement discovered it had RASPBERRY filling. Hollllllaaaaaaa! Let's just say I was in heaven.... and Lynnae was disgusted ;)









It was a perfect afternoon and at the end of it all I got to sit and spend some quality time talking to the girl who keeps my head above water. She keeps me calm when life is not panning out how I planned and I continue to wait for every important aspect of my life to happen. She reminds me regularly that God has a plan. In his timing these things will happen. I can see that she believes that with her whole heart and it allows me to breath a little easier. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is the person here on earth that can calm my raging seas when I question what God has in store for my life. After all, "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength." She continues to show that in her life as she lives by this verse.

Until then we wait to see what bundle of joy He will bring to the world. Girl? Boy? For now just Prunie.

One month and counting!
I love you Jess.




















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Mr. & Mrs. Stang I Wedding

And so the party began, just before noon on one of those sweltering summer days in September. It was like everyone woke up that morning in Norwalk, Ohio knowing that this was a day to party, a day of celebration. Two people would be joined as one and then the toasts would erupt.

But before the cheers and the boogie went down, the beautiful bride must put on her perfect white dress and realize that all of her hopes and dreams of this day were now coming true. To say that Amanda was beautiful would be an understatement. She looked stunning in her lace dress, gemmed shoes, and dark features that made her look nothing shy of a princess.

The morning went beautifully! It was full of laughter and sheer joy as the three o'clock hour approached...

And then...
Here comes the bride....

Matt got his very first glance at his wife to be.

Their charriot awaited them.

And then the party really started! The bridal party was able to ride over to the reception hall in style and in class. The party had officially begun!

(Maid of Honor and isn't she stunning as well.... it must be in the genes)

We stopped to pose before making the grand entrance to all of the guests anxiously awaiting.

The newly pronounced Mr. & Mrs. Stang made their entrance and everyone welcomed them with a full celebration.

Instead of the traditional dollar dance the couple did a dash for cash. The loser had a punishment. Needless to say, Amanda won. No competition ;)

And they danced the night away knowing all of their dreams had come true.

I am so incredibly thankful for the two of you. You were my first wedding and will never be forgotten. Thank you for a wonderful evening and wonderful memories. I wish you two all the happiness in the world. And Matt, treat my Whooty right :)

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