Tres

Today is our 3rd anniversary!  This summer at the beach we each got ready for dinner in separate rooms.  When we came out we were wearing what we had worn as we left our wedding reception!

JP's Family + Wedding =

After JP and I got engaged, a few of the girls I was interning with would not stop talking about their terrible in-law experiences.  As they warned me of what they guaranteed was to come, I really didn't think I would have a problem.  I should have bet them a good amount of cash that their warnings were unnecessary.  If I had, I would have a little more money now than I do.

JP comes from a wonderful family who has welcomed me into their family.  During the wedding, I felt very loved by them.

JP's Mom worked really hard planning the rehearsal dinner, and it was perfect... exactly what I would have done if I had planned it myself.

JP's parents have been very supportive of us both and have really taken the effort to get to know me despite the fact that I'm pretty sure our wedding was probably the 4th or 5th time we had ever been together.  I feel completely comfortable calling either one of them which I think is important.

JP's brother's are awesome as well.  They treat me just as I would imagine they would treat a sister if they had one.*

Since our wedding, on two family trips with them and have so much fun.  One of them JP didn't even go on, so I guess that means they like me... :)

JP's Grandparents have been great too.  They have played a significant role in JP's life, and I'm glad that I get to see them as frequently as I do since they live in Atlanta.  I like JP's grandfather so much that I even through him the bouquet at our reception.

One of the most exciting things when discussing the topic of JP's family and our wedding is the fact that his Aunt from South Africa came! We very honored and loved that she came such a distance to celebrate our wedding day with us.  We were also excited that she stayed in the US long enough for us to see her when we visited Phoenix after Christmas.

JP's extended family has also been so supportive of us.  JP's Aunt and Uncle live here, and they invite us for dinner every week.  They, too, have added me right into their family.

I'm am very blessed that JP came from such a wonderful family that has been so good to me.

And, this picture really doesn't have a lot to do with JP's family but he Grandfather and Mom are in the picture and it was taken by his Grandmother.  This is the wedding coordinator fixing JP's tie.  It makes me laugh a lot.

*Note: When I was looking through wedding pictures, I discovered that I didn't take hardly any pictures with JP's family except for the ones that were the standard boring group shots.  I wish I had taken some but I suppose what I have will have to do.

Wedding + My Family =

My parents have always shown me unconditional love, and I never have doubted that they love me.  But I especially felt loved by my family during wedding planning, the events surrounding the wedding, and the wedding itself.  Throughout everything, my parents were very giving, worked very hard, and insisted that everything be exactly how I wanted.

Because we chose to have our reception at a location that did not have a catering staff, we had to do a lot of work planning the food.  We purchased food from Zoe's, but my Mom prepared vegetable trays, fruit trays, bruschetta dip, and many other things.  Both of my parents were up super early the day of the wedding doing things like purchasing ice and getting the reception location ready.

My Mom helped me come up with ideas, figure out flowers, and pick out my dress.  She was quite the supportive Mom during what at the time were stressful decisions.  She kept me on top of things and did so many things that I can't even remember.

My Dad tried several different ways to print magnets until he discovered the best way to print our save-the-dates.  He also spent an afternoon printing our wedding programs with me.  He addressed every invitation in his fancy calligraphy.  These are just a few of the many things he did!  He was really quite an involved wedding Dad.

My parents were quite insistent on having me make every decision, especially my Dad.  Although at the time I didn't like making all the decisions, everything turned out just the way I imagined.  The cake is a great example of this.  When I was a freshman in college, I saw a wedding cake that I loved.  I had always kept that image in my head, and my actual wedding cake was exactly what I had always pictured.  Both my Mom and Dad spent time going to different cake places and trying to find the perfect one, and we succeeded.

My parents did plan a few surprises for our wedding.  My Dad had a sign printed with a quote from my Mom and Dad, and they had it hanging at the reception.

My Dad also had a picture frame for everyone to sign.

I was also very appreciative of all of my family members who attended the wedding and wedding events.

There are not many pictures of my Aunt Carol because she did a LOT of work at our wedding.  Again because there was no catering staff, etc. at our reception site, that left a lot of work to be done by somebody we knew.  My Aunt graciously volunteered and did more than I ever will know.  I do know that she prepared food for us to take with us once we left which was quite nice... but really that was a very tiny tiny tiny amount of what she did.  So here is a picture of her at the bridesmaid's dinner.

Unfortunately, Carol's daughter, my cousin Brooke, was unable to attend the wedding.  But I'm so glad that she was able to attend one of my showers!

 

To finish off that side of the family, I was so glad to have my Granny Ruby there!  At the time, she wasn't eating very well and had lost weight.  At the rehearsal dinner, she ate the entire piece of chocolate cake,  which was a big deal at the time! (No worries, since then she has gained her appetite back, gained weight, and is quiet the busy, active lady!)

My Dad's side of the family was so supportive in their presence as well.  

My Granny Evelyn hosted the Bridesmaid's Dinner, and she even made the table decorations that involved her drying flowers.  The Bridesmaid's Dinner was such a fun event, and I'm so thankful that she hosted it.

My Aunt Sallie and Cousin Bailey drove down from Nashville.  At the reception, my Aunt Sallie pitched right in and helped where needed..  My Uncle Mark, Aunt Lisa, and Cousin Mark made the long drive from Florida just for the wedding, and I am so appreciative of that. Unfortunately Liz and Sam were unable to come, and they were greatly missed.  Liz was very sweet and called me the day before the wedding.

Since the wedding, JP and my family have gotten along well.  We have spent numerous weekends at my parents, and JP always enjoys his time there.  One of the things that makes me the happiest though is how well JP and my Sister get along.  We all three have a lot of fun when we are  together.

God has blessed me with such a wonderful family, and I hope I can be as much as a positive in their life as they are in mine.

THE 730 CLUB

Today is our second anniversary, or as the title of the post states our 730th day of marriage!  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves me more than I feel I deserve.  Now of course he isn't perfect, but I can truly say that I can see him strive to love me as Christ loved the church.

He makes me laugh every day, but he is very patient with me when I'm in tears for whatever reason.  He is very slow to anger, and handles a wife who is not necessarily that way all the time quite well.  

Overall we have a great two years of marriage, as we have easily been able to combine our lives.  During our premarital counseling, we were each asked to answer questions individually.  It is quite funny to look back at some of them.  Here are two that cause a chuckle.

Who will be the primary financial provider in the family?

JP: Both of us will be until we have children.  Then she will stay at home until they get old enough to go to school.

Me: He will be.

Actual: Ha.  Obviously, neither of us expected JP being laid off.  Just goes to show that God's plan is not always the same as yours.  Our answers to the questions are still our ultimate goal, but there has just been a kink in the plan that has actually been good for both of us and taught us a whole whole lot.

What will your vacations be like?

JP:  Lots of sleep and food, and maybe some reading while laying out at the beach/pool.  No me gusta Disney World :( The saddest place on earth.

Me:  We will go to Disney World alone once and take our children at least once.  Other than that as long as we go somewhere, the beach, camping, I'm fine.

Actual: We went to Disney World, and JP had fun.

I have always associated love with weddings but until my own wedding I always thought of the love being between the bride and groom.  Of course that is important, but during my wedding I felt so loved by so many people including my family, JP's family, our wedding party, and our friends.  This week I hope to expound on each of these groups in celebration of our 2 year wedding anniversary.

Ps. My sister and I laugh at the above picture.  During the rehearsal, I said that there was no way I would forget to turn and get my bouquet from her.  Well, I did forget, and here she is trying to get my attention so I will get it.  I did finally remember and get it, but it makes us laugh.