Our Memories in Marriage

Well, it's the end of the year and I'm looking forward to the new one. Each month that passes brings me closer to seeing John again. It's been quite an interesting year! John moved to the West side of the country in January and we got to spend almost a weekend a month together for the first half of the year. We got married on June 13th and got to spend a week together in the Seattle area for our "mini-moon". The first week after the wedding was very humbling. Seeing John so devoted to taking care of me was awesome. I knew of course that he was willing to take care of me, but his enthusiasm made me feel so precious. Our honeymoon was also wonderful. It was strange to take a vacation without any of my family, but John is my family now. After being together for five years I get to say that.
Saying goodbye to John in August was very difficult. I was so used to getting to see him often that the first two weeks after he was gone were heart crushing. I made some goals to keep me busy until school started and once classes began at the end of August the time started to fly by. I had a big course-load, but I managed to get all A's again this semester. I spent the Holidays with my family, and I'm here at my brother's townhouse with his girlfriend and my sister to celebrate the New Year. I wish John could be here, because I know he would love all the games we are going to play tonight.
Last year John and I spent our first New Year's Eve together. We spent the evening having an Indiana Jones movie marathon. I hope that by the time we are ready to ring in the year 2011 that John and I can celebrate together again.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving I learned how to make a few new dishes: fruit stuffing, vegetarian gravy, and ratatouille penne bake. Now that it is over I have a fridge full of leftovers and Christmas on my mind. I will be mailing John's Christmas presents on Monday to ensure that it arrives before Christmas even if the postal office is swamped with packages. My sister and I have already pulled out our Christmas decorations and have decked the house in our assorted garlands, lights, and figurines.

I have to say that these are my favorite of my decorations and ornaments:


This angel I got a few years ago. I love the gold detailing on the dress.


Here is a close up.


This ornament I got in 2007 and put a photo of John and me in it that was taken on his leave during his first deployment.


This deer I just got this year, it has the sweetest face!


When I pulled out the sheet to use at the backdrop for the photos my cat Dmitri decided he had to be a part of the action! He loves Christmas, he likes to pretend to chew on fake trees, it's the strangest thing.

My general theme for holiday decorating is gold, trees, and "realistic" (not cartoony) reindeer.

The wedding reception followed immediately after the ceremony a few yards away under a 40'x40' tent. The catering was all done by the UofI, including our beautiful cake. Unless otherwise mentioned, all the photos were taken by the professional photographer.


My mother and I spent a whole year visiting antique stores looking for tea-related items for the centerpieces (such as teapots, teacups, cream and sugar bowls, and serving trays). In the weeks leading up to the wedding, I created arrangements with all the items and my friends put everything together on the day of.


Photo taken by my aunt Sue. The wedding cake was three tiers, the bottom and top layers were white cake with strawberry filling and the middle layer was yellow with chocolate truffle mousse. The baker went a little bit overboard with the decorations to go with my gnome cake topper, but it turned out wonderfully!


My brother gave John a toast in place of John's best man. It was such a sweet gesture and I am so grateful he agreed to toast! John's dad, my mother, and John also gave toasts, it was our favorite part of the reception!


Our first dance was to "Fly" by Sara Groves. You can see John's bullet cufflinks in this photo!


My father and me. We had a parent-child dance to "You Raise Me Up" sung by Celtic Woman.


John and his mother.


John's parents' friends were willing to let us use their 1969 corvette as our "getaway car". We only drove to my house where we swapped out for a different one to drive to Spokane.


All in all, it was the best day of my life thus far and each time I look at these photos and think of all the memories I get so excited for our future together.

The wedding was June 13th on the University of Idaho's Administration Lawn in the Presidential Grove (named so for the presidents, such as Teddy Roosevelt, who planted trees there). Today I thought I would share some of the highlights of the wedding ceremony. Unless otherwise mentioned, the photos were taken by the professional photographer.


The ceremony began at 2:00 when the bells chimed. My maids held parasols instead of bouquets and used them to "conceal" my entrance..


John's hometown pastor traveled all the way to perform the wedding ceremony for us.


My brother (also the groomsman) sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" in the style of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. It was beautiful.


Photo taken by my aunt Sue. My bridesmaids were John's younger sister Hannah, my cousin Becky, and my sister Kimberly.


My sister's husband Caleb played the guitar for the ceremony. Only a few days before the wedding he cut part of his thumb off!


Instead of a unity candle or sand ceremony, we used honey to represent our commitment.
"Honey is a symbol of the sweetness in life. And so, with this jar of honey, we proclaim this day as a day of great joy and celebration. A sweet day to remember.
As together you now share this honey, so may you now share perfect love and devotion to each other, share your lives together, and thereby may you find life's joys doubly gladdened, its bitterness sweetened, and all things hallowed by time, companionship and love."


"You may kiss"!


Photo taken by my cousin Amy. Unfortunately, John's best man wasn't able to make it to the wedding. He is also in the army and circumstances arose and he couldn't come. We missed him!