I took the day off Friday to spend time with everyone. Mom took all 6 of her grandchildren to have their portraits done together. I have 6 brothers and this weekend was the first time we have all been together at one place since November 1997! But this is the first time ever that all the siblings children have been together.
Friday was rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. We practiced at the Smith Garden in Dayton, but unfortunately, since it rained the wedding was moved inside. Lindsey bought each of us bridesmaids our jewelry for the wedding along with a special bracelets with our names engraved on them.
My day started early on Saturday. We had to be at the salon at 9:00 AM. It was a long day to say the least since the wedding wasn't until 5:30. Lindsey was a very beautiful bride. It was good to visit with a few of my relatives at the wedding, although it was not nearly enough time. Brian and I left the reception a couple hours early and took the three children with us. When I got home (around 10:30 or 11:00) we put in a movie and Aunt Janelle conked out on the couch. Thank goodness for a good husband that entertained them until they were asleep and made sure I made it to my bed. I was so tired!
The next morning I woke up to find that the parents of these three wonderful babies never made it back to our place. So Brian and I quickly got up to tend to not one but two wetting accidents, one on our couch and the other on the spare bed. So we bathed them, fed them, got them ready and took them to church. Again, I am thankful for a husband that got up and helped me with this. We still made it to Sunday school, although we were a little late. But, a blessing did happen as a result of our efforts to make it to church. My oldest niece accepted Christ as her Savior! I went back to children's church to get them and the leaders told me about it. I was a little concerned because she is 8 and I just wanted to make sure she understood. So, I took her back to pastors office to talk to her for a while and I believe she totally understands and she was really happy about her decision. I can't explain it really....but it was obviously a very happy moment for me. Of course I want to see all my nieces and nephews saved, but the Lord has really burdened me for Courtney's salvation every since I saw her over 2 1/2 years ago. I could tell then that she was beginning to get an understanding of sin. I am so thankful. When I got home, Joe and Sarah were there and I heard Courtney telling Sarah that she got saved and that she wanted to get baptized. A little while later we had lunch, and she wanted to pray. It was such a sweet prayer. I wish I could have recorded it to listen to it over and over again. She just thanked the Lord for saving her and it was just a sweet prayer. I was like man where did she learn to pray like that? But, I know it because she now has the dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
After lunch Sarah and I took them to our pool and we went swimming for a little while. That was fun. Then Mom and Dad came over about 4:30 and an hour later the 9 of us went to church together. After church Brian and I made food for all of them. We of course kept it easy and did grilled cheese and spaghetti.
But seriously Brian was just so incredible this weekend. It showed me how much he has grown since we have been married. In the beginning when family issues would arise, we would fuss and fight. I felt like I was in the middle of Brian and my family. I made it hard because I focused on pleasing them rather than pleasing him and he made it hard by not being very compliant. But it is very different now. I realize that Brian is and always needs to be put first and he has just learned to do whatever he can to make my life easier when my family is around because he knows my stress is already high. He was just absolutely amazing is all I can say.
Last night we went to bed and we ended up talking for another hour together. We both feel like me and him really need to get away for a couple days. So hopefully in the next few weeks we can plan something for just me and him.
I don't have many wedding pictures yet because my camera died right before the wedding. But here are a few of my precious nieces and nephews. I hope I can add more later.
The girl cousins really hit it off. These are my four BEAUTIFUL nieces! (left to right) Charity, Courtney, Christinia, and Melody.
Charity and Jacob sharing a kiss. Haha...blackmail at their HS graduations! Aren't they cute?
My brother Joe, his wife Sarah, and three children, Courtney, Christinia, and Joey Jr.
My brother Justin, his wife Brooke and son Jacob
My brother Jared and my two nieces Melody and Charity
Brian with Courtney and Christinia.
3 comments:
That's awesome about your cousin--praise the Lord!
Yea! I'm so excited about Courtney. Praise the Lord. I'll be praying that she has someone special to encourage her in her new faith at home (along with Aunt Janelle, of course). Love you, Julie
I got chills reading about Courtney!! :-) Your nieces are all very beautiful.
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