My Cousin's Wedding and Related Thoughts

My cousin Linsey got hitched this past weekend. Although I haven't seen her in ages, it was one of those weddings that makes you cry and have flashbacks to our own big day.

I had the privilege of doing her make-up so I got a behind-the-scenes look at all the preparations and excitement. Attending David and Linsey's wedding reminded me that I have a daughter who will possibly one day walk down the aisle herself....ugh! So much about their relationship, integrity, discipline, and love for one another started deep conversations with myself about the values that I want to instill in Lauren.

For starters, Linsey and David waited until they were married to kiss!!! Can you believe it, four years of courting...that is discipline! These two honored their bodies and the institution of marriage so much that they wanted to remain completely pure until their big day. Although Kyle and I waited until our wedding night to have sex, we must certainly kissed on our 4th date!

Not only did they wait until their wedding day to kiss, but they decided not to see each other until the wedding. That meant no pictures together before the ceremony. While everyone was checking out the bride as she marched down the aisle, I was busy snapping pictures of the groom. I just love this picture of David trying to peek around all the people and see his bride. There was so much love, respect, and Godliness in this marriage.
I can only hope that I can instill values, morals, and respect in Lauren that she will want to honor her body, her future husband, and God and wait until her wedding day to have sex.

Congrats David and Linsey on your new marriage and for being great role-models and examples of a Godly Christian marriage. It isn't often that I look at newlyweds for advice on my own marriage!

3 Years...

Last week (June 16) Kyle and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was much different than the past two with a child in tow but fun nonetheless. She was even gracious enough to sleep through our fancy dinner at a restaurant so we could actually enjoy our food and one another. Each year we celebrate our anniversaries with the traditional themed gifts. The first year being paper (books and tickets to the Blue Man Group), the second was cotton (a baby sling and new pillows) and this year being leather. Now before you come to any conclusions about leather gifts to one another on your wedding anniversary...I received some leather portfolios and business card holders that I have been wanting and Kyle a new leather office chair; for neither of us being employed full-time we sound like quite the professionals!

Oh yeah...I guess I have failed to mention that Kyle quit his job a few weeks ago. He has been staying home with Lauren while I picked up some extra shifts at the cloth diaper shop. To make a really long story short, Kyle wasn't happy there and some poor management and dishonesty was occurring so it was best for him to step away and look elsewhere. Hopefully he will be up and working again here shortly or else I can continue to call him Mr. Mom.

We also celebrated Kyle's first Father's Day yesterday. This weekend we worked at a fair near the city for Yoreganics and Comfy Bummy Diapers (the shop I work at) so we didn't really get to celebrate much. We are going grocery shopping later today for his present....yep, I said grocery shopping...I figured we could spend a little extra grocery money this month and buy some things that we usually don't, i.e. macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza.
Lauren truly loves her 'hubba' and I know that he is going to have a hard time telling her 'no' as she gets older....except when it comes to dating!

Happy 1st Anniversary!!

Kyle and I have been married for one year today!!! I can't believe how fast time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday that we met in the dorm and hit it off right away (I guess I had to dump the guy that I was seeing first though!). Everyone told us that the first year would be the hardest year of marriage and if that is the truth then the rest of our lives are going to be amazing!

The first anniversary gift is 'paper' so Kyle and I were sure to abide by the rules.
His gift to me: Books (this is going to be a separate post sometime)
My gift to him: tickets to Blue Man Group (he has been wanting to go since we moved here)

Today Kyle is working 8-5 and I am working 4-10. I know....we planned that out great! We are hoping to enjoy some vacation time in Wisconsin at the House of Rock in August when I am done with my summer classes.


p.s. I LOVE YOU KYLE!