My Friend Jen

Jenny is a girl that I grew up with in Texas City. We were fast friends from school and she has the sweetest family. We spent most of our time roller skating to Janet Jackson and dancing to New Kids on the Block. We were fierce. I lost touch with Jenny, but thankfully through myspace, we were able to pick back up again early this summer. I was so glad get reacquainted. She had an adorable hubby and little one! She was definitely there when Lita passed away and I am so thankful for her kindness.

On July 4th, Jen's dad passed away. It was a shock to everyone and heartbreaking news. The Martin family was so close and to have this happen was unfathomable. We were able to share our thoughts and prayers with her as well as updates from our friend Bex.

On October 7th, Jen's husband died. I don't even know how to believe it. I am so grieved for her and Parker. This 3 months has been hell for them. Please be in prayer as they process and put normal life back together. This is a horrible tragedy. I don't know quite how to help, but Josh and I will be there to visit with her family over the Christmas holiday. Please remember the entire Martin & Massey families today.

Here is a pic from way back in the day of the whole crew. Jenny has her arm around me.

Girly Shower

My great friends Kristin, Sara, and Amy a.k.a. The Davidson Girls hosted a beautiful shower for me this weekend. It was awesome! They are awesome hostesses and are so creative. I can't believe some of the games they come up with. I have to thank those ladies again for everything. We've been hanging out for about 10 years...crazy. Thank you to all of you who came. We had a full house and a sweet time. Ooo! Check out the awesome cake! It looked just like the invitation!

American Girl Boutique

Well, I was looking forward to this day for a long time! Seriously, it was so so awesome to take Sydnee to the American Girl Boutique. She was so cute! There was so much to look at and poor Josh was alright even though he was with 5 other girls. It was awesome to do it together as a family & I think we all really enjoyed it. Here are a few pictures from it. Hooray! Enjoy! It was a delightful day of non-stop shopping...too much fun!

Date Night

Joshua and I always make a point of going on a date whenever we are in the same city. It is something that we look forward to all week. This past week we went to La Duni and to our favorite park. It was the most incredible time. I am marrying the sweetest man. I love him more everyday.

Stella Ruth Preview

This a preview of Miss Stella Ruth and she belongs to Hank & Melanie. She is so so precious! Look for more images next week!

Ruston Shower

We had a great this weekend at Mrs. Carolyn's house. We have the best friends in the world. Thanks to Dana for capturing all of it! We love the pictures and they were so fun to edit!
The CGB fellas!The entire CGB family! It is probably one of my top 10 favorite pictures ever! Love it!

New Digs!

So this is the new place! It will be filled with Christly love, friends, food, and laughter. We are so excited to make this huge transition! And we are blessed to have the most amazing neighbors and friends in the twin cities. We are blessed. Look for before and afters the first week of November!

AYKM?

Well, I am perplexed after my interesting conversation with my sister. She is 16 to put it in perspective. She has a friend...a close friend that is not her boyfriend (Joshua refers to him as "this Busti character") and he has asked to come to the wedding. She asked if it would be okay if he came to the wedding. I tried to explain to her that she will have very little downtime being the MOH and I was met with an indignant response. "What kind of stuff am I supposed to do?" I went hour by hour and yet she still seemed to not quite get it nor did she understand that we cut the guest list by 100 people. And it makes me think...Are you kidding me?!

My first thought is that the wedding process itself is not difficult. Making decisions is not hard for a Bride. We've known what it should be like for years. And yet when other people are involved, we have to fight so hard to keep it like our dream and we are the Bridezillas. Suddenly, we are unreasonable and it is difficult for me to reach another conclusion. This is the only day I get. This is the only time it will be like this...moving included. It should be easy and stress, minimal. I grew up in a home where help was understood, but I had to ask. We will ask if I need it.

Here are a few things that need to be addressed:
-No one wears white except the bride...no guest, no mother, no bridesmaid, no flower girl.
-In Texas, only the Bride's friends come to lingerie showers...must be 16 years of age or older to attend...age cut-off 36.
-If you miss a shower, send a gift but do not reschedule another shower.
-If you have to ask what to give, consult the registry.
-We will ask for help if we need it and we will need burly men to help move things in West Monroe. We are capable, educated and able to set up a home. Please no offers for unpacking boxes. I adore that...It is my own personal wonderland and it will cause MAJOR amounts of stress if we have to delegate. We will be taking visitors after we are setup. Please understand. I want some things to be just about me and Josh.

Please don't put us in an awkward situation. Please allow this process to be about us and the things God has blessed us with. I have learned to absolutely say no because it is a no. It breaks my heart not to please everyone, but this is not about you. This is about my new husband and our new life.

I know that this seems like a rude thing to do, but I feel as though I'm put in a compromising position day after day. Please please understand that this is coming from a place of love. I want everyone to enjoy themselves. I want to be kind, but it is hard when there are obvious things we have to say no to. Please please please understand.

Apt. Hunting!

So the day has finally come for us to apartment hunt together! So crazy. We are moving in less than a month...well...my stuff will be moving while I stay with Mom until the wedding. Josh will be living in our new place. We are called to be here in Monroe for this time. There has been alot of backlash from the people in the pacific north west. The great migration has had us praying for about 2 years. We'll see what happens, but we are here for now. I am a little jealous of Cham getting up there now. Pray for us as we look for our first home!

Blogging Family

So the Hubster started a new blog today & he said I could share it. He has so much insight! LOVE HIM!

The Love Letter

We sent our invitations yesterday. They say I'm marrying my best friend, the most incredible man. He is so beautiful. They say that we are spending the rest of our lives together and God is good. They say that our Creator makes all things new. They say that we love and serve God with all of our hearts. And hopefully they say that we love you.

Packing, Bridal Portraits, & Dumpster Diving!

Well, we are 52 days away and you know what that means...PACKING! I hate packing. It has been a little tough going through pictures, cards, & things from my grandmother. I cried alot and it helps. This has been the most stressful 3 months...Lita dying, work, re-planning an entire wedding, my family being displaced, moving, and just trying to be normal. My heart is broken over so many things and I feel that I have very little to give to Josh and my friends. Honestly, I break down in tears over something everyday and they are not tears of joy. I was upset this morning over the bridal shoot today, mine by the way, because my Lita won't ever see me in the dress. I had planned to have her at the shoot to see how its all done. While everything is a once in a lifetime memory, it just pains me that she won't be there. I have tried to put myself back together and it is just too much. She has actually been gone 3 months today.

My mom, aunt, and girl cousins have been my hope these last few weeks. Kari is hosting our reception and the girls are helping so much with the wedding. I love them so much and I will repay their kindness somehow. There would not be a wedding without them and they understand if I break down here and there. It is such a paradox that I am supposed to be so happy as a Bride and it is such a different circumstance. My dad and stepmom have been there. They have cried with me so much. I have never felt so loved and it is hard for me to accept that. I am proud and stubborn. And something has to be said about Saint Joshua. It is the good, bad, and ugly with me everyday. He is just like Lito. We pray together more than once a day now and I try to stay in a constant state of prayer. We need it. And God knows what we need in a partner. I am astounded by God's provision. If he still wants to marry me after all of this then I can't stop him. This is pretty intense marriage counseling, but we are learning about what to do in crisis and enjoying calm days. I want to be clear that I don't post the things on my blog for sympathy. I do so for others who might need to talk to someone about going through difficulties. I would recommend calling on the Name of Jesus. Just say His Name. We are not made to handle things like this on our own. Don't try to keep it in. Share it.

I am excited about the Bridal Shoot today. I won't be able to post any pictures, but I did take a couple photos of the bouquet I am using. Its a little different from the what I will have on our wedding day, but it was fun to make!


Oh and in my packing and cleaning yesterday, I believe I threw out some of our wedding money that we got at a recent shower. So I'm off to dig in our huge trash for the stuff. I am so mad at myself for doing it and hopefully I will find it, if not, then it has to be somewhere in the house. I am much more organized than this. UGH! Oh well, atleast I get to feel glamourous later. Ha! Joshua says he loves me even though I dig through garbage. Double HA!