The Gang's All Here...

Lexie came back to TLC Academy today!!!  That is the very exciting news I was talking about in my last post.  I decided that since I had time, I wouldn't let you wither away in suspense for a few weeks.  We all know I am not very diligent about keeping this blog updated regularly.  You could have been waiting months!  Now you can share our excitement while it is still fresh in our minds and hearts.  It was a surprise for everyone.  The kids didn't know she was coming and she just showed up at school today.  It was so fun to watch.  Bella and Hannah are especially excited to have their best buddy back!!

I really can't believe we have Miles and Lexie back!! I was so sad when they both left but it was clearly God's plan at the time.  I really didn't think I would be so blessed to have them back at TLC but here they are!!  God is so good all of the time.  (In hindsight, it is comical to me that God orchestrated everyone's lives so I could take a year off {sort of} and have a baby!)  I am such a blessed woman to have the opportunity to teach and love these kids every week.  I don't take this amazing privilege lightly and pray for strength, patience, wisdom and kindness to fulfill this calling.  I am unworthy and incapable in many ways but God promises that He is strong when I am weak and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I am so grateful...

The girls brought me flowers when they came in from recess and told me I am the best teacher ever.  I nearly cried.  They are so sweet.

Amelia was so excited she ripped all of the books and papers off the shelves!  Oh wait...she does that everyday...

The Wedding of Kimberly and Joseph Welch 8-25-12

My baby sister is married!! I am so happy for her and her husband.  Kimmy is such an amazing person.  The beautiful things that make her who she is spill over when you are with her and always make you feel a little more joyful, playful and loved when you've spent just a few minutes with her.  My new brother Joe is also an amazing person.  He has such a huge heart, he's fun to be around and is a man of great character and integrity.  I couldn't have picked a better guy for my baby sis.  I was honored to be Kimberly's Matron of Honor.  It brought me great joy to stand with them as they professed their love and commitment to one another in marriage.  I am so happy for them both.  I can't wait to see what great things God has in store for them.

 Congratulations Kimmy and Joe Welch!!!!!

Obviously, since I was in the wedding, I didn't take any pictures of the actual wedding.  All I can offer you is the wedding from my perspective as the Matron of Honor and busy mother of the junior bridesmaid and ring bearers and cutest and best behaved baby ever (thanks to my amazing husband and his never ending stash of cheerios...)

The wedding rehearsal...

The rehearsal dinner

On the morning of the wedding, Carly, Kimmy's long time friend and amazing hairdresser arrived at my mom's bright and early.  She was doing Bella's hair at 5:45am.  She didn't stop doing hair until 5 minutes before we got in the limo to go to the ceremony.  She did such a beautiful job on all of the lovely bridesmaids hair and, of course, the beautiful bride!!

The reception as at my parent's house under a huge tent.  It was amazingly beautiful when it was all lit up.  So much time and effort went into this day.  It was so special and so much fun.

My mom put so much time and care into making her gardens beautiful for the wedding.  They were simply stunning (but they are every year...)

It was all hustle and bustle at my mom and dad's the morning of the wedding.  1 bride, 7 bridesmaids, 1 junior bridesmaid, and 2 flower girls all getting ready for the big event!  It was so much fun.  Everyone looked so amazing!

Amelia was such a good baby and cute as can be.

Our friend Robbie did Kimberly's bouquets.  She also did mine and Angela's when we got married.  These were so beautiful.  The green bouquets against our orange dresses was stunning!  Kimberly, being the artist that she is, really brought so many details together to make her day so beautiful.

Instead of a wedding cake, Kim and Joe had a beautiful display of wedding pies!!  They all looked so delicious.  They were all made by various friends and family members which made it even more special. 

This day of celebrating didn't end when the sun went down.  After the DJ left, Kimmy's favorite local band The Fear Nuttin' Band, arrived to do a few sets.  Everyone also had fun lighting floating lanterns and sending them off into the night in honor of Kim and Joe.  It was so pretty!

Honestly, I couldn't believe it was over the next morning.  Kimmy and Joe were off to Hawaii for their honeymoon and I was absolutely exhausted (I must be getting old!!!)  We had spent so much time getting ready and anticipating the big day and it went so quickly!!  It was a day of beautiful memories and the beginning of a beautiful future for Kim and Joe.  Congrats again!!!  I love you both so much.