Karen and Andy’s Rustic Wedding

There were clouds looming and a chance of rain, so we did a lot of praying, and the day was perfect!

Karen and her bridesmaids arrived at EV Free Fullerton looking beautiful.  They settled into the bride’s room in the Chapel and began putting the finishing touches on their hair and make up.

Andy and the groomsmen arrived in their tuxes looking handsome and excited for the wedding.

The talented, and oh so fabulous, Jen Disney took the bridal party off-site for some pre-ceremony photos.  In the meantime, we put the finishing touches on the ceremony and reception decor.  Karen and Andy’s very talented friend, Marilyn, made a huge impact on how the rooms looked.  Her eye for decorating and her way of putting together all the rustic elements really carried out exactly what they wanted, plus she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.

It was hard to keep my composure during the ceremony, each person involved was a very special part of Karen and Andy’s lives.

After Andy dipped and kissed his new wife, Karen showed the bottom of her shoe showing who she belonged to, then they walked out of the church to “You’ve got a Friend in me” from Toy Story.  Go ahead, you can say it.  (Awwwww!)

A short walk across the church plaza revealed a foyer to the reception room.  You could just smell the yummy food prepared by The Well, and anticipate the fun that was about to take place.

The grand entrance reflected Karen and Andy’s love of hiking with the entire wedding party walking in with backpacks and poles to “I would walk 500 miles.”

From the slideshow to the touching speeches, there was no doubt that Karen and Andy are very loved by their friends and family, and they love them right back.

And what would be the perfect ending to this day?  Sparklers, of course!

What I love about Karen and Andy is their thoughtfulness.  I love the way they look at each other.  I love that I got to spend time with them leading up to, and on, their most special day….so far.  I also love that I not only consider them my clients, but church friends.  I know God will continue to bless them as they continue to love each other.

 

Venue:  First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton

Caterer:  The Well

Cake:  Amazing Cakes

Photographer:  Jen Disney Photography

Videographer:  John Fiala

MC:  Keith Melugin

Florist:  M’s Flowers

Karen’s Hair:  Unity Salon

Karen’s Make up:  Amy Niles

Andy’s Hair:  Stev Fregoso

Linens:  Create-a-Party

Valentine’s Day 2012

This is our 21st Valentine’s Day together, we’ve been together exactly half our lives.  We’ve come a long way from being college students, not having enough money to do much, to doing the ridiculously priced flower thing, to trying to do anything special in the midst of our busy schedules.  He had the day off yesterday so we had a lovely lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Taps in Brea.  It’s so nice when we have those rare moments when I don’t have to be anything but his wife!

We did lunch yesterday because he had to work today and I had a small wedding at our church tonight and now he’s on call till the morning.    Emily came with me to the wedding today and on our way home, we stopped to get daddy’s favorite donuts and we were pleasantly surprised to see that they had heart shaped ones.    No matter how busy we are, we always try to do a little something to show how much we love each other.  Our gestures are simple and that’s just fine by me.

heart shaped donuts on our family platter with a tall glass of milk

LOVE

Sa-weet Sixteen

Dear Justin,

Today is a very special day.  On this very day 21 years ago was daddy and my first date.  What makes this day even more special is 16 years ago, you were born.  Plus today’s date is super cool…2-1-12!

When daddy and I were first married, we would sit and watch TV and wish we had a little baby who we could have between us to hold and love and enjoy.  16 years ago today, that baby came into our lives, but you weren’t so little.  You were  a 9 lb 7.5 oz bundle of joy.  My belly was so big that people thought I was having twins…nope, just one, just you, God’s perfect answer to our prayers.

You were born with a full head of hair so you had to get your first haircut at 3 months. You always had a deeper voice than other kids. You learned to walk and talk and do everything super early.  I remember how you memorized and said everyone’s names with your little lisp but you just couldn’t say your own name quite right.  I remember how you always wanted me to read books to you and when you learned to read yourself, you went through books so quickly.  No one could entertain me or make me laugh better than you – still.  How you can recite scenes from movies with all the right accents and your quick wit are truly gifts from God.

I love that you have a compassionate heart.  You never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings, even when you were upset, you wouldn’t let the other person know it.  I remember how you were so brave when you had to have your appendix taken out at age 7.  You didn’t cry at all while they were poking you with needles and taking you into surgery.  I’m so glad I got to be there with you the whole time.  I cherish the memories of us spending time together, just you and me.  The best decision I ever made was to stay home with you.  Emily came along just before you turned 3 and you were, and still are, so great with her.  I love how you love your sister.  I love how you take care of her.  I especially remember the time when Emily didn’t want to eat her dinner so we sent her up to her room without dessert, and you said that if Emily didn’t eat dessert, you wouldn’t either.

I have yet to see a little sister look up to her brother as much as Emily looks up to you.  You are a wonderful big brother and it warms my heart to see the two of you together.  She thinks the world of you and she is proud to call you her brother.  She’s not one of those little sisters that roll their eyes when girls say her brother is good looking, she agrees with them.

I love that you have integrity. You don’t take the easy way through life, you earn every experience, you work hard and you do it with a quiet strength that I know comes from God.  Your black belt in Tae Kwon Do, your spot on the Varsity Football Team as a Sophomore, your guitar and even piano skills, there is nothing you can’t accomplish that you put your mind to.  I know there are times that you wanted to just explode with excitement but you always considered the people who didn’t have what you had and you held back.  I know there have been times that you wanted to lash out at people who were treating you or others unfairly, but you controlled your emotions.  I am so proud of you for choosing to follow God.  I know it hasn’t been easy all the time but you always handled yourself honorably.  My prayer for you is that you realize the gifts you’ve been given and use them to your full potential.

I love the friends that you chose to hang around, your friends reflect your character.  Not too many parents of teenagers these days can say that they like their son’s friends.  They are respectful, well mannered, honorable young people, just like you.  I have enjoyed watching all of you grow up together and the new friends you’ve made so far in high school are just adding to your wonderful group.  A lot of people can’t believe that you listen to your parents and don’t rebel, that you enjoy spending time with your family, and you even help around the house.  Those same people are the ones that have told me, “enjoy it now, once he’s a teenager, things are going to change.”  Well people – I’m still waiting.

You are a big, strong, young man now.  You rival your dad in size and strength.  I still can’t believe how you’ve grown.  I know he is so proud of you.  I know on game days, he can’t wait to come watch you.  I know he invests so much time and energy into molding you into a man who is physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually strong.

 

You are now at a place in your life where you really have to take ownership of your actions.  You have so much to look forward to, I just pray that you will keep working hard, stay humble, and always be the best Justin you can be.  I thank God that He gave me the BEST son ever! I couldn’t be prouder to be your mom!

Happy 16th Birthday! I love you!