Final piece of furniture!

The love seat FINALLY MADE IT HOME! :) now we have less space, but we have our completed set. I love it!

The Wash Tub

So today is laundry day for Jared and myself. For those who do not know, when we were engaged, Karen and Doug Harris offered us their washing machine and dryer! They had remodeled and wanted to get something that matched their updated look. We were thrilled! It was the first home appliance that we owned! We didn't have furniture, but we were now proud owners of a beautiful washer and dryer set. [yea!] So the hunt began for a house. [which I must say, I don't suggest this when you are planning a wedding in four months and are doing most of everything yourselves. Or without a "wedding planner"] It quickly got overwhelming and the decision was made, find an apartment and when things finally slow down, start the house hunt again. So we started the search. Too expensive; too far away from church, home, and work; too scary; and you've got to be joking... Then we came upon one that would work. We asked if it had washer dryer connections for the one bedroom.. "no, we have a laundry mat though. The two and up have connections." Awesome. The one thing we have you don't have the accessibility for. So we thought we would look around a little more. It wasn't perfect and we really wanted washer dryer connections. The wedding got closer, more weekends were taken up with wedding showers, planning, and final decisions and we realized that our perfect apartment was just not out there right now. So we called the Abbey and said we wanted to sign a lease. Turns out their rates dropped about $50 since the last time we were there and we thought it was a sign. It's not going to be exactly what we want, but it's just a year. So we signed a lease the week before our wedding and the stress of a place to come home to was relieved. 3 months into this "just a year" we are realizing several things about apartment living. Not crazy about it. Kitchen is too small, no cabinet space, awkward small shower and toilet area, vanity is too small for two adults getting ready for work in the morning, no overhead lights in the bedroom or living room [odd], and bringing a week [or two's] worth of laundry back to PG on a Sunday when all you want to do is nap, is not as simple as it seemed 3 months ago. Sure it's great to spend the day with Jared's parents, and mine if they happen to be in town, but the 6 loads of laundry we try to cram into an afternoon and split between two homes to try and make it go by faster
Is tiring and gets old fast. I can honestly say that I have taken an "in home" laundry room for granted over my 24 years and cannot wait to make a sweet and awesome sanctuary for that amazing little washer and dryer that is sitting in Jared's parents' basement when we finally get a home of our own! :)
So I say all of that to say, Jared and I have spent the last hour at "The Wash Tub" in the Pleasant Grove Shopping Center and it has been a treat. In about 20 minutes and then folding time we will be loading up the car and heading home with 2 weeks worth of laundry. If you know the two of is, that's a lot! It cost just under $30 to do but it's been a real treat to have it all done so quickly. And now the rest of the day is ours to hang out in our cozy little apartment for two! ;)
Happy wash tub laundry day!

"How's married life?"

We are getting close to our 3 months of being married anniversary and I have constantly gotten the question "How is married life treating you?" Words cannot completely express how married life is treating me and the only thing that I can think to say is "It's GREAT!" I am loving every minute of sharing my life with the most incredible man, and my best friend. Things have slowed down, a bit, and we have actually been able to come home from work, cook dinner, clean the kitchen, sit on our very own couch, and watch movies. It is an amazing feeling to come home to my amazing HUSBAND and settling into our own routine. 


We are getting SO much closer to finally getting our "Thank You" notes out (this has been a battle and has taken us WAY TOO long to get these ready and sent! Our apologies to all. They WILL be out by the end of this week! Fingers crossed) Other than that we are still trying to figure out where our stuff actually is. Some of it is at the apartment, some (that wouldn't fit) is at my parents' house, and other deliveries have gone to Jared's parents' house. The search for a house is MUCH needed right now. We need a larger space and a full size kitchen. We were blessed with some incredible gifts for our wedding and I am looking forward to getting them all arranged into my very own spacious kitchen and learning to use so many of our gizmos. So needless to say, I am dreaming of my perfect home and constantly searching.. 


So that is married life so far. We are getting closer to a normal schedule every day. We are learning little quirky things about each other, and growing closer and closer each and every day! :) I am so happy and blessed that God has chosen me for this life. I could not imagine being happier. We are both looking forward to the future and all that God has planned for our lives. Please be in prayer for us as we continue this new journey as husband and wife. Many many things to come.. 


Love!


Some photos of our almost finished living room. 


After an . . . [ordeal] with Macy's and a delayed delivery, we received our couch, chair, and ottoman (not shown- it is in our bedroom because we didn't have room for it in the living room). ((We picked out our end tables and black ottoman from Ashley Furniture and took it home that day)) The delivery date has been set for May 23 for our LOVE SEAT [finally]. So this is not 100% complete, but very close! :)

Color is a little odd.. not sure why. [we were watching Avatar! :)]

The mirror Pop gave Jared. We see it everyday! :)

Soon there will be another piece of furniture in our tiny space, but we absolutely love coming home and being able to sit and hang out together, comfortably. 

Back to normal.. But what is that?

Well, our Easter drama is over and it was such an amazing success. We had wonderful crowds each night and the performances just kept getting better. What a blessing it was to see our Jesus (played by PG Naz's very own Wade Ferguson) come out of that tomb on Easter Sunday!! He was no longer dead but ALIVE! Just as he said he would.. Risen on the third day. Death could not take him and the grave could not hold him! What a blessing to serve a truly incredible savior.

So tonight will be the first night (maybe second or third, ha) Jared and I will come home to each other and hang out for an entire night just the two of us. No plans to travel much farther than the grocery store or the gym across the street. No sets to build, no more lines to rehearse, no painting to be done... Just a night to get back to normal. But for us.. What is normal? We have been together a little over a year (we were married 364 days after our first date), but for the last 6 months we have been planning a wedding, looking for a place to live, and we are just finishing a well involved Easter drama. We are now at the point that we have to start our married lives together. It's time for us to learn those quirky little habits about each other, what foods we really like and kind of like, we get to learn how to cook, and how to live together. Sure we have spent nearly every day together for the last year and two months.. But we could go "home" and get away from each other. Now home is together. Jared has to learn that I am a somewhat messy person. I leave clothes everywhere and shoes usually stay where they are taken off until it's time to wear them again. I have to learn that Jared is a typically neat person and my stuff being everywhere kind of bothers him! (also, piling things 'neatly' in a corner does not count as being put away) Ha. So we are looking forward to learning and growing together and making a life as husband and wife.
I guess I'll keep you posted on how that goes! :) I hope everyone had such a blessed Easter weekend with family and friends!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
http://bible.us/Rom1.20.NIV
Verse of the day from my Bible app

God bless!

Six Hours, One Friday · Max Lucado

Six Hours, One Friday · Max Lucado

Six hours, one Friday.  Mundane to the casual observer.  A shepherd with his sheep, a housewife with her thoughts, a doctor with his patients.  But to a handful of awestruck witnesses, the most maddening of miracles is occurring.

God is on a cross.  The creator of the universe is being executed.  It is no normal six hours.  It is no normal Friday.  Far worse than the breaking of his body is the shredding of his heart.  And now his own father is beginning to turn his back on him, leaving him alone.

What do you do with that day in history?  What do you do with its claims?  They were the most critical hours in history.  Nails didn’t hold God to a cross.  Love did.

The sinless One took on the face of a sinner so that we sinners could take on the face of a saint!

My Cross

So this is what has taken precedence in our lives for the past 4+ weeks. We got back from Mexico on March 3^rd, and Jared went right on in to work as soon as the following week could get started good (I know this is supposed to be "well" but it doesn't sound right with what I am saying, ha). I’m not going to lie, I have whined and complained and been ill about the fact that my husband and I have not been able to just hang out at our (still unfinished) apartment and be married people, BUT I will say that this has been a great experience (put aside all my complaining) and the drama is going to be phenomenal. **If you are going to be in or around Pleasant Grove on Friday April 6^th, Saturday April 7^th, or Sunday April 8^th I highly suggest and encourage you to come and watch Pleasant Grove Church of the Nazarene’s Easter drama “My Cross” Written by our pastor, Bruce Hudson. It will be performed each night at 7:00 PM at our Amphitheater (behind the church). I’ll say this; it is not your typical Easter presentation. It of course tells the story of Jesus and the crucifixion and resurrection, but this story is from the point of view of one of the Roman soldiers (My Jared). It is very interesting, and has a wonderful meaning. So I would love to see EVERYONE there this weekend. A lot of hard work has been put in to making this a great production for the Lord.

Easter weekend is quickly approaching! I hope everyone is ready to see what the Easter Bunny is bringing, but more importantly I hope we can all realize the true meaning of this day and thank God that he could give his precious son so that we could live eternally in Heaven with him. Praise and Glory to the King of Kings, the Lord or Lords, and the GREAT I AM!

Here are some pictures from the dress rehearsal we had last night! :)

The Last Supper scene.

 

Lily *(NIECE!)* the angel. 

The centurion's home. 

"The crowd" -also the choir

The last supper, missing a few disciples.

My bebe in a dress.. Ha. He had taken off part of his costume already.

Our Jesus that hangs on the Cross. Such an amazing teen taking on a very important roll! HE does an amazing job

Me and my soldier. Both missing parts of our costumes.

Showin' a little leg.. Ooooo...

Who is ready to see this show live?!! I know you do! And we would LOVE to see you there!! 

The BEST Bridal Party.. (well.. part of it)

THIRTY ONE days ago Jared and I were married in our church in Pleasant Grove (PG Church of the Nazarene). We had 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 2 flower girls, and 2 ring bearers. To say the least, we had a pretty large wedding party. It was amazing! There were always people around and available for anything that might come up. 

So before I go into detail about that most amazing day of my life, let me tell you about SOME of our bridal party. 

5 of my bridesmaids were my very best friends. . . 

My 2 Maids of Honor were Brandi Creel and Rachel Holt. BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING women of GOD. These two have seen me at my best, and at my worst. It could not have been the day it was without these two standing beside us. 

(Brandi: Brandi and I met when I was in the 6th grade (summer before). She and her family moved in right across the circle and shortly after that I was stuck to her like glue. We did EVERYTHING together. When she could drive, that started a whole different kind of fun. I couldn't imagine not having her as my best friend, she has been more like a sister and a part of the family. I've been blessed to have this woman stand beside me as I married the man of my dreams (that she helped me meet!!!!)). 

(Rachel: Oh where to begin with Rachel... The question game was the beginning of an amazing friendship. It all started with Jackie (she's next..). Jackie was a mutual friend that I was always with. Then Rachel came in to the picture and it was always the three of us. So many fun times and wonderful memories with those two girls. But somewhere along the way Rachel and I became closer than I ever would have imagined. All we did was talk talk talk talk and laugh laugh laugh and hang out ALL the time. It didn't matter what we were doing, we always had a good time together. She has one of the most tender hearts and sweetest spirits of anyone I know. I couldn't have imagined my wedding day without her right there beside me!)

Next there is Jackie McDonald. She is the first friend I had at Unashamed my Sophomore year in college (ROLL TIDE). She was amazing. Just one of those people you met and immediately loved. She was quickly a best friend. She is the motherly one of Rachel and myself. She is the most caring and amazing woman, loving and tender, ALWAYS there when you need someone, and ALWAYS there when you just want to be around someone amazing.

Morgan (Bertram) Green is another newlywed. (She and her husband Michael were married last year, 11/11/11 <- How cool?) I have known her for the longest time, but she and I became close our Sophomore year in High School. We cheered together and rode to school together EVERYday. She was easily my best friend and always there for me through everything. Never a dull moment!!

Last but CERTAINLY not least, there is my childhood slumber buddy, preschool buddy, dance buddy,  . . . EVERYTHING buddy, Christen Sowell. We were together every day as tiny tots, had every birthday party together (or had the same one two weeks apart), and were together just about every day until our Freshman year in High School. We didn't see each other a whole lot until College after she moved, but we ALWAYS picked up where we left off. (P.S. She is getting married in less than FOUR months!! YAY! Soon to be Mrs. BRIAN THACH! cannot wait to stand by her side and do for her what she so graciously did for me!!)

4 of my Bridesmaids are Sisters... 

Amy Palmer

I've known her for longer than I can remember. She has been with my brother forever. They were married about 10 years ago (I believe?) and now have 2 BEAUTIFUL boys, Cameron and Cody. I don't know when it happened, but at some point she was more than my brothers wife and my sister in law. She just became my sister, Amy, and I love it! 

Jamie Palmer

Jamie is the second to newest sister that I have gotten (She married my brother Casey in April 2011). She has been a wonderful addition and I have LOVED having ANOTHER Sister! YAY! I love her so much and she has given me two more precious nephews! (Our family is CONTINUOUSLY GROWING!)

Shari Godsey 

Shari is not technically my sister. We don't share a mother, or a father, or any other legally bonding tie, but we have a little something else. When I was 3 I stayed with her grandmother while my parents were at work. At the time she lived there and was in college, but I became her little buddy and shadow. I wanted a sister and my mom told me that I couldn't have one like Christen did, but I could ask someone to be my sister if I found someone I really liked. Well that person turned out to be Shari. And here we are 21 years later, her two daughters (Meghan and Natalie) are my nieces (Natalie says I'm her "not real aunt") and her husband is my brother in law. And of course I love them all as if they were family. Some people probably thought that would not have lasted as long as it did, but I think that is something that makes our relationships that much more special.

Aubrey Johnson

MY NEWEST SISTER! I just got her on February 25th, 2012. And I couldn't be happier. I actually knew Aubrey and her husband Andrew and their sweet kiddos (now my NIECE AND NEPHEW!) before I met Jared (Andrew is Jared's brother). I immediately loved them and their family. What great people! I am so excited to see where this new family relationship will take us! We have so many memories already with family vacations and church trips, the future is looking bright!  

Lastly there is the 10th Bridesmaid.... 

Meghan Godsey

The first little girl to make me an Aunt. She has been my little munchkin for almost 15 years!! I cannot believe how old and how beautiful she is. I was 9 years old when she was born- and what a tiny little baby she was. Now she is almost as tall as I am! She is so smart and such an amazing Christian girl that I cannot wait to see where the Lord continues to lead her. She has big dreams, and all I can hope is that the Lord blesses her to accomplish each and every one of them!

Our flower girls and ring bearers are 2 more of our wonderful nieces and 2 of our sweet little nephews.

Natalie Godsey 

(my favorite to pick on! <- but she picks back! That is why it is so much fun! Sweet as can be (when she wants to be) and a firecracker! She is always dancing, always moving, ALWAYS doing something! I couldn't imagine the Godseys being complete without her!) 

Lily Johnson

(The peaceful one. She is always so sweet and so polite. Calm and collect, but then... wild! Ready to run and dance and play and just have fun! She is always up for a good time! I am so glad to have her as my NIECE!

Cameron Palmer

(Was the first little grandchild in the Palmer family, so of course he is a special little one to us. They are all special, but this little guy was the first to make my parents grandparents, me and aunt to an amazing little boy, and that makes him one spectacular little guy. He is as sweet as he can be most of the time, he loves to play (baseball might just be his favorite), and to be at the lake.)

Jacob Graves

(He is a new member to the Palmer family. He is the son of my sister in law (Jamie) but is now a part of the Palmer family as well! He is so sweet and LOVES his new little brother, playing outside, and his new cousin Cameron (his other cousins as well but those two stick together like glue when they are around each other).)

We also had two honorary ring bearers. Our two (well, actually three) youngest nephews. 

Cody Palmer (19 months) (Eric and Amy's youngest)

Waylon Johnson (almost 26 months) (Andrew and Aubrey's youngest)

Andrew James (A.J.) Palmer (5 months) (Casey and Jamie's youngest)

I cannot say enough about these sweet boys and sweet girls. These little guys and young ladies are all so sweet and so precious in so many ways. We could not be more BLESSED with such PRECIOUS, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL nieces and nephews! 

We had the MOST AMAZING Bridal Party. I won't get into details on the Groomsmen, but I will let Jared tell you all about them when I can have him sit down for a minute or two. ;)