The Best Weekend Ever! Memories in Pictures

 

Hello again Friends. 

As you can imagine - I received about a million photos from friends and family. But I will try to select a MUCH smaller number of them and highlights to share here. No real order as I have some from all over in my phone. So here are purely random moments from the weekend. And when I have the professional ones I will share more then too. 

First of all, as we headed up to the venue we were behind a pumpkin truck - I loved that! Then here are a bunch of pics of our cottage. Then into the main lodge for dinner (wine for me!) and then an evening walk on the moonlit property.

Now a random bit of weekend photo moments:

And they lived happily ever after ❤️

We both feel so abundantly blessed and grateful our hearts are overflowing. 

**If you missed the post before this one - you can go back and read all about our weekend on the previous post. 

Blessings on the rest of your week Friends! 

I plan to be back to normal posting next week. 

xoxo

The Best Weekend Ever! (Mr & Mrs) The Recap

 

Hello my dearest Blogland Besties!

WE'RE OFFICIALLY MARRIED! YAY!! 🌼💝

I'm still catching up on life around here after getting back from the most epic wonderful weekend ever!! And I truly feel like Mrs W. now ❤️

I know legally we had the paperwork done from our courthouse excursion. But going through the gathering of family and friends, wearing the dress, saying the vows, blessing the rings - all of the things over this past weekend makes me feel like I'm truly a married woman with a hubby. I have a HUBBY and I love it!!! 💍

I have a busy week ahead and not sure if I'll get to pop in again until next week - so I thought I'd at least try to get this post out today. I thought I would share kind of a recap and highlights of our wedding weekend. And then I'll share pictures in another post right after.  I received them from friends and family...as obviously I won't have the professional ones back for a while. 

WEDDING HIGHLIGHTS

THURSDAY:  We got to the venue and checked into our adorable cottage. We went to dinner in the main lodge and then took a walk along the water and the property. Oh and we played some cornhole. Matt won the first game, but we tied the 2nd one! We then went inside and played some cards and just double checked all the plans for the next few days to come.

FRIDAY: We slept in. Woke up and enjoyed our beautiful view of the lake over coffee and talked about the plans to come that day. We nibbled some snacks (we had brought some snacks as our cottage had a full kitchen). Then we went and got a couples massage. They had a separate adorable cottage just for massages. It was a breezy day so there was some good waves going out on Lake Superior. They had the windows open in the room and it sounded like ocean waves. And they had pretty music playing. We requested relaxing lavender essential oils. And we enjoyed an hour long massage that we both agreed was the best massage we had ever had! 

It was nice to get relaxed because then by that afternoon friends and family started to arrive - and everything took off from there! We did rehearsal (& it was so windy and I worried if it would be that way the next day, or rainy!). And after rehearsal we went to the lodge for the pasta bar dinner we had for everyone (even some that weren't staying on the property came up for the dinner). It was amazing to catch up with my best friends and their spouses - some had traveled all the way from CA. We sat and visited until they had to kick us out to clean up the dining room! Lol Then it was time to head to early bed to get ready for the big day! 

SATURDAY: We got up really early to have coffee and wake up. The day dawned calm and peaceful - no big winds and no rain! Matt went to his folk's cottage to hang out, while Annie came to ours and Matt's Mom did too. So we could get our hair done. Matt's Mom and I got our make up done too. We had a few visitors pop in - Matt's Aunt brought us breakfast sandwiches. And my bestie's oldest daughter brought me a beautiful Fall candle and yummy treat coffee. 

Then the photographer came and photos began. Eventually Matt got ready and came back and we did a first look. Then we did more pics with family and friends. The strings duo showed up and started to play (they were phenomenal - total highlight for me!) We took our turns walking the wooded path along the water to beautiful strings music to go up to the spot to say our vows and become husband and wife in front of our closest people. My friends had helped with the decorating. The wedding coordinator did a phenomenal job. It could not have been more magical! I loved the puzzle moment where we symbolized becoming a new family of four while the strings people played Claire de Lune. It was all so beautiful!!

 Then a cocktail hour with more strings music and 4 appetizers outside too - up next to the lodge. Then dinner which was amazing. Then the cutting of the cake and there were other treats. Matt cried during the vows more than I did (my big softie) And then he gave the most beautiful toast at dinner (and we both cried again). Such a heartfelt loving fun day.

 Then we all went and changed and got on comfy clothes and went to a huge firepit right along the water. My one friend brought a speaker and played music. We had drinks and gabbed away. The venue brought out a late night french fry bar with 3 sauces - right down next to the fire. And s'mores kits too. Some family hung out for a little while, but by the end it was just my kiddos (their significant others) and my 4 besties and their hubbies there. Matt & I stayed until close to 11 PM . And I guess my besties stayed until 12:30 AM! The weather stayed calm & perfect, and the moon would pop out from the clouds and shine on the lake. It was truly one of the absolute best days of my life! 

SUNDAY: We slept in. Then got up and packed and loaded up the car. Then went to the main lodge to meet up with some family and all the besties for the continental breakfast for everyone. Think danishes, croissants, other pastries, toasts, butter & jams, coffee, juice and water. We visited for another few hours over breakfast and then it was time to say goodbye for real. More crying - especially having to say goodbye to the besties that live way out in CA. Then Matt and I bought a couple things from the gift shop there to remember our amazing weekend. Then it was time to head home.

SOME FAVORITE MEMORIES: 

*When I went to do my first look with Matt - the photographer had him standing looking out at the water. I went to walk up to him and there was a sauna cottage not far from there. 3 guys in speedos came running up from the lake right in front of me to go in the sauna as I was walking towards Matt (who couldn't see me yet) and they yelled "you look great!" to me before heading into the sauna. Lol 

*Seeing our closest family and friends and the constant loving words and wishes. Telling me how much I deserved this happiness, that kept getting me emotional. The love from my kids that day in the same way. 

*Matt's relatives were sitting closest to the strings duo during cocktail hour and kept giving requests. It was funny and adorable. :) 

*Matt's toast that basically thanked everyone for everything, but then telling the story about how he got a lot of crap growing up for being a GB Packers fan (because he was from Illinois and then MN) but then he got all choked up and said it was all worth it because if it wasn't for the Packers we wouldn't have met. It's crazy but that's true. 😉💚💛

*When we were feeding each other cake and I got some on his nose to be funny. Then he took a piece and smooshed it gently on my face but some fell down onto my -ahem- cleavage. And Matt was about to retrieve it with his mouth (being funny). Lol And I yelled out "No! My parents are watching!" to which I heard my kids yell out "Forget your parents, your kids are watching!" 😁 Everyone was roaring. It was so funny and I about died laughing and blushing. 

*Sitting around the campfire that night. Enjoying comfy clothes. The perfect cool temps for a fire (had on a sweatshirt and yoga pants). Looking up at the perfectly magical night sky with the moon causing the lake to glisten. Then looking at all the faces around me and I remember thanking God in silent prayer for all of it. I have never had a more full and grateful heart in my life. 

Thanks for letting me share all these memories here so I will have it to look back upon too. You were all there with me in my heart dear Friends. I treasure you all! 

 I will do a post of photos next. 

We're Married - A Funny Story

 

Once upon a time (last week) a couple went to get their marriage license. And in the beautiful northwoodsy area where they live they are on the border of 2 states (2 counties). They went to get the license from the county where they live. And realized once there with their application, that they were supposed to get the license from the state they're getting married in. 

There was worry about the delay it might cause and wanting to get it taken care of. So the groom joked "why don't we just get married here today and the legal stuff will just be taken care of?" The bride giggled and said "why not!" And so they went and talked to the judge - whom the bride graduated high school with and knew him since she was 15. Lol And they caught up in his office where he said he'd be thrilled to marry them! As they got ready they giggled about the circumstances of it all, and the couple loved that his office had Packers stuff everywhere. 💚💛

 They then walked into the courtroom and with the words said by the judge. Tears on their faces. They each said "I do". Their witnesses were the secretary clerk of the judge and the court bailiff. 😁

A selfie photo was taken for all posterity:

And they forever have a very funny story to tell. And 2 anniversaries!

The end ❤️

*Isn't that hilarious? So technically we are legally married. It doesn't feel fully real though as this weekend my Cousin officiating will bring Jesus more to the party. And we will say the vows we wrote together. And we will have the rings there (we didn't at the courthouse) and they will be blessed. And the main thing - our people will be there. So we will cry and have grateful hearts Saturday and truly feel married then. I wasn't going to share this story until later - but I thought you'd all get a kick out of it. 

Today we head to the venue, couples massage, relaxation and joy in our hearts for all that is to come this weekend. Annie and other family and friends start coming into town tonight. I had a lovely chat with my ex and he wished us well and we chatted about our kiddos etc. It was really nice. I feel blessed to be loved by 2 wonderful men in my life and the goodness of God. I think I could skip to the venue - I have such joy in my heart! 

Thank you for letting me share my life here Friends and being part of the community of my life that I love. You will all be there with me as I'll carry you in my heart too. 💗💗💗

Blessings always. xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: A Final Sneak Peek and a little Break

Hello Friends!

I can't thank you all enough for the kind wishes you shared on my last post. This community has always been so loving and supportive of me (& now adopting Matt too) 😉 and I love and appreciate you all so very much!! 

I thought I would share more of a true sneak peek of the dress from the first time I tried it on. And also pics from the trial run for my hair plan. Being fellow girlies - I thought you'd love to see those touches. And then I'm signing off for a bit. I'm not sure if I'll post next week...so just in case I don't, I wanted to wish you all so many blessings for the weekend ahead and for all the transitioning into this lovely Fall season. Even though it's 80* here today! Lol 

Here goes:

The first time I tried on the dress - I threw my hair up, put on the headpiece I found on etsy and grabbed my bouquet to take a few pics. I wanted to send some to a few of my core peeps to see what they thought. The reaction I got was all I needed to know this was THE ONE! 💛💙

And here are some shots of the trial run for the hair - I am going for soft twists and curls pinned up to fit the vintage romantic feel of the dress and headpiece: 

And I will be wearing a little veil from underneath. Add in some jewels and they will do up my makeup and I think we're in business! Time to get this party started! I can't wait to say the vows of my heart to my Matthew and to start our new life together. 👰🏼🌼

And in the evening after all the formal things - we will sit out by fire pits along the lake. There are lawn games and s'mores stations and just time to sit and chill with our people out under the sky. Since it gets chilly at night now I got this cute navy sweatshirt with sunflowers embroidered on the sleeves. And these tiny crochet sunflower earrings. So after dinner I will put this on and my yoga pants and just get comfy. And we have a late night french fry bar ordered with different kinds of fries and sauces too! It's going to be a fun night and I hope a lovely weekend for all. 

Hugs & love to you all! ❌⭕️

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and happy Monday Friends!

Did you have a wonderful weekend? I sure hope so. Perhaps soaking up some extra fun summer moments? 

We had a lovely one here: running errands, out for some meals, playing games out in our backyard, going mini golfing, churchtime and home projects. And of course last minute wedding things. We watched the Packers game Friday with my Dad and step Mom and such a bummer the Pack lost - but we're only getting started! 😉

Thank you so much for the kind words regarding our upcoming wedding and getting a sneak peek at some of the details. And for all of your love and support of my journey these past years. It's coming so quickly now and we're beyond excited. Not only for the amazing weekend of family and friends time, exchanging vows to last a lifetime, and all the memories we will make over those 3 days. But we're also tickled about all that is to be ahead together and all the years to come. We both have such grateful hearts and are thankful to the Lord for our abundant blessings. 

PS: If you want to throw up a few prayers for nice weather and safe travels for all our people - they would be most welcomed  😊

I think about this chapter of my life currently. My son Aaron just moved a few hours away to his new home this past weekend. So life for this Momma that once had her daughter living here and her son pop in almost every day - now feels very quiet. It's still sinking in and doesn't feel quite real. But I know one thing...this chapter would have felt so lonely to me if Matt hadn't been led into my life. Instead if feels like I get a new beginning too and I feel the hope, joy and fun in it all. Bottom line: God is SO GOOD! 

🙏🏻🌼💛

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

I couldn't resist an apple cider donut (entenmann's brand are the best!)🍎 I also had sugar free pumpkin spice coffee

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands, wedding related appts,  final fittings, home projects, hospice work 

THINKING ABOUT:  

The obvious: 👰🏼🌼💛 Lol

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

The sun is streaming in and it feels more like the start of summer today, and not the ending of it. It's going to be warmer than normal all week it seems and I'm not complaining. It's lovely! I put out a few more Fall moments in the house but haven't fully decorated yet. I have soft classical music playing and I'm enjoying the view of blue skies and the twinkling bay

CURRENTLY READING

A Day that Changed Everything by Beth Moran (on my kindle) - and some fun Fall magazines

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Big Brother, AGT, Emily in Paris (netflix), Shark Tank back this week, we are catching up on the last season of the Good Wife, also still watching Your Honor, and sometimes throw in another episode of The Walking Dead

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - leftovers from the weekend

TUESDAY -  tacos (Matt's fave)

WEDNESDAY - biscuit sandwiches with cup of soup or maybe a salad

THURSDAY - ?

FRIDAY -  wedding venue time

 

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, do extra devotional time, sit in the sun, walk Ruby

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

*I always do this for avocados - I set them on the counter next to a bunch of bananas and they always ripen faster

FROM THE CAMERA:

Our visitor was back again recently and Bubba was checking him out:

I made this salad when my Dad and step Mom were over to watch the football game -as one of our side dishes. It's a recipe I got from blogging friend Billie Jo at Afternoon Coffee & Evening Tea and it is SO good! It's a Fall fruit salad and I'll be making it on repeat. You can find it from her blog post if you click here. 

Matt & I have been doing lots of walking and this past weekend we walked through our local park and there's a pretty swing perched up on the hill over the water. We sat a spell with Ruby and it was so pretty and peaceful. Lots of Autumn moments along that walk:

Also, this past Saturday morning we woke up and it was in the 30's for temps outside. It was SO cold. So of course I did as one does: I went out in it and caught pics of the mist on the bay and lit a candle and had hot coffee that tasted the best it had in months. Lol 

That same morning Bubba was staying cozy and posing pretty. Notice the pumpkin pillow and sunflower blanket. Slowly transitioning here :) 

 And you know Autumn cozy like this is in the back of my mind always this time of year 🎃 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. Specials for the Israeli hostage families and for peace there. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. For blessings on the marriage of Matthew and I coming up soon. And for safe travels and good health for all of our loved ones. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I may try to post again this week - but if I don't get it to it, you'll know why. 😉 Blessings on your week ahead! 

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.