The Weddin'

Like alot of Alaskan weddings the pre-ceremony excitement started long before the wedding day. As Ian and Kathryn's nuptials approached, family and friends started arriving. Here are our house, we had just two extra guests-my mom and Aunti Eris. Rod and Bonnie were hosting Grandma and Paul for two weeks, their neighborhood put up Kathryn's dad and uncle, while her mom stayed with her and a few of Ian's friends bunked up at his place, with their families, and local hotels. It was fun to have dinner with some most of the visiting family on Wednesday night, then to get a chance to visit more with family and all the wedding party friends at the rehearsal dinner on Thursday night. Friday was WEDDING DAY! I got Sycely's hair washed and into curlers and Eris worked on Kathryn's make-up, while I got Kathryn equipped with snack and water for the rest of her busy day. Jesse and Rachel and Bonnie all stopped by, which added to our numbers which already included us four, Eris, my mom, Kathryn and her mom! It was such a fun time of excitement and anticipation that we will always look back on fondly. Just watching it all transpire around me in our home, brought a prayer of praise to my heart as I again saw how God was using this big, beautiful home he's given us as a place to pour out his love.

While Ella napped the rest of us girls got ourselves ready while Kathryn went to get her hair done. We got Ella up from her nap, did her hair and headed off to the church to get the girls changed into their flower girl outfits. They watched the guests file into the church from a window upstairs and waited in the girls' dressing area, anxious to do their job and get this "weddin'" (as Ella called it) started. Kathryn got a tear in one of the layers of her dress minutes before show time, but her friend Jaime and I used an emergency sewing kit and got it stitched up and ready to head down the aisle in no time.

The girls were simply adorable heading down the aisle, dropping red petals in their giant tutus and ruby red slippers. Kathryn and Ian exchanged vows in a lovely, touching ceremony in front of the fireplace, surrounded by family and friends. There's no better way than to start your marriage journey.

After the ceremony and some photos, everyone headed to the reception location to enjoy some local Chinese food, dancing and gourmet cupcakes. Lem gave a very touching, tear-jerking toast and we danced the night away celebrating the newly married couple.

We are so excited that Ian has found his perfect bride and we joyously welcome Kathryn (officially) into our family with wide open arms. I'm already so blessed by my new sister and our growing relationship. We pray God will continue to bless their union with His abundance and faithfulness and wish them the best in all that they will encounter in this incredible journey called life!