aftershock

I had worked so hard on planning the wedding - a "DIY " wedding - I made the table runners, the centerpieces, hanging decorations- i made votives and vases and all kinds of glassware to look like mercury glass - I bought more candles than anyone could know what to do with - as well as too many napkins, and extra "just in case" items. I stressed over the color of the napkins for a few days - beceause they didnt 'exactly match' I stressed the last few days before the wedding because of the chance of rain - both my rehearsal dress and wedding dress got too big for me - (i lost quite a bit of weight because of stress - i was hardly eating-) i wasnt getting enough sleep - i would stay up late working on projects /ideas - waking up early continuing and then going to work.
my body was handling it well . i didnt hink anything was wrong.

the wedding was beautiful. better than what I had imagined. everything looked gorgeous. I was so thankful i had hired a wedding coordinator to handle the stresses that I could not take care of when i was trying to gt ready for the wedding... like oh - there was a thunderstorm and everything was getting wet- including the dance floor that i had rented. apparently there were other things that 'happened' while i was inside getting ready - and didnt know a thing. which was great. (i had time to focus on getting ready - destressing and just prepping myself for a wonderful evening)

my dresses were ready the day before the wedding - which was a relief.

we had a blast- it was a small wedding- only 60 people- it was perfect. I was able to visit with everyon for just a little bit - everyone had a good time visiting and enjoying the weather- it cleared off just in the nick of time for photos and for guests to begin arriving - to the point where we all needed sunglasses- basically!!! it completely cleared off after dark and a big full moon arose from behind the trees. Everyone danced and danced-
one more stress arose when we were about to head out - Steve didnt know where his keys were -- so we had to have a few extra songs played while steve looked for his keys --- all the while they were in his car - we had a sparkler exit that was sooo much fun to see - and it was just incredible. it was a wonderful evening.

Steve and I stayed in downtown at a very nice hotel for our wedding night it was wonderful. we woke up the next morning to have breakfast with family - and we were purly exhausted. we wound up going back to our hotel and just relaxing for a few hours before heading out. I wanted to sleep but my body wouldnt let me. after saying goodbye to family - we headed home where we just relaxed at home. that night i began to have a scratchy throat -- but i took some medicine and went to bed.
the next morning i woke up early and my throat hurt so much. and it did so for a few days. Steve took care of me- I had to take a few sick days from work - and i even went to the dr - who wasnt sure what it was - she gave me some antibiotics- well i went home that day - and wound up sleeping for a very long time, and then got up, and naped the next. After it all - i figured out that all the stress that i had - really had built up over time - and my body did not know how to handle it -so when wedding was done - and stress was lifting - my body freaked out... ( i think ) and so i needed some sleep- my appetite came back  and i've felt fine since.

between the time of the wedding and honeymoon (a week and a half between i pretty much just rested to make sure not to over do it to get worse - because at this point i did have a cold...)

we left for our honeymoon to costa rica - which we spent 9 days filled with adventure and a little bit of relaxing by the pools and beach.
we had a wonderful time, and already decided to go back in a few years.

for the past week and a half (or so) we've been getting in a routine (or trying to ) and trying to get wedding stuff sold and out of the house- and trying to get my things organized.

Ceremony

The Grand Entrance

Steve & His brothers

Me with my brother

Father of the Bride speech

dance

 Father of the bride Dance

everyone dancing under the tent

Groom and "man of Honor" (Steve and Daniel)

Dancing

Sparkler exit

Just being a proud sister.

My brother is graduating this week from college.
It kind of hit me this week - now that i've been thinking about the trip that we'll be making to see him cross that stage.
over the past couple of years I've seen him cross the High school stage for graudation, and I've seen him cross the floor for his Associates Degree (they didnt have a stage) Speaking of his associates graduation - he spoke during a good majority of it- he had a very nice speech to talk about the Baptist Student Ministry mentors, and spoke so well at the graduation. While he was in school there he helped out a lot with the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) He and some buddies would get together and fish and hang out.
Daniel went on to West Texas A&M University, in Canyon, Tx (outside of Amarillo)  he started off as a nursing student, and somehow wound up going for a Health Science degree. Daniel began taking care of Joshua, who is a boy with autism. Daniel watches him for many hours throughout the week. Daniel began to really help Josh to do tasks like to turn out the light and such. Daniel has helped josh (from my understanding.) This past year Daniel began taking care of a girl, named Erica. Erica has Cerebal Palsy. Daniel would hang out with her, and take both her and Josh to therapy and he would take Erica to some places with him, such as the softball games and whatnot.
Daniel truly is an inspiration - (well to me at least) to really look out after others- it really isnt all bout us- and these kids simply enjoy the company of being around others and getting that special attention.
Daniel of course has been super busy this past semester with preparing to graduate, working and of course all of his free time with his buddies-
He never did get into the 'party scene' that so many college students get involved in... and he has gotten I know of at least one compliment from another student he recieved.
I am saying all of this because I look up to my little brother.(literally and figuratively) Dan has a good head on his shoulders and truly has been a blessing in my life. I know im his sister... but ---

So this week i've just been thinking on all of this, since im his big sister I have just been thinking on the past and just things that Dan has made me proud...
This has been a change of thoughts for me, considering that im about waist high --- or higher in doing wedding stuff and im finishing up this quarter for school - I have only been thinking about what is going on in my immediate life, and not really taking a good look around at those around me and the things that they are going through. So this week i've just been trying to make a point to not be so insanely engrossed in the wedding planning to make sure i soak this all in.
Dan's graduation is a big one. I am super excited for him, and really can't wait to see what God has in store for him.
Daniel will be standing beside me as my "Man of Honor" on my wedding day in a few weeks  i could not be happier to have him to be at the altar with me.

-- bottom line -  I think we really need to be there for one another-be there for those especially who need us. and make sure to pause in our busy days to check on someone - or see what is going on to stay connected. Also make sure you don't let life slip before your eyes- really soak everythign in as much as possible.

Since my lil bro is growin' up....

 

Easter

He is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!!!

Yes, yesterday was Easter- The day that Christ rose from the dead, oh such a wonderful day!


I saw a video that the church had on Good friday night, That I really liked.
I happened to have been able to find it on youtube :)

anyways - like I said it's from Good Friday, but still a good reminder :)

Good Friday

Jesus didn't rest between Thursday night and friday- everything continued throughout the night, from the last supper to the Garden, and then straight on into being arrested and put on trial.
Friday was a very big day. there was alot of detail about that day that is so important.


that is where we begin for friday morning very early- about 1:30am.
First 2 trials of Jesus (1:30 am)

Peter

Trial 3

Scourging of Jesus

His walk to the cross Friday morning 9am -12pm

The Crucifixion

The Criminals

"It is Finished" Friday 3pm-6pm

The beginning of the End

Tonight is the night that really began Christ's walk to the Cross
Tonight was the last supper that he partook in with his disciples, before he was taken to the cross.

Tonight began the long hours before he went to the cross. Late in the evening he was put on trial, beaten and then eventually hung.

Here are some posts that I went into much more detail.

These are the things that happened thursday night.  My next post will be on what happened on that friday .

Drama in the Upper room

Gethsemane (thursday night)

the start of passion week

Here we are at Monday and Tuesday of Passion week.
A week that we remember Jesus and the suffering that he went through when he sacrificed his life for us.

Often times we focus on palm Sunday  and then skip to Friday (Good Friday) However I do  find it interesting to see what happened during the whole week of Passion Week.

Here is a post that I wrote last year on the Monday and Tuesday before Jesus died.


love
Taylor

Palm Sunday

This Sunday (March 24th) is Palm Sunday. The day that Jesus came riding into town and everyone is praising him. However just a few short days later- They were condemning him to death.
I wrote last year on this- I actually wrote it the day after Palm Sunday.
I think that this day is important to Passion week beecause we can see of how quickly the peoples emotions changed after they realized the Jesus was not the type of King that they though he was going to be....
here's my post from last year - If you'd like to take a look :)

Blessings!
Taylor

Spring is in the air

Happy First day of Spring! I love spring. I think it is my favorite season, while I really do enjoy each new season - well certain aspects of the season: winter: bundling up and wearing cute scarves, drinking hot chocolate. staying inside by the fire (although for Texas, this doesnt happen very often- we didnt have much of a winter...again this year... I have winter clothes that i havent worn in several years... i like them, they fit, just they are very warm clothes and it didnt get that cold)

anyways- love spring because im able to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, the flowers that are blooming.. baseball season begins.

Summer- While the heat gets me (110 degrees.. no thank you.)I am thankful for the a/c, love being able to drink on lemonade (mmm) sit on the porch in the evenings, listening to the crickets and cicadas.and baseball season is in full swing, so catching a game or two is always nice.)

Fall- love fall too. the cooler air moves in and im able to get out those cute scarves and cute jackets.)

 

spring is so nice- after being couped up - able to see life begin again.

this past week has been super nice here in DFW. The temperature has been so nice and nice and sunny so lovely.

I love being able to go down the road and seeing the grass turning green and the trees all in bloom (my allergies do not like those, though)

I love seeing new flowers pop up (Just ask my fiance) last week I was examining his garden. (well the area that I have actually 'claimed' - because I want some flowers for me to tend. - I planted a few things last year. I had planted some seeds =--  lo and behold they are beginning to come up. i was so excited, that they are growing. :) i will have to make sure and take care of it this spring though. THis weekend we plan on getting some flowers for some pots that we have at his house- and I am so excited about that.

I wanted to share some photos with you guys from 3 years ago. - in 2010 me, and a friend of mine, , went to go visit another friend,  in East Texas. One day that we were there we stumbled on this gorgeous wild flower field. The pictures really dont do it justice. it was so nice :)



 

 

I haven't seen any bluebonnets yet... but now that it is officially spring i bet that they will be poppin' up here pretty soon. Bluebonnets only will last for a few weeks before they die. For me, it is always so nice to see them when driving. :)

 

 

Love the newness and the freshness of the springtime.

 

 

Anyways- ok- that's really all I wanted to say - .

Happy Spring, Everyone! :)







Preparing for the Passion Week

Hard to believe that we are coming up on Palm Sunday this week, and then Good friday & Easter next week.
This time of year has been very touching to me the past few years, because - as I have said before- Jesus went through so much, and I really feel like we should gain a deeper understanding of what exactly Jesus went through during that time of his life- the last few days of his life.
As Christians I feel like we should have a better understanding of what "Jesus dying on the cross" really entailed for him.

I found a great infographic that has the timeline of Jesus' walk the cross.

While I have done some studies on the passion week and what Jesus went through, each year I feel like I gain a different perspective on it all.
Over the next few days I will begin to 'repost' my posts from last year that I wrote- Because I still feel like they do have alot of meaning, but I will also post something that God has revealed to me from over this last year.
I hope that you will stay tuned over the next few days for the passion week :)

~Blessings!
Taylor

Never Will I leave you, Never will I forsake you.

"Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5

God will NEVER leave us. and He will NEVER forsake us.

It struck me the other day when I had heard someone say that God wouldn't be there for them if they turned him away  too many times--  Which I think that God states here- NEVER will I Leave you, Never will I forsake you....

No matter how many times we 'leave' God. He is always there- forever- for all of eternity. God was the past, He's the present and He is the future. He is always there. Even  if you dont want him there- he's still there- you just need to reach out and connect with Him. He is waiting for you to have a relationship with Him. He is waiting for you to deepen your relationship with Him.

No matter what we are going through we can depend on him, no matter what we pray to him, he will never leave us. God loves us. We are to depend on him through all circumstances. I know that through some things it is hard to remember that God is there, and God is there to love us and to help us through it.... After all He has the ultimate plan. :) He wont let us down. :)