Joshua & Jennifer 4-12-08

Yesterday was a very good day! I had been praying to feel better so that I could go to my brother's wedding. Actually, I knew I wouldn't have missed it for the world, but I didn't want to look ratty and only be able to stay for a little while. God came through and I felt 75% better by show-time, so off we went. The ceremony was small but lovely. Jennifer was so frazzled she forgot to put her veil on (poor girl). It's one of those little nagging things that is bothering her about her wedding day now--she didn't even have her veil on. If that was the worst thing that happened to her, she's pretty lucky! :)

Josh was sooooo nervous! But he looked super handsome and even surprised Jen by shaving off that stupid piece of hair on his chin (not quite a goatee, not a beard) that she hated and surprised her at the ceremony with a clean-shaved chin. :) I was going to get a picture of her coming into the auditorium, but thought it was way more priceless to get a picture of his face the instant he saw her for the first time.

He tries to be so stoic, but you can see the flicker of excitement, joy and love in his eyes....I think it's so priceless. It really made my heart happy to see him surrendering to doing the right thing and also to what his heart has known it's wanted for a long time. He was so afraid to get hurt that he had such a wall built up for so long. They've been together for six years and he refused to get married. At Christmas he finally gave in and asked her to marry him and his attitude has been lighter, happier and more peaceful every since. He finally made the decision and saw that the sky didn't come tumbling down and that things really are going to be ok. It does my heart good to see my only "real" brother finally at peace. Just a few weeks after proposing they found out that Jen is pregnant, so it really WAS time to settle down! She's due in September and this will be the first niece or nephew that I have that I will actually get to know. I once saw one of my nephews at Wal-Mart and didn't even say anything to him because I knew he would be clueless as to who I was. It makes me really sad.

The reception was nice...especially after everyone ate and they agreed to let us turn off the lights. It was a much nicer atmosphere then and there was lots of dancing, hugging and laughing.

I skipped my spot at the "reserved" table in order to sit with my cousin Michelle ("Chelli") and her husband Dewey, and my other cousin Ken (who will always be "Kenny" to me) and his wife Amy.

Chelli and I are only 6 months apart and were practically raised together. She's like the only sister that I have.

Ken is her little brother. He and Amy are probably my favorite couple ever. They are just two of those people who have it all together if you know what I mean. They have been together since Amy was 15 I think it was, and both graduated college and have VERY successful careers (all the material stuff to go with it), but are still so humble and sweet. They come down from Michigan for every single family function (more than I can say for myself!) and are very loving and loyal. And after all of these years, they are still so into each other that I just stare at them in adoration. They still enjoy each other's company, laugh at each others jokes and even bump and grind on the dance floor. Amy is pregnant with their first baby now and looked so cute with her baby bump. :)

My husband was a bit of a bump on a log (what else is new). I wished he were more interactive, but oh well...I had a nice time regardless of how he chooses to look or act. My step-brother Bud and his wife Sue came from West Virginia with my parents. My Grandma even stayed until midnight. My uncle Jim DJ'd and in his typical crazy fashion stole the bride's veil and wore it for a while (he wore my petticoat at my wedding. lol).

My parents even danced together for the first time in 22 years! I don't think I've ever seen my mom look so happy.
Overall it was just a really nice family time and I was thrilled that I got to be there and I have to say that I love each and every member of my family. It may be a crazy family, but it's my family--and I love them. Here's to Joshua and Jennifer---may they live a long, happy, crazy and love-filled life together!