THANKSforGIVING!

It's November and I can hardly believe it. If you've been following along at all, you know that means I am a married woman. Sorry, fellas! The other big news is that we're expecting an addition to our home, and it's not a puppy like I'd hoped. That's right. Baby number two is holding court in my gut. It's been a menacing little punk, too! I've been feeling craptastic off and on for some time now, but I am hoping the worst of it is over. I'm approximately 11 weeks along, so I'm due for a break in the queasiness and cravings. It was a major surprise -- but at the end of the day, we're excited and happy and welcoming. It's a new chapter for all of us.

Back to the wedding, though. I usually tend to give extra thanks in November, for it IS the month of giving thanks. But this November I feel a stronger need to be thankful for my friends and family who helped me pull it all off. I'm not going to be thanking my husband, however, because he didn't really do shit. Ha ha!

First and foremost I want to thank my Mom and Pops, who helped pay a portion of the venue where the festivities took place, and who helped pull everything together last minute that was falling apart. They managed food, purchased last minute items, and helped clean up and move out. I couldn't have done it without you guys. (An extra thanks to my dad for walking me down the aisle. A moment every daughter dreams of!!)

An enormous thank you to my nephew, Jammin, who played a beautiful song on the piano while the wedding party walked in. It was the best present I got all evening.
It made the evening even more special, having him a part of it. The song choice was perfect and the delivery was flawless. Thanks to his mom, my sister Karmyn for helping him to perfect the song. My sister and her husband also helped with setting up. They strung paper lanterns and set tables, and for that I am forever grateful.

Another special thanks goes out to my friend Rashelle and her husband, Justin. They helped prepare food for the reception. Justin loves to cook and was insistent that I let him prepare and cook. I'm glad I agreed! I purchased some ingredients for fried rice, which was delicious. And then as our wedding present, Justin and Rashelle purchased chicken, prepared two different kinds of homemade marinades, and BBQ'd up some of the best chicken skewers EVER. Lots of compliments on the food, guys. And appreciated in a way you can't begin to imagine.

That thank you extends to Jaden, who helped the aforementioned lovebirds prepare the skewers, and also for helping me to find someone to do my hair and tend bar for the reception. It was great that she took care of that for me, as it was one less thing I had to do.

Now on to the bridal party. What can I say about my Maid of Honor, except that she's my best friend in the entire world. I've known her for 17 years and we've already shared a lifetime of memories. She looked absolutely beautiful in her gown. I couldn't imagine getting married without her by my side. Her and Jason, her incredible husband, paid for the linens as our wedding present. They will never know how much I appreciate that gesture. When I was in the throws of planning a wedding, I was overwhelmed by the vast majority of things to do, and the cost of those things to do. Their offer to help with that was welcomed and enormously appreciated. Olivia, Sara's daughter and one of my first loves, did her own part in helping to pull the wedding together, and I love and appreciate her, too.




Novella was my bridesmaid and only other attendant. She was also stunning in her dress. As I stood in the mirror and stared at the girls looking back at us, I realized that I made the perfect choice. Novella is the person who was supposed to be standing there with Sara and I, and I felt so thankful in that moment to have made such a great friend when I first moved to Portland. She brought floating candles for the center pieces, which was greatly appreciated... and she also gave a toast that brought tears to my eyes! Thank you, Novella, for everything.

Joey's brothers were his groomsmen, and I thank them wholeheartedly for being a part of our special day. His oldest brother, Gary, made the wedding cake. He spent a year with his family in France studying French baking and was eager and happy to make the cake for our special occasion. He made three tiers, each its own flavor.
He even made one tier gluten free to accommodate some of my guests. In the haste of the evening, I forgot to announce that and I'm afraid nobody knew. Nonetheless, an extra-special shoutout goes to Gary for making such a beautiful and yummy cake for us.

A MEGA thank you to my (now official) mother-in-law, Kathy. Kathy was responsible for so many things from beginning to end. She created the amazing invitations. They were perfect and I know she went to a ton of trouble to make them so. She brought cutlery and cups and napkins for the reception. She brought the fabric pens for the wedding quilt. (Unfortunately, there was a gang shooting not far from the ballroom and the mother and father of the groom were stuck in police traffic and almost late for the wedding! But they arrived and the show went on!) Kathy may never know how much her help was appreciated. However, I hope she does. I'm lucky to have her as my mother-in-law.

Thank you to Ashley for hooking me up with her grandma, who catered most of the event, and for helping with the food throughout the evening. It meant a lot!

Thank you to Janice for helping with the cake and for running last-minute errands!

Thank you to Angela for helping put together the centerpieces!

Thank you to Kendelle for helping me with so many of the little details and for all the support leading up to the big day!!

Thank you to my niece, Buttercup, for manning the quilt station and learning to adjust her position due to glitches in the plan.

Thank you to my daughter for being the most adorable flower girl ever!

Thank you to Odin, our nephew, for bearing the rings. He was awesome!

She ended up having to leave early because of some chest pain (and she's pregnant), but a HUGE thank you to Lynn Foster for doing our photographs! They turned out amazing and I appreciate her willingness to help.

Thank you to the best officiant this side of the Rockies. Kat was THE perfect choice and even my mother thought so. Kat's delivery of the vows (which I, ahem, wrote myself) was flawless and calming and perfect.
She helped out a ton with the set-up, too, which was beyond her scope of duties. She was amazing. Thanks, Kat!!

And thank you to all the people who pulled their weight and helped make this wedding possible. I appreciate each and every one of you for helping to make the wedding happen! There were glitches and hiccups along the way, but it came together and we were married, and that's all that mattered in the end. I am thankful for every person who traveled long-distance to be there. I am grateful for every person who gave up their Saturday night to witness such an important event. I read every card, cherished every gift, and love each and every person who was there in body AND spirit.

And I now pronounce you HUSBAND AND WIFE.