Partay for Prankster

I mentioned yesterday that Princess and Prankster were in town visiting. Life is always better when P & P are in town!

Prankster is officially a college graduate! Woo hoo! They came to town to do some work for Princess’s mom and step-dad but since they were here Princess thought it would be fun to throw a little party for her man.

It was a small, casual gathering. Just parents and grandparents. And one stray friend we found walking the streets. (Not really.)

Like I said we kept it casual and each family brought something so it was easy peasy. We had burgers, hot dogs, chips, snicker salad, veggie tray and Princess made cupcakes. 

Mmmm cupcakes!

Prankster, two of his sisters and Angel. 

Prankster, two of his brothers, one sister and Angel. I think they just got done doing a happy graduation pig pile on him!

Princess and weird faced Prankster with his sister and her husband, and his brother.

P & P with his parents.

Not sure what this is. I guess it’s Prankster, me and Pat just standing around. Fun times.

Here is Prankster with his in-laws. What a blessed guy to have two sets of in-laws!

Of course Caleb fell asleep at about 6:00 pm, right before the party started. I took this picture right as Grama Barb was saying, “I am smiling.” She’s so funny!

Princess and her mommy.

Prankster and that stray friend (Nick).

Prankster with Bubba after he finally woke up. He loves his big brother!

Princess and daddy. Love love love this picture!

Me and hubs.

Me and Princess.

Princess with her Grama Marlene and her mommy. Such pretty ladies!

Princess’s step-dad Dan. Like I said, fun times!

Bubba spent about 30 minutes punching these balloons. Look at that stance. This boy has got some skills. Or major agression.

Angel cakes with one of Princess’s yummy cupcakes!

We had such a great time celebrating Prankster’s graduation with all the family! We are so thankful that God brought him into Princess’s life (and ours!).

One year

Happy anniversary Princess and Prankster. We love ya more than cheese.

Who needs zoloft when you’ve got such great friends

I do! I do!

HAHA. That was supposed to be a joke.

Well anyway. Thank you so much for the encouraging comments, phone calls and emails. You have no idea what it means to me. I’m a homebound, hide-away type person and this whole thing just magnifies that. But to know that I can reach out and there are others going through the same thing and reminding myself that I’m not alone, it’s such a blessing.

I’ve thought alot about what I posted and I just want to clarify that I don’t think antidepressants are wrong or anything. And I don’t even think I’m ashamed about it.  I think it’s hard for me because one, I’m a stubborn, strong-willed, independent, get-er-done type person. And none of that matters with this. So it’s hard to swallow my pride and admit I can’t do this on my own.  And I also don’t want to rush into anything without looking at all the different options out there.

But I think it’s also hard because I have seen and experienced the depths of despair. God rescued me from a very dark, lonely and painful experience.  And honestly, this is nothing compared to that darkness that I experienced.  And so sometimes my brain or heart or maybe both can’t seem to understand why I need a pill to help me through this.  But most of the time my brain or heart or maybe both really does understand that God is working in me through that pill or whatever I decide is best to help me get some balance.  It’s just something I need to trust God with.

Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement. And again, if you’re struggling, please please talk with someone. God is enough and He will be your strength to see you through. But sometimes He uses people or medicine or both to see you through to the other side.

And now for your viewing pleasure. Some random pictures.

I’ve got ants. Not sure where those buggers are coming from.

In addition to the ant you will notice a fish cracker crumb (welcome home ants) and a big gauge in my floor from Caleb throwing his fork. I quit labeling after the grass cause I’d be labeling all night.  So to clarify, I know they are coming from outside and I know why they are coming in (because I don’t sweep often), I just don’t know how they are getting in. And excuse me while I go sweep.

Caleb playing with the dog’s water. I love his laugh. The other day I caught him trying to drink out of the bowl like a dog.

Angel eating her snack (cucumbers) outside on the picnic table by herself. Caleb was inside napping but she was content on this day to enjoy the cool breeze and a healthy snack all by herself.

Our garden. We planted tomatoes (regular and cherry), peppers (green, red, jalapeño, salsa and some kind of really hot variety), radishes, onions, carrots, lettuce, cauliflower, beans, peas, cucumbers, watermelon and pumpkin.  A bit ambitious ya think?

Princess and Prankster were here for a few days this week visiting. Such a blessing to have them home for a few days.  We enjoyed the awesome weather by swinging, playing ball outside and going for a walk.

Love this one of Caleb “flying”!

He looks so tall. Maybe it’s the boots?

We enjoyed a snack of cabbage with a little salt. You have no idea how happy this makes me. Growing up we’d eat raw cabbage and salt with my dad. Love that my kids love it too.  After about six pieces Angel was getting a little sick of it. She said, “I think the green kind would be better.”

Caught Caleb listening to Pat’s ipod.  When I checked the song it was Everything by Michael Buble. Hey, at least he’s got good taste.

Pat rock climbing at a friend’s house. If I could whistle, I would.

The kiddos with Ronald.

Who says this boy doesn’t have style?

Me and Patrick on “date with a camera part 3″.

And on that bad hair happy note, I’ll bid you good night. Have a great weekend.

(Clinging to this scripture tonight.)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14

Of course I’m not taking the blame for taking 10 months to post this

You see, I would have finished Princess’s wedding post a long time ago but there were so many stinking good pictures that I had to sort through and resize that it’s taken me 10 months to finally finish it up.

Well ok, maybe it’s a little bit my fault but I guess it’s better late than never. And even though this is going to be a really long post, too bad because I finally have all the pictures resized and so you’re getting them all!

(Since you’ve probably forgotten, click here to read the other wedding posts.)

We left off with getting ready on Saturday morning at the church. Pictures were scheduled for 9:30 am. Everyone was running a little bit behind schedule (except Princess) but I guess that’s probably to be expected. Thankfully Princess’ mom was thinking and brought activity bags for the kiddos. So along with that and wagon rides from Papa they kept pretty busy while we waited and took pictures.

And were as cute as can be in their wedding attire (or lack of in Caleb’s case).

It was close to 10 am when everyone was finally ready. It was time for the husband and wife to be to see each other. They met in the Sanctuary with only the photographer present…

It continued to rain throughout the day but it would let up for a few minutes and the photographer and wedding party would hustle to get some outside shots. And then everyone would come in again. And we’d repeat that a couple times.

The wedding party…

Bridesmaids…

Groomsmen…

Ushers…Prince is the second one from the left

Prankster’s family…

Princess’s mom’s family

Princess’s dad’s family…

Princess and Prankster with our immediate family…

One bummer was that we forgot to ask the photographer to take pictures of the entire side of Princess’s family. In most step-families that might seem weird but for us, we are all one big family (Princess’s mom and step-dad are Angel’s God-parents). So we were disappointed to not have a picture of all of us together.

Princess and Prankster with the flower girls (Angel and Prankster’s sister) and the ring bearer (chubby Caleb)…

We finally got through pictures of the bride and groom, wedding party and family and it was time to relax and have a light lunch (provided by a friend of Prankster’s family) until 1:00 pm.

The girls praying together just before walking down the aisle…

And helping the bride to cool off…

And before we knew it, it was 1:00 and our baby girl was getting married.

The wedding party waited patiently to be ushered into the church. My sister hung back to help Angel and Caleb get into the wagon and not kill each other in the process. The grandparents were ushered in first of course. And shortly after it was the parent’s turn. Seriously? I’m the step-mother of the bride? This can’t be happening.

I held it together pretty well. Until Princess’s step-dad got a hug from Prankster, sat down and lost it. Come on Dan!  I got under control until the moms all went up to light the unity candle. I was honored to be asked by Princess to do this with her mom and Prankster’s mom. While we were lighting the candle I lost it again (my composure, thankfully not the candle).

The wedding party came in and then Angel and Caleb. And I cried again. They did so good and had such proud looks on their faces. It was precious.  And finally it was time. Princess and Pat came down the aisle and Pat surprisingly didn’t cry.  He was (and is) so proud of his baby girl.

Pastor Bill officiated the ceremony and our friend Ryan gave an awesome message. After their vows and all the normal ceremony stuff they were pronounced mr and mrs. And kissed… (hee hee)

The parents praying over Princess and Prankster…

After that it was honestly all a blur. Greeting so many friends and family. It was very non-stressful though. The wedding coordinators of our church are amazing and they made the day so relaxing and fun. I can never thank them enough.  The food was amazing. We enjoyed visiting with everyone and sharing this special day with Princess and her new hubby.

Notes of encouragement. Friends and family were asked to leave notes of encouragement and advice for the newlyweds…

The amazing food…

Playing the marriage game. They were asked questions and had to raise Princess’s shoe is it was something she would do and raise Prankster’s shoe if it was something he would do. For example, “who will do the dishes?” I’m thinking Prankster is cheating in this picture…

Caleb was so wiped out! This was about 2 minutes after the ceremony…

My precious flower girl…

Cutting the cake…

Love the look Princess!

My parents with Angel…

My kiddos!

Me and my sister-in-law Leana…

Princess with Grandma Barb (Pat’s mom)…

Me with my sister and mom…

The moms…don’t they look amazing for having just planned a wedding?

Half way through the reception Pat and I drove to a nearby town (just 10 minutes away) to decorate the honeymoon suite for Princess and Prankster! While we hated missing part of the reception we had to make sure their room was perfect!  It was pretty funny as we came back into the church because they were kinda stalling waiting for us to get back.  Prankster’s dad had already shared a blessing for the kids and so it was Pat’s turn.

Before we came in the room Prankster was going on and on about his new parents. He shared how wonderful his parents were and how wonderful Princess’s mom and step-dad were and how wonderful Princess’s step-mom was. He then started talking about Pat and how intimidating he was and stuff like that. He wasn’t really saying how wonderful Pat was like he did for the other parents.  Just as he was talking about Pat we walked into the fellowship hall where the reception was.  It was absolute perfect timing because then Prankster tried to cover himself and say all these nice things about Pat.

Here’s Prankster’s dad sharing…

And the look on Prankster’s face when we Pat walked into the room (busted!)…

And Pat sharing…

Around 4:00 pm or so Princess and Prankster started saying their goodbyes. I would say it was probably 4:30 pm when they were ready to go. Their get-a-way vehicle was Pat’s Jeep and tragically we didn’t decorate it. I know they are probably not going to look back and be devastated by an un-decorated get-a-way vehicle but it caused me to lose sleep for a few days. (Imagine that, me getting upset about something so silly).  We blew bubbles as they ran out of the church and drove away.

Now the not so fun part began. The clean up! Isn’t it interesting that everyone seems to scatter during this part.  Well not everyone. We did have a good crew hang around and help us clean up.  And then it was home to crash.

The next day we met up with Princess and Prankster and all the family to open presents. They were so blessed by family and friends. They received many great gifts and lots of cash too.  The next morning they left for their honeymoon road trip to Florida.

Over 3 6 10 months later, surprisingly I don’t keep telling myself that I can’t believe she’s married. I can’t believe she’s all grown up but she’s such a fabulous wife that it just seems natural, it’s what God has called her to. Prankster is one blessed dude to have our baby girl as his honey until the end of time.  And we are thankful for Prankster and are blessed to have him in our family.

Our prayer for Princess and Prankster is that they would daily grow closer to Christ.  Because it’s through their relationship with Jesus that they can be the best husband and wife to each other and fall more and more in love every day!

A Friday night list

~Look, someone made a movie about my kids: http://judymoodymovie.com/

~Princess and Prankster are here visiting this weekend.  They didn’t get here until late last night and poor Angel was traumatized the entire day waiting for her big sister to get here.  They spent most of the day with us today as they have other people to visit the rest of the weekend.  Angel and Princess painted toenails, put barretts in each other’s hair and cuddled on the couch. Angel demanded her big sister’s constant time and attention and I’m pretty sure Princess will never have kids after coming to visit little brother and sister.

~The other night it was supper time and we asked Angel to come to the table.  She said, “I’m sorry but I really don’t have time to come.”

~Caleb says a hundred times a day, “ELF!” Which means LET ME DO IT BY MYSELF!

~Another conversation with Angel:

Me: It’s raining Angel.

Angel: Ohhh. Why is it raining?

Me: Well I guess God must have thought we needed rain.

Angel: Oh that’s right. To make the vegetables grow.

~After buying kale the other day to make this soup, I’ve been trying it with other recipes too. The other day for lunch I sautéed it in a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, added some chopped up chicken sausage (spinach mozzarella flavor) and then added an egg and scrambled it up a bit.  Very tasty.

~Today for supper I had a Coke and a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. We have some major life changes that need to take place people.

~I have really nothing in my brain right now and I’m debating whether or not to hit publish. This seems like a really lame, random post.  I guess that’s what my brain does when all I give it is soda and chocolate. Poor thing. Poor you.

Oh well. Enjoy your weekend!