Easter

I know I'm running a little behind on this post but, I can't resist sharing my thoughts.

This Easter, for me, was unlike any other.  I don't know what it is lately but I have found that it has become easier to focus on the true meaning of special holidays.  I truly felt love and peace and a pure sense of joy focusing on my Savior and his resurrection this Easter.  That's how it was with Christmas this past year too.  I felt genuine happiness when focusing on Him rather than the gifts and the other distractions. I believe this ease comes with growing up and maturity, but it could also be because I've found true happiness over the past few years growing and relying on my own testimony as well as finding my eternal companion. 

Friends and family over social media made an incredible impact too. Mormon.org challenged members and others to hashtag "because of him" and post pictures on social media.  I first heard about it and saw it when my sister Angie posted a picture of her with Mom and Dad and the caption said "#BecauseofHim I can be a better daughter."  I looked on mormon.org to find out more about it. The rest of that week I saw so many people participating in this photo challenge. I was so happy to see so many spreading the gospel through social media. I love seeing those around me share with others what they know to be true. The hashtag was trending  for several days (for those who don't know what that means, it's when that specific hashtag - #becauseofhim - is one of the most common hashtags on social media). 

This was the photo challenge. Everyday there was a new theme or statement to post a photo with. 

I know that He is risen. And I am so indebted to Him for the sacrifice He made for me. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that I will be with my family for eternity. Life would be so different if I didn't know this. I'm at such peace knowing that I will never have to say a permanant goodbye to any of my loved ones. 

Reception Day

I'm finally getting around to posting all of my reception/wedding pictures. But, before I go any further I have to give my lovely photographer and beautiful sister-in-law, Jackie, a thank you shoutout...

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!

Jack, I could not be more in love with all our pictures. Adam and I love them and we will cherish them forever. They're beautiful. I love all the moments you captured. You are so wonderful and my family is so lucky to have a talented gal like you in our family - especiallyyyyy since we all completely lack any sort of artistic ability. ;)

If you want to see more of her photography visit http://jacquelynrobinsphotography.blogspot.com/

So, Adam and I got married on January 4th. However, we had our reception 2 days prior, on the 2nd. We did this to avoid all the hustle and bustle that often comes with wedding days. We're both SO happy we did it this way and I imagine our families are as well. We were able to relax all Thursday morning/afternoon and then were able to enjoy our reception. By the end of the reception we were pretty tired from standing in our 3 hour long line and, I can only imagine how much more tiring it would have been if we would have been busy all morning too. We were also able to take it slow after the reception - eat some food, look around at all that was set up at the reception. I feel like a lot of brides and grooms miss out on the beauty of their reception because they do pictures before, stand in line, and then take off on their honeymoon. Although some people might look at the fact that we weren't able to take off on our honeymoon right after as a downfall, I really was so happy I was able to relax and go home and go to bed. 

To allow my oldest brother and his family (who were back east visiting family for Christmas) to be there for my wedding, we waited till Saturday to get married. That, was the greatest day of my life. And I'll post some of those photos later. :)