Pearls in the Kitchen

I wore pearls today and not only that, but I wore them in the kitchen while I made the most delicious german chocolate cake that was ever made by me ..... lol. And to be honest, I am not a cake person by any means, but I have never enjoyed myself so thoroughly as I did while I made this cake. I didn't plan to wear pearls while I frosted and put the finishing touches on my self proclaimed masterpiece, yet I found myself doing just that. In my Sunday dress, pearls and apron, I felt like a queen. Funny huh? It was like a dessert high, without even tasting the dessert. I felt I had joined the ranks of Julia Child, okay lets not boast that high, I don't even come close. Yet, there is something about feeling beautiful and baking that is just plain incredible, to me anyway. So, maybe next time before I put in that casserole or bake my next delicious dessert, I will take a minute and fasten those sweet glimmering pearls around my neck, so that I can have one moment (or two) of absolute simplicit joy. :)
This is the final masterpiece in all its chocolatey goodness!!

(Derek needed a slice :))

Just a few pics from the wedding

We are still waiting for our Pics to come back, but luckily for us, Derek's family took some pics and were kind enough to share them. So, because I can't wait to post them, here are some of them, just a taste of how much fun we had that night. We have wonderful families!!!

I am not sure how we all grew up so fast, but here is the most recent Walter family photo. 4 down, one to go (although not any time soon :)) I sure do love these guys! more than anything!

This is the beautiful cake! Isn't it lovely. Oh and did I mention that the top layer was a brownie? SO SO much better than cake! I almost didn't even mind when Derek shoved it in my face and wiped it all over my cheeks. :) . . almost.....

This is my bridal party and all of my nieces! Aren't they wonderful??

Leaving a trail behind us of bubbles and friends!

And no wedding reception would be complete without the getaway car, stolen of course and decorated by our friends and family :)
The End or just the beginning

Blessed

Life passess steadily by, moving all around us so quickly that it hardly grabs the attention it deserves. We move through our days, running from here to there, grabbing something at the store, paying this bill, or cleaning that room, going to work or working at home, no matter.. time passes in its constant steady way.

And then there are moments when the world seems to stop, all things around you grow quiet and still as one single moment defies all of times rushing and stands halted like an unexpected gift. These moments are so rare and precious that they leave an imprint on your heart that cannot be removed. My wedding day was filled with just such rare moments, some of which are too special to share, yet a few that might give you an idea of what I am talking about.

My reception was in the backyard at my WONDERFUL AND AMAZING aunt and Uncle's home. Their kindness and love towards me over the years was reflected a hundred times that night and so many nights before. The backyard was brilliant gleaming in lights and soft glow. The reds and oranges blended in to soft glows from the light. All the people I love, friends and family came from so far to share in this sweet memory with us. I have never smiled so much, nor been so happy. My heart filled to the brim with joy and I could feel it as it tingled throughout my body.

I would look over at the wonderful, kind, honest and loving man beside me and could feel the joy rush in waves and the excitement of a future to come. He is ever so attentive, especially when I am not feeling well, offering service is simply his second nature. I love him.

Throughout the night and days that have passed.. not quite a week, I have looked over my life and its hustle, its driving forward attitude and rushed hum drum. I have asked it to slow down, to allow a small halt so that I might take the time and realize over and over again that in order to truly enjoy a moment you must give it time to stop.

And sometimes, there is plenty of time to look around see you are blessed. I could not feel more grateful, more happiness than I do right now. What a world! What a life! How lucky we are to be a part of it all, to be alive, to be free, to be in love. :)

Engagement !!!!

So really, I have about a million things to do right now, but this is the funnest one so here it is. I promised pictures and by golly, I keep my promises (I had to think about that one for a minute just to make sure I wasn't telling a lie) So here they are :) without further adieu.

I love this picture!! I feel like we are in a photo shoot for Better Homes and Gardens.

Just a little bit of star-dazed gazing. Thought you all might enjoy as much as I did :)

Well thats all for now! I hope you enjoyed them. And for the record, my fiance is amazing ;)

Happiness

Again my life comes to a crossroads and I find myself at my computer as I have been at many of the crossroads in my life. So many times over the past years, I have shed tears, smiled, found myself on my knees searching for understanding, forgiveness and love. Its been a rollercoaster of emotions. I miss my nephew, and understanding has come slowly for me, possibly due to my stubborness.

Happiness #1

Yet, here I am a year and a month later and I am Happy. For me, it is a time of new beginnings, the start of something great and long awaited. I am engaged to a wonderful man, who makes me smile when I don't want to, who loves me in spite of myself and with whom I am the happiest. We are getting married on the 7th of August, just a little over a month. He has inspired me with his steady kindness, his love for others and his desire to be better everyday. Hopefully I will find a picture and post it so you all can have a visual . . . I learn more each day of the Lord's plan and timing. Derek asked me to marry him back in May. He turned my parents backyard into a memory I will not soon forget. Huge thanks to his brother and sister-in-law. Now I just need to say a quick word about my future-in-laws. Derek's family is amazing. I feel so lucky and so grateful for their kindness to me, and for their quick acceptance of me. I have already caught a glimpse of how much love exists within the Morris family and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of their family.

Happiness #2

My mom's birthday was just last week. She has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She is an amazing example to me and I hope that she realized how much we do love her as she went about her birthday. I really do have the most wonderful mother in the world!!

Happiness #3

Derek and I had my friend scott jarvie take our engagement pictures. He did an amazing job, of course. I will post pics as soon as I get them edited. :) Did I mention I am getting married :)???!!! to an amazing amazing man???!!!! jarviedigital.com

Well that is all I have to share for now. I will post sooner than later. I promise.

unlocking a broken heart

I wrote this a while back, but I didn't finish it till recently so here it is...
Unlocking a broken heart

To fix a heart one needs more than tools
To fix a heart one needs love , not a fool
Other errands are easy compared to this task
A broken heart hides its shattered glass

I met a man who had some tools
He said he’d fix me, but here were the rules
“There’s pain,” he said, “and emptiness
But there’s love too, such that words can’t express.”

“Walk with me.” he gently guides
Leaning on Him, I begin to confide
Rushing tears feel hot on my cheeks
As I talk of the pain of those last few weeks

“Come here my child,” reaching for my hand,
“I once stood where you now stand,
The pain was anguish, the journey long
But the Father asked and he’s never wrong”

"The cup was bitter, the cuts went deep
I, too, felt grief. I, too have promises to keep
I bore these trials so yours would be light
Hand in hand, we will endure the night"

Medals, eagles, and awards

My childhood was peppered with a series of goals each divided into a time period so that I could achieve them without too much grief (though my mom might disagree) That being said, I was looking through my jewelry box this morning for something to wear to church and came across the medallions I recieved while I was in young women's, a youth program in our church. Each year, I worked on goals, service projects and other similar tasks so that I could earn my Beehive, Mia Maid and Laurel medallions. For men, it is the boy scout program and eagle projects that help them to build character and teach them principles of hard work and what it means to be christ-like. As I held these medallions in my hand, I began to think of all the hours I spent doing my personal progress goals. Those goals kept me on track, helping me to learn what I didn't even know I needed. I contemplated on the goals I make in my life now. How are they similar? Do I make the right goals? I am getting better? Am I progressing or am I allowing myself to fall short of my potential because I haven't put the right goals into effect that will lead me to my best? Someone once told me that our progression is much like a descending escalator we are trying to walk up. If we stop we will move with the escalator, but if we use all of our strength we can successfully climb upwards. Goals are just the beginning. Acting on those goals, doing our best to be a little better, a little kinder, a little more loving, a little more diligent, a little more faithful, will bring us closer to our true potential. The medallions, the eagle were merely teaching tools meant to show us what it means to put your best foot forward and work for your highest potential. I think sometimes we get trapped in our own comfort zone and remain there for too long. The only way to grow is to set new goals, and move towards them, even if it means struggling a little and being uncomfortable at least in that you are reaching towards your best-self.