Wedding

I love weddings and today we attended my cousin's wedding. Unfortunately, my camera does not take very good indoor pictures and so I didn't get any of the lovely bride and groom. I just love seeing two people so in love and with every wedding I attend I also offer a prayer to the Lord on their behalf. Marriage is not easy, but it wasn't meant to be easy. Our culture is such that it not only looks at divorce lightly but applauds it. No one is encouraged to work for their marriage, especially if it has gone down a rocky road. The truth is (if only people would see it!) that marriage is well worth the work! Marriage is not about what *I* get, how it effects *me*, how happy *I* am, it's about the other person. What can I do for *him*, how can I serve *her*. When we are putting ourselves first and are only happy if everything is going "my way" then we are not trully happy. Just like we can only be fully satisfied if we are putting Christ first in our lives, we can only be "happy" when we are looking at our marriage with a Servant's heart.

On a different note, here is a new "pregnancy picture". I am now 33 1/2 weeks along! That means less than 7 weeks until my due date! I'm so excited! I have come to love this Little One so much, and every time I feel it move it just fills my heart with joy and I can't wait to hold it in my arms!

And here is a picture of my wonderful husband! The most amazing man in the world!!!! :) (No, I don't care if anyone disagrees with me... (-; ) While we were waiting for the Bride and Groom we had passed the time taking pictures!

Home

We celebrated the end of our first year of marriage on Saturday by moving into our new place. No, I don't have pictures yet because there are still boxes everywhere, and I haven't taken any pictures yet. :) But soon, I promise to post some soon. :) Thanks to the help of family and friends we not only moved everything to our new place, but we also got our clothes put away, the kitchen completely unpacked and our Living Room well on its way all within about 6 hours! God is so good! It was so nice to be able to celebrate our 1-year anniversary, the beginning of our second year of marriage yesterday by relaxing and enjoying puttering around, organizing books, cooking in my kitchen and just enjoying the quietness of being together alone. It has been amost 7 1/2 months since we left our apartment and since then we've been living with different couples and families for different lengths of time as the Lord led us halfway across the country in a big circle, bringing us back to CT. It is so nice to have "our home" again and the timing was so perfect as our anniversary made it extra special. We still have much settling down to do but not only are we enjoying our new home but so is Scott's dog (who, I have to be honest, I like to bring in the house more often then leave her outside).

Contrary to the above, I did some searching and found a few pictures for you all.

Last night we enjoyed some of our Wedding Cake. It was very good and the rest of it is sitting in the fridge, just waiting for us to finish it. :)

And here is our dog. Not a very good picture, but you can also see that I do have cupboards in our new place. :)

I snapped this picture last night as well. It was the first (and is still the only) section in my Living Room that isn't furniture and is all set up. :)

And here is *us* at the wedding that Scott was in a couple weeks ago. We managed to take these pictures before the wedding started, and just before a thick fog rolled in.

Here is a close-up of my Beloved and I. I love him so much!!!

I am adjusting to having my own place again. One thing I love about our house is that it has a real-size Fridge! We've done a lot of grocery shopping already and I still have empty shelves! YAY! Our apartment had a full Freezer/Refrigerator, but the whole thing came up to my nose and there was one rack in the fridge, and no shelves on the drawer. I'm also working on keeping on top of my dishes! I used to let them pile up and wash them once a day, but I don't think I could stand for that much time in one spot now, so I just wash as I dirty. :)

I bought some adorable Winnie The Pooh themed material to make curtains for the baby's room and I can't wait to get them made and hang them. However, first I must empty the baby's room of all the boxes that are in there for me to "go through". It's piled pretty high right now, but thankfully it's a small room, so there can't be too much stuff in there. :)

Well, that's about all for now. Have a blessed week and I'll do my best to update frequently whenever I get internet access.

20 Weeks

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant!!!! Woohoo!!! [Approximately] half-way there! Hopefully this baby comes on time (or even a little early would be nice! :) ).

The baby weighs between 9 and 10 ounces and is over 6 inches long (head to rump). Including it's legs, the baby is approximately 10 inches long! So, all in all, the baby is somewhere around the length of a banana. Which seems very strange when I think that I have a baby that is that long in my belly! :) Unfortunately I have not taken any profile shots lately so I don't have a picture today. :( I will however try very hard to make sure there is one for my next post.

I know I haven't written in over a week, and I am sorry to say that it is because my mind seems to have shut down a bit. What I mean is that every time I think of writing a post, I can't think of a whole lot to write about. We are greatly enjoying being home and back with family. It seemed like we were gone for so long.

I am enjoying being home so much that I have been neglecting my computer. I have 100+ new emails and sometimes it gets a little too close to 200. I go through and delete the ones I can every few days, and tackle a handful of the emails that need responses and so on, and so forth. I think I got backed up when we first got back to CT and I didn't touch my computer for over a week!

Scott and I have been married for 10 months and 1 week. The day we got back (after driving 12 1/2 hours from NC) my husband ended up driving 12 1/2 hours back to NC that very night because of an emergency in his family. I stayed up here because mentally and physically I was not prepared for the trip so shortly after arriving home. The next day felt like torture. I started off the day trying to be cheerful and get the errands done that needed to be done (mind you I cried myself to sleep the night before). But it was not easy. In the entire time that we had been married, we had never spent more than 9 hours apart and knowing he was so far away did not help. He decided to fly back the following morning which meant so much to both of us, but I was very glad to learn (as a result of our short seperation) that I loved him so much I couldn't bear being apart for even 36 hours! It gave me a greater understanding of what it must be like for all the wives of our men overseas and made me value my time with my husband even more. I know that in the future there will be nights when we will not be able to be together because of book stuff and what not, but I am determined to keep the number of those nights as low as possible! The baby and I will go wherever he goes, no matter what it means. I am so thankful and grateful for my husband. God continues to amaze me in how His blessings continue to overflow.

This month is a very special month as it is my parents' 25th wedding anniversary and my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful that God has given me such a great example of what it means to stick things out and be willing to walk together through the thick and thin.

Well, I guess I did find something to write about. I hope it wasn't too confusing! :)

Long Time

Wow! I had not realized that it has been an entire month since I last posted. Time certainly does fly. The last month has definately been a good month though. Scott's book is selling well and we have officially passed the 1,000 mark. (YAY!!!!!!) We have had many booksignings over the last month and most of them we have sold out.

The last 2 weeks have been lots of fun as my Uncle, his oldest son, and my Aunt and her son all from CA were visiting, and so we had lots of family get togethers. It was the first time in 12 years that my Mom, her 3 sisters, and their brother were all together in the same room. It was lots of fun to listen to them all talking, especially when they started telling stories of when they were younger. It was a great time, although I must admit that some of my "housekeeping" duties got a little neglected. Although I still kept on top of dishes and laundry. :)

The best night was on Friday. My cousin (S) stayed with my family the entire time they were here, except for one night, and as the days went by, he was asking my brothers about the Lord, and being saved. They shared their testimonies with him (he's 11) at one point, and he kept saying that he wanted to be saved. Every night, my sister (C) prays for each of the younger kids individually, and so my cousin wanted her to pray for him every night too. Well, on Friday, everyone was getting ready for bed, but my brother-in-law and I were over and we were going to stay up with 2 of my sisters (C & R) and watch a movie or something. My parents headed to bed and we were instructed to make sure that the boys quieted down soon and went to sleep. Shortly after that, my youngest brother came out and asked C to come into their room. She went in there, and the boys told her that S wanted to be saved. (Praise the Lord!) So C spent quite some time talking with him and sharing different things from the Bible with him and he accepted the Lord as his Savior. It was so awesome! Us older "kids" went in and prayed with him/over him, afterward, and then when we came back out, we just had to keep talking about the Lord. We sat up for over 2 hours after that, talking about the Lord, and His word, and living for Him, and it was just a great time of fellowshipping with other believers who just happen to be your sisters and brother. :) It was incredible.

On a different note, here are a few pictures from the wedding, finally! Enjoy!!!

This is my friend Kelsie, and I while we were at the hall setting things up, the day before the wedding.

This is Kelsie and I on our way home from the rehearsal (we went home and I pampered us and my family. We all soaked our feet and we did our hands too. It was very relaxing!).

Me taking out my hair on the way to the church (we were running later than I had planned and my hair had to "set" before I could do anything to it. Yes, I did my own hair, and it was the best thing to do, for me anyway. I was totally relaxed about my hair and did a "style" that no matter how it turned out, it would look good, and I'd be happy with it.).

Kelsie and I before the ceremony.

Me and my beautiful Flower Girl (my youngest sister). My hair was still "setting" and so for some of these "before the ceremony" pictures, my hair doesn't always look good, but it's okay for this one. :)

Yes, Scott carried me down the aisle. Everyone loved it. Everyone also said that he "swooped" me up very smoothly, but we did practice several times. :)

Husband and Wife

I'm so happy!!!

Attention to all blog readers::::: I am now Mrs. Scott Appleton! The wedding was beautiful! And the Honeymoon was just wonderful! Lots of pictures coming, but for now I must go home and straighten our apartment before my husband comes home. :)

Sweet dreams....

34 HOURS!!!!!

34 Hours till walking down the aisle. I'm so excited. I'm still not stressed out, Praise the Lord! :) Everything is coming together. Kelsie is here (pictures after the honeymoon, probably) and she has been a FABULOUS help as well as all of my family and friends. There is still much to do, but I'm confident. All that matters is that we're getting married and everyone enjoys themselves (including us) at the wedding. :) The rest is all in God's hands. He knows what does and doesn't need to happen/get done.

5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

There is so much to do, and so little time. :) I only have a second to post here, but I just HAD to update the countdown! :) Please keep us all in prayer as we work on everything this week and try not to get stressed out, and emotions are running high. Thank you! :)

5 days!!!! Wow! I can hardly wait! :) The apartment looks great except for the bedroom which at the moment is full of stuff that needs to be organized. :)

More soon.....

Only 10 DAYS!!!

10 Days left, and SO much to do!!! :) Hopefully we'll get everything done. Hannah and I figured out the decorations for the church yesterday. It will be perfect. :)

My Mother-in-Love, made the practice cake this week and she's all ready for the big one next week. :) We finally figured out how the cake is going to be decorated. I had an idea of how I wanted it, but then we had to try and find those accessories. Praise the Lord! everything worked out. :)

I realized the other night that I have to pack up and move from my home in less than 2 weeks. Even though I knew all of this was coming, and I thought I was fully prepared for it, apparently I wasn't. All of a sudden, it just struck that I'm moving out. Wierd. :) I can't wait to move into the apartment, but all of a sudden the reality hit that I'm moving. I'm supposed to be moving, that's what should happen. It's just strange, I guess. I'm probably not making much sense to anyone, or maybe I am to those who have already experienced this, or maybe I'm the only one (which I doubt, at least I hope not). :)

How many days left?

Only 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything is coming together. The Bridesmaids dresses are completely done. We have to work on the favors, but everything is coming together. My Mom and I just finished making sure the beading was all secure on my dress before sending it to the cleaner's this weekend to be cleaned and pressed and then hung in my room all laid out with a sheet over it, until the wedding.

I'm working on a post on the apartment, and the progression of everything, but I still haven't uploaded all the photos yet, but it is in the works. :)

3 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 Days and I will be married!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. Scott Appleton! That is who I'll be!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited! I can't wait. Everything is coming together so nicely. The last BM dress is being finished today and then my Grandmother and Mother will be all done with their wonderful, faithful work! This wouldn't have been possible without them.

My Dad took me out for my Birthday last night and we had a lovely time enjoying dinner and then I showed him the apartment with some furniture in it since he hadn't seen it since before I painted. It was a great night with my Dad. :)

I would write more, but today is a very busy day. Pick up Mana, book signing, and then a PartyLite show tonight. Busy, busy, busy. :)

Can you say. . .

36 Days!!!!!!

That's right, only 36 days left. That is, 35 days, 10 hours, and 25 minutes until I will be Scott's wife! :) Everything is moving right along. I just finished tagging all the boutonnieres for the Groomsmen. I'm working on the Seating chart (which is close to half-way done) and my Sister-in-law-to-be has started taking care of part of the favors for me (she is such a great sister and friend).

The book is doing great, and we finally have the Hardcover Edition It looks so great, and it is so rewarding for my Man to have the Hardcover. :)

Scott's parents bought us a Glider/Rocking chair last week and we moved it into the apartment on Wednesday. Scott really likes it, and I know he will do lots of writing in it. :) On Thursday we went and found the perfect couch (well, loveseat, that is) for our little place. We can't wait to get it moved in.

I am also starting out on a new venture as a PartyLite Consultant. I am so excited. My starter show is next Friday. I'm going to try to do 6 shows by the end of this month, before the wedding. :)

So yes, I am very busy. I am most excited this coming week because I get to watch my little nephew for a few hours. He is getting so big already. and is absolutely adorable! :) It is so amazing to me how God's design is so intricate and how a little baby can be so small, and yet grow so quickly. How anyone can believe that we "evolved from monkeys (or something else)" is far beyond me. There are miracles everywhere, that everyone sees, that if they just took a moment, they would realize just how AMAZING God is. I can't help but just stand in awe of my Awesome God.

Things

46 days!

It is less than 7 weeks to the wedding now (the days seem to be going by so much faster now). I'm so happy (and I have many reasons to be). God is working out everything just beautifully. The Bridesmaids dresses are at a standstill for approximately 10 more days as we wait for two of my girls to return home from college (Praise the Lord, they both go to colleges that let out early rather than some that don't get out till closer to the end of May!). In the meantime my family is working on repainting several of the rooms in our house and I am working on slowly packing away things that I know I won't need for a couple years.

I had my pre-bridal portrait shoot done today, and it is going to drive me crazy not being able to show the proofs to My Man once they come in. But at least I'll only have to wait a few weeks instead of months. :) (I'm working on looking at the positive side of things. :) )

God is so good. I am so thankful for all the work that He is doing in my life and for how He continues to amaze me with working out little details that I never would have thought of regarding a number of different things. Without God, we are nothing, I am nothing. I can't imagine what it is like to not know God, to not be in a relationship with God. As we get closer to the wedding, I'm still not stressed or worried about anything although I know there are lots of things to do in the next 6 weeks. I'm sure that I will have moments of being stressed out in the weeks to come, but I know that God is in control, everything is in His hands, He knows what will happen, and I know I can rest in Him.

Happenings

It is now only 53 days to The Wedding. Much is happening. Scott has cleaned the carpets in the apartment (the pic's are still on my camera) and I have painted the living rm, kitchen and bathroom (with help from my lovely Aunt).

A week and a half ago my church surprised me with a shower, and as a result I have started moving little stuff over to the apartment. We were very blessed. We received lots of helpful, useful things. I can't wait to get everything set up.

My Grandparents were parked in our driveway the last 3 weeks and so my Mom and my Grandmother were able to get the bulk of the sewing done for the Bridesmaids dresses and the Flower Girl dress as well as alter my Dress. Now we're waiting on the rest of the trim to come in and for 2 of my girls to return home from College so we can finish all the dresses. They look beautiful.

I had a terrible cold/sinus infection over the past week, but the Lord helped me carry on and Scott and I were able to get lots of promotion done for the book as well as book several more events.

We have less than 8 weeks left to go, and we have much to do, but as we've seen up to this point, God has everything in His hands, and He will work everything out to the last detail, including work, the book, the Wedding, and after the Wedding as well. We know He is in control, and it is a blessing to be able to trust everything to His trusting, faithful hands.

Shoes

I love shoes. Ask anyone, I have several pairs of shoes (not as many as some, as I do get rid of the shoes I don't wear or that don't fit me) and I never have enough. But shoes for me have to be pretty and comfortable. So naturally, for my Wedding day I have to have just the right pair of shoes. Now, just one year ago I discovered my absolute favorite pair of shoes. They are "American Eagle Millie Bow Ballet" from Payless. At the time there were 3 colors. Black, Pink and White. I bought the Black ones and told my Mom that "I really should buy these white ones too because they would make the PERFECT wedding shoes." Of course my Mom did not go for that as "it could be 5 years before you wore them." Well, then I got engaged, and there was a "slight" problem (as far as attire/shoes go). The shoes now only came in Black, Brown, and Shimmery Gold. And, I knew that the White shoes would be perfect. They're flats, they're comfortable, and they would go perfectly with my dress. Buuuuutttttt, they weren't available. So, I didn't stress too much over it. I just kept praying and hoping that come spring they would have the White shoes again. So, now that it's March, I went online yesterday to see what I could find because I had decided that these would be the perfect shoes for the Bridesmaids as well. Low and behold, Praise the Lord, the white shoes were there! I am so happy. We ordered all 9 pairs that were needed and they're coming next week. So, here are the shoes:

Praise the Lord!!!!

We got an apartment!!!! We didn't realize it at first, but God timed everything perfectly. Now I can work on the major cleaning during March (before anything goes in) and then not have to worry about it, come April and May while we're working on making the 9 dresses for the Flower Girl and Bridesmaids and altering my dress among all the other wedding things that we are going to have to do. The apartment is maybe 10 minutes from Scott's parent's house and 15 minutes from my family's house. And, it is closer to work for Scott (another Praise!). We go to get the keys this week. I am so excited. It seems kind of "surreal" as my Mom would say. I've already made out a long cleaning list, room to room. The kitchen and living room is one room. Half is carpeted, and the other half is linoleum. The counters/cabinets are all along one wall. It has lots of counter space (which is a "biggy" for me) and lots of cabinets too! It's small, but it's perfect for us! :) I'm already planning on how I want to set up things. The only pieces of furniture we need are a couch or love seat and an arm chair. God has already provided us with a bed, dining room set, coffee table and end table. We also already have bureaus and a desk.

I just finished printing off our Wedding Invitations (and response cards). They look great and now we have a whole month to fill out the envelopes.

My youngest sister is getting baptized tonight (Praise the Lord!). She's the last one of the seven of us. My youngest brother was baptized a few weeks back, and it is so exciting to see how even though they're young, they not only understand about salvation, but about baptism too.