What a Whirlwind...

I cannot believe that the wedding is over. It went by so fast. Everything was so beautiful.

Thursday I started to freak out because I realized that it was all about to happen. I didn't have everything I needed to finish completed yet. I stayed up until 3:45 in the morning on Thursday night working on a project for Perez. I started it 3 months ago after I went with her to find a wedding dress. I picked it back up again on Thursday night. It turned out just how I imagined it in my head so that is always nice. :) I still can't believe she is a married woman.

On Friday Alyssa and a lot of helpers poofed the poof balls & hung them, set up the guest wedding pictures on tables, lined up bottles of Jones soda (so cute!), and set up bride & groom boxes filled with cookies. I had to go to class on Friday morning so I missed out on the decorating. :( I got to see it through the window that night and it was so beautiful! Perez did an amazing job planning the wedding. I can't even believe she got it all done in 3 months...I just thought she was crazy.

Friday afternoon Liesel, Heidi, Perez, Nelwyn, and Perez's cousin's girlfriend Camy went to get our nails done. (I love getting my nails done but am not willing to spend that kind of money normally...I only get them done on special occasions like my prom, Perez's prom, my wedding, & now for Perez's wedding.) This time I didn't get fake nails...I just had them paint french manicure on my own nails. We got flowers painted on our big toes with a rhinestone in the middle. Needless to say, I think we all needed the relaxation. By the time I got out of the nail place I only had 30 minutes to get ready for the rehearsal. That is not very much time. So, Brad and I ended up being 15 minutes late...but it turned out to be okay because the pastor didn't show up for another 15 minutes.

The rehearsal was interesting...the pastor didn't really take the lead like Perez thought he would. We ended up being at the church for over an hour. After the rehearsal we went to eat at the restaurant where Josh works. The food was excellent. Shrimp, ham, chicken, veggies, cornbread, and strawberry kisses for dessert. Incidentally, Liesel, Andrew, his gf, Amanda, Dave, Brad, and I picked the "kids table" and they never gave us glasses of water or cornbread. We had to mooch off of the other tables and share one glass of water for a little while.

We watched the video that Vicki has been working on for the last few weeks. It had pictures of Alyssa and Josh growing up. It makes me cry every time. I loved the songs on it...

Heartland “I Loved Her First”

Look at the two of you dancing that way

Lost in the moment and each others face

So much in love you're alone in this place

Like there's nobody else in the world

I was enough for her not long ago

I was her number one

She told me so

And she still means the world to me

Just so you know

So be careful when you hold my girl

Time changes everything

Life must go on

And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first

And a place in my heart will always be hers

From the first breath she breathed

When she first smiled at me

I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she'd find you someday

But it still hard to give her away

I loved her first

How could that beautiful woman with you

Be the same freckle face kid that I knew

The one that I read all those fairy tales to

And tucked into bed all those nights

And I knew the first time I saw you with her

It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first

And a place in my heart will always be hers

From the first breath she breathed

When she first smiled at me

I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she'd find you someday

But its still hard to give her away

I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed

When she first smiled at me

I knew the love of a father runs deep

Someday you might know what I'm going through

When a miracle smiles up at you

I loved her first

Bob Dylan “Forever Young”

May God bless and keep you always,

May your wishes all come true,

May you always do for others

And let others do for you.

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung,

May you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,

May you grow up to be true,

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you.

May you always be courageous,

Stand upright and be strong,

May you stay forever young,Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,

May your feet always be swift,

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift.

May your heart always be joyful,

May your song always be sung,

May you stay forever young,

Forever young, forever young,

May you stay forever young.



Dave Matthews Band “Where Are You Going?”

Where are you going, with your long face pulling down?

Don't hide away, like an ocean

But you can't see, but you can... smell

And the sound of waves crashing down

I am no superman

I have no reasons for you

I am no hero; oh that's for sure

But I do know one thing

Is where you are, is where I belong

I do know where you go is where I wannna be

Where are you going? where do you go?

Are you looking for answers to questions under the stars?

If along the way you are growing weary, you can rest with me

Until a brighter day and you're OK

I am no superman

and I have no answers for you

I am no hero, oh that's for sure

But I do know one thing is

Where you are is where I belong

I do know where you go

Is where I wanna be

Where are you going? Where do you go?

Where do you go? Where are you going? Where do you go?

I am no superman

I have no answers for you

I am no hero; oh that's for sure

But I do know one thing

Is where you are is where I belong

I do know where you go is where I want to be

Where are you going?

Where do you go?


Ed Cash “Marry Me”

I knew the moment I first saw you,

our love was meant to be

It was only a matter of God's time

My instincts said to marry you,

Patience said to wait,

But I knew to let you go would be a crime.

Well I've seen so many faces,

I've seen so many smiles

But you are the only one for me.

And I know what grace is,

cause I've walked a million miles,

And after that my Jesus set me free.

So won't you marry me?

I'm down on my knee,

And carry me,

through the peaks and valley's,

pray with me,

Walk with me through this life,

I'm asking you to be my wife.

I can't wait to share my life with you,

I can't wait to make love,

I can't wait to give you all I've got to give.

Three way communication

And sweet compromise.

I can't wait for God to show us how to live.

Well I'll be with you forever,

and I know you feel the same,

Ain't no sense in getting married,

any other way.

Carrie, I hear sweet music at the sound of your name,

And I hope I never have to live another day, without you, soo

So Marry Me

I'm down on my knee,

And carry me,

through the peaks and valley's,

pray with me,

Walk with me through this life,

I'm asking you to be my wife.

I'm asking you to be my wife

ooh oooh ooh, ooh oh

I am crying like crazy as I read the lyrics...the Heartland song and the Ed Cash song really get me. When Alyssa danced with her daddy at the reception she had most of our table crying...Vicki, Amanda, me, my mom, and Liesel were all shedding tears. (lol I accidentally typed "shedding rears" instead of "shedding tears"...I guess we all wish we could do that, huh?!). Alyssa said that while they were dancing he would give her an update on who was crying. He was very emotional too...I don't think he thought that his little girl would be getting married first. When I asked him on Friday night at the rehearsal dinner if he was ready to give her away he said, "No way!" without hesitation. So sweet.

A lot of people cried during the video. Before it started I was telling Amanda and Dave how it always makes me cry when I watch it. I looked over at Liesel and she was already crying on photo #1! That video really pulls at the heartstrings, I tell you. Just such a beautiful way to see their lives united. I just love those two lovebirds!!!

Perez gave each of the bridesmaids a handwritten card. Liesel and I read ours and were bawling. We went over to her and took some pictures with her and she asked us if we liked the present...we told her the card was so wonderful we hadn't even opened the present yet.

She gave each of us a beautiful necklace that is silver plated with platinum with a silver chain. It is a circle with a diamond. SO BEAUTIFUL. I was really happy...I didn't have a necklace for the wedding.

It was a lovely evening...we were all praying for some rest that night...