Santa Barbara Mission/Wedding

So, Brent and I HAD to go to Santa Barbara for one of Brent's high school friend's wedding. Usually we don't make special out of town trips for weddings, but knowing that the wedding was going to be actually in Santa Barbara, we decided to make the special trip.

The wedding was on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The actual ceremony took place in the rose garden of the Santa Barbara Mission. It was very beautiful. This was a non-mormon and non-denominational wedding.

Brent and I figured out that we had to "glam it up" for this wedding. So, I borrowed from my good friend, Melissa Bird, the black dress, jewlery and high heels. I felt very glamorous, although the heels were killing me as soon as we had to walk 2 blocks to the mission.

The above picture is of the bell tower on top of the church.

Here's the fountain at the mission.

This was after the wedding. Brent's friend from high school also came to the wedding and kept us company. We tried getting into the picture the beautiful mission style homes in the background.

Darn this picture would have been great if that guy wasn't in the background.

Santa Barbara Wedding

So, this wedding was my first "non-mormon" wedding to go to. I was very excited to go and see how non-mormon people do a wedding. The reception was at the bride's home (which costs approximately 1 million dollars. Brent and I looked it up on-line), which was a block from the mission. They had fancy hors d'oeuvres like roasted eggplant wrapped around roasted tomatoe and goat cheese, figs stuffed with curred ham, brucheta, smoked beef wrapped around creamy mozzarrella cheese, and stuff like that. It was soo good. Dinner consisted of salad with truffel sause, prosciutto and cheese stuffed into chicken, rack of lamb, salmon and mashed potatoes. So, so hungry now...Unfortunately, all we had to drink was water. They had an "open" bar with plenty of wine and beer to drink, but no soda.

I tried to get a "professional" looking picture here, but couldn't.

I love cakes and so I had to take a picture. This was so good. it was lemon pound cake with lemon filling and frosting with raspberries in the actual cake. SOOOOO GOOD! It was also the first time I tasted fondant. Not that good. Along with the cake, they provided a gelato bar. I thought I was in heaven.

Here's Brent, with the groom, Brian Schwabecher, and Micah Eropkin. All high school buddies.

Letter from Heavenly Father

Dear Daughter,

I remember well the day you left my side, wandered through the veil and ventured forth to fulfill you earthly mission. I had a tear in my eye as I clothed your spirit in a cloak of love and sent you off to school. Be assured that my thoughts are with you now, as always.

I love you with all of my heart. I know your life, the good, the bad, your grief, your disappointments, your unrewarded efforts, your frustrations. But always remember--all that I have is yours if you will only come home again.

Daughter, realize that in you I have placed a bit of heaven. No one was exempt. I love all of my children. You have some blessed gift, some talent, some little part of me in you. Search for it, develop it, use it, and most importantly, share it with others. If you really love me, then help others find themselves and lead them to me. Show your love by serving others.

Repent of your failings and humble yourself. Make yourself ever teachable and continually strive to improve. I gave you weaknesses to help you be humble. Don't condemn me for that. I did it because I love you. Be full of hope. Don't let discouragement engulf you. I'll come if you need me.

Daughter, cease your idle contentions. Be a peacemaker, for it breaks my heart to see so many of my children fighting. If they could only see what I have hoped, planned and desired for them. My heart breaks as I watch them. But you, faithful daughter, are my hope. It is through you that my work must proceed. You haven't much time and there is so much work to be done. I beg you to get started. Accomplish the mission I gave to you before you left me. I'll help you. I'll never be too busy or too far away to come to you. I'm nearer to you always than you might suspect. I have so much I would like to tell you, but I can't here.

Come to me often in prayer. I love to talk to you, my beloved daughter. Be diligent in my work and my kingdom shall be yours. I'd love to take you in my arms, but I too, must wait patiently: that time will come. Till then I leave you my peace, my blessing, my love, and never forget I am nearby whenever you need me.

I love you and miss you so very much and, oh, how I am looking forward to your return to me.

All my love,

Your Heavenly Father

This 'letter' truly feels like it was written for me. I especially love the line, I gave you weaknesses to help you be humble. It seems so obvious now, but I had never thought of it quite that way before. I am trying to become humble so that someday, as the scripture says, my weaknesses can become strengths

4th of July

Here I am at home with my "kids", Charlie, Bauer & Layla. They are decked out in their homemade hankies that have the Army, Marine's and Navy patterns on them. THANK YOU to the service men and women who protect our country.

I spent my 4th of July with my family in Madera. Unfortunately Brent had to work that day (but that's okay because he got paid time and a half). I had a great time playing "Rock Band" with my sister Christina, who now lives in Orem, Utah. I just have to say that game is addicting.

Hair Cut(ts)

Here's the package all ready to go to Lock of Love.

Kind of gross to see my hair like it. This is actually about 11 inches cut off.

Here is the final "do". I LOVE my hair. I cannot believe that I have waited this long to cut it. I have felt my self-esteem rise a whole lot more. I feel more confident and beautiful. As odd as it may sound, I feel more "girly" with short hair than with long hair. I had so much fun with Melissa and Carissa. I feel good about donating my hair also and it will go to a child who has lost their hair.

Hair Cut(ts)

That is what was cut off. I was in shock and couldn't believe that I actually did it.

And here is my hair chopped off. I did cry. That's why you see me putting my glasses back on.

I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love. I couldn't bare the thought of my beautiful long hair going into the garbage. So, 10 inches was cut off for donation. Here is Carissa asking me one last time if I was ready to go for it.

This is now long my hair was.

So, I have been thinking about cutting my hair for a while now and finally decided to do it. I've told myself and my friends that I wouldn't cut my hair until I got pregnant. Well, obviously that has taken longer than I thought and I felt like I needed a change.

So, I had a friend of mine, Carissa Hosford, cut my this past week, along with my good friend Melissa Bird, who was a great support for me to do this. I didn't want to wait anymore until I become pregnant to do this so I decided to just do it.