Many Moments of Marital Bliss

Good Evening Family & Friends!

I hope that you are staying dry in this very wet and gloomy final weekend in January. We are t-minus five weeks away from the big day! We couldnt be more thrilled! It is now getting down to the grind! My mom and I have a goal of having everything completely assembled and ready to go by next weekend. It is feasible, but is going to be a lot of hard work. The hours seemed to slip by a little too quickly this weekend. My mom and I ran from store to store trying to find the last minute items that we need for the wedding and for set up. All I know is that my wedding is really becoming a dream lived out! Most of you know that I am obsessed with pictures and taking pictures. This weekend we got back the rest of the engagement pictures from our wonderful photographer Jonilyn. We are going to use her prints to decorate all around the reception hall. I will not include too many pictures, but let's just say, the entire place will be filled with so many captured moments and memories. Thank you again, Jonilyn for capturing those special times for us!

After running around like mad women, my mom and I were able to share the joy of wedding planning with the ladies of my church. Oh my goodness are they amazing! To be honest, they have already been caught up in this whirl wind since the moment Doug and I announced our engagement. Every lady has been so willing to help in any way possible. I found myself drooling over their precision and care this afternoon. This afternoon we hosted a wedding work party after church. The wonderful ladies of my church took time out of their busy lives to pay close attention to how they need to set up the tables at the reception hall. They took great care and detail to make sure each luminary glass was cleaned to perfection. They also spent a tireless amount of time personally assembling our toasting glasses! Each lady is also doing some very special things to help make our wedding day a dream! Thank you ladies for all of your hard work and time. When you all see these ladies running around the hall, please be sure to thank them. You will not be able to miss them. They will have lovely corsages and will probably be running all around the hall! Thank you ladies.

Now I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to my lovely ladies who are helping with the big day (and maintaining my mom & my sanity):

My mom has seriously devoted her entire life to making sure that this wedding goes as smoothly and beautifully as possible! My mom works full time for the water district and then comes home and works full time on wedding stuff. We ran around for about eight hours a day each day this weekend (and throughout Christmas break and many other weekends) and she still manages to devote even more time to make my/our day so special! When you walk into the reception hall and see the placemats, it is in that moment that you witness her genius! I am talented at this wedding stuff, but she has really been the brains behind the science of this wedding. I have merely had to add my finishing touches. Its been so great to have my mom do all of this. She knows me so well and thus she has been able to really pick apart my dreams and make them a reality! THANK YOU MOMMY! NOW GET SOME REST!

Introducing... Diane

Diane is one of those ladies who earns the title "Hostess with the Mostess." She has a knack for perfection and an eye for quality. Diane, along with Cheryl, is saving the day as far as food goes. Diane works tirelessly to make sure that all the food is in place as far as quantity and quality. She will be making much of our feast. While we are catering from two different places, she is tying everything so nicely together with her culinary touch. Thank you Diane for your hard work with the food, set-up, and decorating! You are a Godsend!

Introducing Cheryl

Cheryl will always have a special place in my heart. She is a very close friend of the family. From the moment we arrived in the San Bernardino area, she was incredibly welcoming and helpful! I would also like to say CONGRATS to her as she is a new grandma! :) Cheryl is also on the food, set-up and everything crew! Cheryl is an excellent chef and will be preparing some wonderful appetizers, fondue food components, fruit salad, and chinese chicken salad. She is also helping my mom out with my shower. Cheryl, I appreciate your unconditional love and kindness. Thank you for being such a huge part of our family! Thank you also for the peace of mind and love that you bring to our family!

Introducing Judy

Judy has been such an angel! She is also my kindred spirit! Every Sunday she has been so great about checking in with me and the progression of the wedding. She also has an eye for perfection. Judy has also been a God-send. She has also been so great about turning the glory to God in this entire wedding process! Thank you for all of the ribbon cutting, table perfecting, and prayers! You are helping to make this day so incredible!

Introducing Carla

Carla is my mom's church best friend. They are choir buddies, scrapbooking buddies, and kindred spirits! Carla also has a knack for the HGTV/Style type fashions. She is hip and in style. She was so cute when she brought her intense craft bag to the assembly meeting today! Thank you for all of the wonderful moments of laughter and joy! We can't wait til Caitlyn's confirmation! We know you will style that up!

Introducing Kim

Kim is such a wonderful woman! She is also crazy involved in the community and girl scouts. I really appreciate her sparing her time to help out. With all of her experience, I know that my set-up and decorations are in good hands! She and her husband Ron have been so great about encouraging Doug and me in our engagement! She certainly is a wonderful mother and woman of God! Thank you for your help!

Introducing Hannah

Hannah will get a separate introduction, as she is going to be my acolyte! She will not be able to be a part of the day of set-up crew, but she certainly sacrificed her time today (and next week) to help us set-up for the wedding! Thank you Hannah! You are a doll and I am so happy that you are a part of my life. You truly are a beautiful and amazing young woman. I know that your parents are so proud of you! More on Hannah to come soon!

Thank you ladies for everything! You are a gift from God! We could not do this without you!

35 days to go!

With love and excitment,

Doug & Beth <3