I was that girl.

The car drove under the overpass and you could hear the bass booming. The rhythms of the song made the rear-view mirror shake. Who in the world would need to listen to a song that loud?


Oh, that was me today. I was that girl. Listening to Kristy Nockels sing Waiting Here For You. I cranked up the bass and turned it up so loud I couldn't hear myself sing.

Hunting + Kayaks

Jianna and I laid on her bed with our hair hanging off the end...just talking. She was so excited to get to fly to Colorado and visit her Uncle Shane. Oh and shoot a bear. Yes, my 8 year old sister wants to hunt a bear in Colorado. I texted my uncle and we laughed about it because Jianna couldn't hurt a thing.

After they traveled to Pike's Peak earlier this week, this is the update we received:
Jianna decided that after walking around in the woods on Pikes Peak that she didn't want to see bears or moose, unless they were in cages. She added that she didn't want to hunt anything anymore because she didn't want to kill any of the animals. 
We have decided to postpone the Great Hunting Trip of 2012 to another year.

She is also pretty good with numbers:

We saw the preview for the Ice Age movie (we had watched Ice Age last night). I mentioned that it comes out on July 17th. Jenna said she really wants to see it. Jianna replies "That is two days after your milk expires and two days before your other milk expires."

What Jianna would do if she was lost in the woods:

I would use a stick to carve another stick and kill a bear. Uncle Shane replied "I'm not sure that is what would happen.". She replied "I know, I'd just die."

 And because every post is better with a picture, here is one from our kayaking trip last night.

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: John + Mel

Protection was the word that came to her mind when she first met him. Because no matter which girl it was in their church family, he would protect them. Like a brother does a sister. Sometime between the first and second date they decided to remain friends and not pursue a relationship. And for a year Melissa talked herself out of having feelings for him.

After the second date, she couldn't ignore her feelings anymore and under the counsel of wise women she began to pray for him and his future as well as her own. Be it together or apart. Every thought she had of him was taken captive and given to God and she surrendered her future to Him.

When he wanted to get together to talk, she knew it would be bad. He probably didn't like her anymore or even liked someone else. He arrived with flowers and asked if he could pursue her and she was all in. Who was this wonderful man that God had given to her?


Their wedding was nothing short of incredible. From the gasps after Mel stood in front of her bridesmaids in her wedding dress to the cheers after John & Mel shared their first kiss, their wedding was truly a celebration. Of love. It was a celebration of His goodness. And I was so blessed to be there and celebrate with them.

John and Mel, I am so thankful I know you both. And that I can call you my friends.

I love all of the little details that were incorporated into the wedding. Mel was incredibly close to her grandmother and chose to wear an antique necklace from her grandmother's jewelry box. The sewing basket below was given to Mel by her mom.

Mel's mom made a clutch for each bridesmaid :) LOVE IT!

Mel's bridesmaids were so kind and excited for Mel. Truly a lovely bunch.

oh Mel, you are gorgeous.

a moment for handwritten vows...

 and the moments leading up to their first kiss...

and a little celebration from the whole bunch!

Mel wanted each bridesmaid to go with a shade of teal and find a dress that really fit their personality. 

we snuck away before the reception for a few photos. 

And arrived just in time to set sail on the Majestic

and then after the reception...

You guys are incredible!!

lovely, Mel. Just lovely.

really?? this is a favorite for sure!

I will end on this sweet note :) Love you both!!

Don't miss their website here: http://johnandmelissa.jordanbrittley.com/

superhero movies + oreo shakes

I am the oldest of four girls and it's really hard to explain how I love my sisters. Simply put, it's a lot. The youngest two are in Colorado this week visiting my uncle and the next oldest is heading up here tomorrow to spend some time by the pool and see the great city of St Louis. and i am so excited!! Late nights watching superhero movies and eating oreo shakes... Jaelyn putting WAY too much chocolate syrup in hers.

She will be completely spoiled for the next few days. && if for some reason I am not putting forth enough spoiling, Isaac will definitely pick up the slack. He's like that. All nice and everything :)

and who knows? we just may end up with some pics at the end...

hopefully we will have more than an instagram pic by the end of this weekend :)

thankfulness

I called him from the hotel room and told him I was getting settled in and the restaurant downstairs smells soooooooo good. We visited about my flights and his day at work. I was missing him already. 

When we hung up, I ordered in and opened the windows to catch the last of a gorgeous sunset. I flipped on the tv to watch the olympic trials and just soaked it up. life. I love living life. I want to enjoy every minute of it && I want to be thankful for small blessings:

1. delicious food from hotel restaurants
2. couches by the window
3. gorgeous sunsets
4. phone calls from my husband
5. orange ginger shampoo 
6. shuttles to the airport
7. sheets that smell like vanilla
8. fluffy pillows
9. watching the olympics on tv
10. people that smile back at me

happy monday :)