Update: Le Wedding.

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flashback

I'm in between making homemade danishes and cooking actual dinner. I flipped through old pictures of Tedrick and I. We look so young. Young love. So sweet. I'd thought I would share. Our friend Shak took these on a rather spontaneous day out in New Orleans.

Lil Ones

The picture is of a pretty darn cool kid I met a couple years ago on the street in New Orleans. Leaving him behind was real TOUGH. I miss being able to pick him up from school and help him with his homework. He used to spend Sundays riding around with me or coming to my house to eat and play board games. Anyways... He wrote me a letter. Didn't know how to address the envelope and it came back to him twice so he had someone email it to me. So sweet, and fromt his heart. I wish it was hand written but here it is.

The Day I Smiled to BIG

You dream about it.
You practice with your friends.
You laugh and getting gitty thinking about this.
Your wedding dress, your hair, your wedding day.

Throughout the whole night of our ceremony, reception, and into our honeymoon I was in love with my hair. I didn't want to take it down. I'd probably be wearing the same style today if I could have left it in. Can you believe I didn't even know how I was going to wear my hair walking into the Salon on my wedding day. I was more than nervous about it. You see, we did a 'trial run' and I did not like it at all. I had faith in my stylist. She worked her magic and I loved it (good thing, right?)!!

At first, I had no idea what I would like for either. As I slipped in and out of huge white gowns in one stuffy dressing room to the next, I started getting an idea what I wanted. I first fell in love with a dress at Yvonne La Fleur's. Yvonne's boutique is filled with reasonable priced sample dresses. If you purchase your dress their they custom make one just for you. Although, I loved it I knew I wanted to look more. I keep referring back to a J.Crew dress that was sadly 'out of stock' and 'out of my price range'. The search progressed and I wasn't really finding the dress. 


On a whim, I decided to look on ebay for the J.Crew dress I really like. There she was. I ended up purchasing my wedding dress for $45. A total steal!! I knew even if I ended up hating it that I couldn't pass it up for $45. A few days later, it arrived and all by myself I tried it on and loved everything about it. 

2009 in Pictures

ted proposed January 20, 2008

visited the beach in Florida before it was too hott

oteka style engagement shoot

pic with momma at bridal shower

spent quality time with frens

walked down the aisle to my dream guy

beautiful day of matrimony

became mr. and mrs.

had a beautiful wedding

Twenty-Ten!!!!!!

I'm falling in love with 2010!!! Ted and I have been pretty busy since right before Christmas with the move and traveling. After this week, life should slow a bit.

We packed up and moved out of our house.

My home for the last 3 years.

It was a sad moment leaving the house behind. I have alot of memories there and also will spend the next few months out of a going "home" complete feel. Ted and I drove up to Virginia after Christmas. We stayed two nights in Atlanta and then journeyed on to Virginia. I loved shopping in Atlanta.

happy new YEAR!

New Year, New mercy, New heart matters, New insights, New adventures..... I'm so ready for the NEW. Change is coming in my heart and my world.

From the Start: My story

Born in the Bronx, New York. 

My parents moved to the Bronx in 1984 to start a church, a family, and a new life. Prior to the move, they spent six years as missionaries in Guatemala. On one cold mid-November evening, right about rush hour time as a matter of matter, my mother went into labor with me. Phoned the midwives (my mom had all four children at home) and my dad (who was officiating a wedding) to hurry to the house for the delivery of her baby. A few hours later, my grandma caught my head as my dad came just in time to catch my body. Midwives' showed 5 hours too late. 

Church planting... 

That's where it began. I was born to two wonderful hippie Jesus lovers. After a few years, we moved to Staten Island to plant another church. Living on a starting churches budget was tight. A typical sunday was filled with service, service, ferry, food, service, service, food, and sometimes more food or service. My dad is the type that never meets a stranger. His heart is huge. He loves connecting different nationalities. The extra services in my typical sunday were all different Chinese, Spanish, Thai, etc... I ate pretty good authentic food though. 

I lived at church. 

The thing is I lived at church, lived with the pastor, and was treated as if I should be an angel. I didn't get it. I didn't understand God. I didn't want to. I didn't understand why bad things happened to good people. Why do some people get "saved" but not others. I had so many questions growing up. I'm sure my parents answered them if I vocalized them, but I don't remember. 

A call to go South.... 

We left the Northeast and moved to Louisiana when my grandma was diagnosed with cancer. My dad scored a job as chaplain at a jail, worked at homeless shelter, and taught high school spanish. I made new friends and settled into my new life down south. I was a very unhappy teenager that bad things seem to always happen to (if you want an in depth story email me and I will share). Events that happen where detrimental to how I viewed myself and others. 

Moving, yet again... 

In 2000, we moved yet again. This time I was furious! I left my close friends 2 hours west. Boyfriend who was way too old for me, bad habits, and ended up being angry and depressed. Little did I know that I would met some people that would change my 
perspective. 

as a Pastor's kid... 

Growing as a PK or MK, both you could say I've lived, you would think I would join the bandwagon of Christianity. But what I saw about church was nothing I wanted to be. My parents are awesome, genuine, God-venuring people. However, in ministry you see the bad, the ugly, and sometimes some good. 

I let go.. 

My mom made me go to the youth pastor's wife's bible study. I dragged my feet and folded my arms across my chest as I went. It just so happened that no one but me showed up to the bible study. Go figure, right. She insisted that we turn on some worship music and pray for Bible study that evening. I could have died. After one hour of music playing, her praying, trying to tune everything out, figure out a way to leave (no use, she was my ride), I sat on the couch and bowed my head. I started to listen to her pray. She was praying for me, although she did'nt know it. Things that happen in my life that I never even talked to anyone (at the time) she was praying. Odd, I know. I was freaked. My insides were starting to break out in war. I let them go, and I listened. 

I gave my heart 

At home that night, I knew it was time I gave my heart to God. I didn't know exactly why, but I knew it needed to be done. My depression lifted. I found some awesome friends that really helped me learn how to love God, read the Bible, and live life.

Persective

Eventful weekend has led me to reflect ALOT.

Countless sleepless nights. I can't turn my brain off.

Sunday at church, the sermon was directly for me.

I really thought during the service 'Wait!!! I'm not the only one going through some pretty tough stuff.'

What a great feeling, to know your not the only one with problems. Some points that the pastor made really caught my attention. He was speaking about particular life circumstances. He was diagnosed with cancer this year and he shared his struggles and what he learned from this past year. First off, I really took hold of a point that he made. In our hardships and mishaps, there are three major commonents 1. you, 2. others, 3. God. When we view a certain situation and only look at 1 of these points. Like ourselves, our perspective is WAY off. Also, if we choose to focus only on OTHERS and not ourselves, we are way off too. I need to look at this past year and all my hardships with a whole perspective. God has brought me through stuff to learn, grow, and glorify Him. Other people play a role in my life and if I only focus on what they do and don't do then I will have a lopsided perspective. I have to trust God that even in good and bad circimstances that He is there working in my life.

I'm determined to change this next year.


I don't want to be known for who I used to be.

I want to let the Lord change me from the inside out.

Looking for Hope

The holidays are here and I love it! This years Christmas shopping has been stress free! Which in the midst of the move, I am very thankful. I heard this quote the other day on a Pastor I really respects twitter and it stuck:

' I have decided to have the Best Christmas Ever. Not an event that happens to me. An attitude inside of me. '

Without decorations up and really getting into the spirit of the holidays with normal things has given me time to think about the meaning of Christmas and really reflect on heart issues. I've been thinking a bunch about what the most important thing about this time of year is. Celebrating the birth of Jesus! And loving people! This is the passage I read today and a little song I found on a John Piper blog.

Romans 12:6-8
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Jesus, take my bent away
For thinking much of me,
And kill my pride, and from this day
With mercy make me free.
Jesus, grant the gift to see
The treasure that you are,
And as the night eclipses me,
be my Morning Star.

And now if I should serve, or lead,
Or give, or mercy show,
O Jesus, let my love be freed,
And like a river flow.
O Jesus, be the treasure of
My heart and all I do,
And may the river of my love
Alone make much of you.

My emotions have been all over the place lately. I've shed way too many tears. My only hope is Jesus! I cling to the Cross.  I put fill trust in Almight Sovereign God and my heart is at ease. Ted has been so gracious this week, praying for me and holding me while I try to sort out all kind emotions.

Taking help where it's offered

Almost immediately after Ted popped the question magazines filled my coffee table. All my girl friends cut out ideas, text-mail, and loads of emails. I enjoyed looking and looking. I knew that the decorations of the wedding were going have to wait until all the 'big stuff' was taken care of. I knew, I wanted a venue with lots of character for several reasons. I love simplicity. If the building was gorgeous than I could get by on minimal items to make the atmosphere. If my budget would have allowed believe me I would have went all out and personalized everything. 

Our first plan was to have the ceremony and reception in the French Quarter at Musee Conte' Wax Museum. This venue was doable if we set out to both work second jobs (or we were thinking about getting married 'on paper' and collecting our marriage income which in the end we didn't think was wise). The building was rustic with wood beams, wood floors, brick walls, french quarter charm, and a the museum would have been open for the reception. Halfway through our wedding planning, we both had a revelations. We were planning a big event for everyone. Yes, we loved the venue. Yes, we loved all we were planning. However, we were working outside of a reasonable budget. We starting thinking BIG on a small scale.

Back to reality, we ended up booking out church which we loved as well. Keeping with a minimal guest list (like i mention on my cake post). Our church is building which actually had the same charm as the Musee Conti. 

I worked alongside one of my wonderfully talented friends Mya Frey with our flowers. She ended up picking out and picking up our flowers the week of the wedding. She knew the 'idea of what I wanted' and she ran with it. Although, if I were to plan away again I'd probably give up something in order to spend a little bit more on flowers. But what we had, I loved. It wasn't my 'first choice' but it was beautiful. 

Working again with our treasure Mississippi wood, orchids, candles, and mason jars we filled the atmosphere. I ended up spending $300 for all decorations and flowers combined (not including the fabric for the backdrop).  

Thanksgiving

Turkey. Dressing. Mashed potatoes. Cranberry Sauce. Gravy. Pies.

Thanksgiving definately doesn't feel like Thanksgiving without it all.

Today we drove to Lafayette to spend some time with my grandparents. Tomorrow we are having lunch with the family. But my grandma decided to smoke some chicken and have scalloped potatoes instead of anything festive and normal. I'm now thankful for our the years past of delicious food that I regretted eating so much of at the end of the day. I'm also sorry I ever complained about eating turkey leftovers for days. Next years Thanksgiving whereever we live will be a tranditional stuff your face with Thanksgiving GOODNESS.

Happy Thanksgiving.

On another note: what are we celebrating on Thanksgiving. At church our pastor talked about celebrating the Eucharist. It was very interesting and perfect for a Thankgiving. Eucharist means "the giving of thanks". This month marks 9 years since I receive Christ in my life. Throughout my life I've taken communion. Many times, its out of routine and now with true thanksgiving in my heart. Jesus said to do it in rememberance. Its not simply a ritual that we much continue but a beholding in the heart that bumbles over true thankfulness for the cross and its work in our lives.

So about Thanksgiving. What are we celebrating? Family, Food, and Football. Thats the answer you receive, if you ask anyone how their Thanksgiving was. Should we mention how we ubberly, undeniably, excitedly thankful!

A list of 100 things

Ted is my perfect soul-mate!

1. I love that I'm the highlight of your day.
2. I love the way you say my name.
3. I love the way you come home from work and wrap me in your arms.
4. I love the way you move your eyebrows while your talking.
5. I love that I know you'll always be honest with me.
6. I love that you encourage me to become a better person but you are happy with me the way I am.
7. I love that your ticklish.
8. I love that your ridiculously supportive in whatever I'm trying to do.
9. I love that your hardworking.
10. I love that you make my dreams come true.
11. I love the fact that you are as honest as a kid.
12. I love that you can' tell a story to save your life.
13. I love how you keep me laughing even in the middle of the night.
14. I love that your wild and obniously loud.
15. I love that you give me your full attention even when your in the middle of something.
16. I love that I always feel protected.
17. I love that you daydream with me about the kids we will one day have.
18. I love how you spoil me and only act like I'm spoiled one in awhile.
19. I love that your the only person that love's cake as you do.
20. I love the way you hold me.
21. I love that your geniune.
22. I love having our meaningful heart to heart talks about our dreams, disappointments, and goals.
23. I love your jokes.
24. I love how you warm my feet while we watch television.
25. I love how you kiss me before you leave for work.
26. I love the fact that you are not afraid of being less than perfect.
27. I love the fact that your always willing to let God work in you.
28. I love that you love me SO much.
29. I love hearing the secrets of your heart.
30. I love cooking for you and with you.
31. I love that you are always ready to serve me.
32. I love that your generous.
33. I love that we love better together.
34. I love the way you stand close and rub my back during church.
35. I love when you want to be serious and I'm being goofy.
36. I love that your impossibly hilarious.
37. I love that you always show me the bright side of things.
38. I love that you encourage me to spend money on myself.
39. I love how you always try to make my day better.
40. I love that you think that I'm beautiful and tell me every chance you get.
41. I love how you can never tell a lie.
42. I love that you rub my back even though I never return the favor.
43. I love that you blush just like I do when your embarrassed.
44. I love that you go shopping with me and try to help me make purchases.
45. I love that you always strive to be the best husband for me.
46. I love that from the first day I met you, I always felt I can be myself.
47. I love how I always beat you at card games.
48. I love holding your hand in public.
49. I love that your full of compassion.
50. I love that you bring me flowers.
51. I love that you enjoy the flowers just as much as me.
52. I love how we watch tv together snuggled on the couch and talk during commercials.
53. I love how you always try to scare me by knocking on the side window.
54. I love that you rub my dirt feet or clean feet just the same.
55. I love that your always interested in my interests.
56. I love how you never give up on me even when I'm in a crazy mood.
57. I love how you embarrass me in public.
58. I love when you pray before we go to sleep.
59. I love that you like sushi just as much as I know, now.
60. I love how you have supprisingly good taste.
61. I love your booty dancing skillz.
62. I love how you never hold anything against me.
63. I love that you give people the benefit of the doubt.
64. I love that your just as much of a potatoe lover as me.
65. I love that I can trust you.
66. I love that your spontateous.
67. I love that you love me without even thinking about it.
68. I love that you are my very best friend.
69. I love that you are so affectionate.
70. I love how your always grateful when I cook a meal.
71. I love that you always encourage me to rest when I need it even though you probably need to rest more that I do.
72. I love that your idea of a great evening is sipping coffee and talking to me.
73. I love when you talk to me while I'm putting on my makeup and fixing my hair.
74. I love when we have days off together.
75. I love looking into your eyes when you say you love me.
76. I love how you gladly and openly admitt when your wrong.
77. I love that you carry my shopping bags, sweater, and occasionally purse.
78. I love how you care for me when I'm sick.
79. I love that you don't complain about having to hang out with all my girl friends.
80. I love going to mavericks games with you.
81. I love that we both wore hates on our first date.
82. I love that you demand respect but aren't controlling.
83. I love that you like to play soccer and tennis.
84. I love that I'm better than you at both.
85. I love the way you kept looking at me the first night we met.
86. I love that I get to sleep next to you every night.
87. I love that I always catch you reading the Bible.
88. I love that you never leave without kissing me and return by kissing me.
89. I love tht God created you for me.
90. I love that you love to cook with me.
91. I love how you always make me feel like the best is yet to come.
92. I love that you always want to make up after a fight.
93. I love that you enjoy a good adventure.
94. I love that you love my friends and sacrifice week nights and weekends with me so I can hang with them.
95. I love that your understanding even when it hurts
96. I love that you always give me the better parking spot
97. I love how you sleep on the couch with me if I can't sleep in our bed.
98. I love that your self sacrificing.
99. I love that for your birthday your happy if I'm happy.
100. I love the way you love me.

A small scale

Setting a budget. 


We had a small budget. Right around $2,000. Originally, we had thought this can't do and tried to push our date back in hopes of working for a bigger budget. Then, reality set in and thank God it did. Why would we prolong our engagement and work endless days to feed our guests a little more, a three tiered wedding cake, and a few more invites.

Location.


Our church is located on Magazine St. in Uptown. It has the charm we were looking for. (Brick walls, wood floors, gorge bar, art decor, etc.) Limited space, second floor venue (no accommodations for wheelchairs, which ended up not being an issue since ted's grandparents weren't able to come), and a one room for everything event made us nervous at first. Scaling down our guest list to 100 people and working with a 'one room space' in the end worked out just fine.

Cakes.


Other corners were cut including looking around for wedding cakes. I looked around and gasped at prices that were half of my entire budget. In the end, I knew everything would work out even if I wasn't spending a fortune on wedding cakes, flowers, my dress, etc. I went with the flow.

I ended up thinking about ordering a small decorated cake and then purchasing a large sheet cake to cut pieces for guests. I do think this could have worked but it wasn't translating into exactly what I would like.

Decor.


I knew I wanted to bring wood into the decor. I love wood. I had thought about bringing wood into the decor and finally thought about placing cake rounds on blocks of wood. It was my way of bring the outdoors in. Living in Louisiana, I could never trust the weather, hair spray or bobby pins for an outdoor wedding.

Ted found gorgeous wood while working the Mississippi banks and brought it home. Perfecto. He cut it up in three cascading blocks. I ordered three cake rounds (1) 10 inch, (1) 8 inch, and (1) 6 inch. I explained my vision to the bakery and they ran with it (exactly how I had pictured). I wanted a simple whispy icing. Then placed orchids and little twigs.

Florii-DA

A short weekend trip was in order. Jessica and I drove over to see Sleeping at Last play. Mya and Nick booked the show. Due to Mya's bridesmaid duties in a friend of our's wedding she wasn't in town to see them.

We enjoyed the show for her.

We also enjoyed her bed and cute little house in Pensacola.

I just love hanging at the beach even when it's cold. We found a cute little bagel shop on the beach and checked out an Art Festival.

We were back in time for me to pick up ted fix up and head to Karla's wedding.

Turn page: Next chapter please.

TWO MONTHS.

Its here.
We are moving!!!
I'm excited yet nerrrrvvvousssss.

 I have so much to do in the next two month. But the excitement out weighs the annoyance of moving for sure.

The world famous birthday is coming up. World famous, I can't even begin to tell you. On date two with Ted, he asked when my birthday was. I replied, November 15. He was stunned "Are you serious? That's my birthday too!!!". I then made him pull out his ID to make sure he wasn't pulling my arm. Indeed, its true. I've known two other people that shared my birthday and I added Ted to the list. At that point, I didn't know I would be adding half of Texas along too. Ok, maybe not half of Texas. BUT, he knows a heck of a lot of people that have November 15 birthdays. We will be in Texas meaning I will be sharing my birthday with a ton of people. I know sounds selfish, but on your birthday its okay to be selfish right?

What I want for my birthday:
1. Winter/Fallish boots
2. new Sleeping at Last Cd
3. Anthro necklace
4. Sewing machine
5. clothes
6. Money to remove my wisdom teeth :)
7. Iphone

While I'm thinking about my wishlist, I have to think about what the heck I'm going to get Ted. We have the same birthday! Still hits me as weird.

This is a picture of our first birthday we spent together.

Mr. and Mrs.

My first post for *a.toodle.lee.do*

It's been a few short months since we took the plunge and said 'I do'. we are now living the happily-ever-after part. We are enjoying the day to day mundane married life. Simple but makes my heart so happy.

Our wedding. A week of smothering southern heat but it led us into the perfect evening to celebrate with our friends and family. The skies were bright blue after a cooler cloudy morning. I was thankful for the cloudy morning as a few special girls and I had a breakfast in a courtyard on Royal St. before I headed off to the Salon with my maid of honor.

Leading up to June 27, 2009, I had many thoughts race through my head. My future with my closest friend. The wonder of engagement bliss. Wedding plans. Special moments with close friends. Talks with my mom. I put a lot of thought into making the wedding ceremony and reception fit into our budget without sacrificing what I wanted.

I knew I had a small budget to work with [stay tuned...] but in the end I loved everything. If I had more money I would had thrown a few more this and some of that. However, I loved my wedding day. From start to finish, I was so surprised about my ideas coming to life.

Most importantly, I will be spending my life with the best partner I know Ted Ryan.