Christie & Ryan Part 1

Well, here is part one of three posts of the recent wedding I told you all about. These are the photographer's pictures. I'll probably post mine in part three. Enjoy!

Mr. and Mrs.

The Bride

The Bride's Family

The Bride's Parents

Christie & Katherine, flower girl

Christie & Julie, flower girl
Christie with the ring bearer and pages

Bride, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearer and pages

The Bridal Party

Christie & Jessica, Matron of Honor

Christie & Beth, bridesmaid

Christie & Megan, bridesmaid

Christie & I

Christie & Valerie, bridesmaid

Christie & Libby, bridesmaid

Ryan & Christie's Wedding, Part 3

Entrance to sanctuary

The sanctuary

Flowers

Self explanitory!

The Bride's hair

My workspace

Christie's dress

The Bride

A bridesmaid's shoes :-)

Wedding cake

Josiah, the ring bearer

Yes, I'm still here...

Hey there, everyone! Yes, I am alive and well and haven't fallen off the face of the earth! The last two weeks have been very busy for us although this hasn't totally been the reason for my "time of absence." But, I'm here again and posting a huge post to let you know what's been going on in the lives of the Martin family. However, I will forewarn you, that because of my lack of posts, there's a lot to write about, which will require some time to read. But also know, it's not an article either, so no worries.

As you know, we visited grandparents two weeks ago and had a relaxing time. They live about two hours away in a small country town. We had an extensive amount of rain during our visit, but it did let up for most of the day, which allowed us to be outside and enjoy the weather.

The following Friday, we celebrated Griff's birthday. Bek fixed enchildas for supper and a chocolate torte for dessert. We talked, sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy, and watched him open up his gifts. I might add a small sidenote, too...Griff got "25" birthay spankings!! Yea! *smile*

The next day, we drove over to some friends' house for a graduation celebration. After eating and opening gifts, we went over to the bowling alley and played a couple games. Originally, we planned on playing miniature golf, but since the weather was a little "uncooperative," we opted for the bowling.

For Mother's Day, we attended church and then came home for lunch. Dad grilled chicken for us, which we served along with salad, vegetables, baked potatoes and rolls. Griff & Bek also came over and joined us.

Last Monday night, we cheered on our softball team as they played their very first game of the season. For those of you who aren't familiar with this, a group of men and young men from our church play softball each week at a nearby park against other local teams. This will be Tanner's first year to play. They did pretty good considering it was the first game! We're all looking forward to showing up again tomorrow evening for our next game...and hopefully, a win!!

If you've visited Ab's Spot, lately, you will have noticed that we are babysitting a neighbor's little girl. Her name is Annika, she's 2 and very cute. She enjoys doing multiple things, such as: bouncing on the trampoline, picking flowers (a.k.a. dandelions), playing with playdough, playing on the swingset and enjoying herself with whatever. As I was leaving her room to let her nap, she said, "Happy Easter Bunny!" *grin*

Over the weekend, my friend Christie, became Mrs. Ryan Kriegshauser. (Yes, it is a mouthfull!) *smile* I had the privilege of being one of her bridesmaids, along with four other friends and the groom's sister, who was the matron of honor. We arrived at the church around eight o' clock Saturday morning to begin getting ready. Bek, her sister Liz, and our pastor's daughter, Deana, helped fix the girls' hair for the big day. I had planned on doing my own hair simply because I knew what I wanted and have fixed it this particular way before. But my friend Megan, also a bridesmaid, helped me out once I got my hair in place with bobby pins, and curled my hair for me. Around mid morning, we arrived at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in KC to take pictures. We had the best day to take pictures! It was just great outside and there was almost NO wind!! (A great thing for the hair!) If you've never visited the Nelson, it's quite a place. Although I have never been inside, the lawn was very nice and the building was grand.
After arriving back at the church, we enjoyed a great lunch provided by some friends...as well as complimentary coffee by a friend who works for Starbucks. A little bit after that, we walked into the sanctuary to get some more pictures with the bride & groom, as well as getting some snapshots of our own.
Finally, the big moment arrived! Six young ladies proceeded down the aisle while being accompanied by music performed by a couple singing and playing the guitar and violin. After the ceremony ended and the recessional was over, the guests were dismissed by the couple.
Everyone soon made their way to the reception hall where a wedding cake, a groom's cake, cheesecakes, fruit, punch, and coffee were served. The bouquet and garter were tossed, and it soon came time for the couple to make their grand exit amid an atmosphere of bubbles. A white, stretched limo awaited the newly-wedded couple and whisked them away from their family and guests.
I will try to post pictures VERY soon. Unfortunately, I don't have one of the entire wedding party, but, you will at least be able to see the bride, bridesmaid's dresses, etc.

Around mid-morning today, Dad, Mom, Griff, and Abby arrived home from their trip to South Carolina for my cousin's wedding, which also took place yesterday. I'm sure Ab will be posting pictures on her blog soon, so be sure to stop by and take a look.

Well, I think I'll sign off for now. Can you believe you got that much out of me?! I guess that's the good thing about taking so long in posting, because when you finally do, there's so much to write, show and tell!

**Pictures coming soon**

25 Years

That's right, another birthday! My oldest brother, Griffin, arriving on Mother's Day, May 8th, 1983, celebrated his 25th birthday last week. He's the oldest of our gang and has been a wonderful brother to me and my siblings. Griff likes to work out, plays soccer & softball, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and most of all, absolutely loves spending time with his sweetheart and bride, Bek. We have had the best big brother in Griff and wish him a very happy birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Griff!

On Vacation!

Hey there, everyone! Not that I've been posting much anyway, but thought I would write and say that my family and I are heading out, today, to visit my grandparents. They live about 2 hours away which isn't very far. We'll arrive home sometime Wednesday. Hopefully I can post some pictures before long...my dear old blog seems to be deserted right now. *smile*

Bye!

12 Years Old

Thatcher, our youngest boy in the family just turned 12 years old on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thatch is our little "bundle" of joy! He loves to play/watch football, practically goes wherever Tanner goes, is caring, loves the color red, tells jokes and can do something none of the rest of us can do--bend his pointer finger almost all the way backwards to where it touches the back of his hand!

We love you, Thatch! Happy Birthday!!

New songspot

I was recently informed by my sister Abby that the website allowing me to have music on my blog is going to be no more...at least for a little while. Does anyone know of another place where I can get free music for my blog? I've noticed other blogs having playlists, but it's been awhile and I have no idea what their addresses are.

Also, I'm thinking about some fun new additions for my blog. Hopefully I can begin taking away your suspense sometime tomorrow. *smile* But, for now...it will have to wait.

Let me know if you have an answer to my question!

THE longest post ever?

I'll leave that all up to you once you've finished reading and looking through this entire post! So much happened last week!

I've not been good at updating my blog, lately, and so I guess I'm making up for it now.

Last week, I celebrated my 21st birthday. Normally, I don't celebrate my special day more than once a year, however this time around, I celebrated it not only once...but three times!

#1: On Monday, we planned on celebrating my birthday by going out to a surprise restaurant for dinner and then coming back home and opening up gifts. However, since some of the kids weren't quite feeling up to par because of sickness we decided to post-pone the dinner and just open gifts. So, Dad grilled some chicken and Griff & Bek came over, still, and joined us for dinner. Once we were finished, we moved into the living room where I opened up my gifts and then enjoyed cake & ice cream. Bek also cut my hair some and layered it for me. It needed a trimming!

#2: On Tuesday morning, Mom and the kids came into my room singing "Happy Birthday" with a tray in tote and served me breakfast in bed. They fixed me a nice breakfast of French Toast and gave me a new Martha Stewart magazine along with a vase filled with daisies, daffodils, a carnation, and a hyacinth.

#3. On Wednesday night, my family planned quite a surprise party! Around our house, (and many others!), Wednesday evening is SOCCER. We went as usual, but as I said above, the kids had been battling some sickness and weren't feeling well enough to play. Only two of us ended up playing from our family, but Ab still came along to watch on the sidelines. During one point in the game, I talked to Abby and she acted like she didn't feel good. It was asked if she needed to be taken home, but she refused. Once our game was finished and we chit-chatted a short while afterwards, we said our goodbyes and I told people that we wouldn't be going out to fast food (which is what we normally do after soccer) since Ab was sick. Mom had told me earlier that Thatcher might want something to drink other than water and that I should stop by the gas station and get something for him after soccer. (Yes, that part was true...) So, we drove to the gas station with my "sick" sister reclining back in the passenger seat, picked up some pop and made our way home. As we drove down our street, the soccer group was there filing into our house for my surprise birthday party. Ab confessed that she felt wonderful! Mom fixed Sloppy Joes and my annual birthday cake, Gertrude Armstrong, for everyone to enjoy. I had no idea that she was doing all of this! Thank you so much, SOCCER GROUP and FAMILY, for choosing to be so sweet and thoughtful to me on my birthday! (The birthday song really didn't sound all that bad, either!) *Note: If you want to view pictures of that evening, just go to Ab's Spot, http://www.soccergirlab.blogspot.com/ So, I guess you could say that I REALLY celebrated my 21st birthday to the fullest! Even though I celebrated my birthday three times that week, the partying wasn't finished, yet.

A long-time friend of mine is getting married in May and I'm going to be one of the bridesmaids in the wedding. So, I had a "Bride-to-Be" Dinner Party for her and the young ladies from our church on Friday evening. The decorations centered around a very summer-time theme. Since neither my mom and I grill, Griff was a sweet enough guy and grilled shishkabobs for our party. The night was filled with talking, laughter, and pictures. Special thanks goes to Griff, our chef, and Mom, Bek, and Abby for helping to make the night a success! Wow, that's probably the longest post I have ever written! Now...it's time for PICTURES!!! I'll post them from the beginning of the week on. Enjoy!!

21 candles

"Griff the Griller" along with one in training.
The Party
Back row: Beth, Bek and Megan
Second row: Kristin, Jessica and Liz
Last row: Courtney, Allison, Stephanie, Christie
Kristi, Mary-Kate, Rebecca, Nicole and Lacey

More to come

Hey everyone! Just thought I would let you know that I have several pictures to post and other fun stuff to share about this week. Hopefully I can do all of that on Saturday! Stay tuned!

Can someone please help me?!

Well, as you've noticed, I have once again updated my blog. The only problem is, I don't know how to get my music to play!! I deleted the widget and then added it again and still I have problems. Does anyone know what I can do to make it work again? I really, really want to get it playing!

Soccer time!

Well, soccer season has started up again and we're taking advantage of it! Here are a few pictures of last night--before & after the game. :-)

Tanner & Thatcher

Lacey & Abby

Bek & Griff
Liz & Ab

Our colors!

Thatch & Tann

HE LIVES

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

Along lifes narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

~Alfred H. Ackley

Happy Easter!!

Brothers & Sisters

A Belated "Happy St. Patrick's Day"!!

Hey everyone! Yes, it's been awhile since you've heard from me. I just haven't had much to post! There isn't too much to report other than the fact that this past weekend was pretty full. On Friday evening we attended a friend's wedding (if you visit Ab's Spot you can view the pictures there); on Saturday morning, we made our way to a special choir practice for Easter Sunday's program; on Sunday, we attended church and on Monday (St. Patrick's Day!) we enjoyed a hearty Irish meal while visiting with friends and playing a game.

Since I failed to post a festive greeting yesterday, I'm making up with a short little Irish prayer I found, today.

An Irish Prayer

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

Also, to those of you who voted in my latest poll, my correct age is 20 years old. :-)

Picture taken from www.irelandpictures.net

Updates

Okay, folks...time for another update! Please bear with me as I try to redo my blog. Some of my "fun" things were automatically deleted since I chose this particular background.

More updates coming soon!!!

Prayer

By now, some of you who have visited are thinking, "How boring! Nothing new!" I'm in TOTAL agreement! Sometimes you just don't know what to post. (Do my fellow bloggers understand my dilemma?) But, I thought I might post some notes taken during our pastor's recent sermon on prayer.

• Prayer is NOT A demonstration of your righteousness--ever.
• Prayer is NOT man-centered, nor is it earth bound.
• Prayer is NOT self-talk
• Prayer IS a dialogue between you and the Father
• Prayer IS a communication with the Lord
• Prayer involves speaking and listening
• Express thanksgiving during your time of prayer
• Prayer is an intimate conversation with the Father
• We may call Him "Abba Father"
• When in prayer, I need to "shut the door" on everything else
• When you're in a group and praying, it should be as though you are alone with the Lord, speaking only to Him. Our focus should not be on what they are hearing.
• Pray on someone's behalf...but talk to the Father
• God wants to hear you speaking to Him

You can pour out your heart to Him. He already knows...but He still desires to hear from you.