Treasuring Each Moment of My Daughter’s Wedding

I love how each of our daughter’s weddings have reflected their personalities.  So even though, this was our 3rd wedding in as many years, Nic and Audrianna’s wedding reflected their artsy,  creative and fun tastes.

Audrianna had a vision for their wedding and she did an amazing job of planning and executing a vintage theme for the day.  She asked Alison, a friend and mentor of hers (and the writer of Stuff and Nonsense Blog) to help coordinate the reception and as you will see in the photos it was perfect.

Nic & Audrianna’s deep desire to bring God glory through the ceremony was very evident – from the  music to parent’s prayers to the communion they shared.  It was a testimony to how God brought them together, worked in their lives and how they long to serve Him throughout their lifetime.

“First Look” (photo by Roger Obley, Photographer)

This has been their Pastor since they were both in grade school (his lovely daughter Megan was in the wedding).  It was very special to have him perform the ceremony.

Of course, there were many sweet moments including…

A very special little boy who did a GREAT job carrying his sign.

The Bridal Party – each girl’s dress was different and I love how the guys all have their shirt sleeves rolled up.

Nic & Audrianna’s Reception was a perfect way to celebrate their marriage…

Photo Collage by Alison at Stuff and Nonsense

Don’t you love this cake – it was done by a good friend of ours who owns

The Sweet Life Cakes of Pittsburgh

Celebrating Marriage Dance

(photo by Roger Obley, Photographer)

Instead of the bouquet toss, they honored marriages by hosting an anniversary dance.  All married couples danced until the number of years they were married was called (Bill & I danced to 30 years).  The last 2 couples dancing were my parents (married 58 years) and a couple from our church (married 61 years).  Audrianna then presented her toss bouquet to that couple.  Very sweet.

And of course, the evening went all too fast and it was time for the newlyweds to leave – they left in sparkles and lots of smoke (my husbands said it looks like a bomb went off).

If you want to see more of the amazing day – please click to their photographer’s (Roger Obley) blog at http://www.rodgerobley.com/2012/07/audrianna-and-nic-they-got-married.html.  He did an outstanding job of capturing the day.

God is so good!

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So Blessed …

The last several months has been a very recognizable and blessed time in my life and for our family – definitely providing reminders of how faithful God is.  A trip to the Mexican Riviera, time with my daughter as we got ready for her wedding, sweet time with our  family and then a most memorable, beautiful wedding day for Nic & Audrianna.  How God continues to show His love to me…

During the reception, I stood back and looked at the goodness God has given me – my husband of 30 1/2 years, my daughters and their husbands, my grandson, my parents and our many friends who helped us so very much…. I cannot even begin to express the overwhelming thankfulness and love I felt.

Over the next several days I will be sharing various photos from the many events that I mentioned here.  And then in August I am planning a total Blog Make-Over to keep up with my current life callings.  There have been so many changes in the past years that my current blog needs to be updated!!

Before the wedding….

A dear little Grandson celebrates his 2nd Birthday with a train cake at our house.

Nana has made each of  the brides a lovely book detailing their wedding along with her thoughts.  She and my Dad took Audrianna and I out to breakfast to present it to her.

The men now outnumber the women in our family – how did this happen??  My husband enjoys reminding us of how our family of girls now has more guys than girls!!

We were so glad that Josiah was here to make our family complete for this special celebration.

Nic &  Audrianna enjoying a their Rehearsal Dinner at a quaint Carriage House with a wonderful dinner provided by Nic’s Mom.  It was a special evening.

Jason & Alycia enjoying the evening – it seems like their wedding was just celebrated (September 2010)!

A happy little boy with his Mama.  Joey did so well the entire wedding weekend – he is such a joy to all of us!

This is our original core family.

This is our current family.  We are so BLESSED!!  I wonder how many more will be added to this family over the years.

~

This is the verse that I have featured on the heritage table at each of the weddings and it is perfect verse to end this post…

“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5

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Celebrating God’s Plan for Marriage with a Blessings Unlimited Special Offer

We are celebrating God’s Plan for marriages at our home this month ….

My parents celebrated 58 years of marriage this week, they started their journey together in 1954!  What a tremendous blessing they have been to my family – providing the example of what a Godly marriage looks like.  I am so thankful for their commitment to each other and our Lord.

Our youngest daughter is getting married in just 2 1/2 weeks!!  If the Lord blessed Nic and her marriage to 58 years, they will celebrate this event in the year 2070!  Wow, I wonder what life will look like in 2070 (it has been amazing to think of all the changes that my parents have seen in their marriage in the last 58 years).  Needless to say, our home has been quite busy with wedding plans, gifts arriving and lots of wedding talk.

Marriage is not always an easy journey, but making a commitment to God and His plans for marriage makes a difference.  Bill and I pray often that our daughter’s families (and our marriage) will serve the Lord all the days of their lives – paving the way for future generations just as my parents (and hopefully Bill and I) have done.  Joshua’s strong words As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord, Joshua 24:15 provide the cornerstone of a strong family commitment to serve God.

To celebrate the marriage milestones our family is celebrating this month (and to allow me to enjoy each moment of all the wedding activities), I am offering a Joseph Wedding Special on the Blessings Unlimited Wall Decor, As for Me and My House Wall, item # 84646, will be 15% off ($65 instead of $76) in June.

You must contact me personally to receive this special, and the more you order, the lower the price goes (just ask). Please call at 724-601-2377 or email me at sandrajoseph@windstream.net to get this special price on the As for Me and My House Wall Hanging.

My goal is to see these words hanging in s many homes of Believers as possible – but more importantly, that those homes live out the commitment to serve the Lord each day.

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We are so thankful that he is home…

For the past year, this flag has hung in our front window, a Service Flag showing that our family had a service member serving in the war (you can learn more about these flags here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_flag)

On Tuesday evening, this flag was no longer necessary as our son-in-law came home from a year’s deployment in Afghanistan. Please give thanks with us as you view the following photos of  that evening

250 Soldiers marched in

The first hug

Joey welcoming his Daddy

Our son-in-law, we are so proud

The happy family

Joey’s shirt says My Dad is Awesome

Let’s go home!

Take your boots off Daddy…

My window today.

Thank you Josiah for serving our country – we are so proud of you and so happy you are home.  God is so faithful and worthy to be praised.

“Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? 
   You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” Psalms 89:*

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Oh How Loves Really Is…

Oh How He Loves Us Sign (and a great blog post) can be found at this sweet blog

http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2011/10/how-he-loves-us.html

Living with our middle daughter and our toddler grandson for a year was both a reminder of my past and a learning experience for me.  Many thing reminded me of my days as a young mother especially the sigh of relief when bedtime came and there was a peaceful, beautiful little boy laying in his crib (why do children always look so innocence when they are sleeping – it makes a Grammie’s heart tender and joyful).

Watching my daughter’s daily interaction with my grandson reminded me of the deep love a Mother has for her children.  Joey could be so disobedient and bad and frustrate his mother to her end – yet she still would pick him up, hold him tight, show him  love by showering him with hugs and kisses.  This happened almost everyday and it never failed to bless me.  How Joey’s Mama loved him regardless of his actions – a mother’s love is so strong and powerful.

Every time I watched this play out in my home, I was reminded of how the Lord does the same with me.  My selfishness and sins are just like my toddler grandson – I am selfish and focused on what I want and think I need.  Yet, my Heavenly Father loves me in spite of myself – He picks me up, hold me tight, shows me love through grace.

Laryssa, you are such a good Mama – you love your son so well and I am very thankful for the daily reminder of how true love really is.

Father, God I am so thankful for your love for me each day …

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A short memorable year with long days

They are gone, yet the reminders that they were here for a year are all around.  Last March our daughter and 9 month old grandson moved into our home while our son-in-law deployed to Afghanistan.  Those first days were an adjustment for all of us, yet we eventually grew into a comfortable place as a family living together.  The year has flown by even though there have been many long days (there always are when there are a toddler involved).

Our grandson learned to crawl the same week he moved in and he has been on the move ever since.  Mostly he has moved his way into our daily lives and our hearts.  He was always waiting to greet us in the morning and to give us kisses before bedtime.  He would seek out Grandpa and Grammie when he wanted to read, go outside (with Grandpa) or just snuggle – needless to say this little blond hair boy is very dear to us.  This year has been a gift to us, to be a daily part of this dear little boy’s daily life – I doubt that we will have this experience again.  We are so very thankful.

Even though they left yesterday, there are reminders of his presence everywhere I look – Mr & Mrs. Potato Head are sitting on the window seat, there are little fingerprints on our coffee table, mirrors and windows, my tennis shoes are on the couch (not sure why he thought they belonged there) and his toys remain in their spot – untouched.  Our home will be much quieter now (and cleaner I might add), but both my husband and I are already missing the little blond hair boy and his mama.

We are excited to see this sweet family reunited and are so thankful for our son-in-law and the thousands like him who are serving our country.  I have seen first hand the price that those in the military and their families pay for our freedom and it is hard.  So many families are not able (or do not have the support systems) in place to support one another through deployment  – there are so many needs.  Please pray for our daughter, son-in-law and grandson as they reunite and for the many others in similar situations.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:5 & 6

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Christmas Changes

The last couple of years Christmas has been all about changes.  For years, I could tell you how Christmas would be celebrated at our home… a few days before Christmas, my parents would come, Christmas Eve morning the sisters would exchange gifts (this tradition started because they could not wait to open gifts), Christmas Eve brought church and then a house filled with family and friends for food and celebration.  Christmas day brought more good food, sweet time with our family,and the joy of giving and receiving  gifts.

But life is filled with changes, 2 of our daughters are now married and the 3rd is engaged to be married.  They are now blessed with their husband’s families to celebrate with and are creating their own Christmas traditions.  Another change is that this is the first time in my life that I will not be with my parents on Christmas Day – a recent surgery and illness will keep them away this year.  I will miss their presence in our home more than I can express.

I have to be honest that sometimes I long for the way it was for so many years – but I know that life is filled with changes.  Children grow up and create their own homes and traditions.  It is healthy and good and sometimes it hurts a little.  It is fulfilling when I see them doing the things we did in our home – baking cookies, entertaining, decorating their homes, wrapping presents together and focusing on the birth of our Savior.  I would go back and do it all again if I could.

I am so thankful for the Christmas Celebrations our family has enjoyed throughout the years.  I have precious memories of many happy, precious times.   Now, I am so thankful for our son-in-laws who love our daughters and who together are creating their own Christmas traditions.   I want to be gracious as I continue to learn to let go of  “how it use to be”, but I know that I am going to mess up at times.  I pray that I will learn to accept and enjoy our new family traditions.  I have so much to be thankful for!

Christmas will be different this year – we are going to a friend’s home on Christmas Eve and our family will all be together on Christmas Day.  There will be many familiar aspects as we celebrate the day – gift giving, good food, much laughter and yet there will be missing people (my parents and our son-in-law who is deployed).  There will be a 1 1/2 year-old grandson who will bring great joy and an engaged couple who are counting the days until June.

Yet, there is one aspect of Christmas that never changes – the fact that Emmanuel, God with us, came to be our Savior at Christmas.  I pray that you will know the presence of God with you in whatever changes your Christmas will bring this year.

A Joseph Family Christmas Tradition that we will have on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve this year…

Mocha Punch

Mocha Punch is a Christmas  Tradition at our home. It is always served in my Grandmother’s Punch Bowl and is a favorite year after year.

• 6 cups water
• 1/2 cup instant chocolate drink mix
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup instant coffee granules
• 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
• Chocolate curls, optional

Directions

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add drink mix, sugar and coffee; stir until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• About 30 minutes before serving, pour mixture into a large punch bowl. Add ice cream by scoopfuls; stir until partially melted.
• Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and chocolate curls if desired. Yield: 20-25 servings (about 5 quarts).

Just a reminder that to be sure to use decaffeinated coffee if you are serving this in the evening.  One year I did not and no one got much sleep on Christmas Eve (our girls remember that as the night Audrianna kept them up all night long).

Enjoy!

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Grandpa and his boy

We have enjoyed watching Joey grow and change each day since he was born a little over a year ago.  At 14 months, he loves to be with his Grandpa.  All Bill has to do is to walk into the room (or come home from work) and Joey makes a beeline to him.  Bill is very good to play with Joey and one of their favorite activities is to go out to the garden together.

Joey and Grandpa collecting tomatoes

Recently Joey, Bill and I went to the Big Knob Fair.  I know, you wish you had our exciting life – but it is a family tradition to go to the fair in late August.  It was fun to have Joey all to ourselves that evening and he enjoyed

Sitting on an antique tractor (this is a tractor like Bill’s Grandpa had)

Seeing a horse up close for the first time

Meeting a goat

And Joey’s favorite activity of the evening was sitting on the “Digger”.

Joey has a favorite book called Barney Backhoe and he certainly enjoyed sitting on this machine.

I think he would have been very happy to sit on this machine all evening long.

Bill and I are thankful for the opportunity to have Joey (and his Mommy, our daughter) in our home this year while his Daddy serves our country.  I have been reminded over and over again of the amazing amount of joy a little one can bring into a home each day.

And as you can see, we tuckered him out at the Big Knob Fair …

He had a big time at the fair and fell asleep with his first ever balloon (which says Yes, Jesus Loves Me).  It really is the little things of life that make moments recognizable.

We are blessed to be part of this little guy’s life.

“May the LORD bless you from Zion; 
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem 
   all the days of your life. 
 May you live to see your children’s children—”

Psalm 128:5-6

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She did it – my daughter receives her Master’s Degree

As most people are beginning a new school year – my middle daughter, Laryssa just ended her latest academic achievement.  Earlier this month, she earned her Masters in Education as a Reading Specialist from Edinboro University.  What an accomplishment for her and her husband Josiah and of course little Joey (their son).

Laryssa started working towards her Masters Degree a week before she got married (2 years ago) and continued to do her course work through 4 moves (living in 4 different states), a pregnancy and baby, and seeing her husband off on a deployment.  I am so proud of her for achieving top grades and working hard.

Although she did not go to her graduation ceremony, our family celebrated her accomplishment with dinner together and an amazingly creative and delicious cake decorate by The Sweet Life Cakes.   Another family milestone to celebrate which is what a family does – celebrate together each other’s accomplishments.

 

 

Laryssa – Congratulations on achieving your Master’s Degree.  It is so exciting to see your love of teaching and reading being used to help others (including your son).  Your Dad and I are proud of you, not only for this accomplishment, but because you are a wonderful wife, mother and daughter.  Our family is blessed by you and your family.  We love you.

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A Yearly Favorite Blog Post: Verses to send with your children as they head back to school

Just a few hours ago, my youngest daughter loaded all of her stuff into a car to head back to college.  This is not the first time, I have done this but it is the last.  Next year at this time, she will be married.  Saying goodbye always looks the same – piles of stuff in our home, loading it all in the car, and then a circle of prayer and finally tearful goodbyes.  Then there is an emptiness about our home – quietness without the sounds of her.

Trust me, I rejoice that my daughters are not fearful to go to far away places, I want them where God wants them.  But this is the toughest part of mothering – letting go, allowing them to go and be where God calls them.  I want them around our homey home, part of my everyday life.  God wants them in other places, learning and serving Him.

So once again, I sent a card with a message from me and it made me think of this blog post that was first written years ago.  This has always been once of my most popular blog posts.  So it is time for those of you following after me to send your children off to school with God’s Word..

Blessings,

first written in August 2008 at Recognize and Remember

So many of you have been searching for prayers and support as your children return to their school routine.  My blog has been pretty busy these last couple of days with people looking for verses to send with your children as they go to Kindergarten, High School, Home school, or college!  This time of year always makes me reflect upon how each year I would send a notecard off to school with my daughters on (or close to) the first day of school.  I would let know how totally I was (and still am) in love with them, how I would be (and still am) praying for them, how I appreciated the growth I saw in them over the summer and then I would usually include a verse to let remind them of God’s truth!

Here are a few of the verses that I remember including….

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“God has said,  ”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:”I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”  Psalm 56:3-4

Some years I would write out a prayer for their year, some years included a gift and every year included the fact that I was crazy about them and would be there for them as they went through each day.

Tell me what verses you are sharing with your school age children as they head back to school ….

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