Engagement & Wedding Photos

::Sigh:: So many pohtos to post, so little time for all of you to keep up. I still haven't even finished posting the Esparza family's trip out here! Ack!

I know, you're all wondering what on earth this post is about. Well, I've been reconnected with my first roomie from college thanks to the alumni e-mail from Masters. Praise God! It's been so exciting to catch up with each other! I have lots of photos for her to see, and it seems like posting them here would be easier than e-mailing all of them. Plus, I'm not totally sure that all of you have seen all the good ones other than the few we have framed and displayed. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! And I have to say AGAIN...what on EARTH stupified my brain into thinking my hair wasn't long enough????? Then I went and chopped it all off! ::mortified:: Thank you, Lukas from TMC, for your work!










And here are a few wedding photos my mom had. I totally forgot just how BRIGHT those flowers were!!! No wonder I was too shocked to cry when Tammy brought me my boquet! I had gotten all teary because Matt and I saw each other for the first time in our wedding attire, but the tears never fell thanks to blessed Friday's Flowers. ::blows a kiss to them:: And as a joyous disclaimer for Autumn, Noah was born 23 days later, hence the healthy glow. ;-) And thank you, Matt, for the awesome edit to the close up boquet/heirloom ring/wedding ring close up. Also, Andy had the camera which explains the selection of pictures. :-P







Whew! And if any of you who attended have pictures that are e-mail-able, please indulge me!

Hope you enjoyed them, Alicia!

Major Links Update

I have finally taken the time to create a good links list for my blog. There were several friends and sites I regularly check, but had not put in my links yet. Don't anybody get all hot and bothered if your name isn't at the top of Friends or Family...I did it according to the alphabet in order to streamline, except for My Other Blogs because the Word always comes before cooking. :-) In case any of you are interested and want to know without having to browse for forever, here's a quick run down of the links:

My Other Blogs
The Sanctifying Truth - My thoughts on Scripture, messages, and important spiritual topics.
A Slew of Savary Sensations - A blog run by myself, my olders sister, mother, and grandmother where we post tasty, quick, and cheap recipes.

My Family
Autumn - My sister's life.
Gramps - Thoughts from my grandfather.
Matt - Hodgepodge from my hubby.
Momma - My mom's life.

My Friends
Amy - A friend from church back home who is currently home from China after teaching English to students, planning to return and learn more Chinese.
Ben-Missions - Jaclyn's brother Ben whom I have never met but love him still because of his passion for missions...and because he's Jaclyn's brother.
Ben-Worship - Same Ben as above, but this blog is about his thoughts on the church needing reformation TODAY.
Christa - A friend from college who is married and has a son 1 month older than Judah...her fresh experience is priceless to me. She often has very encouraging/convicting posts about Scripture, books, music, messages...and an adorable little Tyler.
Desi - A friend from church back home who has a husband in the military and a silly son.
Galant - A guy I have never met or talked to, but I love the depth of his writing. I found him through Jaclyn.
Hong & Tami - A couple at Berkley who are from church back home. They are recently married and now expecting their first child.
Jaclyn - A best friend of 6 years that I "met" through Matt but have only seen in person once...this past May. She is a treasure to my soul!
Jason & Jodee - A couple from college we hold very dear. Jason was Matt's roomie, Jodee mine. They are in Kentucky expecting their first child, a boy!
Jenny - Also a roomie of mine from college, in SoCal teaching precious boys and girls about science.
Matt & Kara - A tender couple to talk about. Matt was the brother of my good friend Bethany who was killed in a horrid accident with a semi last summer. Both parents and his two sisters went to be with Jesus. Matt was on the same wing as my Matt, and Kara, Christa, and I were pretty much the "girlfriends" of that wing. Matt and Kara live in Texas where Matt is making his rounds as a med student.
Paul - The brother I always knew I never wanted. No really. He's the perfect brother to not have! Go to his site for the most off-the-wall random stuff...and some laughs. He is married to my good friend Tracie and living in Tennessee.
Thea - My soulmate that has shared life with me since 7th grade. She is back home attending med school.
Tracie - The woman who kept me afloat with friendship when we lived in Tennessee, married to Paul. She was also my "mentoring guinea pig." Tee hee!

Spritual Encouragement
Bible Gateway - A quick reference for verses and various versions.
Blue Letter Bible - A wonderful study tool that goes into the meanings of each word in a verse and more!
Girl Talk - A blog kept by one mom and three daughters about daily living in Christ.
Grace Bible Church - The church we currently attend in Hollister, CA.
Grace to You - A radio ministry headed by John McArthur that reaches all the way around the world.
The Bible Church of Little Rock - My church back home in AR.
The Master's College - The place where I met my husband, where my life was completely changed, and where I became equipped for my highest calling in life, being a virtuous woman who pleases God...still in progress.

Favorite Sites
Drudge Report - A no nonsense news site that Matt has come to love...it's his homepage.
Foodnetwork - The official site of the TV channel where you can find recipes from the shows we all are addicted to. Go Alton Brown!
The Week in Pictures - Um, the week in pictures. See cool pics and vote for the best.
Today Show - I watch it almost every morning and right now am involved in voting each week during the "Today Throws a Wedding" series.
Top Secret Recipes - Todd Wilbur creates restaurant foods at home and offers the recipes...which are sooo similiar if not the exact same.

I hope this expands your resources for life, living, encouragement, and friendship!

And do NOT miss the previous three posts from this one!

Giggle Box and a Copy-Cat

To Home Ec or not to Home Ec?

It seems that in the past few days, there has been a flare up all around me about all things home ec and stay-at-home-women. It's been difficult at times, and rewarding at others knowing that the expensive degree I hold is in...Home Ec. Here is a comment I gave in response to Tracie's most recent post and all her commentors.

Well, now, Tracie. You KNOW this post hits the center of my heart. And I must say to the rest of you commentors, you have warmed my heart. Just this past Saturday, someone laughed at the comment "Home Ec Degree" before they knew I actually have one...and I was standing right there the whole time. She did apologize later and asked more about it. But it brought back ALL the memories of being made fun of for going to college and spending so much money on a degree in home economics. Having heard all of your comments makes me realize that my degree is INDEED valuable and not a waste of time and money. It has been priceless to my home, husband, son, and myself as I stay home.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOTHING AT ALL WRONG WITH WANTING TO STAY HOME AND BE A WIFE AND MOTHER! I can not shout it loud enough from the highest of heights, my dear friends. What did the Proverbs 31 woman do? What was her first priority next to the Lord? She was resourceful and did make money by selling the works of her hands in the market, but that was not what took up 40 hours of her week. Read Proverbs 31 right now!

There is nothing "wrong" with working outside the home, either. But if you have opportunity to choose...family ALWAYS comes before everything else except God. If you can raise your own children, why let a day caregiver do it? Why live in a messy home if you can stay home and care for it? Why spend your energies on outside work for outside people when all it does is deplete your resources that COULD be given to your husband and children?

Ladies, there are seasons of life we all go through. God allows us opportunity to stretch our minds academically and provides us with degrees for whatever His purpose is. Those of you who have degrees in areas that "can't" be used as a wife and mom may need time to see how you can use it. Artistry? Your home can be your canvas! You can create inexpensive but priceless gifts for friends and family! Journalism? Write books for your children, stories for your church newsletter, start journals for your husband and children telling them your thoughts as the years go by. Accounting? My goodness are you a valuable resource or what for handling your families finances! And you can extend the help and minister to friends and other family.

None of your degrees are useless...and if you think so, then you think part of God's plan for your life is useless. And we ALL know that is not possible! The Prov 31 woman wasn't a barefroot & pregnant ditz. She was smart, resourceful, efficient, skilled, and full of grace and character.

Guilt over desiring the highest calling for a woman, either singleness or wife/mother, is only from Satan. He has worked hard to confuse the roles of men and women -- and he has been quite successful. HE's the reason why "home maker" has never been in the same sentence as CEO's, scientists, and politicians. He knows that if we stay home to raise our own children, love our husbands, and be good stewards of our home, that we will produce another generation that seeks out the Lord and His purposes.

So, help me in foiling Satan's plans! Work towards and pray for your desires to stay at home!

Swim Trunk Bath

We gave Judah a bath in his swim trunks:
1) Because he's never worn them and we're not sure he will ever wear them in a pool...he'll grow out of them soon and the weather isn't warm enough.
2) So we could photo/video how much he loves to splash!

2 Score and 3 Years Ago

Happy Birthday, Jaclyn!

Just as you are, so I desire to be. You are an inspiration spiritually and mentally. You spur me on towards love and good deeds. You convict me, encourage me, and walk alongside me. You conduct your life with grace, beauty, and full trust in God's plan for you. To be more like you would be a wonderful thing...because you are so much like Christ.

As you walk life's journey, I wish to walk it with you. There are two songs that make me think of you, my other dear friend Rachel, and my husband Matt. The first is by Todd Proctor, the second Shane & Shane.

Take my hand and walk with me down the road of eternity.

We will follow where He leads down the road of eternity.

You and I will run. You and I will run forever. All is done. You and I will run forever.

I have no greater joy than to know that not only do I get to walk life's journey with you on earth, but that when either of us closes our eyes, it is only a temporary separation. Meet me at the feet of Jesus, ok?

Clearly, you are His. I know of no other person in my life who is as sold out to Christ as you are. I'm sure there are some, but I see the very heart of you because of all that we have shared. Christ is written on your heart, your smile, deep within your eyes, and on your fingertips. You have a fire and passion for all to know of Him. You help make Him the Famous One.

Love seeps out your pores! Love for your God, your family, the church, other peoples, your friends, your life, and so much more. Your love is expressed in all ways - kindness, compassion, service, admonishment, joy, tears, laughter, plane tickets, snorting to make my son laugh... If Christ is the vine, then you are the fruits of the Spirit hanging from Him -- love being the core of each one.

Yesterday seems so long ago. Was there ever a time that I didn't know you? Of course, but it doesn't feel like it. I can not imagine life without you. How DIFFERENT would my life be if I didn't have my cyber-friend -- another woman to share my heart with, to live life with, to spill my thoughts to, to pick me up when I've fallen? Yesterday I didn't know just how strong the bond of Christ is. Today I know. He has given me a best friend for 6 years that I've only seen once and yet the trust between us is far beyond words. He is our cement. I am His, He is mine. You are His, He is yours. Therefore you are mine, and I am yours!

Now to many more years. You've watched me go through singleness, dating, marriage, and childbirth; and yet you have not wavered in your perspective of me. You are rare, Jaclyn. Most friends put up a wall that separates me from my past life because I'm a wife and mother now instead of a single working gal. That is part of why I cherish you so much. You have no walls for me even though you desire what I have with all your heart. That is why I feel safe with you, why I can talk freely about marriage and motherhood...asking your advice and thoughts constantly. Your friendship is the definition of truly rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. I can not wait for the years ahead, my Friend. To watch each of our lives continue to change but never having our love for each other change. And I already cherish all the years to come when we will continue to live this adventure called life together!

The "Other" Blog

Just a reminder to check out A Slew of Savary Sensations because Autumn and I have begun posting more recipes. I still have quite a few to come because I've been adventurous lately!

Book Tagged

Galant, author of the blog "The Hidden Fountain" has tagged me with a short book quiz. It's a nice twist on the regular survey type blogs -- it gets you thinking and lets the rest of us know what good books are out there! I'll go ahead and exempt the Bible from these questions because it is the ULTIMATE book and is not comparable to any other book. I reserve the right to list more than one book if I want to.

One book that changed your life:
~Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Every woman should read this book. It will open your eyes to things you never knew had crept into your soul and affect the way you live. Talk about massive cobwebs that need clearing!
~Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhod: A Response to Evangelical Feminism, edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. This is a book full of articles by various men and women and includes such topics as "Male-Female Equality and Male Headship," "The Church as Family: Why Male Leadership?," "The High Calling of Wife and Mother in Biblical Perspective," and even a chapter by Elizabeth Elliot giving her personal perspective of the essence of femininity.

One book you've read more than once:
~What to Expect When You're Expecting
~What to Expect the First Year
...Both are invaluable resources for pregnant and new parents! They are quick references and thorough reads for all that is happening at each stage of pregnancy and throughout your child's first year. They esp. come in handy when the doctor's office is closed and you need some advice.

One book you'd want on a desert island:
I agree with Galant on this one. Aside from the Bible, How to Survive on a Desert Island would be a priceless resource!

One book that made you laugh:
Stories for a Woman's Heart, compiled by Alice Gray. I have to admit that most books I read do make me laugh at some point or another...all the books I have mentioned have accomplished this (out of humor or because I find it funny when people point out the truest things in life about humans that are so obvious but no one talks about). But in order to not be redundant, I have listed this particular book because it is full of heartwarming stories that reach different areas of a woman's heart.

One book that made you cry:
Oh goodness. Let's try several. They are all by Francine Rivers, a Christian novelist.
~Redeeming Love
~The Scarlet Thread
~The Mark of the Lion series The Mark of the Lion series is THE BEST book series I have ever read...I'd read it over the Left Behind series for those of you who know how much I liked those (and they too made me cry). There are three books: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure As the Dawn. READ THEM!

One book you wish had been written:
Several that my husband has lurking around in his head, especially two. One is about the death of Adam, the first created human. The other is about a man who combats a new translation of Scripture that is dulling everyone's spiritual senses and paves way for acceptance of Antichrist.

One book you wish had never been written:
Any books that deny God, His Truths, His Word, His Son, His ways, His roles for humans, etc. And also the books that twist Scripture, add to it, or take away from it such as the "bibles" of other religions.

One book you're currently reading:
A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It is a book about how to carry out daily devotions starting with being devoted to your devotion to God and walking you through practical tips and methods of study.

One book you've been meaning to read:
::sigh:: Many still on my shelf! Here are a few...
~Desiring God by John Piper (I've tried this one several times, but never seem to get past the first few chapters).
~Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias.
~Holiness by JC Ryle
~Female Piety by John Angell James

Now tag 5 people:
Autumn
Momma
Christa
Tracie
Thea

New Sound and Strong Arms

A Judah Show!

You've all been waiting! Here he is!

Babybear is his nickname from Gramps (because his mommy is Sugarbear). This sleeper says "Baby Bear Hugs." How cute is that?



Our little Backstreet Baby



New baseball overalls and onsies! Note his awesome eye color in the 4th one.




Beach Babe with his dianosaur hat.



His favorite buddy.



Mohawk mania -- and yes we really did use gel. And then gave him a bath.



Activities -- his other favorite buddy in the mirror. Side sleeping, his favorite position. Reading.

Home Life

God blesses us in small ways that matter a TON to us but are in reality frivolous and nonlasting. I have finally gotten some pictures of the couch and comfy chair we were able to get.




AND I took a walk per my husband's request (to get out of the house) and browsed Pier 1 just because. What did I find? FIVE of our toasting flutes!!! On SALE!!! $1.98 each! Back Story: Nonie got us our first two for our wedding. Simple, gorgeous, tradition with a twist. Double Tree broke one, and set out two of their very plain champagne flutes -- forever remembered in our toast photo. ::sigh:: We never got the one back that didn't break and were later told we could have taken the flutes we used. Gee, thanks. I think we did get $50 reimbursment though. Someone (maybe Nonie?) bought us a second set. We broke one later on, and began the hunt for new ones. No Pier 1 we visited had them. Until yesterday...2 years and 1 month after our wedding. So we bought all five of them. We now have 6, which in my brain is a full set considering the history of these flutes. :-P



Next post will be a Judah fashion show!