The Wedding

It's over.  The event we planned for so many months is now behind us.  The wedding was wonderful.  Grace was a beautiful bride, and Anthony a handsome groom.  Most things went as we wanted them to.  And those that didn't, well, most were not that important.

So now, life is supposed to get "back to normal".  Whatever that means.  But what was normal on Friday is no longer normal.  I have a married daughter, and a wonderful son (in-law).  Come Monday evening, there will be two married couples, one single woman, two neurotic cats, and an overly enthusiastic dog living under one roof.  There will be adjustments as Phil and I continue to learn our place in Grace and Anthony's lives, and as Sarah adapts to having another man in the house.  The animals will think it's great that there are two more hands to feed and pet them though.

God has been so gracious to us.  Not only that He "show[ed] his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"  (Romans 5:8, ESV), but that by accepting Christ's death on the cross as the only sufficient payment for our sin, and allowing Christ to assume His rightful headship in our lives, we are His children.  The journey we have been on with Anthony and Grace these past 15 months has been incredible.  It has brought Phil and I closer together as we walked through courtship and then betrothal with Anthony and Grace.  Anthony has been a blessing in our lives, and we have learned much from him, and will continue to do so.  We have also learned more about our daughter.  And Sarah has been challenged and is growing spiritually and emotionally.  We are in awe of all God is doing, and we look forward to the months and years ahead.

It was difficult as the mother-of-the-bride to take pictures, but I have uploaded the ones I was able to get to Facebook.  You can go here to see them - you do not have to have a Facebook account to see them.  Should you not want to do that, here are a few you can enjoy.

 Me with Anthony & Grace

 Phil & I with the happy couple

 Looking to the cross

 The dads with Anthony & Grace

 The entire bridal party

 With my parents

 With Phil's mom

 

 The bridesmaids

 At the beginning of the ceremony

 Grace with her cousin, Jamie Rae, who was one of the flower girls

Grace had to get her favorite monkeys in somewhere!