Our Daughter's Wedding ~ Simply Sweet and Full of Joy

Our daughter's wedding was held last week, and we are still enjoying the memories of the special moments that were held throughout the day. 

She was such a beautiful bride with a special glow of love and joy about her. 

They were married in a local wedding chapel called the Hitching Post officiated by a wonderful Christian man who shared wonderful advice and prayed for their life together.  

A cute snapshot of both our kids :) 

We went to the local city park to take pictures where there was a lovely waterfall. 

These pictures were taken while we were looking at the photographer,
so we are not looking directly at the camera, but I still love these pictures :)   

I had to put my sunglasses on for a bit... I am just completely blind in the sun without them!
Do any of you struggle with sunlight like this? 

Ryan, Danielle and our new son Zak

Our sweet children! 

Zak and Danielle with his family

Zak and Danielle with his parents

I love this picture with the two of them looking away from the camera. 

Another family picture

Mother and daughter :) 

The reception was held in a private dining room.  Amazingly, the colors of the chairs in this dining room perfectly matched the colors of her wedding!

Decor was very simple, yet so elegant... fairy lights, fresh flowers, tea lights, burlap and baubles. 

It was such a beautiful day in every way.  It was simple, elegant, and stress-free.  In Idaho, there are no witnesses needed for marriage, so it was just parents and siblings at the wedding in the little chapel.  Friends and family were invited to the reception.  Everything was very special about the entire day, and my heart was full of joy for the two of them to begin their life together in this way.  

A special poem comes to mind 

and I thought would be wonderful to share with you about marriage. 

“The Art Of Marriage”

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In the art of marriage the little things are the big things…

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;

the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,

it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude

of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation

and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience,

understanding and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,

dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

– by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; 

as I have loved  you, that ye also love one another  John 13:34 

In essence, the blessing of marriage

is in truly loving your spouse 

as you would want to be loved. 

Our prayer is that Zak and Danielle together would be blessed abundantly in their journey of marriage together.  I spoke to them at the reception to remember that it takes three to complete a marriage, having the Lord in the midst of a marriage is the cementing of the bond that will hold through the ups and downs, troubles and triumphs, sorrows and joys that life will bring.  

In these uncertain times, beginning a life together 

may seem quite intimidating and full of challenges, 

but with the Lord in our midst... 

all will be well, 

in Him. 

Our heart is full and grateful for the new addition of a son to our family. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures of their special day... many blessings to all!