The Lord Provides

Sometimes it seems like God has to keep teaching me the same lessons over and over again. Lately He has been reminding me that when I put my trust in Him and do things His way and honor Him with my time, talent, and treasure (as Miles would say) that everything else will fall into place. No need to fret. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matt. 6:33-34

So, what, Julie, has brought about this revelation once again to you today? Well, I really wanted to channel these darling vintage postcard inspired save the dates...


I knew, however, that we would have to have some engagement pictures taken and I wanted them to be quality but I also knew that our budget may not allow for a professional shoot so I prayed about it (I know, I know I pray about silly things but God tells us to pray continuously, right?) and tried not to think about it too much.
Well, yesterday, whilst perusing facebook, I noticed that one of my friends had made a page for her new photography business. I have always admired her pictures of her darling kids... Well, lo and behold she and her husband are trying to build their portfolio and announced that the first five friends to ask would get a free photoshoot! No way! So ...I asked! (obviously) And she said yes! Woo hoo! Oh, and their business is called Nothing but Miracles Photography - how appropriate. Look at her amazing pictures (and babies!)...





Gah... maybe she won't notice if I steal baby Tyler... :)

Venue Updates...

On Thursday Brad and I checked out the schoolhouse and I guess we're going to keep looking... The actual schoolhouse was very cute and Stephanie was helpful and sweet but neither of us are fans of gazebos and/or painted concrete. I don't know, it just didn't feel right.


I think we'll know it when we see it. We both still really like the Thursday Club (not available on Saturday the 17th - only Sunday) and when we talked to Pastor Miles he said he might be willing to tape the first service and possibly just to a video cast for the remaining 4 services that Sunday! So sweet.


I wish we could use an old church (I have a thing for pews) but it would seem that they all require you to use their clergy for the ceremony and some even require you to be baptized into their church! (Reminds me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Brad thinks maybe he could pull some strings though so I'll keep my chin up!


We are also going to check out a couple of places in Temecula (as a last resort if nothing in San Diego works). One is an estate and it looks very pretty... and the other is an outdoorsy, park scenario with lots of trees. Which I love the idea of - I imagine it looking something like this:


Which is my problem. get all excited imagining what it could look like then I get there and it's not nearly as cute as my head made it out to be. :(

Oh well, I can't worry about it... as the Lord has told me, "...I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) He has it all figured out - I just have to have faith.

Little Girl at Heart...

Do you remember that childhood game where you take your little lunch apple and carefully, slowly twist the stem one turn at a time as you count out "A, B, C..." etc until the stem finally breaks off? Then whichever letter you land on is the first letter of the name of the man you will marry? That was my kind of game as a kid. Romantic, easy, a little mysterious...

Well, I just played it again, sitting here at my desk... and I landed on "B"! How convenient! :)

Taylor Linens Photoshoot

We had the big photo shoot on Friday for Taylor Linens and it went really well. It was a little hairy there for a while wondering whether or not we would get a courier of new samples in time (which we didn't) but in the end we got some beautiful shots... and even got to use a puppy! I love seeing how everything comes together.

Photoshoots and Schoolhouses

Well, Thursday and Friday are shaping up to be busy days... Brad and I are visiting the Old Richland Schoolhouse in San Marcos on Thursday afternoon so see if it might work as a venue for our wedding.


We are doing all of this a little faster than a lot of couples so we need to reserve a spot quick before they're all taken! This place does sound nice and intimate but it's so hard to tell from pictures some times. The girl that works there is very sweet though so I'm hoping that will translate into a sweet place to get married as well!


Taylor Linens is having a big photoshoot on Friday so the rest of Thursday is going to spent running errands and ironing and fluffing to get ready for the big day! I love photoshoots but the set-up can be draining... pray I have energy! Our photographer, Rick, is amazing though and it's so much fun to work with him and our stylist Carey. I love them...

New spud muffins pictures!

Brad and I did a little photoshoot a couple weeks ago - what do you think? :)


The whole gang! It took awhile to get them to all sit still and look at the camera... crazy kids.


Shy Harold. His hood is way too small for his noggin.


Chuck. Funny little baby chicken/duck...


Frances... with her sweet pink sweater. She is so smart...


Megumi is a little jumpy - it makes her a target for practical jokes... poor bunny.


Hazel is the new kid on the block. But she's got a schnazzy bow so she'll be fine.


Duncan's off to cause havoc... dinosaurs are trouble.


My little Oliver... golly I love that one... I just wanna squish him!

~ Utterly Engaged ~

It's been one month since Mount Washington and I feel like I've been caught up in a whirlwind of activity. I don't know if I have ever been so excited and simultaneously so overwhelmed in my life. I am marrying my very dearest friend. A man I love, trust and respect completely. I am so perfectly at peace with our decision to get married - but it is still a lot to take in! So much is happening in the next six months it is kind of amazing. My brother is getting married to the most lovely girl in November, my little sister is going off to UCSD in January, and now I'm getting married in April!! Oh, my poor mother. As she so perfectly put it, "They are all good things... but all at once it's just too much!"


My brother and his fiancee had the most darling engagement photos taken! Hmm... I think Brad and I may need some of these done... aren't they precious?



So, why April? Well, a few reasons. Logistically, April 17th is the only day in all of April and May that our pastor could officiate our wedding. April weddings are less expensive than June weddings and often have better weather (and everything is so green!). Everyone we have talked to has told us to keep the engagement short and the wedding simple - it's about the marriage not the wedding. Also, we believe that the Lord has plans for us and for our life together and if you truly believe that, it seems wrong to put His plans on hold so that you can have more time or money to plan a party (more or less). Not only that but we love each other and can't wait to be married! So, in the end, April is what works for us and what we feel good about.


Now the rubber hits the road! I have so many ideas and so much to do! I hope you enjoy the journey with me!