Remembering our wedding, 8 years later

John and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary today.  This year hasn't been an easy one for us, in large part because of the stresses of the move last summer, but I also do believe there's something to the idea of a 7-year itch.  So I'm extra glad to have reached this milestone today, and we're in a better place today than we've been for years, for which I'm thankful.


On Facebook today, I'm asking folks to chime in with their memories of our wedding.  I love hearing what others remember, esp. since so much of the day is a blur to me now.  Here are some of my favorites so far:


"The bubbles as you and John left your reception. :) I have a pic of that and it's one of my favorite wedding pics of all-time." -- Sherry, rival from elementary school and friend from high school


"dancing w/ Mike on the dance floor at the reception (we had just gotten back together after our break), being on the outside porch taking pics with you & Meredith, the bubbles at the end & you being sad that it was over, & I believe a funny pink flamingo tied to your get-away car ;)" -- Sarah,  church friend since childhood


"The incredible spy museum!!! I've been back there at least once since the event and remember how cool it was to have a meal there!" -- Jonathan, cousin


"I remember thinking what a special couple you and John are. ( I still think that!) Also watching your family on the dance floor. It was a fun wedding! Congrats!" -- Amy, high school friend


"Happy anniversary to a beautiful couple! I remember lots of little details--the girls playing violin at your ceremony, the pretty purple bridesmaid dresses, your mom as matron of honor, you and John dancing to "Grow Old With You," the weather being unbelievably and unexpectedly beautiful for March, blowing bubbles as you two left the reception to begin your new life together. A wonderful day!" -- Emily, high school friend


"I wasn't at your wedding, but I knew you before you married, and you two worked so hard at your preparation to make sure you had a solid foundation. It got you this far (with God's help). You were good examples of doing it right. I also remember a fun lacrosse game." -- America, work friend


"Happy 8th St. Kitts friends! Wish we could all go back to celebrate!" -- Kristin, whom we met on our honeymoon after both getting married the same day in different states


"I remember you and John dancing to the theme from "Moulin Rouge" and singing it to each other. I also remember loving the bridemaid dress, which I wore to a number of other occasions over the years. I think it's still in my closet!" -- Ruth, college roommate and bridesmaid

"Happy Anniversary Jen! My memory is watching you and John - with such love in your eyes - pledge your lives to one another. I watched with wonder and anticipation, basking in joy myself as Bob and I had just gotten engaged the previous evening. Felt like your joy kicked off our own which is a special memory.: -- Jen, work/Bible study friend

"the purple bridesmaids' dresses and my hair up in the back... I don't think I have worn a dress since. lol John burning himself on the unity candle (hehe), you two dancing to "Grow Old with You", the beautiful reception place, and lots of other little things... :)" -- Laura, sister of the groom and bridesmaid

"I love the picture that you gave me from that day with the Bible study girls and I got to see Mina that day and meet her husband." -- Lydia, church/Bible study friend

"I thought ur wedding gown was so beauty full , most of all you looked amazing that day. loved the reception & was so happy to see all of our friends from the bible study. Happy 8th anniversary to you guys.....Jason & i will be 9 year this jun 28.It has been such a wonder full journey, & experiencing GOD together & seeing his miracle in our marriage it's unbelievable.Love you guys & pray many more 8th;s to come to celebrate." -- Mina, church/Bible study friend

"I remember your beautiful, colorful flowers and how happy you and John were! It was a blessing to be there. Happy Anniversary!!" -- Laura, church friend

"Happy Anniversary! Does Daniel not making the roll call count??" -- Jason, brother of the bride and usher

"I remember thinking that where most weddings are all party and little substance, your wedding was the most meaningful and FAITH-filled. You and John were the most gracious couple at acknowledging everyone there. Oh, and I remember dancing! And seeing the stuffed animals on your couple-table that sing "Get to me the church on time" from My Fair Lady.And you had the BEST BEST BEST rehearsal dinner ever! I loved the theme and location - Spy Museum - plus delicious food." -- Michelle, junior high and high school friend and bridesmaid

"That beautiful bridesmaid dress - I had so many people who compliment about it when they see pictures. And since I was in YWAM at the time and totally broke I remember how you guys paid for my tickets and everything for me to be at your special day! I was so privileged to be part of your wedding! The meal you served was REALLY tasty. I also had a cultural experience when people were shocked when it was revealed by the beautiful bridesmaid dress that I had tatoos!" -- Karin, college suitemate and bridesmaid

"I remember the Congressman and his wife out on the deck."  -- Phil, church and Bible study friend

"I remember thinking, as I escorted you down the aisle, that I would be sobbing. Instead I had a tremendous smile as I experienced such wonderful joy. And I remember, despite my self-consciousness, our wonderful dance together to the song 'In My Life' as my life flashed before me...my little girl was taking the next step in her amazing journey." -- Jeff, father of the bride

"I remember what a PRIVILEGE it was to be by your side both as mom and matron of honor. I was honored to stand by Sue, a godly soon-to-be mother-in-law to my girl, lighting the separate candles before you lit the unity one. I loved being in the dressing room ahead of time . . . the anticipation and care that everyone was giving to one another, and standing in the narthex, a row of 'girls in purple' with the one in white so radiant. The bridesmaids' party (seeing Fiddler on the Roof at a dinner theater) was the best!" -- Debbie, mother of the bride

Were you at my wedding?  Please send along your memories, and I'll add them as I receive them!  :-)

Thanks everyone for adding to my joy today!

Jen

Scenes of Summer, Part 2

Five months after I posted Scenes of Summer, Part 1, and now well into winter, here are the rest of my favorite previously-unposted Summer 2009 photos! This is a long post, so I'm posting small versions of the photos, but you should be able to click on the photos to see larger versions.

July 2009

Professional Photos
We had professional photographer Liz Hough take these photos in July and have used them as Christmas presents, for the giant portrait in our living room, as inserts in our Christmas cards, and as Joshua's baptism photo.

Our little aviator:

Our best friends Dave, Sara, and Daniel welcomed baby Selah into the world on July 15. We were privileged to meet and be able to hold Baby Selah that very evening.

Joshua came to a baby shower with me:

Katie and I went to music class:

Joshua mugged for the camera:

My friend Katie S. started her own Pampered Chef business and invited me to her first show:

John's parents (JPa and Oma) took us to a nearby butterfly exhibit. Butterlies landed on Oma's leg, my shoulder (next to where Joshua was passed out), and JPa's head.

Katie and her friend Sofia blew bubbles at Sofia's 2nd birthday party -- a princess party! -- just moments before I fell down a hill chasing Katie and sprained my foot. I have photos of my foot but I'll spare you. :-)

My lifelong friend Sarah C. came to visit with her youngest son, another Joshua. The two Joshuas enjoyed meeting each other. Sarah and I have photos of us together as babies, lined up on a couch with my brother Mike and another friend Christine, so we took this opportunity to line up our own babies with another close friend, Kai, so that our children will have a similar photo to show their children.

August

Our friends Stephanie and Rafael came to visit from California, and while we enjoyed our time with them, we also enjoyed spending time with Emily and David's newborn Liana and Joshua enjoyed getting his first kiss from Abbie's daughter Meghan.

We enjoyed a day with our friends Michelle, Dave, and Allison at a nearby club we belong to.

The kids and I spent a week with John's parents while John was away on a business trip. Highlights included visiting a pet store and playing piano with JPa.



The second week of John's trip, my brother Daniel moved in with us to help me with the kids and Bella.

Daddy brought Katie a funny hat that he picked up on his trip:


Joshua fell asleep holding a ball:


Joshua posed with a Mexican flag to wish my friend Meredith (a missionary in Zacatecas, Mexico) a virtual happy birthday.



Joshua tries out the Johnny Jump-Up for the first time:


We brought our friends Eric and Mary a meal when they had their fourth child. Katie enjoyed playing dress-up with the two daughters.

Our friend Krista visits from Colorado

Our friend Krista visited from Colorado, prompting a get-together with many friends we hadn't seen in a long time. Many of these photos were taken by our friend Katie McMurry, who has just started doing some freelance photography on the side. I like her photos better than I do the professional ones above. Her website is http://katiemcmurry.smugmug.com/ if you need some nice family photos or headshots taken!




Roberts Family Vacation, Aug. 21-30

My family made its annual pilgrimage to John's parents' beach house in August. It's one of the few times our entire 13-person family was together this year. We're so thankful that John's parents let us use their beautiful house. I'm actually sitting in the beach house as I write this blog post!

Front row, left to right: Ally, Jason, Andrew, Daniel, Lindsey, me, Joshua

Back row, left to right: John, Katie, Mike, Stephen, Dad, and Mom

If you look closely at the 2nd-to-top row of windows, you can see a frog that managed to affix itself to a window twenty feet from the ground.

My parents, Katie, and Katie's cousin (Jason's daughter) Ally enjoy getting to know Joshua:

Katie shows off her tan line -- even after using 50 SPF all week, she had more of a tan than I've ever had in my life. She obviously has her father's skin tone.

A few miscellaneous beach photos:

Another Roberts family tradition: Enjoying steamed, spiced crabs at the beach. The "Honorary Roberts" in the picture is Lindsey's brother Garrett, who joined us for a few days.

Videos

Wow, you made it through all of our July and August photos! As a reward, here are my favorite summer videos.

JPa and Katie play piano together during our stay with John's parents in early August:



In August, Joshua still required swaddling in order to sleep. Here's what he looked like when he first woke up and was unswaddled:

In late July, Joshua cooed and laughed for the camera.

Katie delights in having a fan blown in her face:

Katie enjoys her first parade during the Independence Day celebration at the beach:

Katie and her cousins enjoy bubbles while visiting my grandma:

Katie enjoys bubbles by herself:



In early July, Katie learns new ways to be affectionate with her 3 1/2 month old brother: