Same in the afternoon.

I'm tired. Good, but tired. Tired of life. And I need prayer. Prayer for God to lift me out of this inertia and understand why I'm so tired. Is it the weather? Is it work? Is it my soul? Is it ....?

My birthday is next Thursday, and I don't want to feel this way before my birthday. So I choose not to. We've acknowledged the tiredness; now we'll move on because attempts to understand have thusfar proven futile. Because my birthday is going to rock. Thursday, I have to work, but it should be a good day spend with Autumn in the morning and sexual harassment training in the afternoon (you know how I like to get cheeky with the boys). Friday morning, I'm going to Lodi to skydive! I'm more excited than you can possibly know. And no "Erica, you could die" comments because I know all that, and they're starting to frighten me a little, but I want to be nothing but excited. Sure, I could die. But I could die tomorrow or Saturday or on the way there. And I'd rather die doing something I've always want to do.

Friday evening, assuming all goes well, will hopefully be a Starbucks reunion dinner of sorts. Now where to eat -- Casa Corona? Old Spaghetti Factory? BJ's? Other? I'm looking forward to the company more than the food anyway.

In the meantime, I want to go to Portland. If I'm honest with myself, the funds just aren't there, with the saving for skydiving and the conference in New Orleans in October and the New York trip next year. But something is saying Portland. Maybe it's longing for something green. And no smog. Regardless, what do you all know of Portland?

Speaking of Portland and other things, I finished Don Miller's Through Painted Deserts and Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Love Pray last week. I highly recommend each to anyone seeking a thoughtful, insightful, entertaining read.

And that's all for now. The next time you hear from me, I'll hopefully have pictures of myself that look like this:


Ciao.

Going to the chapel, er, White Horse (part 3).

WARNING: This blog is VERY picture-heavy!

FINALLY! 8.1.08 was here, and we were ready! Abbey tried all day to break the old wives’ tale that it’s bad luck to see the groom on your wedding day, but we girls did our best to keep them apart. We’re not a superstitious lot, but you know, just in case.

Friday morning, my aunt and I went for pedicures at Heaven, a day spa in town. I’d only had one before, but heck if I wouldn’t mind one once a week -- I inherited my dad’s skinny but on-their-way-to gnarly feet, and it was perfect timing, since my toes were about to be on display in strappy heels in front of a hundred people (who were all coming to look at my feet, of course). After the wonderful soak and massage and color, we picked up my car from the mechanic and headed home.

At some point between Thursday and Friday, Abbey gave me a bridesmaid gift -- a book by Louie Giglio, a dark chocolate truffle bar, and the coolest tea kettle ever! (Major plug here: http://www.wishingfish.com)

Love!


Friday was actually the quickest day of the week. Once I got home, I readied my dress and necessities, made sure Abbey was ready as well, loaded the car, and it was basically time to go. A group of Exeter girls trekked up with myself and the Anderson girls to help set up. When we arrived, there wasn’t much we could actually do for various reasons (sun, setup, etc.) so the girls went wading the river, I checked on the boys (upstairs in the “treehouse”), and took some time to relax in a bedroom while people starting getting ready.

Abbey had a hair appointment in Exeter and arrived around 330p, and the magic began. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress. The bridesmaids were a vision in yellow. The flowers were stunning. And everyone had an amazing time. My camera batteries started to die while we were getting ready so any pictures after that are courtesy of Erica M. (as are some others). Can’t wait to see the professionals.

Erica and Abbey.


Abbey and Emily.


Bridesmaids: The Yellow Girls (our DJ was so insightful).


Abbey and Dad.


Mom and Dad.


The cake.


Picture tables before a beautiful view.


Before the ceremony.


The ceremony was beautiful. Abbey was radiant; Matt was beaming. I thought I would cry (we had tissue, just in case), but they looked so happy that I couldn’t stop smiling. From the vows to Josh’s mini-sermon to the Unity candle and communion -- it was all perfect.

And just like that, they went from Matthew Ingalls and Abigail Cochran to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ingalls. Time flies.

But to make up for it J, we had a reception! Cake and dancing and the toasts (where I did cry, but not too much) and Jack, who is the life of a party, and, just like that, they were off to a hotel for the night before heading east toward a Colorado cabin and, ultimately, Indiana. The perfect end to a perfect night.

The happy couple.


Decorations.


Emily and Erica shaking a leg.


Gwen and Derek.


Jack, my partner in dance and crime (aka, bubble wars).


Yummy lemon and raspberry cake.


Head table happiness. Or weird chewing, whatever.


Saturday was a quiet day, almost a lonely day after the week’s activity. The girls and what boys were left went to Sequoia National Park to enjoy the trails and redwoods. After Travis and Veronica headed home, Mom, Dad, and I hung around the house doing not much until we went to Grammie and Papa‘s for cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate Grammie‘s birthday (next week but she and Papa will be in Oregon!). The three of us had dinner at Vallarta’s then watched Big Fish (Gwen’s excellent choice) with the girls and Derek before retiring early. It was weird to sleep in my sister’s bed, knowing she would never live in that room again.

Sunday morning, I went to church with Mom and Dad, who picked up Jim and Sonya (Matt’s parents) on their way. Afterward, we had Vallarta’s for lunch (any Exeterite will tell you that there is no such thing as too much Vallarta’s!) that could only be described as leisurely. I guess delicious would work, too. J It was especially fun for me because, while I’d been visiting with Jim and Sonya over the past several days, I hadn’t had the chance to really get to know them, and they are such wonderful people in their own right (beyond having an amazing son).

And then it was time to go home. The kitty was glad to see me, as I was her, and I was especially glad I’d scoured the apartment before I’d left. It was an idyllic, exhausting, amazing weekend of fun, love, laughter, and fellowship. I feel so blessed to have been a part of what God is doing in the lives of my sister and my brother-in-law, whom I consider my brother because, while Abbey is now an Ingalls, Matt is also a Cochran. Welcome to the family!

An aside:
Things I Learned (or Learned Again)
1. Always bake at least four dozen cupcakes before a wedding. You never know how many situations will call for cake.
2. Spiky high heels may make your legs look fabulous, but they will sink in soft grass, making you a bit of a fidgety maid of honor.
3. No matter what, EVERYONE sweats in California in July. Embrace it and call it glow!
4. (Male of any age x 10) + open space = wiffle ball.
5. God is love.

End of the line but you missed the train? Chug along to Part 1! Then Part 2!

Going to the chapel, er, White Horse (part 2).

WARNING: The following blog is VERY picture-heavy!

Thursday must not have been too exciting because I don’t remember most of the day. Dad and I took my car to the mechanic; I went for a walk; the boys came over and devoured lunch; ah yes, the girls came over in the afternoon for a nails party. But Thursday evening was memorable -- wedding rehearsal!

My carload to Three Rivers was me, Abbey, Emily, and Erica M.. Did Mollie go with us, too? All of the days and car rides are starting to run together. J Anyway, I was glad I’d had the car cleaned. We arrived in good time and set about touring the area. I’d never been to the White Horse Inn and was delighted at the beauty of the space. Someone got a hold of my camera (thank goodness, or no pictures would have been taken!) so whoever you are, thank you!

Erica M. and Abbey.


Me., doing what I do best (organizing).


Beautiful statue.


Abbey and me.


Abbey and Matt.


Erica M. having fun! (I just learned that this is the official Narnia picture.)


Josh (aka, He Of Many Hugs), the officiant, looking way more serious than he actually is.


Abbey with her gift bow bouquet.


Practicing.


We’re gonna get Abbey hitched, woo!
Erica M., Mollie, Emily.


After all was said and done, our caravan headed down to VIP Pizza for the rehearsal dinner. Good food, lots of friends and family -- we had a great time. And apparently there’s a new Exeter tradition -- Parade the Bride and Groom Down Main Street. Be warned, ye who marry here!

Caught in the middle? Start with Part 1! Then Part 3!

Going to the chapel, er, White Horse (part 1).

WARNING: The next three blogs are VERY picture-heavy!

It’s taken me a while of staring at a blank Word document to start this blog. Because how do you describe the feeling of your little sister’s wedding and marriage? How do you sum up into words your pride, exuberance, humbled-ness, and love? Wednesday through Sunday were some of the best days in recent memory; I only hope my wedding someday captures an iota of the fun and fellowship of hers.

Now I’m sure you want to hear all about it, right? Let’s get started!

Wednesday morning, I got up early to get my car washed, drop off something at my store, and … what else did I do … ah yes, and pick up a couple of prescriptions before I headed home. The house was fairly quiet when I arrived, and I spent some headachy time in Visalia shopping, but a couple of hours later, we were bombarded with boys! Mom and Dad had everyone over for a BBQ. Everyone meant the three Anderson girls staying in our driveway (the trailer in our driveway), Matt, Abbey, some of Abbey’s Exeter friends, Matt’s parents, and seven Anderson/Indiana boys who eat a ton and jump in the pool. I can’t remember the last time the house in Exeter saw that many people. We had a blast eating hamburgers, swimming, watching Emily and Erica (M.) get thrown in the pool, everything you need for a good BBQ (Birthdaypalooza memories, anyone?).

Gwen, Erica and Mollie.


When the sun was almost down, I headed Emily’s house to ready for Abbey’s bachelorette party! Rachel, Emily, Kelly, and I decorated while baking pizookies filled the house with delicious cookie smells. Abbey came over with the Anderson girls, and the partying commenced.

Decorations ready for the bride to be!


We played Strip Spoons (no pictures of that one! J ) and sipped on strawberry daiquiris (virgin, lest anyone worry).


Our next adventure was ice blocking! For those of you unfamiliar with our smalltown California ways, ice blocking is riding a large chunk of ice down a hill. Easy enough, right? But genius Emily added a twist -- riding a large chunk of ice down a hill holding a plastic champagne flute of Martinelli’s cider! Let the competition begin.

The curly-haired guy who opened our cider bottles (and christened his car in the process).


A toast.


Ice blocking practice runs.
Emily.


Abbey, Rachel, Mollie.


The races.
Kelsey and Hannah.


Kelsey, Kelly, and Abbey.


Gwen.


Erica M.


Kelsey was declared the winner, and we all headed home for Abbey to open her presents (Matt’s eyes only!) and to dig into those pizookies. Our last added bonus was a video of fourth-graders running for class offices on speech day, Abbey included. Hilarious.

All in all, an awesome bachelorette party -- Emily to the rescue!


For more wedding weekend fun, read Part 2! Then Part 3!