Thanksgiving & More Wedding Plans

Mark and I are about to have our first family holiday together. No, we aren't married yet, but I don't think I have ever been with a significant other over a holiday before. Ever. I am excited and nervous. Excited that I am gaining the family that I used to have when I was little, when my family actually got along, and we got together for Thanksgiving at my Nanny and Papa's. Now, though, I am a part of a family that I have chosen to be a part of. A family that has accepted me and loved on me and treats me as their own. Within a few months of dating Mark and I's picture was on the refrigerator.

His mom is helping so much with the wedding. She's a wedding planner and has excellent taste in lots of things. She is so organized and has helped keep the stress to a minimum. It has been so much fun. Her, my future sister-in-law, and I went dress shopping a few weeks ago for my dress. It was so much fun! I love my mom dearly, but our relationship has been strained at best for a really long time. His mom is so giving and patient and helpful! She is going to make a great mother-in-law! She even hemmed pants that were too long for me! :) I'm excited to be her daughter-in=law.

We have decided not to have our reception at a reception hall with dancing. It was just becoming to much of an expense just to be able to dance. We think we have decided that we want to honeymoon in Monument Valley out in Utah in a little cabin. I'm pretty excited about that. We both also have chosen our wedding parties:

Best Man:
Mat Whitaker, Brother of the groom

Groom's men:
Tim Hawkins, Friend of the groom
J.T. Silvers, Friend of the groom
Adam Hopper, Friend of the groom

Maid of Honor:
Emily Long, Friend of the Bride

Bride's Maids:
Christine Grant, Sister of the bride
Brandi Bizzell, Friend of the bride
Fran Sullivan, Friend of the bride

Ring Bearers:
Jay Grant and Caleb Hawkins

Flower Girls:
Dani Grant and Gracie Hawkins

I think I've also decided on Bride's maids dresses as well. We shall see. Other than that we are just looking at how to decorate the church. Have I mentioned Mark's mom is amazing in all of this?! She knows just what to do and how to do it! It's so great!

The Election

So, I had the thought today, that after Obama was elected, that I will be getting married under a Democratic president. What exactly does the mean? I'm not sure. Does that mean financially we could face even harder times? I don't know. Are we forever doomed to live under a man who is not for Christianity and may persecute it? I'm not sure about that either, but one thing I am sure of is that my God is God. He is sovereign in every situation. No matter what America does, He still reigns. Israel went against God numerous times and yet He still delivered them. They begged for a king until God gave them one and He still delivered them. No matter the outcome or what this nation "chooses" God is still sovereign and nothing takes Him by surprise. His plan is flawless and perfect. He is God over all and I will not fear. No matter what my God is still God and a presidential election will not affect that.

In other news, we are possibly going to look at reception halls this Friday when I'm up in KY for a visit. Mark's mom is doing our flowers and made an amazing bouquet already. It's dark pink. :) I'm really excited that she is so helpful. She doesn't try to control everything, but instead makes suggestions and let's us decide. I'm so excited to be marrying the man that God laid out for me before the foundations of the world! I cannot wait to be Wenday Nichole Whitaker! :) We may also look at how we want to do our invitations this weekend. I'm not sure.

I went a couple weeks ago with Mrs. Robin, and two of my friends Krista and Kristina to try on wedding dresses. I kinda felt like a Barbie. It was an interesting experience in which I learned new vocabulary :) Our colors for the wedding are going to be black and white with dark pink being the color of our flowers. Mark is going to wear a black tux with white vest, shirt, and bowtie, while his groomsmen will wear black tuxes with white shirts and black vests and bowties. My bridesmaids are going to be in mostly black dresses with white accents. We have yet to pick those out yet.

We are getting married at Eastwood Baptist Church in Bowling Green, KY. The sanctuary is beautiful. Mark is wanting a string quartet to play and no tracks for the music :) He's a music major graduate from Campbellsville and working on his Masters of Divinity in Worship at Southern Seminary.

I think that's all for now. Will try to keep y'all updated as much as possible :)