Whew! My last post was titled "I survived" and I think the same can be said for this one! Beth's wedding was AMAZING! But to say that I am exhausted is an understatement!
I unfortunately do not have any pictures from our week in Tulsa since I took them all on Beth's camera, but I do want to recap our week quickly and will post pictures once I get them.
Wednesday:
Finley and I spent the morning getting a manicure and pedicure, picking up tuxes, picking up decorations, and heading to Stillwater. Once there, Beth and Kenny watched Finley while I had a hair appointment. I called Beth to tell her I was on my way to Kenny's house after my appointment and she answered the phone like this
"You daughter ISN'T playing helicopter in a laundry basket and laughing so hard she can't breathe!"
Uncle Kenny taught her how to hold on to the sides of the basket while he propelled her (with hard rights and hard lefts included) through the house. She was shrieking with excitement and it was truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen!
From Stillwater, Beth and I headed to Tulsa to meet with the DJ and then had dinner at one of my favorite places... Cheddar's!
Thursday:
We woke up and dressed for the Prayer Shower. It was a great time and thankfully, there were other babies there so I didn't feel completely awful for bringing Finley. Though honestly, it was the one part of the week where I wish I would've planned some sort of childcare somehow... An intimate prayer shower and a LOUD baby do not go together! Finley just talks and talks these days.
After the shower, we went to look at the church and tried to get as much done as possible there. It was also around this time that Finley decided that she preferred Aunt Beth to me. She would cry anytime Beth tried to hand her back to me or anytime she left the room. It was so funny! I've totally been replaced. It's been a nice 11-month run, but I've definitely been replaced. =)
In the evening, we split up to get tans and run errands, etc. Beth and her mom had to take care of some decoration issues which allowed me to get Finley down for bed on time. I was thankful because even though she had been doing great on my schedule, I knew it was good for her to get a normal night's sleep.
When Beth and her mom got back, we wrapped gifts and looked into new decorating ideas before calling it a night ourselves.
Friday:
We woke up and got ready for the Bridal Luncheon. All the bridesmaids made it to this shower so it was nice to have us as one big group. Beth's sister-in-law's mother hosted and we took some great pictures out by her pool. I can't wait to see them!
After the luncheon, Emily and I took Finley over to Aunt Tracey's house. It was such a relief to be able to drop her off and focus my attention on the wedding while knowing that Finley was having a blast playing. I was so thankful that Aunt Tracey offered to take off work so that she could keep her for me.
Emily and I ran several errands for Beth and then met up with the rest of the group in time for rehearsal.
Devin got there towards the end of rehearsal which was great! After rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, we went back to Tracey and West's house and they said Finley was great and that there were no problems what-so-ever. This is one of the first times I've left Finley with anyone other than Grandma and PaPa so I was anxious to see how she would do and was glad that she had such a good time. Especially since Finley needs some cousins from Tracey and West!!!! We definitely want her to give them a good impression of kids!
Saturday:
I woke up and headed to Beth's house for hair and makeup. Beth and I had to be downtown by 11:30 so it was an early start for us. The rest of the group met us around 1:00 and all I can say is that Beth was absolutely stunning and the pictures downtown are sure to be the most amazing I've ever seen. It seriously felt like we were shooting pictures for a bridal magazine. I can't wait to see them!!!!!!
While downtown, Ralph and Aubrey videoed us and we couldn't have done it without them. Especially since Aubrey was in much more comfortable attire and could help Beth more than the rest of us could. I loved getting to hang out with her and Ralph since I haven't seen them in awhile!!!!
After we had pictures downtown, we went to the church for more pictures. Devin arrived with Finley only to discover that I hadn't packed her hair rubberbands like I had thought. He had to go all the way back to the hotel and it was a bit difficult to manage Finley while also troubleshooting (minor) issues at the church. Thank goodness the other bridesmaids loved kids! They were so helpful and when I looked out and saw Devin's parents' car, I immediately called them and asked if they could come in and help and they were quick to oblige.
The wedding was incredible and went off without a hitch. I had told Beth all along that Finley was sure to be fussy since we expected her to be her little angel self. I joked that she would be teething so it was pretty crazy when on Thursday Beth discovered that she had a tooth emerging on top. Of course, on Sunday, Devin and I discovered that she was just getting one tooth but four!!!!! We are so blessed that she wasn't an absolute pill the whole weekend. She did GREAT! Truly an answered prayer!
The reception was gorgeous and I can't wait to post pictures. It's hard to do any of Saturday justice without them.
Finley went back to the hotel with Grandma and PaPa which allowed Devin and I to enjoy the reception without worrying about our little one. I admit I was a little sad that the dancing didn't start earlier because Finley had so much fun at my brother's wedding, but I'm sure I was the only one who cared! =)
After the wedding, I was so keyed up, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. I felt just like I did after my own wedding! Devin and I went to the hotel bar to catch the last of Sports Center and to just relax before going back to our own hotel.
Sunday:
Devin's parents took us out for breakfast and then they all headed home while I waited to gather up the tuxes. I was so excited when I found myself at Beth's parents house with all of their family. I just love her family and they are so good to me! Of course, I was even more excited when I found that the bride and groom were there as well! It was great to see them before they headed off for their honeymoon.
Once home, we took a two hour family nap. It was heavenly! We were all worn out and this was made even more clear when Finley fell asleep in the middle of her nightly bottle! I took a picture of her and she just rolled over and went back to sleep. She was d-o-n-e!
Even though it was a long weekend, I can't imagine a more perfect wedding! I'm so happy for Beth and Kenny!!!!!!! What a mighty God we serve!!!!!!
