So BLESSED

We have been feeling so unbelievably blessed lately. This post was originally supposed to be written about two weeks ago, but by the glory of God the blessings have remained constant (and life has been a tad hectic) so the blog was continually put off. May is always a wonderful month for me because its my birthday month!!!! However this year I was able to add in Teacher Appreciation Week and some wedding love. My birthday was very nice and my entire family, as usual, did a great job making me feel blessed and loved. Justin didn't do too bad either making my first and only engaged birthday unforgettable. We went to Sea World and ate at the restaurant we are hoping to host the rehearsal dinner at. It was very yummy, although a little crazy since of course my birthday falls two days before Cinco De Mayo and we ate at a mexican restaurant....Anyways I loved my birthday and can't believe on my next one I will be married!!

My birthday also happened to fall on the Monday of Teacher Appreciation Week. My students did a great job of making me feel appreciated, although I did receive quite a bit of joint gifts :) Whoever invented teacher appreciation was first of all a genius, but also brilliant for placing it strategically at the time of year where most teachers are ready to rip their hair out :)

Last, but certainly not least, the most wonderful group of ladies in my mom and I's weekly bible study threw me a surprise shower! Not only have I never felt more special, but I have never been more surprised. Those who know me well, know that it is almost impossible to surprise me. I seem to have some sort of sixth sense, Justin calls it a curse. Anyways they brought me flowers, my most favorite cupcakes (funfetti!!!) and some truly special gifts. One of my favorites being a nightly couple's devotional to read together before bed. However, since I was so shocked and surprised I didn't even think of taking a picture to remember such a special night, so I had to settle for this.....

I promise we will have an update soon, possibly at the two month mark (which is two days away ahhhh!!!)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We would like to send out a very special happy mother's day to all the moms in our lives. Thank you for not only bringing us in to this world, but putting up with us while we are here :) We love you all very much!!

Honorary Wedding Party Member of the Week

This week we would like to introduce a special part to our wedding, one of my many beautiful sisters: Rachel!



Rachel is a sophomore in high school and will be sharing her beautiful voice with all of our guests at the ceremony. This voice has taken her across the country, and she is hoping to sing the national anthem at an Angel game while she’s out this summer (fingers crossed, Rach!). She consistently takes part in her high school’s plays and also loves singing at church on occasion.



Rachel is one of the most talented people I know. Between her and Andy we are certainly blessed with some amazing talent in our wedding! Rachel can play the piano, snowboard, snow ski, and is an equestrian as well. She serves on the student council as the class secretary and is interested in clubs such as National Honor Society. I guess being well-rounded and staying busy is the best way to live life in podunk Westcliffe, CO, the city where my folks hijacked Rachel and the dogs after I moved from TN to go to college in California!



Thank you, Rachel for singing at our wedding! We can’t wait to hear you sing, and don’t forget to keep the song a secret!

HONORARY WEDDING PARTY MEMBER OF THE WEEK

Before we get to the Grand Finale of the wedding party we would like to introduce a couple very special people who are "honorary" members of our wedding party.

This week we could not be more excited to introduce.....

CAMERON!

Cameron is my baby, baby brother. I was practically a full grown woman by the time this child popped out! He was quite the surprise (and quite the birth control for a 13 year old). I must admit when I found out I was getting another brother, I was devastated. However, I could not feel more blessed to call Cameron my brother and I would never, ever change either of my brothers for anything in this entire world.

It took me awhile to come to terms with not having a sister....

Cameron is currently in fifth grade and doing his very best to get that 4.0 he has been working towards. Cameron is an awesome surfer and of course rocks at baseball. And for those of you who know Cameron well, his other daily job is to remain in one piece. He is probably the most accident prone kid, um ever. He has spent more time in ambulances and hospitals in his short little life than most people will in their entire lives. I must confess one of those times Cameron was officially "broken" was when I dropped him down the escalator at the San Diego Airport. Luckily, Cameron doesn't hold the two inch scar on his forehead against me (I mean after all chicks dig scars, right?) and he doesn't seem to have any permanent brain damage.



Seriously, Cameron is one of the most awesome kids you will ever meet (I keep trying to clone him for my own classroom). Not only is he adorable and smart, but he is a total crack-up. Although Cameron is not an "official" groomsmen, he does have the official job of walking my wonderful mother down the aisle and then (the part he is most excited about) he will be escorting a bridesmaid back down the aisle at the conclusion of the ceremony. When we asked Cameron who he wanted to walk with, he responded with "I am going to have to see pictures." I love that kid! Cameron has always kept the family on its toes, but the Joye family would not be complete without him, and our wedding would not be complete without him either!

Did I mention how cute he is???!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

WIshing a big congratulations to my wonderful parents! Happy 26 years!!!

Wedding Party Member of the Week #15

We are so thrilled to announce our final bridesmaid and this week's wedding party member:

Kathleen!!!!!!

Kathleen is my wonderful and fabulous cousin from my dad's side. We pretty much held down the Joye family grandchildren fort for most of our lives. Your welcome.

Although Kathleen is my cousin, she has always felt more like a sister to me, not only because of how close we have always been, but also because of our infamous sisterly fights. Luckily, now that I have grown, it is so apparent to me what a wonderful woman I was blessed enough to grow up with. Before I really get in to introducing Kathleen I must disclose some fun facts, I just can't resist. When we were growing up, Kathleen used to eat pretty much anything, including, but not limited to: gum off the street, jars of pickles, my bath toys, and any candy she could find. She was also the best spy buddy in the world, oh the things we discovered in our matching Ross outfits!


Well flash forward, just a few years, and you will find a very grown up young lady with the most precious family. Kathleen has been married to her adorable hubby Jeff for almost three years (I was the first of the west coast family to meet and approve of this boy, your welcome again). And do they have the cutest child on the planet!!! It is so special to see Kathleen as a mom, not just any mom, but a truly special mother (I'm taking notes!)!


I absolutely loved standing next to her when she said "I do" and I am so excited that Kathleen will be a part of our special day!

This speaks for itself....

For people with normal eyes who can't decipher the tiny picture.....THERE ARE 100 DAYS UNTIL OUR WEDDING!!!