A Wedding (& A Sister!)

My big brother got MARRIED on Saturday! 

(pics by Beau Vaughn Photography)

And he just happened to marry an amazing girl who has become one of my best friends over the past 4 years.  So not only did I get to celebrate my brothers wedding day, I got to celebrate my best friend becoming my SISTER!  (I mean I've only been praying for a sister for 27 years now!)

She was such a gorgeous bride...

The wedding was absolutely perfect!  Small and decorated beautifully, with the cutest party favors I've ever seen:  horseshoe shaped cookies that said "Lucky in Love" - the theme for the wedding!  (Did I mention that my new sister is the most talented, creative, and crafty person I've ever met!?)

The ceremony was short and sweet.  Christa's brother played "Here Comes the Bride" on his violin as she and her beautiful kids walked towards the front of the room.

After they were pronounced "Mr. and Mrs. Keeler" we had a wonderful dinner at Will Jenny's -- one of their favorite restaurants.

I then had the honor of giving a toast to the happy couple before they cut in to their wedding cake.  I got a few laughs and a few tears, so I think that's a success!  These pics are from the professional photographer, Beau Vaughn Photography.

 

Lots of dancing and beer drinking was the perfect end to a perfect day!  I couldn't be happier to welcome such an amazing, beautiful, talented, fun-loving gal (+ kids, who I adore) in to the Keeler family!

Easter Sunday

These first two pictures are atually from the day before Easter Sunday, but they are too cute not to share.  On Satuday, my mom decided she wanted to take the dogs AND my niece for a walk.  This was the first official meeting between my two big dogs (90lb. labradors) and my 6 month old niece. 

As you can see below, Willow kindly greeted Hadley with a big, wet kiss across the face! 

Poor Hadley didn't know what to think after that, haha!  She didn't cry or anything, and I don't think it scared her...she just looked really confused!

________________________________________________

My family celebrated Easter this year by going to church together and then we all had a big lunch back at my house.

Somehow I forgot to take pictures of the massive amount of food we had.  We will all be eating leftovers for a good couple of weeks at least!

I'm pretty sure my cute little niece inherited my crazy, curly hair :)

And here is "the happy couple" - less than ONE WEEK away from their WEDDING DAY!!



Letters from Ethiopia

Earlier this week, I received an envelope in the mail - a little overstuffed - from Children's Hope Chest.  This is the organization that I sponsor my two kids in Ethiopia through, so I was excited to see what was inside.  Even their marketing material and newsletters are very interesting and convicting.  Little did I know - it was NOT any regular piece of mail...  THIS envelope contained two hand written letters from my kids at Trees of Glory - one from Mita (who is 5) and one from her brother Derebe (7)!!  I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the letters!  I mean I don't have any doubt that my money is specifically going to help these children (see my earlier post about the packages I sent them) - but to actually receive a LETTER from MY KIDS!?  SO EXCITING!!

Here is the letter from sweet little Mita:

I wish my scanner showed the quality better -- and was in color!  The picture she drew looks like trees or flowers maybe??   I just LOVE it - definitely going on the fridge!! :)

And here is the letter from Derebe:

I'm not sure what Derebe drew.  It looks like maybe the Ethiopia flag, some sort of animal, and some buildings - a church maybe?? :)

I don't know if you can read the letters or not...  Basically they each wrote a sentence or two and then wrote a prayer request.  A teacher wrote below and translated everything: 

Mita said, "How are you doing?  Happy New Year!  I am only a little child, thus I couldn't write much. I wish you success."  How cute is that!? :)  Then she said, "I need your encouragement" and her prayer request was, "Pray for me to be a good child and to fear God."

Derebe's letter said, "How are you doing whom I love?  I wish you a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.  I wish to live with my mom but I couldn't.  I live in others house with problems.  Nothing is impossible to God."    (Poor little guy - I can't help but wonder what type of living situation he would be in if he was in deed living with his mother.)   I had written him a letter earlier last year and told him to work hard in school because an education was very important.  In this letter he said, "I need your advice to be a smart student" and his prayer request was, "Pray for my school and for me to be a good child."

It just warms my heart to know that I am a part of these two beautiful children - half a world away - getting the opportunity to go to school and learn with a full belly of food.  Maybe they even colored these pictures with the crayons I sent them!? :)  The Good Lord has definitely poured out his blessings and love on me, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to share that with these kids.

My plan is to (hopefully) actually GO to Ethiopia with Karen Wistrom and the Hope Chest team she leads this November...to actually MEET my kids!!  To say I am excited for this possibility is just a slight understatement!! :)