Jingle Bells!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share what has been going on with the Carlisles lately.

We have been getting ready for Christmas, and we put up our very first real Christmas tree together! Here are a few pics of our apartment, for those of you who have been asking.

 I love the beautiful roses Scot bought me just because!

 I have never had a stocking before, that's just a tradition we didn't do grow up. It's fun starting new traditions!

My dear friend Jennifer came for tea today, and she brought us coffee mugs. I'm sorry I don't have my pictures hung up yet... someday soon! 

I am enjoying my new job immensely; what a whirlwind! I had lunch at the Blitmore last week for the AZ Bioscience Roadmap luncheon, had lunch at the Phoenix Country Club on Thursday for a legislative reception, and tonight Scot and I are going to our office party dinner at the Ritz Carlton! How exciting. All of a sudden, I'm eating lunch with senators and getting to wear my "power suits" as my mom likes to call them; and I have to dress up every day! I LOVE my job. It suits me perfectly. ;)

Scot finished up classes for good this past week, and he graduates from ASU with his Biochemistry  degree this Friday! I am so proud of my honey. We are excitedly preparing for his family to arrive and for the good times ahead. We get to pick up his sister tonight, it will be great to see her! Scot is also looking for used cars to buy, fix up, and re-sell. We are still waiting to find out about grad school and are in the middle of making some big life decisions that we will be happy to share once we are all decided on everything. 

Other than that, we are still teaching Sunday School together. I took Scot to the Desert Botanical Gardens for the first time, and we recommend that as a great date! You can even go for free like we did if you snag a free cultural pass from the public library (ask at the front desk). We look forward to spending Christmas with family in Colorado this year, and I cannot wait to go play in the snow and make my first snowman. 

I hope everyone else is enjoying the holiday season as well! Cheers to you and to a great 2013!

For Jody... Easy Bread

I'm glad you asked about the bread, my friend! 

Here is the best recipe I have found for bread... no kneading required, and because you let it rise so long it tastes fantastic! It uses less yeast, too, and I think each loaf (2 lbs!) only costs 82 cents with the electricity it takes to run the oven included in there. 

One adjustment I made is using a regular stock pot with a lid instead of a dutch oven, because I don't have one. 

Anyway, here is the recipe! 

Ingredients: 

6 cups bread (recommended) or all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/2 t. instant or active-dry yeast2 1/2 t. salt2 2/3 c. cool water

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the water and stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated; the dough should be wet and sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest 12-18 hours on the counter at room temperature. When surface of the risen dough has darkened slightly, smells yeasty, and is dotted with bubbles, it is ready.
2. Lightly flour your hands and a work surface. Place dough on work surface and sprinkle with more flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice and, using floured fingers, tuck the dough underneath to form a rough ball.
3. Generously dust a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with enough flour, cornmeal, or wheat bran to prevent the dough from sticking to the towel as it rises; place dough seam side down on the towel and dust with more flour, cornmeal, or wheat bran. Cover with the edges or a second cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
4. After about 1 1/2 hours, preheat oven to 425-450 degrees. Place a 6-8 quart heavy covered pot, such as a cast-iron Dutch oven, in the oven as it heats. When the dough has fully risen, carefully remove pot from oven. Remove top towel from dough and slide your hand under the bottom towel; flip the dough over into pot, seam side up. Shake pan once or twice if dough looks unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes.
5. Cover and bake for 40-50 minutes. Uncover and continue baking about 5-10 more minutes, until a deep chestnut brown. The internal temp of the bread should be around 200 degrees. You can check this with a meat thermometer, if desired.
6. Remove the bread from the pot and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Also, this recipe works well if you want to add some spices such as rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, or whatever. I have done that and it turned out delicious! Especially with some olive oil. It made great olive oil dipping bread. 

What is your favorite bread recipe?

A Bit of an Introduction

How do you answer the question of who you are?

You're a wife, mother, student, journalist, counselor, accountant, a giver to the community... etc.

Me, I'm a coordinator. But that's not who I am, it's what I do.

So who am I?

I am a young woman who knows she is valued and deeply loved by God, no matter what. I know that He is there for me to enjoy every day, every hour, every moment-- if I just will.

That is who I am... a human being created for a Creator who isn't just "out there," but deeply personal, involved with my life, and who cares about me; who saved me from myself even before I knew He did.

I realized that I never did fully introduce myself in this blog, and a lot has changed from the time I did in my last one about what it is I do. But not who I am, that hasn't changed... I just needed a good starting point.

So, who am I other than that?

I am a walking contradiction; with a highly organized brain, and yet unable to keep clothes off the floor.

I am afraid of the ocean, but have gone kayaking with sharks and snorkling with golden fish.

I am afraid of heights, but I will fly planes.

I have shown a blind child bubbles for the first time.

Iridescent loveliness escapes from my lips

a gentle puff of air, a breath from me

escapes and gently floats towards 

his little outstretched hands 

and lands on his tiny curled knuckles, 

tickles his dark eyelashes as he listens for 

what bubbles sound like.

POP!

Right on his nose, his cheek, his dimple. 

He smiles the brightest smile, reserved for days

when mom sends oreos in his lunch.

He doesn't hear bubbles, he feels them.

A breath of wonderment hits us both.

I am a writer (even if I am a cheesy one), and have the bad habit of choosing to read books over doing things like dishes. Who cares if they get done, when Dante is just about to reach the giant beast, frozen in ice, desperately beating his wings to escape?

I love tea parties, and will once in a while spoil a favorite adult or two with lavish apple pastries, chocolate chip scones, china tea cups, and sugar cubes. 

I speak Hebrew, and can read the Old Testament in it. I can also read the New, in Greek. 

I understand Español, but have a harder time conversing in it. 

I can use a Braille writer. But I can't yet read with my fingers.

I have spent a summer pondering my place in the world at the base of the Mayflower steps in Plymouth, England. Wondering if I would have been brave enough to get on one of those ships, despite the fact I traveled halfway around the world with no way to communicate with anybody. 

I believe in crocheting baby blankets, because I think every child should know just how special they are. But I can't knit worth anything, and have a quilt that's been in progress since... 2010?

I paint, and get frustrated when I can't seem to quite express myself as freely as I can on the piano or on the drums. What I try to express: joy. Does that mean I frustratingly paint to express joy? Hmm.

My favorite hymn is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.  But my favorite band is the Newsboys.

I believe in wanting the best for people, no matter the cost to me. (So does my husband, God bless that man.) But I never expect the same from other people. 

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up. Despite the fact the only third- world country I've been to is Mexico, and the only mission trip I've ever been on was only a weekend long. 

I bake homemade bread without a bread machine, because I would rather have bread than dessert. But I cheat and use easy methods... even though I want homemade bread.

Unless, of course, that dessert foregone above was chocolate. 

When I see billboards with incorrect grammar, I seriously contemplate graffiti corrections.

I own an Apple computer, but an Android phone.

I hate math, and yet have helped to develop a math curriculum at the botanical gardens for elementary and junior high school students.

And the list goes on.

Of course, there's much more to who I am and what I do. But now I bet you know a little more about me, huh?

I would love to hear about you. 

New Job: Day One

Today was the first day of my new job. I can already tell that this will be a challenging, rewarding position, and that I'm so BLESSED to have it. In the morning, I spent some time going over what my calendar looks like for the next year pretty much, scheduling appointments, taking notes from the answering machine, familiarizing myself with my surroundings and server, and meeting most of the fabulous people in my office. It was a bit overwhelming, but luckily I've had enough "overwhelming" in my previous experiences that it wasn't too bad. I'm sure I'll be able to learn what I need to quickly. I brought in my chocolate chip scones to share with people today, but only one person took one. Oh well, it's a start. I am excited because already this week, I have the good fortune of a dinner with a famous author, and a lecture from an AZ Republic author! Lucky me.

I say lucky me, but I know where the real credit goes. It goes to God. Thank You, Lord!

Anyway, my first day was great. I can't decide what I'm looking forward to most tomorrow; organizing my desk, or reading more about the foundation, or the meetings I'll attend.

When I finally went home, Scot greeted me with a smile, a kiss, and dinner. Boy do I love that man, he still gets me right in the heart, every time.

 I realized that looking through the application process, I could have been a Flinn scholar myself minus the being in the top 5% of your class, I think I was just outside that. I met every other requirement, though. But then, thinking about my undergraduate career, it is almost as if I were one, the way I worked hard to get the most out of my education. I still got a paid trip outside of the country, doing something incredibly awesome; still got to be a part of many clubs and extra-curricular things, and still pursued and attained leadership roles at ASU. I don't know, if I had been given the Flinn, that I would have had the same experiences because I might have been tempted to take it a little easier. Of course, I was awarded three scholarships, and I owe my life to them, but they were not quite as good a deal as the Flinn. I wonder what would have happened had I applied and received it? I have no idea how my life might be different. What I do know is that I worked hard and was rewarded with what the reward for hard work is: more hard work. All wonderings aside, I am thankful for ASU, the scholarships I did receive, and that I made the most of what I had. Here's to a bright future, where I get to be a part of the whole higher education system!

America

Today is September 11, 2012.

I remember this calendar day when I was in sixth grade, because I woke up to find my mom's eyes riveted to the tv as a building was going up in flames. "What happened?" I asked. "I don't know," she said simply. That was it, because I had to get ready for school. I remember my teacher, Mrs. Barnette, turning on the news periodically and telling us that this was the first time an act of war occurred on our soil, except for Pearl Harbor. We didn't know what that meant, or what was going on in New York that day, but we understood it was important.

Only later did we realize the horror of that day, and about all of the men and women who lost their lives.

"Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it." I'm not sure where the phrase comes from, but it has stuck with me through the years. My generation was given a gift, a jolt if you will, on that day because we remember it so clearly. I know older generations remember when Kennedy was assassinated. What will our younger generations have? As a human race, we tend to forget things so easily. We forget big things, little things, even in-between things. I hope we don't forget   that day.

I also hope we keep in mind that we live in a country of relative ease. This Sunday after church, Scot and I had lunch with my favorite ASU professor, the lady I learned Hebrew from. We were discussing politics, and she couldn't believe how different things are here than in Israel, where she's from. She said that when she first arrived here in America, it annoyed her that the first thing she saw on the news was the weather. She couldn't believe how shallow the news stories seemed. She kept waiting for world news, but it just wasn't there. Scot and I exchanged a look, and she explained that in Israel everyone is pretty much every hour tuned into the news. That at any minute there could be a war with Iran, and here we are concerned with the fact that it's raining. But then, she expressed that it is nice not to have to live on the edge of your seat all the time. That the atmosphere here is just, well, very different.

She has a point. I don't know of anyone building bomb shelters, or worried about gas masks, or if the concrete holding up the houses and buildings is strong enough to withstand attack. We are of course concerned with the elections, but honestly whether Romney or Obama wins, we can still live out our daily lives with little or no interruption.

That is unique. Valuable. Precious. Today, my heart goes out to the families of those Americans who lost their lives that day, and to the ones protecting us from such things today. Thank you.

Ban College Football?

Tonight there was a debate on PBS (yes, I'm addicted to channel 8) regarding the issue of banning college football. The defending side said that football produces too many injuries, and that more importantly football has no place in the higher education system. The other side argued that college football indeed has a part in the university system, because it gains them more notoriety, provides athletic scholarships to students who may not otherwise have had access to a university education, and provides a cohesiveness and sense of pride for students.

What do you guys think?

During my time in the UK, I couldn't get away from football. University administrators kept asking me questions such as, "what provides ASU's cohesiveness?" "What prompts a sense of loyalty to ASU?" "Why do alumni donate for years after their ASU experience is over?" and I had to answer that football was way up there. The Europeans were confused. "Why?" And that, I couldn't answer. Their systems do not include a football program. They don't have mascots or school colors (can you imagine ASU without Sparky or the pitchfork?).

I couldn't imagine ASU without the football games, tailgate parties, alumni parties, marching band (ho! no marching band!), and maroon and gold. They are inseparable. Sure, we have other traditions such as painting the "A" and Lantern Walk, but I don't think anyone would deny that football brings the most students together. The best solution I could find for my UK university was to find something that instilled that sense of cohesiveness in their students, since they didn't have football. They didn't grasp the interconnectedness between sports and academics, and what place a sports program had in a university setting.

Is it because American universities are run like businesses, and people want football and will pay for football so they get football? I think that is a big part of it. But does that mean football belongs in the higher education system? Personally, I think it does. It was a huge part of my college experience. I was in the marching band, for crying out loud, and how well our team performs does affect our psyche of how great a student body we are. There are winners and losers in life, and that's just a fact. No company is going to give all of their job candidates jobs for showing up to the interview; there will be one person awarded a job. Hard work and determination are the hallmarks of being an American, and football showcases that. Is there corruption in it? Of course. I'm not talking about ASU, but the whole college system as a whole. Anywhere there is freedom and money, there is some corruption. Would it be beneficial to keep developing better helmets for our players, and ways to keep them safe? Yes.

But do we need to ban it? Why can't we just reform it some?


What do you guys think: ban completely or reform?

My Scot

Scot in Morocco a few years ago.

Ye be warned... This is one of those posts. The kind where I brag about my wonderful husband and how great he is, because I can't help but do so. Ready?

Here we go.

Reasons why I love my Scot:

1. He loves me unconditionally-- he chooses to love me regardless of any other factors. I am his and he is mine. 
2. He is such an encourager. Every day, he finds something to encourage me about and takes care to lift me up. Every day. 
3. I so proud of him. He is such a hard worker; he works a part time job while going to college, earned one of the best scholarships to ASU there is, maintains an incredible GPA, does his best in school no matter how tired or stressed he is, and carries these qualities into every area of his life. He works hard at everything, and doesn't feel like he's entitled to life without working for it.
4. He makes his relationship with God his first priority. He goes to church, a weekly bible study, and makes time to read his Bible despite working and going to school. But more than that, he lives out what he's learning and isn't content to stay where he is. He has this hunger to know more of God, and it's catching. Not in an obnoxious way, but in a very quiet, strong way. 
5. His strength. Not just his physical strength (although he is very strong! He's carried up heavy solid wood furniture multiple flights of stairs for me), but his strength of character, strength of integrity, strength of, of... himself. He's just strong. He's a leader, not afraid to make decisions he believes are in our best interest. From the music he chooses to listen to, to being content with eating peanut butter and jelly everyday, to what he does with his time, money, and resources... his strength is reflected in everything.  
6. His courage. He isn't afraid to go mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or to jump into marriage in his early twenties. Rather, he enjoys being challenged and tested, and he comes out on top every time. I can't think of a single thing he's tried to do that he has ever failed at.
7. His personality. He is wittingly intelligent, goofy, and sweet. He's academic and athletic. He's smart, and informed about world events and politics and cares about children in Africa. Actively. I didn't even know he supported a child in Africa until after we were married, when we were discussing budgeting. Which brings me to my next point. 
8. His humility. He doesn't brag about any of his accomplishments, but he has quite a few. I haven't heard of anyone else correcting the ochem professor and being right, working on artificial photosynthesis for solar energy applications, and many, many more incredible things... all in one person. Holy moly, batman. I feel like I learn something incredible about him every week that I didn't know before like that. Like the kid in Africa thing, or that he used to lead a Bible study in his home. He continually impresses me with his attitude about it all.
9. He is a remarkable husband. Here's the scenario: It's morning, and neither one of us are morning people. But, out of love for me, Scot is out of bed before I am to make me coffee, make my lunch, and get my breakfast. When breakfast is over and I still have a few more minutes before I have to leave, he gives me a back massage. Despite how he's feeling, despite how much homework he may have to do that morning, he takes care of me first. Wow am I blessed.
10. His ability to put things together. He is a great woodworker, car repairman, and handyman. If he didn't love science and research so much, I think he may have had to be an engineer. He can take things apart, like an engine... and then put it together. I know I couldn't do that. He's built furniture, shelving, and requests from me around the house. He's very creative! 

There are many, many more reasons why I love him, but this will do for now. I love you sweetheart! I am thankful for you and all that you do every day. 

-Hannah

Summer Afternoon Tea Party

Yesterday I had my mom and grandma over for tea. I made apple tartlets.  

I made homemade cherry vanilla scones.



We even had real sugar cubes.



Here's what the table looked like, and we used cinnamon sticks to stir our tea with.



Why? Because I felt like doing something nice for them both. I enjoyed whipping out my china, trying some new recipes, and the company was very good, too. We laughed and giggled over life, and I was so happy to catch up with them on all their goings- on.

Afternoon tea is truly a wonderful thing.

Did you know:

• The correct way to stir tea is to start at 6 o clock and move to 12 o clock and back? You should never stir it in a circular motion.
• Napkins unquestionably go to the left of the place setting. 
• When eating scones, you should never dip them in anything, or cut them in half. Just break off a part and spread with butter or whatever you're having.

I learned those things in England, when I had a tea party with cute little English ladies after church. Not that the tea police will come get you from behind your kettle if you don't follow those instructions, but I thought they were fun to know.

Do any of you have fun and special ways of spending time with the moms in your life?

Hello August First!

 There's nothing quite like a morning to yourself with some tea in your best teapot and your best china. I have spent all day writing wedding thank you notes, and I am glad I had the tea to refresh me! I used some loose- leaf tea, because this pot has a strainer in it (nifty!), and it tasted like Christmas. I think I found my new favorite! I also know what I'm going to ask for for Christmas this year... little tea spoons to stir your tea with. I still have many more thank yous to write, but I needed a break.



This past Sunday, Scot and I taught Sunday school at church, and we enjoyed our time with the kids. The lesson was on Hezekiah, Amon, Manessah, and Josiah- quite a lot to cover for such young learners. We focused on how during one of the wars, God provided food for the people of Judah for two years without them having to plant anything themselves; and how God always provides for us, too. We had the kids paint pots and then they planted corn... I know, sounds kind of corny, but the kids loved it.


There you have my random, much-needed-break-from-writing-by-doing-more-writing-and-I-know-that-doesn't-make-sense-but-oh-well-post.

First Month of Married Life!

Well, we are still getting settled into our little place, but we are almost there. It has been tremendously fun to put wedding presents to good use- whether in the kitchen, or dining room, or living room. I tried my hand at bread making, and even succeeded at making some homemade french bread! While very good, I recommend just buying some at the store-- it's a lot of work.

Other than the bread endeavor, I have been keeping busy with just doing housewifely things and working. We have a teeny-tiny laundry room off the kitchen, and I thought of a great project for Scot. I wanted something to hang drying clothes on, and we came up with this! It is a huge space-saver for us, and I think it's pretty neat. I am fortunate to have someone who can just measure the space, go to Home Depot, find the hardware, cut the wood to the right size, and put it all together in a matter of minutes. I know it isn't much to look at maybe, but I love it.

I currently work at the Foundation for Blind Children, and I was in the paper not too long ago for their graduation. I had never planned on being a teacher, but God does have a sense of humor. It is a rewarding job-- I love that I can help children to become the best that they can be, whether it is walking, learning Braille, or numerous other things.  I go home satisfied that I made a small difference in these kids' lives. Plus, it has just been downright good for my character. I thought I was patient before... but now I'm even more patient. I thought I was kind before... but I think I've grown in that area as well, along with a whole heap of other good qualities. It's funny, really, how I went from the top of higher education, being an ambassador for ASU and making a difference in the UK school system, to assisting with special- education preschool. Quite a leap, but this is where God wants me right now. True, I have had other job opportunities... excellent career moves, such as being an Executive Assistant for a company president, or I even could have stayed in England (there were no official offers, but they were trying to fish around about what would get me to stay), but I turned them down. Call me crazy, but I want to enjoy this chapter of newlywed life as best as I can. That means I need work to stay at work. Besides, what I really wanted to do with my English degree is become a technical writer, but because of the economy right now I do not have enough experience to get my foot in the door anywhere presently. I am going to try freelance projects, and possibly even attempt a book, just to see if I can and to see if anything would come of it. True, I worked hard to go to college and succeed because I wanted to do something with my life, and I think I will. I do not think that being a wife and someday a mother counts as "not doing anything." It will be my biggest ministry, and I am grateful for my education because I am still using it. It made me a more well- rounded person, sharpened my thinking and problem- solving skills, introduced me to new people, times, and languages (remember the Greek and Hebrew that I took?), and presented me with amazing opportunities such as going to England, being a campus ambassador, collaborating with Deans on projects, giving lectures on special topics courses I took, being a member of honor societies and other campus clubs, starting one of my own, speaking at orientations, and the list goes on. I am prepared to be a bread- winner should something ever happen to my husband and I am called upon to provide. While not a role I want, I count it a huge blessing that I am at least equipped. Well, that's enough of that rambling. I still have much to write and do in life, bottom line I guess.

Scot is still working as well, and he will be graduating this December from ASU with a degree in Biochemistry. Boy, did I pick a smart one! We have plans to move to Colorado next year, where Scot plans to work in a hospital as a lab tech while completing a 1- year certificate program. After that, we are considering participating in the Doctors Without Borders program, depending on whether we have children by then or not. Either way, life will be exciting for sure!

We have enjoyed the first month of being married so much; we both agreed that married life is even better than we thought it would be. At Bible study a few weeks ago, a gentleman asked us jokingly, "So, have you two had your first fight yet?" and we thought about it and no, we still haven't. We get along so well together, and last night Scot and I were chuckling over that. We have only fought about "who loves each other more," and "I get to do the dishes tonight, you go sit down" types of things. Yes, I know we are newlyweds. Yes, I know that we will disagree on things at times, because we have. But we don't "fight" about them. We talk about them, both of us seriously considering the other's thoughts and feelings, before deciding on a decision or a compromise if need be. Yes, I hope that's how life will continue to be for a long, long time. :)

Blessings to all of you!

-Hannah

The Wedding... From the Bride's Point of View

At last, the time had finally arrived... Scot and I were getting married! After ten months of planning, we were anxiously awaiting the Big Day. It was Friday, June 22, and Scot and I were putting music on our iPods for the ceremony and reception. Our new apartment was full of laughter as Liz, Scot's sister, Larissa, my cousin, and Celeste, my best friend and maid of honor, were preparing for the next day with us. Celeste came sauntering into the room with a smile and a light saber joke, because Scot's parents had just given us a fabulous Star Wars themed rehearsal dinner. What a surprise that was! Some of his cousins even dressed up for it. Scot and I enjoyed it immensely- the Yoda on the wall, the princess Leia (sp?) cupcakes,  the lego Star Wars centerpieces on the table, the yummy Mexican food-- it all fit him. You see, we had this running joke of doing a Star Wars themed wedding... we had it all planned out. His parents thought it was funny, and so chose the theme for the dinner. We were told it was going to be, "a night under the stars." HA, it was! They just left out the "wars" part! We laughed at family members taking pictures with Yoda. Those need to be framed, honestly.

Before the dinner, my day started out with a manicure and pedicure with my three flower girls, bridesmaids, my brother's girlfriend, mom, and some very special out-of-state friends. When we were all finished, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Paradise Bakery, and my grandma (who I call "Mima") joined us. There was a lady handing out free cookies, and she gave my table a lot of extra ones because we were celebrating. After lunch, we went and decorated the reception area of the church... and was I ever surprised at how many people showed up to help! My coordinator couldn't believe her eyes. Not only did our 






awesome aunts come, but even the men showed up... uncles and cousins, too! I am still so thankful for everyone's help, it went so fast with all of the hands. I learned that I have some very talented bow- making family members. :) After that, my girls and I went back to the apartment to change into dresses for the rehearsal dinner, and we went back to decorate the chapel and for the rehearsal. It was so strange to practice walking down the isle; I almost lost it a few times looking at my dad. Walking those few steps, I couldn't help but think how he has been there for me, not just for those steps, but for every step of my life. Giving up dreams so he could make mine come true. Thanks, dad.

It had been an exhaustingly good day, and now we were trying to put four simple songs onto one iPod... but it just wasn't happening. Something kept going wrong, and we ended up with two iPods for four songs. Really. With that accomplished, he went home and my girls and I got ready for bed.

I couldn't sleep. Does anybody the night before they get married? tried, knowing I would need it, but I was simply too excited. Sure enough, 6am came way too early. All of my girls and I arrived at the church super early to get ready, and my ceremony coordinator met us. She was fantastic at making sure all of the last- minute details were taken care of. I did my cousin's make up, then my own. Celeste and Liz got ready too, until the hair dressers came.




My childhood friend Lindsay did my flower girls' hair, and all three of them looked great! The other ladies did a good job, too. My other mom growing up, Ann, came and bent over backwards for me. She got me coffee, and batteries for candles, and a fire starter because I was sure we had forgotten one. What a blessing she was! My Aunt Hallie came, too, and I was glad she brought her camera. Scot's mom joined the group, too, as did mine. We all had a blast getting ready!
 
As I was touching up my makeup in the middle of all of that, someone came with a little blue box for me tied with a white ribbon. "It's from Scot," they said. I opened it, and there was a fabulously beautiful string of white pearls. Apparently he had listened when I said I wanted to wear pearls with my wedding dress! Later on when my grandma Jones joined us, we shared a special moment because my grandpa, too, had given her pearls on her wedding day as well.

 Here are some more pictures of us getting ready.

The actual ceremony went very smoothly, and I was very pleased with how it all came together. Scot and I washed each other's feet during the ceremony, as a symbol of how we are to be Christ- like and servant- minded in our marriage relationship. I have pictures of that in the previous post. 

The reception was gorgeous, thanks to the help of friends and family, and I was happy with it as well. While we were taking pictures, we served coffee and biscotti. Then, we let everyone start going through the buffet line, and timed it so that we were done with pictures by the time everyone had gotten through the line. Just as the last few people were sitting down, we made our entrance, went to our table, and our wedding slideshow started while Scot and I ate. After the slideshow, we went and cut the cake, and then almost right after that we did the bouquet toss. After that, Scot and I went around and thanked everyone at each table personally. I received many pictures from little kids, because we also had a kids table with coloring pages... I think I'm putting them on my fridge. :) That's where I keep the ones from my Sunday school kids, so why not, right? Anyway, it was just overwhelming to see how many people had come to celebrate with us. Long time family friends, friends and family from all over the country had flown or driven in just for our wedding! How special is that? Scot and I have way too many blessings in our lives, my goodness. After that, people lined up outside all the way to our car to blow bubbles at us as we left. Our car was decorated a little bit, but not too much-- thanks to whomever did that, you must know Scot very well because he was worried his car would be trashed. :) And we drove away to start our lives happily ever after. 

It is pretty much the best fairy tale I've ever heard, because it is ours. We are now a Mr. and Mrs, and we are enjoying married life immensely. I love that he makes my coffee for me in the morning, and that I can make meals and pack his lunch for him. I love that I get to show him how much I love him even more now that we're married, in even little things like laundry. I love that I get to wake up to my best friend, and our times of prayer and reading the Bible together as our own little family now. I love that he brings me closer to and teaches me about Jesus every day, just by being who he is. I am so proud to be his wife. I love you Scot! 

What a great start. 

Husband and wife.

Beautiful Life. 

My Wedding- I'm Mrs. Carlisle!

After ten months of planning, Scot and I finally tied on the knot on June 23rd! I will write about it in detail later, but please enjoy some pictures now. :)