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. :)