March 19th, 2016 - The Wedding Day!

Here we are... MARRIED!

I wont lie, I begged more than once for Todd to just elope with me. I had SO much anxiety about getting married. Just anxiety about getting married in front of so many people... But Todd assured me that having a wedding is what I wanted and we would look back on it with only happy feelings. I have to say ---- I agree with him! It was wonderful. I was really calm and knew this is what we were supposed to be doing. 

Todd's bishop was really great and even took time to talk to me and get to know me and made sure to take great care in preparing a wonderful ceremony. He said some really nice things about combining our 4 extended families and had so much wisdom to share. I really appreciate the thought and time he put into this. 

Having kids in your ceremony is always interesting, but I wouldn't have it any other way! :) We thought it only fitting to include our kids into the ceremony. We decided to make a family unity painting. It turned out great. Our kiddos loved it! I read the following words before we painted. It is similar to the last blog post that I posted, but I would still like to share! 

Not so long ago, Todd and I had very different lives.  We had different hopes and dreams for our future. Our families were whole. They were beautiful. ---  Until our worst fears came true. Bart and Callie had been called home, too soon. Though we all tried everything in our power to change the inevitable, their time with us was cut short.
During the hard times I have leaned heavily on this quote by President Hinckley.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

He DID hear our prayers, and he ANSWERED those prayers. We firmly testify of that.... We never would have thought we would be standing here, in front of you all - joining two beautiful little families. Losing Callie and Bart​ was the hardest thing we have ever had to do. But, we knew we would be ok because it was God’s will. Through much prayer, fasting,   and faith, and even miracles Todd and I found each other.
We weren’t expecting to find each other, or fall in love so quickly. We now recognize that what we have is sacred and special. We know without a doubt we were divinely lead to one another. To help each other and our children heal and move forward until that beautiful day when we are reunited with our eternal companions.
We are so excited to embark on this new life and this new adventure. We are starting onto the next phase, the next chapter of our lives. The chapter we just finished and the people in it will never be forgotten. They are cherished, and they are loved. They will forever be a part of ours and our kids lives. But just as any other book, we cannot finish our story without turning the page....
We wanted to include our cute kids in our ceremony as they are very much part of this union. God has given us a blank canvas much like this one here. Todd and I - along with our four kids have our own individual color to paint on this canvas. The individual colors represent  how each of us in this family is different and has something unique to offer. But when all these colors are brought together -- it makes a beautiful masterpiece.

When trying to decide what to do with my social media profiles, I remembered the words above. We will not and do not want to forget anything in our past. I decided to keep my profiles as they are but just changed my name. I will always be Bart's eternal companion, but at least while I am here on this earth, I belong with Todd. I now possess his last name and I will carry it proudly. :) 

I will write more about the day and share more pictures later! Thank you to ALL who spent countless hours helping us make our day so beautiful. I am forever grateful. XOXO!