My best friend's wedding was yesterday. Julie Ianno. I LOVE IT!! It's so cool watching a love story from beginning to end. I was able to witness this with Bethany and Derick, and now with Julie and Tim. I remember the exact day that Julie met Tim: November 3, 2004. Julie REALLY liked him and they started dating on February 26, 2005. I remember how happy I was for Julie, but also fearful because I was so afraid that I would lose my best friend. How COMPLETELY wrong I was. Our friendship has only deepened and gotten closer.

I bawled through a good portion of the ceremony. I started when we sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," again during the vows, and again when Tim sang to Julie ("Memories of Us" by Keith Urban). It's just so exciting seeing my best friend become happier than ever. She is amazing and truly deserves the absolute best. And Tim is soo freakin' lucky to have her. She is a true gift.

I also went to visit my aunt and uncle before the wedding. That was amazing. I loved taking pictures of Paul and Michael. They are so photogenic!

My stepfather passed away on July 15th. In light of that, I didn't want to leave my mom last week. My mom has really been hurting, but she is taking steps to move forward at her own pace. She is also getting a ton of support, which I love. My stepfather died of a heart attack and it was the most sudden, random thing I think I've ever experienced. It's definitely a lesson on how short life is. The funeral was on the 21st and it was beautiful. Such a celebration of his life. The pastor of the church that Bud grew up in made a CD for my mom of songs that Bud sang....both solos and quartets. They played it during the funeral. The first song on the cd is a song called "His Life For Mine" which is one of Bud's solos. This also happens to be Bud's favorite song ever. I LOVE IT!! Because Jesus died for Bud, Bud lived his life for Him in return. Absolutely he did.

His heart was broken mine was mended,
He became sin now I am clean,
The Cross He carried bore my burden
The nails that held Him set me free

His Life for Mine,
His Life for Mine,
How could it ever be?
That He would die,
God’s Son would die,
To save a wretch like me,
What love divine,
He gave His life for Mine

His scars of suffering brought me healing,
He spilled His blood to fill my soul,
His crown of thorns made me royalty,
His sorrow gave me joy untold.

His Life for Mine,
His Life for Mine,
How could it ever be?
That He would die,
God’s Son would die,
To save a wretch like me,
What love divine,
He gave His life for Mine

He was despised and rejected
Stripped of His garment and oppressed
I am loved and excepted
And I wear a robe of righteousness

His Life for Mine,
His Life for Mine,
How could it ever be?
That He would die,
God’s Son would die,
To save a wretch like me, - Like me
What love divine,
He gave His life for Mine - For Mine

It's about time I update this silly thing. Although I never write on this anymore, I will NEVER get rid of it because of all the memories, good and bad. We grow through every experience!

Still working at Cracker Barrel. No new job, although I've had interviews. My dad was hospitalized from Wednesday-today with high blood pressure. They found out that he has diabetes. I wish that my dad and stepdad were friends because my stepdad could give my dad such great advice since he has it. But my dad is taking care of himself...he's getting in touch with his dietician tommorow to get more information on what he can and can't eat. haha I offered to take him to Shady Maple for dinner tommorow night since he's been cooped up in the hospital for so long, and my dad's like, "well, I need to know more of what I can eat." haha. My stepdad was saying that you tend to eat sugar you don't know is there in certain foods. I have a lot to learn about!

HAPPY ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO BETHANY AND DERICK!!!!! I can't believe it's been a year already!!!! woooo!!!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

 I really did have a great day today with my family. I've been at my mom's house since last night and I really do love it here. I think I'll stay until Sunday....although I most definitely will come back on many occasions. My brother, Jonah, really got into American Idol during the Elliot Yamin season (season 5?) but then didn't watch it again during the past 2 seasons and then when I asked him why, he said "because you weren't here." So Jonah said he'd watch it with me if I plan to come over every night it's on from January to May so we can watch it together. YES!!! Hopefully that'll work out. If I get this new job, I'll have evenings free so I can do it.

 New job? I have an interview on Monday to be a case manager/job developer for a place in Lancaster city that helps adolescents transition into college/employment after high school. This sounds really neat. We'll see how it goes. Monday at 11am.

 Today my family and I went to go see "Bedtime Stories." Such a great movie!! We all loved it. I had such a bad attitude as we were getting ready to leave for the movie because I bought tickets for 2:00, it takes 15-20 mins to get to Regal (the movie theatre), and it was 1:40 and we were just about to leave. I was so impatient because when we got to Regal, I knew I would have to pick up the tickets, stand in line for popcorn (my mom and stepdad never go to movie theatres so I wanted them to have the full experience...even though it was outrageously expensive for concessions) and find a good seat. I HATE being late for things and I get so frustrated because my mom is hardly ever on time for anything. So yeah, my attitude stank. When we finally got on the road, we got lost and ended up at Regal at 2:30. I was furious. But then Jonah said (in Regal's parking lot in the car), "why don't we go to the 2:45 showing? They always run movies every 45 minutes.") And then I remembered that I did read (when I bought tickets) that they had a 2:45 showing. YEAH!! So I asked the ticket lady if we could exchange our tickets for the 2:45, and she let us. That totally rocked....but it definitely wasn't what I deserved. I was so bitter about being late and I wasn't stopping to enjoy the time with my family. I was just being angry and frustrated. God is so full of grace. He blows me away.

 I got seasons 1 and 2 of Jon and Kate Plus 8. Best Christmas present ever!! haha. My best friend, Julie, got Jonah "The Dark Knight" and he absolutely loved it....I think he liked it better than my present to him. hehe. My mom and stepdad don't have a lot of money right now, so it was a lot more about the kids blessing the parents more than the parents blessing the kids. It was kinda cool. My mom and stepdad could only afford to fill our stockings this year...no "real" presents. That's why Julie got Jonah something...so he would have something more to open...besides what me and Jacob each got him. But honestly, despite money issues, this was definitely one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time. I really loved being with my family today. We had such a good time together.