Goals 2014 in Review

I totally forgot I even had a list of goals until today. I did remember my photo a week though. 

Well let's see how I did:

"This year I decided to go simpler since this year will be bringing a lot of change."

♥ Read a book every month ♥

Um..... I didn't quite make it. Counting off the top of my head I read 9 books this year. Not enough but I did have a busy year.  I need to get better at reading books again though....goal for 2015?

♥ Craft & Design ♥

I think I did well here....had more creative months than others but between my wedding and making a home I designed, crafted & sewed quite a few things.

♥ No social media past 11 o'clock ♥

Oh my.....I totally forgot this goal. I remember being very faithful in the beginning of the year and it became a habit. I do it without thinking now because I want my sleep.

♥ Work on relationships ♥

Mhmmmm....did good I think? The goal here was to reach out to my friends and family even while I am busy. I try....I am thankful for social media & skype that makes that possible. I will continue to work on this though.

♥ Guest Posts ♥

Total fail here. Did I even have a single guest post this year?

♥ Finish College ♥

Hahahaha.....I made it guys! I graduated!

♥ Ready for Changes ♥
"I am planning and expecting many changes this year. One happened already as you can read here (?). Here is a list of changes I am planning on and some that look might happen. Finishing classes, student teaching, graduate, travel to US, get engaged, get married, move into a new apartment, start working....who knows what else might happen."

I had to keep this for you to read.... because all of this happened!!! ☺

♥ Photo a Week ♥
Ok.....So I was not faithful in selecting and editing my photo a week but I DEFINITLY took a photo a week. I stopped choosing and editing in Week 12.... yep... lots of catching up to do.

How did you do with your New Year Resolutions?

Professional Pictures

A friend from church just started getting into taking wedding pictures..... she came to me to ask if she could just kinda tag along and take pictures in order to get some experience. She ended up being the only and main photographer and she did an great job and can only get more amazing!

All these pictures were taken at the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens.... a beautiful place. Don't you agree?

Reception & Games

The Family's Table

Cutting the cake

Isn't that cake BEAUTIFUL!?

This was a CRAZY & fun game.....12 young adults had to do something and hurry and get a seat (one less than people). The loser of the each round has to give us something....so the next 12 months we will be getting gifts!

We had to guess who's hand was our partner.....we both didn't win.

My mom and grandma...

Patrick made his hands dry & my dad wet his hand to feel sweaty.....they tricked me!!

What a crazy & fun day it was.....after this we headed to the Schwetzingen Castle Garden to take the professional pictures.... I hope to post those soon!

So what are your favorite pictures of the last 3 days?

The Wedding Ceremony

My wedding was live streamed....some of you saw it. ☺

During the sermon....

Saying our vows

Singing...."I Cherish the Treaszre" by Steve Green

My girls

Thanking the parents.....my mom firsit.

Patrick thanking his mom

My Grandma

My dad...

Establishing our marriage in prayer....

Our first kiss was on our wedding day!

Yeah, it was good....

Best man & Maid of Honor

I walked down to the aisle to Canon in F by the O'Neill Brothers played by Patrick's mom (piano) and a friend from church (violin)....both did a great job.

One brides maid and another lady from church sang a beautiful duet in German.....I really want to listen to it again.

After that my Pastor preached a short sermon that was so simple and matched perfectly.....no one in that room has an excuse now that they do not know how to get to heaven..... it's a gift from Jesus Christ.

We all the met back in the middle and then we started saying our vows...in English. We exchanged our rings & said our promises in German. 

The unity candle was explained in German and while we lit the candle Patrick's sister played a beautiful piano piece.

Once she was done Patrick and I sang "I Cherish the Treasure" by Steve Green.....It was beautiful. Patrick was perfect like always. ☺

We then came back into the middle. This is when we then thanked our parents.....a russian tradition but one that I think every couple should do! (And no we are not Russian in any way.... we do have some Russian friends)

Once we were done my Pastor prayed over us....and FINALLY.

We kissed!!! For the first time! Yep, I was nervous but it is soooo worth the wait!

May I now present to your.....Mr and Mrs Patrick M. B.....Jr !

Yay.

Patrick's mom (piano) and my maid of honor's dad (flute) played the runaway music....the traditional Wedding March by Mendelssohn.

Tomorrow you'll see the pictures from the reception...