Baby its cold outside!

December came on fast and so did the winter weather.

We have had such a great December together. Reuben has been working weekends as the doorman (or bouncer) at the River City Bar here in Hood River on the weekends. It is nice because I go out and hang out with him and am starting to get to know a few people now in town. I hope soon to get to have some girls I can chill with. He still works at Power Design during the week, this is just a new weekend hobby.

I have been working in Vancouver still but managed to (and just in time) get our house computer hooked up so I can work remotely from home. It was just in time as the weather came in hard and I was stuck at home. I have enjoyed sitting in my pj’s all day and working from home.

We went Christmas tree hunting with Mom and Dad Betts. We found a great tree that was as wide as it was tall. It is wonderful, our first Christmas together. Too bad the storm is keeping gifts from arriving on time and family to come for Christmas. My mom and his Grandmother planned on coming but the weather is holding them back. We plan to celebrate Christmas with my mom shortly after the weather calms down.

Speaking of storm, man oh man have we been hit hard. It has been nonstop for a week and a half. I have been working from home and that is wonderful. The snow outside is knee deep. I have never seen this much snow. Reuben’s friend Timmy got snowed in over the weekend. We had fun, played Wii and watched movies. We also got out and played in the snow. I made a great snow angel. When I fell backward into the snow if felt like I was falling in a bed of feathers. The ice sickles coming off our house are almost touching the ground now. I love the snow. It makes me smile.

Another thing that makes me smile is being married. It is great getting to know each other deeper every day. Finding out things that bother the other person, finding out what foods we like and don’t like, and also finding out things about each other that make us tingle inside all over. The little things like a kiss for no reason, a squeezing of the hand, or public displays of affection. I am looking forward to years and years to come of finding out what makes Reuben tick, both good and bad.

I have learned to say I love you as often as I can, Kiss him passionately three times a day, and to never go to bed angry. Great advice from fellow married couples!
I hope all of you are staying warm and you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year.

Man, where did this year go?

Been way too long

I know, I know, it has been way too long since I posted and update. Reuben and I have been really busy getting things settled. So here are the highlights over the last few months.

September:
· After the wedding we went straight to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. It was amazing; we were there for an entire week. I am so thankful we had the opportunity.

· We got back and began searching for a home. We found one in Hood River up on the hillside. It is a three bedroom home with two bathrooms. We just love it here. Hardwood throughout and vaulted ceilings.
· We moved in and began unpacking

October:
· We got unpacked and then it was off to Salem to fill my Keizer home with tenants. My old roommate is still there in one room but I needed to fill the other two. (PS one room still open – know anyone).
· It was pumpkin patch time and we went to the annual Halloween party at Cori and Rian’s house. Oh what great memories. We look forward to it every year. Reuben and I went as the Western Sheriff and his Deputy.

· There was lots of driving back and forth to Salem, getting more stuff, hanging out with Jaque for her showers for her wedding, and just nonstop on the go.
· We were happy when October ended.

November:
· Reuben and I picked up our knitting projects again and started to have some time to relax as a newlywed couple. It was great. We are learing more about eachother everyday.
· He has learned he likes to cook, which is great because I have to drive home from Vancouver which takes an hour and a half and dinner is usually ready. I like to cook and bake too.
· Reuben and I both tried out for a community play here in Hood River. It is called the Foreigner. Reuben had done may plays before but this is my first one. I play the role of Catherine, the Sothern debutant girl who is engaged to the Reverend David and just found out she is pregnant. Reuben got the lead role of Charlie, the foreigner. He is doing a great job of coaching me along. The play is the last three weekends in February. When I have more information about dates I will let people know if they are interested.
· My best friend, Jaque, got married November 23 in Salem to William Johnson. It was a beautiful wedding. Her theme was nature and fall. I was one of her bridesmaids. It has been nice that we both got to share in each other’s weddings. (Yes I cried)



· We went to Baker City for our annual family Thanksgiving and it was great as it always is. I love spending time with my family. Afterward, we drove to visit his family and had a second Thanksgiving.
· Oh yes... one more thing in November... I chopped my hair off :)

December, now that is another post in itself....

Our Wedding - September 6, 2008

Yep, we did it, we tied the knot!!! We don’t have the professional pictures back yet of our wedding, but here are some good ones from friends. You can also check out all the pictures Bruce McAlary took on his website, just Click Here.

I have to tell you all, September 6th, 2008 was the best day of my life. Nothing seemed to go wrong. I am so in love with my husband. I am so happy the Lord put us on this path together. It is such a blessing! I cannot describe to you how much he makes me happy and I hope that through the good times and the bad, with the Lord by our side, we can overcome all obstacles and grow stronger.

Wedding Details:
Friday night 9/5/08, we all met up at his parent’s house to finish setting up and have the rehearsal and dinner. It was also Reuben’s 27th Birthday so it was a big celebration. We rehearsed the wedding and then had a great BBQ (Connie made way too much food) and then had cake for his birthday. Reuben opened up some gifts and then we decided to head over to River City bar and have some drinks on our last night out. We had a good time, but the girls decided to call it a night at 11:00, I think the guys stayed out till 12 or 1. Katie, Jaque, my sister and I all shared a room at the hotel. They crashed, I could not sleep. I kept thinking about my big day. This day I had been dreaming about my whole life, and here it was, right around the corner. The anticipation…

At about 7:00am it was rise and shine time… I was already awake at 5. The girls took showers and met up with Jason and Traci to head to my favorite bagel shop and have breakfast. Yummy… The guys ate at the hotel restaurant. We then went down to the reception hall to start decorating and Traci took over from there so the rest of us could get to the house. We all met up at The Betts farm and finished the last minute decorations. Guys and Girls alike, we all had tasks. Then it was off to get beautiful.

The guys got ready in the yarn shop while the girls were in the master bedroom. Kelly did my hair and wow was it perfect. Then she started on mom and the other girls. Minnie did my make-up. Thank god for waterproof mascara, I needed it. Jaque laced up my dress. Katie put on my veil. Mom put on my jewelry. Grandpa put on the locket that was my great, great, grandmothers and that my Grandmother wore in her wedding. It had a picture of her in it as well. Having him put on that locket made me cry and test my makeup… yep, makeup still ok. Once we were all primped, fluffed, padded, hair sprayed, and perfect, we headed out for my first look with Reuben at about 12:30PM.

Reuben stood at the alter with his back to me and I walked up the isle. He then turned and saw me all dolled up. We both cried. He said he loved my dress. We kissed and then it was off to take our group shots and family portraits. Man is it difficult to get everyone in the right place, looking at the camera, all at the same time. It took about 2 hours to get through them all and it was off to the bedroom with me again to hide till the ceremony. It was onto more primping and waiting. I was anxious to get out there and marry him.

As we lined up and Noah played the cello as the pairs walked out, I grabbed my mom’s arm and we both got teary eyed. There I was, on the biggest day of my life, and my mom was there to hold my hand and give me away. I was ready, excited, and felt like a princess. First out walked Sarah and Logan (both our siblings). Then it was Miranda and James, Traci and Forbes, Holley and Mark, Jaque and Tim, and finally Katie and Adam. They all looked so wonderful. The girls dressed in individualized brown dresses that seemed to work together perfectly, and the guys in silk pants, cream shirts and brown ties. Man do we have good looking friends. As I was prepping to take my walk (5 sets of 16), my boss James, snuck in behind me and blew me a kiss and then snuck back outside. It was a great moment for me as he is not only a boss but a mentor in my life and it was very nice to have him wish me off. Ok here we go… I thought.

The flower girls, Anna and NovaLee, threw peddles down in small bits and at the end of the isle, dumped out the rest of the baskets so there was a large pile of rose peddles right at the front. It was cute. Then, Sincerey walked topaz, the Alpaca, down the isle. He was our ring barer and so was the guard dog Charlie. It was the cutest thing. Topaz had a bowtie and a pillow with rings stuck to his back. Then it was my turn. Mom and I walked slowly across the deck and then up the stairs. It was so great to see so many wonderful people there to support Reuben and me on that glorious day. As we walked down I could feel my mom’s arm tighten on mine. When she gave me away, she lifted my veil, and kissed me… then started to cry (or in Shaw terms “pee-pee all over her face).

I took Reuben’s hands and Eric Holcomb began the ceremony. Eric was a very special part of the wedding. He was my first color guard coach in high school and a very big influence in my life. It was so perfectly fitting he be the one to do the service. He gave a prayer and then went into our story. He told how Reuben and I had been friends since the 7th grade and how our friendship had grown into love. From there Reuben sang me the song, “How do you fall in love” by Alabama. His Aunt Shirley played the guitar and backup vocals. It was the perfect song and very fitting. I loved how Reuben sang it. Of course, I started crying. He got choked up in the middle of it, but managed to pull through the end.

Eric then explained how important the bond was we were about to commit ourselves to and we said our vows to each other. Reuben and I had picked out or own vows from multiple ones we had found. We wanted it to resemble who we are, who we were going to be, and our commitment to each other. We then exchanged rings to give the symbol of our commitment to each other. Eric read Mark 10 “But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

To symbolize the two becoming one, Reuben and I decided to have a sand ceremony and poor sand of two colors together. Mine was ivory, his red. As these two containers were poured together, the individual containers of sand no longer existed, but were joined together as one. Never again will the sand be separated into its own jars of color. While we were pouring the sand, Shirley sang another song for us, Faith Hill’s “Just Breathe”. We had time while she sang to take in and look at each friend or family member that was there for us. We enjoyed taking the moment to absorb it all and breathe together.

Once the song was finished, Eric then pronounced us Man and Wife and Reuben kissed his bride. YAY… that was the best part. Then we were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Betts. I gave out a happy “YAY” and we walked down the isle together. Bubbles were blowing all around us. It was perfect!

After saying hello to everyone in the receiving line, Reuben and I were off to go take our personal pictures with Mt. Hood in the background. While everyone headed down to the hotel, we snuck off to a farm and field to have fun and take pictures together as man and wife. The lighting was so perfect and Laura (our photographer) wanted to take more and more pictures of us. Those will be posted soon. Then it was off to the Reception to Party and celebrate.

Thank you to everyone who made it out to the wedding. It was wonderful to see each of you and have you all support us on this glorious day.

We love you all,
Mr. and Mrs. Betts