It's Our Anniversary!

December 22, 2006...Our wedding day! What an exciting day that was! I can't believe that it was a year ago! I remember waking up so excited and nervous. It was rainy and cold, a different wintry day, but at least there wasn't a snow storm. The bridal party started the morning off bright and early with hair appointments in Coopersville and then hurried to the church to get ready and spend a lot of time taking pictures. (Lots and lots of pictures!) We had such a patient bridal party! The whole day was exciting and tiring and we loved every minute of it.

Here are some pictures of our special day.

My little sister Jaime did a beautiful job with her maid of honor speech. The title, "Top 10 reasons why I'm glad Staci is now married." I'm so glad she made it funny because I would have cried through the whole speech. Here are a few of my favorites: Number 5..."I now get to sit back and watch Staci try to use her "homemaker skills." Nate, I hope you have some patience!" Number 4...I don't have to hear how "lucky I am" "and how easy" it is to be in high school and how hard it is to be a full-time teacher. (By the way Jaime...teaching is a hard job!) Number 1...Staci's extremely happy and I'm getting a great brother-in-law! (Very true!)

I love that she put so much time and thought into her speech. I have it hanging on our refrigerator and I get teary-eyed every time I see it!

Our first dance together as husband and wife to Me and You. I loved looking into his eyes that night as we were finally able to just relax and enjoy our time together.

The father/daughter dance...I loved dancing with my dad to I Loved Her First. I had heard that song on the radio the summer before we got married and I remember sitting in my car wiping the tears from my eyes before leaving my car. I just had to have that song played during our dance. I think my dad talked the whole time during our dance so he wouldn't cry. I'm glad he did because I would have cried through the dance. Thanks for the dance, dad!

I think Anissa, Craig, and Graham win the award for farthest drive to our wedding, driving all the way from Nebraska for our special day. Graham was only a month old. Boy did he look so adorable in his outfit. Craig and Anissa looked pretty nice too! :) It was so nice spending time with my new sister and brother-in-law and nephew.

I love this picture of Nate and his mom dancing. They danced to the song Mama. I am so blessed to have such wonderful in-laws. Since the first day I met them they made me feel like part of the family and I am so happy that I am part of their family now.

Our wedding day was so special. Getting married at Christmas was wonderful. Every time Christmas comes around we'll be reminded of our special day.

I thank God every day that He brought Nate into my life. I thank my parents for praying for a Godly husband for me. Nate is kind, compassionate, caring, intelligent, hardworking, patient, adorable, full of faith, and has a servant's heart. These are just a few of the many things I love about Nate. I am so excited for our future together! I can't wait to see what God will continue to do in our lives.