Bryce's Bachelor Party

On Saturday, I had my Bachelor party, which consisted of getting together with friends and going paintballing and then out for steak...It was a great time!

Before.....

the gear...This is obviously Schuler's....

The group ahead of time

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So after we got ready, we did battle on a few different fronts, trenches, an inflatable court, and some different ones with castles and barrels to hide behind-it was great fun.  You can see the results:

The first welt...

The 90+ degree weather made for a very parched group.

We even had a resident navy seal with us.....

Or maybe he just works out and has his own gear ;)

So the whole point of a bachelor party is to honor the soon to be groom, right?  Well here is the honor I got....  its a little shaky at first....for all you motion sickness people consider it fair warning!

My left side had no chance....

I basically ran from one end of the field to the other while 13 men armed with paintball guns shot at me....resulting in 34 welts!!  It was actually kind of fun!

Josh caught a paintball with his homemade "shield"

The group after the war!

Thankfully, despite all efforts, I survived.....I know for one Miss Whitaker is happy about that!

So from there we went to various houses to clean up, and then about 10 more guys met us at Alexander's Steakhouse in Peoria.  Thanks to Justin for the organization of it!  There we enjoyed a great meal and just good time with a great group of guys.  Then a few of us went to my house and enjoyed some stories on the front porch.  It was a wonderful day!  I'm thankful for the friendship I have with each man that came out, and the ones that couldn't make it.

11 days until Em and my wedding!!!  The time is very quickly approaching!

Bryce

Yesterday was the Love of My Life's 27th birthday.
A year ago yesterday, I remember Skyping with him and telling him Happy Birthday and how we'd go out for lunch on his next birthday,assuming we'd still be good friends.
Little did i know that 5 days later he would ask me to meet him at the park :)

 Bryce was instantly accepted into the family... the adopted 'Big Brother'

Bryce has a very healthy sense of humor and his laugh is super contagious! You can't help but smile when you hear him laughing in another room.

Bryce is a very hard worker and very committed to his job. When he works with a dealer on a a tricky tech problem, he spends lots of time on the phone walking them through the steps to fixing it, and if he isn't sure, he quickly asks the right people to be able to keep those planters rolling.

His sisters,soon to be sisters and cousins in law and fiancee love him very much!

Bryce is very passionate about serving the Lord and building a relationship with Him. He is a godly leader and encourager and desires to be a godly leading husband. He is going to be great at it!

Bryce is so sweet and thoughtful and caring. He is always looking for ways to please people. He is an awesome listener and encourager. He is quick to help when someone is in need, or steer someone in the right direction.I love it when i come in to work in the morning and i have a post-it on my desk from him.

So, in honor of My special Man's special day, we went out to breakfast with his parents, a freind and i sabatoged his office, (gift-wrapped it anyway ;)) , and we had a big party at the house. I wanted it to show him how special he was to each and everyone one of us.

Happy Birthday My Wonderful Man!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Engagement Pictures

Last Saturday we got our Engagement pictures done by Miss Tami, and we finally got to see them yesterday!!!! They are absolutely AWESOME!!!!

http://bryceandemily.tami-paige.com/

Check them out!!! :)

So,

So, when you get married, it's nice to have people come and share with you on the special day.

But,

in order for people to come,

YOU MUST SEND OUT INVITES!!!!!

My hardworking tired man diligently stuffing envelopes

Bryce and I went to a special appreciation dinner in honor of Bryce's Dad, Garry. So we thought we'd be cute and match! :)

I'd say we're pretty cute, wouldn't you??????

So I must've smelled....

Because they gave me a shower!!! :)

Several weeks ago, some wonderful lovely ladies from church hosted a bridal shower for me! It was wonderful! They had all the colors, fresh-cut, sweet smelling flowers, delicious Itailian food, (better than Olive Garden or Avanti's!!!), fun games, challenging devotions and wonderful fellowship.

Melanie, Me, Denise, and Marilyn

Beautiful and wonderful smelling lilacs!!!

The gift table laden with many lovely gifts!

The pretty (and yummy!) centerpieces.

The group at the head table

Becca came and joined us too :)

Gracie kept track of ribbons and helped announce who gifts were from.

Me and My soon-to be Mommy-in-law, Carol.

Me and My Mommy

Sarah was the official scribe to keep track of who the giver was and what was given. Thanks so much!!!

Yes, I am moving into an old farmhouse. This will be desperately needed!!! Thank you future Mommy in Law!!!

It was a super fun day! Lots of laughs, lots of challenges from Marilyn, who talked about God's three P's of Marriage from Eph.5:18-21:

Preparation~ Be filled with the Spirit; and from that we will be joyful, thankful and submissive

Plans~ A Woman's Role; to Submit to and Respect her Husband

Purpose~To illustrate the relationship of oneness between Christ and the Church

At the end of the shower this fine, handsome, kind, wonderful, fantastic, amazing Man of Mine came and picked up all the gifts!!! Ain't he sweet?! <3

It t'were a fine day, Oh Yes it was!!!!! :):):)