Vern and Sylvia's wedding weekend!

We spent this past weekend in Iowa...celebrating Vern and Sylvia's wedding, where Sydaleigh was honored with the privilege of being the flower girl and we got to rejoice with one of our most beloved friends.

Vern came into our lives a few years ago through our church Brookside and holds a very special place in our hearts. The girls are particularly in like with him. :~) He's practically family. Vern and Isaak hit it off right away and have been kindred spirits ever since. And we have eagerly awaited the day that the Lord would unite his life with God's best for him. And boy oh boy did he find it in Sylvia.

Sylvia came to stay with us for a weekend this summer while Isaak was gone. And it was instant love. Oh goodness I love that little gal. The girls loved her. It was such a great time getting to know her and see her heart and who God crafted her to be.

And it was sheer joy to stand with her and Vern in celebration of God's faithfulness, His utter goodness, and rejoice in His lavish love poured out over us. Getting to see those two married was a happy happy day.

But! Before the big day we stopped by the Science Center in Des Moines for a few hours on Friday before the rehearsal. This place was A-mazing! Equally kid and adult friendly. Which isn't always an easy thing to accomplish. We only stayed two hours but could have easily stayed the whole day. That's how much fun it was.


The girls got to touch a nice snake. I took pictures. Because I don't do snakes. But the girls do so kuddos to them! We played with massive bubbles....

Marvelly was petrified, yes, petrified of this ( I don't know what they're called...but ya know, those things) and screamed when we tried to get her to touch it. So, I gave her to Isaak and made him push her whole body in to show her it's not scary...ha ha! And then we couldn't get her to stop playing with it. That.is.all she wanted to do the entire time. Push her hands in, and then run to the other side to see it.

I'm so glad we don't give our kids a choice about being scared sometimes....she woulda missed out on all that fun. Marvelly proudly standing before her indentation! And the side of Isaak's face.

and more Marvelly! Bah ha! I laugh so hard whenever I look at this picture. She's such a crack up!

We watched a very informative and entertaining Sesame Street video of the stars and moon in this dome shaped theater. So so cool.

Me and Syd the kid made this very impressive paper rocket that smoked the pants off of everybody else's! Oh yes it did!

You'd stick it on a rod  in those cylindrical tubes and compressed air would shoot it out....ours sailed to the very end every time! Every.time!!

 Isaak tried, in vain, to make a superior rocket. But he did not succeed. His only flew half way.

Ours went to the end. Oh yeah. Other kids would come and see if their rocket could surpass ours. 

None did. 

We rocked that rocket launch!

Who knew I had such mad paper makin' rocket skills?

After the science center we eventually headed over to the church for the rehearsal and dinner.

Me and Marvelly amused each other making faces to the camera to pass the time.

Sydaleigh walked out right before Sylvia pulling along this wagon filled by this dear baby who served as the ring bear. We all kinda held our breath that first time hoping the wagon didn't veer off outta control and crash head first into the stage. We all agreed that would be bad. But Sydaleigh held that wagon handle tight and was ever so careful of the little cargo she towed. Such a big girl my Sydaleigh is becoming.

After dinner friends and family took turns standing up and sharing a story about the couple or offering well wishes...and Isaak was the first one out of his seat. That man bolted up as fast as I've seen him move in a while, to have the first opportunity to just share his heart and pour love and encouragment over Vern and Sylvia . (other than the comment about special people riding the short bus...it was a very appropriate heart felt speech. But, it wouldn't be Isaak if he didn't say something socially awkward. So it was all good. :~) ) Love my husband.

(Sydaleigh was THA-RILLED that Mr. Vern and Miss Sylvia thought to give her a present. Markers and drawing paper go a long long way with this girl. And the note inside made me cry happy mommy tears knowing that these two are praying over Sydaleigh's wedding day. Again, we love them so much.)

The wedding day arrived and Sydaleigh was tickled to pieces that her and Sylvia were the only ones wearing white. She felt supremely special that she could share that color with Miss Sylvia, which made Sydaleigh feel like she was wearing a wedding dress too.

Sydaleigh told me her favorite part was getting to watch them kiss. (and eat cake) :~) And I just think this wedding will hold a special place in her heart. That is my prayer anyways. I loved that she got to be a part of a wedding for a man and woman that she absolutely adores and looks up to and see God glorified in it all. Little girls need to see that. A lot. And I pray that God's foundation and hand in this would resonate with her in a big way.

Marvelly did splendid through the ceremony. But as soon as it was done. Like, the.very.second...she asks...loud enough for the whole congregation to hear...."is it cake time yet?!" Bah ha ha!! That's my girl. Always worried about her dessert.

which she happily got to eat....

It was a fantastic weekend.

We are overjoyed for Vern and Sylvia....

these two look pretty good together too. Such good friends.

 

I hear the Savior say,

"Thy strength indeed is small

Child of weakness, watch and pray

Find in Me thine all in all"

"Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. "