seven tiny days until wifehood

Only a week left, and all the planning and preparation and work will be over. It will be such a relief to just be married, to each other, and able to rest. We are so ready, and looking forward also to having a settled home and no more long drives to each other or talking about details.
I want to seize quiet this week, and time with my family that has trickled away unknowingly.

We are so happy, and thankful, but it is easy to get overwhelmed and I need consistent dependence on God, and joy (which is bubbling up inside but needs help coming out!).

Much love,
Cait

a traditional stack

finally - this big stack of state-side invitations addressed, filled, stamped, sealed, and ready to mail. And I even have a couple blisters to show for the sealing :) It was a fun job and I was amazed at how fast everything went, especially writing all the addresses and return addresses out. I love the seal; we used it on top of the wrapped baker's twine for the invitations to be handed out, and on the back of the mailed envelopes. It was a natural black resin I found on ebay, and we used a beautiful tree seal that belonged to my great-grandmother. The resin didn't have a wick running through it, so I had to use a flame lighter to melt and drip it.

I would have more pictures of finishing them up but Kyleigh took them while I was singing along to an opera song, so they aren't too attractive ;)

love,
Cait

Rainier

Last week I went on the longest hike I've ever been on, with Joel's adorable sister, sweet mom, and younger brother and brother's girlfriend Heather. It was near Mount Rainier, and we encountered a lot of wet and slippery snow-covered paths! We saw plenteous birds, gophers (up close! I wanted to cuddle them), elk, deer, and even a mother bear with her cubs, from a distance!

It was fantastic, and I couldn't believe how close to the mountain we were, but made me miss Joel really bad.

IloveWashingtonbutnotwhenJoel'snothere,
Cait

twenty-four and forty-nine

It has been a very bittersweet trip, these last two weeks. It was bittersweet, already, because I was going to be away from Joel for over a week. But now that week is turning into six. Stand-by flights failed us and we are across the world from each other for over a month, longer than it will be from when I get back until our wedding day (that is the good part).
That was very, very hard to realize, having not bargained for that long away. It's helped me know how blessed we are to live in the same city, unlike some courting or betrothed couples. God has very wise purposes we don't know in this, and it is a unique reminder that Christ is my true bridegroom, and that seeking Him first is important even when Joel and I are together. Joel reminds me that if we knew all that God knew right now, we would choose the same things. Painful to think about but true!

Those numbers up there are how many days until I'm home again, and the number of days until September 25th :)

And after a weekend of attempts, all this was found out on my birthday. That was so sad! We still had a very sweet evening at dinner with Joel's family, who are so kind and lovely to me. But it was difficult to think that I was supposed to be meeting all his relatives with him, and then when all my family came on Wednesday, he was supposed to be getting to know them all for the first time. Also, I've never gotten to see him on my birthday! What is neat is that when all of this does happen someday, it will be as husband and wife, for real.

love,
Cait

we are super excited about the engagement pictures Nicky took for us, but this is just a peek for today :)

Please pardon my unmanicured hand, but I wanted to show off my beautiful engagement ring. I love it and can't imagine having anything else! It is elegant and tapered, and a picture really couldn't capture how sparkly it is!

I love to think about how it will be there for the rest of my life, and the fact that it symbolizes that I will get to be Joel's wife. O happy thought!

love,
Cait

the starry song that April sings

Lovelies, friends, bloggers,

I have an announcement to make, of the most glorious kind



because






I am getting married!!
Joel and I are engaged! Affianced! Espoused! To be wed!

I am dazed and joyful, and my heart is both stilled and dancing with happiness.
Joel proposed in a seaplane above Dubai, and I was completely surprised.
(My dad is an airline pilot, and I think this is the perfect 'transition' from one era to another, as it were. And it just makes a romantic and incredible story!)
It was quiet, and beautiful, and the little details are hidden away in my heart.

It was perfect.


I am overwhelmed with the blessed thought that I get to be his wife. That we're going to be married!
Oh, how God has been gracious to us.


love,
Cait

(photo from before the special flight)