Carli + Daniel

A brief look at the Claflin Wedding...

November 23rd, 2013 will always be remembered as the day Carli and Daniel got married. 

It was the most wonderful day. 

There is something so incredibly fulfilling about seeing someone you love literally glowing with happiness. 

When Carli and Daniel walked out of the Brigham City Temple yesterday morning I don't think their feet touched the ground. 

I have never seen such a beautiful site. Those two just adore each other and I am so glad they found each other in this big, wide world, and are sealed together for time and all eternity. 

The wind was a bit blustery and it was chilly outside the temple, but it didn't matter. I asked Carli if she was cold and she said, "Nope! I've never been better!" 

That night we celebrated their marriage at the Country Club. It was beautiful. Carli and my mom covered every last detail. The pictures, the tablecloths, the food, the favors, the flowers, the music...all of it was perfect. All we needed was the people. 

And wow, did the people come. It was a party from 6pm-9:30pm. I was so blown away by all the guests who came because they love Carli and Daniel, and also because they love my parents and the Claflins. 

I loved chatting with guests from near and far and watching the lovebirds smile, hug, and thank everyone for being there. It really was magical. 

One of the highlights of the night was watching Daniel surprise Carli when he serenaded her with the song "Everything" by Michael Buble. He was phenomenal and Carli was speechless. 

The last hour of the night was spent dancing. It was exactly what they wanted and they got it. 

All their friends were there til the very end and they made it a true party. 

When it was time to go we sent them off in style with sparkles, cheers, and watched them drive away in a white Rolls Royce. Again, magic. 

I got a little teary eyed watching them drive away. It was a little bittersweet, but mostly sweet. Carli is embarking on a new fabulous adventure with her darling new husband. 

And even though I will be seeing her all the time, she isn't mine anymore. That's what is giving me a little bit of heartache.

On the other hand, she is the happiest she's ever been and she and Daniel are about to live happily ever after.

I could not ask for anything more for my best friend. 

(kacey.ism 325)

Gettysburg

^^^Gettysburg, June 2012

Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.

Abraham Lincoln is one of my heroes. I have always admired his courage, strength, and faith in America when the country looked as though it was on the verge of dying. 

The Gettysburg Address, though simple in speech, will aways have a sustaining power to it. 

I have read it many times, and every time I am always moved by the conviction and belief that Lincoln conveys. 

This speech changed the world. I'm so grateful for its powerful message...

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

--Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

one week countdown

She is my little bride-to-be for just one more week!

On Saturday she becomes Carli Claflin!

(kacey.ism 324)

to-do list of the month.

(kacey.ism 323)

Dusting off.

I just found this quote sitting on my desktop. 

I didn't even know it was there, but wow did I need to hear that today.

For reasons beyond my understanding life has just been a little tough lately. 

When things don't work out the way I want them to I always have to take a step back and regain my perspective, take a deep breath, and carry on. 

Dusting yourself off and getting back in the race is part of life. 

These words really struck me tonight. They are a reminder to me that I have a responsibility to be there for others and live up to the potential Heavenly Father put inside me. 

So while I may have taken a couple minutes to look at life with the cup half empty, I'm back to looking at the breathtaking beauty that covers the other 99%. 

My life is a blessing and I'm going to treat it as such. 

(kacey.ism 322)

November

Happy November!
For me November equals...
 Autumn
 Family
 Gratitude
 First snowfall
 Cozying up by the fire
 Thick socks
 Hot Cider
 Thanksgiving
 Crisp mornings
 Taking time to count your blessings

(kacey.ism 321)