Shower Time!!!

So I promised pictures from our wonderful trip to Indiana over the 4th of July weekend. Well, I made it home with ZERO pictures on my camera. It was such a fun and crazy whirlwind of a trip that I didn't get a chance to take any pictures. There were plenty of flashes around me at the Honey-Do Bar-B-Que, so I wasn't too worried. I sent an email out to the folks who were there in an appeal to get some pictures for our photo albums. I heard back from Matt's Uncle Van and Aunt Wilma, these are the only two pictures they sent:

Matt's cousin Olivia made me some "BRIDE FLIP FLOPS" to wear around on the wedding day and dance in when my feet get tired.

There really aren't words for this one. Lisa is ALREADY worried for her future grandchildren.

I knew about the Needhams' sense of humor when I signed up for this. Van and Wilma really think they are hilarious. Very proud of themselves indeed.

We actually had a wonderful time. They showered us with many gifts of tools and games to keep our weekends occupied. We joined Dedo (Matt's Aunt Meredith) for church on Sunday. The sermon provided the elusive and highly sought after wedding scripture that we both love. Matt and I had been searching for a while for the perfect passage for our scripture reading in the ceremony. Rev. Bev's sermon helped us find it!! Thanks Rev. Bev!!!

I am looking forward to my bridal pictures today (no you can't see them until after the wedding), and my Chattanooga bridal tea on Saturday hosted by my godmother Brenda, one of my maids of honor Meredith, and my bridesmaid Ashley. I've been a very good girl and not looked at our registries since the beginning of last week so that I will be surprised on Saturday!!! It's been driving me crazy, but I did it!

I've learned my lesson though, I'm taking pictures on MY CAMERA this weekend!!! Otherwise, who knows what I will get!!

Matt is a Triathlete!!!

I am so so so incredibly proud of Matt!! He completed his first olympic distance triathlon yesterday. For those of you who don't know how far that is, it's a 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run (or in standard measurements, .93 mile swim, 24.85 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). He did it in 3 hours 18 minutes and 22 seconds!!!

For his first one, that's a very impressive time! Just wanted to let everyone know what a stud I'm marrying!!!

Speaking of getting married, the athletes got to pick what the announcer would say about them as they crossed the finish line. Instead of letting everyone know this was his first triathlon, or whatever. The announcer said, "Matt Black is crossing the finish line, who in 69 days from today will marry Jill Murphy." :') Tear!!

12 weeks...

So Matt and I realized that this past Saturday was the 12 week mark. We are getting married in 12 weeks!!! YAY!! Matt and I have decided that this wedding is taking way too long to get here, but we also want to enjoy our engagement (which has been relatively smooth).

We also attended the wedding of our friends Joe and Alana. It was definitely a celebration. We started discussing the details of our own ceremony. I think we are really going to enjoy planning this part. I mean, it IS the reason for the party (that's already planned). Matt was under the impression that we didn't get a say in what happened because every wedding he's ever been to has been the same. He was glad to learn that we did have a say, and quickly got into the idea of helping.

We are both excited about this weekend. We are traveling to New Albany, Indiana, where Matt was born. We will visit with Matt's dad and stepmother, Donnie and Betty, for a couple of days. While we are with them, we will attend a 4th celebration at his uncle Randy's house. Then Matt's Aunts and Uncles are throwing us a "Honey-Do" shower and old fashioned picnic on Saturday. Sunday is Matt's 26th birthday!! Busy weekend!! I will definitely post pictures of all the festivities.

We pray everyone has a blessed and safe holiday weekend!!