Wedding weekend.

This past weekend was one of the most beautiful of my life. However, I had no idea it would end in a trip to the emergency room.
They had an absolutely beautiful ceremony and I know anyone within those doors could undoubtedly sense the love and passion both Ashlee and Daniel have for Christ and His Bride. I didn't just shed a tear, or even two. I sobbed, uncontrollably, almost all weekend, it felt like. And I only choked up a couple times at my own wedding! I suppose it is supposed to be that way.
Friday was a beautiful day with scattered showers but almost constant sunshine. We made boquets, painted nails and dressed for the rehearsal. About an hour before it was time to leave for the rehearsal, Noah calmly came to me inside saying that I needed to come out to the yard. Apparently my dad had sent him, telling him to be calm, but real. Peter was riding a dirtbike and hit a wet spot in the yard going ~40mph and was thrown 41 feet from the abrubtly stopped bike. The only thing I could see when I stepped onto the front porch was my dad, and several other people, hoovering over my husband, laying helplessly in the grass. I began crying immediately and ran as fast as my legs would move, until I was by his side. "Peter, what happened? What were you doing? Baby, tell me what you were doing. Please! Babe!" Peter's response was, "Angela, you were the best wife I ever had." Funny.
Well, my dad finally managed to lift him into the Suburban and he, Noah and I drove to the ER. They were able to get him admitted right away, do an x-ray, and tell us that it was a good break to the collarbone. "You did a good job," the Nurse said. They prescribed him a few different pain killers, put his arm in a sling, but said there's really nothing they can do for a broken collarbone. Friday night was restless and painful. But Saturday held a beautiful wedding morning!
We woke up at 6:30 to head over to the Blair Center by 7. Before long hair stylists and photographers and videographers were arriving. Then the guests came, and it was time for the processional.
I told Peter the ceremony was the most beautiful one I've ever seen. And Ashlee made the most beautiful bride. Though I was eager to see Ashlee's face when she first saw Daniel, I was more interested in his face as he gazed upon his Bride. Yes, she was beautiful. I could see tears welling up in his eyes.
The reception was fun. The food, delicious. But before long the horse-drawn carriage arrived and it was time to send the newlyweds away.
Peter spent the rest of the day in bed, icing his shoulder. Sunday he spent all day in bed and Monday, I was able to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
He had good news-- most collarbone breaks require surgery. Peter's did not. I know I was praising the Lord in that office! He said the break was bad, but because of how it had broken, a plate and screws would not be beneficial. What a relief!
And so we're back home, after a crazy weekend. Peter stayed home from work all of Monday and yesterday, but went in today. Though, he just let me know he'll be home after lunch because he's in too much pain.
I've got sheets and towels to wash. The bathroom needs cleaned. And I have returns and pick-ups and drop-offs to attend to. But there's our weekend summarized in a quick nutshell. I've got pictures and more news to post as time allows!

-A.H.

April showers bring May flowers.

One day after work last week Peter and I went to a garden center to get some stuff to plant. I had a long list made of the things I knew I wanted, but we got there and I was a little overwhelmed, and confused. We left with some marigolds, basil, tomato and green bean plants. I'd like to eventually go back for some parsley, lavender, peppers and grape tomatoes. And flowers too, of course. But for just starting, it's a cute budding garden. No pun intended. (I'm growing more and more like my father-in-law every day!)

Our green bean plant. I don't know why I think plants look cute. But they do.

Tomatoes. I'm teaching myself to like them.

Basil. Yes. It's adorable.

One year ago today.

One year ago today Peter McCallum Hopkins put this big, beautiful, glistening ring on my finger. It's been one year of ups and downs, tears of sorrow and gladness have been shed. But it's been wonderful. Blissful. In fact, this past year has been the best year of my life.

So, from this:

To this:

There we are. Two peas in a pod. Lovers. Best friends.
And today, I can't even imagine where I'd be if I hadn't said yes. Though we all know I didn't hesitate once. ;) I am absolutely smitten.

-A.H.

There were never such devoted sisters...

Last week Peter and I were able to keep my youngest sisters while my mom drove Ashlee to Charlotte with a U-Haul full of furniture and clothes. Yeah, my big sister is getting married in 12 days. It was a total blast having them here-- we watched Kipper the Dog, Strawberry Shortcake and Robots. We ate peanut butter & jelly, ice cream sandwiches and strawberries. We did lots of shopping too.

Wednesday we traveled from park to park trying to find the best slide, biggest puddle, and highest swings. We took Loxley with us to the Coventry Peace Park (and saw the "NO DOGS" sign on our way out. Oops.), then went home and packed a picnic and headed to another park in Beachwood where Peter met us after work for a picnic dinner.
I always love the conversations that erupt with little ones. We were driving in the car somewhere when Anna began questioning me. It was rather precious and went like this:
Anna: Sis, are you married?
Me: Yes I am. That's why I live with Peter.
Anna: And now you can be a princess, and dance with Peter your prince?
Me: *smiles* Exactly.
Anna: And next will be me, I'll be the princess and I can dance with Aliza!
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Again, it's unfortunate that I'm not a photographer, for I'm sure many Kodak moments went uncaptured (spell-check is telling me that's not a word...). But here's what I did get:

-A.H.

Fragile lives.

Yesterday we were reminded of the frailty of life. It's scary how quickly the reality of certain things can slip one's mind. It's even scarier how something can be so real. So permanent.
A man from Canada that Peter works with, and was beginning to develop a close relationship with, was killed in a car crash Sunday night. It's sad to this his company may crumble. Even to think Peter will never talk to him again. To think he'll never hold his babies again. It's sad to think his wife had no idea he would never come home again. To think the last kiss they shared was their last ever.
To make our evening even sadder, we laid in bed and watched Moulin Rouge (Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman). The movie is set in France, 1899 amid the Bohemian revolution, where Ewan McGregor plays a poet who falls for Satine, the star courtesan of the night club called Moulin Rouge. We find out she's sick, dying, and does not have long to live. Long story short, their love affair is tragically ended when the Duke offers a Satine a great deal-- promising to fulfill her dream and make her a world-renown actress. She fakes her loyalty to the Duke and leaves Christain (Evan McGregor) confused and heartbroken. Later he returns to the Moulin Rouge to beg her love, she confirms it, and dies minutes later in his arms.
Call us pathetic if you must. We turned off the TV and Peter held me while I cried in his arms. Yesterday made me want to grab everyone I love and keep them all together, never be angry at anyone ever again, and if we have to separate, always on good terms.

-A.H.

Visitors on Meadowbrook Boulevard.

Oh, what a blessing this day is. Rarely will I post twice in one day, I'm sure, but this is just too incredible not to share right now.

After yesterday, I'm determined that the Lord brought these tiny treasures to me for a specific reason. To simply brighten my day? Perhaps. To make me smile? Definitely. To remind me that He is God the faithful and I am not? Absolutely.






-A.H.

Moody Mondays.

Yesterday was a great day. Church was awesome. Our afternoon consisted of a long scenic drive, and then a restful nap. And come evening, we headed back to church for a meeting with our pastor and elders for a membership interview.

We left church encouraged, with the reminder that there is so much more to life. Both Peter and I were inspired to structure our life in a more Christ-honoring way. In a way that all we do, not just some or most of, glorifies God.
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A quick interruption: on our way to church yesterday we were following a semi going 70 MPH when suddenly a burst of black and gray feathers showered the road. Yep, a goose. A sweet, innocent, diligent goose. The image is still in my mind (will it ever leave?)-- the poor innocent creature bleeding and helplessly flapping its wings, trying to move along the freeway. I cried the whole way to church.
I was relieved to see, on our way back to Hudson that evening, that the creature was no longer suffering, but had been put out of its misery, probably by another semi. This is morbid, I know.
Why did I have to see that? I don't know. My precious husband held my hand the rest of the way to church and wiped away my tears, apologizing that I had to see that. We have been given dominion over the animals, and unlike us, they don't have souls that will last forever. It doesn't necessarily make it easier, but it encourages me.
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After that great meeting I was sure I wanted to make the best of this week. Really, to have a great week. Yes, it's going to be busy, but why not be happy?

It's Monday morning and I've already allowed the Tempter to take hold. I've gotten upset, angry, mad, and tears filled my eyes because of so many things-- the random ants (not to mention they're huge!) working their way through our house, the dog poop I picked up with my bare hand because I didn't realize it wasn't covered by the plastic bag, and the fact that the only "fruit" we have in the house is applesauce and I don't feel like going grocery shopping ever again. To name a few. I know you're thinking, Goodness, she's emotional. But yes, I do cry about a lot of silly things.

They're minuscule things, really. The sun is shining and I've got shorts on. Jesus is Lord. And we've been redeemed!

-A.H.