Thurs night was our rehearsal- we had dinner first at a mexican restaurant.  It was nice to see everyone who flew in, and the kids were extremely well behaved.  All together at the rehearsal there were 10 kids and 20 adults. 

We went over to the church where the church coordinator lady told us who would walk where when.  She was actually kinda pushy- she wanted the little kids to go before the best man / maid of honor, and I wanted them to go before me and my dad- I got my way.  She was really upset that Mr J did not want to repeat the vows.  It was given to us as an option in the Catholic booklet to just say "I do" after the the priest read us the vows- and Mr J is really very VERY shy- and did not want to speak in front of all those people.  BUT I gave her a look that said lay off him, and she did- more on that later when I tell you about the ceremony.  The little kids were all wound up and were not doing well at the rehearsal, Mr J was wondering if we should even include them- but I assured them that it was late, they were tired and tomorrow would go better.

I could not sleep that night- I felt like a kid before a Disneyland trip.

So next morning- my sis and her family come over- BIL stays at our house with niece #4 to help Mr J with the boys, while Sis, Punky, niece #3 and I all go to get our hair done.  I wore a white shirt and sweats- since I was the bride and all.  We stop at the florist's house- to pick up the daisies and head over to the salon, where my best friend is already getting her hair done.  I loved what she did with my hair- she pinned it back with the daisies like the daisies were a headband and curled the back.  Punky's hair was just to die for gorgeous- I kept on looking at her in disbelief.  Then Punky and I went to the make up person, while Sis went to get her nails done.  Our makeup finished first- so we walked over to Whole Foods for smoothies while we waited.  We must have looked funny - our hair and make up all done, and me in my veil- with sweats on in a grocery store.

So, we drove to the house where we told Mr J to hide in the bathroom while I grabbed my dress and the two little boys to head over to the church.  Sis and Punky and niece stayed back to get dressed and to make sure Mr J didn't run away, and made it to the church-  J/K.  Driving out to the church- I ended up behind my florist's car- which I thought was amusing.

At the church I got to talk to the priest and see the set up before I had to go hide in the bride's room and get dressed.  The babysitter we hired arrived and she played cards with Kev and Jess to keep them busy.  The photographer arrived and took a bunch of my stuff outside for better lighting.  (I never knew that they would take shots of the garter- the shoes- my rings etc etc.)  The photographer was great fun.  She was taking pictures of me getting into my dress, my mom and best friend were helping me, and I still had my bra on, but I look over at her and say- "You know I am about to take my bra off- I am not really all that modest- but you might want to stop snapping photos for a sec."  She busted up.    So I am now all put together and the coordinator lady calls people to line up.  The photographer leaves too.

So it is just me and my dad, listening to the opening songs (You Raise Me Up, and All I ask of You.)  And he starts telling me how he told Mr J the place was surrounded with snipers equipped with stun guns- so he couldn't get out of this now.  My dad told me how happy he was for me and we both almost cried.

So the pre-procession goes first-
Mr J's Mom and Dad
My Mom and Grandma- escorted by Big Man- our Jr groomsman- he stands at his place in the front row.
 
Next it is the Priest, and the alter servers, and then Mr J.  All who stand up at the alter.
Then Surfer and my Sis- who stand in front of their seats in the front row 
Then Mr J's friend and my best friend who stand in front of their seats in the front row
Then Punky and Mr J's best friend.
Then Little  Man as ring bearer and A as flower girl- her bouquet was a mini version of mine.  From what everyone says they did great- when they get to the front Little  Man and Alexis were supposed to sit in the second row with my parents and with A's parents, but somehow they ended up on Punky's lap and on my best friend's lap in the front row- whatever!

Then me and my dad- now since the church is a circular style- and we were using one of the far aisles due to where the sun was- we had to walk all the way around the back of the church and down the aisle- I felt like a princess!!  We get to the front and my dad hugs me and shakes Mr J's hand and "gives" me to him.  We all stand in front of the priest and he prays (IIRC) then we sit in the front row for the readings, homily etc.  I got to pick all of the readings and they were real special to me- but TBH I cannot remember them being read- then after about 25 minutes- we are called to stand in front- we were supposed to go all the way to the top of the steps- but I forgot and stood at the bottom.  All the kids stood in the witness spots- Punky and Jess where the maid of honor usually stand, and Big Man and Surfer where the best mans usually stands.

So the priest starts and then realizes we are in the wrong spots  - when we get up there we he starts the vows- and he asks Mr J to repeat after him-      Poor guy was so nervous- but he did it- it took alot of prompts and he stumbled over some words- but my heart was just swelling with love, when my turn came. 
Then the rings were blessed and exchanged and the children were seated and we stood for the prayer of the faithful- which I remember well- because it was really special to me praying for peace for our world, our country and our family.      A great friend of mine read this- then we continued to stand for the Lord's prayer and final blessing, and were introduced as Mr and Mrs.  (There was no "you may kiss the bride"     We had practiced that.    ) 

As we exit to the room to sign the official papers- Mr J tells me that at the last minute the coordinator lady told him that I said I was going to repeat the vows and that he can do what he wants- but since I am saying them aloud- he will look silly if he just says I do.  He says he knew she was full of it, and even said to her that he knew she was tricking him, but decided to go along with it. 

Then we do all kinds of great pics with family and friends outside the church.- the photographer was so great!!! 

Then we get into a limo- just me Mr J and the kids- the kids were thrilled to pieces.  We pop open a bottle of sparkiling cider and toast to our new family.  

I did not get alot of pics for obvious reasons, and have not yet gotten any from the photographer- but here we are in the limo on the ride from the ceremony to the reception.