Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tops magazine
Oh, and I forgot to mention that Tops in Lex, featured the wedding in their August addition. Click on the link below to see it.
http://www.topsinlex.com/weddings/marty_michael.php
and the journey continues....
Well once again it has been way too long since my last post. Life has been crazy. Needless to say I am now happily married, the wedding was on June 2, 2012. But before I get into the details of the wedding let me tell you a little about the journey along the way.
Michael proposed in Sept. of last year and we began to plan the wedding. I truly had no idea what I wanted in a wedding but Michael of course new exactly what he wanted and what we came up with together (mostly his creation) was far better then anything I could have ever imagined.
Sept. - Feb. was pretty uneventful just us putting together ideas and setting dates for engagement photos and picking out vendors for the big day. But March set off a chain of events that neither Michael nor our families will ever forget.
March 5th, Michael was awakened to a call from an unknown caller around 11:30 pm that his dad (who lived in California) was at an AA meeting and had had a massive heart attack and was in route to the hospital. We were told by the caller (who we later learned was Allison) that he had collapsed on the floor and CPR had been performed on him until the paramedics arrived. God was truly watching out for this man because the chain of events that occurred could not have happened without some divine intervention.
One, Michael's father, Charlie, lives alone. So if he had had a heart attack at his home he would have died without a doubt. Two, the man who performed CPR had never been to an AA meeting before and chose to come to the one Charlie was at. He had also just completed a course in CPR. Three, on the way to the hospital the ambulance had to reroute and go to another hospital because the nearest one's ER was full. So they took him to UCLA medical center in Santa Monica, CA. A very up to date hospital on technology. When he arrived, he had been revived twice by an AED and was put on a machine that lowered his body temperature to prevent brain damage. Four, the lady who called Michael stayed by his side until we were able to get flights and get to the hospital. Because she did not want him to be alone.
Luckily, we were able to get flights at 6:00 am out of Louisville. The only problem is March 5, 2012 was the only night in the entire winter that we got snow. And there was a lot of it, five inches I believe before it was finished. We passed numerous cars in the ditch as well as a snow plow that was also in the ditch, but God is faithful and after driving for 2 hours which would normally be a one hour trip we arrived safely at the airport. We caught our flight and arrived in Santa Monica approximately 12 hours after receiving the call.
We spent 10 days in California, not knowing how it all would end. One day he was doing good and on an uphill swing and the next we were uncertain if he would make it through the day. But he did survive much to the surprise of the admitting doctor. He turned out to be the cardiologist Charlie went to see after leaving the hospital. The Dr. said most 30 year olds don't survive that kind of a heart attack, little lone an 83 year old man.
We spent the next month to two months moving him to Lexington, Ky. were he is living in an assisted living facility and happy as a lark. He was Michael's best man at the wedding. It was so awesome to see him standing up there in front of so many people who had prayed for him after the heart attack. God is so good.
Then on April 8, the day before Easter, I got a call from daughter, she was sobbing and telling me that her best friends little girl, Katelynn, (who was going to be one of our flower girls), had drowned in her grandparents swimming pool. She was two years old. I was stunned and in shock. So we spent the following week helping the family as well as attending the funeral. My heart was broken, seeing her lying in that casket. She looked like a little porcelain doll. It still doesn't seem real. I have so many pictures of her, when I see them now I struggle to believe she is gone. Nikki, (Katelynn's mom) had taken my daughter Ashley to the zoo last August for Ashley's birthday and of course I went along to take pictures. Nikki has three children, Kole who is now 11, Kylie who just turned 4 and Katelynn who would have been 3 in May. All of them were going to be in the wedding. I will never forget Katie's face when I asked her if she wanted to be a flower girl in my wedding, she looked at me grinning from ear to ear and shook her head yes, even though she had no idea what I had just asked her to do. She was always such a happy little girl and her and Kylie were inseparable. They were only 10 months apart in age and did everything together.
My daughter and son-in-law are God parents to these children, so they have them all the time. At least one weekend a month they stay at my daughters house. As you can imagine they are like grandchildren to me.
Unfortunately, that was not the last tragedy that would occur before the wedding. May was uneventful until memorial day. May 27th, five days before the wedding, I got a call that my nephew, Jake, who was 23 was killed in a four wheeler accident. He was taking the four wheeler to his house on a paved road when a man turned in front of him and Jake could not avoid hitting the back end of the vehicle, he was thrown from it and died several hours later after being air lifted to a trauma unit in Cabell-Huntington hospital, in West Virginia. Because they lived in Ohio and that was the nearest trauma unit, Ohio insisted on an autopsy before his body could be brought back to Ohio for the funeral. This meant it would be Wednesday before they could get the body back. The visitation was scheduled for Friday night and the funeral was to be on Saturday. My heart was aching. We had rehearsal dinner Friday night and photos started at 10:00 am on Saturday for the wedding that was scheduled for 5:30. I would not be able to make a two and half hour trip home and back to attend the visitation or the funeral. Fortunately, the funeral director is a friend of the family and he allowed me, Michael and my two children to come and pay our last respects on Thurs. evening.
Talk about a tough week. With last minute details still to be done and Michael's Uncle Steen in from Denmark, I was truly torn. I felt like a terrible host, but knew they would understand. I so wanted to be there for my family. Especially, my sister Karen. Jake was her oldest son.
Saturday arrived and we were in full swing of the final touches from having my hair done, to makeup and pictures.
Just before the wedding was about to begin, the door to the dressing room opened and in came two of my sisters and my mother. I immediately burst into tears. Knowing the pain they were feeling, wanting to be there and not being able to. But I was thrilled to see them arrive after such a long and tragic week. I truly did not know if they would be able to make the trip after my nephew's funeral. My mother was extremely pale, she has a pace maker and I was concerned for her health. But as the evening went on her color came back.
We decided we wanted Kole, Katie's older brother to light a candle in honor of Katelynn and Jake. I was afraid Kole might not be able to handle that, but when asked he was very excited about doing it.
So we chose to celebrate the lives of our loved ones instead of their deaths. We wanted it to be a joyous time not a sad time. And I believe we were able to accomplish just that.
The wedding was great, Michael insisted on having some of my photography friends come and act like the papparazzi and take photos of the guests as they entered the building. We even put out a red carpet for them to walk down. I have truly enjoyed looking at those photos and seeing the surprised responses from the guests as they entered the building. We also chose to have a pre-reception before the ceremony. That was a huge hit with the guests. We chose the Thoroughbred Center as our venue so we could hold everything in the same building, the pre-reception in the front room, the wedding in the auditorium, and the reception in the back. It was a huge success.
We opened the ceremony with two friends of ours singing Michael Buble's song, Baby, you've got what it takes, which is a very fun and upbeat song, we had some stringed instruments to play the music during the wedding and through part of the reception and then the DJ took over. Oh and lets not forget Kole was the ring bearer, at the rehearsal, he got down on one knee and bowed his head and presented the ring. Michael loved it so much that he told Kole if you do that tomorrow, I will give you $20.00. So needless to say, Michael handed Kole $20.00 on stage in front of everyone. It truly was a very fun ceremony, in spite of the tragedies and heartaches that preceded it. Michael wanted to show everyone that Christianity doesn't have to be boring, it can actually be fun. And I believe we accomplished our goal.
Michael proposed in Sept. of last year and we began to plan the wedding. I truly had no idea what I wanted in a wedding but Michael of course new exactly what he wanted and what we came up with together (mostly his creation) was far better then anything I could have ever imagined.
Sept. - Feb. was pretty uneventful just us putting together ideas and setting dates for engagement photos and picking out vendors for the big day. But March set off a chain of events that neither Michael nor our families will ever forget.
March 5th, Michael was awakened to a call from an unknown caller around 11:30 pm that his dad (who lived in California) was at an AA meeting and had had a massive heart attack and was in route to the hospital. We were told by the caller (who we later learned was Allison) that he had collapsed on the floor and CPR had been performed on him until the paramedics arrived. God was truly watching out for this man because the chain of events that occurred could not have happened without some divine intervention.
One, Michael's father, Charlie, lives alone. So if he had had a heart attack at his home he would have died without a doubt. Two, the man who performed CPR had never been to an AA meeting before and chose to come to the one Charlie was at. He had also just completed a course in CPR. Three, on the way to the hospital the ambulance had to reroute and go to another hospital because the nearest one's ER was full. So they took him to UCLA medical center in Santa Monica, CA. A very up to date hospital on technology. When he arrived, he had been revived twice by an AED and was put on a machine that lowered his body temperature to prevent brain damage. Four, the lady who called Michael stayed by his side until we were able to get flights and get to the hospital. Because she did not want him to be alone.
Luckily, we were able to get flights at 6:00 am out of Louisville. The only problem is March 5, 2012 was the only night in the entire winter that we got snow. And there was a lot of it, five inches I believe before it was finished. We passed numerous cars in the ditch as well as a snow plow that was also in the ditch, but God is faithful and after driving for 2 hours which would normally be a one hour trip we arrived safely at the airport. We caught our flight and arrived in Santa Monica approximately 12 hours after receiving the call.
We spent 10 days in California, not knowing how it all would end. One day he was doing good and on an uphill swing and the next we were uncertain if he would make it through the day. But he did survive much to the surprise of the admitting doctor. He turned out to be the cardiologist Charlie went to see after leaving the hospital. The Dr. said most 30 year olds don't survive that kind of a heart attack, little lone an 83 year old man.
We spent the next month to two months moving him to Lexington, Ky. were he is living in an assisted living facility and happy as a lark. He was Michael's best man at the wedding. It was so awesome to see him standing up there in front of so many people who had prayed for him after the heart attack. God is so good.
Then on April 8, the day before Easter, I got a call from daughter, she was sobbing and telling me that her best friends little girl, Katelynn, (who was going to be one of our flower girls), had drowned in her grandparents swimming pool. She was two years old. I was stunned and in shock. So we spent the following week helping the family as well as attending the funeral. My heart was broken, seeing her lying in that casket. She looked like a little porcelain doll. It still doesn't seem real. I have so many pictures of her, when I see them now I struggle to believe she is gone. Nikki, (Katelynn's mom) had taken my daughter Ashley to the zoo last August for Ashley's birthday and of course I went along to take pictures. Nikki has three children, Kole who is now 11, Kylie who just turned 4 and Katelynn who would have been 3 in May. All of them were going to be in the wedding. I will never forget Katie's face when I asked her if she wanted to be a flower girl in my wedding, she looked at me grinning from ear to ear and shook her head yes, even though she had no idea what I had just asked her to do. She was always such a happy little girl and her and Kylie were inseparable. They were only 10 months apart in age and did everything together.
My daughter and son-in-law are God parents to these children, so they have them all the time. At least one weekend a month they stay at my daughters house. As you can imagine they are like grandchildren to me.
Unfortunately, that was not the last tragedy that would occur before the wedding. May was uneventful until memorial day. May 27th, five days before the wedding, I got a call that my nephew, Jake, who was 23 was killed in a four wheeler accident. He was taking the four wheeler to his house on a paved road when a man turned in front of him and Jake could not avoid hitting the back end of the vehicle, he was thrown from it and died several hours later after being air lifted to a trauma unit in Cabell-Huntington hospital, in West Virginia. Because they lived in Ohio and that was the nearest trauma unit, Ohio insisted on an autopsy before his body could be brought back to Ohio for the funeral. This meant it would be Wednesday before they could get the body back. The visitation was scheduled for Friday night and the funeral was to be on Saturday. My heart was aching. We had rehearsal dinner Friday night and photos started at 10:00 am on Saturday for the wedding that was scheduled for 5:30. I would not be able to make a two and half hour trip home and back to attend the visitation or the funeral. Fortunately, the funeral director is a friend of the family and he allowed me, Michael and my two children to come and pay our last respects on Thurs. evening.
Talk about a tough week. With last minute details still to be done and Michael's Uncle Steen in from Denmark, I was truly torn. I felt like a terrible host, but knew they would understand. I so wanted to be there for my family. Especially, my sister Karen. Jake was her oldest son.
Saturday arrived and we were in full swing of the final touches from having my hair done, to makeup and pictures.
Just before the wedding was about to begin, the door to the dressing room opened and in came two of my sisters and my mother. I immediately burst into tears. Knowing the pain they were feeling, wanting to be there and not being able to. But I was thrilled to see them arrive after such a long and tragic week. I truly did not know if they would be able to make the trip after my nephew's funeral. My mother was extremely pale, she has a pace maker and I was concerned for her health. But as the evening went on her color came back.
We decided we wanted Kole, Katie's older brother to light a candle in honor of Katelynn and Jake. I was afraid Kole might not be able to handle that, but when asked he was very excited about doing it.
So we chose to celebrate the lives of our loved ones instead of their deaths. We wanted it to be a joyous time not a sad time. And I believe we were able to accomplish just that.
The wedding was great, Michael insisted on having some of my photography friends come and act like the papparazzi and take photos of the guests as they entered the building. We even put out a red carpet for them to walk down. I have truly enjoyed looking at those photos and seeing the surprised responses from the guests as they entered the building. We also chose to have a pre-reception before the ceremony. That was a huge hit with the guests. We chose the Thoroughbred Center as our venue so we could hold everything in the same building, the pre-reception in the front room, the wedding in the auditorium, and the reception in the back. It was a huge success.
We opened the ceremony with two friends of ours singing Michael Buble's song, Baby, you've got what it takes, which is a very fun and upbeat song, we had some stringed instruments to play the music during the wedding and through part of the reception and then the DJ took over. Oh and lets not forget Kole was the ring bearer, at the rehearsal, he got down on one knee and bowed his head and presented the ring. Michael loved it so much that he told Kole if you do that tomorrow, I will give you $20.00. So needless to say, Michael handed Kole $20.00 on stage in front of everyone. It truly was a very fun ceremony, in spite of the tragedies and heartaches that preceded it. Michael wanted to show everyone that Christianity doesn't have to be boring, it can actually be fun. And I believe we accomplished our goal.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
A new season in my life.
Wow, is it really September already. I can't believe how time flies. Life in my world is pretty amazing right now. I have been dating a wonderful man for a year and a half and last night he asked me to marry him.
He owns Abundant Living Medical here in Lexington. Michael doesn't do anything on a small scale. This much I have learned. He loves to entertain and have fun. So when he suggested a rather large dinner party I was not surprised. But then he proceeded to have us all sit down on the couch and watch a commercial for his competitor, they were supposedly rolling out this big advertising campaign and he wanted to see it.
Little did I know the actual commercial I was to watch would be of him proclaiming his love for me and asking me to marry him on television. I was in shock and that isn't all of it. He had the tv crew in his living room, to supposedly do a piece on bio-identical hormones. They wanted to interview some of the dinner party since several of them had been getting hormone treatments. But in actuality they were there to film my response when he got down on his knee and proposed. Wow!!! I was so stunned. But of course I said yes.
God has truly blessed me with a wonderful Christian man who loves me dearly. I truly could not ask for more. He is amazing.
Oh and by the way, he picked out an absolutely gorgeous ring. You gotta love a man who truly knows what romance is all about.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wow! Has it really been a month since I last blogged. My life has been crazy busy since then. I have been to California to meet Michael's dad and then when I returned, my sciatic nerve flared up really bad. The pain was excruciating and unbearable at times. I have tried therapy, a cortisone injection in my spine, chiropractic care and massage. The massage and Active release therapy helped some and the cortisone injection lasted about three months, but then the pain returned with great fury. So I chose to have a minimally invasive spine surgery done at North American Spine in Dallas, Tx. I wanted to have it done at there Dayton, Ohio facility, but that Dr. has moved to Dallas, Tx. So, I went to Dallas.
I had surgery Wed. May 25th and today is Monday, May 30th. I cannot believe how easy the surgery was. I walked out of the hospital about three hours after surgery and was told, by my Dr., to go have some lunch and go shopping. So we did.
The next day was the worst. I had quite a bit of pressure and pain but then it began to ease up. I am still having some pain but the Dr. said it could take up to two weeks for the pain to completely go away. They have an 80-85% success rate.
I am currently putting together a gluten free vendors fair for Gluten-free Lexington and doing some photography as well. I need to get back to my writing also. I hope to do that soon, but unfortunately my back pain has kept me from doing much. Recovery takes a few weeks. I will start physical therapy in a month.
I have an online photography class I need to get started on as well as my writing. I can't wait to get started. But for now I can't lift more then ten pounds for ten days and not more then twenty pounds for 20 days. So that keeps me from carrying my camera around for a little while. But I do hope to be pain free within 4-6weeks and then working on my physical therapy so that I can get back to enjoying life once again.
Heading back to bed. Goodnight all.
Marty
Thursday, April 28, 2011
My revelation from Navarre Beach, Fl.
Oh God, inspire me with your beauty, touch me with your creation.
Lord, just as I dig my toes into the sand and feel the coolness of it, I am awed by
your creation, yet again. I watch the waves roll in and out as they wash away foot prints in the sand.
I realize also, that you have the ability to wash away my past. To heal my wounded soul. You know
everything about me, where I come from and where I have been.
Better than that, you know what is yet to come.
In Jeremiah 29:11, you say, I know the plans I have for you, plans not to harm you but to prosper you.
Plans to give you a hope and a future.
I do not know what my future holds but I do know that it rest in your hands. As I watch a bird skimming
the surface of the ocean water, so should I skim the surface of your living water, always staying close enough
to feel the coolness of it. To experience its refreshing power. To feel renewed in your love.
God erasing my pa
Thursday, March 24, 2011
God's take on broken seashells
While combing the beach for seashells God revealed to me that all the millions of broken shells
represent the millions of people with broken lives and how life washes them up out of the depths
and leaves them discarded on the shore.
Then to add insult to injury people come along and sort through them, people just like me, only
taking the ones that are beautiful and whole. Discarding, once again, those that are less desirable.
I ask God to show Himself to me, hoping for a beautiful, whole seashell, instead I got something
much more valuable. A revelation of sorts, insights into who He is and who I am supposed to be.
When I asked for a beautiful, whole seashell, I distinctly heard Him say, then stop walking on the shore
and go deep. Don't be afraid to dive into the depths for that is where you will find my pearls. Don't be
afraid to dive in and explore.
Just as there is much beauty to be found in the depths of the ocean, there is much beauty to be found in
the depths of My Word.
Dive in and enjoy. Discover who I really am. The GREAT I AM!!!!
Broken shells represent broken live.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Life is an adventure.
Life is good, I am starting into another new phase of my life. I am writing and starting to do some event coordinating, which I love. I am teaming up with the gluten-free club in Lexington to put on a Vendor's parade. This is to educate the community about restaurants that have gluten-free menus, as well as products that are gluten-free.
I have found, since going gluten-free, the most challenging part is finding bread that is tasty and yet not so dry that it chokes you to death. I am going to really enjoy being involved with the gluten-free club here in Lexington. I know there is a lot to learn about the subject.
I will say since going gluten-free my body does not ache as much, I am much more alert and I don't have the foggy thinking I once had.
Hormones have helped with this also. And when I keep my levels up, my memory is much better. I am low on estrogen and progesterone right now but will be getting that taken care of next week and am looking forward to the results I know I will feel.
The book has been slow at progressing but I am working on it. Not sure what route to take with it at the moment.
I have also been taking photography classes to improve my photography skills. That has been fun and exciting. I love capturing God's creation and sharing it with the world.
My relationship with Michael is going very well. He is an awesome man and I could not imagine my life without him. He and I truly bring out the best in one another.
He promised me when we started dating that life would never be boring with him and so far he has kept that promise. He thinks big and I like that. He is not afraid to take on, what to most, would seem like an impossible challenge. And he challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and grow in ways I could not have previously imagined.
He has rented out Applebee's stadium and we are putting on a Easter sunrise service for the community of Lexington. I will be helping to put the event together. So, if you are going to be in the area for Easter, come see us at Applebee's Park.
Life has been an incredible adventure since I chose to leave Toyota. I would do it all again, in a heartbeat. God is faithful to supply all our needs if we get out of His way and just let Him.
I have found, since going gluten-free, the most challenging part is finding bread that is tasty and yet not so dry that it chokes you to death. I am going to really enjoy being involved with the gluten-free club here in Lexington. I know there is a lot to learn about the subject.
I will say since going gluten-free my body does not ache as much, I am much more alert and I don't have the foggy thinking I once had.
Hormones have helped with this also. And when I keep my levels up, my memory is much better. I am low on estrogen and progesterone right now but will be getting that taken care of next week and am looking forward to the results I know I will feel.
The book has been slow at progressing but I am working on it. Not sure what route to take with it at the moment.
I have also been taking photography classes to improve my photography skills. That has been fun and exciting. I love capturing God's creation and sharing it with the world.
My relationship with Michael is going very well. He is an awesome man and I could not imagine my life without him. He and I truly bring out the best in one another.
He promised me when we started dating that life would never be boring with him and so far he has kept that promise. He thinks big and I like that. He is not afraid to take on, what to most, would seem like an impossible challenge. And he challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and grow in ways I could not have previously imagined.
He has rented out Applebee's stadium and we are putting on a Easter sunrise service for the community of Lexington. I will be helping to put the event together. So, if you are going to be in the area for Easter, come see us at Applebee's Park.
Life has been an incredible adventure since I chose to leave Toyota. I would do it all again, in a heartbeat. God is faithful to supply all our needs if we get out of His way and just let Him.
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