Wow, I can't believe it's here already! After looking forward to it for months, tomorrow morning (actually, in about 2 1/2 hours) I'm leaving to head up to North Carolina to go backpacking on the Appalachian Trail for 5 days. My sister and good friend Linda will be joining me, and we're all very excited! We'll be kicking off our trip with some whitewater rafting on Sunday, then hitting the trail on Monday to start our 60 mile journey. If all goes according to plan and we don't meet up with any disgruntled bear families, we'll be finishing up on Friday and heading back home on Saturday (July 26th). Have a great week, everyone, and I'll see ya when I get back! :)

I can't say enough good things about the McGee family. I actually feel as if I'm part of their family in a way! I used to work with Mark, and I always felt that he was my "work dad." He shares my dad's same first AND middle name, sang me silly songs just the way my dad does, and is an incredible man of faith and strong morals. It's not surprising that his family is so loving, respectful, fun and engaging to be around! I had a blast just hanging out with them for a bit one afternoon as they held a reunion of sons, daughters and grandchildren as they came together to celebrate Mark's birthday. Happy birthday, Mark, and thank you for being such a wonderful part of my life! God bless you and your family! Hope you enjoy the slideshow. :)

Whew! I'm finally catching up on some projects after having an awesome time with my family up in Tennessee last weekend!

Mike and Katy were married on June 7th in the cutest, most picturesque chapel you've ever seen! Tucked away in Boca Grande, the Armory Chapel on Gasparilla Island State Park, Florida, was the perfect place to witness the marriage of these two wonderful people.

Things were running a bit behind on the wedding day (nothing unusual there!) but things took an interesting turn when Mike received a call that the guitar player had been in a car accident and would be unable to make it to the ceremony!! (Thankfully, he was okay, just had to deal with the police, etc.) Katy had no idea this had happened, and was dealing with her own wedding day jitters not far from the chapel. Keeping his cool through everything, Mike spoke the sweetest words of love and assurance over the phone to Katy...it was so apparent that the only thing that mattered to him was seeing the love of his life walk down that aisle to join and marry him. Katy later told me how much those words he spoke to her meant. What a beautiful relationship these two already have!

All of the wedding guests came together to brainstorm for music ideas: Borrow someone's laptop? Find someone out on the beach with an iPod? Did anyone play an instrument? Yes! Someone stepped up to play the chapel's organ, and several family members and friends arranged an impromptu rehearsal, planning to sing as the bride made her entrance. In the end, everything worked out, and in my mind the sweetness of family and friends joining together to show so much love to the bride and groom made everything that much more special.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow from Mike and Katy's wedding! (You'd never guess from the photos how HOT it was outside on the beach! It was burning, blinding heat, I tell ya!)

Congratulations, Mike and Katy! I'm so happy I was able to be a part of your wedding...what a perfect, special day! God bless you always!