richmond, virginia

my new new baby niece

June Emilia Schrock
7 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches

"We'll bring a child into this world
And we'll say the one thing
Everyone should hear:
You were meant for amazing things."

Yesterday my brother Joe and sister-in-law Mallory brought baby June into the world (she makes her cousin Kati seem so big). Her middle name is pronounced like Amelia but spelled like my first name Emilie. I felt so honored yesterday, and I'm sure my face showed it. Logan kept saying, "You are so proud of yourself" as if I was the one who endured natural child birth (Mal is a champ).

She is so beautiful, calm, and sweet. Oh brother, Joe is going to have a hard time telling her no. She is the best post-honeymoon present. We love her.

(p.s. We're married and back in Marion! I'm working on so many posts: wedding, honeymoon, marriage, such a sweet season minus the NCLEX studying)

rebecca & clay

Since I talked about my cousin Laura in my last post, let's continue with her sister Rebecca. Only three days after Grace was born, Rebecca Underwood married Clay Hammerstein. I met Clay two years ago at my brother's wedding. The Schrockles instantly fell in love with the man who cares for my oldest cousin Rebecca. Last year for spring break, Logan and I stayed with Rebecca, Clay, and his children for a few days. We love their fellowship and friendship. Clay is so funny and super-dad with four kids who are actively involved in tennis, football, basketball, and baseball. Rebecca is such a sweet spirit who loves and welcomes everyone she meets. I cannot even describe it, but if you meet Rebecca, you'd understand. She has the ability to really listen in a way that makes you feel as if you discovered the most important thing in the world. I really wanted to support and love Clay and Rebecca at their wedding.

The photos say it all: the wedding was perfect. Rebecca and Clay were married in a old red barn next to horse stables in the midst of beautiful hills of Ojai, California. The wedding party involved Clay's four children (Peyton, Hunter, Kyle & Blake). The picture above is my Aunt Lynn and Uncle Mike. Lynn looked absolutely adorable with her soft pink dress.

Let's look at my favorite decorations and moments of the wedding:

Guests stayed cool with an umbrella or fan.

Needless to say, I loved my parasol umbrella, which is now hanging in my room!

Rebecca and Clay were married in front of the red barn. For the ceremony, guests sat straw bales covered with beautiful pink and floral linens. White fabric shaded guests from the sun plus made it look soft and romantic. Don't you love the chandeliers?

The tables were decorated with different floral or striped pink linens. The flowers were big and full with orange, yellow, and pink hues. My Aunt Bonnie did amazing calligraphy for the seating arrangements.

I loved the sheer white fabric and lights, which looked stunning after the sun set.

My classy cousin Lindsay caught Rebecca's bouquet! She is heading off to art school for her masters in the fall. We're hoping this bouquet is foreshadowing.

Since Clay grew up in Colorado and graduted from University of Colorado, the couple thought a mechanical bull was a perfect activity for their wedding! I loved when my Uncle Mike rode the bull -- my family and I could not stop laughing.

I had so much fun seeing my family. Weddings are such a bonding time with my aunts and cousins. I cannot wait for my wedding.

Last, the beautiful couple rode the bull (I love Clay's hat!). As you can tell, it was a beautiful wedding, full of dancing, and wonderful people.

My cousin Lindsay visited this past weekend. She graduated from Goshen College my freshmen year. Man, I miss having her around - I wish in high school I would have taken advantage being so close (in distance) to my cousin. Hopefully, I'll fix this by being more intentional about visiting my other cousin in Ohio. Girl cousins are like sisters to me. It's so neat to become close to them in the past few years - I love it, I really do.

The picture above is beginning to be an ongoing joke for Linds and me. We like to take pictures with the great grandkids in our family making it look like they are our kids. Before she graduated, we have another one where I'm holding Korbin, and she's holding my nephew Daylen (who is lighter color hair). Again, I'm holding dark-haired Korbin, but she's holding his sister Kaylee. She wanted to hold Kaylee over Daylen because she says she's going to bring more girl great-grandkids into the Schrock family. Not too bad, eh?