WE DID IT!!!

We are now Daniel and Kimberly AUDI!!!!!!!! We spent the night in Shreveport on our wedding night, came to our house in Fort Worth last night, and now it's 4:15 a.m. and we're with Daniel's brother, Josh, and his girlfriend, Elizabeth. They are taking us to the airport and we're on our way to the DOMICAN REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!

special because of these

Our wedding weekend was FABULOUS!!! Couldn't have imagined it to be any better!! The night of the rehearsal dinner was really special. Everyone there has an incredibly special part of our lives. We made the comment, "It's so amazing to have these people here with us, all in one room, who we love so much and who love us so much!" Wow!!! It was truly amazing!

I think it's unique that the Lord has allowed Molly, Anna, Heather, and Kristin and I to be friends for over 10 years. These girls, along with 2 of my good friends from college who I've continued to do things with since college, Melissa and Katie, as well as Daniel's sisters, my amazingly supportive sister, and my precious cousins - guys and girls -are the ones who were a part of our wedding. I never really felt nervous until right before the doors were about to open and I was about to walk down the aisle to my handsome groom. The girls really helped me to enjoy the day and relax! The day was perfect! I'm so thankful for all of their support as well as the support of all of our families and Daniel's groomsmen and ushers. It was an amazing weekend. We had so much fun! Thanks, everyone!!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...and SATURDAY

Well, those are the only days left until Saturday evening at 6:30 when the ceremony begins!!! I'm driving to Louisiana today for last minute wrap ups. Daniel will come Thursday night...it's getting closer!!!!

JUST A WEEK LEFT

***DISCLAIMER**** This entry is a bit sappy, but hey...I'm getting married in a week!!! I can be sappy!!!

I woke up this morning and thought..."Next Saturday when I wake up, it will be my wedding day!" It's a strange, yet very exciting feeling!!! I'm about to move in with a guy - really? A guy? I'm gonna live with a guy!?!?!? EXCITING!!! 'Cause the guy God picked for me is absolutley amazing.

When I went home for Christmas, I began reading in my old journals, starting from college. I decided then that as his wedding gift one day, I wanted to make Daniel a scrapbook of all of the journal entries I had written, praying for my future mate. It's been so amazing to read glimpses into my past thoughts, dreams, desires, and to now know the man for whom I was praying. Yes, Daniel meets every prayer I've ever prayed, down to the intricate details - silly wants in my mate, and spiritual ones. He's got it all. He is my prince charming, the answer to my prayers, my dream come true!

Mostly, as I re-read through these journals, I've been in awe of God. He loves His children dearly. He does hear the desires of our hearts and longs to meet our needs. He knew the longings of my heart for a mate, long, long ago. And He's been preparing me and preparing Daniel for our future together, to be the man and the woman that each other desires. Daniel really does make me a better person. He quiets my rustled feathers when I get stressed out or angry, he gives me 10000000000 reasons to laugh and smile when we're together (and even when we're not). He challenges me to the core to follow Christ more whole-heartedly.

God is good. Yes, He is good. He is better than good. I guess we'll never really do justice to putting into words our gratitude for all of His awesome wonder, but for today, I'll end with saying, GOD'S GOODNESS IS OVERWHELMINGLY BREATH-TAKING!! PRAISE HIM, OH YOU PEOPLE!!! BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. HE WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS. HE WILL BE EXALTED IN ALL THE EARTH!!! Amen.

MARYLAND

Daniel and I got to spend 4 days in Maryland with his family. 24 of us in one house was the largest number! It was great to be with his family again. We hadn't seen his family in 6 months when we went. Fun reunion time!

We were amazingly blessed. Back in the spring when they asked us to come out so they could give us a shower, they also offered to pay for part of our tickets. We ended up only paying $100 of the 2 tickets. Their generosity was too much! On top of that, they had a shower for us!! We asked for gifts that we could use overseas, like a digital camera and video camera, computer gadgets, and TV Series DVDs. We were given a really nice Cannon Elph digital camera, money to go toward a video camera, and a couple of computer gadgets and DVDs.We also got gifts for our kitchen. Wow!! Are we ever thankful! It was so nice to meet many of Daniel's family's friends and receive their congratulations and hear stories about Daniel. Thank you, AUDIS, for all of your love, for so graciously welcoming me into the family and for showering us with so much generosity! We had a great time in Maryland.

We also went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum with all of the nieces and nephews. Here are Daniel and our nieces, nephews, and 2nd cousins riding the escalator coming out of the metro. Meet 6 of the 12 little ones who were with us this weekend - Hannah, Christian, Meghan Grace, Brendan, Meghan Marie, and Gabrielle.

Daniel's mom and sisters took me out for a girls' night out in D.C. and then showered me with lingerie. We had a great time out with the girls, leaving the men at home - FOR 4 HOURS - with the kiddos! (Did I mention that all 12 kids are under the age of 9?!?!?!) ;-) The girls gave me a "ring" crown to wear and a necklace of bows from my shower the night before. Meet my in-laws - my mother-in-law, Suzie, my cousin-in-law, Liz, and my sisters-in-law, Becky, Laura, Rachel, and Trish.