The weekend that finally ended...

OMG. People. OMG.
This past weekend was the weekend my sister got married. OMG. Married!
Reality never settled in until I woke up @ 6am this past Saturday morning and saw my sister's dress hanging in my parent's house by itself. The dirty blue shower curtain rod it was hanging from is not a sight to the sore eye compared to the beauty of her dress. There was a moment of surreal-ness--in realizing my sister is a woman. She is now-somebody's wife (feels so weird saying that)and she will be somebody's mom (soon).
I never was officially the maid of honor...more like "sister of honor." Honestly, I can't handle my sister. She drives me nuts...sometimes stresses me out. I guess that is because she is very much like me...stubborn and bossy and spoiled. When I say spoiled, she likes to be uber cared for, and may not realize others have needs. But, my hope is that I will get to work with her on that.
Anyhow, if I were to given her a toast...it would have gone something like this:

"Joanna--I love you. Reaching the farthest memories about you I can recall only what our parents told me about my need for a little sister. And, what do you know...my wish was granted. Little did I know, I was in for a rude awakening. I believe I asked mom and dad if we could return you the minute you could speak in whole sentences.
As I was laying in my bed last night, I was praying and asking God what were great sister memories...and the memories that came to my attention were the times when I read to you this book-that for you--was a piece of treasure called "Stella the Spaceship". And, you always wanted this book read to you...every night. I can recall times when we went to stay at our grandma's house, and it pained me when i saw the image of a blue spaceship book in your arms. And speaking of an image, this is a picture of a girl caring for her little sister. And, this girl, still sees that little sister when I see you now standing in front of me in your wedding dress. We all still see the little girl you once were. We see the little girl that went to the bathroom when it was time for her turn to do chores, we see the little girl who boldly asked to be tied to a chair by her little brothers because she wanted to aspire to be the next Houdini, and yet it is hard for me to face that you are no longer this little girl...but that you are a woman. You are a "wife." You are Aris's wife. You will always be my little sister, and I pray that you and Aris have an awesome marriage filled with values our parents cherish: honesty, trust, love, and more love. Cheers!"

This SECTION will be a list of likes and dislikes of this weekend:
LIKES:
I'm glad for the family that came out to celebrate my sister. We felt loved by that.
I'm grateful that Tia Maria was Joanna's photographer. She is talented in this area.
I'm grateful that Amanda planned and coordinated the decorations for Joanna's wedding.
I'm grateful no one mentioned "why wasn't I married." and didn't struggle with my singleness and was able to celebrate my sister wholeheartedly.
I'm grateful I got to spend time with my brother Jr. and his GF Sam (shout out to Sam-a!)
I'm grateful my drinking buddy was Sam so that I could relax and not get caught up in all the planning that wasn't done.
I LoveD my sister's dress. It was such a gem. sparkly, peeps!
I loved that my sister didn't nair her back or neck. She knows she is beautiful the way God created her :-)
I am grateful I rode with my aunt and Jayden. They are good company on a long road trip.
I am grateful that I have parents who stepped up with helping clean the reception hall the day after my sister's wedding. My sister can't complain my parents don't help.
I loved that my mom gave me an "extra love" hug when I said bye to her today. :-)
I loved that a Chaslyn Farmer did my hair. She did a great job.
I loved that the original hair dressers stayed and helped make my sister's hair look amazing.
I'm grateful that Amanda did Mikayla's hair and gussied her to be the prettiest thing in town.
I love that my momma was "hot stuff" and looked amazing.
I'm glad my Abel was intentional about trying to Skype in to see my sister's ceremony. (didn't work--service was spotty out there)
I am grateful my Tia Anita was willing to run errands and do everything that was requested of her. thanks, tia!!!! you are awesome!
I love my Tia Minnie.
I loved how Mexican my family is when:
my Tia Maria pulled vinery and purple flowers from my parent's yard instead of going to the store to get fake flowers. way to go!
my family members are packing plates to go once the event was over.
my family members helped clean up! many thanks!
i'm glad I got to say hi to all the family that came out.
seeing the fruit of my prayers in having hope for my family to know Jesus. Praise!


DISLIKES:
I'm glad that I was able to vent to my friend Liz about it. Sorry, she was the first friend that I saw, and I definitely vented. thanks, Liz *shoutout!


-my uncle didn't attend even though he lives 30 minutes away
-my grandpa didn't attend. LAME!
-my other brother didn't attend. SUPER LAME!
-my sister's indecisiveness and impulsiveness was her achille's heel of wedding planning ( I hope my sister will grow in what is her point of view? omg. i sound like Project Runway)
-my cousin yelled at her kids. can't handle yelling @ kids.
-so many KIDS. sterotypical kids running wild everywhere. aaaaaA!
-I kept unlocking my jaw so I could have geniune smiles in pics. I think my aunt got a pic of me doing that.
-that my jaw hurts now
-my eardrums hurt. grrr.
Peace and shalom!