The Big Day! And the rehearsal...

Well, everything went well at the rehearsal and the day of the wedding! It was WONDERFUL!

Some photos from the rehearsal...






4 of the 5 guys...


As some of you may know, our first date was at Hooter's. It was my suggestion then, and it was my suggestion to have the rehearsal dinner there as well!



The rehearsal crew...


The day of the wedding went so fast...yet was still so enjoyable! My mom and I stayed at a hotel Friday night after the rehearsal. We got up, went to their little restaurant to eat...until we saw the prices...and went to National to get breakfast. Both of us ate for the same amount as one of us would have eaten for at the hotel. After breakfast, we ran over to Wal-Mart to get a few last minute things. We also scored an adorable toss bouquet (so glad I got to keep my flowers!), and I got a nice purse for the day too! When we left Wal-Mart, we headed out to get our hair done! By 12:00ish we were heading back to the hotel so we could get ready to go. Mom had to get her dress and makeup on, while I changed into what I could, and put my makeup on also. We had a grand total of about 45 minutes at the hotel to change, put our faces on, load everything back into her car, check out, and get to the church. We managed to get there on time though. The 30 minutes before the wedding was somewhat of a crunch as well...since I had to get my dress on, the photographer wanted some photos, and Fr JJ wanted to come in and say a prayer.

The only way the day could have been better is if Adam would have been able to make it. I know he was really excited to read for us, and he was looking forward to it...but God had other plans for him. I know he was at the ceremony in spirit on Saturday, and I found out that Kasia left her corsage with him when she went to visit him at the hospital. He wore it until he passed on Sunday afternoon. We love you Adam, and we won't ever forget you.

After all of us girls got everything done, we headed out to our little holding area. It was T minus 5 minutes...and I had to pee! Luckily, I knew it was just nerves, and that I would be ok. The girls left so they could start the processional with the guys, and I was standing there...all by my lonesome. So...HAPPY...I couldn't believe it was really going to happen! Then, it was my turn. The doors closed, I put my veil over my face, grabbed my dads arm...and the doors opened. I couldn't stop smiling! The ceremony went very well. Kasia and Krystin did a great job reading, and Nicole was wonderful!!! That girl can sing!!! Here are a few photos for your enjoyment...

Me and my dad...


Standing together at the altar...this church is GORGEOUS!!! I love it...


Him putting my ring on...


Me putting his ring on...


Flowers to Mary...


And...the kiss!


It was such a wonderful ceremony. I got a sneak peek of photos from the photographer the other day...and I CAN'T WAIT to see how the rest of the pics come out!!!

After the ceremony, the wedding party boarded a party bus (luxury coach bus), headed to the park for some photos, then to the bar for some drinks! We had a blast the whole time. There was never a dull moment! The reception was great too. Our first dance caught some people off guard, but everyone got a kick out of it! We had been planning for quite some time (probably since 2 months after being engaged) that we were going to do a polka...some how...as part of our first dance. Our DJ was great and created the song for us. Even though we didn't have a chance to practice like we wanted to, we didn't miss a beat when the music changed. As I said before, the day just flew by...but at the same time, it was still very enjoyable. Here are some pics from the reception...Enjoy!

A shot from the party bus...


The cake...


Cutting the cake...


Us at the reception...


Our first dance...pre polka :-)


Now we're moving!!!


The garter removal...


After I danced with my dad


Takin' Care of Business - #1


Takin' Care of Business - #2


Well, this was a long one!!! LOL Hope you enjoyed the pics! Might post more later, but for now...the Red Wings are about to start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, and that requires the majority of my attention!!!

~Peanut


Rest in peace...
Adam Thad Riviera
October 1, 1987 - May 17, 2009

Meet Adam...

So, I had this plan to write this nice long post about Adam and what a wonderful person he was...that story will still be coming, but this is a pretty good cliffs notes version...

Adam Thad Riviera

October 01, 1987 - May 17, 2009 Adam Thad Riviera, of Troy, died peacefully, May 17, 2009, at William Beaumont Hospital in Troy. He was 21 years old. Adam was born October 1, 1987, in Detroit. Described by those who knew him best, Adam was a courageous, loving, empathetic, and altogether good natured person who could absolutely light up a room with his beautiful smile. He had a keen sense of humor and will always be remembered for his ability to make others laugh. An aspiring film director, Adam also enjoyed video games, action novels, reading, surfing the web, long walks, and spending time with his family, his girlfriend of three years, Noelle, and his beloved cat, Carly. Adam had a special bond with his mother and it was on their many road trips to Ann Arbor for treatment that they shared their most special moments together. Adam also loved spending time with his brother Mike and his sister Tara and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his new niece. He greatly loved his father as well and always looked forward to big family celebrations when everyone got together in the same room for a good time. One of the most meaningful moments of Adam’s life was just last Easter when he was baptized and received into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Adam was an extremely loving and selfless person whose courage, strength, and faithfulness while battling cancer will never be forgotten. Adam is survived by his parents, Michael and Helen Riviera, sister, Tara (Mark) Moore and brother, Michael Riviera. He is also survived by his grandparents, Paul and Lina Riviera and Margaret Witczak and his aunts and uncles, Gus and Monica Reis and Frank and Theresa Riviera. Adam is preceded in death by his grandfather, Thaddeus Witczak.

You are loved, Adam. You will be missed...until we meet again, rest in peace, friend.

~Peanut


"People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It is as though they were traveling abroad."
-Marcel Proust

Adam update...

I saw Adam yesterday. He can totally hear what you say to him, even though he's not very coherent. He's doing fairly well...as well as he can be I guess. Adam did respond while I was there, he opened his eyes for a second, and his heart rate went up slightly when I put my hand on his arm. Please keep him in your prayers. He was scheduled for an MRI this morning, and I'm hoping to know the outcome of that pretty soon here! I'm sure that he will pull through this one way or another.

Tomorrow is the wedding!!! Adam will be missed there for sure, but we are mentioning him first for the prayers of the faithful.

~Peanut


"Faith is like radar that sees through the fog."
-Corrie Ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord

Please pray for Adam...

I got this off of a friends blog. Adam was supposed to read at the wedding on Saturday. Other arrangements have been made because we talked a few weeks back, but this is the latest. Please, pray for him.

PRAYER WARRIORS,
I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH ADAM’S MOM. HE HAD THE WORST DAY SINCE I’VE KNOWN HIM. HE WAS TAKEN TO BEAUMONT AGAIN EARLY TUESDAY MORNING,WHEN I SAW HIM AROUND NOON HE WAS REALLY WIPED OUT AND COULDNT STAY AWAKE OR CARRY A CONVERSATION. TODAY HE WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND HAD A SEIZURE. THEY SAY HE HAS SWELLING ON THE BRAIN AND THEY SEE SOMETHING?
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THIS ALL STARTED AFTER ADAM WAS BAPTIZED AND CAME INTO THE CHURCH EASTER 08. HE IS 21. PLEASE CONTINUE TO UPHOLD HIM AND HIS MOM [HELEN] DAD [MICHAEL] UP IN PRAYER.
ONE SEES MORE CLEARLY THROUGH A TEAR THAN A TELESCOPE. GOD BLESS! STEVE

Please pray for him...Adam - you are loved by many people, and there are many people praying for you!!! Be strong...

~Peanut


"When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get in touch with Reality."
-Oswald Chambers

Hooray for vegitation!!!

LOL! Yesterday, I planted some lilies that I got from a girl at work. We'll see how long they last! I know they're pretty hardy flowers. It will be interesting...

That's all I've got for now...I really should be in bed already anyways. Maybe I will add a photo in the next...oh...month!

~Peanut


"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."
-Emma Goldman