tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16630521373236004302024-02-18T22:11:05.060-08:00To-Dos Before "I Do"A Wedding Planning BlogJennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-4419024907713581632011-10-27T14:21:00.001-07:002011-10-27T14:21:55.352-07:00Poll Results: The Most Difficult Wedding Purchase to Make66% of readers said the wedding dress.<br />
33% of readers said the reception location.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16893901588875111664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-32923687150949344082011-06-30T11:19:00.000-07:002011-06-30T11:19:43.905-07:00My Bridal Registry Advice<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">1. Make sure you are both well-fed before, during, and after your registry trip.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">2. In general, I suggest registering for “mid-grade” items—not the cheapest, not the most expensive, somewhere in the middle. However, with items that you plan to use daily and wash a lot, I suggest registering for the highest quality possible. This includes (especially) towels and sheets. You might want to add pillows to this list as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBXJCNPDXteeUiQifklSQQBc9dOxqAadMiiti8mLFsVWNKNtcGxxeVWkUilFSeBa7vLLoeSvybIIaCskN223BPHdwG7XHQM31Shp1zZYeBRZsMz87uFGBLMv_vJJNOLNCqbxL0Zv0tbo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBXJCNPDXteeUiQifklSQQBc9dOxqAadMiiti8mLFsVWNKNtcGxxeVWkUilFSeBa7vLLoeSvybIIaCskN223BPHdwG7XHQM31Shp1zZYeBRZsMz87uFGBLMv_vJJNOLNCqbxL0Zv0tbo/s320/1.jpg" width="213" /></a>3. Finish registering online. Most stores offer this option and it will save you a trip back when you’ve realized what you forgot.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">4. Only register in two places for a specific reason. If you can find everything you need at one store, just do that. Don’t double-up on items at different stores.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">5. Don’t register for any glass baking ware (like Pyrex). You’ll get plenty anyway! Ask friends that had weddings/receptions in the same areas that your events are (or extended family who received gifts from the same people you will) what they got extras of and adjust your registry to that information.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">6. Make a list before you go and keep one after of what you need to add online.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">7. Take this task seriously and don’t be stupid. This is a chance to help people pick nice gifts that you can really use. While joke items (like toilet paper or Mountain Dew) may seem funny at the time, wouldn’t you rather have a nicer gift and a meaningful one that you will use frequently?</div>Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16893901588875111664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-30194141376005274262011-05-17T09:28:00.000-07:002011-05-17T09:28:40.304-07:00Welcoming to the Family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B7KhKMN5vZitOOXTSs3kF8W1DFZymcyh6X3qrHetXcnBOc87gTLDeqFgl7n0r9IsP9a564yMVFlSxsrWdBrtZlC0lLK0f5yzzbLQLAq8zuvlEChe07qyVfhkjKUce_HA_keMjKQW0uc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B7KhKMN5vZitOOXTSs3kF8W1DFZymcyh6X3qrHetXcnBOc87gTLDeqFgl7n0r9IsP9a564yMVFlSxsrWdBrtZlC0lLK0f5yzzbLQLAq8zuvlEChe07qyVfhkjKUce_HA_keMjKQW0uc/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Jokes, complaints, and stereotypes about “in-laws” seem to be timeless. Although weddings are occasion for joy and celebration, the transition and adjustment to adding a new spouse to the family is an adjustment for everybody—parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins alike. <br />
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However, there are several examples in the scriptures that teach that in-law relationships can be powerful and fulfilling throughout our lives. Obviously the plan is for extended families to support and love each other.<br />
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Consider Moses. When he fled Egypt, he was received by his in-laws with welcome arms. For a long time they were his only family. Obviously they were supportive enough and allowed him to grow spiritually enough for him to change from a pagan Egyptian to being called as a prophet. Later, as Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the wilderness, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, gave him (and Moses received) needed and helpful advice about managing his calling and responsibilities (see Exodus 18).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kz3fj4LzFM3ZM3DjMDMIvp3bn7qEzaz_jMSmF4RUxn9CoWs7cxhb9eC4QUk-0Cv-C11Gd9bwhBRJ03Pqpn1-ASEuInSt2hnQIdzp5SY0U2KGNwWdpzuIEO_L-7I-G345TwKc79dXheU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kz3fj4LzFM3ZM3DjMDMIvp3bn7qEzaz_jMSmF4RUxn9CoWs7cxhb9eC4QUk-0Cv-C11Gd9bwhBRJ03Pqpn1-ASEuInSt2hnQIdzp5SY0U2KGNwWdpzuIEO_L-7I-G345TwKc79dXheU/s320/2.jpg" width="212" /></a>We have a great example of a mother/daughter-in-law relationship in Ruth and Naomi. Ruth loved her mother-in-law so much that she stayed with her even when given the chance to return to her own family. Another great example is Emma and Lucy Mack Smith. Emma and Joseph eloped because Emma’s family did not approve of Joseph, but Emma was welcomed into the Smith family and they helped each other through many trials.<br />
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When I think of my relationship with my in-laws, it is easy for me to see that first impressions made a big difference. Family members that reached out to me when I was first engaged made a real difference in making me feel welcome in the family and starting the in-law relationships off on the right foot.<br />
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With the weddings and family changes in your family this summer, rather than looking on the newbie in the family as a cause for awkwardness, here are three ways to embrace a family member’s new spouse and make the transition a lot easier for everyone that move a little beyond learning their name and their likes and dislikes: (1) show enthusiasm, (2) make room, and (3) nurture.<br />
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<b>1. Show Enthusiasm</b><br />
Make sure the fiancé(e) or new spouse knows how genuinely excited you are about the wedding—the ceremony and celebration itself, what it means for your son/daughter/niece/nephew, etc., and about having a new person in the family. “We’re so glad your joining the family,” or “We’re so glad he/she chose you,” are great words of encouragement to a nervous new in-law.<br />
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<b>2. Make Room</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUXxtbP6XlPaqajoNyziBWCKrU-CDcYFUOBcZrQXALOqCmhqF3wTFFIeLhri4OPTcqKscmpBJ9V8RiK_l_fyMcepG7dRBe9LQqGqOilp1DrTdiK4l4LGY595FCdtaI8fOhECKGxnrKbI/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUXxtbP6XlPaqajoNyziBWCKrU-CDcYFUOBcZrQXALOqCmhqF3wTFFIeLhri4OPTcqKscmpBJ9V8RiK_l_fyMcepG7dRBe9LQqGqOilp1DrTdiK4l4LGY595FCdtaI8fOhECKGxnrKbI/s320/3.jpg" width="212" /></a>In order to really feel a part of a family, we each need responsibilities and roles. We each need to feel like we have something to give and a vital part to play in the family. Encourage the new in-law by nudging them towards a place or role in the family. Maybe they’re the new spouse of an older cousin: “My kids just look up to you two so much. Thanks for being such a great example to them.” Think also of the talents they have and can contribute to the family: “You know so much about this, can you teach me?” Sharing and receiving will bond the new in-law right into the family, if everyone just works to make them a little room.<br />
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<b>3. Nurture</b><br />
Relationships require giving and receiving. Give the new in-law an opportunity to receive other members of the family as well. This might be as simple as sharing a recipe, a jar of jelly, or helping with something at the wedding. Be sure to invite the newlyweds to accept you help but not to force assistance on them. Genuine acts of love will help a new in-law feel comfortable asking for real help from their new family.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOgSPr-_M4O0yMVXW3lOn3YhTZLmwAuw4LOcUMO6fR2JMDyrJT4ltA7S4NI3HmbWL3_BwIarHkurR0z-58uuSyuBJwX_JwxpfGrizo6D4kxvfkfYonEjfSY6ltJ9K-NRg-2sHyB3THf0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOgSPr-_M4O0yMVXW3lOn3YhTZLmwAuw4LOcUMO6fR2JMDyrJT4ltA7S4NI3HmbWL3_BwIarHkurR0z-58uuSyuBJwX_JwxpfGrizo6D4kxvfkfYonEjfSY6ltJ9K-NRg-2sHyB3THf0/s320/4.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
Memories of my husband’s family members reaching out to me when I joined the family are thoughts that I treasure. I remember his grandfather calling me his new granddaughter the first time I met him. I remember my husband’s aunts pooling all their favorite recipes into a book as a wedding gift. I remember my husband’s mother respecting my ideas and asking my advice about some of her personal projects. All of these small acts of service and outreach really helped me feel welcome and a part of the family.<br />
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Remember that relationships are built on quality time, service, and appreciation. It doesn’t take much—usually just a little time and conversation—to foster these qualities in your interaction with a new in-law. As your family changes and grows over the years, enjoy the phenomenon that you can always make room for someone else to love and welcome to the family.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16893901588875111664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-30539140849197461652011-03-02T13:36:00.000-08:002011-03-02T13:36:00.506-08:00Poll Results: What is the Hardest Stage of a Relationship?66% of readers said <em>courting</em>.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-21072642771069448772011-03-01T13:16:00.001-08:002011-03-01T13:19:13.396-08:00When Quality Matters<div align="left"></div><div align="left">I'm all about saving money, but sometimes cheap is cheap. <span style="font-size:130%;">This is cheap</span>:<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZ9-h1GSkTrkU5TxLkyWLIHUPktC4Vd63zbzJEwnHfgXC1ndhy" /> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator" align="left">It smells like Nexxus, but it does not work like Nexxus. I don't know what salon "proved" it. Over time (a little over three months) the health of my hair has been completely deteriorating. At first I thought that I just needed a trim, but when I still didn't like wearing my hair down anymore, I knew this was a problem.<br /><span style="font-size:large;"></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator" align="left"><span style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Enter this</span>:</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><br /><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP2OufbY1ndBk8-kznVVQT_HKFJyzAyMgmpUW1gvnAA8nnwYQ0H-swEtMDN19twV-NF5lH5IPX9eSyDOzNsSnHoAouF0BMDju7D17n1q9ISeWy3aaz4DQ4jGOeIWJwYk1Mu9bW8Xg70v1/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP2OufbY1ndBk8-kznVVQT_HKFJyzAyMgmpUW1gvnAA8nnwYQ0H-swEtMDN19twV-NF5lH5IPX9eSyDOzNsSnHoAouF0BMDju7D17n1q9ISeWy3aaz4DQ4jGOeIWJwYk1Mu9bW8Xg70v1/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This isn't necessarily a Pantene ad. I chose Pantene because it was on sale at Costco. I'm happy to choose any shampoo from Costco because Costco always has quality products for an excellent deal. But I am never trying a cheap or generic brand of shampoo and conditioner <span style="font-size:large;">ever again</span>.<br /><br />It's only been a few days, but my hair already feels smoother, less frizzy and tangled, shinier, and much more moisturized. Goodbye cheap. <span style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hello hair health</span>.</span> Welcome back. I'm so happy you're here.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-67819267244254848042008-10-22T08:42:00.000-07:002011-03-01T15:14:41.486-08:00Poll Results: Favorite Summer Wedding Colors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.purple-wedding-flowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/wedding-colors-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www.purple-wedding-flowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/wedding-colors-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>60% voted for: lavender, powder blue, and sea greenJennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-2482005096273317202008-10-22T08:34:00.000-07:002008-10-22T08:42:14.844-07:00Book Review: An LDS Girl's Guide to Getting a Date by Dr. Brent Barlow<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.leatherwoodpress.com/book.php?id=99"><span style="font-style: italic;">An LDS Girl's Guide to Getting a Date</span></a>, by Dr. Brent Barlow. Published by <a href="http://www.leatherwoodpress.com/">Leatherwood Press</a>, 168 pages. Retail price: $11.95. ISBN: 978-1-59992-046-7.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOmaIZ88oKEV191A7O3bZd6AwPuOdCbo9zi29d_VcX2a3Jx14w0Xd_bEjqcr2vN6Il3IIfFC-7k99eGF4DFXEpnP5-00NIMLh5i8tJrEFWflxacnFPrepL6SB4xsqHnOv8gKjMnHWLG_M/s1600-h/lds+girls+guide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOmaIZ88oKEV191A7O3bZd6AwPuOdCbo9zi29d_VcX2a3Jx14w0Xd_bEjqcr2vN6Il3IIfFC-7k99eGF4DFXEpnP5-00NIMLh5i8tJrEFWflxacnFPrepL6SB4xsqHnOv8gKjMnHWLG_M/s320/lds+girls+guide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260003441347875778" border="0" /></a>If Brent Barlow was not a PhD, scholar, and BYU professor, his book, <span style="font-style: italic;">An LDS Girl’s Guide to Getting a Date</span>, would still be credible to me simply based on his upbeat voice, succinct advice, and plethora of ideas. <span style="font-style: italic;">An LDS Girl’s Guide to Getting a Date</span> is the perfect book for any young single LDS sister.<br /><br />The “girl” in the title of this book may be misleading, but Barlow actually wrote the book for adult women of marriageable age (i.e. over eighteen). The book’s cute design and light, encouraging style is appealing and inviting. Barlow’s dating formula—Animation, Closeness, and Touch (ACT)—sounds too easy or too problematic, but throughout the book Barlow gives all his advice by teaching sound social and spiritual principles and moderation. He also supports his ideas and instructions with useful quotes from modern prophets and apostles.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">An LDS Girl’s Guide to Getting a Date</span> is even more than a guide to getting just one date. Through this book, any single sister can feel like she’s taking Brent Barlow’s marriage preparation class at BYU. Barlow’s book is more like a personal dating coach for any sister looking for Mr. Right.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-52972832221176810382008-10-18T12:43:00.000-07:002008-10-22T08:42:01.515-07:00Book Review: Your Temple Wedding, Not a Cover-to-Cover Read<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.leatherwoodpress.com/book.php?id=100"><span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding: A Guide to Planning, Preparing and Celebrating Your Special Day</span> </a>by Jeri-Lynn Johnson and Amy Jones. Published in 2007 by <a href="http://www.leatherwoodpress.com">Leatherwood Press, </a>128 pages. Retail price: $16.95. ISBN: 978-1-59992-060-3.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ehjQVKY0PzQgHtShs266w-QvK7aWPIbiGeSzPb8Lr0xxuBf0uTpLI1Jv8Z_EWlAnMhCpGt3YiEfbh-iiVCGmZqzzO14ucqCmdh29Bzv38Z8qQcnvH_UDR2GCqYvNEULw1EkS-HFnzwja/s1600-h/your+temple+wedding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ehjQVKY0PzQgHtShs266w-QvK7aWPIbiGeSzPb8Lr0xxuBf0uTpLI1Jv8Z_EWlAnMhCpGt3YiEfbh-iiVCGmZqzzO14ucqCmdh29Bzv38Z8qQcnvH_UDR2GCqYvNEULw1EkS-HFnzwja/s400/your+temple+wedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258582908789165138" border="0" /></a>A recent LDS wedding planning guide is always in demand. In their attractive new book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span>, Jeri-Lynn Johnson and Amy Jones give great ideas for current wedding venues and resources. Their planning guide is appealing and helpful, but, due to its complicated organization, difficult to manage cover-to-cover.<br /><br />Flipping through <span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span> for the first time, what caught my eye were the color photograph pages with ideas on flowers, reception set-ups, dresses, cakes, refreshments, and photography. Matching these photographs, the best part of the book is the reception chapter. The authors’ ideas on choosing a reception site and all things about the reception are very practical and informative. The other chapter I particularly enjoyed was “The Temple Wedding,” a great run-down on temple protocol, expectations and requirements, what a temple wedding day is like, and suggestions for spiritual temple preparation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span>’s greatest weakness is its organization. Based on the simple, appealing cover, I expected the book to be effectively organized for a prospective bride. With a temple wedding as its theme, I also expected “The Temple Wedding” to be the highlight of the book. Instead, I found that Your Temple Wedding is cumbered with enormous task lists that make it sound like every wedding idea ever thought of is a necessity. For example, the first thing a bride needs to hear when she becomes engaged is not all the difficult topics to discuss with her fiancé (page 13) or that she must have a good wedding coordinator, videographer, and live band.<br /><br />In their introduction to <span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span>, the authors state, “This book is designed to provide you with options” (page 9). Perhaps the authors meant this statement to be a disclaimer that means that not everything they suggest in the book is important, but I disagree with many of the authors’ suggestions. For example, choosing a style and a theme for your wedding shouldn’t be the second thing you do after you get engaged, your wedding doesn’t have to cost at least $10,000, and what you really should do “before you begin” is remember the covenants that you are planning to make.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span>’s saving grace, in terms of organization, is its index. A lot of the information in the book is helpful, even though most of it isn’t anything that most people haven’t heard before, but the organization of the book is poor. The book gives some good modern ideas about websites and other current venues, but overall its resource list is limited. Unfortunately, I have never found the perfect temple wedding planning book. <span style="font-style: italic;">Your Temple Wedding</span> is not perfect, but is a new and current book, just make sure you use the index rather than reading it cover-to-cover.Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-78813669576476434922008-10-18T12:41:00.001-07:002008-10-18T12:49:45.309-07:00Book Review: Wisdom of the Prophets—Temple Worship, The Perfect Gift<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wisdom of the Prophets: Temple Worship</span>, design by Andy Goddard, printed by Leatherwood Press, 2006. Retail price: $14.95. ISBN: </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">978-1-59992-008-5.</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos.igougo.com/images/p161196-Salt_Lake_City-Salt_Lake_Temple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 368px;" src="http://photos.igougo.com/images/p161196-Salt_Lake_City-Salt_Lake_Temple.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wisdom of the Prophets: Temple Worship</span> is a </span><span style="font-size:130%;">beautiful, inspiring, and inviting gift book. The design of the book is so appealing that I wish it were available in a larger coffee-table sized version. The quotations throughout the beautiful pages are not just by modern prophets, also modern apostles and quotations from the Doctrine and Covenants. The photographs throughout the book are wonderful, but I wish there were more temples and less just generic nature pictures. I also wish I knew who took the photographs. Overall, the beauty of the book and inspiring selection of quotes makes <span style="font-style: italic;">Wisdom of the Prophets: Temple Worship</span> the perfect gift for pretty much anybody—yourself, a spouse, parents, siblings, newlyweds, children, current and prospective missionaries, and nonmember friends and family.</span>Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-6501537785317506382008-07-02T15:30:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:50:35.110-07:00Maid of Honor To-Do List: What Your Best Friend (The Bride) Really Needs and When<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">After you read this list, you’ll wonder why no one has written a wedding planning guide for the Maid of Honor. I wondered this to, which is why I’ve come up with </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9S41ErEGWae9nLJrp0ig8HdQg8fBZlYvfJYmFD31BJIQTQHw8nlAR9xb9EzqsKGlzs0mbLYUKPCKPX6_qxbHZfNyHIPqwezO7cib6kFq2GPGLlxhuczTBrJRkDCfP9xrbTWQ5kDPnRW/s1600-h/wedding+couple.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218554940757445954" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9S41ErEGWae9nLJrp0ig8HdQg8fBZlYvfJYmFD31BJIQTQHw8nlAR9xb9EzqsKGlzs0mbLYUKPCKPX6_qxbHZfNyHIPqwezO7cib6kFq2GPGLlxhuczTBrJRkDCfP9xrbTWQ5kDPnRW/s200/wedding+couple.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">the following short edition that includes two important attributes a bride should consider in choosing a Maid of Honor and three important roles a good Maid of Honor should fulfill.<br /><br /><em>For the Maid of Honor:</em><br />You’ve watched your best friend dream about the perfect wedding day for years, and now you’re about to help make it happen. While it’s comfortable to think that all she needs is you to show up in your mint-green formal and flirt with the best man, she really needs you for much more than that. In fact, she needs you more than you, or she, can even imagine. Think of it as your parting gift as she moves on to a new phase of life. If you follow this list to become the perfect Maid of Honor, she will truly always remember you as her very best friend forever.<br /><br /></span><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEzQrZXPamxdvE4RptMG-RVT3_avzx8meKLLYm0qAhNAZtj6UCdoj94QQgItyWf1vFIAXc13Lcxhqn_TBEKgmR2xQRpudkSOSwWvAUISvPIAc6bFWdKoMAFUzWUK-mqkYvcUyBkKZJf91/s1600-h/wedding+veil.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218555685524620610" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEzQrZXPamxdvE4RptMG-RVT3_avzx8meKLLYm0qAhNAZtj6UCdoj94QQgItyWf1vFIAXc13Lcxhqn_TBEKgmR2xQRpudkSOSwWvAUISvPIAc6bFWdKoMAFUzWUK-mqkYvcUyBkKZJf91/s200/wedding+veil.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">For the Bride:<br /></span></em><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">If you’re the bride, appoint a Maid of Honor ASAP. You will not regret going through the difficulty of picking just one Maid of Honor from all your many friends and buying a special gown. At all costs, I’d like you to avoid the 11:00 p.m. Bridal Breakdown the night before the wedding. A Maid of Honor to help you with all the planning,<br />organizing, and decisions along the way is a big help. Trust me, you need her.<br /><br />Choose a Maid of Honor carefully, based on the following two qualifications. Preliminarily, a Maid of Honor must be:<br /><br />*<strong>Accessible</strong>: Your Maid of Honor needs to live close, close enough to come over at any time for any emotional or physical need. This is very important.<br /><br /></span><div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">*<strong>Dependable</strong>: This sounds bad, but the best Maid of Honor is not in a relationship, especially not about to be engaged herself. The perfect Maid of Honor is not quite a full-time job, but is going to cut significantly into evening and weekend time, more and more as the wedding approaches. She must be someone who is dependable and able to fulfill the bride’s needs.<br /><br />If the friend you were thinking of to ask to be your Maid of Honor doesn’t live close, is preoccupied with a lot of things in her own life, or isn’t that great at organizing, you might want to choose someone else. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQntoUmBew-lJHtfd_F1y9SOQcIP0HGi4lKNYVD_ZtVoG2Tt4sdOD8Ygw3wg3QHDqCQhq_bbck7x1LYhBUUZ5UPKiXaCC4tGYEimHTyF2bREJhbmwJ0g74-kLUUSJMsSqYUjJBR6Pdwge/s1600-h/groom's+accessories.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218554942722777714" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQntoUmBew-lJHtfd_F1y9SOQcIP0HGi4lKNYVD_ZtVoG2Tt4sdOD8Ygw3wg3QHDqCQhq_bbck7x1LYhBUUZ5UPKiXaCC4tGYEimHTyF2bREJhbmwJ0g74-kLUUSJMsSqYUjJBR6Pdwge/s200/groom's+accessories.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><br /><br /><em>For the Maid of Honor:</em><br />If you were asked to be a Maid of Honor, consider what is requested of you carefully. As the bride’s best friend, she very much needs you to help her get through all the organizing and decision making. What does she really need you to do? The following three roles are indispensable for the perfect Maid of Honor:<br /><br /><strong>1. Shopping Coordinator/Companion:</strong><br />This is the very first thing your best friend needs you for. When you think of an engagement, the first thing you think of that follows is, of course, a wedding dress! Whether or not the bride has had her gown picked out since she was twelve or she has never thought about a dress design before, she needs to get this huge stress out of the way ASAP. As the shopping coordinator, go through the yellow pages and look for bridal shops. Plan a route on a </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0uTVR-RIddLn0xTy-PfM9Jh5nVic8L2gy4uKeYOyDdxV4MYTdjZjexJ3x9bmZZ22qyfFXPESDpejrQamo989tQxMElmf3Xand-FTktOZ9M7JUbHT5LH1wc47eBapsCxFc2QrEVBYgeot/s1600-h/funny+bride.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218555690589495170" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0uTVR-RIddLn0xTy-PfM9Jh5nVic8L2gy4uKeYOyDdxV4MYTdjZjexJ3x9bmZZ22qyfFXPESDpejrQamo989tQxMElmf3Xand-FTktOZ9M7JUbHT5LH1wc47eBapsCxFc2QrEVBYgeot/s200/funny+bride.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Saturday. Don’t forget to plan a break to eat for lunch. On shopping day, be the one to drive so the bride can focus on making decisions. As companion at the store, take along a clipboard. Mark down the price and notes about the style of each dress the bride seriously considers. Take pictures to look over when you get home.<br /><br />In addition to the dress, the bride will also need the Maid of Honor’s help with shopping for:<br /><br />· accessories and jewelry to match her wedding dress<br />· the groom’s band<br />· bridesmaid outfits<br /><br />The Maid of Honor can also be helpful in helping the bride make decisions about flowers and reception food, music, and favors. For example, as the Maid of Honor, volunteer to burn the reception play list CD. Take suggestions from the bride and groom, but then take that stress of their hands. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CIEmrNH6jOzGAWqn3G-NJrey3IKjyib3tcTQiE-b2KUTJrP088PO7LPovzFMjCph14B6kKPqU7Px17T-nkgkB5ViKHsCpoDc-WdH7L1g4LyAszCf3Nv6OLUd7Ylqs5cCeASZWHmThGf8/s1600-h/tasty+cake.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218554945648031490" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CIEmrNH6jOzGAWqn3G-NJrey3IKjyib3tcTQiE-b2KUTJrP088PO7LPovzFMjCph14B6kKPqU7Px17T-nkgkB5ViKHsCpoDc-WdH7L1g4LyAszCf3Nv6OLUd7Ylqs5cCeASZWHmThGf8/s200/tasty+cake.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><br /><br /><strong>2. Parental Liaison</strong><br />Planning a wedding is time consuming and costly. The money side of things is often the most difficult part of what the bride has to do. It’s hard to blend the demands, expectations, and circumstances of two sets of parents. A good Maid of Honor can be very helpful to the bride by constantly reminding her to keep open communication with parents. Remind her to ask both families for a budget and to send them updates of how the planning is going. She needs a friend to keep her on-track and to help her juggle all the different needs and opinions in the wedding planning process.<br /><br /><strong>3. Worry List Specialist</strong><br />The extensiveness of a planning a wedding causes a lot of stress on the bride. A good Maid of Honor can help ease a lot of that stress by playing scribe and organizer for everything on the bride’s mind. In essence, the Maid of Honor should really be the one in charge of the wedding planner to take down notes as the bride makes difficult decisions. If the Maid of Honor is there to write things down and make sure things are done in order, then the bride only has to focus on making decisions.<br /><br /><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xn0fDNWc_m8uTeZ_dQT-O65VJ-3HiqbA72PmAa3YBHISPs5EbJYK3FFcKdLMeOuXR3d3B37UIeDKyutxCZLE5JS0OHAx-XbNWgTl59Sbjw172UNC2qHzLTstiEwNc61Qr5xKQedFS40W/s1600-h/getaway+car.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218555695591804466" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xn0fDNWc_m8uTeZ_dQT-O65VJ-3HiqbA72PmAa3YBHISPs5EbJYK3FFcKdLMeOuXR3d3B37UIeDKyutxCZLE5JS0OHAx-XbNWgTl59Sbjw172UNC2qHzLTstiEwNc61Qr5xKQedFS40W/s200/getaway+car.JPG" border="0" /></a>For Both:</em><br />Any bride with an accessible, dependable Maid of Honor at her side who can successfully function as shopping coordinator/companion, parental liaison, and worry list specialist will have no problems at all with planning a wedding. Plus, the situation is win-win because going through the wedding planning process as a Maid of Honor will make the Maid of Honor’s future wedding planning experience so much easier just through practice. As bride and Maid of Honor, the work you’ll do together will be hard, but the wedding can bind your friendship close forever, even though the bride’s situation is about to change. </span></div></div>Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663052137323600430.post-57666694479249768532008-05-29T20:44:00.000-07:002008-08-02T10:27:02.704-07:00<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210399758207949474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU9W5WLFqVs68McvN2swwxFD_0ACHViFipAClqdlRGLEcUqsdxWsy6Q3OJpCMAkosWnx4Nyk2FWEArropiQ3UBOvDDxo04eXiFZ0cZp3Aq2vS74NAAnmkh5fH_Zs1GV7x-l3gzNGehnge/s320/weddingblog5-31.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color:#993399;">As usual, this summer has been a busy time for weddings. Are you at a loss for original gift ideas? Here are some fresh, unique, and fun wedding gift ideas for the last of the summer months to help your favorite couple enjoy the outdoors, celebrate the remaining summer holidays and sunny Saturdays, cool off, strengthen their relationship, and just plain have fun together. There’s a fun and unique summer wedding gift for every personality and every gift-giver budget!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUz1Hof-CFdZQi68hWt4J3bByhVRFK-NsEuwxJDriy8y-AzPXrd0u4bVS5LgoksGZBVbfHrvAog_sBZGXKVgK1Of8dSyJHVQjhG4dO0cw5U-u1HQeJvOigUMq8gNGM0a0uN7troa-3ssc/s1600-h/weddingblog5-30.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210400028639014418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="147" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUz1Hof-CFdZQi68hWt4J3bByhVRFK-NsEuwxJDriy8y-AzPXrd0u4bVS5LgoksGZBVbfHrvAog_sBZGXKVgK1Of8dSyJHVQjhG4dO0cw5U-u1HQeJvOigUMq8gNGM0a0uN7troa-3ssc/s320/weddingblog5-30.jpg" width="209" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Picnic blanket/basket<br /></em>Any gift that is related to a park is an instant outdoor date! A lot of stores have picnic basket gift sets. Some of Target’s include a matching picnic blanket. Bed Bath & Beyond picnic baskets come with built-in insulation and picnic dishes. If you’re looking for a great picnic blanket, look for one that has a waterproof bottom, or whip up a quite large-patch quilt out of scrap fabric as a very thoughtful gift.<br /><br /><em>Kite</em><br />You’ll probably want a nylon kite rather than a cheap kids’ plastic one, but you can find suitable nylon kites for under $20 at most stores or at Amazon.com.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><em>American flag<br /></em>A medium-sized flag for hanging on holidays is an excellent unique gift for newlyweds. You can find flags that include hanging devices for an outside wall or that stick in a lawn. This will help the wedding couple build a great patriotic family tradition from the start!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl_kmQQLWjGACeLqnyFR_xdGorL0kQ56a__bRHgHfXMynowpiCKG8jfPJKcbOcYvSSEO5eQa4S_2WlpEwf6wcFUYtmzt9rgWWDMT31QFHznN3RGHt7CVhwx8_ewgwRFCWAZJ7cnUlV1TC/s1600-h/summer2.PNG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210401840566860306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl_kmQQLWjGACeLqnyFR_xdGorL0kQ56a__bRHgHfXMynowpiCKG8jfPJKcbOcYvSSEO5eQa4S_2WlpEwf6wcFUYtmzt9rgWWDMT31QFHznN3RGHt7CVhwx8_ewgwRFCWAZJ7cnUlV1TC/s200/summer2.PNG" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><em>Two-player games<br /></em>You can’t go wrong with any game as a wedding gift, but selecting something that works well for two players makes an especially fun and thoughtful wedding gift. My personal favorite is Connect-4. Card games like Uno can work well too, as can puzzles.<br /><br /><em>Sports equipment</em><br />A lot of stores sell sports packs with a net and equipment for badminton and other games. Sports balls make great gifts, like a volleyball or basketball. A good Frisbee is another favorite sports gift. For an even more unique sports gift, buy the couple a Bocce ball set.<br /><br /><em>Barbecue</em><br />We’re not talking about anything with propane, but a small charcoal barbecue is a great under $50 gift. Make the gift set complete by adding a bag of charcoal, a cleaning brush, or tongs.<br /><br /><em>Fan</em><br />A small box fan is a great summer wedding gift, very practical and essential. You can choose a basic box fan, or on a bigger budget look for one that is quiet and can be pre-set.<br /><br /><em>Cooler</em> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwPwnQacuOgTHAnRl3cPDOotNirWmdS6X-acmtzeec_z1em2Pktx4ORM-Vs9uJGivPDOb5w0wd8C5YTbErhONactIIJdQsqyPe2pd_NQbyNWI1csU7-v-QvyJ6aZi1ThNMw1ziJu3lsc0/s1600-h/summer3.PNG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210402155545223218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwPwnQacuOgTHAnRl3cPDOotNirWmdS6X-acmtzeec_z1em2Pktx4ORM-Vs9uJGivPDOb5w0wd8C5YTbErhONactIIJdQsqyPe2pd_NQbyNWI1csU7-v-QvyJ6aZi1ThNMw1ziJu3lsc0/s200/summer3.PNG" border="0" /></a><br />The best selection of a cooler would be not too small and not too large. In other words, pick something that is easy enough to carry for one person but large enough for food (or road trip drinks!) for two.<br /><br /><em>Ice cream maker</em><br />There are a lot of different types of ice cream makers available in the summertime. Large bucket-type ice cream makers that require a layer of ice on the outside are great for parties, but other designs are better for two if you just freeze the inner bucket yourself, no outside ice required.<br /><br /><em>Beach towels</em><br />Great wedding gift ideas, like the ideas above, can be fun, unique, and also very meaningful. Games and tools that will help the wedding couple enjoy summer will also help strengthen their brand-new family. Take the time to enjoy selecting fun and meaningful wedding gifts for the rest of this summer!</span>Jennifer Rickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769722632409735877noreply@blogger.com1