My name is Joy Beatrice Flannery, and I married the love of my life, Baker Holden Flannery, yesterday. Baker and I met in kindergarten, and we became instant friends. We started dating in our sophomore year of high school, and moved in together after finishing college. Baker proposed last year with a beautiful ring, it's rose gold with diamonds and a pink sapphire in the middle. Of course I said yes, and we got married yesterday in a small, intimate ceremony with our families there. My dress was white with a lace top, a gold sash, and pearls on the bodice, and Baker wore a tux with a gold pocket square and tie. Our cake was five tiers tall, with alternating layers of fruit and sponge cake. It was decorated with white icing, lace details, gold roses, and pearl details. We had a wonderful day, and I still can't believe I'm Mrs Flannery!
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It's been a while since we last spoke, and the first big change is that I became a mother! Two years into our marriage Baker and I discovered we were going to be parents, and we were so excited. We had our first little one just before our third wedding anniversary, and now our first baby is four years old! Lionel Kenley is so outgoing and funny, he loves laughing and making people laugh, and he's such a joy to be around. When Lionel was two we started trying for our second baby, and were delighted to be expecting another little boy. Sullivan Rocco is one now, and he's just starting to come out of his shell. He's much quieter than Lionel, but he's also a giggler, and we love it when our house fills with laughter. We had our third last week, he was a surprise since we weren't trying for another one just yet, but we love him just as much as the other boys. Atticus Gregor has been much fussier than the other two were, and since he's so tiny we don't know much about his personality yet, but we're looking forward to watching him grow.
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Our boys are now big boys! Lionel is seven and still a clown, he plays soccer on the weekends, and does swimming lessons at school. He loves to learn, and he tries so hard at his homework, which Baker and I encourage all the way! Sully is still a quiet little thing, and he spooks so easily; storms, dogs, cats, you name it he's scared of it. We worry about him, but he seems to be tough despite having lots of fears. Atticus is a rufty tufty, he gets straight back up if he falls over, and he never cries. He loves being outside in the sunshine and running everywhere. We recently moved into a new house with more bedrooms, and we couldn't be happier with our lovely new home.
We also had some sad news recently; Baker's sister, Saskia Katherine Oliver, and her husband, Peter, died in a car crash. The whole family was devastated, especially their three children. It turned out that they'd name Baker and I the children's guardians in their will, and so we've taken in our nieces and nephew. Avery Iris is nine and an extreme girly girl, she loves anything pink and princessy, and loves to wear her hair in plaits or ponytails. Emerson Maple is seven and the complete opposite of Avery. She spends most of her time outdoors with Atticus or the other boys playing soccer. Peter Canyon is four and loves to read. Peter and Sully spend a lot of their time in each other's company, reading and being quiet. We're glad that the kids could come and live with us instead of going to foster care.
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Baker Holden Flannery [39] and Joy Beatrice Flannery [39]
Avery Iris Oliver [9]
Lionel Kenley Flannery [7]
Emerson Maple Oliver [7]
Sullivan Rocco Flannery [4]
Peter Canyon Oliver [4]
Atticus Gregor Flannery [3]
Baker and Joy Flannery with Avery, Lionel, Emerson, Sullivan, Peter, and Atticus