Joy Comes In The Morning...

That's me...

watching Cadi and Galen's wedding pics which we were able to access today.

They are amazing!

Anyone, anywhere who wants to hire a photographer...

my friend, Emily Loftus is based out of Reno, NV...

but travels all over to share her amazing talent.

Hire her, people.

You will NOT be disappointed!

Honeymoon...

This is my daughter and her husband (my son) in the Bahamas last month... on their honeymoon.

They look tanned or burned... depending on how you choose to look at it.

I just wanted everyone to see how gorgeous they are.

I love you guys!!!!!

They celebrated their one month anniversary last week.

How cute.

It made me think about how fast time really flies.

I know we all say that, but seriously people, it goes soooo fast!

Why...

...just because I love them

and I love this photo!

Your Own Family Tree...

After the wedding...

and the marathon clean up session

(that the entire family plus some jumped right in to help with)

The real fun began!

Limbo Baby!

The beautiful smiling lady that you see in the photo is my sister-in-law, Debbie.

If you need a job done...

ask Debbie.

If you need an encouraging word...

ask Debbie.

If you need something creative...

(a beautiful wedding cake, hair and makeup, necklaces made for little girls, etc)

ask Debbie.

If you need someone to set up, tear down, clean up...

ask Debbie.

In fact, you don't even have to ask...

If she can see a job that needs to be done, she is there!

She was the rock of this wedding!

I really believe that.

She was EVERYWHERE.

She may not even realize all of the ways I look up to her...

but I do.

I love her, appreciate her...

and wouldn't trade her for anything!

Thanks for being such an amazing lady!

Isn't it interesting that when you take a good hard look around for people to admire and emulate...

You don't need to look any farther than your own family tree.

Maybe we should all do that more often.

Tandem Bike...

Is this the cutest photo or what?!

I love that Emily spent time the night before painting cans and making a sign for her tandem bike.

She rocks!

I am missing my newlywed darlings today...

But, I am sure they are having the time of their lives!

Man...

Do I ever wish I had great wedding photos like these!

Two Moms...

What a whirlwind a wedding is.

I don't remember my wedding being quite so... busy!

I'm sure it was...

That was just a long, long time ago.

One of my favorite things from the wedding happened about 45 minutes before the ceremony began.

We had been at the park taking photos with the photograper...

gone through the rigors of hair, makeup, etc for a multitude of young ladies...

We arrived back at the church and the lovely Kelsey once again set upon Cadi with the hair and makeup treatment.  When that was finished, Cadi asked me if I would like to see the Cake (made lovingly and beautifully by her Aunt Debbie).

Of course I wanted to see the cake!

We headed off to the reception room (which was Gorgeous!).

I walked in and oooh and awwed over the room and started to mention the amazing cake when I noticed a picture frame with a lily laying in front of it...

It was a picture of my mother...

I was missing her so much that day.

She had talked so many times about seeing her grandchildren walk down the aisle...

especially Cadi... her first grandchild.

I tried so hard to hold myself together for Cadi's sake, but the tears just started to flow.

It meant so much to me that Cadi had wanted her Grandma Lee to be a part of her special day...

That is when my other mom stepped in...

This is my mother-in-law.

Really?

No, this is my other mother.

She has been such a special lady in my life.

For Cadi's day alone  she made 7 dresses, a necklace, decorations, ideas, ideas, ideas.

This day would NOT have been so successful without her loving touch.

I love that when a job needed to be done, she just jumped right in there!

At that moment, while I tried to hold myself together for my daughter, she wrapped her arms around me...her daughter... and told me it was okay to cry...

So I did.

But, it wasn't just because my own mother wouldn't be sitting beside me while we watched our beautiful Cadi marry her best friend...

It was because I was so thankful that my other mother would be sitting beside me watching our beautiful Cadi marry her best friend.

She should know that even if I didn't have the words in that moment to tell her how thankful I am for her...

 I don't let one single day go by without thanking God that she has been such a huge part of my life.

And I am so thankful that she was there, next to me, to witness this new beginning for Cadi and Galen.

Wedding pic...and exhaustion...

What an amazingly fun wedding!

I am so tired I really don't know how we will get this packing finished...

That's okay, though.

Somehow things always manage to work themselves out.

There are sooooo many people that I feel the need to thank...

Hopefully you guys know who you are...

Our family is amazing and I thank God for them daily!

Without you...

well, let's just not go there, okay?

I have so many stories to share, but for now I will just have to leave you in suspense.

Maybe this evening I will get a chance to sit for a spell and share.

The picture at the top is from Emily Loftus Photography...

Emily, I miss ya already and can't wait to see the rest of the photos!

This sneak peak was not nearly enough!

The Final Countdown...

I know...

I know...

You feel like this wedding has been coming for years...

And in a real sense, it has.

I have never known two people who were so suited for each other!

Shhhh...

Don't tell, but I called this one about 8 years ago.

They would never believe me, but it's true.

Today in just a few short hours my daughter will stand beside the young man I always said I wanted my own son to be like... if I had birthed a son back then... but now that I have, I surely say it!

Galen, you have a big responsibility...

That little boy will be looking up to you...

He already does!

Between you and his Daddy, you will be training a little boy to become a man.

That is something I can't do alone.

And someday he will stand beside his bride...

just like you are today.

I can only pray that his brides family will love him as much as we love you!

God bless you, Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I give you...

Galen and Cadi Schmidt!

Tomorrow...

Today is the rehearsal!

It seems like yesterday that I was at my own wedding rehearsal...

You remember...

super short shorts on guys and girls...

Big huge sunglasses...

Big frilly wedding dresses with long trains........

Yeah, I'm glad we aren't back there too!

This is soooooo excited, you guys!!!!

How is it possible that this girl... who thought she wanted her ashes scattered over the spice bus (spice girls, people... come on!)...

turned into this young lady...

And then found a best friend who... tee hee hee... was afraid to even give her a real hug the last time they were EVER going to see each other because we were moving away!

Look how far apart they were!

Growing up is hard tooooo do....

Yes, I'll admit it.

I am a little teary today.

The little girl has become a woman...

and she found her prince charming long ago...

This is it people!

Tomorrow my little girl becomes...

A Wife!

1 Day until the BIG wedding EVENT!

Leaving...

And.........

We're........

OFF!

Taking off today for a few days...

While we add a new son to the family.

If you think of us...

Say a prayer.

Thanks!

2 DAYS UNTIL THE BIG WEDDING EVENT

Yeah...

Busy days. 

I know.

I've been saying that for weeks.

However, the wedding is almost here.

We are taking off tomorrow and can't wait to see our oldest daughter.

We are trying to pack up this entire house.

We are trying to find some time to throw in a yard sale because we have furniture and beds and baby stuff and... well, you get it.

So, that is why there are no pictures in this post.

I had high hopes of uploading some recent photos...

yeah.........

didn't happen.

3 Days Until the Big Wedding Event

To a Tee...

Yes...

That is my second born...

Playing the crazy river woman at vbs.

It is funny how many people told me that the part fit her perfectly!

Ha ha...

She did a great job.

...and the part really did fit her to a tee.

Also, I just wanted to say that someone commented recently that they hope they are as excited as I am about their daughters wedding when the time comes...

I hope so too!  I have heard so many horror stories about families that just can't stomach their childs intended.  We are so blessed that we have loved him as long as Cadi has... even longer really!

11 Days Until the Big Wedding Event!

Countdown...

13 Days until the big wedding event...

No Pressure...

My beloveds...

Every single day that passes means we are a day closer to the BIG EVENT!!!

I am starting to bubble over with excitement and joy...

I know, I know...

I should be talking about these two...

but...

I am really excited for US!

We are the ones who are benefitting from this union...

Not only do we get to see our oldest daughter step into a new life...

but we get to officially call Galen our son!

(not that he isn't already, but it will be official... have I said all of this before?  Yes?  Well, I mean it!)

This is so exciting.

I was looking through pictures this morning and was pleasantly surprised at how much of our lives have entertwined with Galen and his family.

My other daughters are doomed...

When they bring home a young man for us to "check out"...

he will have a lot to live up to!

...... but, no pressure.....

14 Days Until the Big Event...

Almost Here...

17 days...

Bubble Wrap...

Awwww...

Those crazy, fun filled days when you spent the entire day playing in your bathing suit.

Days when there was no limit to the amount of fun that you could have.

Days when your imagination was the only thing holding you back...

ummmmmm....

Is she swinging with only one hand?

Like...

REALLY high?

And this is Ari, right?

The one who always falls and trips and breaks and bumps...

The one who will be a flower girl in her sisters wedding in just 3 small weeks!?

Is that not one bloody nose...

...but her 3rd...

just today!

I hope this all heals up before the wedding...

As I finished this post, did she just run

full force

into the back fence

and now have 3 very distinct scrapes down her forehead?

And...

does she have another scrape under her eye?

And a bruise on her forehead?

Are her knees now bleeding?

Deep breath

Deep breath

meditation

prayer

Lots and lots of PRAYER...

We may have to wrap her in bubble wrap for the next 3 weeks!

Awwwwwww... Joy!

Isn't it exciting to check the mail?!

I mean sometimes you get something that is totally unexpected... expected... I mean unbelievable, extraordinary, knew it was coming but still can't believe it... trying to wrap my brain around the fact that they aren't still 12.....

Get it?

I don't know if other parents feel this.

I don't know if I will feel this with all of my children's choices for a spouse.

I don't know if it will become old hat by the time we get to the end of the line of children...

But for now...

In this very moment...

I am so happy for them.

I am so excited for them.

I am so proud of them.

I am so proud of their choices.

I'm... bubbly............ Can you tell?

I mean...

First of all, there is this girl that I obviously think hung the moon.  I mean she is beautiful and smart and talented and A young woman after God's heart (which just pleases me beyond words).  I mean she did pop forth from my own body over 2 decades ago...

Second, there is this young man that I have known since he was just a wee lad ( Although this kid is big.  I don't know if wee lad ever really was a good description for him.)  He was always my fave.  You know, we sometimes look around at other people's children and wonder why God even gave them children... but not this young man.  Years ago, I remember thinking that if God ever blessed me with a son ( and that is saying something... because we know how to make girls... the boy thing came much later)  I wanted that son to be just like this very young man... (Okay, Galen... don't go getting a big head... I am sure you will do something to make me change my mind about that for a minute or two...) 

Now look at the picture again...

Awwwwwwww....

Joy!


p.s.  Is that enough run on sentences for ya?

Wedding Plans...

I just talked to Cadi and she is really excited to head to Grandma's today.

Wedding plans are afoot!

Wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses...

Oh, Grandma...

I am so thankful for you!

Cakes, decorations and all of the things I can't even imagine...

Aunt Debbie...

You rock!

For My Ladies...

The challenge...

Planning a wedding by phone.

Our oldest daughter lives about 8 hours away from us.

( Galen, I blame you.)

We miss her like crazy.

As you know, she is getting married this summer.

I never knew how difficult it would be to plan a wedding by phone.

I am learning that sometimes my job is to be an encourager... disagreement settler... idea person... etc.

We email, text, call... You name it.

One of the most interesting parts of this process has been truly hearing what my child needs and then figuring out how to meet that need.

Recently, she was very stressed about some of the decisions she needed to make and couldn't seem to make.  She felt like she didn't have a female around who could really help her with all of this "stuff".

She called me up and we talked and I pulled and prodded until I had all of the necessary information.

Then, I did what I needed to to.

Support my daughter...

Even if that meant handing off some of these important moments to someone else.

Grandma was contacted.

Aunt Debbie was contacted.

JaNae was contacted.

They all jumped at the chance to be surrogate mama.

I will tell you that it hasn't been easy for me to back off and let others do what I would do if my daughter was living closer...

But, I will tell you that it feels so good to know that she is in great hands!

Sometimes we all need reminding that our children are loved by so many wonderful people.

Sometimes we need reminding that we are loved by those people as well.

I don't know what I would do without family.

We would get it done somehow...

but not in this worry free way.

So...

This post is really for my 3 ladies...

Thank you soooooo much!

I am getting teary sitting here typing this.

I love you guys...

You don't know how much it touches me that you have stepped in and loved my girl like this.

I know, I know...

You love her too...

But, I'm just saying.....................

Thank You.

Congrats...

If you can't find me on July 17th...

it's because I'm at my daughter's wedding...

and I'm gaining a new son...

which we need more of around here!