Our Wedding Weekend

... And the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. On Friday in a private ceremony, my beloved son Kyle took as his bride our precious and dearly loved Meg. I am overly blessed at Kyle's uniting of our family with this beautiful young lady and her remarkable family.  Meg herself is a treasure beyond description, I could not have wished anything better for my son. Filled with kindness and joy, love and compassion. Her special family is just an added bonus! They are the best kind of people, full of love and gentle in nature. The kind of people you feel grateful just to be in their presence, they inspire you to be a better person. And ... they have the creative gene! They are seriously artistic -- her mother can paint. No not walls like me, but beautiful paintings of beautiful things. Yeah! And her maternal grandfather is a master in the art of stained glass. Stunning, I tell you. He did inserts for 3 cabinet doors for our kitchen (I should show you those). And then there's her grandma, a world class beauty with a quick smile and delightful sense of humor -- I think she inspires it all! Anyway, I have much to learn and absorb from these amazing folks I have come to love so dearly.  God has been gracious and good to us ...

So here is the charming and beautiful Mrs. Reiss, with that loveable hunk of a son of mine looking on ...

This photo I'm guessing will be Kyle's favorite, doesn't he look proud?!

(Wedding photography by Lindsay Kopp Gatewood)

So that's the important stuff, but will add just a few of the tidbits created to 'enhance' their glorious celebration  (haha) --

Organza and tulle flowers for Meg's hair and sash

A memorial patch honoring her beloved father whom she misses so dearly. Made from one of his shirts and placed on the shoulder of her wedding gown, he was with her on her wedding day in a special way, and what could be a more meaningful fulfillment of 'something blue'?

A chevron bag made for her bridesmaid

A Just Married bag for the bride

Honeymoon attire (Cricut stencil project)

Luggage tags (Cricut again)

In closing I must say how grateful we are for good family. Without their help we could never have pulled off such an enjoyable weekend. From serving at cake and punch reception after the ceremony, and most especially pulling off the huge cookout meal on Saturday, I couldn't have survived without your good help! Thanks to my mother Barb & sister Carol for help on Friday. And to those who were at my side throughout both days' events -- setting up, taking down, hauling, serving, packing up and just anything that needed to be done -- SILs Pam & Debbie Kay, sisters Linda & Debbie Diane, cousin Gena, my Aunt Pam and of course Meg's mom Jan. We couldn't have made it happen without you. TRULY.

Prayers go out for Pam & Grace, Katie, Ray, Denny, Eric, Carol & Helen ... And in thankful praise for great blessings. Love, j

Rock on Sister Suey

After my heartfelt tribute, I had to add a few pictures from the wedding reception. My baby sister Carol Sue was the life of the party. I have received countless comments - and countless chuckles - regarding her performance in the 'dance off' contest the DJs used to break the ice. Break it she did . . . Was it 'air guitar' she was assigned? I think so. My other sister Linda (in black & white) was also in the competition. She was asked do a River Dance, and she did a lovely one.

Little cousin Isabella was also a contestant with the Chicken Dance.

But Carol won hands down - can you imagine that?!

I will leave this quick post with a few other images from the reception.

Lots of Cricut! I was so grateful to have it. After altering 5 dresses and making 2, the paper crafts were a fun release for me. I just love that Cricut!

The Most Magical Day

Please dear Lord, tell me what I have done to deserve your bestowing such a beautiful and gentle angel into my life?

The answer of course is nothing. It is the goodness of those around me which has found his favor and he has rewarded us all with this blessed soul I may now call my daughter (in the truest sense of the word).

Oh my. This has been a week of soaring emotions, precious moments and joy beyond explanation. It was indeed a magical day and one that couldn't have been possible without the help and support of so many. I have truly been left speechless with countless acts of kindness. Such was the case on Friday night. An open invitation was extended for help to set up the reception hall and let me just say the response was overwhelming! My dear sisters (including my precious sister/cousin and my dear sisters-in-law) and my priceless best friend, as well as nieces, cousins, and special family friends showed up in unimagined numbers. It was an amazing sight, one that brought to mind a colony of worker ants as the hall was transformed into the scene that Ashley had envisioned. I cannot thank you all enough. It is humbling to have such kindness poured out for oneself and this is just one of the many precious memories I will carry forever.

As is this one. I can scarely believe this is the tiny baby boy whom I carried, nurtured and cared for. Who picked me clover flowers and dandelions. Who crept into my room at night to sleep on the floor beside my bed. And who called me Mommy. I don't think he can possibly know how proud I am of him. Nor how happy he has made me.

I love you my baby, my son. And my dear and darling daughter. xoxo Mom

Ashley's b&w closeup is courtesy of Moltobella Photography. You can see their blog and a sneak-peek of more wedding photos here.