Saturday, June 30, 2007

Here Comes the Bride....

As I've said before, being the Mother-of-the-Groom is sooo different from being the Mother-of-the-Bride. From the very beginning of their engagement, I have offered to help in any way I can. Something I saw at a friend's wedding was a table with various family member's wedding photos on it. I thought that it was so sweet to connect the "old with the new". There were so many things to do as the MOB for my daughter's wedding, I just could not get it together to organize pictures for her wedding. So.....I asked my future daughter-in-law if I could do this for their wedding. She said, "Sure!" Wasn't that nice of her to humor me?

Anyway, I have bought a new white tablecloth, tulle, tiny silver rings, pearls, and place cards. I have several silver-ish frames of many sizes. I want them to be varied sizes; I think that will give a better effect. I am SO EXCITED about these pictures! I have 10 so far with a few others to be copied before they are framed. I'll try to post a picture of my final display. Most of the people in the pics are still alive, just much older. A few of our loved ones have passed away but having played such important roles in our lives, "including" them is special, too.

Friday, June 29, 2007

His Eye Is On The Sparrow.......and the Road Runner!

We never know what a day may bring. The plans one has for the day can very easily be blown right out of the water....figuratively speaking. Today was one of the those days for me. I had scheduled my car for an oil change and to have the brakes checked. My son is taking the car to Florida next week on his honeymoon, so I wanted to make sure that it was ready to go. I took my car to the garage last night, since I am a self-professed (and confessed) night owl, I didn't want to get up early to take it there this morning.



ANYWAY,......the owner of the shop, who is a good friend of my brother, called at 10:00 a.m. to tell me that it was all finished. "Were you worried about your brakes? Because they are fine, but you have a bigger problem than that!" My heart sunk to the top of my feet. A bigger problem!? I immediately thought of an engine or transmission problem even though, I wasn't aware of either acting up. "Aren't you taking that car on a trip?" he continued. "I wouldn't leave town in it! The left back tire has a big tear in it! There is a loose rubber flap sticking out. Why in the world it isn't flat is beyond me!"



I was relieved AND distraught at the same time. Relieved because I immediately thought, "Is that all???" For a brief second before he mentioned the tire, I envisioned the motor being hoisted out by a small crane. A tire? Whew....is that all? A RIP IN A TIRE!!!!! Do you know how fast I was driving on the Interstate the other day??? I have tried my very best to straighten the curvy roads in our area but it hasn't worked. I set my speed control many times just driving to the nearest towns because, if one of my favorite "Sound of the 70's" tunes come on the radio, it directly effects my accelerator foot! The louder I sing, the faster I drive!



My plan was to have the front tires put on the back and buy new ones for the front. After all, 48,000 miles wasn't so bad, was it? Turns out, it was bad. The front ones were showing uneven wear, too. To make a long story short, I bought 4 new tires. Spending that amount of money was NOT on my list of things to do today; certainly not budgeted for this month.



Somehow, it doesn't bother me at all. Oh, make no mistake about it; it will cause a major financial crunch around here. But, I am so humbled, grateful for the Lord protecting me and my family. I've been so busy and preoccupied with all of the wedding excitement, I've spent little time with the Lord lately. He knows my faults, my short-comings, my sins yet carries me safely......all the way, every day. There's an old hymn I know that starts out "Safe am I, safe am I, in the hollow of his hand" ............ What a wonderful Savior!

Friday, June 15, 2007

First Steps!

N. took his first steps today....all on his own! Once he figured out what he could do on his own, he made several attempts during the day. Of course, he was encouraged with laughter and applause from his doting Mamaw and Papaw. It would be hard to say who was the most excited after each little venture. N. was so pleased with himself and Mamaw gave lots of hugs and kisses. The ability to walk seems to quickly change the "baby" to a toddler in just one day. We love this precious little guy. It's fun to celebrate his "firsts".

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Did you notice? I "found" the post that was missing. It appeared on my blog at the same time as the "testing" one did. I was thrilled that it wasn't really lost but makes me wonder about how reliable my blogging abilities are. My blog should be titled "Amateur".

Anyway, I will probably mention wedding activities frequently for the next few weeks. My son is getting married in 35 days. There are numerous differences about 35 days before my son's wedding and 35 days before my daughter's. It's like comparing a friendly game of tackle football in the back yard to the Super Bowl. The expectations for the MOG pales in comparison to being the MOB. I don't think that I could possibly list all of the things that I did for months prior to her wedding. The list should include all of the things that my mother did as well. It was expensive and exhausting but worth every cotton-pickin' little detail. "A" was a beautiful bride and it was a beautiful wedding.

Here is my list of things to do as the MOG:
1) Make reservations for the rehearsal dinner. (done)
2) Make hotel reservations for grandparents and us. (done)
3) Make sure that the groom, father of the groom, and best
man (other son) have tuxes ordered. (done)
4) Have a shower for bride and groom in our hometown
(will be on June 24th).
5) Buy my outfit, shoes, accessories, etc. (done)
6) Help bride with reception ideas (ongoing)
7) Help set up/decorate for reception (yep!)


The bride asked my mom, daughter, and me if we would help her get the reception hall ready. Of course, we said that we would. We kind of like to do that stuff. We have assured her that we will do all that we can to help make things look like she wants it to. I feel very strongly that the day is definitely "her" day and will do all I can to make it be just that.
Soooooo........for the next 35 days, I'll try not to be too annoying with my sappy, sentimental feelings about all of this. I said I'll try.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Testing! Testing! 1, 2........

This is a "test post". I wrote a semi-long, very heartfelt, well thought-out post last night that blogger said was "posted". However, I cannot find it anywhere. My apologies to the lucky blogger who just may have it.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

I am just 1 month from making my annual posting on this blog. I thought maybe I should start early.

I had a wonderful day today with my mom and daughter! We went to Newport, KY to attend a wedding shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law (JL). We met several of the ladies from her family. They were all so very nice. JL and JM received many lovely gifts. The refreshments (an important part of an event, as far as I'm concerned) were simply marvelous! JL's sense of humor and good nature just added to the pleasant atmosphere. It was such a nice party!

As the mother-of-the-groom (MOG......far less stressful than being the MOB!!), I couldn't help but look around and realize that all of these people were now a part of my son's life. I wanted to make such a good impression on them for him.....and for her. I love JL and feel that she is the perfect person for JM. But for days, I've anticipated meeting his "new family and friends". Being that he is my firstborn child, I will tell you that this is not easy!

Certainly, no one could possibly know how important he is to me! I thought I knew what love was all about before I laid eyes on him almost 26 years ago! I soon realized how wrong I had been. I had never felt that kind of love before!! Did you know that hearing his first little "oooh!" made me laugh and cry at the same time? To say that my heart "soars" when he sings doesn't completely describe it at all. There are no words to express what a blessing he has been in my life.

Today, it was so reassuring to feel the deep affection and love that JL's family has for her. They obviously care about her happiness. They are embracing my son with open arms and welcoming him into their loving family circle. Wow, and I thought I was the only one excited about getting a new in-law!!

I can't promise that I still won't be misty-eyed and nostalgic for the next several weeks. Did I mention that I cry watching reruns of the Waltons?? But, thank you, Lord!! Today was a great day!