The Week Of the Epic Wedding

When Caleb got married last summer he named the wedding: The Wedding of Awesomeness. Megan and Zach's wedding he has dubbed: The Epic Wedding. He's a journalist and just has a thing with words, wouldn't you say?

Today has been rather low key. The calm before the storm? I don't think the wedding day will feel like a storm, but the week will get busier as the days get closer.

Here is how I spent the latter part of the morning:

Our washing machine has given up, so every couple of days I head to the laundry mat and wash a load or two and bring it home to dry. Like I really needed more stress in my life right now, huh? I have had a couple of friends offer me the use of their washers and I probably will. That does seem like the ultimate "airing your dirty laundry" scenario. I have observed some interesting characters in those laundry mats. Today's grandmother screaming at her 2 year old granddaughter to stop screaming was classic. And sad.

Zach, the groom-to-be, has been to the airport to pick up one of his groomsmen who has flown from Thailand to stand up for Zach. Zach spent a couple of summers when he was in college doing mission work in Thailand and made some really great friends during that time. Zach and his Thai friend will be here for supper. We're having pizza. Very American!

There is randomness ahead. Be prepared.

Wednesday was our last Small Group Bible Study meeting. We have been a part of this Small Group for close to nine years. The people have changed over the years and we have enjoyed them all. We decided to end it with a meal together. Here is a shot of them in our dining room.

Oh I will miss those people.

Okay. New subject before I start crying for the umpteenth time.

I thought it would be fun to capture a picture of some of our different wedding shoes. Which do you think are cuter?

They are (clockwise, top left) my hubby's, one of the flower girls, Megan's (a beautiful dark purple) and mine.

I'm hoping to post a picture or two every day this week. I intend to savor every moment from the lunch I had with Megan and her dad today to the last kiss at the reception.

Random Dozen of the Week

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?

I like hosting parties. I really like doing it with my husband. We make a good team. We had graduation parties for both of our kids and that was a lot of fun. In 10 days we are hosting the most important party ever. Our daughter's wedding. But I haven't really done a lot of the planning, mostly check-writing and credit-card-swiping and 32-purple-table-runners-making. It will be a great day!

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.

When we were moving back to the US from Singapore, the people who reported to my husband wanted to give him a going away party. The funniest thing about that was that they asked to have it at our house. The food was catered, but I knew the whole place needed to be clean, because they would want to look through the whole house. I didn't have a maid at the time, so I hired my neighbor's maid for a day and had her clean everything, including the balcony off our son's room and the area outside. The food was good, but I must say that Singaporean's view of dessert isn't the same as ours. The food sat outside in the tropical heat for a couple of hours after the party was over and I really hoped no one ate the leftovers.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."   Revelation 21:1-4

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?

Ummm.... the light! And the warmth. And the brightness. I love to open the blinds in the morning and have the sun stream in. But certainly not before I am ready to wake up. I think I can count the number of times I have seen a sunrise on one hand.

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?

I bring my own gift.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?

Only a week? Can I have BOTH please? I asked nicely! Okay.... I think I'd like all the meals cooked. I get tired of thinking up ideas all the time. Would they clean up the kitchen afterward? Who do I call for this?

7. What song describes your mood today?

Is there a song about lets get on with this already and someone please buy our house and I want to be with my husband? Lame answer, I know, but song titles aren't coming to me right now.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)

Twenty-six years later, there are several things: a rolling pin, recipe box, a glass serving bowl, mixing bowls.... and more things like that. My mom said last weekend that she still has a pie dish her mother gave her for a shower present -- 57 years ago!

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?

Anything with chocolate. Hy-Vee grocery stores has a great tasting store brand of chocolate. (at least it was 30 years ago.) Another favorite is Timberlodge Mint.

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"

A better question would be, "When was the last time I didn't feel tested?" It's been a challenging, um, long time. Calm. soon. please?

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."

Chocolate covered pretzels... sesame sticks...

12. "-----" is the best motivation.

A time deadline is the best motivation. Yesterday we had only a few hour notice to get the house in order for a showing. (It was someone who had looked at the house for the third time. Could I ask for all of you out there in blogland to pray they would make an offer in the next couple of days?)

The Last Couple of Weeks

We are down to the last couple of weeks before the big wedding. This is the last couple of weeks my girl will live with us and still be just my girl. Soon she will be a Mrs. Awesome.

We've been kinda busy with some last minute details. But things will really kick into high speed that last week. Whew. I hope I make it through in one piece. I know I will, but it will get intense. Fortunately, I have my best friend to stand by my side to hold my hand and I have a God who is certainly big enough to give me the strength. How blessed am I?

Megan is at a fitting for her wedding dress. She went with a good friend from high school. Here's a picture of Megan trying on her dress for the first time since it was ordered last January:

Doesn't she look happy? (You thought I was going to show the whole dress, didn't you? Oh, I wouldn't do that...)

I've also been keeping myself busy with:

Isn't she sweet? Oh to just crash on the floor and sleep so sweetly. I've been watching her a couple of days a week for a friend. I've discovered there's a reason I had babies in my twenties. They really do take a lot of energy.


Time to work on some supper for some company. You never know how long a baby will sleep.

PSALM 138

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
       before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple
       and will praise your name
       for your love and your faithfulness,
       for you have exalted above all things
       your name and your word.

When I called, you answered me;
       you made me bold and stouthearted.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
       when they hear the words of your mouth.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
       for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
       but the proud he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
       you preserve my life;
       you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
       with your right hand you save me.

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
       your love, O LORD, endures forever—
       do not abandon the works of your hands.

More Random Questions

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

I remember being nervous that I would trip in my high heels walking up to the stage. I wore a dress I made. It was the last time I sang in my high school choir. We sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic. (Did you know it was written in 1861? It was popular during the American Civil War. You can read about it here. I just watched this video and surprised myself by actually remembering the alto line after several decades.) I wish I had a picture. Oh wait... Here is a Senior Picture as it hangs on the wall at my parents' house:

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

Well, I guess jumper cables. Not that I have a clue how to use them. In the winter I keep a blanket just in case I have an urgent need for a nap on a long trip. :)

 

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

Yes, graduation open houses are rampant here. We had one for both of our kids and they were a lot of fun. I think we will only go to 2 or 3 this year. A friend of ours told us how she was out running the first May they moved here and saw several tents set up in driveways and at first thought there were a lot of funerals happening. I laughed so hard when she told me that. I always wondered if we popped in on a busy open house of someone we don't know, would any one notice we didn't really belong?
Bridal showers? Weddings? I have two more showers to go to for our daughter and ONE wedding! 24 days until our girl gets married!

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

It's a lot of hard work, the best job ever and goes by in the blink of an eye leaving me wonder if I did a good enough of a job and kinda wanting to do it again but at the same time worn out at that thought. (Does one sentence count as one truth??)

5. What was the last thing you broke?

 I don't really remember what I broke last. Just lots of things in the house have been breaking. (sump pump, cable box, water softener, sprinkler system, washing machine CO detector, ice dispenser, vacuum cleaner... seriously, all these things have gone wrong since we put the house on the market)

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

I think we get around 3-4 a day. There's one good thing about moving... it takes a while for the junk-mailers to find you again.

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

If by catalog you mean on-line, then the answer is yes, yes, yes. I live in a small town (and moving to an even smaller town farther away from a decent sized town). I am thankful for on-line shopping. One of my favorite sites is Zappos.com. I get shoes from them. I have wide feet and not many stores carry that and Zappos is a great place to find them. The best part is there is no shipping cost. If you need to return something, you can just print out a return label and it is so simple!

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?

Oh definitely "his job." When the hubby was heading out to dig dandelions recently, I apologized for not having more kids. :) My outdoor job is to water the flowers and the grass. I like watering the lawn because it has consisted of walking into the corner of the garage and flipping the switch on the sprinkler system. We'll miss that.

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

Right now, none. When we move I guess I get to redecorate every room in our new house!

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

I do read our local town paper. It only comes twice a week. I get most of my news on TV.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Oh Yes! Romans 8:28 says:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Ummm.... yes?

What She Taught Me

I know it's been an eternity since I've written on here. The thoughts just weren't coming. I can usually go about my day and start thinking about something and a blog post starts forming. That part of my brain has been a bit dried up lately.

So, in an attempt to jump start it, I thought I'd write a bit of a belated Mother's Day Post.

My mom:

I've thought lately about all the things my mom has taught me.

• She taught me to love my family. My devotion to my husband and kids and kids-in-law is rooted in this.
• I learned how to refinish furniture and cook and bake and read a recipe and table manners and how to set the table from my mom. She was a Home Ec major in college and has a vast amount of knowledge in these areas. She was willing to try new recipes and I like to as well. There are the classics like her Swedish Rye Bread and Thanksgiving Stuffing and Rhubarb Crisp. When I bake the Rye Bread, it smells like Mom and Dad's house. The stuffing? Sadly, I'll never be able to duplicate it because there is no written recipe. That's what makes it great. Now that it's spring I start thinking of who I know that has a rhubarb patch so I can make some Rhubarb Crisp.
• When I was signing up for classes for Junior High, Mom suggested on a whim that I sign up for choir. Ever since the 7th grade I have loved to sing. The past 9 years I have been privileged to sing on our church's worship team. I may have never known I could even sing, if I hadn't taken Mom's advice to be in the choir.
• She gave me a love for sewing. From the age of 9, through the first several years of marriage I sewed much of my own clothing. I had very few store bought dresses. I enjoyed sewing things for my kids when they were little. Now I enjoy quilting, which I could not have done without that base knowledge of sewing.
• She gave me a love for Bernina sewing machines. I have owned two. Every time I use my newest one I think, I like this machine.
• Most importantly my mom (and my dad) introduced me to Jesus. The years between age 9 and age 14 my parents sacrificed to be able to send us kids to a two week Christian camp in Ontario. I still remember things I learned there. My mom came to Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade when she was in college. I am thankful for growing up knowing Christ.

Here's a picture of my mom and dad last fall when Mom was in the hospital for sooo long. See what 57 years of marriage looks like:

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

I'd Be LOST Without the Random Dozen

No, not a reference to the TV show. (Although Linda@2nd Cup of Coffee meant it as a reference to the TV show. I was just hurting for a title.) Here we go with this week's Random Dozen.

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?
I've been lost a few times, but not long enough to be really afraid. The only town I can manage to get lost in is where my in-laws live. Most of that town is at an angle to the world (not many straight north/south, east/west streets) because of the river that runs through it. I have actually stopped to ask for directions there. I think I will be thankful for the GPS on my new phone.

2. Have you ever been to an island?
Uh-huh. A couple of years ago we went on a cruise around the Hawaiian islands. That was awesome! And I lived on the island of Singapore for three years. It is an island 15 miles by 25 miles and has 4+ million people. Interestingly, I hardly ever saw the ocean while I was there. The beaches are nasty because it is a major shipping port.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?
Feeler all the way. 'Nough said.

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?
I think I lean towards black and white.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Such a beautiful picture of God's relentless pursuit of us. I've already read it twice and will likely read it again. And again.

6. What are you most afraid of?
Being alone.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
I wish we could pick and choose what we remember and what we forget. You know, when something bad happens, flip a switch, forgotten. When a really terrific moment happens, flip a switch, never forget the moment and the feelings that go with it.


8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?

*My best friend and me. I love him. I am sooo thankful for him.
* My laptop. Perhaps one of the better purchases we have made. I like my laptop. :)

*I like this picture because it shows how I like to be a bit goofy.



9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)
I would have had a couple of my college girlfriends be bridesmaids. I feel like I really didn't get to choose who I wanted to be attendants. I was told I had to have family members. Other than that, I am happy with the simplicity of our wedding. The best part is that I have been married to my best friend ever since.

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.
I'd be no where without God's forgiveness. Every time I sing a song that speaks to that, I choke up.

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?
I always try to bring a book along. That is one of the reasons I bought a bigger purse is so I can stuff a book in it. Otherwise I'm stuck looking at the magazines. I'd rather read my own book. Now I own a "smart phone" so I can always rely on that as a back up to check FB, or play a game. I'm kinda stuck on one game right now and need to find some others to entertain myself with.

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?
Same: sense of humor
Better: skinnier and liked to exercise