What has been going on? Here are a few pictures from Lee and Emily's wedding, and I will post more and type more in a few days when I have a little more time! Hope everyone has had a good start to their summer...........we sure have.

WHAT?? It's almost the end of April? Where did March go?

For heaven's sake, what have I been doing, sleeping?  My last post was March 1 and here it is April 25.  One month to the big wedding.  4 dresses complete, 5th one is in the process of some alterations and then final seaming.  Have 2 candle lighter dresses cut out and ready to stitch up.  I'd say things are coming along nicely.  Lee and Emily have decided on the place they're going to live, RSVP's are rolling in and the little preparations are starting.  I have to make and freeze 8 - 10 1 gallon containers of punch mix, the flowers are to be delivered here the day before the wedding so we can wrap them up, the candle - albraes and candles are lined up.......on and on the list goes.  

 

Lawrence is working and I went out to mow.  Only got stuck 3 times!!  Our yard is staying wet thanks to a neighbor who has decided to empty their sump pump in the direction of our yard.....it's a constant stream!  Will be needing to discuss this with them.....ugg.  

Lauren, Lee, Emily and Whitney will be wrapping up their college classes in the next couple of weeks.  Megan's graduation is coming up and she won't have to share it with anyone like Lauren and Whit had to last year!  

My brother, Jody, turns the big 40 this coming Wednesday, but is so busy with his 5 kiddos that we'll just have to call him on the phone and sing Happy Birthday!

Time is doing a great job of staying on beat and marching on.  I sure look forward to the day that time is no more and I get to spend eternity with the author of Light!

The sign is gone!!

Ok, folks, here is the scoop!  8 months with hardly a bite is answer enough for us. Much as we were (sort of) looking forward to packing up and moving in closer to the city, we're now glad to not have to do just that. We figure God has a reason to keep us in good ol' Lathrop, so we're not gonna fight it anymore. He may move us somewhere else later on down the road, but for now, we get to continue to set on the front porch swing and contemplate the next house project we need to complete. There are still several things we'd like to do with our property and hope the economy will eventually allow that to happen.

So the sign is gone, I'm running for school board again and Lawrence will continue to drive back and forth each day to the city. At least gas prices have come down, and we're still in the middle between extended family homes and shopping. Go mules!

Time marches on....

Today is the last day of February and I thought we celebrated the new year of 2009 just yesterday?  Time marches on, whether we join in or choose to ignore it, it continues.  This last week of February has been a whirlwind.  Two nights were spent assisting Lee and Emily with registering for wedding/new life together....stuff.  I missed several meetings.....the church related school board, my county leadership, youth and learning to knit socks!  Yes, I was supposed to go to a knitting class today, but 6" of snow kept me home.  But being with my family was well worth missing the meetings.....I'll always have meetings, but won't get to experience the first born's, first (and hopefully only) wedding and all that goes with it.

I got to spend 2 delightful days with my dad.  He's putting up a couple of new ceiling fans for me, and finding ways to make a puzzle out of the process, thus giving us additional time to be together and let me fix him lunch! HA.......gotchya dad.

I've continued working out with my good friend Carrie.........she's making me sick, though.......losing weight much quicker than I!  Lawrence and I got to spend Friday evening playing American Idol with she and Jeff.....Jaxson and Aaron were spectators as well......ate some of the best dirt cake I've ever had! HA

Lee and Emily showed up late on Friday evening, spending the biggest part of today with us. They had to do "parent interviews" with us for their premarital class.  That was interesting.  I also was able to complete bridesmaid dress #2 and started cutting out #3.  Will be making 2 flower girls dresses and 2 candle lighter dresses after that.  This being "retired" sure keeps you busy.

On a down note this week, one of my brothers was laid off and that just leaves a pit in my stomach.  We're all hitting our knees hard for he and his family, as they are.  He's already hit the pavement looking for work, and I have no doubt God will bless that, it's just the unknown that is a little scary right now.  We would all covet your prayers in this matter, as we all continue to pray for the MANY people that have found themselves in the same situation.  We know God is sovereign and cares for his children, so we're just praying and waiting to see what He has in store.

Well, would you consider March coming in as a Lion or a Lamb?.......

The 1st of 5, and other stuff.

Yes, you read correctly.....5 dresses.....the groom and bride to be thought it would be fun to add a 5th person!  But no worries, my future daughter-n-law did ask me FIRST.  Of course, I said yes, what's a "favorite", "world's best", "most-loved" mother-n-law candidate to do?

I can not believe how much I am enjoying making these dresses!  I'm in the middle of dress 2 and going to get measurements for dress 3 next week. The pattern is a pretty simple one, but is essentially 2 dresses in one, as they are completely lined.  The material is nice to work with and I'm just plain having fun.

I'm also staying very busy with many other things. I'm currently in a county leadership class that meets weekly and am sitting on two school boards.  I've been to Jefferson City twice in the past month to meet with my representatives and was able to hear Governor Nixon speak at my most recent visit.  I hate politics, by am finding myself immersed in them lately.  

The house will be coming off the market, soon, and I'm okay with that. Between the wedding and not knowing where we want to go........we think we'll just stay put.  I've come to realize, I won't feel like anywhere is home, til I get to my eternal home. 

Wedding plans for Lee and Emily are coming along........spring break will be busy with invitations, showers, smaller details being ironed out.  They do have their cake lady, photographer, church, reception, colors, attendants, tuxes.......and a few other things.....lined up. Now it's the smaller details that we start working on.  Not to mention the fact that the wedding will be in Lathrop, so we're rounding up rooms for various wedding party members that are from out of town............see, it's not so bad to live in a town where you know a lot of people, is it?  :)

There have been a few family birthdays and anniversaries since I last posted. Jody and Nicki celebrated their 13th anniversary in January, along with 3 birthdays.  This month Rance and Brylie celebrated their 7th anniversary and we've had 2 birthdays.  All these kids just keep getting older and older.......how can that be?  I'm not getting any older!

The workouts are going well, so well, I've decided to buy myself a wii-weeeeeee! What a great little device.  I would have scoffed had my kids wanted one, but here I am, an empty nester and buying myself a game machine!  I don't even have the excuse of grandkids... Thank you, Lord......I need to get this wedding over before I start thinking about that.