When last we talked (Friday evening), I was on my way to begin setting up for a very special wedding that was to take place on Saturday afternoon.

As it turned out…there was an early change of plans.  We were not able to do any decorating on Friday evening…it all had to be done on Saturday morning…wedding, reception inside, reception outside…before pictures which were slated to start at noon.  I arrived at the venue before 7:00 am Saturday.  There was no one else there.  Oh what a beautiful, quiet and peaceful few moments I had to take in the beauty of the grounds here at M’s Vineyard.  I’m sure in this great and wonderful world there are thousands of gardens grander than this…but in our little town, this is grand.  It makes me wonder how our Lord decides where to take a morning stroll with such beauty to choose from…for I’m sure He was walking with me Saturday morning.  What an unexpected blessing to have a few private moments to praise Him for His goodness.  Following are some of those early morning pics…

Don’t you agree?  It is just so lovely!  And, the jasmine and the honeysuckle and the roses were in full bloom and smelling divine!

Here was my other view when I arrived…

…much to be done!  (Notice the vineyards in the background?)

We bagan by moving all of our ‘stuff’ to the tent from our cars and from the house and from around the grounds.  We had one of the groomsmen who kindly came to help us.  Tina and I have all this stuff at our houses…stuffed into garages and storerooms and used in our decor from time to time.  To do this type of decorating you really need to be a collector.  You could never find all these things at one time…they are just not available.  It has taken years of collecting to gather most of these.  And, we have lots more we didn’t bring.

So we got everything unloaded and spread out and then went back in to get the tablecloths.  Coming back across the lawn, we heard something we had not heard previously…sort of a whirring.  And, then, all of a sudden, the SPRINKLER SYSTEM CAME ON IN FULL FORCE!!!  And, guess where 2 of the sprinkler heads were?  UNDER THE TENT!!  Yes, 2…right in the middle of our tent…wetting supplies, tables, EVERYTHING!      Quick thinking Tina threw 2 of the large tree sections on top of the heads, forcing them into the ground.  This kept the water off the tables…but it caused 2 large puddles on the ground instead!  It took about 20 minutes for us to get the water turned off.  This gave the puddles plenty of time to turn into lakes.  Which is also why my shoes are sitting out in the sun!

Barefooted, I continued to work…I would do what I could on one table and Tina would follow behind me retouching and putting all the extras into place…she is such a wonderful detail person.  It is a delight to work with someone who can catch the same vision you have for a project.  It takes so much of the stress out of a job…unless the BLASTED SPRINKLER SYSTEM COMES ON AND MESSES UP EVERYTHING!!!!.  Hey, we are nothing if not flexible!

(Those empty Mason jars would hold the floating candles that are sitting on the tables)

Working as quickly as we could, we managed to finish under the tent by 11:00.  We went inside and decorated the food table, the 3 drink tables, the gift table, the groom’s table and the mantle.  Whew!  Here are a few of those pics…

Finally, we finished…But, there was still much to do.  The pew (row) markers had to be placed.  Adam needed help with the pics until Suzanne could get Levi situated and get there,  and 101 things that popped up at the last minute.  The bride and groom arrived…an hour later than their scheduled time,  but what bride is ever on time?  Pics inside of her and her mother dressing.  Then out they come.  And, they looked so sweet and beautiful and handsome…and so in love.  They braved the elements…baking sun, no breeze, and a horde of gnats like unto biblical proportions!  And, I’m not exaggerating!

Note the cute cowboy boots!

Danielle and sweet Lucy Jane!  Lucy Jane (Addison) is the daughter of Danielle’s brother, Justin.

Cowboy boots for the bridesmaids, too!

The men in the wedding party…

And, finally, all is ready…Let’s have a weddiing!  Is this sweet Lucy Jane not the cutest thing you have ever seen?  She followed all instructions and did a wonderful job.

Danielle and her Father…

And, it’s over!  Now, let’s party!

Danielle and her stepfather, Patty’s husband, Mike.

My Pop and Danielle have had a long relationship.  She calls to check on him several times a week and they even go out to dinner occasionally.  She honored him so kindly by including him as an honorary grandfather in the ceremony.

What an honor for me to be asked to coordinate and plan this sweet day.  I loved every minute of it.  Well, except the gnats…and the SPRINKLERS!  Otherwise, it was a beautiful day with so many friends that I love.  It was a new beginning for Danielle and Zach.  And, it was a bigger celebration of the goodness of our Heavenly Father who binds us together in Christian love, and causes our hearts to turn to one another in marital love.  For through it all…’we love others because He first loved us!’

Patty is such a dear friend to me.  I loved being a part of this special day in her daughter’s life.  Thanks, Patty for including me!

Beautiful Danielle!  She was such a lovely bride!  And, she is now enjoying a cruise in the Caribbean with her new husband.  Blessing to them both!

These are pictures that I made and some that Patty made.  So, they are not professional, by any means!  I’ll share some of Adam’s when he gets them together and ready to show!

Today starts the wedding weekend for the daughter of my dear friend, Patty.  Danielle and Zach will be married tomorrow afternoon.  Excitement levels are through the roof.

I have been designated the wedding planner and as such, there is much to do.  Many things have been decided already…but, as you well know, much must be done the day before and the day of.  This is to be an outdoor wedding and the weatherman has followed my instructions to the letter.  Warm, a little breeze, no rain, blue sky with fluffy white clouds…a perfect 2 days!  I have been in the garage painting signs this morning and then gathering the last minute things into my tool box.  I want to have everything I could possibly need with me!  I sent all my decor items yesterday…so that will be waiting on me when I arrive.  Tina and I will start the decorating this afternoon, and finish up in the morning.  (I could never get it all done if Tina was not helping me…a ‘friend in deed’ for sure).  The rehearsal will begin at 5:00, and then the dinner…a traditional Southern Bar-b-que meal!

So, if you think of it…I could use a little prayer support, as well.  I especially need for my back to hold up.  There’s much to do and I am honored to be a part of this sweet occasion.

I’ll bring you some pictures of the decor and the venue and the bride, of course!  Adam is doing her pictures starting at 9:00 in the morning!

Hope your weekend will be as full of fun and happiness as ours will be!  Blessings!

THIS #1…      Suzanne was at the mall shopping last week and she heard a lady say, “There’s Levi’s mother.”  Turns out she recognized her from my blog.  She is Kathy, sister-in-law to my dear friend, Bonnie.  Her mother-in-law was here, too.  They were all doing some shopping for Easter.  I joined Suzanne and got to see them all.  And, the nicest surprise they came over to to see the Creekhouse the next day.  It was so nice to spend some time with them.  Even though Kathy and I had not met, we coresponded with each other through the blog and Facebook.

I love it when I get to meet someone that I’ve become friends with on the internet.  It really is a small world…and people are alike wherever you live.  Well, except some of you say ‘you guys’ and ‘soda’ or ‘pop’ and I say ‘y’all’ and ‘coke’.  But, otherwise…:=)

THAT #1…

Isn’t this a beautiful amyrillis?  I recieved it as a gift many years ago.  It has recieved no special care from me…at all.  When it quit blooming at first, I stuck it in a pot full of other plants and forgot about it.  Then it bloomed again the next year, so I left it alone.  That was maybe 15 years ago…and it still blooms every year.  I put it in an old pot and brought it with me when we moved to the Creekhouse…set it in the yard…and forgot about it.  And, it still bloomed every year.  But this year, it has 5 huge flowers on the stalk and buds for 3 more!  How can something so neglected bloom so beautifully?  I don’t even water it.  It sits there in its old dirty pot…in the cold…in the rain…in the heat…and waits till just the right time to delight us once again.  God does such amazing things in the plant world.  I am just happy to have this little miracle living in my yard.

THIS #2...

Just a look at my outdoor mantle.  Love this big old fireplace.  And, it is fun to have another mantle to decorate, too!

THAT #2…      When Levi was about 6 months old, I bought him an infant swing with the intentions of it hanging from a tree limb.  “Not gonna happen,” said Don.  (Because to get it up in any of our trees would require calling for additional people and ladders and ‘stuff’ to make it happen).  And, so my sad little swing has sat on the screened in porch all through the winter and the beginning of spring.  It looked so sad sitting out there…so unattached and all.  I had also been asking for a lawn swing for myself ever since Levi was born, so I could take him outside and swing him in the fresh air.  That didn’t happen either.  But last week, unbeknownest to me, Don went swing shopping.  And he bought a frame for Levi’s swing and one more.  He also bought a wonderful lawn swing with an arbor built over it.  Yesterday, we took Levi out and let him try his swing for the first time.  He cackled right out loud and laughed and smiled.  He loved it!

When swinging was finished we headed back to the house…by way of the pool.  I said ‘yes’ to splashing his feet.

…which moved to the hands…

And, ended with wet, wet clothes!  But wet clothes will dry, as will wet boys.  But, come on!  Is there anything better than splashing your feet in cool water on a warm day?  Oh how wonderful to be grandparents and have the time to allow such frivolity  and encourage new experiences!  My, My! we do have fun together!

THIS #3…          I MUST share this picture with you, my friends.  Another friend posted this on FB this morning and it just warmed my heart.  The picture it paints in my mind is full of comfort and peace.  A mother’s love is so dear.  But, the picture it represents to me is of the Father’s love.  He covers me...that is a most comforting thing.  No matter where and no matter what…He covers me.  (And, He does some of His best work through mothers, doesn’t He?)

His word says it best:

“He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”     Psalm 91:4

THAT #3…     We are headed south to Destin this weekend for a conference Don needs to attend.  Hey, any excuse to go there will do!  Lots of great shopping and restaurants…and of course the gorgeous beach!  Sure hope the sun shines bright for us!  Have a blessed week-end!  Oh!  And should you have the opportunity….SPLASH A LITTLE !

That sweet boy who was born into our lives just a little over a year ago has officially celebrated the momentous occasion of his first birthday!  And, what a party we had!  Attended by most of the family, we ate hot dogs with great fixins and opened presents and sang and had cake and played and laughed and added another sweet memory to our family book.

Oh what fun!  Suzanne had planned a baseball themed party and Levi was dressed to fit the bill.

The table had his cute cake, various baseball hats, baseballs, big buckets of peanuts, cookies, chips and all sorts of goodies to coax a big appetite!

Before we ate, we had a sweet blessing of thanks by Pop.  What a priviledge it is to stand in a circle holding hands with the ones you love the most!  We feel so blessed…and thankful.  Here is our sweet Pop, followed by  Levi’s Granddaddy Owens and Papa Horn.  And, sweet hugs by Levi’s Mia and Lulu.  Also attending were Aunt Tara, Aunt Lori, Uncle Ben, and great aunt Joy.

Our eldest ‘little’, John Thomas, came in toting a big package, which was quickly forgotten when he saw Levi’s toys spread across the den floor.  So much to explore.  The boys were happy to see each other and played well together.   Levi was having such a good time he was just dancing across the floor!

After all the guests arrived, Suzanne served us a hot dog lunch, complete with all the great fixing!   Then she changed Levi into another baseball shirt, and put him in his high chair.  She said something about ‘cake.’  But, poor Levi didn’t know what that was.  Besides, she was taking waaaaaaay too long!

“Finally, here she comes!  I don’t even know what cake is…I usually just get beans and carrots!  It sure looks yummy, though…and just like my baseball, too!  LOOK OUT!  it’s on fire!  Whew!  she blew it out.”

“You mean I get the whole thing?  Aren’t you afraid I’ll choke or something?  I’ll be careful.  What’s this green and blue stuff?  YUM!  I like this!”

“This stuff is good!  Now that I’m one, do I get to have cake everyday?”    (Sometimes too much of a good thing can be too much!)

And after all the cake got cleaned up…from the boy and the table…the big cake was cut and the rest of the party got to see just how good it was.  We agreed with Levi…but we ate a little neater!

Then, it was present time!  Levi wasn’t quite sure what to do, but caught on quite quickly when his daddy showed him the ropes…or the ribbon.

“I got a wheel !  What does it go with?”

“Levi!  Levi!  Wait!  You don’t know how to ride yet.  Let me show you how!”

“Well, I know how to ride this boat!”

“Uncle Ian, am I supposed to eat this stuff?

“Maybe I’m ‘spose to wear them!  Yeah!  that’s what they’re for! Wait till I figure out these shade glasses and then I’ll really look cool!”

And,  after a little ‘tummy time’ with Granddaddy,  the party came to an end.  Hugs and kisses all around, we went our separate ways.  Paper and ribbons strewn across the floor, Levi was content in Mommy’s arms with an armful of ribbons to chew on.

And, as I looked at the pictures I had made after I returned home, I was reminded of how thankful I should be.  What a wonderful son Adam is, and such a sweet and caring father to Levi.

He is one of those ‘hands-on’ dads, and that makes me very happy.  A very wise father he is, as well.  He married the perfect girl to be his wife and mother to his children.  What a sweet family they make.  And, they are blessed with  an available extended family to make sure they are doing it right….(Just kidding)  We are blessed.  We “praise God, from whom all blessings flow…”.

A friend of mine made some pictures at the party and said she’d send them to me… but I think she forgot…and since I have already reminded her twice…I’m gonna let it go.  {EDIT:  I finally got them today}  So, these are just some of the extra pics we made on Saturday.  All these ladies are so dear to me, I wanted to share these, too.  I’ll start off with Joy.  Doesn’t she look pretty?  (Amazing how much we favor, isn’t it? 🙂

Here is my sweet Lucy Jane…looking just like a spring flower herself.  Danielle is her aunt.

This is Christy, daughter of Rhonda…Danielle, like-a-second-daughter to Rhonda…Kimberly, daughter in law of Rhonda, and Rhonda

This is June.  She was such a dear friend of my Mom’s, and to me all the years I can remember.  As I am doing Danielle’s wedding, she did my wedding to Don 39 years and 3 months ago.  This is one of the people I hold dearest in my heart of hearts.

This is Susanna.  We have been friends for a very long time.  And, we have wonderful memories of Mission Trips all over the country and the shenanigans that go on after the work is done.  She is currently serving as Children’s Ministry Director at another church in town, but will soon be joining her husband in Birmingham.  He is a pediatrician there, and their 3 children will all be nearby.  Dothan will be a little quieter when she’s all moved in in B’ham…cause wherever Susanna is, there is laughter and nonsense and lots of fun!  I do so love this sweet friend.  Oh, she’d be mad at me if I didn’t mention that she is a former beauty queen, as well!

Somebody was doing some tickling…..

Joy and Susanna paying close attention to something

And, this is Tina.  She is my helper, she is my right hand, she is my partner in crime, and she is the one I can always count on to come to my rescue  when I have bitten off more than I can chew….or committed to something I should have had the good sense not to…or have gotten halfway into a project and decide to stop and start another one.   She gets me.  (AND…she had a birthday yesterday…36, I think).

Trying to figure out exactly what these girls are discussing….interesting body language and expressions…

And, Patty kept trying to escape!  Caught her once out on the front porch holding 3 of our guests captive!

Then she posed with her granddaughter, Addison (my sweet Lucy Jane)…

And, then she began pestering Rhonda…

Danielle and her bridesmaids (minus one) were enjoying the beautiful weather out by the pool.

Sweet friends, dear friends, special children, young and on the verge of marriage…loved ones all.  Old friends, and friends who took a different path, new friends and friends of friends.  Friends whose lives are going just as they wish and friends dealing with problems that have brought them to their knees.  Friends with young children and friends whose children are having children of their own.  And, friends dealing with children making their way through life on unwise paths.  Friends…living the lives that are their own and ours as well…we are all so different and all so alike.  I love having them all at my home…not because of the surroundings…because a house is just that…a house.  What brings the glow, the warmth, the shine to a home are those who walk the floors and sit on the furniture, and stand at the island.  Their laughter ringing throughout fills the air with love and friendship.  Their sweet smiles bounce off the walls and land on others.  And, when they are all gone…and at last, I sit down and reflect on the day…the air is almost alive with happiness and joy.  It lingers…in the house and in my memory.  A good day.  A happy day.  A day of frienship.