Twenty Sixteen

Twenty sixteen will definitely go down in my books as the most treasured year yet.  I almost do not want it to end. I continue reading through news and social media about several celebrities passing away and other people just wanting 2016 to end for different reasons. Several celebrities I grew up with passed away within just a month much less the year-Prince, Nancy Reagan, Florence Henderson, Alan Thicke, George Michael and most recently Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and her mother Debbie Reynolds. These just to name a few. Quite sad.  Twenty sixteen also can be considered a crazy year in politics with the most frustrating and challenging election that practically divided our country. 

However, twenty sixteen won't be remembered or defined by any of those things for me.  Although each of those in itself were sad and challenging events.  In my small world there were a handful of events that were a central point in my life that this year will go down as the most memorable and beautiful year yet because...

Our son graduated from high school. 

We moved into our new home.

Our son began his freshman year of college.

Our daughter got married.

No, I don't want 2016 to end.  It has so many special moments that I don't want to leave behind.  It was an emotional roller coaster that flooded me with joyous tears at a random moments notice.  The review reel ran through my mind often times that I would sit and wish all the times back.  Where had the time gone? Yes, my husband and I were practically empty nesters and the world we were now living was a totally new thing.  I wasn't quite sure if I was ready for it, but it had arrived.  I didn't know how to handle it.  I was feeling overwhelmingly blessed because it was as if all that I ever wanted came through in one year.  The thought of 'what did I do to deserve this' came through my mind and then I stopped to do as we are told to do, accept His blessings. This sign that sits in my kitchen says it all.

I am grounded enough to know that this was just our year.  Not every year can be as amazing and blessed as this one, however I don't stop praying. As a matter of fact, I continued to pray even through all the good thanking God for all his blessings.  Every year of our lives can not be lived in high.  Sometimes we have to live the low moments to appreciate and treasure the most blessed ones. 

Cheers to twenty sixteen!  The year that will forever be in my heart as OUR year! Thanks to God. May twenty seventeen be celebrated with many blessings for everyone.  

The Wedding

The Wedding Day finally arrived!  It seemed so far away the night they got engaged, but it crept up and happened before my eyes could blink.  It was an amazing, emotional and beautiful day. I could not have asked God for a more blessed day. 

My daughter and I at the church rehearsal. My shirt said "Mother of the Bride." It was one made by one of my staff members from work.  This was the first and last time I was able to wear it.  

All the girls got their hair and make up done at the house.  I set up the formal living room into a "make shift salon."  I had fruit, pastries, juice and coffee for them to consume during the morning. The first of the the bridal party arrived about 8 a.m.  It turned into Bridal Central in a matter of an hour.  It was everything she wanted. It was everything I wanted for her. 

The Bridesmaids

Each one of these young ladies played a special role in my daughter's life.  They all undertook the bridal party job to heart and treated my sweet girl like a queen the entire engagement and we had plenty of pre-wedding things to do and events to hold.  There was never a dull moment with them. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to stand beside my daughter as she took her first steps into marriage. 

My daughter was as poised and calm as I have ever seen her. I will never forget this day. She knew what she wanted and she had no ounce of fear. She was ready, even if I wasn't. She was confident in all she was and all she was about to become. A wife.  Yes, my sweet girl was about to become a wife. 

A quick pic with little brother

Little brother was ever so proud. He was excited and happy for her.  It was a first for me to see my two sweet kids be so grown up. I knew this was the end of their little childhood and the beginning of the next chapter. A chapter in which they will grow as responsible and beautiful adults. My cup runneth over.

I pronounce you husband and wife!

Sweet kiss after church

The beginning of something beautiful

We were proud parents of our new son in law and gorgeous daughter. We couldn't be any happier.  It was such a wonderful day.

Let's share this delicious cake!

Father Daughter dance

This was my favorite photo of the day caught by the photographer.  It describes the entire day- just magical.  This day was all theirs. Every little detail was all about the two of them.  This picture couldn't have expressed it any better. 

I pray God blesses their union today and always.  May their life together be forever blessed, bountiful and full of a fun amazing life. 

"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Mark 10:9

Bridal Portrait session

Be still my heart. My little girl all dressed up in her bridal gown. No words. 

30 Days of Gratitude

Each month has its own feel or mood to it. November to me gives that mood of thankfulness and gratitude. I'm going to attempt to take this 30 day journey of gratitude to express all that I am thankful to God for.  Hope you can join too.

Day 1: I'm grateful for this man I call my husband. He is a provider and caregiver. He is a supporter and a fighter. He has no fear. His adventurous spirit makes life so fun! He makes me laugh and brings me tears of joy.  He's my life partner and I couldn't see life without him.🍁 #30daysofgraditude

College Bound

My son left for college the weekend before the first day of school for us regular folk in the public school system. It was a weekend of so many emotions that it will be hard for me to describe it, but I am going to try.

Saturday morning I woke up to seeing this cross my social media page.

                                 

The thought of moving my son out to another town to live on his own just gave me a nervous chill across my body.  The once feeling of excitement I had for him to get to experience what I did not get a chance to do, now turned into feelings of nervousness and sadness.  Was he truly ready to be on his own? Can he take care of himself? Will he know what he needs to do?  Will he make good friends? 

All sorts of questions ran through my mind as I helped him pack the final of his belongings.  He literally waited until the last moment to pack his things.  When I say last moment, try that morning! Son! You are driving me crazy! 

I gathered all his things we had just recently purchased and had those bagged up and packed by the door. All he had left to get were his personal belongings. I had to make sure he had everything he needed.... toothbrush, bed sheets (two sets), TP, deodorant, towels, pillows, comforter....yeah everything he allowed me to buy.  He kept telling me he doesn't need everything and that he will get what he needs when he gets there. So, I had to back off some and allow him to make those decisions. I still couldn't help being a mom. 

So we follow him to school with my parents in tow. We get to the dorm during the last hour of move in time.  We timed it perfect because all of the rush from moving in had subsided.  He was able to check in, get his key and get all moved in without all the fuss and rush of everyone else moving in at the same time. My mom started to hang his clothes in his closet and I was adamant his bed was set up for comfort. He allowed us to organize his room-thank goodness! 

Once we got his things moved in we went to eat at a nearby country kitchen.  We had a full meal with a great funny waitress that served us.  I can't forget her laugh! After dinner we stopped off at the nearby Walmart to get some last minute things for him.  I promise I felt like he needed so much!  I couldn't stop wanting to get him things I felt he needed. He had to tell me "stop mom I really don't need all that." At first I was angry, but then I became sad.  Why didn't he want to listen to me when I said he needed these things? Why didn't he just take my word for it that he will need these things? 

We take him back to his dorm and by the look on his face I could tell he was ready for us to go.  He had just went to Freshman camp a few weeks before and had met some friends.  Apparently they had plans to do something and he was ready to go. 

I promised myself I would not cry in front of him.  I really didn't think I would cry.  I knew I was sad, but I also felt he would be okay.  Crying was not on the agenda. But then the moment to leave my little boy in his big boy dorm room came.  And something inside begin to hurt. I hugged him once and then released and his dad hugged him.  Then I hugged him once more and could not let go without feeling this huge lump in my throat along with the large hole in my heart. My tears begin to shed. 

The ride home was quiet.  Just small talk.  Until we got home and it was bed time, the world was okay.  Sad, but okay. I walked into my son's bedroom that he just left earlier that day and felt a piece of sadness.  My son was now out there on his own to fend for himself in the real world and all I could do was pray for him.  Pray that he keeps his focus. Pray that God surrounds him with good honest people.  Just praying that he will be okay.  I knew deep in my heart that he would be okay, but praying helped me know for sure. 

I never anticipated the emotional roller coaster I would go through sending my son to college.  I don't know if this was normal or I am just an emotional mom who has close ties with her son. It has been about 6 weeks since we dropped him off and let me add that HE has adjusted quite well-quickly.  I knew he would, just this mommy here took a little longer to do so. 

Blog Binge!

It has been a world wind these last few months.  We have managed to graduate our son, move in to our new home and in the final planning stages of our daughter's upcoming wedding. As much as I wanted to capture each of the moments on the blog, time hasn't allowed for it.  So, here is a binge post on these last few months.

Our son graduated early June, class of 2016.  It was a proud day and a fast one at that.  He graduated within the top 10% of his class.  All our family were there to support him.  We later transitioned him into college life, but I have a separate post coming on that. 

We celebrated our daughter's 25th birthday with her closest of friends. This will also be her last birthday as a single woman.  We are just a couple of months away from her big day! 

I had the most blessed pleasure of hosting my childhood friends for lunch at our new home.  I made green chile chicken enchiladas with rice. We shared a bottle of wine and talked for hours! We talked about our upbringings and shared old stories. We even celebrated one of us (not me) becoming a grandma! It was such a wonderful day. 

We visited the Bridal Extravaganza once more before wedding day.  The event is a huge marketplace with all sorts of wedding related vendors.   It was just my daughter, her fiance, my husband and myself that attended.  We went to walk around and get some last minute things covered. It was a fun day! 

So, there it is.... a blog binge! There is more to come! We are wrapping up the final details to the wedding day.  This is the day, the only day... I get to have the Mother of the Bride title.  I am doing my best to take in this moment as much as possible.  I want this season to last as long as it can. 

Forty Two

Today I turned forty two.  On one side it appears old and mature.  On another side it seems quite young and youthful.  I am at a point where I can say I am the happiest I have been in my life thus far. Will this be the most happiest?  I hope not.  I hope that God continues to bless my life with the rich gifts he has already given unto me.

Recap my forty first year of life:

• We began building and completed the building of our new home.
• I began my fifth year in my current job.
• My daughter began her first year in her career as a hair stylist.
• My son completed his senior year of high school and graduated.
• My sister had her son.

Drumline

My son participated in marching band and Indoor Drumline all four years of high school.  When he began Indoor Drumline his freshman year, I had no clue what it was all about and neither did my son.  I do remember him coming home one day and was excited once he was informed.

His teacher at the time showed all the kids a video of what Indoor Drumline was all about.  It basically encompasses only the Percussion section of the band.  They perform indoors on a basketball court arena.  It is a mixture of percussion, dance and drama.  Each show has its own theme.  My son's school would choose a more deep topic for their show that related to the real world.  They never did anything simple.  After the first year, my son loved it.  He looked forward to participating in it every year.  

In the 2014 season they competed in a World event in Dayton, Ohio and took 4th place!  That season was the one he says he cherishes the most.  Those kids put in a lot blood, sweat and tears that year.  It was a pretty solid year. 

Now we come to his senior year.  Their final competition took place at Texas A&M.  I took a ride up there along with some of my family.  Their performance was the second to the last to perform that day.  It was a long day. They came out and gave their all.  They looked amazing!

It took forever for the Awards part to take place or so it seemed.  They called each school's order they placed.  The top three place teams in each category would come up to receive their medal and get a picture taken.  It seemed to take forever especially considering my son's category was last.  At first I sat there a little angry that they were taking so long.  But then something hit me.  I thought to myself, okay God.  I know what you are doing.  I'm looking over at my son as he was lined up with his team and thought- you are making this moment last as long as you could just so I can cherish the moment I am in.  My son the senior.  His final competition.  His final show.  His final Drumline Awards show of his school years.  There wont be another moment like this again. 

So, I sat back, continued to snap pictures from my phone and relished the moment.  Then they got to my son's category.

His team got first place! I was super over the moon excited! Seeing the excitement on my son's face as well as all the rest of the team's faces-it was all worth it.  I was so proud! I ran down onto the floor and gave him a hug and snapped even more pictures.  What a moment! I will definitely cherish this moment forever. 

Seniors 2016

Breaking Ground

Our home building process began.  The frame is going up and the flat foundation is starting to look more like a home.  At first when you are just looking at the foundation, it looks so tiny! I started to think how is everything going to fit on that piece of concrete?  Then it all does.

My kids are here examining the bedrooms to see which one they wanted.  They couldn't decide at first.  They both wanted the same one.  

The ceilings came out way taller than we anticipated.  Nonetheless, it is coming out so beautifully. 

It is all starting to come together.  Our dream home.  Piece by piece. 

Bridal Extravaganza

The Bridal Extravaganza takes place twice a year in our city.  We took advantage of the January showing.  All of the bridesmaids attended along with my mom and sisters.  The bridesmaids all wore matching shirts that were made by one of my daughter's high school dance teachers.  The shirts were a hit at the show!  They had Bride & Co. on the front and the back had Est. and the year the friend met my daughter.  My daughter was touched.

We walked around the whole time getting great ideas for the wedding.

This moment was priceless.  Seeing my daughter and all of her friends sitting beside her as they ooo'd and ahh'd over the wedding gowns. At one moment, my daughter looked to me excitedly over one of the dresses. In my eyes, I saw my little girl with little girl eyes all lit up.   

My mom purchased a hat and sash for my daughter.  She looked so adorable! 

My dad truly made the day even more memorable when he came to pick us up.  He set up his old van like a party bus.  He placed chairs with pillows on them.  He had Pitbull playing on his ice chest radio.  He decorated the outside with a Congratulations Alyssa and Riley's Wedding Party.  Popo's Limo Service.  He even dressed up in his tuxedo.  It was the fun and the most precious thing! 

It was a fun day and a great kick off to the wedding planning year!