Creative Packaging

I used to love this show on HGTV called "A Wedding Story" I once saw a Mother of the groom wearing her sons baby picture locket on her dress and I thought. Man that is such a mushy thing, I am TOTALLY going to do that!!!

I still have my baby picture locket but I needed a pin.

EBay to the rescue. Found the exact pin I needed and ordered it. (won it)

The seller notified me there would be a delay in shipping because she was on vacation. I told her it was for a wedding and gave her the date and she said she would do what she could to get it to me ASAP.

The pins arrived yesterday in the most creative packaging ever.

First the pins were wrapped in Kleenex, then put in a hotel shower cap box, then wrapped in a ice bucket liner, more Kleenex and finally the whole thing was wrapped in the actual shower cap. Works for me!!!

Thank you so much EBay seller, the package arrived safely...

Ten On Tuesday - L

Here is a continuation of a weekly blog some friends and I are doing through the alphabet. It is a blog of gratefulness and thankfulness for all things "L" related to my wedding diaries...

L- Looking Like Lions...

10. Lace- Most wedding dresses are not complete without it.

9. Locket- Gonna wear mine with my 6 month old Cameron's photo.

8. Lending- People are so generous and we are thankful for their time, abilities and cabins.

7. Laugh- Sometimes, it is all you can do.

6. Life- This union will begin a new one.

5. Luck- Totally don't believe in it. All these blessings are purely a God Thing!

4. Legacy- Two families coming together, we are adding another branch to our family tree.

3. Learning- Marriage is definitely a learning process

2. LOVE- A mother's dream come true to see it in the eyes of the woman who is marrying your son.

1. Lord God Almighty- Brought these two together, keeps their hearts united in times of trial, and is the center of their relationship.

Cameron and Beka- A Lifetime of Love and Laughter to you...

Love, Mommy

Go Ahead... Bless Me

Went to the restaurant to check on catering for the rehearsal dinner we will be hosting at our home.

This restaurant was Beka's suggestion and one that I have always wondered about, but never had gone to.

I decided to order a take out sampler plate for dinner so Daddy and Eric could have an opinion too. The gentleman was very nice and gave me some extra samples and discussed my catering. It was looking good.

I asked a woman who was waiting for her food if I would join her so I took a seat across from her. Of course you know me, I could not sit there quietly, we started chatting about the restaurant and then she said.

"I heard you ordering the family meal and I almost offered you a coupon for 20% off."

I said "Oh, why didn't you bless me?"

She then said she was embarrassed and thought I would be embarrassed too. Got me thinking... Do I look like someone who would not want a coupon? I sure hope not.
Coupons have been the saving grace of my entire homemaking life. I use them all the time in my grocery shopping and leave good ones around the store when I won't use them. (Ever wondered who did that?... Well, it's me!)

I loved when McDonald's had 50% off Sea World coupons. I would take several with me and bless the people in the line at the park. Since six tickets could be bought with one coupon I always felt like I had saved that family enough for them to afford dinner. I don't know, but it just made me feel good.

Cam and Beka are coupon users too, she got some coupons in a shower card and was happy to show them off.

Humble, simple, friendly, and blessed is what I want to look like. Not above such things...

Hand me that coupon sister... Bless me...

And Then There Were Three

Without much fanfare, tears, or remorse, Cameron officially moved out of our home yesterday.

Suddenly, we are a family of three...

For the past year Cam has been hardly here anyways. He would observe our 1:00 am curfew and creep in after we were asleep. We could tell he was here if his car was parked out front. Our home was basically where he laid his head so we are used to him not being around, but after this official move, we felt a void, we could definitely tell our son was not home. Here anyways

He is indeed home... His home.

Will he call?

Will we see him?

No idea, we hope so, but aren't taking any bets.

PS. Eric made his official announcement:
"Only Children Are Supposed To Be Spoiled"

Open Doors

When giving advise to my newly engaged son I told him to look for "Open Doors".

If it is God's plan for you to marry then he will open the doors for it to happen. HOWEVER... Be mindful of closed doors and believe in God and all will be well.

First, Cam got a full time job with benefits which was a major open door. All has gone well with the wedding planning with nothing anyone would consider a closed door.

The kids began their search for an apartment. They had their budget all set and knew just what they could afford. Figuring they would be living in a typical "Starter home" their expectations were low. But God decided to open a great door and provide them with an excellent apartment in great location.

We got to see the place last night and Steve and I felt nothing but pride. We are so happy for the kids... It is really happening, they are going to be getting married and starting their life...

So far, it is a blessed one indeed

It's All In The Tone

When my son first announced his engagement is what I would call "Hell Week" Steve and I felt so tested, first by the kids choice to marry several months earlier than in the original plan Cam outlined to us before he proposed, and second by their choices in wedding party.

I heard for the first time out of my sons mouth the horrible selfish words.

"IT'S MY WEDDING"

By the tone of his voice, I realized by saying that phrase he was saying I will hurt anyone I want, be as selfish as I want, and do anything I want all in the name of my wedding and YOU have to go along with it.

"OH NO YOU DIDN'T"

One thing you don't do is push this momma bears buttons! He got a good sitting down and the lines were drawn. The first words immediately omitted from my sons vocabulary was "IT'S MY WEDDING"

Once he realized that we completely understand it is their wedding, we all want the same thing he does, that we are behind him all the way, that it is our desire to please and make a day exactly what he wanted all hurts were forgiven and we moved on...

After all... It is your wedding...

One More Month

I'll bet you thought by the title of this post that I was going to talk about the fact that Cameron and Rebekah's wedding is one month from TODAY!!!

I'll bet you thought I would write something thoughtful and reflecting but in reality...

I wish we had just one month more... One more month... Two more paychecks to be exact... One more month to collect more... MONEY

As parents of the groom, my husband has always thought that we got to just show up on the specific day, cry a little, and Partaaaayyyy. The first thing my husband said as we were leaving the sonograms announcing we were having a son was "Well, at least we won't have to pay for a wedding"

I never thought that though. For me, being involved in the wedding process is my pleasure, actually, give me a budget and the kids could pretty much just show up and get married and everything would be done for them. I get off on stuff like this.

We found we needed to help pay for the wedding on a greater level than we expected and because we are a single income family, financial contribution for a wedding is easier said than done...

We can always find a way to pay for things somehow, God always provides and I refuse to let something like Money stand in the way of my sons dream wedding, but ask my hubby to open his wallet and pay for something unexpected and my jolly old elf turns into a grumpy old dwarf. So... We will keep most of the costs a secret... (luckily, he doesn't read blogs Hee Hee Hee)

I love watching wedding shows but lately, those shows are a bitter pill to swallow when you see the cost of the napkin rings on the Platinum wedding show is more than our entire budget.

I just try to keep things in perspective... It is all about the marriage and the kids would be just as married if they went to the Public Library and saw the state clerk as if they arrived to the ceremony by hot air balloon, ate caviar and had dinner served by waiters in white gloves.

Our kids DESERVE the best, after all, their wedding will be a once in a lifetime event, not only for Cam and Beka but for all the guests as well. I have never known a couple who have made such a commitment to God and his plan for purity. I have never seen a wedding where purity rings will be exchanged, and I especially have never seen (or heard of) a wedding where the couple will share their first real kiss on the lips when they say "I do"

Cam and Beka are such a special couple, they deserve to be told "Whatever you want" but alas, the best their families can say is "Whatever you need"

I know all will be well, this wedding will be wonderful, everyone will be happy, and especially blessed, but for us that are behind the scenes I think we will always wish we could do more...