Happy Birthday Cindi

Can I feel tears and joy at the same time?
You look so happy!
And I am so happy for you!

It seems like just yesterday that you were born on this day. My firstborn - a precious daughter.
My hope and prayer is for many happy years for you and Keith.

I am both sad and happy as the......
Mother of the Bride

Happy Birthday Toni

Our former 4 1/2 pound teacup is one year old today - and 60 pounds of muscle and playfulness! It has been a year of fun and learning about the breed. James has learned how to be the "leader of Toni's pack." I am the...

Mother of the Bride

Rehearsal - Part Three

The Flower Girl and the Groom

We even had time for bunny-ears at the rehearsal. We were relaxed to the max!
I had the feeling of being in a canoe on a fast moving river with the activities and days moving too quickly. I enjoyed every minute of the whirlwind weekend.
As I catch my breath....I am the...
Mother of the Bride

Rehearsal - Part Two

Happy, Smiling Faces

They make me happy!! I am the....

Mother of the Bride

The Wedding Rehearsal

Bridezilla was not at this rehearsal. Cindi and Keith looked so happy. As one can see in this image - Hannah was also happy to see Cindi and Keith!!
Christi did a great job as the wedding organizer.
Hannah and Elijah listened and followed directions perfectly!
Also in the wedding were Melissa and Bryan.
Melissa is my daughter-in-law and has been married to my son Billy for twelve years. Bryan is Keith's brother. (Bryan wins the prize for traveling the farthest distance - Portland, Oregon.)

Friday Night at Corky's

Keith wanted to have the rehearsal dinner at Corky's. With every trip to Memphis, he wants to eat at Corky's, world famous for ribs - both dry and wet - and pork. They also have great slaw, beans, and desserts!
Many thanks to John and Diane, Keith's parents, for hosting the rehearsal dinner at Corky's. With a choice of BBQ chicken or pork, slaw, beans, and corn, we had a delicious dinner. John told me that the BBQ was very tasty!
After the dinner we went to the church for the rehearsal.

This image of James was taken at Corky's by Jeff Morris. James has a sweet facial expression - he tries to be a grouchy old man - but I can see his true self.

Still in love with the Father of the Bride. I AM...
The Mother of the Bride

Dinner at Corky's

Our rehearsal dinner was at Corky's BarBQ in Memphis

Cookout - Part Two

I could not compete with the heat!
I did everything possible!
Iced Drinks
Cold Watermelons
Grilled and Smokey Burgers
Chips and Dips




We enjoyed our time together and hoped that Corky's on Friday night would be cool!!

Next: Rehearsal and Dinner
Mother of the Bride

Bride and Groom

Finally, an image of the couple together. This photo was taken last summer during a vacation in San Diego.

The Cookout

As the mother of the bride, I wanted to invite Keith's family to our home when they came to Memphis. I planned a hamburger cookout - a perfect summer party. But, the weather did not cooperate with temps close to 100 degrees in my backyard! With a canopy over the patio - the temp was 98 degrees at 6 PM when the guests arrived.
Although I have no control of the weather, I felt embarrassed. More about the cookout later.

Mother of the Bride

The Bridal Shower

This is my first post in about two weeks. It has been a very busy two weeks.
First - my daughter came to Memphis from Wyoming per US Air. On the next day a bridal shower was hosted by my sister Christi. Her home is beautiful! She prepared delicious foods and set a beautiful table.
I am very grateful to Christi and her husband Jeff for their hospitality.
Cindi had a great time and received many gifts. Friends from church and her former school, Keystone, came.
After the shower guests left, Cindi and I had a nice visit with Christi, Jeff and Noah.
Jeff will be the wedding photographer and Christi will be the wedding planner and floral designer.

Giving thanks for my family - I am the
Mother of the Bride

My Blue Tricycle

My bike has been built, adjusted, and tightened by James - the man who can do just about anything. This evening I made two trips around the block with the cool evening breeze blowing in my face. It has been many decades since I rode a bike and I have forgotten how much fun it is. With the two wheels on the back, I have no fear of loosing my balance and hitting the pavement.
I once fell up a flight of steps while carrying my daughter Cindi. She was about six weeks old and rolled across my mother's carpeted floor. Cindi was not injured, thankfully!
So, I have always had a fear of falling and this tricycle will be perfect for me!!

Cindi will be home in two more days. The final planning will begin on Saturday exactly one week before the wedding.

I am always thankful for life's many blessings!
Mother of the Bride

Dogs Walking

Shelby Farms was the location of the pit bull dog walk. It was organized to give the dogs a chance to socialize with other dogs. (Smelling = Socialize) With the other pits near, she was calm and friendly; her big tail was wagging. The walk took about 45 minutes and she was very tired afterward.
A great time was had by Toni and James!

This post is especially for the flower girl, Hannah. She LOVES Toni!

See you soon, Hannah.
Mother of the Bride

James and Toni

The love of my life is James my husband of thirty-nine years. The love of his life is Toni. About two years ago James decided that he wanted a pit bull terrier. Why you ask - I am not sure that I totally understand his reasons.
We decided to name her Toni with an 'i' after a TV character named Tony. She is now about one year old and weighs fifty-eight pounds. She loves all people - especially Hannah, Elijah, and David. She goes into crazy wiggle spasms when she sees my sister Christi.

There is not a mean bone in her body but she does need a firm leader at all times!!

The father of the bride is happy - so that makes the mother of the bride happy.

Grandchildren and Picnic Tables

The wedding is less than two weeks away. These guys in the above image will be coming.
I love this photo - taken about three years ago. A smile spreads across my face when I see them.

I thought it would be a great idea to have Keith's family over for a cook-out before the wedding. So, my husband, James, and I have been planning, cleaning, building, and planting to prepare for the company and the cookout. I had the crazy thought that we needed picnic tables for the kids to eat in the backyard. We looked at Sams and Costco but no ready-made tables could be found.
James loves to work with wood- he decided to build two tables. So far, one trip to Lowes has been made. He has the boards cut and now has to drill holes to bolt the pieces together. We bought supplies for one table. I would love to have two. We'll see.

Today - June 8 - is Keith's birthday. Cindi had a party for Keith and his family in Wyoming yesterday. Happy Birthday Keith!! May you have many more happy years!!

Mother of the Bride

Ponytail Palm

This is an image of my husband's ponytail palm. It is reported to be about 20 years old. It was a gift to him from a friend at work. Actually, the friend was leaving employment and planned to discard the palm. My husband was shocked that anyone would harm a living plant - he is a green-thumb kind of guy. So, he brought the plant home. It lives in our garage in the winter, and on our porch in the summer. He replants it about every three years.
We have been updating our wills - and he is unsure which of the children will want this plant that is so precious to him.
Back to news about the bride. My daughter was given her first shower this week by friends and teachers at her school in Wyoming. She teaches fifth grade. She received gift cards, money, and several gifts. She was pleased and thankful.
My sister, Christi, is planning a Memphis shower for the Sunday before the wedding. She has been in a redecorating, cleaning mode at her home. More details to follow.
The wedding is less than three weeks away. I am getting excited.

Mother of the Bride.