Mom's Wedding

Big sister

Little brother--with a black eye and scab from falling down the stairs about 4 days earlier
Me with ALL my sibblings -This doesn't happen very often!

Mom and Bob and all the offspring

The happy couple

Our sweet flower girls -- nervous, excited and proud!!!

They did a great job and even Mic didn't back out...

We didn't get good pictures of the ceremony, little D had just woke up grouchy from his nap and it took all we could do to keep him quiet and happy so that we didn't miss it completely. Here's a little peek, but it doesn't do justice!

The cake!

Thinking on the Wedding.

The message on Sunday spoke about seeking God in the desert. About living out those times when nothing makes sense, when life is hard. Drawing on what we KNOW and have experienced with God in the past when the soul is feeling nothing and His presence seems so distant. We looked at the life of David and some of his experiences, including his time spent in the literal desert. ...so what does this have to do with my Mom's wedding?
At the end of the church service on Sunday we took time to worship. And as we worshiped God for who He IS despite all that whirls around us, I began to reflect on Mom and Bob, their wedding last night and all that lead up to that event. They are living examples in the here and now of hope and renewal despite tremendous trial and pain. Things like "loss of spouse" and "terminal illness" are things we all hope will never touch our own life. I saw Mom lean HEAVILY on God's grace as she muddled through all the emotions and pain that losing Dad entailed for her, among other things, being alone, a sense of loss of purpose, depresion, sadness and so much more. All the healing that has come little by little as time marches on culminated on Saturday night at her wedding. Six years after we lost Dad, I see my mom, not crippled in bitterness, nor wallowing in self pity, but rather, whole in the Lord, and now, in love, face glowing, laughter spilling. And my soul swells with praise to God who truly does give "beauty for ashes, joy for pain". ...In His own time and way He makes all things well.

Photos

The day before we flew, my friend, Lore, and her little boy came over.

Here's the kiddos hanging out with their buddy Josue.

Upon arrival (about midnight) pulling out the camera didn't even enter our minds.

Thus the following sequence of pictures skip right ahead to our week (of baby sitting my sisters kids while she lead crafts for the campers) at the beautiful,

Drift Creek Camp!

Hiking the trails

Look at the giant shrooms on this tree!

Of course it wouldn't be Drift Creek with out slugs!

Throwing rocks in the creek

We had such great weather, this one afternoon the green grass, daisies, sunlight and happy kids were just irresistable--I couldnt stop snapping picutures!

Cousins!

Good ol' camp food--D loved the sloppy joes

A family shot--and everyone is looking at the camera! (Thank you, Courtney!)

Check List

• Survive the flight with two small children. Check!
• Clear customs with no problems. Check!
• Hug mom. Check!
• Meet Bob. Check!
• Make a LOT of blenderized diet. (Thank you, J, for loaning us your Vitamix--what a life saver!) Check!
• Have a great week at camp. Check!
• Find a cute, affordable dress to wear at the wedding. Check! (PTL!!!)

Oh, yes there have been some gliches along the way. The most frusterating being that Mic's vomiting has been flairing up ever since we got here. I think she has thrown up more in the last week and a half than the whole last six months before that. (sad face) BUT in general, so far, most everything else about this trip has been overwhelmingly great, and the best is yet to come!

I will try to do a picture post relativly soon. And if I am to busy having fun with the fam to post the pictures, I promise that I will for sure get some up afer the wedding!

Stay tuned! LOL