Sept. 27th--one of the BEST days

The wedding was more than we could have asked or imagined! Don and Elise were so joyful, and I don't think there was one person at the wedding or the reception who didn't share their joy! Tim Jones did a wonderful job with the wedding ceremony--it was absolutely perfect for them. Elise was a beautiful bride, and she was so happy, which made her glow! Her dress was elegant and beautiful, and she picked out really nice dresses for the bridesmaids. Don looked very handsome...his tux was longer than the rest of them, so he looked really TALL and handsome.

A really great thing that was unexpected was that Don (son) and I ended up having a manicure and pedicure together. He wanted a pedicure, so Don Sr. gave him some money and told him to meet me where I was going. The only thing was I decided to get mine done where I was getting my hair done. Don came over thinking I was having my hair done, but ended up sitting in the chair next to me and getting his nails done. We had fun. Don had never had a pedicure before, and wanted to get rid of his rough feet for Elise. I thought it was hilarious that we ended up doing that together--I had felt a little lonely getting mine done by myself on the wedding day.

I don't think there was a dry eye in the church during their ceremony. Both Don and Elise were teary, and so were her mom and I. It was really special. Don and I are so happy for them. At the reception, Elise's grandad was supposed to say grace, and he did a great job. First he explained what grace meant in the Bible, then he told us what "Amen" meant, and then he had us say "Amen". It was cool. Then we all danced the night away. Don and Elise like "oldies", so there were a lot of Beatles and 60's and 70's music. It was great. Don and I felt young again. What was most gratifying was to hear what Elise's dad had to say about Don, and that he believed their match was really made in Heaven. Tim, our neighbor, friend, and Don and Elise's minister at New Life Christian Church, said that he really believed the angels were singing and God was smiling down on Don's and Elise's union. I truly felt that way! Thank you God for September 27th. It was one of the best days! Pictures later.

Counting Down....and some random pictures

Top picture is of Nathan and his girlfriend, Katie...no, they aren't getting married right now, but it was Nathan's birthday Sept. 13th. The other picture is of our family on vacation in NY state several years ago.....just because.

We can't believe Don's and Elise's wedding is only days away! We had such a joyful weekend the weekend before last and last week with Nathan's and Conner's birthday and Elise's wedding shower. Her wedding shower was so much fun, because her bridesmaids planned it, for the most part. Then, this past weekend, Don's brothers and friends took him on a bachelor party camping trip in the Blue Ridge. I'll post pictures soon.

Don and I are going to miss Don around here. He comes in and talks to us, and he always has something positive to share. He is really a joyful person and a joy to be around. He's always been like that. I can't remember a time when he wasn't like that. We are happy for him, though. He has chosen a wonderful woman to marry, and she has chosen a wonderful husband too.

Okay...enough mushy stuff. I need to make a list of what I have left to do:
Finish the card for Don
<em>CALL PACINOS and CHANGE TIME OF REHEARSAL DINNER TO 15 MINUTES LATER
<em>Type up the poem I wrote for the wedding
Buy some frames for pictures of Don and Elise N/A
Take care of LG's gift
Be on the lookout for TJ's gift
GO TO ART CLASS TOMORROW NIGHT--GO EARLY FOR SUPPLIES
GO TO PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
color my hair
get a manicure and ped
Look for some dress shoes for Nathan
Keep checking FreecycleMissions money
send puppet play to Grace
get decorations out on Thurs. (Print email from Kristen)

Pray for the wedding to be beautiful and just what Don and Elise have dreamed of.
Pray that God will be glorified
Meet Kristen to decorate
Decorate the tables for rehearsal dinner
arrive early for rehearsal
hair appt for styling 11 AM Sat. Creative cuts

I'll check back in before the wedding. Pray for everyone...pray I'll be well. I've been sick.

Conner's Big Day! One Joyful Year!

One year ago today on September 11, 2007 Conner Steven Harrington came into this world, and 9/11 gained a new significance in our family forever. Today was very emotional for me and for our family. As always happens, my heart became heavy when I remembered what happened in our country...and our area...7 years ago today. But, unlike any other year, that sad feeling was followed by immense gratitude and joy for the birth of little Conner. I thought about the day of his birth, when his whole family waited for his arrival. We were excited and concerned for his well-being and then anxious and prayerful as he was put in the NICU for the first five days of his life. I remember how brave Cameron was as she awaited the C-section and how nervous Christopher was as he waited with her. I remember how excited everyone was and how all of Conner's grandparents and uncles waited to see him. I remember that, when Christopher wheeled him out for us to see, Conner was wrapped in a PINK blanket and I stared at him for a moment...wondering....was he a boy or a girl? We had been told he would be a boy....but the pink blanket threw me a little. And then we saw him, SO precious and perfect...just a little premature....at 8 lbs. and 3 oz!
Precious little Conner, we love you--your Mommy and Daddy, your grandparents and uncles, your aunt Marie, Christine and your almost Aunt Elise and Mrs. Lisa! You are a precious gift from God! Thank You God for Conner!

Getting over the flu....

Conner's germs are pretty potent! I guess what he had was the flu, because I was sick Thurs-Sun, and we ended up not getting to go to NY. I still have a really bad cough, but I don't feel as miserable as I did for more than 3 days. I was actually in bed under the covers all day Fri and Sat and most of the day Sun. Yesterday we went out shopping for the wedding for a few hours, and I was exhausted last night. But this morning I made myself get up and exercise. This is the second major physical problem I have had in a month. I hope it's not a trend. I spent the last 3 days of our vacation time in bed, too, because of dehydration/dizziness. I'm going to get the flu shot as soon as I can.

Conner's 100% though. He's not having any part of me feeding him except that he still loves his hot cereal, so he puts up with me for about 10 minutes.

I am interviewing to teach a preschool music class for 2 hours three times a week this afternoon. I'm not sure if I'll take it,or if I'll be hired, but I'm hoping it is an opportunity to pull in a little money to help out with our budget. Anyone who is reading this, please offer up a prayer that God's will will be clear in this situation. I don't want to get overscheduled.

Kind of an off day for the Little Man

Conner is sick today, and all I did was hold him most of the day. He was only able to be consoled if I was rocking him, and even then, he was still miserable. So I didn't get much done, but I got a lot of snuggle time. Snuggle time doesn't burn many calories, though. I think I'm going to start going to Weight Watchers again. I need accountability with faces attached! I'm disappointed, because I was hoping to be a lot closer to my goal by Don's wedding, but I'm not. It only matters to me...Don Sr. tells me I'm more beautiful than ever. I told him I'm thankful for his poor eyesight! :) Don Jr. only has eyes for his sweet Elise, and she will be beautiful at the wedding, no doubt. She's beautiful every day. Well, I have almost a month....a busy month but a month!

I Found a Dress!

Well, this morning I got my dress! I'm taking a chance ordering it online, but I know that it will be flattering on me, as long as it is what it says it is. I can send it back. I also ordered my shoes, so I'm a little nervous. This whole weekend was about birthdays and the wedding, except for Sunday. We went to church at New Life at the last minute, because we were running late. (I woke up dizzy again...) It turned out to be what we've been calling a "God thing". Our neighbor was preaching, and his lesson was on what works to bring people to repentence. He went through all of the things that didn't work in the OT and new....people only immediately respond to miracles but forget. What works is God's love....He knows us...really knows us and loves us anyway. And that works. His love transforms us. That settled a lot of things for me. Also, we surprised Don and Elise, driving up behind them at church, and Marie, Andrew and Chris were there, my "adopted daughter" and family. Speaking of Marie and Andrew, we went to Andrew's second birthday party Sat. He was so cute....he got a drum set from his uncle, and we all circled up around him as he played it. He actually played it really well, beating the bass drum with his foot and using the drumsticks on the snare drums and cymbals. Then he would stop and wait for us to clap. Conner was sitting in his stroller taking it all in, so as soon as Andrew was ready to play with something else, I put Conner on the stool, and Andrew graciously handed him the drumsticks. Conner loved that.

Yesterday after church Don and I spent the day together....having fun. We ate at Red Robin, and I had a salmon sandwich on grain bread. It was really good. I can't remember what Don had...I was enjoying my salmon sandwich too much. :) After that we saw TRAITOR. That was a really good movie. I usually don't like that type of movie, but I was interested in the fact that it was Steve Martin's creation, and it was about Al Quaida sleeper cells. He evidently did a lot of research on this movie, and it was an accurate portrayal of how the terrorism network operated in our country and others. It wasn't graphically violent, but it was intense and interesting. After that Don and I went to Cub Run Rec center, and I worked out in the pool while Don lifted weights.

I woke up this morning at 6 when son Don was getting ready for work...and I had no dizziness...first day since our trip to the mountains. I started the laundry and washed up some dishes left for me by various sons and visitors who ate at our house last night...and didn't take care of their dishes. Oh well, the clock is ticking....soon I won't have any sons here to clean up after.....nope, still not too sentimental about that. But Sat. I felt it. I'm going to miss my early morning and early evening talks with son Don. I'm going to miss him coming in and making Conner's day by saying, "Hi, BAAABY!" and picking him up. Conner can't smile big enough to express how excited he always is to see Uncle Don come home from work.
But I can't wait for Don and Elise's wedding! They are such a great couple. I'm excited to see them start their life together. And I'm really happy to have another daughter-in-law! Have a happy Labor Day!