Happy Valentines Day

No need to tell me how slow I am at getting caught up on the blog.  It's been a wild and sometimes fun time.  I spent a lot of time getting things ready for the wedding for this last weekend.  Why is it that no matter what you do, things seem to take a turn...in different directions than what you planned?  No need for details...just finally got the flowers done.  Never found the arch we use, but did without it.  More photos later.

Abbie, being Abbie, gave us some laughs.  She didn't laugh, but the situation was only an "Abbie-ism".  She had already lost a bottom tooth.  Really proud of that!  Then one day at school, they were playing outside.  No idea what the game was, but she had her eyes closed and had to "get" one of the kids.  With eyes closed, she ran right into a tree... now maybe that would be so bad, except for the scrapes on her face, but she knocked her top front tooth out, so she hit HARD!  After the pain and tears, she is now proud of another blank spot in her mouth.  That picture to follow, too.

Don has been kept really busy hauling sand and gravel for a team coming in for a pastor.  We are talking 12 loads of each.  He can average about 3 or 4 a day.  Plus he has had to haul the lumber, cement, iron, and all the other things needed.  I think he would enjoy a few days off from the bumping on those roads.  It's funny, because the pastor and his head elder took turns riding with Don.  Neither one wanted to make all the trips.  But Don was also able to help out a family (grandparents, kids, grand kids, and great grand kids) in the area where he gets the sand and gravel.  Thanks to a friend in our home town, he also gave them some clothing and shoes.  And some candy for the kids, too.  The head elder thought that was really something for Don to do that for them.  He has used this same family to buy from for years, and he said the needs there are so great.  Pictures posted before showed some of that family.

And then there is Savanah....what a trip this kiddo is.  I wish I could capture her laugh on video.  She is so funny.  And she laughs a lot.  I think she thinks Abbie was created just for her entertainment.  Of course Abbie soaks all that up and loves it.  In a few days Savanah will be 4 months old...wow...she is growing fast.  She weighs in at 13 pounds now.  I forgot how quickly the kids outgrow clothes at this age.  I'll try to get some pictures of her soon to share.

Now to the wedding.  This was a unique wedding for here in our area.  They did not invite anyone...I mean ANYONE.  Just told people when they would get married.  And the second thing that was unique, they didn't have a reception.  Many people who don't even know the couple will show up for the food afterward.  I would guess between 250 and 300 showed up.  And many were shocked when there was nothing to eat.  But it was a beautiful wedding.  And Abbie was flower girl.  She takes her job very seriously.  A joy for us was when Emmaul, one of "our kids", who lives in Chicago, showed up.  he said he couldn't miss Ruben and Phanie's wedding.  It really was wonderful to see him again.  Just wish his family could have come along.

Okay, now on to the pictures....

Here is Abbie, minus two teeth...

 And the cake for the wedding...Kathy and Alice made this (this does not get shared with the people, this goes to the wedding party)...

 The flowers, such as they are (minus the personal flowers)....

 Abbie as flower girl...

 King and Queen (Don't ask...never had this one before) with the junior bride and groom and flower girl...

 And the wedding party... Aren't they wonderful?  That's Maren (Godmother), groom, bride and Paren (Godfather)...

 Okay, well, that's it for now...hope your Valentine's day is super nice.  But above all that commercialism, how about centering on God's love for you?  And YOUR love for Him....I hope it's a strong relationship between you and the Lord!!
Blessings!