Here Comes The Bride

I'm baaaaaaack.  With an apology for being MIA for so long.  I've been visiting your blogs but neglecting mine.  I usually don't make New Years resolutions but, this year I did; and it's to post here more often.  I love to take photos and share them and I love to write but, I'm way behind. I got so behind that I didn't know where to start so I just avoided posting and got more behind.   Life has been happening at a frantic pace and I have barely been keeping up.  Lets see, what to post about first?  How about love?  My favorite subject.  There was a lot of it around our place in 2011.  My daughter Kate got engaged in February to her college sweetheart Justin.

It started off with a lot of this.

And this.

Which led to this.

They both graduated University in Texas then moved back to their respective homes, his in Albuquerque, New Mexico and hers in San Diego, California.  Then they burned up the phone lines and spent all their money on plane fare.  Last February Justin planned a sweet and romantic proposal and this November they sealed the deal with a beautiful Nuptial Mass where they were united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony at our home parish.

They say it never rains in Southern California but, when it rains on your wedding day we Irish believe it's good luck.  It rained from early AM to late PM.  The sunroof in my car leaked. I stepped in a deep puddle in the parking lot and spent the entire evening soaking wet. But, this couple is going to be VERY lucky because my Kate took it all in stride.  She was the consummate mello bride and set the tone for all of us.

My sons Cooper and Dylan escorted me to my seat. No tears yet.

My handsome and proud hubby walking his precious daughter down the aisle.  Isn't her dress beautiful?  And her bouquet?  And her beaming smile?

This beautiful sapphire and pearl neckless has been worn by every bride in my husbands family since his great grandmother.  I remember how honored I felt to wear it when we were married, and now two of my daughters have worn it as well.  It also covers the something old and something blue adage.

Do you remember Honey Heart? While trying to describe how much he loves his new baby sister to me, my youngest grandson who was four at the time said, "Grammy, I just love my new baby so much, sometimes I call her Honey Heart."  This is Abigail Rose all dressed up for her Auntie's wedding.  Her handsome escort is her daddy.

 In my last post  "It All Started With A Recycled Wedding Dress"  I shared about how I made the ring bearer pillow out of my old wedding dress.  Here it is, and here are the hooligans very reverent, aHem; hooligans full of shenanigans, who had the very important responsibility of carrying the rings.  Really, who are we kidding here, just take a look at those faces.  Who wouldn't trust them with their cherished jewelry?

 These are my daughters, Tara, Kate and Maggie.  All as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.

Ya'll would have been proud of me.  I didn't cry all day.  (But, as my husband has pointed out, I've made up for it since.) On my daughters wedding day though, I was so sleep deprived from 9 months of wedding planning, terrified because I had to leave my cocoon, and hysterical because my baby was leaving me for good, cool, calm, and collected.  And in case you were wondering, since I've spoken about the fact that 99 percent of my shoe wardrobe is flip flops, I am proud to announce my friends, I kept my big girl heels on and danced my heart out in them all night long!

Why oh why do women do this to themselves?

Baby sister Maggie.  I loved the bridesmaids bouquets, so cheery!

Our little Emma was her Auntie's flower girl and she did an impeccable job.

These are Kate's new sisters-in-law.  They are sweet and adorable and also served as bridesmaids.  Not only that, they know how to tear up the dance floor!

They were a huge help with wedding planning, choosing the dresses and making sure that all five girls got one in their size. On sale too! I hate shopping so they're were my heros.

We got lucky in the in-law department.  Justin's family is so much fun, extremely generous and they love our daughter.  What more could you ask for when you join families?

This is my family with my five originals and our two sons-in-law.  I can only hope that my last three find spouses as spectacular as my first two have. They've set the bar pretty high!

With Gods Grace and through the sacrament of their marriage may these two give me many grand babies live happily ever after... Give me many grand babies.

Amen

Now, your sunset photo for the night to top off the jump into my New Years resolution to post more often.  Because you know I love ya, and life is good.

BLESSINGS FOR AN AMAZING, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FILLED WITH ALL THAT YOU LOVE.

TIA