Happy Happy...

this is usually followed by Birthday from our very special Gigi! Today however I am going to follow it up by ANNIVERSARY!!! Today is Gigi and Granddaddy's 58th wedding anniversary! Wow 58 years, that is amazing. We had dinner recently with them to celebrate Andy's birthday. Granddaddy said that he and Gigi agreed to be married 50 year and now they are just month to month. Andy and I just about died laughing. I guess that is how they do it. They keep on laughing.

Gigi and Granddaddy,

We love you so much and feel so lucky to have you in our lives. You are an inspiration to all of us and we want you to know how much we love you individually and together as our grandparents. We could not wish for anything better. We love our dinners at Sullivan's, our birthday poems, hikes in the mountains, family gatherings, watching you clog, and walking me down the isle. There are so many memories!!! We love you, thank you for being the wonderful grandparents to all 14 of us!!

love always,

Karma

So I promise to put up some pictures from Andy's birthday at the beach. We had a wonderful trip and I just put the pictures on my computer and realized that there were some good ones. So that will be the next post.

Today's post is about karma and how it came back to bite me. So last Thursday Andy and I had Reece. She was wonderful and we had so much fun. Tori was at a dinner so when I took Reece home for a bath, Tori was not back yet. When we got to the house I waked to Reece's car door and got her out and then got her car seat out. (Here is a shout out. If anyone has a car seat that they are no longer using, please let me know. I would love to "borrow" it for the days that I keep Reece so we will not have to switch out the car seat anymore. It is a pain.) I had Reece in one arm and I was carrying the car seat with the other. Walking through Tori's yard I saw that someone had put a rubber snake in her yard. Funny joke, and I was not amused. I stepped over it and walked to the porch. Just as I set the car seat down I thought, was that really a rubber snake? Now do you remember this post:

http://twobroomes.blogspot.com/2008/05/bugs-bugs-everywhere-and-no-where-for.html

So I go back to the rubber snake and it looks like just that, a rubber snake. So I kicked it. Did you hear me? I KICKED IT! The darn thing turned around and looked at me. Yep, it was NOT a rubber snake but a real one!!!! I screamed the S-word (a couple of times) and took off running with Reece in my arms. We ran straight into the driveway only to run into a dead squirrel. (Thankfully Scott came over and took care of the squirrel for Tori! Thanks Scott!) Then I ran to my car. Not sure what I was going to do there but I had to collect myself. Once I calmed down, Reece and I ran back to the house and quickly closed the door.

Once inside I gave Reece a bath and put her to bed. When Tori got home I had to tell her that I cussed in front of Reece and that I felt bad. Reece did not repeat it, but I don't want to be a bad example for her. Tori said it was fine and was definitely more concerned about the fact that there was a snake in her yard. I was just glad that it was in her yard and not mine and in a few minutes I was going to head back to my house-a snake free zone!

I got home and told Andy the story. He laughed and told me that it is silly of me to be so scared. Blah, blah, blah. I am scared, still.

Well on Sunday morning, Andy and I got up to go to early church so that we could head on up to the Mountains to go tubing with his family. As I was getting dressed he called me to put something on and come outside. I quickly grabbed my robe and followed him out of the garage to the front of our house. He told me to walk up on the porch. I didn't, but said, "what is up there." I was thinking that there was a HUGE spider and we all know how I feel about spiders. This is what I saw.

Can you see it? Let me get you a little closer...

Sill can't see it? Hmm, what about now...?

I know, I know, can you believe it. A SNAKE AT MY HOUSE, the snake-free zone. A string of cuss words flew from my mouth because I was so scared and I was standing a good 40 feet away. Andy just laughed, but he walked out the front door moments before and when he was walking back in this is what he saw. He said that it surprised him and he jumped when he first saw it. I tried to get him to kill it but he went on and on about how it would kill mice and that was better. I don't want spiders, crickets, mice and especially SNAKES at my house. None, not one please. The snake was resting on the lip of our porch and coming down the brick of our house. I have chills just writing this.

I had to go back inside to get ready and when we left for church 20 min later this is what we saw. It was moving closer to our door. I just about had a heart attack. We just left it and I prayed that it would not get in our house. Andy said that he thinks that it was about 5 feet long stretched out. That is just a 1/2 a foot shorter than me. So gross!

A few weeks ago I mentioned on a post about nesting. Well, Andy and I have two ferns that hang on our porch. You can see them above. Well a Robin had made a nest and laid some eggs in the nest and we were checking them daily to see if they had hatched. Well one morning I got up and the eggs had fallen out of the nest and some were broken on the porch. I called Andy to tell him the bad news. I was so sad. I thought that maybe one of the storms that came threw tossed them out of the nest, although we did see some feathers scattered. Well, thanks to our little visitor we now think we know what happened. This guy got our eggs. The worst part about thinking that this snake got the eggs is that this means that he has been to our house before, AND IS BACK! Eek! I do not like the sound of that.

So if anyone knows of a good snake exterminator, let me know!!! I cannot live in fear of walking on my porch, like I have been for the last 24 hours. I made Andy check everywhere before I walked up there yesterday. I ran off of it this morning once I locked the door.

I hope you all have a great week and don't run into any snakes!!!

Love always,

Reece

So, once a week Andy and I get to take care of this little doll...

Is she not the cutest thing you have EVER seen. She is so much fun and SO good. She hardly ever cries and is happy and smiles all the time for me. We pick her up for daycare and bring her to our house where we play, feed her (sometimes we let her feed herself),give her a bath, get her pj's on and then we take her home to mom. This is so she has a chance to have some Mom time during the week while Dad is overseas. We love doing it more than I think that Tori enjoys a few moments off. It is so precious to get to spend time with her and let her get to know us.

Check out those curls, so cute!!

This is one that I got of the two of us. Not the best picture and I will work on that, but I love it all the same.

promises of wedding day pictures

I really should not make blog promises. Here the pictures are a day late. Their story begins here with a day that we will never forget. This is the beginning of a lifetime together... as one. To Scott and Megan!!!

The morning started off with everyone getting their make-up done. Here is Megan with Patty (I went to high school with Patty and it was nice to catch up with her for a bit. She was awesome!!!)

Here is Danielle putting on Cally's make-up. If you can't afford Patty call Danielle. She is equally as awesome!
Here is Amy getting ready! I think that she will go on record this day as taking the longest to get ready. She got her make-up done and then she was interrupted, got hair done followed by more interruptions, finally she was about to get dressed up and you guessed it, more interruptions! It was well worth the wait. She looked beautiful!!!
Here is a sneak peak of the dress. The sweet sisters!!

Hair time!!!!

Now that Meg is ready she was loaded up in the photographer's car and off to take some pictures. I will not lie. This made me so nervous, but make for a great picture. The day was beautiful as was Megan.
After pictures we went back to the cabin where Cally gave Megan a gift. Cally had collected letters from all of Megan's friends and made a book with tons of pictures. It was so thoughtful and sweet. Here she is checking out the book.
Pictures in the cabin!! Me, Hayes, Megan, Cally and Danielle.
Here is Megan with the ring bearers Hayden and Hunter. So cute!!
Mr. and Mrs. Broome also known as Amy and Bill. These are Meg's parents just getting the finishing touches on. I told you that Amy looked beautiful and Bill was so handsome! What a cute couple!!!Just about this time it got a little dark and windy outside. Just as we began praying it started to rain and rain hard. Here we all are gathered around Megan praying for the rain to stop but most importantly praying for Scott and Megan and their marriage. This day was not going to be dampened with a little rain. I am going to mention that once it was raining, we were told in a not so nice way that there was not going to be any way that Megan and Scott could get married outside even if the rain stopped. I wish that I could have video taped the events following this. Megan's family (brothers, sister, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and even some vendors) all went to bat for Megan. They stood their ground and fought for Megan to have the day that she dreamed of. We did end up having it inside, but not before we all got to see how much everyone loved Scott and Megan. I will never forget seeing people running through the rain, without even thinking about it, to make sure that all was going to be done for Meg. Our family is fiercely loyal and protective of our own. :)

To brighten Megan's mood someone put on some music and all of the people in the cabin started to sing to Megan. It was sweet and funny and got her smiling again!!!
From here we went to the inside venue. Megan and Scott got married in a beautiful ceremony filled with a room full of people who love them so much. Andy said that he looked out and saw about 30 women crying. I was one. This last picture might be my favorite of the day. Here Scott and Megan are in their first dance. One that for a moment we did not think was going to happen because there was no power when we got to reception hall. It was a stressful moment, but eventually the power did come on and they were able to have their first dance as man and wife. I love how their heads are together. I can just feel the peace that they feel when they are in each other's arms. So happy, calm and secure. Every time I look at this picture I tear up.
I fell like I have said it a thousand times, but I will gladly say it a thousand more. We love you Scott and Megan and can't wait for the lifetime of memories that we will share in the future. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and love.

love always,

rehearsal and wedding

So Megan and Scott did get married and we could not be happier to have a new member in our family. The rest of the rundown is as follows:


On Friday we had the bridesmaid luncheon. It was lovely and hosted by Aunt Jenny, Meme, Hayes and Beth. Such sweet members of our family and one that I feel like should be a member of our family. (I don't say that lightly!!!) The weather was beautiful and we took some pictures on on the patio overlooking the river. Stunning!


Here is the bride with her bridesmaids!!!



Here is one of the tables. Check out those flowers, Aunt Jan really outdid herself all weekend long!

Cally with the beautiful Beth Anderson!


Hayes, Meme and Aunt Jenny!


Cousins!!!!





Then it was off to get the programs ready for the next day and then it was off to the rehearsal. The weather remained perfect and the rehearsal went off without a hitch. Here are some pictures of it.

We started off with a quick prayer...

Then down to business. First Cally, she is just too cute!!!

Here are the ring bearers. These three were too funny all weekend long.

Then for the bride and her handsome father. He was happy, I think I caught the one moment where he was not smiling. (Oh, and that hat, it had various pictures of Megan on it all weekend, he is so thoughtful and sweet! Also check out that bow plate!!!!!)

Here is the whole wedding party making sure that they all are in the right place.

Here are Megan's handsome brothers. I am pretty fond of the one on the right. Here are Scott and Megan leaving as a pretend married couple. Just a little over 24 hours later they were really hitched!!!!

Here are Meme and Gigi, grandmother's extraordinaire!

Here is Hayden, one of the ring bearers. We asked to take his picture and say, "dead fish sandwich." This was what we got. Love those rosy cheeks!

Next it was off to the rehearsal dinner. It was at this really cool place and it was great to finally see all of Andy's extended family. I was so busy talking that I only got a few pictures, can you believe that!!! Shocking I know.

Here is Megan with Uncle Bartlette and Uncle Donnie.



Here is Todd about to give Megan the best foot massage that she has ever had. Let's just say she was glad that she was able to walk down the isle the next day with all the bruising he caused!!!


Here are the siblings making sure that Scott knows what he is getting into. It was funny to watch!

Here is the happy couple. Love them both so much!

Tomorrow I promise wedding pictures. I was an eventful day. One filled with tears, joy, laughter, sun and rain. It was amazing to I was honored to be there... stay tuned!!

Fiercely Loyal

We went to the beach last week. I have much to post, the rest of the wedding, my dear sweet husband's birthday, father's day, and the beach. I will get to all of it, I promise.

While we were at the beach. Megan's photographer put up some pictures on her blog. Most of you have probably seen them. My favorite quote from the blog is, "Megan and Scott's wedding was such an amazing experience... they have this incredible support group including tons of fiercely loyal, protective and supportive friends and family surrounding them and you can tell how much they were and are so, so loved by every person at that wedding." I think that this was an understatement from this day. I will tell you all about it tomorrow, but for now here is the link to the pictures.

Megan was beautiful. I love the one with Scott and his groomsmen because my dear sweet husband looks so handsome, even blurry!!!

Enjoy!

http://jennieandrewsphoto.blogspot.com/2009/06/cantrell-story-megan-and-scott.html

love always,

interruption

I would like to interrupt these wedding posts to wish the BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD a happy birthday.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Mama,

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

I love you so much.

I really do think that I have the BEST mom in the world and I know some GOOD mothers. My mom is special, she is the best. Here are a few reasons why:

1. My mom is always kind to everyone that crosses her path.

2. My mom loves with her whole heart, I don't think that she knows any other way.

3. My mom is beautiful, and gets more beautiful each year!!!

4. My mom is always there for me, even when I am a brat.

5. My mom is the most forgiving person I know. I am in awe.

6. My mom loves being a mother and loves all of my friends as if they were her own.

7. My mom has the greatest laugh. I love to hear her laugh especially when we laugh at inappropriate times. Mom, remember the "Nun in church."

8. My mom is the perfect combination of a southern belle and a modern woman.

9. My mom stands for what she believes in and will not back down, but she will love you through your differences.

10. My mom would go to the end of the earth for me, and I have never doubted it.

11. My mom takes great happiness in seeing other people happy.

12. My mom has made many sacrifices for me, I never wanted for anything, she has never complained.

13. My mom has great strength both physically (her tiny 5'3" frame will surprise you) and emotionally.

14. My mom can talk to anyone. She finds common ground (usually she knows someone you know) with every stranger she meets.

15. My mom has become passionate about sports that at one time she knew nothing about(soccer and basketball) just because I loved them.

16. My mom is very protective of those she loves. You better watch out and not make her mad! Hee hee!

17. My mom taught me that experiences, and adventures are much more important than material things and for that I am forever grateful.

18. My mom is loved by so many people because she takes time to get to know people and to love them. She touches lives everyday and doesn't even know it. I love you mom and so do so many.

19. My mom is awesome and when I find myself doing thing like she does, I love it and it make me so happy. example: When I was little she used to talk to strangers in the check out line at the grocery store. I would get so embarrassed. Now when I talk to someone in line, I just smile to myself because I know where I got it from and hope that it embarrasses my children someday!

Mama,

You are the best. You taught me well. I love you to the end of the earth and back! I hope that you have a wonderful birthday!

Hugs and kisses,

Cameron