It's crunch time

Since my last post I have watched little 15 month old Jane shyly touch her new little brother on the cheek for the first time. I have heard Lane, the proud daddy, sing to his new little boy. I have stood by as Rachel fed and changed, fed and changed and crooned to her little son. And as I have said, the visit was worth every minute and mile to get there.

I got back to the homestead where Diana arrived, Dan arrived, Katie arrived, a shower was given, and all visitors departed. Then Julia and family packed up their household during the hottest week possible (116 on one day!). We cleaned bathrooms, washed walls. I transported kids for a sleep-over at grandma's. Their mom and dad dragged in the next day and collapsed. Four short days later the Smith family drove out of grandma's driveway for Boise. Alligator tears were shed.

After their departure I gathered up remnants of their stay crying more tears and then packed the stuff for the wedding in Utah. With a car filled to the gills with glass containers (for a candy buffet), sewing machines, mother of the bride dress, and organza up the kazoo I launch for the long drive to Utah. I had a book on CD to keep me company and only after arriving in Utah realized the irony of the title of my murder mystery. It is called 'Therapy'.

The last three days has been filled with preparations. The photo session for bridals was traumatic because the wedding dress wasn't altered correctly. We just pinned the tearful bride in and braved the camera. I deliver 80 (yes eighty) yards of organza to my dear friend and sister-in-law Louann who has made 110 sashes for chairs! . . in two days, no less! Mom has made trips scouring the area for candy. . . more, and yet more candy for the buffet. My sweet sisters are on standby to jump in at a seconds notice. They will be cleaning up details which will start cropping up.

I keep wondering how I can feel so calm after all of these weeks of hubbub and a wedding coming up fast. I wake up each morning so excited. I am just just shivering with the joy of this occasion. I am trying to stop and consciously looked around to make mental snapshots. Each day I see so much love in the people around me, especially in the eyes of the bride and groom when they look at each other.

Chirp, chirp, chirp. Happy, happy, happy! Bountious blessings.

The reception with it's sashed chairs, food, tuxedos and dresses is just a big party. The celebration of my heart will begin when I am sitting in the temple with my husband, parents, brothers and sisters, and each of my children to watch Diana and Dan kneel across the alter to join hands.

At this moment I am sitting in a room where I slept as a baby, in the room where I would watch for my sweetheart to cruise by in his hot Comero. In this room, I visualized a most wonderful life for myself. Today, I sit here writing about new little grandkids, a wedding celebration for my daughter and the chance to be in the temple with each member of my family.

I could never have imagined the blessings my life today. Blessings heaped upon blessings. Blessings poured out from the windows of heaven.