Great Day

The boys bought these shirts when they were in Moab, UT for the Bachelor Trip. I love them.  We welcomed Krista to TX. We welcomed Beth and Julie (my college sister friends) to TX.  We did a bit of last minute shopping. We picked up suits and dresses. Some of us got haircuts and eyebrow waxes.

 The highlight of the day was the wedding rehearsal and dinner.

Shelby asked Bre to step in for the practice so she could watch 

Groomsmen deciding how they were comfortable holding their hands

No, Jamin...the rings are not a Frisbee.  Love it. 

Group shot at dinner

Beth, my Dad, Julie, my Mom 

These girls are tired

Shelby showed us an Audry Hepburn type style she'd like for Stacia's hair - we practiced. 

Photo didn't show the back so Arielle played

A bunch of us met in the lobby. We were going to play games but ended up talking, laughing, sharing memories and making new memories. I am so happy to have Beth, Julie and Steve and Debbie here to celebrate with our family.

The girls did nails late into the night

Josiah asked us to walk out with him and we chatted and prayed together. Great fun. Tomorrow he will be a "mister" and we'll have a new daughter.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~,Coram Deo
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Prep Week

We've simply been enjoying family time, taking care of little details we need to do before "the wedding," and catching up with friends as we can flex it in. 

How good is God for Steve and Debbie to be in the same HOTEL we are in before they move to DC? We all went out to dinner last night...but Debbie and I were able to catch breakfast together this a.m. too. AND due to a "glitch" in their moving schedule they will be here for the wedding after all. Their two sons are the only groomsmen who aren't family. 

Yesterday all my kids met with their matches from a dear family friends...Ashely came as well....so all the kids are sure to have had a bit of time with their buds....and Deja and I got to catch up face to face as well. That was a power play date at it's best. 

Today.....Michael went to the base and caught up with one of his group commanders who is now the wing commander at Goodfellow. He also checked the "lemon lot" for a car. 

I did laundry. 

Josiah took Arielle and Bre over to visit with Shelby and her Mother as they had their nails done. She's going to be a gorgeous bride. 

We took the boys to try on their suits. It's been a bit of a challenge to coordinate measurements from Japan and sure enough - several alterations are needed. I love the suits. These guys are going to look spiffy when they are all ready to go! 

I warned them if they didn't come out, I was coming in...and then I did. ::snort:: 

Zander really wants to wear a fedora - but he isn't going to. ::grin:: 

Nolan looked sharp - except the sleeves were way too short. 

We went to see Despicable Me 2 while we waited for my parents to arrive....and then we waited in their hotel room to surprise them.

Tomorrow Krista arrives.....

One day and a wake up - getting very excited about "the wedding."

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Road Trip with the Gherkins

What does a family do for three days on the road? THIS family gets a bit slap happy. It's a family joke that I need to stop often (I HAVE had nine children).

Day 3 and I told Michael I needed the next rest area or spot with a bathroom and Arielle broke into song, "I like to potty, potty..." and it went downhill from there.....GREAT fun!

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Traveling

We had a misunderstanding. Michael said we were leaving at 0630...BRE was up and ready to go at 0620. Michael was JOKING. So Bre and I were ready.....but we didn't leave until about 0930. Arielle caught the joke, the boys and Stacia sleep until we push them out of bed.

This was the sign we saw most the day....no points of interest ahead! ::snort::  We got a late start but we're in Henderson, NV..... Some sights from the day....

Beautiful California area - we'll be camping soon

Reno

Sleep and an "early" start on the slate for tomorrow. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Bre made it!

She's here....nine hours and change... Stacia is giving her the "detours" aka "tour." 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Making a Room

Yuuki loves to sit and lay on the steps leading to the spa

Culture shock - ordered this YESTERDAY and it arrived today. We don't even have a mailbox key yet. 

Michael and I ran to the post office to pick up our mail. We had a HUMONGOUS stack....turns out they were to eight different people who supposedly lived at this address. Hmmm. We DID get a few fliers to the current resident and I'm counting that as mail to our new home. ::snort::

When we got home the kids took all the seats out of the van. We had spent the day packing. Yuuki seemed to know something was up.

 It was. We took her to visit her new vet. We really liked the group of ladies and the vet loved that Yuuki was just in from Japan.

Vegan meals like this too many more days and I'm bound to get fluffy! 

We stopped by Sam's and loaded a futon and two recliners into the back of the van. The timing is odd with us leaving...but we had decided a futon would be good to have when our parents visit so they don't have to navigate the stairs. Bre is due ANY TIME and will need to sleep somewhere tonight.

Arielle got really silly. We expected Bre about 8:00 p.m. It is now 9:19 p.m. She called at 7:45 and was two hours out. 

Yep, the silliness led to this....

Nolan enjoys the benefit of his work

I had commented to Mandy that I hoped the younger two would love all the boxes when we unpack but may be too old to enjoy on our next move......look at this...."Mom, I made a sword and a shield!"

Arielle tries out the Grannie Bed - note all the furniture is gigantic and I can't touch the floor any longer. I'm not in Japan any longer. 

See the pile of boxes......they are dreaming of what they're going to build. Zander (Alex) asked if he can bring some on the trip. They are going to love all the boxes in a couple of weeks. ::snort:: 

Still waiting for BreAnne to arrive. Moving cardboard to garage, bracing windows, packing suitcases...waiting for Bre. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Arielle's Handiwork

Arielle must be feeling a bit better the last couple of days - she's doing Stacia's hair again. This one is a bun, wrapped in a lace braid.

This one has four braids which meet at the bun.....and she tells me she can't do my hair! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...