Monday in CA

We slept in this a.m.

We had another person show up trying to serve the past occupants of our home.

The highlight of the day was springing Yuuki from the Doggie Prison Hotel. She was VERY appreciative!

I don't know that I'd ever seen her so happy to see Michael and me. She jumped, she danced, her tail wagged like a wild whirlybird.....

She repeated the scene when she saw our house and then the kids. They had her on a special sensitive stomach diet and said she didn't throw up once....so we bought some and will see if this helps her "issues."

This afternoon we went to see Plane.  We picked up our mail box keys and the mail that had collected while we were gone. Lots of wall decals. ::snort::

We discovered Winco - and I experience quite a bit of culture shock. I've decided not to say more until I can process it a bit better. I was not appreciative of the attention one or two of our daughters garnered. I smiled big when Stacia broke into chorus' of "Jesus Loves Me" as we walked through the gauntlet. ::snort::

We've enjoyed having Bre with us today.

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

More Wedding Photos

Julie, my sister friend from WA, shared photos she took at the wedding.  Her perspective was different from others. I'm thankful to all who took photos and shared. 

Practicing coming down the stairs before the wedding - KICK - step - nice and slow

Some may be wondering about the black hair fripperies....Arielle and I purchased them in Korea. We weren't sure we'd wear them but in the end decided it was a fun touch. Hats were essential formal wear in the 1940's.

Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles were escorted in to their seat. Then our daughters. Michael and I began the procession down the stairs. This is a beautiful, historic hotel.

Then came groomsmen - Julie got some good ones of our sons

Nolan 

Zander - so determined to get this right - and he did

Jared 

Jamin - Best Man 

Josiah as Groom 

 Stacia was very intent on walking to the beat, getting down the stairs, and flinging flowers. Being in this wedding will be a treasured memory for her. She loved everything: dress shopping, wearing grown up jewelry, hair fussing and the ceremony. She WAS nervous. 

Shelby's parents walk her down to Josiah

A charge

Josiah reads his vows - Phil 2 - good passage son! 

Shelby reads her vows - Monopoly wars to continue in this branch of the Gherkin family me thinks

Mandy and I light candles (Josiah in the front) table and then groomsmen

Josiah and Shelby light unity candle

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

Back in CA

797 miles today! 13.5 hours - it was a painfully long day,  but we're "home." It really doesn't feel like home. My heart didn't want to leave TX....but I know within weeks this WILL feel like home....and it never really feels like home until we have visitors. BreAnne is here - but we haven't been here while she's been here (we've been traveling).  She will be here two more days - maybe it will feel like home by Wed. when she leaves and our household goods arrive. ::snort:: 

We made two major discoveries today. We WANT to go back with the trailer to the Flagstaff area and explore for a week or two. It's a long days drive away - but we proved we CAN do it in a day. Two days if I drive it alone with the kids. ::grin::

The second discovery is that the Mojave Desert is EXPANSIVE. It goes on forever.....we found the white sands of CA.

The sun shining brightly made the sand sparkle. I was surprised to see how many mountains are out here.  This sign creeped out the girls. 

It was fun to drive through parts of CA the kids and I have not driven through before. We have much to explore in the next couple of years. 

Now we're back in Northern CA and enjoying SITTING and playing Stacia's Princess Candyland. Michael tromped me in Acey Deucey.  

Shoot! The spa's chlorine level is still so high we can't use it tonight. LOL

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

Cali or Bust!

The day began early when I said goodbye to Mom and Dad and Beth and Julie. An hour later we said goodbye to Krista and left the hotel. Krista stayed until check out and is spending a couple of days with Jamin and Jared. 

These girls are ROWDY sleepers

 Jamin and Jared left their own special goodbye for us to discover. 

Our goal is to do the three day trip back to CA in two days. Today we drove 836 miles (and change); 14.5 hours and ended up in Flagstaff, AZ. We are going to plan a trip to come back and spend a week or two exploring this area before we leave CA. 

It's always a bit "iffy" to pick a hotel sight unseen. We've done well with Comfort Inns and Suites....they were full. We booked quality. This sign may have been a hint.... ::snort:: 

The girls have christened this the "cute retro hotel"....Michael points out it appears to be an old Holiday Inn....and I am pulling out the Clorox wipes....BUT they ARE incredibly friendly and helpful and the location is great for travelers. 

We have another 800 miles and change to drive tomorrow. I'll have to blog about our final day in TX another day. LOL

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

GHERKIN WEDDING!!!!

Finally - wedding day! It was a gorgeous wedding. Elegant.  

There isn't a lot of time to corral thoughts....we are thrilled to have a new Gherkin! The wedding was beautiful. We are excited they are beginning their marriage with an Alaskan cruise. 

Several are sharing photos....here are some of the ones I have as of this point in time. The photographer said she'll be sending a disc and so I'm sure there will be much better photos to share....but I know many of you are looking forward to seeing some photos.  Since these came from a variety of cameras, they won't be in order. I don't have that much time.

The day in  a nutshell. We primped and preened. The boys needed to be at a park for a photo shoot. We had lunch with Beth and Julie. We went back to the hotel to primp and preen for real. We went to a wedding. The gals, my Mom, Debbie and I went shopping for Stacia's birthday. Michael and Steve ran around town trying to locate a copy machine. They needed to leave a copy of the marriage license in Josiah's car. They are traveling through another country and all Shelby's travel documents say her last name...anyway the travel agent wanted to be sure they had it.....the older groomsmen went to decorate Josiah's car. The younger groomsmen and flower girl watched a movie with gramps.

Michael and I talked until after 1:00 a.m. Bre and I talked until 3:00 a.m. I slept until 7:30 and am up. LOL

Groomsmen @ the park ~ Pre-wedding Primping

The lady at the breakfast bar here in the hotel helped us figure out how to do Stacia's hair without a bumpkin This is not a good photo of Krista but it was she and Arielle who did wonders with every one's hair and I wanted her in a photo.

This was the sobering moment for this mama. She looked so GROWN UP and I realized she'll be 18 in 10 short years. It's a new season we've entered....some call it an "empty nest"....I'm sure it is....but it feels like losing AND gaining. There will be new Gherkins....some of the Gherkins will take new names....a new generation to invest in and love on.....this photo brought home to me how quick that time will come.

We're often not sure what is lighting his imagination - but we're happy to give him space...he is doing so well with the "crowded family" God put him into. LOL 

Various shots in no order, from three cameras, taken once we arrived at The Cactus. Before someone notes - there are no photos of Michael and I coming down the stairs as all the ones we have are blurry. LOL 

My parents and the boys

My parents and the girls

My parents and the groom

 Love this shot....one groomsmen is missing....but these guys and Stacia make a priceless photo to me. Stacia was born shortly after we arrived at Goodfellow 8 years ago. We became fast friends with Steve, Debbie and their boys and have photos of these boys together from when they were very young and Stacia was a baby....fun to see the friendships in tact as they enter new seasons of life...college, dating, weddings....and I was THRILLED for the "glitch" which allowed Steve and Debbie to share the day with us.

 

My sister friends from college. I am totally thrilled, humbled and excited that they traveled all the way to TX to share this day with us. 

Groomsmen, flower girls and Michael & I waited above

Shocked @ the difference a touch of makeup made for Arielle

The stairs all came down - and no one tripped! 

 I don't have a picture of G'ma Brown...but loved talking with her husband, Bob. We discovered mutual friends. 

Ah genetics, take my photo, but expect a bit of hamming now and again! 

This moment made me choke up and sent me scurrying for a camera. Jamin asked the groomsmen to circle up and they talked and all prayed for Josiah and Shelby and their marriage. Mama's heart is at peace.

Loved the moose on the groom's cake

 

Candy bar was a hit - as was the coke toast

Practicing the stairs

 Note my dress - I don't think I looked like I was in mourning. I worried about this as I know the tradition and so I took the precaution of having my dress Shelby approved.

We wait above and spot old friends....such fun. 

My favorite Mr. Goecker

Grandparents and girls

Josiah sees Shelby

Should I? 

Josiah and sisters

Greeting friends from above

Our oldest and youngest - beautiful 

 

First dance

Fun to see Raths

Dear friends from Goodfellow AFB

Only photo I got of Zeschs....waiting for departure

 

 Heading out - stopping for hugs - Shelby and her mother

Michael and couple - note me with camera on the other side. LOL 

LOVE that Michael got in their face and got this photo

The groomsmen were asked not to decorate the getaway car - it was Shelby's moms or parents. They love Josiah and Shelby and are pretty well-mannered young men - so they didn't. But while Michael and Steven ran around town looking for copy machines - they decorated Cy's car. Evidently they don't teach spelling at ASU. ::snort:: ::gasp:: 

If there were "just a blog" I would not share this many photos. As it's a family journal - and a written for our family history and our family like friends - I will leave all these photos....and I'll shamelessly add more as I receive them. LOL 

I'm sure Michael will write a more eloquent post....my job is photos. ::snort:: 

I can't say it real pretty - but I'm thrilled to wake up this a.m. and know Mr. & Mrs. Josiah and Shelby Goecker are winging their way to Candada and Alaska.

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