Happy 2013! Yes, Happy!

I have had many thoughts over the past few days about this new year.  I am sure you have as well.  Sorry my last post was a downer - just call me Debbie - the Downer, that is.  I am working on that!

2012 was a year of growth and challenges, of joy and fun.  The best things about 2012 would be:

~We were blessed with a wonderful vacation with all five of us to Emerald Isle, North Carolina.  We stayed in a nice home right next to the beach.  We love love loved it.  I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Dang- a few of us are getting chubby.... gotta work on that!

~ I was able to serve the wonderful women of the Columbia Stake in many ways.  One of the most favorite would be planning our Women's Conference held in April.  WOW - what work that was!  Many sisters enjoyed it, and that is the point.

~ I went to "Time out For Women" with my good friends Carrie and Diane.  Tons of fun there, I tell ya!

~I visited Arizona and helped my niece recover from surgery by helping to take care of her little adorable baby girl. She recovered quickly and we had lots of play time!  I loved being with my nieces and nephews and their families.  They are such a joy.

~Hubby and I went on a 28th Wedding Anniversary trip to a lovely place in Virginia.  It was a pleasant get-away together.  L and I went to a family homestead in New York.  See that same blog post for information.

~I finished a couple of quilts.  I should have finished more - I will do that THIS year!

~We spent Thanksgiving with family in Tennessee.  YAY!

~I supported Hubby through two minor surgeries.  He is becoming quite a good patient!

~We worked on a lot of home improvements!  We are almost done with the necessaries.

~I have gotten to play in the Nursery at church on Sundays now for a couple of months.  THAT is pure fun with those little angels - well, except when a few are crying, but they are learning and getting over it and that is a blessing!  They are so dear!

~I discovered The Pioneer Woman.  I shall blog about her soon.  I love her.  I think I mentioned that.

~My teeny small business runs well and grows without me trying to grow it.  That is cool.

~I spent lots of wonderful time with my daughter sewing, laughing, and working on projects.  We gained a love for the TV shows Castle and Dr. Who.  In spite of her health problems, she is still a joy to me in so many ways.

~I discovered SongPop!  Oh my....do you  know that game?  It's too much fun.

~Christmas was fantastic.  B and B were home with us. I got spoiled. Hubby does that.  I love him.

So, there are some blessings!  Wow - I feel so  much better.  I should count the joy more often.  Yes, I think I shall.

But you'll have have to WAIT a little while for more of that!

Finally, my thoughts and photos of THE Wedding Happenings

I am not sure why I've delayed this so long.  I guess I needed a little time to process the events, the challenges, and the unmeasured joy!

Groom's Dinner:  We had a lot of family traveling to Utah to support us in this glorious day.  So, we decided to have a Groom's Dinner the night before the wedding.  It was held in downtown Salt Lake City at Brigham Apartments.

The M.C.

Telling their Luvvvv story

Britt's parents and little sis

I could not have pulled any of this off without my young friend, Andrea, who did so much of the foot work for us.  My sister in law, Janet, also was an amazing support and help.  My brother in law, Bill, prepared a wonderful wedding slide show full of carefully selected photos and music.  Members of our family traveled from Tennessee, Texas, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona.  I know Brittney's family did a lot of traveling as well.   It was a wonderful evening.. and for us, full of wonderful memories.  I may post more photos of this later.

Wedding Day!


In spite of a few snags which always accompany a wedding day, the ceremony was absolutely fantastic and full of the spirit.  The bride and groom confidently went about the day they had anticipated for many weeks and months (and for years, really, if you think about it!).  Brittney was a most beautiful bride.  Brian was a very handsome groom.  All the wedding party glowed in their carefully chosen attire.  Parents wept tears of great joy.  In spite of rain, we got some lovely photos:

We have hundreds of photos.  I haven't posted hardly any of extended family and friends.  I hope to do so soon.

The photographer at the temple was Ashley Carter.  Her website is http://www.paramount-photo.com/

The Reception


The Reception was held at The Gathering Place at Gardner Village just outside of Salt Lake.  It was a lovely venue.  We had so many friends come from around the area - we were so grateful!   I don't have many photos, but here are a few:

I need to add more of these later, too.

The Open House!
The open house was a huge undertaking, and I could never have pulled it off without my friends, as I said before.  We had it at our ward building.  I debated and debated that and thought about trying to find an affordable place to rent.  However, Brian grew up playing basketball in that gym, and having boy scout courts of honor, and so on.  It seemed only appropriate to have one more of the most important events of his life there as well.  I think it turned out beautifully! We even chose to "embrace" the basketball hoops instead of hide them.  If you know, Brian, you'll know why.

Open House photography by Jennifer Rowbury.

Again, I have so many photos and need to post more.

We are blessed by so many friends and family who support us in so many things.  If you are someone who attended a wedding event, or sent a gift, or a letter, or made a salad, or cookies, or traveled, or anything at all - we thank you. If you are someone who just love these two wonderful young people, we thank you.  And if you don't know them at all but are looking at this blog - welcome, and thank you, too.

"Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant.  Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God.  “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.” Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.” Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself. ^"

~Russell M. Nelson