Here Comes The Bride

This weekend, Hilary and Ethan came to Redding so we could go to a Wedding Show on Sunday.  It was held at Simpson University's Gymnasium, and there were 150 vendors.  It was sooooooo crowded, but we had a lot of fun.  They gave each bride-to-be a leis to wear, so the vendors could tell which ones were getting married.  Smart thinking, I thought!  We sampled ALL the catering booths.  It was even better than Costco cause the samples were bigger.  :0) 

Our first stop was at The Blossom Shoppe booth.  It was fun visiting with our friend, Denise Curato.  She is an old long-time family friend.  She will be doing some decorating down at the wedding site and making the corsages, bouquets, and boutonnieres.  She will also serve as our Wedding Coordinator.  She is extremely talented and VERY organized!!!  Thanks, Denise, for all your help!

This was a neat idea we saw at Denise's booth (and at another booth).  She had sprayed painted a branch and hung it from an archway and hung glass votives from it.  We loved it (except for the pink spray paint).  We like it better with just natural branch color.

Hilary and I tried out the limo.  WOW was it big inside!!

Here's some pictures of the venue we are using  --  The Ponderosa Ridge Ranch:

Hilary's wedding will be held down by the creek at this area:

Then we will head back up to the barn for the reception:

They have this beautiful horse-drawn carriage for the bride and her father to ride down the hill in.  After the ceremony, the bride and groom ride back up the hill to the reception.

I can't believe it is only 5 months until the big day!!!

A Review of 2012 -- Part III

I just realized this may take awhile to finish this review.  Oh well, I guess I've got all year.  :0)

MAY (Cont.)

Lyle went on his Senior Trip to Destin, Florida:

When you are with your friends, even a long wait at the airport or time on a bus can be fun:

Lots of fun meals out to various places:

Lots and lots of beach time (including fun dance parties) and surfing lessons and even fireworks one night:

Several boat trips and a dolphin cruise:

And, of course, snorkeling.  They even got to bring sea creatures back to the boat and learn about them:

Other sightseeing:

A day at a fun park playing miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, and a ropes course, and getting in these big balls in a pool (don't ask me what it was called but they said it was a blast!):

 WOW!!  That was definitely picture overload, so that's all for now!!!

A Review of 2012 -- Part II

APRIL

Lyle went on a Missions Trip to the Dominican Republic with the high school group from Redding Neighborhood Church.

They were involved in a work project:

Spent time with people and played with the kids (sorry, I could NOT get this picture to be right):

And ended the trip with some sightseeing and a trip to the beach:

Attended the wedding of my special friend, Alyssa Gorman:

Got to hang out with some dear, dear friends, Gene and Rita Colbert.  I worked at NVBC for years with Gene, and he was one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PEOPLE!!!

Lyle turned 18!!!  Gramz gave him Papa's shotgun for his 18th birthday:

My Uncle Les passed away.  The Hencratt Family celebrated his life in Cottonwood with a nice service and time of fellowship afterwards:

Lyle took Donnel to U Prep's prom.  They went with a group of friends and had a great time:

MAY

Bob and I took a trip to the coast to visit Hilary and Ethan.  We helped Hilary move into a restored Victorian house in Eureka.

A visit to the coast MUST include a trip to Samoa Cookhouse for breakfast:

And a hike through the forest to see all the fascinating things the Forestry majors have checked out on field trips.  It's soooo great to go with Ethan because he points out all kinds of interesting things and explains them.  LOVE THAT!

And a trip to the Eureka Zoo: 

 

Hilary and I attended a bridal shower for her childhood friend, Jordan:

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Lyle traveled with the RCHS Choir to compete at the Association of Christian Schools International Music Competition:

To be continued...

Friday Night Treat

"Mom, you can lay on the couch and read while I cook dinner."  WOW!!!!

Lyle made a recipe he found on Pinterest for mini deep dish pizzas.  They were made in a muffin tin and were sooooo delicious!!

What a fantastic Friday night treat for me!!!  Love my son!!!!

Mother-In-Laws

With Hilary’s wedding fast approaching, I have been thinking a lot about my new role and title I will have - “mother in law”.  The mother in law has long been a common topic for stand-up comedians.  And who hasn’t heard plenty of the mother in law jokes?  Stepping into a new role with negative models to guide you is difficult.  I know what I don’t want to be.  I’ve seen some cold, critical mothers in law and heard some horror stories.

But, on the other hand, I also know what I want to be  --  a loving, kind mother-in-law.  I know I want to build a lasting relationship with my new son-in-law, Ethan.  I know I want him to enjoy being in my company and feel like a truly welcome member of our family.  I know that if I make the effort to build a strong relationship with Ethan it will also have a positive effect on his and Hilary’s marriage.

For the past several months, I have been asking for advice and reading articles on being a mother-in-law.  My findings?  Relationships do not happen overnight; they take time to create a bond. ( I have an advantage in this area since Hilary and Ethan have been dating for three and a half years.)  One article I read shared that you should approach your son-in-law with an open heart, loving and welcoming.  And, I couldn’t agree more.  There is always room in my heart for one more person to love (and worry about lol).

Some advice I’ve received or read and want to put into practice:

Rarely give advice but listen and compliment often

Treat your son-in-law as a friend, not like you are his mother.

Remember that your son-in-law is a person with his own interests, feelings, needs, beliefs, opinions, history and traditions. Don’t look for faults or criticize.

Don’t  make negative comments to your daughter about her husband.  This causes hurt feelings and can drive a wedge between you and your daughter.

Always remember that you are a guest in their marriage and home!

Love UNCONDITIONALLY!

Be willing to let your son-in-law make mistakes.

Be patient and forgiving!  And…ask for forgiveness when you are
  wrong or have overstepped your boundaries as a mother-in-law.

Don’t gossip about your son-in-law to other family members.

Maybe the best piece of advice I received was from an older lady.  When I asked her how to be a good mother-in-law to Ethan, she said, “Love him to pieces and KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!”  (Probably good advice for many of my relationships!!!)