The Usual Suspects

"Round up the usual suspects."

This famous line from the movie Casablanca is the No. 32 quote on the America Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.

Well, let me tell you. My Lou and I have some usual suspects that we want to round up right here. They're not only friends that just showed to help with our big event, but friends we really count on all the time to be, well, to be, friends. You've got them too. I know you do. People who love and encourage you on a daily basis. And people who show up at the big events too. Glory, these are some good friends we've got - that we've been unbelievably blessed with.

Lou and I just kept shaking our heads in amazement at the army of friends and family that surrounded us, loved us, worked alongside us, and pulled off our Hannah's wedding.

I'm not even kidding...or exaggerating. These folks thought for us when our heads were spinning so fast we weren't thinking straight. If you've ever married off a young'un, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you've got something good to look forward to. Your friends will blow you away with not only offers to help, but the follow through of help.

I'm praying I don't leave anybody out, but I am going to try to name names. I want to name names and say a little bloggy thank you to our usual suspects - our friends.

And, I might throw in a few pictures I like…just for fun.

Early on, in the "what are we going to sit on?" discussions, it was decided that the parents of the bride and groom would sit on church pews. We have one in our home, and it was the first object placed in the wedding grove.

Later, it was joined by one owned by Max and Rose Roweton. (Thanks, Max & Rose!)

It wasn't long till other chairs joined the fun. I'm here to testify that it takes a little time to move 300+ chairs from one place to another. And then to take them back. (Thanks Luke, Alex, Hannah, Faith, Elizabeth, Mary Grace, Isaak, Andy, Daniel, Leighton, Chandler, Preston, Keith)

The bride, Mary Grace, Jasmine, Me doing a little arranging

It also takes a little time to iron 325 cloth napkins.

How Marla Kemp found time to help with this, I'll never know. This dear friend was not only our wedding coordinator (a massive job in and of itself), but also tent light hanger, soup maker and soup divvy upper, and crock pot returner, and sparkler hander outer and stay til everything's done kind of girl. She is one of the main reasons this big event was so much fun. She carried a lot of the load so I didn't have to. (Thank you!)

My sister, Kathy

My sister was here for the week preceding the wedding to help. She was at my mom's beck and call since we were all a little distracted. (Thank you!)

Kacie Watson and Faith

Not only do these two lovelies look amazing, they sound amazing! Kacie ran sound for us at the wedding and we all let out a resounding "Yay!" for the great job she did. Our Faith was a bridesmaid and sang the song "In Christ Alone" that was played as Hannah came down the aisle. Talk about a moment to treasure.

And here's a picture to treasure.

At the rehearsal

Lifelong friends are also one of God's sweet gifts. I cannot count the nights these girls have spent together giggling, talking, crying, laughing. Breanna and Sara, you hold special places in our hearts.

We had quite a few travel great distances to help us celebrate. This family was one of them. They helped us celebrate and prepare to celebrate. We worked them! (Thanks, Louise and Heide and the Forrister clan!)

Shelley, Heide, Erik, Louise

I must include a special pic of Hannah Louise hugging Sonya Louise, who has loved her and prayed for her since the day we named Hannah after her. Much, much love.

This is an amazing picture of these two!

Luke and David need an honorable mention picture, also. These boys gladly and willingly did anything and everything anybody asked them to do. We needed their manly muscles:)

Does everybody do what we did and take that "last family photo before the first kid gets married" picture?

At Rehearsal Dinner

The wedding day dawned with a forecast that made us smile and thank God. NO RAIN! It was a bit cloudy in the morning, but by afternoon, the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. Oh my mercy. What a great gift!

Lou and I hosted a "Bridesmaid's Breakfast" with omelets made to order. A very sweet addition to that was a surprise gift of homemade cinnamon rolls from Jane Bishop. (Thank you!) So thoughtful!

Elizabeth, Megan, Jasmine, Breanna, Faith, Caroline, Sara, Mary Grace, Megan, Hannah

Oh, how I enjoy a table full of young people! And see the young person named Jasmine in the above  photo? She was Hannah's right hand woman for the last 3 months. Lots of texts, lots of phone calls, lots of planning. Thanks, Jasmine!

After breakfast, all the bridesmaids and I headed to the salon for a little pre wedding pampering. I was caught in my usual position since all this wedding planning started - on the phone.

Faith, Elizabeth, Hannah, Me, Mary Grace

While we were gone, our home was still a beehive of activity. The three in this next picture love me well always, and carried much of my load on the big day. Allyson Bishop spent her morning heading up decorating the reception tent. She led the team that included my brother, Andy and his family. (Thank you Andy, Debbie, Abbie, Pat, Jeffre, Lauren, Daniel and Joe.) On Friday, before these decorators worked their magic on Saturday morning, Alex, his brother, Eric, Marla and I risked Eric's life (he was the designated ladder climber) and hung some lights in our tent. (Thank you!)

Allyson, Me, Marla, Sue

I was glad to find a picture that included Sue, whose work was featured in my last blog post. People on candid picture duty rarely make the candid pictures. (Many thanks!)

One of my favorites that Sue took was this one of Hannah and her girls up in her room before the wedding. I don't know if you can tell or not by looking at this, but Hannah was just a little bit excited.

As you might imagine, parking for 300+ was something we had to plan for. Thankfully, we live very close to Bolivar High School, which happens to have a very nice parking lot and they were kind enough to let us use it. (Thank you, Dr. Guerin!) It's a pleasant 10 minute walk from our house, but we knew not everyone would be able to make that little trek. We provided a couple of golf carts. Many thanks to our drivers, Jeff West and Kerrick Tweedy. Many thanks also to the impromptu suburban drivers, who helped bring guests to Springbrook as the line at the high school got long, and the time for the wedding drew short - Ron Evans, Tom Sneed and Keith Vaughan.

Jeff West and Alex's uncle's family

Kerrick Tweedy, Connie Tweedy, Susan Burleson

Kerrick is chauffeuring two sweet ladies right here. Let me tell you why.

First, Connie.  Here's the exact text I got from her on Wednesday, October 23 at 3:01 p.m. (3 days before the wedding)

"I have a couple hours of availability right now. Anything I can do to help?"

Do you know what I do if I have a couple of hours of availability - especially at 3 in the afternoon? I think, "Oh good. I have a couple of hours to myself. Me time!!"

I told Connie that those words will forever go down in my history as one of the kindest, most thoughtful, unselfish texts I've ever received. Thanks, Connie!

Secondly, Susan. Susan, amazing creator of beauty, Burleson.

We called Susan because we were at a loss as to how to do the curtain thing high up in the trees in the wedding grove. I don't remember her exact words, but it went something like this.

"Oh, I've been hoping you'd call! Can I help?? I have a special place in my heart for Hannah, and I'd love to help decorate!" 

Wow. I can't tell you the relief that those words produced. Susan brought Hannah's vision to life. It could not have pleased us more. Thank you, Susan! Susan brought a couple of helpers with her on Friday. Thanks also to Eric Jack, Grace vanHoornbeek, Allie, Cole and Samantha.

Now, a few pictures of some of the beauty Susan created for us.

On Instagram? Search their hashtag and enjoy some pics!

My brother and his wife greeted the wedding trams as they entered our subdivision. Thanks, Andy and Debbie!

Greeting our guests as they approached the wedding grove, was warm apple cider. Thanks to Linda, Tammy, Lene, Dona, and Jennie for keeping it full and overflowing!

Dona, Lene, Lou

Our friends, The Sneeds, are sitting down in this picture for good reason. They were resting before their real work ramped up at the reception. Thanks to Philip directing traffic out at Silo, and thanks to Tom for leaving the Men's Simulcast on Saturday morning to rescue Lou and fix a generator and for being Master of Ceremonies at the tent, and thanks to Polly for making a crock pot full of soup!

Polly, Tallie, Philip

Speaking of soup, we had it. And lots of it, too. Thanks to my souper friends who made crockpots full of it, and transported it to our tent. I wish I'd thought to get pictures of all of you! (Note to self for next wedding).

Cute sweaters for the crockpots

Thank you! Marla
                    Sue
                    Sherry
                    LeAnn
                    Polly
                    Debbie
                    Suzie
                    Cheri
                    Regina
                    Denise
                    Amy
                    Marcey
                 




The hour we'd been planning for finally arrived: 4:30 p.m. Here are a few moments I wanted to share.

Sara Scott, lifelong friend (and amazing OB nurse:)

All turned to watch Hannah

Love our Elizabeth's smile

We all love the looks on the faces of Wes and Marla

I need to stop and say a word about Marla's husband, Wes. He was to Lou what Marla was to me. His M.O. Friday and Saturday was "Stop, Drop, and Help." We couldn't have done it without him. Thanks, Wes.

Another blessing of the wedding was the young man who officiated. Chris Byington, who is going into the ministry, is a long time friend of Alex's. This was his first wedding ever and it was the perfect combination of sacred and personal. Thanks, Chris.

A couple of other people that worked tirelessly to make Hannah and Alex's day special…Mel Hughes and Lauren Hughes, Alex's dad and mom. They hosted an amazing BBQ rehearsal dinner and also managed to handle sound equipment, ring bearer pillows, boutonniere pinning and wedding cake coordination. Thank you, Mel and Lauren!

Mel, Hannah, Alex, Lauren

Lou, Me, our beautiful, happy Hannah, and her Alex

Our reception was held a few miles down the road in a clear top tent at Silo Ridge Country Club. A huge thank you to Brian, Ronnie and his crew at Silo. A big tent hanging out around a club house for a few days interrupts their normal flow, and I know, makes for extra work. I was assured more than once that it was "no problem!" (Thank you!)  The whole setting at Silo was quite magical. Here, the wedding party is lined up, waiting to be introduced.

To light such a structure was slightly complicated. Thankfully, Lou took the lead with this and lined up generators and electrician extraordinaire, Chris Warwick (so our reception wouldn't be ruined with an explosion). Thanks to Wes Kemp, Kelly Roweton, Tom Sneed, Ron and Lou Kemp, and Ron Kemp, Jr., for your help in this area. You light up our lives!!

To feed such a group, you need an expert running things. Mary Plunkett, of Morsels fame is calm, creative, and more than competent. She's a lovely soul, and a delight to work with. Thanks, Mary!

If you've made it this far, it means you've read the longest blog I've ever posted. You too, deserve my thanks!!

Thanks for caring enough about our family to share our joy here. I realize it's been a rather personal post, but I hope the thanking of our friends and family turns your heart and mind to your friends and family and the gift they are to you. We all have our cache of usual suspects - those that hold our hands and hearts on this big round ball. God has blessed us all.

A Glimpse at the Wedding

We had a wedding this past weekend, folks.

Our oldest daughter, Hannah, married her high school sweetheart, Alex.

And it was glorious.

God gave us the sweet gift of unbelievably perfect weather for not only the day of the wedding, but all the days preceding it - making preparing and decorating for Hannah and Alex's outdoor ceremony in our backyard on October 26, 2013, relatively worry free.

And so. much. fun.

But how much fun it was is the subject of another post I've got simmering about Hannah and Alex's wedding, so I'm gonna try to keep it out of this one. (It might be hard, though, because it was all so much fun!)

This one is about some pictures.

My dear friend, Sue Roweton, is pretty handy behind a camera. (major understatement) She has an eye for a "moment," and she readily agreed to be the party pic girl at our big event. She tried to tell me it was the VIP parking that swayed her decision to say "yes" to such an assignment, but I know it's because she really loves me and mine. It's nice to know you're really loved by a friend, isn't it? Anyhow, she did a great job capturing the big moments and some of the less obvious big moments.

It's some of those less obvious moments that I want to share here - I'm trying to save posting the main wedding pictures until after Hannah and Alex have seen them, but I thought they wouldn't mind a few peripheral pics.

Before the wedding, everybody but the bride and her crew got to buzz around outside. Here Alex, Lou and I are walking out our driveway to see the decorations that were by our subdivision sign. I liked this unexpected stroll with our now son-in-law.

After the year my 87 year old mother had, I would never have believed she would be at one of my children's wedding. But she was there, spunky as ever, and looked absolutely amazing. I know this will forever and always be one of my favorite pictures of her - and my boys.

And this might forever and always be one of my favorite pictures of me and my boys.

Luke, MOB, David

Our oldest son Luke, who now lives in LA, hadn't been home since March. It was a treat for him to see people he has a long and happy history with.

Bruce Morgan, Luke, Colby Morgan

It's ridiculous how much I love this next picture. This is the view out of my kitchen window not long before the wedding started. I have looked out that window thousands of times - watching my children play in this very backyard. Now it was full of so many other people I love.

And this precious soul with her precious baby? Lara Casey Weaver - who has been in our lives since she was born. I remember her first babysitting for us when she was 11ish. She spoke - and continues to speak - Godly truth, beauty, and goodness into our lives.

There are big, prayerful moments in life, and putting a ring on is one of those.

And those moments are appropriately followed by joy!

After the ceremony, we were hovering, waiting to be summoned by the official photographer.

Sue was hovering too.

I'm drawn to this picture of Lou and me for a couple of reasons.
    1. It's Lou and me, and I like us together.
    2. I don't know for sure, but I think Sue snapped this when our kids were being photographed with Hannah and Alex. When that picture was being taken, there wasn't another spot of real estate on the planet that had more of what Lou and I love bound up on it.

Another casual moment when my David just sat down by me. I always like that.

It was a good hair day for both of us too;)

 Another special father/daughter moment.

Lou and our Marea Faith

I'll end with a special moment at the reception.

First dance.

I love the look on Alex's face. I love seeing his wedding ring.

Definitely a whole lotta love going on!

Obviously I'm spending this week after such a huge life event in our family reflecting on it all.

We had a wedding this past weekend, folks!

I am so very grateful to God for the joy that surrounded it. There's a lot about life that doesn't have joy surrounding it. Those times will come and God's grace will be there for them too. But what a sweet gift of grace from God these joy filled events are!

Blessings!

The Deeper Magic

In late September, I went to hear some really smart people talk about one of my favorite authors, C. S. Lewis.

Who Lewis was and his massive influence as a Christian author is another post for another time. What I want to share here is the short paragraph from one of the conference speakers, Joe Rigney. His talk was the highlight of the conference for me - the one where I couldn't write notes fast enough. The one where I was silently saying "Yes! Yes!" the whole time.

As I look at the last sentence I just wrote, those "yeses" look happy to me. His talk didn't make me "happy." Happy is not...enough. It's a bit too shallow. Rigney's talk took me out in deeper waters. It was enlightening as well as sobering. It was inspiring as well as humbling. It reminded me just how kin Edmund and I are. (Edmund is the traitor in Lewis' book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.) Rigney's words made me want to fall on my face before God, who saved an underserving me just like Aslan saved an undeserving Edmund, and say, "Why, God? Why would you do that for me? Why do you do that for any of us? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

The snippet at the end of this post may not hit you like it hit me, but I hope it whets your appetite enough that you'll want to listen to Rigney's talk. If you like Narnia - if you like Lewis - I think you'll be inspired by it. You can find it here.

Joe Rigney, seminar, “Live Like a Narnian: Christian Discipleship in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles” —

We are, all of us, en-storied creatures, living our lives in a narrative, which means our lives have directions, trends, and trajectories. And Lewis is mindful of the fact that these trajectories are governed by an Author who is not mocked, who tells us that we will reap what we’ve sown. … Lewis is clear: we are always sowing the seeds of our future selves. We are embarked, heading in a particular direction, and sooner or later we are bound to end up there. Edmund reminds us that we might not like the destination at the end of our road. When it comes time to reap, we may find ourselves tied to a tree with a dagger at our necks. But, of course, Edmund’s story isn’t a tragedy. Yes, it’s true; reaping always follows sowing, like night follows day. But in this case, Aslan reaps what Edmund has sown. Edmund’s treachery, Edmund’s spite, Edmund’s beastliness is thrown onto Aslan and the Lion bears it away in his death at the Stone Table. This is the Magic of substitution, the Deeper Magic that turns traitors into kings, that turns beastly boys into just and wise men, the kind of magic that changes our stories forever.