W E D D I N G B E L L S

This past weekend, my amazing daughter, Autumn married Matt Brasher in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at my brother David's house in Nashville!  What a joyful occasion!!!

First Dance

Here is a very quick wedding recap with a few photos (just phone snapshots -I can't wait to see the real one's from the photographers) Be prepared, you know I'm going to be sharing more.

First off, this was a major DIY deal but everything came together perfectly! I flew up Wednesday afternoon and until Saturday morning, it was non-stop, From etching the mason jars to the making the games, photobooth, tablescapes, painting signs, cards, globe, arranging the flowers, hanging the lights,... Autumn and Matt even built the tables themselves! (I didn't take many pics but take my word, WOW -just wow! All the family pitched in. Thoughts of Mom, Dad, and Patrick weren't far from my mind. (It was Mom's birthday) Oh, she would have really loved all this.

Wedding Preparations



Friday afternoon was the rehearsal and then rehearsal dinner. Mexican -super spicy & yummy! Matt and Autumn's friends were so adorable coming in from literally all over the globe. As for me, exhaustion was definitely setting in. We continued working on Do-It-Yourself projects until past midnight.

Rehearsal Dinner

The "girls" stayed at a precious bungalow airbnb Friday night. Autumn had the next day totally planned out. First hair (& Autumn's make-up) then nails then late lunch then girl photos then the wedding. Whew, non-stop! I was so impressed at how calm Autumn remained!!! She looked exquisite -like an elegant fairy princess!



Autumn Rose and Carey Anne pausing after a bit of pre-wedding pampering

Finally, the WEDDING!!! The ceremony was so beautiful! The bridesmaids were in long dresses of grey tones, the groomsmen in vests and bow ties (handmade by Autumn of course) The bouquets were gorgeous in whites, creams, lavender, and soft peaches (created by my brother Patrick's friend, Karen) The flower girl was adorable throwing and picking up rose petals. Pete and I accompanied Autumn down the aisle while an acoustic version of "Here comes the sun" played. (OMG which just came on the radio right now! Goosebumps, all up my arms) A good friend of theirs officiated. They emotionally recited heartfelt vows. They looked so happy!!!!


Photographer's Picture of Autumn and Matt, the new Mr. & Mrs. Brasher!

The reception was fabulous. For the social hour, live music played while photos of the bridal party were taken. Lots of games were played (Peter made an pretty amazing large scale set of Jenga) Pictures taken (I did a pretty kickass photo booth), Popcorn with lots of tasty sprinkle and drizzle options was devoured, and fancy waters, lemonade, wine, and cold beer was sipped. The food was honestly some of the very best I've had at any type event -a buffet of Bar-b-q brisket & chicken, corn pudding, greens, and scalloped sweet potatoes catered from Bacon & Caviar. Yum! Seriously my mouth is watering right now as I type. We added a great big salad -no one went hungry that is for sure! Then DANCING! I love it when everyone dances and man oh man oh boy did they -young & old alike! A DJ manned the music and the dance floor stayed packed. Like -who knew my nephew had such impressive dance moves!



Then there was the late night milk and cookies. (Yes, David, the little milk bottles  were precious!) Oh and an unexpected hit with my amazing (slightly umm... unusual) friends -the Fire Pit! Yea, kind of cleaned out all the combustibles with reach including the remaining popcorn.

What a wonderful wedding -and now my baby girl is all married! I am so proud of the lovely young woman she has become. I wish her and Matt the most Magical of Marriages -full of Adventure, Laughter, and Love!

Today's Song:
"Hear Comes The Sun" -George Harrison & Paul Simon

Extra Music Just Because:
"Have I told You Lately That I Love You" -Rod Stewart
"Ring of Fire: -Johnny Cash
"Come Away With Me" -Norah Jones
"Hooked On A Feeling" -Blue Swede

And a Few Love Quotes:
“There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” – Martin Luther
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it be rather a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” – Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.” – Henry David Thoreau
“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” -Henry Ford
"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller
"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein
^"9 Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. ¹⁰ If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble.¹¹ Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone?" -Ecclesiates 4:9-11
“ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails..”  - I Corinthians 13: 4-8

Abundance and Gratefulness

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Nature's Blessings: Autumn Grace

What a wonderful day! A day when we in the United States celebrate all our blessings. A time to be grateful for the abundance of blessings we enjoy. It is also a time for family. Minor disagreements and personality quirks are put aside and we reconnect. It matters not whether your family is of blood, decision, or circumstance.

Do not be alone today. Loneliness is a choice.  (I am not naturally social so I understand it is not always easy -but so necessary and from such a small seed of effort, blessings will bloom. I promise.) Choose to cultivate joy. Cherish relationships and mend rifts. I keep the quote "It is better to be kind than to be right." on my desktop and try to remember it when I so want to put in the last word.

Today you just might need to broaden your usual definition of family and let it include those who may need you most. Help serve at a homeless shelter, visit a nursing home, take a treat to someone who has to work today. You know, if we trace our family tree far enough back, you'll find we are all related and humanity is not a bad family to belong to. Sure there a few black blots but there are also some amazing moments as well.

My personal blessing are countless (seriously countless -too many to count, we are talking infinity and beyond) but I thought I'd list just a few of the biggies. Just so you don't think I am too Pollyanna (which I have been told I can be -annoyingly so I am occasionally told) I do get in funks (remember the computer post) and have to fight the dull gray of melancholy. I sometimes get anxious and even when I know -I really KNOW how incredibly blessed I am I fight discontentment and impatience. 

So here we go with a highly abbreviated list:

I am thankful for my Dad. That he is here with us this Thanksgiving -it has been a tough and exhausting few months and I am so grateful that Dad is still fighting and continue to pray for healing.

I am thankful for my Mom. What a strong woman she is. An inspiration and best friend.

I am thankful for my daughters, Autumn Rose and Carey Anne. Sometimes my heart hurts because the love I have for them is almost too big for it to hold. I am so proud of them and so honored to be their Mom.

I am thankful to live in a country that even with all its issues is still one of, if not the greatest in the world. I am truly blessed to have been born here where there is such privilege and freedom. May I never become jaded or take the responsibility which comes from such an undeserved blessing lightly.

I am thankful for my beautiful home, secure job, and healthy body. I may complain but I am grateful.

I am thankful for my crazy wonderful diverse loving and beloved extended family. I can't wait for many of them to grace my home for this upcoming feast.

Finally and most importantly, I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a God who sent his son to pay for my sins and the deposit of the Holy Spirit which guides me daily with a desire to know, glorify, mirror his holiness.

Have an incredible Thanksgiving. Eat lots, love lots and live abundantly!

Greeting from just a few of the clan last Thanksgiving.