Who's Next?

January 11, 2014

The bride, Shera, prepares to toss her bouquet to the waiting ladies:

Jaydean, Sister Knight, Sister Wallace (missionaries), and Danielle.

Naturally, the bride had to toss her bouquet to the single girls, and the groom had to shoot the garter to the single guys at Ryan and Shera's wedding. It's a time-honored tradition, after all!

And so we all had fun watching the bride and groom take on the bouquet- and garter-flinging events, which had a surprise ending that had our family smiling!

The bouquet is in flight!

It's true that there weren't a whole lot of single folks at the reception. Most of the 40+ guests were happily married. Still, we managed to find 4 guys and 4 gals who were single and willing to try their luck.

And here it comes, into the waiting arms of . . .

. . . Danielle!

Ryan dives through oceans of wedding gown skirt to score Shera's garter.

The groom prepares to send the garter toward the single men:

Dylan, Leevi, Jacob, and Sam (Shera's cousin).

And there it goes!

Jacob and Danielle snagged the garter and bouquet honors.

When the bouquet was caught by my son Jacob's sweet girlfriend, Danielle, we all smiled and said, "Hmmm." But when Jacob snagged the garter, too, there was much laughter and teasing about their future plans!

Danielle and Jacob with the Bride and Groom.

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that my niece Celesta and her new husband Riley caught the bouquet and garter at a wedding prior to their marriage. And that I caught the bouquet at my niece's wedding in Missouri 8 months before I met Ed . . .

Danielle and Jacob share a dance at the wedding reception.

What does the future hold? Hey, no pressure, you two!

Winter Wedding

The last thing I expected to do was put on a wedding in January. When my stepson Ryan and his fiance Shera moved in with us on December 10, they talked about eventually getting married, something simple, maybe outdoors in the summer, once they both found jobs and had a place of their own.

Obviously, Heavenly Father had other plans for them.

Groomsman Jacob and bridesmaid Sarah start off the wedding march.

Through a series of events, they both grew interested in learning more about the Mormon religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon they were taking lessons from LDS missionaries, Sister Knight and Sister Wallace. We were stunned and thrilled when they accepted the challenge to be baptized at the end of their very first lesson on December 23rd, setting a goal for a January 18th baptism.

We all knew this meant a wedding was imminent. They set their wedding date for January 11th, less than 19 days away!

Best Man Dylan escorts Matron of Honor Christine up the aisle.

The good news was: I put on my daughter Sarah's wedding two and a half years earlier, so I pretty much knew how to proceed. The bad news was: My being divorce-lawyer-poor meant this wedding would have to be planned on a very limited budget. The good news was: We were blessed with the support of so many good friends and family who were more than willing to help. 

And, best of all, God opened many doors and placed blessings in our path that made everything fall into place for a beautiful wedding. Ryan and Shera plan to spend eternity together. I wanted so much for their special day to be exactly as they dreamed, and the Lord made it happen.

Shera's cousin Sam gave her away.

One of the best blessings was having Shera's sister Christine and cousin Sam drive all the way from Missouri to be here for her. Shera loves Arizona but sorely misses her family in Missouri, so their presence at the wedding meant everything to her.

Ryan and Shera take their vows before Bishop Trace Wengert.

Another great blessing was the number of guests who came to celebrate with us. Ryan and Shera came to Arizona only 5 months ago, so they don't know very many people here. Yet they were lovingly surrounded by members of their new church family, more than 40 of them. Even Ryan's dad stayed long enough to witness the marriage ceremony.

Ryan and Shera exchange rings.

Everything went smoothly. Well, except when "The Wedding March" music suddenly turned into rap music right before the bride walked down the aisle! When my 16-year-old son Dylan put together the wedding music, I warned him to listen to the song all the way through before downloading it. Sometimes there are surprises at the end. It just goes to show, you should always listen to your mother!

Greeting guests in the reception line after the ceremony.

Cutting the wedding cake.

We did all the fun, traditional wedding things, from cutting the cake and toasting the bride and groom (with a non-alcoholic beverage, of course) to tossing the bouquet and shooting the garter to the waiting single gals and guys. There are so many pictures of Ryan and Shera's special occasion, in fact, that I have divided them up into 5 posts. Four more will follow this one before I've covered the entire wedding! 

Cutting the wedding cake.

Ryan was complaining, "She said she'd kill me if I smeared her face!"

Dylan handled all the music, which went fine after the Wedding March incident!

The bride and groom enjoy their first dance as a married couple.

First dance kiss!

Dylan, Jacob, Ryan, Sam, and Chris get down to the Harlem Shake.

It was a magical evening. The bride was gorgeous, the groom was attentive, the guests were excited for them, and everyone had a wonderful time. These two are clearly in love and it was a privilege for me to be a part of the experience that joined them as husband and wife!

Baptism for Two

Waiting for the baptism program to begin:

Dylan, Ryan, Shera, and Jacob (Chris and Sarah behind them)

We had a beautiful pair of baptisms at 9:00 this morning when my stepson Ryan and his new wife Shera chose to forever change their lives and enter the waters of baptism. I'm so proud of them and the decisions they've been making to improve their lives and begin following Christ.

I was also quite proud of my sons Dylan--who baptized Ryan--and Jacob--who baptized Shera. I love to see my boys exercise the priesthood they hold in the service of others. Soon Ryan will also have the power to bless others through the priesthood.

Programs on the table for guests as they entered

We had a great turnout, filling the Relief Society room with friends and family who came to share this important event in Ryan and Shera's lives. The program began with an opening song chosen by Shera, "Teach Me to Walk in the Light," and then Sister Knight gave the invocation. The program was conducted by ward missionary Dirk Gardner. 

We enjoyed a talk on baptism by family friend and home teacher Robert Holden, complete with memorable visual effects. After the baptism, the sister missionaries who've been teaching Ryan and Shera, Sister Knight and Sister Wallace, spoke about the First Vision and how the Lord restored His church to the earth in these latter days.

Shera and Ryan with their beloved sister missionaries,

Sister Knight (left) and Sister Wallace.

Our former bishop, Dirk Gardner, spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost and how to keep His presence continually in our lives. Bishop Gardner then invited Ryan and Shera to bear their testimonies of the gospel. Ryan went first, followed by Shera. They were both nervous, but their simple and heartfelt testimonies were eloquent in spirit. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.  

When they finished, Bridgette Blake (our Relief Society president) spoke briefly and welcomed Shera as a new sister in the Relief Society. Bishop Trace Wengert concluded the program with remarks about keeping our feet firmly on the path of righteousness despite life's trials.

After our concluding song, "I Believe in Christ," I gave the benediction and then we all enjoyed the amazing homemade cinnamon rolls Bridgette Blake baked for our refreshments.

Jacob and Danielle

Ryan and Shera will be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost at 9:00 tomorrow morning before the entire congregation at sacrament meeting. Then they will officially become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was such a privilege to attend the baptisms of these two amazing young people whom I've come to love as my own. I know they will accomplish further great things in their lives as they continue to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Congratulations, Ryan and Shera! 

Honeymooners

Shera and Ryan in front of their resort condo

After school today I dropped Ryan and Shera off at WorldMark's Bison Ranch Resort in Heber-Overgaard, where they will enjoy a cozy 4-day honeymoon. I managed to snap a few pictures of them before I headed back home.

At the front door of their home for the next 4 days

Their van has been out of commission since they came to Arizona in August, but it's in the shop now and as of tonight it is up and running again. When they return home on Thursday afternoon, they'll have wheels again!

Shera has been looking forward to the fireplace.

Ryan has been looking forward to the hot tub.

 Here they are, posing on their front veranda.

There is a second patio off the bedroom.

They love the big bed--for obvious reasons, of course--

but also because for the past 5 months they've been sleeping in our

cramped 5th-wheel trailer or on an air mattress on the floor.
Three nights in a real bed will be heavenly!

Tonight it is very quiet here at home, especially after all the action of the holidays and planning a wedding. Shera's sister Christine and cousin Sam headed back to Missouri today, and now Ryan and Shera are off on their honeymoon, so it's only Jacob, Dylan, and me. Just like old times.

As for the wedding, I've posted half the pictures on my Facebook page, but I'm still organizing the rest before I do a blog post here. So stay tuned!

A New Ride

3 Jan 2014: Jacob (age 22) with his new Grand Am

My son Jacob bought a new car yesterday, and no one is happier about it than I am! He now owns a bright red, 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT. It seems to be in great shape, from the new tires and rims to the powerful turbo engine (whatever that means . . .). And the seller was asking exactly the amount the Kelly Blue Book suggested as the value for this car in "Good Condition." How often does that happen?

Thank goodness Jacob's stepbrother Ryan accompanied him to test-drive the car. My trusting son was ready to hand over the cash, no questions asked, to drive away with his dream car right now. Luckily, Ryan knew to require a bill of sale from the seller (who seemed like a good guy) until they could do the transfer of title. Now it's all good.

So on Jacob's lunch hour today, we met up at State Farm (where these pictures were taken) to add him to my insurance. He was a bit shell-shocked to find out how much it costs a young man under the age of 25 to get full coverage, but that's why he's working two jobs, right?

As for me, the tires on my little red Pontiac Vibe were okay when I took them in to be rotated 6 weeks ago. Then the other night I got a flat tire and discovered that my tires had virtually no tread left! I imagine it's because my car has been the lone transportation for 6 people these past couple of months. So $355 and 4 new tires later, I'm very happy to be a 2-car family now. And we hope to be a 3-car family soon, when we get the water-pump replaced on Ryan and Shera's van. Life will be so much simpler when I'm no longer the family chauffeur!

A Year Ends

31 Dec 2013: Happy New Year from our home to yours!

We spent our New Year's Eve in the best possible way: surrounded by the family we love so well!

Dylan and two of his friends, Mikey and Levi

We didn't expect to have Dylan with us, since he and his friends were planning to attend a big party put on by a local Christian church. They left around 7:30, but 2 hours later they called and asked Jacob to come pick them up, saying the party was "lame" (other than the food, of course). So they partied with us!

And parties must have food, of course! Jacob made us hot wings, Native New Yorker-style! Made my lips burn, even though I ate his "milder" sauce! Chris and Sarah brought Ruffles potato chips with toasted onion dip, and Shera decided we needed onion rings. She'd never made them before, but she looked up a recipe online and they were delicious!

I forgot to take pictures at our Monday night family dinner this week, but I just want to mention that we put Sarah in charge of the meal and she was awesome! With parents, a brother, and a husband who love to cook, she's never really gotten into cooking that much. But on Monday she made an amazing meal of Chicken Parmigiana, served on a bed of spaghetti noodles, with a side of garlic bread. Good job, Sarah!

After dinner, we intended to play Monopoly and Farkle, but somehow it never happened. Instead, we relaxed together, chatting, teasing, joking, wrestling, and watching old home movies from 1993-94 so Danielle could see how adorable Jacob was as a toddler.

Jacob and Danielle get to spend the evening together after they got off work at Walmart.

Two more couples: soon-to-be-married Ryan and Shera, 

and the "old married couple" Chris and Sarah!

After returning from the "lame" party, Dylan and his friends spent most of the evening in Dylan's room, playing video games and doing other crazy teenage-guy-stuff, like shooting each other with AirSoft pistols and shocking each other with the electrical impulse machine Jacob uses when his bad shoulder hurts. They are nuts! Ryan visited them off and on throughout the night. He likes that teenage madness!

As midnight approached, the guys had to go out and set off the fireworks Jacob had purchased. For them, I think that was the highlight of the night!

Finally, we all cheered in the New year with a toast of sparkling cider (four kinds!) and enjoyed the frosted brownies that Chris and Sarah brought. I also had cheesecake available (that's our family tradition), but we were all too stuffed to enjoy it!

Happy New Year from Chris and Sarah!

Happy New Year from Jacob and Danielle!

Happy New Year from Ryan and Shera!

Happy New Year from Dylan, Levi, and Mikey!

Happy New Year from me!

(I wasn't too keen on this picture since I wasn't wearing makeup, but all the kids insisted.)

"Howdy, ma'am." Ryan just had to try on Chris's cowboy hat. 

Ryan really, really looks like his dad in this one . . .

So forward and on to 2014. May it be our best year yet!