LOVE this extra hour!!! And what better way to use it (since I'm NOT sleeping!!!) than to report in on our wedding October 26, 2006. What a GREAT time we had!!! Starting Wednesday night, Oct 25th when Megan & Dal joined us for Dal's favorite dessert and a fun time of games around the table with some of Megan's & Dal's family. John & Brenda - Megan's mom & stepdad - with Jared & Destiny - Megan's brother & sister - Jenny & Janet - John's mom & sister - Grams & Papaw and of course, Terri, Dara, Mike & I - Ty had to work Wednesday night.

We had a blast eating Oreo dessert and playing Buzzword while getting to know a little bit about each other as in-laws and discussing those last minute details about the wedding.

On Thursday morning while discussing last minute details about picture selections with Fred (who did a GREAT job taking pictures for us - THANK YOU, Fred!!!) Sharla Irby - owner of Ivory Garden's Chapel and my cousin - offered to come and orchestrate the ceremony as a gift to the bride & groom - or maybe as a gift to ME - the mother of the groom!!! With Sharla in charge of the beginnings of the ceremony and Papaw in charge of the ceremony itself - staying true to what HE believes and respecting the wishes of the bride & groom whose journey of truth does not include being believers at this point - the mother of the bride selecting the elements of the reception and Mike & me spearheading the cleanup - I think EVERYONE was pleased with the outcome.

Megan and her maid of honor Destiny were breathtaking - while Dal & Ty & Jared were quite dapper (Melody, I LOVED that word you used) - and the family who drove from Kansas, Texas and ours from Tulsa & Guthrie and then Megan & Dal's friends from Texas & Oklahoma - we had a fun and meaningful time.

Cake, flowers, food, music, celebration and a highlight of toasts from Jared & Ty not to mention the first dance - even mom of the groom dancing - much to my surprise!!! - all came together to create memories for a lifetime.

Thank you, Grams & Papaw for your love and support. Thank you, Terri for your GORGEOUS music on your brand new flute and your helpful support for 2 full days. Thank you, Dara and Mike for being my anchors. Thank you, Dal & Megan, for including everyone. Thank you Great grandma Cherry - and Great Grandpa of Megan's for coming and being with Megan & Dal for one of my favorite pictures. Thank you, Fred, for being flexible and available and just FUN while taking a TON of pictures. Thank you, Tom & Jenny, Melody & Tony, Cody & Nataly for driving down and being with us on this special occasion. Thank you, Sharla, Jessica & Austin for making everything go so smoothly. Thank you, Karen & Keith, Katy & Andrea for driving up from North Richland Hills. Thank you, Janet & Jenny for helping from Wednesday through Friday. Thank you Jared & Destiny for being so personable, fun & loving Megan. Thank you to those from Kansas - Brenda's family - Brenda's mom, Auntie Lynne, Mark & Shaina, Great Grandpa - who drove down to support family. Thank you John & Brenda for your time, money, and the beginning of a friendship as we all love & support this new couple. Thank you, Josh, Caleb, Brent & Rob for being amazing friends and enjoying this couple and supporting them by coming to the wedding. Thank you, Ty, for your blessings in your toast and being a wonderful big brother. And most of all - Thank you, again, Megan & Dal, for loving each other and including us as your family as you begin this journey of life as a family together.

I'm not one for big celebrations - but I might just have to change my mind. How beautiful it is when people come together as a unit each bringing different gifts and insights and sharing with the whole. I LOVE FAMILY!!!

THANK YOU ALL -
Tired but grateful and happy
Mom of the groom and anticipating being GC = grandma Cherri

Cherri