Wedding of Steven and Katherine

Saturday, March 21, amid the Covid-19 restrictions, Katherine and Steven were married. 
Their wedding went from small to smaller to very small but that did not stop them from having a beautiful memorable day. 

Their honeymoon cruise was cancelled and changes to menus, flowers, cake, photographers, clothing, etc., required flexibility.

In spite of all the changes, the most important of all happened... they have each other. 
They have a strong, sweet relationship that will continue to grow as the years go on. Their goals are  positive and they are moving forward together with love and harmony.

Many family members joined us through the miracle of Google and memories were created under extraordinary circumstances.

It was truly a special day for a special couple.
I love them dearly and am so happy they found each other.
Seeing my daughter so happy and loved makes my mamma heart smile.

They requested: 

Italian food, an arch, a tiered wedding cake, cheesecake cupcakes, 

and Katherine wanted tulips for her bouquet. 

All of those wishes were met, and more.

 This bike made a fun decoration!

 Steven has a WONDERFUL family. He is the middle of 3 sons. His parents have raised them to be good men, filled with ambition, direction, consideration, wisdom, kindness, and love.

 Covid-19 kept the flower girls from being able to attend. 

Andrew filled in and made for one of the more memorable moments of the day.

 Seeing Ron walk in with Katherine caught me off guard. I was so emotional seeing them on the way to meet Steven. 

 Steven loved his ring and was excited to show it off.

 This was Mr Cooper's first wedding and he loved every minute.

 The Cheesecake Cupcakes were out of this world.

They reminded me of my sister and I felt like she was close to me on this special day even though she was attending via Google.

Normally, Publix needs 3  weeks' notice for wedding cake orders.

The plan for their cake was that a family member was making it, but at the last minute, it was best they not travel and attend. With 3 DAYS' notice, Publix saved the day. Rather than a wedding cake, they called this a "graduation cake" and voila... they had their tiered wedding cake that was beautiful and delicious (and much less cost)

The day of the wedding, Steven and his mom decided he should get a new suit. Well.... not many places were open and there was no way he could get any alterations done. They went to Burlington and found a suit but NO fitting rooms were open due to COVID-19 restrictions. No problem, his mom created and temporary fitting room to shield him while he tried clothes on. When he found the right suit, he removed the tags, paid, and wore it out of the store. (He already had the shirt and tie)

 I love Katherine.

I am grateful she and Steven found each other.

Their happily ever after" is just beginning.

Pre Wedding Dinner

Pre-Wedding Family Dinner

Ron and I hosted a Dinner the evening before Jeff and Alison's Wedding.

We cleared out the furniture at my parents' house and turned it in to

a restaurant. My parents recommended a wonderful caterer, which took

so much worry and stress away from me.

Both families got to meet each other and tell some famous

(not some of THE Famous) Jeffrey and Alison stories.

Click here or here for famous Jeffrey stories

It was great to have met each other prior to the wedding the next day.

I have been to so many weddings at the temple where the families

are meeting for the first time that moment.

It is not very comfortable making introductions

at the temple and, in some cases, guessing who is who.

Generally, I am not a fan of the Wedding Breakfast Tradition.

It is redundant to have the nice Wedding Breakfast

and then meet again for a Reception that evening.

Just too much in one day!

Hence.... The Family Dinner

Jeff and Alison introduced each of their family to everyone.

Gary, Alison's dad started with some great stories....

Alison's family is incredible...every one of them!
As Carmen is passing behind, Ron is talking with my brother,
Brent and my sister, Jenni.

Earlier in the day, little Cousin, Max got a workout from his
big cousins,
as shownhere with Curt.

And Andrew....

Curt and Grandpa David (Ron's Stepfather)

Lorna stayed to help clean up and then prepare for the next

days festivities. Thank you, girl!

My sister, Aunt Jenni, with Andrew

Andrew loves any opportunity to tower over his brothers.

It is nearly impossible to get a photo with these 3 brothers

holding still or being serious!

Alison and her brother, Garret

(Garret and Andrew wore the same shirt to the dinner..we

joked that no one else got the memo)

Katherine and Grandma preparing for the dinner.

Carmen and Curt...Pre Dinner

Great Memories!

Wedding Week

My Role This Week....

What a fun week ahead.....

Jeffrey and Alison's lucky day...Friday, June 13, their wedding day!

The wedding will take place in the Orlando LDS Temple with the

marriage sealing performed by my dad,

adding even more joy to the occasion.

My heart is full of joy and gratitude as I contemplate how perfect

Jeffrey and Alison are for each other.

As I was raising my boys, I would often think about their futures and

how I could prepare them to meet that "just perfect" spouse

and to also be that "just perfect spouse".

Curt and Jeffrey have both been blessed to find wonderful women

who are indeed, perfect for them.

It is a blessing and a miracle to see them make wonderful choices

that bring them to this point in their lives.

I am so excited to officially welcome Alison and her family to ours!

If I sound like a proud, grateful mom, it is because I am!

I can't promise this blog wont be on wedding photo overload next week!!!

Blogging will be light to non-existent this week as I am packing to leave

and enjoying a week of wedding festivities! Giveaway #3 will be posted June 16.

Countdown

Count
Down
Time!

3-2-1





THREE more days until my next
Summer of 2008 Giveaway Contest!
Watch For Details on Monday
TWO more weeks until
Jeff and Alison's Wedding!
ONE more week until
school is out for summer!
This has been such a full week!
Tonight is a Youth Dance at Church.
The Cultural Hall is already set up and decorated. The theme is Welcome Summer~Celebrate The End of The School Year. The decorations are tropical and very cute. Photos and details to follow!
I am so ready to welcome a slower pace that naturally arrives with the end of the school year!
What are you counting down until? Any great summer vacation plans?

Happy Friday!

Interesting

Fires... Wedding Date...Blog Updates....
I called my friend Cathi in California last night as I was thinking she may be evacuated due to approaching wild fires in her area. After confirming that she was safe, we had to catch up on everything else.... two hours later, we had made good headway. I could have talked for two more hours had we been in the same time zone! Cathi is a California girl who lived here in Florida for a few years. We agreed..... Hurricanes are better than fires.

Jeffrey posted some great photos and stories surrounding our trip to Utah and Ron's Birthday weekend.

I have had this question frequently... When are Jeffrey and Alison getting married? JUNE 13...yes Friday, June 13. Friday the 13th is a lucky day for our family so they are starting off on the right foot! They are planning to marry in the Florida Orlando Temple. This date was set with the fact that Andrew will be home from his Missionary Service two weeks prior to the wedding date.

Curt and Carmen had their first dusting of snow...... hard to even imagine as I crank the a/c down.

Andrew (Elder Hostetler) made a request for more photos from the past. As soon as I can kick in to scanning high gear...watch out.... photos from past will be blasted in to cyber space.

Weekend Wedding

Wedding "Rent A Child"

And

Service With a Smile...

As this past weekend was approaching, I found myself saying that things would be quiet and I would accomplish some things around the house before my trip next week..... That was what I thought... until the phone rang Thursday evening... Were my daughters available to be Flower Girls in a wedding.... for Friday (yes the next evening) for someone they don't (and I barely) know. I switched gears and the next thing I knew... we were preparing for their debut as Flower Girls.

Katherine, Jacob R, And Megan

Jake was the Ring Bearer ( a great minteman, also) You could not have found 3 more obviously not part of the family children than these at this Spanish Speaking Wedding. However, The Lord's family knows no boundaries, language barriers, culture clashes, etc. It is refreshing to experience people from such diverse backgrounds putting their arms around each other.

Katherine and Megan wore these dresses for Curt and Carmen's wedding reception. With a few curls in the hair and some hair spray, they were set.
All three of the children participating, Katherine, Jacob, and Megan did great. When they walked slowly down the aisle, it appeared they had practiced and practiced and practiced. We knew otherwise.
Teresa G was the interpreter for Bishop Watson
Rubio and Rosalva were so happy... they glowed. Whether the words were Spanish or English, we knew of their joy and were happy to participate.
Michael and is mom, Jolynn.
I told Michael I would send this photo to him when he was serving a full time mission. He would enjoy seeing the Wellington Ward Foyer in the background.

What would an event be with a photo of my Amiga, Nohemi and me, the The Gringa? We have been through thick and thin together

Steady and always behind the scenes support..Russ and Linda. No one in the Wellington Ward will ever know how much service these two offer silently behind the scenes.

Matthew and Michael

The Mother of The Flower Girls

The Dinner and Dancing afterwards was totally fun. The Mexican Food was perfect and the music for dancing was wonderful. I don't think I sat out but maybe one dance. Katherine and Megan told me the next day that I embarrassed them. When I asked why, they told me that I danced too closely to them and I was an adult. They did not mind that I joined the Conga line because there were other adults already in it.

Not for one minute would I want anyone to think that this was an imposition. Service, in any capacity, is the center of my heart and life. It was an honor and privilege to be a small part of this effort pulled together out of love for two people who know very few others around them. Regardless of the capacity, service always lifts me and energizes me.

Congratulations Rosalva and Rubio