Beautiful

Honey with Only's Puppy

Last weekend, Valentines weekend, Only came down since Mr. Only had a weekend staff training retreat (I know, who in the world schedules something for Valentines weekend???).  I can't say I complained much.  Loved having her and their new puppy down!   Took time to go see Gma in the nursing home, then home to play Phase 10.

Mrs. Only getting her crafty on

Saturday, Only and I headed to Cross My Art Studio to get out crafty on.  For not knowing what we were doing, we had a fabulous time!  It was wonderful to have time to relax, paint, create, and just talk, and to take home our beautiful pieces of art!

Adding  beautiful Script

Adding some details

My  Completed project

Mrs. Only with her completed piece 

Pinterest about sums it up.  Sometimes it's the first place I look for an idea and there are so many wonderful projects I want to complete for our home.  One of those is a project called Two Little Lovers Sitting in a Tree.  The premise is to take "your song" and transform it into a personal and unique piece of art work.  Since I was having a foggy brain day and couldn't remember that ours was "Say Once More" by Amy Grant, I used "Just Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Vasser.  Honey ended up writing our wedding date under the hearts and it now has this cozy place in our kitchen. We both really like it and Mrs. Only ended up doing one for them as well! 


Honey was so sweet and surprised me with some beautiful colorful roses and tickets to see Christian singer, Michael W. Smith on Sunday.  I was so terribly excited till I woke up at 4 a.m. Sunday morning sick to my stomach with some horrible bug going around.  Needless to say, Youngest went in my place and I know that it was meant to be as he not only enjoyed it, but was moved greatly by many of his songs, especially This is Her Time.

my  new Handmade infinity scarf

Friend's daughter is raising funds to go on a mission trip to Belize,  by making some beautiful crocheted infinity scarves.   Isn't this one gorgeous???  I left the house this morning (it was a balmy 45*) without a coat, by the time we got out of church, the temps had dropped and two hours later, the most beautiful huge snowflakes were not just drifting down, they were intensely swirling, like some Disney movie snowstorm.  I was so thankful to have this scarf!  I'd love to just walk around the house with it on today - not sure I could be that inconspicuous.

Falling in Love...

Only and
 Her Guy 

Engagement Pictures
           Fall 2014

My favorite

I know I'm about half a year behind of blogging and posting these, but on Only's 21st birthday, I thought it was a perfect time. Happy Birthday Sweetie!  We sure love you!

Only's Wedding preview teaser

   

Family Fun

Preparations

 

One "last" dinner with the kids

Our blank starting point

Almost  Done

Surrounded by family and friends in prayer

Behind Door #__?

The Barker Girls hard at work creating beautiful bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres (using riffle shells) and more!  They were amazing!!!

Hold on tight!

Ever been involved in a car chase? Me neither, but maybe the events of the day seem so hectic that all you can do is grasp for something to hold on to?  Lately, it seems that life is going at lighting speed fast - like on a twisty wooden roller coaster. Noisy, fast, and there is no way to get off until the ride is over.  I actually love roller coasters - the thrill of the ups, downs, twist and turns.  

Our daughter, Only, is getting married next Saturday.  Counting less than seven days!  I

Oldest is home from Bible college for a little while.  We are all so joyful to have him back, even it's only for a few weeks.  I love hearing our boys playing games in the living room, laughing and giving each other good natured jabs... 

Hmmmmm,  who is that cute brunett he's got his arm around???  

I'm taking my first ever requested vacation days from work, so we can work on wedding stuff.  Not sure I'm quite mentally ready, but we will see!  She has been working steadily on packing up her room... *Sigh...*   

I've been staying up late working on the flower girl dresses. Still much to do. 

Isn't Miss C so cute?  Want to make a guess  on if she will really make it down the aisle?    Honey has been working on the special rifle bullet boutenerre holders, and the antique doors being used on the stage areas.  

This week, it's blue mason jar, work, and then who knows what... 

Been visiting Mom each day and we have really seen the decline since thanksgiving.   Night nurses are our favorites because they treat each resident on A-Hall (Alzheimer's Hall) like family.  Sometimes we take our German Shepard (everyone thinks se is perfect),  but most times we take a jr  malt from braums.  Anything to try to get her to eat.  

Oh boy, I've suddenly become tired and it's almost midnight!!!  

Till another time, 

Yes

There once was a little girl

and

there was a little boy

whose parents prayed for them

The realization 

The question

The "Yes"

The affirmation

The Kiss

The ring

They said "Yes!" 

Lynnet

Road Trip

I'm very excited for today.  First of all, it's Friday.  How much better can it be and added to that, there is literally NOTHING on the family calendar!  It's a simple regular work day for us, but as soon as all the girls leave and Only is done with school, we hitting the road!  Oh, it's not a huge,  spectacular, going to an event" kind of weekend, but rather going to a place we love.  Actually, we're going to see my cousin Raine.

Ever since I was little, I have loved her.  We were playmates, wrote letters to each other (using actual postage stamps and everything), roomed in the same college dorm, she has been my encourager, and I have been blessed to be her cousin, but also her friend. My family knows I refer to her as The Favorite.

Some of this trip has happened because I need to get away, I need to check on my mother who lives close by, and I realize that I don't have as much time to spend with Only with the changes coming in the next few years, as she is in college.  I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen on this trip, and some of it I am anxious about, but mostly I'm looking forward to it greatly!

Flash of a smile

I was struck by a moment
As I watched her rush around
Heading to her college classes
for the day

Grabbing a cup of coffee
Backpack
Kissing Miss "I"
Patting Youngest on the head
Getting a hug from Miss C

She paused at the door
And flashed a smile...

And I was amazed
At this beautiful girl
That God placed in our lives

And I am thankful

"Only" 19

Cute little 7 yr old

It was the worst snowstorm we'd had that year and somehow it didn't really matter. Just before 10 pm that night, 13 months and 20 minutes after we first became first time parents with Oldest, we met our second newest "little" one, Only. Somehow the memory of those 13 hrs of labor disappeared the moment she took her first breath and wowed us by being the biggest baby in the nursery that week (ah hem - 10 lbs, thank you very much)!

Since then, she has made us laugh, cry, shake our heads in amazement and frustration. We are so thankful that God blessed us with the gift of having Only.  We wanted to share some of the mane "faces" of Only

being goofy with cousin Trev. and Youngest over 4th of July

Silliness abounds with Miss "I" in the house

Fancy Hairdo from Miss AB

On a brother/sister Sonic run "date" 

How could we have worn the same clothes!!! 

   She is my helper and right hand girl.  She knows what needs to be done and does it.  When she was little I used to dance in the kitchen with her, singing a new version of an old tune - making all about here.  Now, we still dance around the kitchen, but mostly when it's cooking and I must say we do it very well. 



These girls love Only.  She will let them "fix" her hair, be silly with them, talk to them, and on occasion, put them in timeout if needed.

As a sister between two brothers, we really feared that she would "get lost" as the boys have strong personalities and involvements, but not Only.  She does not always give in, nor does she selfishly exclude. She has developed a beautiful personality uniquely her own. She is a mediator, friend, gives them "the look" when they screw up (can you imagine that is possible),  knows what they like, will watch shows with them, and sometimes, the older two appear in the SAME shirts even though they've not planned it or seen each other all day. Uncanny and hilarious when it happens.  Oldest doesn't always think so. Sometimes, during kitchen duty, there are a few flying towels, head locks, water on the floor, but always dishes put away.

In character for a A Christmas Carol play

Warm fall day reading and texting with a hint of a smile.

    

Ah, Who's that guy that captured her heart?

Ah, the mysterious guy that puts a smile on her face.  Sometimes you can find her relaxing outside reading, in a comfy chair inside or laying on her bed reading.  This girl LOVES books! Oh yeah, and while we're at it - she has this  "unhealthy" love of shoes... (Just a note of warning to said  Boy who Stole her heart).  And her iPod?  It has a large mix of Christian and Country music.  This girl makes me smile!  Sure makes us giggle when the Tequila song comes on or when we hear a Mamma Mia song, we want to turn it up and sing! 

Reflecting at Petit Jean after a climb down to the waterfall

The girl has done her part of gun shooting, rappelling, tent camping, missions trips

There are so many facets to our dear Only, and there is no way I could really tell them all, or I might be teetering on the edge of pride fullness. I sure wouldn't want to be guilt of that. I love having her around, hearing what's going on and what she is happy or even struggling with.  Sometimes we finish each other's sentences (poor girl).  She is the closest to me, my Right Hand Girl and I do Love her immensely.  I guess the most import thing about Only that you really need to know is that she gave her life to God many years ago and is actively pursuing what He wants her to do in her life.  As we have watched her from from that toddler who so stubbornly stood her ground to the beautiful young woman she is today, it is the inner Godly beauty that amazes me.  Oh, I love this girl!  But I guess you already know that.  Happy 19th Birthday Only!!!