Whew!

Today is the first day in a long time that Travis and I have both been at home without anything that HAS to be done at a certain time. It feels great. 

Mom is doing really well after her surgery last week. After a good night’s rest at home, she was feeling pretty good, and Jenn and I even took her out to CVS on Saturday to get some “deals” that she just couldn’t pass up! Of course, we carried her coupon binder for her since she’s not supposed to be doing any heavy lifting, and that binder weighs a ton :)

Travis and I stayed in Trussville until Sunday afternoon, so Jenn got to be Mom’s solo nurse for a few days after we left. She took Mom to her follow-up appointment on Tuesday, where they got a GREAT report! All of the lymph nodes that were removed were cancer free!!! We are so thankful for that! Next up is Mom’s appointment with the oncologist in about a week and a half. We’ll learn from there more details about when chemo starts. Mom may have a port put in before chemo starts, but she hasn’t decided for sure just yet. She is going to get her hair cut pretty short tomorrow to make the transition from a full head of hair to no hair a little bit easier. She’s been looking for wigs, hats, scarves, turbans, swim caps, etc., but hasn’t bought anything yet. If you know of any good stores in the Birmingham area or websites that sell those items, please let me know! 

Mom still has a positive attitude about all of this, which has been really inspirational for me to see. I’m proud to call her my mom! Please keep praying for her because this is still the beginning of a long journey, and she’ll need lots of support and love along the way. Thanks to so many of you who have asked about her, prayed for her, or sent cards or food. It has really meant so much!

The other big news of the week is that Alisha and Tyler got married last night!!! It was a beautiful wedding and a great way to cap off a summer full of festivities. Tuesday was the bridesmaids’ luncheon and rehearsal dinner. In between, most of the bridesmaids plus Alisha went to a nail salon to get pedicures/manicures. It was a busy but fun day!

Fondue lunch on Tuesday

 

The food was yummy, and we had a great time!

 

All of the bridesmaids (plus Aaron) at the rehearsal

 

Waiting to rehearse

 

Some of the groomsmen

 

Time to practice!

Thursday morning, most of the girls got our hair done at a salon in Athens before we headed to Stone Bridge. Bethany did a great job! 

Melissa has the prettiest hair!!

 

Her up-do was so pretty!

 

:)

 

Emily’s hair – looked great too!

 

This girl is leaving us for t-town soon :(

 

Rachel!

 

Me – a little blurry…

 

CHEESE :)

 

 

Kerri!

 

Amanda :)

 

The beautiful bride!

 

All finished!

 

Her hair looked great!

After leaving the salon, we headed to Cullman to get our dresses and makeup on! The guys were already there…fishing! They all caught several fish, but Travis came away with the catch of the day…a pretty big catfish! :)

Happy fisherman with his prize

Other than being a flower girl when I was little, this was my first time to be in a wedding (other than my own). I really didn’t have many opportunities to take pictures because we were so busy being photographed by the professionals! I’m just hoping they got some good ones…I’m sure they did. Katie D. was nice enough to take a few for me during the ceremony, but other than that I didn’t get many pics on my camera :(

Makeup time!

 

The dress!

 

Emily wore makeup…it’s on camera!! :)

 

Not my fave because I was already shiny…oh well :)

 

Alisha’s cake

 

Tyler’s cake

 

Time to get started!

 

Tyler waiting for his bride

 

Emily walking down the aisle

 

Travis with Emily and Rachel

 

Here comes the bride!

 

They were so happy! :)

 

I found my long lost friend Mollie for a few minutes afterwards :)

It was a late night last night…we finally got in bed around 1 AM (which everyone knows is REALLY late for me!) I slept until 8:30 AM this morning (again…late for me!) and took a little nap this afternoon. The rest of this weekend we are going to spend cleaning the house and organizing the garage. I’m really looking forward to a weekend at our house….I’ve missed this!!! :)

Thought for the day: We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”  ~Thornton Wilder