The Girls are Home!

I am so excited to have the girls home! I picked them up in Fillmore on Saturday, and they are done with their summer visits and will be home until Labor Day!

We have lots of excitement going on at our house. Not the least of which is Sadie has finally lost her first tooth (2 months short of turning 7.)

We are in the process of re-modeling the computer room into be Chloe's new bedroom to make room for the boys in her old room. Grandpa and Mike are taking care of us in the re-model and paint department as usual.

Girls Camp is my next big endeavor. Chloe and leave next Wednesday, and will be gone until Friday evening. I will be grateful and relieved to have that over.

After Camp, I will have exactly a week to get everything else ready for the wedding. that's plenty of time, right? I have bought the girls' dresses and that was a huge issue, so hopefully other things like table linens and flowers will come together. Regardless, it will all work out.

Updates

For the next 4 weeks, it is most likely that this blog will become an update on wedding plans and how things are progressing.

For now, this is what is set. Ryan and I will be getting married, August 9th at the Relief Society Building in Washington. It will be small. We will be dressing/decorating in Light green and Ivory.

My mom has already started baking tart shells, and has bought table decorations.
Brenda and I spent last night driving around looking for dresses for the girls and shirts and ties for the boys!

Tonight is girls camp preparation, so wedding plans will have to hold off.
There is definitely more to come.

4th of July Weekend

I always love the 4th of July holiday. It seems like no matter what else is going on, the 4th of July is just a great day for food, family and fun.
This year was no different. Chloe and Mariah danced in the Stadium of Fire at BYU on the 4th, and the rest of the weekend was spent with family.Saturday we had a barbecue with all 6 of us Bracken kids together, (which doesn't happen very often.) We always have a great time when we get together! I am grateful that as adults we all get along and can still goof around.
AND... after meeting all of my brothers and sisters and seeing all of this craziness, Ryan still says he wants to marry me! Who could ask for anything more?

Summer as a Kid

This afternoon I met the little girls and my parents at the park for lunch.
As soon as they were close to finished eating the girls were off to wade in the water.
I love to watch kids just beings kids. And, wading in the water and catching tadpoles, is definitely best enjoyed as a kid.

July? Already?

Oh my gosh! I cannot believe that it is July already!

Last weekend was Frazier and Mindee's wedding. It was beautiful! They probably thought I was a freak of nature, because I told them like 5 times to take care of each other.
Ever since my own separation/divorce, I have cried all the way through wedding ceremonies. Not because I am am sad (or cynical) for the couple getting married, but more because I have been on both sides. I have been incredibly happily married and also felt the betrayal and loss that comes from broken promises. All of that aside, I am incredibly happy for them and excited for them to start their life together. I absolutely believe that being married and building a family together is what it is all about.

The reception was great. Is was nice to see family that I haven't seen for years. We always have a good time when the family gets together.
All of the kids had a great time playing on the grass and dancing.